Sneak peek: Matador opens tomorrow in Highland

Back in July, when we announced that Matador Restaurant and Tequila Bar, a Seattle-based Tex-Mex restaurant, had signed a lease on the now-shuttered Heidi’s Deli space in Highland, outspoken opponents weren’t particularly shy about voicing their dismay: “I think most of us in the Highlands could really care less. We…

Rincon Argentino is sweet on empanadas, even if not for dessert

Given how good the savory empanadas are at Rincon Argentino, which I review this week, I was curious why the restaurant doesn’t serve empanadas for dessert. “They’re not very common,” explains chef-owner Christian Saber, a native of Argentina, which is why he offers more classic desserts such as dulce de…

Our ode to the McRib, now on the endangered species list

For the last few years, McDonald’s has given its fans an annual holiday present: the McRib, a porkorific product that returns to menus across the country for a few weeks. But this year, the fast-food chain has decided against a national rollout; instead, local franchises can decide whether they want…

Guess where I’m eating dessert…first?

It’s rare that I eat dessert at all, and I can count the number of times I’ve eaten dessert first on less than one toenail. But this dessert — a glorious butterscotch pudding crowned with salted caramel — might be enough to convince me that it’s absolutely okay to bend…

Forget the Chardonnay — it’s time for Beaujolais Nouveau

If you are a wine lover, you know that this month comes bearing gifts in the form of Beaujolais Nouveau. This most popular vin de primeur originates with Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France that are then fermented for only six to eight weeks prior to bottling…

Ten unexpected places to throw your 2013 holiday party

Treat your friends, family members and random one-night stands to something out-of-the-ordinary this holiday season: Throw your traditional soiree at one of these offbeat, quirky and totally unforgettable spots. See also: Beer calendar: Get hopping with big cans, chefs and holiday brews…

The pie’s the limit for holiday desserts

Everyone seems to go gaga over desserts this time of year. According to the American Pie Council, 90 percent of Americans agree that a slice of pie represents one of life’s simple pleasures. That’s not the only fascinating fact coming from this group. For example, one in five Americans have…

Denver could be going to the dogs (on patios, at least)

Are dogs at bars a guaranteed chick magnet — or an annoyance? According to one reader, “People take their dogs into bars all the time in Denver. I see it everywhere and it’s usually weird, single dudes trying to pick up girls, and it almost always works.” Pop culture might…

Chef Eric Roeder moves on from Dushanbe Teahouse

Chef Eric Roeder had restaurants in two of Denver’s hottest restaurant neighborhoods before they were hot. A Boulder native who started his culinary career at the Flagstaff House as a pastry apprentice, Roeder graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York in 1995, then cooked in Seattle and…

Get a taste for Thanksgiving dinner at Lucky’s Market today

Need inspiration for Thanksgiving? Head to the holiday tasting fair at Lucky’s Market from 4 to 7 p.m. today. You can sample some of the sweet and savory tastes of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey (pre-orders available), gravy, stuffing, side dishes, Organic Valley Eggnog, Lucky’s Bakehouse pies and more!…

Charcoal now serving lunch…again

After a summer (and some of fall) hiatus, Charcoal has begun serving lunch again — but without the bincho boxes that won our hearts when Gary Sumihiro opened the Golden Triangle restaurant in 2011. See also: First look: Chef Peter Ryan opens the Plimoth in North City Park…

Champps gets knocked out of Colorado

Champps Americana has wiped Colorado off the map of its locations; all three Champps that had been located in this state are now closed. See also: Reader: Park Meadows could use some new restaurants…

First look: Chef Peter Ryan opens the Plimoth in North City Park

Four years ago, when I interviewed Peter Ryan, then the executive chef/instructor at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, I asked him what he wished would disappear from Denver’s culinary landscape. “Acceptance of a lousy performance by a restaurant,” he told me. “Everything counts in the hospitality industry, but a…

The guardian angel of tortas beckons you to Tortisimas

In A Federal Case, I’ll be eating my way up Federal Boulevard – south to north – within Denver city limits. I’ll be skipping the national chains and per-scoop Chinese joints, but otherwise I’ll report from every vinyl booth, walk-up window and bar stool where food is served. Here’s the…