Food & Drink

The so-called “Local Foods, Local Jobs Act,” a bill sponsored by state senator Gail Schwartz that would allow small growers and producers to sell their goods directly to consumers, has passed the full Colorado Senate. It now heads to the House, which recently passed a similar bill, sponsored by embattled…

For the record, no, this is not an omelet from Pete’s Kitchen or the Denver Diner, but a Vietnamese pancake — bánh xèo — that’s one of my go-to dishes whenever I stop in for lunch. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct…

The words Pinche Tacos may be lettered across the food truck that Kevin Morrison revved up almost two years ago, but the irreverent name didn’t fly when he wanted to put a food cart on the 16th Street Mall. Or when he wanted to open a restaurant whose working name…

J. Michael Melton Zydeco’s 1730 Wynkoop Street 303-293-2887 www.zydecosdenver.com This is part two of my chat with J. Michael Melton, exec chef of Zydeco’s. Part one of our interview ran in this space yesterday. Favorite Denver/Boulder restaurant(s) other than your own: I eat at Tom’s Home Cookin’ once a week…

South Pearl Street has seen more than its fair share of action this year. But in the 1800 block of South Pearl, it’s all about growth — not the closings that marked the start of the new year on the 1400 South block, where India’s Pearl, Pearl Street Grill and…

Does anyone remember Wolfgang Puck’s place in Cherry Creek? Not after they’ve had a bite of the goat curry at Phat Thai, the restaurant that Mark Fischer opened in December in that same spot at 2900 East Second Avenue. The goat curry rates a spot on our list of 100…

If Jean-Philippe Failyau, the owner of the original Park Burger in Platt Park, passes inspections tomorrow, his packed-to-the-rafters burger joint will reopen on Sunday with dozens of additional seats, new burgers, a free-standing bar and, God willing, waits that don’t stretch to an hour…

Gary Lee Bomar inked a deal on a dilapidated property at 176 South Broadway last year, intending to build a bar and restaurant that would serve up smoked meats and cheeses and also feature an expansive patio, which would frequently feature live music. Before the hammers started swinging, though, his…

I didn’t notice many changes to this restaurant, despite it closing in January for renovations — but that could have been because I was fixated on this pomegranate kumquat caipirinha. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week’s Where am…

It’s not exactly tableside guacamole, but this do-it-yourself version, complete with cilantro, pico, lime wedges and a charred jalapeño, is surprisingly good for a restaurant that’s not remotely renowned for its food. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week’s…

J. Michael Melton Zydeco’s 1730 Wynkoop Street 303-293-2887 www.zydecosdenver.com This is part one of my chat with J. Michael Melton, exec chef of Zydeco’s. Part two of our interview will run in this space tomorrow. I got the gift of the Southern double name,” drawls J. Michael Melton in his…

Leigh Sullivan founded FIVE, a group of Denver chefs who cook across the country, back in 2008; the lineup, like Sullivan herself, has gone through some changes over the years. Sullivan recently relaunched her own marketing/public relations company, Leigh Sullivan Enterprises, and just announced the latest lineup of FIVE, which…