Guess where I’m eating a bowl of lentil soup?

I have yet to find Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant in Denver that serves a laudable lentil soup — and that includes this thin, watery version that also arrived woefully underseasoned. I thought about pointing this out to our server, but given that her vocabulary was limited to a single phrase –…

Reader: How healthy is DIA food on a traveler’s wallet?

It’s been a big week for Denver International Airport. First, it was proclaimed the airport with the healthiest food in the country. And yesterday, USA Today readers voted it the best U.S. airport for art. Whether you love or loathe it, you can’t deny that “Mustang,” aka Blucifer, has made…

Chef & Brew, B2BSeen for flood relief tonight

Since floods devastated parts of Colorado two months ago, there have been an abundance of fundraisers helping those who lost so much — everyone from farmers to musicians. Tonight the Business Marketing Association Colorado will dedicate its annual B2BSeen event to raising funds for flood relief. The action starts at…

Guess where I’m eating pork belly and pickled mustard greens?

Our server is incredulous. “Really? You want the pork belly? Most Americans don’t order the pork belly. You’re positive you want the pork belly?” she asks, entirely positive that we’d prefer kung pao chicken instead. When we assure her that yes, we want the pork belly, which is listed on…

Cooking with Pete and Barb Marczyk: roasted squash

Pete Marczyk and Barbara Macfarlane do not leave their work behind when they leave Marczyk Fine Foods and head for their great old Denver house with a spacious kitchen. They often bring some of their market’s best ingredients home with them and cook up a feast, and when they’re not…

Pay attention to the signs at El Taco Veloz

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: Grist Brewing opens in Highlands Ranch

Grist Brewing celebrated its grand opening on November 2 in Highlands Ranch, bringing some much-needed craft beer love to Denver’s south suburbs. In fact, Grist, founded by organic chemist Rob Kevwitch, is the first independently-owned craft brewery in Highlands Ranch — and the first in a wave of planned brewery…

DIA now has the healthiest airport food in the country

When you think of snacking at Denver International Airport, you may think of Panda Express or Burger King. But according to the latest annual study by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, DIA now has the healthiest airport food in the country, and tops the list for the first…

Guess where I’m eating oyster nachos?

If chefs can crown corn chips with beef, chicken, carnitas and mock meat, then why not smoked oysters? That’s the unorthodox (and delicious) approach this kitchen takes with its nachos, a foreseeable addiction. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to a…

Govinda’s Garden brings back the vegetarian buffet, better than ever

Govinda’s Garden has been a staple for Denver’s vegetarians for years. The eatery at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, (perhaps) better known as the Hare Krishna movement, has gone through various incarnations, but always returns with its vegetarian buffet on Friday and Saturday nights. After changing its name to…

Party at the Punch Bowl’s first anniversary celebration this week

When it comes to good, old-fashioned fun, Punch Bowl Social knows how it’s done. After converting a 24,000 square-foot former big lots into a mecca of entertainment, Punch Bowl Social opened last year with three bars (punch a specialty); the Elevated Diner serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; a coffee spot…

Guess where I’m drinking a duo of boba smoothies?

The bobas in the above snap didn’t come from a bona fide Asian-style bubble teahouse. Instead, the fruity slushies and smoothies with their fat straws and soft tapioca pearls are blended at a timeworn restaurant that sizzles with steer. Can you guess where I’m drinking? Special bonus: Anyone who gives…

Little Fish takes over the closed Chino Latino space

Chino Latino, the little tequila and taco shop owned by i-Fish, has closed. i-Fish, which is right next door, will turn the space into Little Fish, slated to open in January. See also: Jake Rand, formerly of Elway’s Downtown, opens i-Fish, a new downtown Pan-Asian restaurant…

Bonefish Grill opens today in Lakewood

The Bonefish Grill, a Florida-based seafood chain, just opened its latest metro location today in Lakewood. See also: Bonefish Grill is “polished casual,” and a pretty safe bet…

Cafe 180 brings its charitable approach to a kiosk on the 16th Street Mall

Cafe 180, a donation-based, pay-as-you-go restaurant in Englewood that’s been paying it forward, feeding anyone and everyone, independent of their financial situation, for the past three years, is bringing its charitable philosophies to a kiosk on the 16th Street Mall. Starting today, the kiosk, located near the D&F Clock Tower,…