Star Bar future looks dim

For the first time in decades, the Star Bar — one of the very last classic dives left on Larimer Street (at 2137 Larimer, to be exact) — was dark this weekend, with a sign posted on the door that it’s been closed because of liquor-code violations. No word on…

Today: Cook Street focuses on North Africa

Those of us who love food tend to love it from all regions of the globe. But while we might appreciate certain exotic cuisines, it’s sometimes difficult to incorporate them into our own cooking repertoire. You can change all that with Cook Street School of Fine Cooking’s A World of…

Today: A pizza the pie at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs

How does a guy who peddles hot dogs for a living feed his pie hole? If you’re Steve Ballas, owner of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, you spend your Saturday afternoon holding a pizza tasting tourney, which is exactly what Ballas is doing today at his frankfurter hut at 3525 East Colfax…

Cafe Society: Week in review

What you may have missed this week on Cafe Society while you were weighing in on twelve’s Jeff Osaka, the restaurant’s exec chef and owner who’s at the center of this week’s Chef and Tell interview — and some controversy surrounding his comment regarding his most critical customers. So far,…

Guess where I’m drinking?

A friend wanted to get a drink at a “New York” type of bar, and it took me all of 30 seconds to decide where I wanted to go. Not sure why I think of this place as a New York-ish bar…but it could be the windows. Or maybe it’s…

Strange Sauce: The week in national food news

In the heat of Michael Bloomberg’s quest to limit the use of salt in NYC restaurants, a recent study has found that a program aimed at reducing the nation’s salt intake could shave 24 BILLION dollars from the national health-care budget. Healthy or not, we’re siding with David Chang, who…

Guess where I’m eating?

It’s not easy finding a good French onion soup in Denver, so imagine my surprise when I wrapped my jaws around this fantastic French onion soup sandwich, easily one of the coolest new dish discoveries this year. Whose sandwich out-souped the classic? Special bonus: Every Friday, anyone who gave the…

Sugar High: Banana puddin’ from Rooster & Moon

This cup of creamy goodness came delivered right to our door when we called Rooster & Moon, 955 Bannock Street, to inquire about the banana pudding that was making tongues wag around the Westword office. Co-owner Nicholas Bode was sure we’d dig the southern-style dessert that his seven-week-old restaurant was…

Please give peas a chance

A bill has been introduced at our esteemed Colorado Legislature that will formally establish a Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, the better for the advancement of healthy food policies. And to what do we denizens of Denver owe this piece of puff pastry? Is it because for the last hundred…

The amazing end of Amazing Jake’s

The amazing story of Amazing Jake’s may have ended. Last year, Art Cormier — renowned in Denver both for Smiley’s laundromat and the Regency Hotel — took over the giant funplex at 1400 South Abilene Street in Aurora, saying he planned to change it to Smiley’s Fun Center. But many…

In the kitchen with Jeff Osaka, chef of twelve

Jeff Osaka, chef/owner of twelve, and the center of this week’s compelling Chef and Tell interview, changes his menu monthly, hence the restaurant’s name. The January board trumpets foie gras and pork belly, Colorado lamb and a vegetarian paella and several sugar-laced finales, including Osaka’s orange polenta cake, the recipe…

The party’s over for Bash

For a decade, Bash held down the corner at 1902 Blake Street — and also held down the growth of the area, neighbors complained, when it became the flashpoint for trouble at closing time. But now Bash has closed, as Backbeat writer Jon Solomon documented yesterday. And while club-goers are…

Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta slices off another piece

Back in 1984, Henry Mann started serving slices of New York-style pizza from a storefront at 1550 California Street. From those humble beginnings, Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta has grown into one of the city’s biggest home-town chains, with thirty outlets spread across the metro area (including the original, still open…

Tonight: The Winter Brew Fest hits Mile High Station

Kick your weekend off right at the fourth annual Winter Brew Fest at Mile High Station, 2027 West Colfax Avenue. This don’t-miss event for winter beer lovers will feature tastings of more than seventy samples from upwards of 25 breweries…

Uncorking soon in Congress Park: Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates

Come what March, Congress Park residents will have a new grape divide and grazing pad in which to unleash their inner oenophile and appetite, namely Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates, opening in a former beauty salon at 3422 East 12th Avenue. The wine bar’s Facebook page, which has some…

Andy’s Asian Express opens on Federal

Andy’s Asian Express opened on Monday, January 11, in a former Dairy Queen at South Federal and Iliff, across the street from Lincoln High School. “We did a lot of remodeling,” says owner Andy Shi. “Now we have an open kitchen, so you can see what we are doing.” One…

Oh, Brother! A new member in Denver’s band of Brothers

First, there was My Brother’s Bar, which forty years ago last week moved into the building at 2376 15th Street that’s held a saloon since the 1870s. The bar remains under the watchful eye of Jim Karagas, who’d opened the Wazee Lounge and Supper Club at 1600 15th Street with…

Guess where I’m eating?

These niche tacos have been the tac-o the town for years, a constant in a fickle, ever-changing dining climate. And they’re just as awesome now as they ever were. Where did I get my crunch on? Special bonus: Every Friday, anyone who gave the first correct answer to any of…

Blues on Blake Supper Club fades to black

Blues on Blake Supper Club, the ambitious restaurant/music venue at 1925 Blake Street, was going to be closed from January 1 to 15 for “retooling,” according to its web site. “You have spoken and we have listened. Our New Year’s resolution is to improve on our first year and to…