Food & Drink

Last week workers at Simms Steakhouse got a rude surprise: A note posted December 3 in the servers’ area announced that the restaurant would be staying open on Christmas. People in the hospitality industry expect to work odd hours, but they also expect more advance notice when the schedule change…

Sour, sweet, salty and bitter: These are the cornerstone flavors in Western cooking. Add umami, the element of savoriness pinpointed by the Japanese to describe a taste component in seaweed, mushrooms and fermented foods, and you think you’ve got it covered. Tingling and buzzing? Those aren’t pleasant sensations we generally…

There are two indisputable facts about Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza, the Neapolitan pizzeria that chef/owner Mark Dym opened with his wife, Kristy, on Larimer Street in 2008: 1) Dym makes some of the city’s finest pies in any style, and 2) Having another pizza company named Marco’s move into Denver could…

So you’re hard up for gift ideas this year, like you are every year, because ‘tis the season to stress over who gets what on your holiday list. You don’t know what anyone wants, so shopping sucks. You want to look like you’ve put some thought into it, so cash…

No sooner did we lament the loss of ten of our favorite bars and restaurants this year than another forerunner in Denver’s homegrown food scene pulled up stakes. Fuel Cafe, one of the pioneers of the River North district, is now closed in the TAXI development on Ringsby Court. Chef/owmer…

No. 4: The Jack Broughton at Black Eye Coffee  In the early days of bare-knuckle boxing, English pugilist Jack Broughton bashed his way to an undefeated record in the ring. Inspired by his strength and skill, the kitchen at the Capitol Hill branch of Black Eye Coffee came up with…

Are diners beginning to make their restaurant decisions based on the availability of parking? And is that turning what could be destination restaurants into neighborhood joints? That’s what Gretchen Kurtz wondered after reviewing Small Wonder Food and Wine, which is in one of Denver’s hot dining areas with very limited…

The past two years have seen unprecedented growth in Denver’s restaurant scene, but with growth and change comes the painful loss of the old and familiar. This year saw several longtime favorites shutter after decades of delighting guests, but a few shining new stars also called it quits, leaving us…

You can trust in quality, advises the sign that was suddenly revealed as decades of add-ons were stripped off the turn-of-the-last century building at 2801 Welton Street. But can we trust in the developer renovating what was most recently home to BJ’s Port to recognize the inherent coolness of this…

Winter is almost here, but it’s still summer at Four Seasons Farmers and Artisans Market, which is now open in Wheat Ridge. The Four Seasons Farmers and Artisans Market at 7043 West 38th Avenue is a new, indoor farmers’ market dedicated to giving consumers an opportunity to support local farms, gardens,…

The Humble Pie Store is working on opening its new location on East Colfax Avenue next door to Cerebral Brewing (which just began selling brews in November), and while things aren’t quite ready yet, you can still get a taste of the baked goods before opening day. Head over to…

Last month, Tom Unterwagner and Steve Jankousky, owners of Tom’s Home Cookin’ in Five Points, put their restaurant up for sale. Fans of the Southern-style kitchen who lined up every weekday for lunch hoped that Tom’s would continue to serve the meatloaf, mac and cheese, chicken and dumplings, and other country…

Tonight the 41st annual Parade of Lights will wind its way through downtown Denver. We checked out the parade route, and recently served up our choices of Nine Places to Eat and Drink During the Parade of Lights — all of which offer good views of the action while also…

Bah, humbug! Yesterday, servers at Simms Steakhouse found out that they’ll have to work on Christmas —  after already working on Thanksgiving, and knowing that they also have to work on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. “This came out of the blue,” says one Simms server. “This is just…

In southern Italy, the feast of the seven fishes is a traditional Christmas Eve banquet where family and friends gather to celebrate in typical Italian fashion (meaning lots of good food) while still maintaining a meatless day in accordance with Catholic practices. While the best place to experience such a…