Photos: Smashing cocktails from the Winter Talent Showcase

An appreciative crowd of convivial drinkers bellied up to the bar last night at Ghost Plate & Tap, the site of Industry Denver’s first Winter Talent Showcase, a cocktail-centric bash that pimped the mad mixology skills of several Denver bartenders, including Dante Reesman, Melissa Durant, Matty Durgin, Jason Patz, Anthony…

New Year’s Eve: Where will you ring it in?

Want to get lucky as you ring in 2013? The Westword New Year’s Eve Guide will be inserted in our December 13 issue and will include information on select December 31 entertainment options to ensure that when the clock strikes twelve, you don’t strike out. If you know of any…

Mellow Mushroom gives vegan eaters a pizza the action

Mellow Mushroom seemed like the perfect place to celebrate the passage of Amendment 64, what with its giant, color-changing psychedelic mushroom motif. But this pizza chain is based in Atlanta, and last time we checked, Georgia wasn’t anywhere close to legalizing marijuana. Still, we’ll give a thumbs-up to Mellow Mushroom’s…

Guess where I’m drinking an Avery Odio Equum?

It was my lucky day, stopping at a restaurant/bar that stocks Avery Odio Equum, a brilliant sour that’s a rarity, given that only 443 cases were produced. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week’s Guess Where posts is entered…

Tonight: Monthly wine dinner at Gaetano’s

The revamped, and recently reviewed, Gaetano’s will host one of its monthly wine dinners tonight, showcasing various wineries by pairing their vino with a special four-course menu. This dinner features wine selected by local Italian wine expert Mario Scanu. See also: -All in the family: How do the Smaldones feel…

Pasquini’s on 17th gets its dance cabaret license

At the end of November, the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses approved the dance cabaret license application filed by Pasquini’s Pizzeria on 17th Avenue, which means this latest location in the Pasquini’s empire can now offer live music, which has been such a hit at the Highland location. There…

Photos: Beer and cheer at Wynkoop’s Parade of Darks

Just before the Parade of Lights lit up downtown on Saturday, the Wynkoop Brewing Company hosted the Parade of Darks, an annual winter beer fest featuring brews “in the amber-to-opaque color spectrum.” This time around, Denver’s oldest brewpub gathered together 82 beers from 34 breweries, an expansive list that included…

Photos: The ten best costumes of the Santa Claus Pub Crawl

The Santas came in all shapes and sizes on Saturday, accompanied by elves, angels, reindeer and who-the-hell-knows on Saturday, when the annual Santa Claus Pub Crawl came unwrapped along the streets of LoDo and the Ballpark neighborhood. Britt Chester was on hand for this gift that kept on giving; see…

Guess where I’m eating burrata?

Mozzarella’s elevated cousin, burrata, is one of my favorite cheeses in the universe, and while this ball didn’t quite have the core of cream that I’d like, it was luscious nonetheless. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week’s Guess…

Renegade Brewing will can two more of its beers

Renegade Brewing, which scored a hit with its Ryeteous Rye IPA in sixteen-ounce cans, plans to package two more beers in January: the 11 percent ABV Elevation Triple IPA and the 5:00 Afternoon Ale, a 5 percent ABV blond session-style beer. The Elevation will be sold in twelve-ounce cans, while…

Vegan chocolate cupcakes for an easy dessert on Meatless Monday

This time of year, it’s all about the baked goods — so what’s a plant-based eater to do? Make your own, of course. These chocolate cupcakes are super-easy and suitable for any occasion. See also: – Vegan zucchini bread for a sweet seasonal treat on Meatless Monday – Chocolate-chip vegan…