Feast on the story of 50top

At 5:15 p.m. on a chilly Thursday, Jamey Fader, clad in black, with a plaid cap pulled low over his forehead, is balancing on a box in the corner of a back-alley warehouse. “Welcome to whatever the fuck this is,” he deadpans. What do you get when you put fourteen…

Every Sunday is pajama day at Second Home Kitchen and Bar

I’m a staunch opponent of Chuck E. Cheese — of any eatertainment children’s trap (except Casa Bonita, natch) that gets its kicks by encouraging kids to behave like flying monkeys on amphetamines. And I’ve never been a proponent of restaurants that have a “special” play area just for kids, because…

Guess where I’m drinking?

Yes, I’m drinking a margarita, it’s not the weekend and the sun is still out. Why should that be a surprise? But the margarita was surprisingly good, especially since my expectations were so low at this bar within a fast-casual restaurant. And the reason it was so good? They make…

Say olé! to Cafe Rio Mexican Grill

If Chipotle, Qdoba, Illegal Pete’s and Chez Jose aren’t enough to satisfy your seam-busting burrito cravings, there’s a new contender in town that might. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, 610 South Colorado Boulevard, which shares the same small mall address as a new Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill and Panera Bread (opening February…

Guess where I’m eating?

So far as I know, there’s only one restaurant in the state whose chef reels in guests with his “angry trout,” an apt description of the contorted fish in the above snap whose tail had been flipped under his belly and thrust through his mouth. At which restaurant, within 100…

Libby Langdon fumbles her Super Bowl party ideas

Cheap and easy — no, I’m not talking about your mom, but throwing a Super Bowl party. It’s cheap and easy, at least according to Libby Langdon, whose impeccable party credentials include hosting her own show on HGTV and being the makeup guru on Rachael Ray’s show. And what does…

NFL TAGs Troy Guard as a super chef at the Super Bowl

When the New Orleans Saints pummel (wishful thinking) the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV this coming Saturday, February 7 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Troy Guard, executive chef/owner of TAG, 1441 Larimer Street, will be representing the culinary chops of the Mile High City at the “Taste of the…

New locally-driven food shop opens in the Highland neighborhood

The newest food-related addition to the Highland neighborhood, In Season Local Market, is a tiny shop with big ideas. Located at 3210 Wyandot Street, In Season opened its doors this past Saturday. According to co-owner Todd Stevenson, nearly 400 people wandered through the 180-square-foot space that day, checking out the…

Guess where I’m eating?

There are few things more rewarding than wrapping your jaw around a fat Italian sausage that’s spicy, flecked with fennel, squirting juices, mounted with peppers and onions and served with a heap of righteous french fries. Where dat? Special bonus: Every Friday, anyone who gave the first correct answer to…

Guess where I’m drinking?

I know it’s a horrible thing to say, but I can’t stand going out with a man who orders a Cosmopolitan. Oh, whatever. You wouldn’t fault me if I said I couldn’t stand going out with a man who wears three-inch heels. Look, it’s just not manly. Order a vodka…

Swallow this: Cookbook uses semen as main ingredient

Semen is not only nutritious, but it also has a wonderful texture and amazing cooking properties. Like fine wine and cheeses, the taste of semen is complex and dynamic. Semen is inexpensive to produce and is commonly available in many, if not most, homes and restaurants. Despite all of these…

A bunch of burger joints coming this month

Although H Burger Lounge, the premium hamburger/contemporary cocktail joint going into 1555 Blake Street, doesn’t look like it’s going to open today, as the owners — the Jet Entertainment Group — once predicted, work on the place is progressing, and H Burger’s facebook page now gives a target date of…

Wen Chocolates shop to melt away

Sad news for sweets lovers: Wen Chocolates will close its doors at 4 p.m. on February 14 — Valentine’s Day. “I love that shop, and all of the wonderful friends we’ve made in the neighborhood and around Denver,” says owner/chef William Poole. “But I found myself wanting to be outside…

Restaurant Roll Call for January

RESTAURANTS OPENING IN JANUARY Ali Baba Grill, 5380 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Englewood Andy’s Asian Express, South Federal & Iliff Big Papa’s BBQ, 5151 South Federal Boulevard Crepes on the Go, Streets of Southglenn Denver Biscuit Company, 3237 East Colfax Avenue Gaslamp, 1437 Market Street Little Anita’s, 5545 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada…

8 Rivers owners to open gourmet pot shop

Wanda James and Scott Durrah, the husband-and-wife couple behind 8 Rivers, the modern Caribbean restaurant at 1550 Blake Street, are all about pot and pans. They opened a dispensary, Apothecary of Colorado, at 1730 Blake, last month. They hosted the first in a series of Creative Cooking with Cannabis classes…

Guess where I’m drinking?

I enjoyed this delicious cocktail while sitting at the bar, where I could watch all the unfolding weekend fun that invades a hot restaurant. As the night went on, the place got packed: Great bartenders and a great chef will make that happen. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special…

Sugar High: Wen Chocolates

Chocolatier Will Poole, the owner of Wen Chocolates, has an affinity for the obscure. Soon after we enter his little shop at 1541 Platte Street, he thrusts an intricately designed white Pandora truffle into our hands and tells us the recipe is based on a 16th-century aphrodisiac formula. It has…

University Boulevard to get two new bars

Suddenly, there’s lots of action on South University. The owners of the Breakers Café, in that big apartment complex in Cherry Creek, have sealed a deal to acquire the Border, the longtime University of Denver hangout at 2014 South University Boulevard that closed for good in November, after acquiring a…