What’s the difference between pot and parsley?

Blackberries and beets are on the list. So are horseradish, hops and horehound. Even wasabi, wormwood and watermelon are eligible to receive money under the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. But marijuana? Sorry, says agriculture spokeswoman Christi Lightcap, “it would not fall under this specialty crops…

Tonight: Mixologist Monday at TAG

We love it when restaurants try new things — like TAG’s Mixologist Monday, which will feature special guest bartender Michael Martenson of Ron Zacapa Rum (plus TAG bar manager Mike Henderson). Anytime between 5 and 10 p.m. tonight, the ‘tenders will take you through an array of tasty cocktails: French…

Today: Get healthy at the Quaker Oatmeal Festival

This weekend brings the return of Lafayette’s Quaker Oatmeal Festival, complete with an oatmeal breakfast, a certified 5K run/walk, a health fair, an oatmeal baking contest and the inaugural Oatmeal Creation Challenge; events run from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Spoon up all the details at www.lafayettecolorado.com/oatmealfestival.html. For information…

Randy Layman leaving Avenue Grill for Jonesy’s

First, Ryan Layman left Avenue Grill and moved across the street to Steuben’s. Now comes word that after seven years at Avenue Grill, Randy Layman — Ryan’s twin brother — is heading to Jonesy’s EatBar to become bar manager there. Randy poured out his ‘tending philosophy to Nancy Levine for…

Strange Sauce: The week in national food news

Michelle Obama appeared on Iron Chef America and challenged contestants to use ingredients from the White House vegetable garden. Mario Batali, known for his hideous orange Crocs, dubbed Michelle’s dress “Obamatali Orange.” Although we prefer him plump, George Costanza has agreed to be the new face of Jenny Craig. A…

New Belgium pours money into saving the Poudre

The Cache la Poudre River runs through downtown Fort Collins and right past the parking lot of the New Belgium Brewing Company — and the company plans to keep it that way. Last month, New Belgium gave a $40,000 grant to the Waterkeeper Alliance — a worldwide network of 192…

Guess where I’m eating?

It’s Christmas all year long in the Land of Enchantment, which is where I’ve spent the week in euphoria, thanks, in part to the breakfast burritos at this Santa Fe institution. Where did I get my red and green chile rush? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer…

Free food! For Kids! At Chipotle! Every Sunday through January!

As part of its ongoing menu-expansion test in Colorado, all area Chipotle Mexican Grill locations will be giving away free kid’s meals on the remaining Sundays in January — January 10, 17, 24 and 31 — when parents fork over the dough for a burrito, burrito bowl or full-size salad…

Sugar High: Olivea

If your New Year’s resolutions have you off the sugar, this post isn’t for you. If, however, you’ve instead vowed to be more mindful of the quality of your indulgences and are keeping your palate readied for only the most mind-blowing of desserts, then by all means: read on…

In the kitchen with Kyle Fitzgerald of the Old Blinking Light

Kyle Fitzgerald, exec chef of the Old Blinking Light and the mouthpiece in this week’s Chef and Tell interview, has a thing for chiles, which isn’t surprising since his restaurant turns out plates from the Southwest. For this super-easy jelly recipe, Fitzgerald fires up the heat with fresh jalapenos. “This…

Sheehan: Things I’m gonna miss…

Time is growing short. Less than a week before I turn my back on the 303 and make for the 206 (which sounds weird just to say), and everywhere I turn, I’m seeing things I’m going to miss. It’s no longer just the big things that are getting to me,…

Tonight: Bartenders go head-to-head at Strings

How does your favorite drink-slinger measure up to the competition? You can find out tonight at Strings, 1700 Humboldt Street, where Strings bartender Kris Lykins will face off against ‘tenders from Steuben’s and Avenue Grill. The competition takes place at 6 p.m., but festivities will start at 5 and conclude…

After-action report: Broadway Book Mall and beyond

So how many people braved the weather last night and came out for my last book signing? Eleven. Which some people might see as sad, but not me. First, because that doesn’t even take the record for my least-attended signing (which would be eight people showing up on a night…

Guess where I’m drinking?

In the dead of winter, a sip of this delicious pineapple mojito was enough to transport me to sunny South America. Guess where I was drinking, and post your answer below. Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to any of the week’s Where am I drinking/eating posts…

Catch this: A claw game that catches live lobsters

Remember the “claw” games that used to litter every campy restaurant or amusement park, and you’d pour about ten bucks’ worth of coins into a game just to get a 40 cent trinket? Well, the Love Maine Lobster Company now lets you pick your own live lobster from an arcade-style…

Former Bubba Chinos in Park Hill goes to pot

Would-be medical marijuana dispensary owners are snapping up empty restaurant spaces around town. The former Buca di Beppo at 1400 Market Street is turning into Farmacy, and the space at 5151 East 28th Avenue that formerly held Bubba Chinos #5 is now slated to become a medical marijuana dispensary. But…

Stephanie Tourles makes the case for raw food

Stephanie Tourles is the author of the just-released “cook” book Raw Energy: 124 Raw Food Recipes for Energy Bars, Smoothies, and Other Snacks to Supercharge Your Body. She’ll be appearing at the Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th Street, on Monday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. to sign copies of the…

Guess where I’m eating?

Nothing fights the cold — and a cold — like a heaping helping of pickled jalapenos on an order of nachos. Except, maybe, for the side of green chile that’s coming next. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to any of…