We recently talked to five new restaurant owners on the pitfalls and lessons-learned of opening their own eateries. Here they — and a few other chefs who’ve piloted kitchens in their opening days — give advice for others who are thinking about going it solo. 1. “Get everything in writing…
With rising real estate prices, a labor shortage and plenty of competition for diners, new restaurants face tough challenges in Denver. And those challenges become even tougher for optimistic entrepreneurs who’ve never owned a restaurant. Still, this city’s restaurant scene continues to explode, with no end in sight. We caught…
When Geraldine Kim and Josh Gertzen opened Frozen Matter in Uptown in the spring of 2016, they built their ice cream shop with expansion in mind. Frozen Matter is the only retail ice cream shop in Colorado that is also a licensed dairy plant with an on-site pasteurizer, according to the owners,…
This might be the last truly great harvest at the farmers’ market this year. After all, snow is on the ground and a freeze is predicted for tonight. Still, despite today’s bad weather, the farmers and chef Brian Wilson of Beast + Bottle were all smiles over the weekend as they…
Colorado held steady at the Great American Beer Festival this year, winning a total of 38 medals on Saturday, the same number it won in both 2015 and 2016. And while that doesn’t seem like a lot of bling for a state with more than 320 breweries, it’s notable because…
Fundraisers, fermentation and oration are on the menu this week in Denver. From a pair of benefits that will ensure you also get a good meal to a class on kombucha to a duo of distinguished guests giving speeches, here are seven spicy events on the culinary calendar from Monday,…
The 2017 Great American Beer Festival has tapped its last keg. Although this year’s fest was bigger than ever, it sold out in less than a day…and Denver’s craft-beer scene continues to boom. But some readers think the scene is headed for a bust.
While there are still a few gaps in the market-hall plan at the upcoming Zeppelin Station development at 3501 Wazee Street, at least two gaps will be filled by Duc Huynh, who currently runs Vinh Xuong Bakery at 2370 West Alameda Avenue. Earlier this summer, Huynh inked a deal to bring…
Two coffee shops, a sexy new RiNo bar, an Aurora steakhouse and an escape-room concept are among the bar and restaurant openings this week. Joe Maxx Coffee Co. adds another artistic element to the Art District on Santa Fe, while Congress Park favorite Under the Umbrella doubles down on its…
Stem Ciders, at 2811 Walnut Street in RiNo, is hosting its annual Cider Grass fall festival from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. this Saturday, October 7. No, not that kind of grass; Stem Ciders is a family-friendly craft cider maker. Grass, as in bluegrass music, will play live all day, with…
If you’re a chef known for creative interpretations of Asian and Mexican classics and fusing Hawaiian, Japanese, American and Mexican cuisine into a new style of dining across several successful restaurants, where do you turn to for inspiration for a new dish? To the customers, of course! That’s exactly what…
Development group McWhinney set out to make the Dairy Block a beacon of dining, drinking and shopping in downtown Denver, and every new tenant revelation raises the bar on that promise. On the heels of the announcement that Frank and Jacqueline Bonanno are building massive market hall Milk Market there comes…
At first mention, the name “Salvage” didn’t exactly evoke images of tasty steak dinners, historic Denver eateries or any kind of culinary experience, for that matter. In fact, it sounded like a second-hand store where I could take my old toaster and ’90s grunge-era button-up shirts. So it raised my…
Folks from Wisconsin (and Eastconsin, too) have been showing up in droves since Denver’s building boom began a few years ago. They’re a friendly lot, and they love the Packers, the Wisconsin Badgers and fried cheese curds. Other than the sports team, they’re not so different from the rest of…
It’s an eclectic weekend in Denver. From pierogi and tapas to oysters and cider, there’s something on the menu (and at a price point) for everyone. Here are six delicious events on the culinary calendar from Friday, October 6, through Sunday, October 8. Friday, October 6 Even people sick of…
We know, we know. Your GABF dance card is already full of events, and by Saturday night, you’re more likely to be nursing your injured liver than seeking out another party. But for those of you who can make the room — or for those of you who are avoiding…
Today marks the final Civic Center Eats of the season. The Westword Street Team will be there, to serve up info on another food event coming to the McNichols Building in Civic Center in ten days: Feast.
The Great American Beer Festival, now in its 36th year, has changed drastically over the decades. It has grown significantly in size, while the industry it represents has grown even more. These days, the specifics of the fest itself aren’t too different from year to year, but the issues surrounding…
There’s a new apartment complex at the corner of 18th and Central streets in LoHi (which will surprise absolutely no one) where many years ago a book binding company once stood. The only remaining evidence is in the name of the Bindery (1817 Central Street), a new restaurant that’s aiming…
The first question people ask about the Campus Lounge, a classic watering hole in Bonnie Brae: When will it reopen? Now we have the answer: October 18.
Pints Pub, 221 West 13th Avenue, is a landmark of sorts in the Golden Triangle, the sliver of land in the shadow of the Capitol, bordered by the arteries of Colfax, Speer and Broadway. Cruising by on West 13th Avenue, I am always reassured to see the familiar red phone…
The aroma of fresh-baked cookies is once again wafting above Republic Plaza on the 16th Street Mall. Alexis McLean, niece of the original Santa Fe Cookie Co. owner Debbie Kuehn, reopened the shop on October 2 after the bakery closed earlier this summer. Kuehn, known to her faithful customers as “the Cookie…
