Restaurant roll call for December

Just as he did two years ago with Bones, Frank Bonanno opened a new restaurant, Lou’s Food Bar, in the last days of the year. But there was much more action on the Denver dining scene, as documented in our Restaurant roll call for December:…

Reader: Olivea starts the new year off right

Denver’s restaurateurs are an incredibly generous group, with chefs and owners alike stepping up to contribute to endless good causes throughout the year. Olivea — the eighteen-month-old restaurant owned by Keith Arnold and Stephanie Bonin (who’re also responsible for duo) and chef John Broening and pastry goddess Yasmin Lozada-Hissom –…

There’s never a dull moment at Gaetano’s

Happy Place: Gaetano’s, 3760 Tejon Street, 303-477-6096 The Hours: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. The Deals: $1 off Wynkoop draft beers; $3 cocktails, including homemade limoncello; $3 truffle fries; $2 mini paninis and mini caprese salads Were we happy? Flip the page to find out…

Olivéa New Year’s Eve dinner winner update (and a bonus brunch)

Tonight, one lucky Cafe Society reader will get to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Olivéa, the sensational Mediterranean restaurant in Uptown whose kitchen is overseen by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo of exec chef John Broening and pastry goddess Yasmin Lozada-Hissom. Earlier this week, we asked you to tell us, in…

TAG’s Brian Melton loves the restaurant industry. Here’s why

All the talk about “In the Weeds” inspired Brian Melton to send in this missive about the restaurant industry. It’s our New Year’s Eve gift for everyone in the business –and anyone out on the town tonight who benefits from exemplary workers in the service industry. “My Love Affair with…

Tonight: Where to eat on New Year’s Eve

Looking for somewhere to eat tonight? Look no further than our New Year’s Eve Food & Drink listings, a comprehensive guide to special restaurant offerings tonight in the metro area. But remember to check with the restaurant before you head out the door — many are filled to capacity. (And…

Top five street food dishes in 2010

In this week’s Westword, I headed down to Alameda for a glimpse of the loncheras that ruled the streets before this year, when tricked out mobile vendors (or luxe loncheras) became a hot trend. And in the course of the time I spent with the family who owns La Villa…

Guess where I’m eating?

I love the service here, and the wine list is both sensibly priced and well-crafted, but after a recent dinner that included a wad of paper in my chile rellenos and a woefully underseasoned seafood dish that arrived lukewarm, it’s on my shit list. Can you guess where I’m eating?…

Laura Shunk’s story begins with Chipotle Mexican Grill

Early this month, Jason Sheehan gave Chipotle Mexican Grill a glowing review in the Seattle Weekly, our partner publication where he now works — and where the haters haven’t stopped rolling their eyes and asking why he’d bother writing about such a ubiquitous fast-casual joint. His piece provided the perfect…

Win a complimentary dinner for two at Olivéa on New Year’s Eve

Yes, you read that headline correctly: Olivéa, the sensational Mediterranean restaurant in Uptown whose kitchen is overseen by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo of exec chef John Broening and pastry goddess Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, is offering a free three-course dinner for two on New Year’s Eve. The gift is for the early…

Accused of mistreating Katrina victims

Welcome to In the Weeds. Kyle will be right with you — most likely to complain about something. Usually he is pleasant, but this is his place to blow off some steam. Don’t take it personally; he just needs to vent because he’s been doing this for about thirteen years…

Drinkwel: the hangover cure that works

At the risk of riling up those readers who like to tell me I drink too much, I plan on ringing in 2011 the same way I welcomed 2009 and 2010: with plenty of bubbly followed by a cocktail or five. And I’m sure there are at least a few…

The ten biggest Colorado beer stories of the year

In April, the Wynkoop Brewing Company began delivering kegs and cans to some of its downtown clients via horse and buggy. The move was a cool addition to Denver’s beer culture and a fun sight to see on Friday afternoons. But Colorado’s beer scene is so vibrant that it didn’t…

Today: Free wine tastings at Sip Fine Wine & Spirits

Sip Fine Wine & Spirits, 1920 Market Street, will offer free wine tastings from 4 to 7 p.m. tonight. For more info, call 303-298-9463. For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings. Follow @CafeWestword on Twitter…

Primebar calls it quits

National brand Restaurants America dropped Primebar into its massive space at 1515 Arapahoe Street back in May of 2009, using the former Palomino digs to turn out New American fare in lodge-inspired decor, animal heads and all. A year and a half later, the place has called it quits…