Denver’s food scene may not be as big as San Francisco’s or New York’s, but it isn’t bad. In fact, it’s the perfect match between intimacy and variety. And its size provides plenty of opportunities to get close not just to our restaurants, but to the specialty food shops around…
About a month ago, I heard about a Littleton restaurant named Swirls that was putting out some awesome food, so I made a note to get down there to try the Southern-style cuisine. But a few days later, I heard that Swirls had closed. Turns out that this fall, an odor began…
If you’re looking for a hot, happy-hour deal, Jazz @ Jack’s (on the third floor of the Denver Pavillions, 500 16th Street) features live music and $3 food and drink specials from 5-7:30 p.m. every Friday. In addition to $3 wine specials, Corona and Fat Tire, you can get $3 apple…
We know it’s tough to track all the restaurant openings and closings in town, but given the level of vehemence in the comments following our December 29 Santa Fe Tequila Company blog, a follow-up on this post from December 16, you’d think everyone in town would know by now that both the original location…
It seems as though I’m not the only fella out there sick of the dearth of good Irish bars in this town. Though my piece about the Celtic Tavern and the following column about how to open a proper Irish bar have only been out in the world for a…
Okay, so I have a little more info now, courtesy of someone who talked with the chef (through translators) just the other day. Come to find that the chef who bailed out of Super Star is the new owner of Star Kitchen (along with his wife) — the two of them…
But this time, it doesn’t have to do with how much I love Super Star or how much I am looking forward to the opening of the new Super Star-related joint — Heaven Star — up in the sticks. No, this time I’m tracking some staff changes because I just…
The sandwich: The muffuletta What’s on it: Bologna, pepperoni, provolone, Greek slaw on a French roll. Where to get it: The Market Restaurant (1445 Larimer Square, 303-534-5140) How much: $7.65 The word muffuletta sounds cool no matter how you pronounce it. Moof-a-letta! Moof-a-lotta. Whatever. Supposedly of Italian origins but invented…
Firehouse Subs, a national chain based in Jacksonville, Florida, has opened its first Colorado location at 10060 Grant Street, in Thornton. It features steamed subs with names like the Hook and Ladder, the Engineer and the Engine Company. Ordering one “fully involved” means your sandwich comes complete with mayo, mustard,…
…for five weeks! The celebrated restaurant located inside the Hotel Teatro is offering a tempting three-course meal for $99 for two. The deal lasts until February 12, so you have a unique chance to get some of the best food in Denver for a reasonable price. So far, I’ve heard that…
One of my strongest dining memories from childhood is dining at the café in the Broadway department store in Albuquerque. Strangely, I don’t remember the food — it was probably a grilled cheese sandwich or chicken noodle soup or some other kid-friendly dish — but I remember the ambience. The…
Starbucks is unveiling a new set of beverages this month, Tazo Tea Lattes and Tazo Tea Infusions. I snagged one of the coupons that allow you to try one for free, and if there is one thing I’m a total sucker for it’s free food and drink. The friendly barista…
Fish fry is not just a food. Fish fry is a sacrament, a religious and cultural duty carrying with it a freight of comfort and damnation. To some kids (like this kid) who grew up in certain families in certain neighborhoods in the gray twilight of dying working-class towns filled…
On Sunday nights, the Celtic Tavern is closed and Delaney’s is open. On Mondays, Delaney’s goes dark and the Celtic handles any disappointed Delaney’s drinkers. Every other night of the week, though, these side-by-side theme bars, which already share owners, share the same crowds, as well — a Celtic concentration,…
After dueling meetings with business and neighborhood groups last week, Mezcal’s application for a cabaret license went before a hearing officer with the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses on Monday. Supporters of the application — which would allow owner Jesse Morreale to regularly feature live music, including mariachi bands…
Toshi Kizaki, who founded Sushi Den back in 1985 with his brother, Yasu, is currently in Japan meeting with vendors, fishmongers and a third brother, Koichi, who visits the markets daily to buy fish for Sushi Den and Izakaya Den (left). When Toshi returns later this month, he’ll bringing a few limited edition…
Elvis may have left the building, but his appetite lives on at the Berkshire. In honor of what would have been the King’s 74th birthday tomorrow, the pork-pushing restaurant at 7352 East 29th Avenue is running a special Elvis promotion. From January 8-11, the Berkshire’s “The King” sandwich — peanut butter,…
My review of the Celtic Tavern (which will be posted here later today) started an interesting conversation among some of the more Hibernian-leaning staff at the Westword office, chewing over why Denver seems incapable of opening and maintaining a decent Irish bar. (RIP, Duffy’s Shamrock.) This discussion immediately struck me…
The last time we saw Rick Rosner, the then-Denver bouncer/stripper who’d beaten all comers on an Omni IQ test, he was on the cover of Westword wearing roller skates, a loincloth and the question: “Is this the smartest man in America?” Two decades later, Rosner, now a TV writer, is the star of…
There are things I like about the Celtic Tavern. I like the fact that it sits at 18th and Blake, one of my favorite parts of downtown. I’ve rarely spent a night in this neighborhood that hasn’t culminated with my being offered drugs (everything from weed to opium), by friendly…
Here’s a video of 2008 Best Chef award-winner Frank Bonanno — of Mizuna, Luca D’Italia, Osteria Marco and the newly opened noodle bar Bones at 701 Grant Street — giving a tutorial on how to make Lobster and Edamame Ramen. The video-production quality ain’t exactly Rachel Ray yell-a-vision, but it…
That’s right, the Miami-based chain has been around since 1964, growing from one humble, four-seater restaurant to 62 Benihana restaurants, nine Haru restaurants, and 22 RA Sushi restaurants. Benihana is best known for its flashy way of preparing your food — and frankly, everything tastes better when a 500° skillet is the…
