Pho 79: How to be a cool customer

In A Federal Case, I’ll be eating my way up Federal Boulevard – south to north – within Denver city limits. I’ll be skipping the national chains and per-scoop Chinese joints, but otherwise I’ll report from every vinyl booth, walk-up window and bar stool where food is served. Here’s the…

First look: Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria opens tomorrow in Glendale

Her name is Flora, and she represents the “stereotypical modern Cuban girl,” says Kristy Socarras Bigelow, the owner of Cuba Cuba, Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria in Boulder and Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria in Glendale, which opens tomorrow in the City Set Project, joining Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Big Smoke Burger,…

Japon rolls up veggie sushi — and salad, soup and more

Japanese cuisine is centered on seafood — but you can get plenty of ocean action without dipping into raw fish. Japon is one of many eateries around town that serves up a spread of vegetarian sushi options along with tuna and salmon and calamari, and its lunches are fast but…

Guess where I’m eating a steaming pot of seafood?

The last place I expected to find a Low Country-style seafood boil is here, at this usually dependable neighborhood watering hole that’s steeped in burgers, sandwiches and steaks. And perhaps it should stick to what it does best, because the seafood, especially the shriveled mussels, would make Southerners cringe. But…

Photos: Illegal Pete’s opens on South Broadway

Illegal Pete’s opened the doors to its fourth and newest location in Denver — at 270 South Broadway — on Saturday, June 29. A grand opening celebration July 13-14 will feature live music, tequila, games and an opportunity to win a New Belgium bike. Find more information on the Illegal…

Guess where I’m eating chilaquiles?

Chilaquiles may be Mexico’s answer to breakfast, but it absolutely satisfies as a late lunch, too, and after a long day scouring the produce markets in Brighton and Commerce City, a plate of chilaquiles, coupled with a michelada, was a perfect afternoon pause. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special…

Latkes, burgers and lots of beer: Restaurant Roll Call for June

More than two dozen restaurants opened in the metro area in June, with more to come in these hot summer months. The Whittier neighborhood gained the new Whittier Pub (in the longtime home of M&D’s), but lost Frank’s Kitchen. Boulder lost H Burger, but gained Drakes Haus. And Glendale is…

First look: Big Smoke Burger opens Monday in Glendale

Just what Denver needs — another burger joint, right? Cameron Tune, who’s opening Big Smoke Burger in Glendale on Monday, in the same City Set project that already houses Jax and World of Beer, certainly believes so. In fact, Tune even called Denver’s burger scene “immature” — at least when…

H Burger closes in Boulder; LoDo location soon to follow

The Boulder location of H Burger Co.,1710 Pearl Street, has shuttered, and the LoDo location of the local burger chain will soon follow suit. The leases for both spots have been sold — the Boulder one to a new, yet-to-be-announced restaurant, and the downtown location at 1555 Blake Street to…

Guess where I’m eating a bison sausage and corn pizza?

You won’t find any bison roaming anywhere near this pizza joint, but you will find its meat on the pizzas. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to a Guess Where post is entered into a pool — and every Monday, we…

Pizzeria Basta’s Kelly Whitaker opening a new restaurant in Denver

It won’t be Pizzeria Basta, insists Kelly Whitaker, but “I can promise you that it’ll be epic.” Whitaker is describing the new restaurant that he, along with Andrew Birkholz, president of distributorship at Ciao Vino Selections, and Whitaker’s partners at Id Est Hospitality Group, the company that he founded when…