Palace closes on East Evans, sends regulars to Imperial

Johnny Hsu has shuttered his Palace. Although its website doesn’t indicate that the longtime Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant on East Evans has closed, both the phone number and a sign on the door send Palace customers to Imperial Chinese Restaurant. That’s Hsu’s 28-year-old mainstay on South Broadway. See also: Imperial…

Guess where I’m drinking a marsh of margaritas?

One surefire way to make your belly swish? Swallow four margaritas, or in my case, just one, which is still enough to do the job. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to a Guess Where post is entered into a pool…

Dishes of DISH: Philippine-style empanadas from Orange Crunch

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. Orange Crunch, our pick for Best Food Cart in the 2013 Best…

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…

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…