The sign on the Rackhouse Pub promises “Whiskey Beer Food.” It’s been a tough year, so I’m looking for signs. Life has gotten so complex that a sign, just a sign, can help chart my direction — even if it’s only for the course of a night. Whiskey, Beer and…
When I make a sandwich, it is an admittedly pathetic (though oddly comforting) thing: two slices of white bread laid with two slices of individually wrapped American cheese, thrown in the nuker and microwaved for ten seconds. That’s it. I call it my white-trash grilled cheese. When Noah Stephens or…
There’s nothing like a properly muddled Old Fashioned and enough Christmas decorations to light-bright Clark Griswold’s house ten times over to get me in the holiday spirit. Can you guess in what winter wonderland I was drinking? Special bonus: Every Friday, anyone who gave the first correct answer to any…
This week, William Breathes reviews the Ganja Gourmet at 1810 South Broadway, the city’s first — and likely last — restaurant specializing in dishes containing medical marijuana: “The Ganja Gourmet,” he writes, “is not so much a restaurant as a dispensary where you can hang out, smoke pot and eat…
First off, thanks to everyone for their suggestions on where I should eat my last review dinner in Denver. The comments have been excellent, the suggestions helpful, and the current leader seems to be Casa Bonita — which I assume is rising fast because so many of you just want…
For the most part, Christmas is a time full of really good stuff to eat — from the fancy (Christmas dinner with all the trimmings) to the simple (cookies). But there are some foods and drinks that just don’t make sense anymore — they belong to a different time, in…
She is the culinary genius behind Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Along with friend and chef Jeremiah Tower, she pioneered California Cuisine and has had a heavy influence in promoting sustainable, locally grown food sources for restaurants. Her Chez Panisse Foundation introduced the Edible Schoolyard, a program that provides funding and…
Italians know how to do a lot of things right. They make sexy cars, damn good wine and great cheeses. Most important, they know how to celebrate Christmas Eve. On the night referred to as “the vigil” or La Vigilia, Italian-American families gorge themselves on seven-course seafood feasts. It’s typically…
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.. This week, they…
In 1992, Goose Sorensen, then 23, was living in Casper, a fine Wyoming town with bars and brawls and women, but there was something missing, something that Sorensen was longing to have but didn’t. That something was — wait for it — Bennigan’s. “I totally wanted to cook at Bennigan’s,…
Every day that passes reminds me of another thing I’m going to miss about this town when I finally take my leave in just a few short weeks. Today, while running through a list of every restaurant I’d reviewed in 2009, I found my March 18 love letter to Bones–Frank…
It’s about damn time this year ended. But before it does, we’re taking a look back at your favorite stories of 2009. Here, the ten most-read stories from the Cafe Society blog…
If you’re one of those who celebrates Festivus, the holiday for the rest of us, head to Squeaky Bean, at 3301 Tejon Street, today. From open to close (7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.), the Bean will feature such Festivus festivities as feats of strength and airings of grievances, plus food…
Santa brought a brand-new bar back to spruce up this classic dive. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Every Friday, anyone who gave the first correct answer to any of the week’s Where am I drinking/eating posts will be entered in a pool — and we’ll pull out…
Colt & Gray has been open just four months, but owner and exec Nelson Perkins had been working on the restaurant for years — in his head, mostly, or on paper. He brought on Brad Rowell, a buddy from C-school, to stand as chef de cuisine and then the two…
There are very few restaurants in (and around) Denver that do oval pizzas and serve them on wooden peels. This is one of those places. If you’ve been here, you’ll get this in a snap. If not, then you’ll have a new joint that’s definitely worth checking out in the…
Jerusalem knows Middle Eastern food. The family establishment at 1890 East Evans Avenue has been in business for over thirty years and the owners pride themselves on their bargain prices and freshly-made food. This goes for their dessert case, too, which is overflowing with buttery phyllo creations, honeyed cakes and…
Early last week, India House, the curry den at 1514 Blake Street, was seized for non-payment of taxes. But owner Ghugi Singh was able to cough up the $12,739.91 demanded by the state, which he paid in full to the Colorado Department of Revenue. “The business was released back to…
At this time of year, experts keep sending out seasonal survival guides. Local dietitian Suzanne Martin, for example, recently released her list of seven secrets for eating healthy during the holidays. Here they are — and my responses:…
As a countdown to the Best of Denver 2010, coming April 1, Cafe Society is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in Denver. Send your own nominations to cafe@westword.com…
Ah, the Christmas stocking. It’s an entirely essential object in the Christmas experience, yet its gift-bearing abilities are often misused and abused. Nothing is more annoying than the Santa whose stocking stuffer doesn’t even fit in the stocking. In the event that you’re one of these misfits, this final edition…
I’m going to miss breakfast burritos. I’m going to miss all breakfast burritos — the good ones, the bad ones, the great ones and every one in between. But most of all, I’m going to miss the breakfast burritos from the Santiago’s location on Leetsdale Avenue, which I consider to…
