First look: Babette’s Artisan Breads rises at the Source

Last week, when I interviewed Steve Redzikowski, chef and co-owner of Acorn, which just opened in the Source, he was fixated on a baguette, but not just any baguette: This particular baguette, he said, equated to the “best baguette in Colorado.” He called it “phenomenal,” and then followed up that…

Ten cozy places to hole up in Denver during the rainpocalypse

In the last few days, we’ve seen colder temperatures, gray skies and an unprecedented amount of rainfall — a cue to any Coloradan’s brain that patio season is nearly over and it’s time to seek out the cozy establishments we tend to hibernate in during fall and winter. So, whether…

Wine, beer and more fun on tap this weekend

The Lowry Beer Garden, 7577 East Academy Boulevard, has partnered with three Colorado craft breweries for a series of Oktoberfest festivities. The first begins today and runs through Saturday, September 14; Prost Brewing will be taking over the taps from 6:30 to 10 p.m., and there will be live music…

Win four VIP tickets to the Denver Beerathon (WINNER UPDATE)

UPDATE: We have a winner of our Denver Beerathon contest, in which we asked Cafe Society readers to answer this question: How many glasses of Empire Brewing pumpkin ale were poured during the 2012 New York Beerathon? Congratulations to Leah McCracken, who guessed 715; the actual answer is 727. Leah,…

Colt & Gray closing for a week: Help drink the bar dry Sunday

“Drink the bar dry!” That’s the rallying cry at Colt & Gray, which is getting serious about its long-delayed renovation and expansion — so serious that it’s closing for a week. But first, it needs you to help drink the bar dry on Sunday. See also: Best Bartender’s Choice Cocktail…

Guess where I’m eating an Italian sausage-and-pepper sandwich?

While the java joint next door overflowed with caffeine junkies, the spot where I was having lunch was empty, save for me and my Italian sausage-and-pepper sandwich, which was nearly as soggy as the weather. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer…

Dishes of DISH: Slider Shack 303’s beef sliders and fries

On Sunday, September 22, DISH will dish out food and drinks from dozens of Cafe Society’s favorite restaurants and trucks, as well as Best of Denver readers’ winners, in the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Slider Shack 303 will be revving up there, grilling up its fresh…

Dishes of DISH: Little Man Ice Cream sweetens the mix

On Sunday, September 22, DISH will dish out food and drinks from dozens of Cafe Society’s favorite restaurants and trucks, as well as Best of Denver readers’ winners, in the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. And while there will be plenty of savory snacks, there will also…

Five things I really don’t like about Trader Joe’s

For years, Trader Joe’s- deprived Coloradans wondered when this retail shopping mecca would bless our state. This week we learned that we would soon have an embarrassment of riches: The metro area will soon have not three but four stores, all slated to open some time in 2014. That still…

A third Patxi’s Pizza will open in November in Uptown

Patxi Azpiroz, who’s already unleashed two Patxi’s Pizza parlors in Denver — one in Englewood, and a second in Cherry Creek — is about to make it a hat trick: In late fall, he’ll open a third Patxi’s piehole palace in Uptown, at 1598 East 17th Avenue, next door to…

Round two with Kris Padalino, pastry chef of Bittersweet

Kris Padalino Bittersweet 500 East Alameda Avenue 303-942-0320 bittersweetdenver.com This is part two of my interview with Kris Padalino, pastry chef at Bittersweet; part one of our chat ran yesterday. What cookbooks and/or food-related reading material do you draw inspiration from? I like to read blogs and cookbooks and surf…

Reader: Don’t blame the cupcake! Blame the bad bakers!

Kris Padalino is one smart cookie. “I have degrees in biology and math and wanted to go to med school and become an anesthesiologist,” says Padalino. But she had other interests, too. “I paint, and I like food a lot,” she explains, “so I started baking cakes for fun and…

Lucky Pie teams up with Avery for a beer dinner tonight

Lucky Pie Pizza and Tap House, 1610 16th Street, presents a special beer dinner paired with multiple ales from Avery Brewing this evening at 6 p.m. The dinner costs $65 per person and space is still available, but seats are filling fast. See also: Fresh hops, pumpkins, chiles and lederhosen…

25 things you never knew about Kade Gianinetti, bartender at Linger

As Westword’s Ask the Bartender columnist, I’ve talked with many bartenders for Cafe Society’s “Behind the Bar” series, posing numerous questions to Denver’s top bartenders…and often receiving the same answers: “I love chartreuse,” or “I’m really into smoked cocktails/barrel aging/bottled cocktails.” See also: A bartender by any other name…is still…

Be a DISH VIP and feed your caviar tastes on a tuna-fish budget

On Sunday, September 22, Westword’s annual celebration of the Denver dining scene will fill Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex with food and drink from some of Cafe Society’s favorite restaurants, as well as Best of Denver reader choices. Close to fifty restaurants, trucks and food businesses have…