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…

Part two: Chef and Tell with Jeff Osaka of twelve

This is part two of my interview with Jeff Osaka, exec chef of twelve. You can read part one of my interview with Osaka here. Rules of conduct in your kitchen: I don’t have any rules per se. The only thing I ask from my kitchen staff is to pay…

Rioja team ropes together Martini Ranch deal

Jen Jasinski and Beth Gruitch, the talented duo behind Larimer Square restaurants Rioja and Bistro Vendome, have their eyes on a third spot around the corner, as Penny Parker reports in a good scoop this morning. According to the sign still on the former Martini Ranch at 1317 14th Street,…

BJ’s Port revival dries up

BJ’s Port was a classic Five Points dive, “a glorious little place at 28th and Welton streets that recalls the raucous, energetic organ-trio clubs of Jimmy Smith’s prime — right down to the barbecued ribs and collard greens on the menu,” Bill Gallo wrote for Westword back in 2002. But…

Tonight: Wine, spirits, two chefs and dinner at Black Pearl

The Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery, along with Peach Street Distillers, a Western Slope vodka, bourbon, gin, grappa and brandy distillery, will round out the libations at Black Pearl, 1529 South Pearl Street, the venue for tonight’s wine and spirits dinner spearheaded by Black Pearl chef Kate Horton and Paul Reilly,…

Tonight: Tequila dinner at Zolo

Everyone loves tequila — when you’re not suffering from a hideous agave-induced hangover, that is — and Zolo Southwestern Grill, 2525 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder, has been celebrating all things tequila-related with its 151 Days of Tequila; the next event on the roster is a Tequila Dinner starting at 6:30…

Green Fairy at CY Steak

I love the National Western Stock Show and everything about it; I even love the smell from the stockyards that drifts into downtown Denver this time of year. The town is full of cows and cowboys, and the town’s steakhouses are full of cowboys looking for great grilled cow. This…

Medical marijuana patients enjoy pot luck at 8 Rivers

The first time I cooked pot food was my freshman year in high school. Two friends and I pooled our money, bought a quarter bag of Texas dirt weed and some instant brownie mix, and headed to an adult-free house with an open kitchen. After putting aside enough pot for…

Biker Jim takes his wieners to the asphalt of Argonaut Wine & Liquor

I got the first text late last night: “Lookin’ like our new location is at Argonaut Liquor,” it said. Two minutes later, another text: “Eeeyup.” And, finally, “Come down to 16th and Arapahoe tomorrow and I’ll make you rattlesnake or currywurst or something…” The barrage of texts and the promise…

Avery Brewing will begin canning beers in May

Avery Brewing Company in Boulder plans to start canning four of its craft beers this spring, becoming the latest Colorado brewer to try aluminum on for size. The company, which is still testing the new canning line, hopes to have its Ellie’s Brown Ale, White Rascal, India Pale Ale and…

Bison: It’s on the menu at the National Western Stock Show

Millions of bison used to thunder across the plains of Colorado. Today, the nation’s largest mammals still travel across the state – but they do so by truck. Nearly ninety buffalo are in Denver right now for the National Western Stock Show — 57 were unloaded Tuesday and another thirty…

Happy Hour Hunt: Beatrice & Woodsley

The Place: Beatrice & Woodsley, 38 South Broadway, 303-777-3505 The Hours: Monday through Friday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. The Deal: Half-price specialty cocktails ranging from $4 to $7, discounted wines and draft beers and weekly-changing appetizers that run between $3 and $7 each. The Digs: The back story behind Beatrice…

Pot luck! Creative cooking with cannabis

On January 16, 8 Rivers executive chef Scott Durrah and sous Jamie Gulick held the first Creative Cooking With Cannabis class at the modern Caribbean restaurant at 1550 Blake Street. Courtesy Durrah, here are the recipes from that class:…

Chef and Tell with Jeff Osaka from twelve

The location has been called “low-rent,” “brave” and “sketchy,” but Jeff Osaka, owner/chef of twelve, the obscure, 35-seat NoDo neighborhood restaurant, whose monthly-changing menu is always a stunning adventure in food, rolls his eyes and shrugs at the misconception. “I found this restaurant on Craigslist while living in Los Angeles,…

Cooking with Pete: Braised Spanish chicken

Pete Marczyk and Barbara Macfarlane do not leave their work behind when they leave Marczyk Fine Foods and head for their great old Denver house with the big, new kitchen. They often bring some of their market’s choicest ingredients home with them, and cook up a feast. Paul, Pete’s partner…

Big Papa’s BBQ has a smokin’ third location

Big Papa’s BBQ will hold the official grand opening of its third location, at 5151 South Federal Boulevard, today — and there’s real reason to celebrate, says John Jensen, the director of operations. In April, the partners had just bought the building, an old Burger King, when their financing fell…

Tonight: The inaugural Craft Beer Bartender Challenge

Slinging craft beers requires knowledge beyond the basic pour. Everybody knows what Bud Light tastes like, but how many people can answer on-the-fly questions about lager versus ale, hops versus malts and everything in between? From 6 to 9:30 p.m. tonight, Left Hand Brewing Company and the Old Chicago outpost…

Pot and pans at 8 Rivers

The first time I cooked pot food was my freshman year in high school. Two friends and I pooled our money, bought a quarter bag of Texas dirt weed and some instant brownie mix, and headed to an adult-free house with an open kitchen. After putting aside enough pot for…

Oskar Blues elects the Gubna as its next canned brew

The race for governor of Colorado is in full swing, but the next “Gubna” of Colorado has already been decided. Oskar Blues Brewery will release Gubna Imperial IPA on March 1, the Longmont-based brewer’s sixth canned brew. The unusual rye beer is made from three kinds of malt, including rye…