Can Qdoba rescue brown rice — from itself?

The term “flavor profile” isn’t usually heard in reference to brown rice — unless “tastes an awful lot like water-logged wood chips” is considered a valid flavor descriptor. But Qdoba, the runner-up of Colorado’s homegrown, fast-casual Mexican chains, is introducing seasoned brown rice as an option in its restaurants. And…

Taco the town: Tyler Wiard, John Hickenlooper meet up in DC

When Governor John Hickenlooper was at the National Governors Association Taste of America Gala in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, he saw a familiar face: Tyler Wiard, culinary director of Elway’s Restaurant Group, who was there to champion Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. And no one who stopped by…

Guess where I’m eating oysters?

It doesn’t matter what I order at this Japanese restaurant — sushi, sashimi, udon or oysters — because there’s never a miss. Truth be told, every time I have the opportunity to go here, I’m more impressed than the time before. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone…

Reader: KFC and Popeye’s are finalists for best fried chicken?

Yesterday we revealed the current Food & Drink leaders in our Best of Denver 2013 Readers’ Poll. In the Best Fried Chicken category, for example, the top five vote-getters are:Carrie’s Place, Steuben’s,White Fence FarmPopeye’s and KFC. And those last two just don’t fly with one reader. See also: – Best…

Exclusive first look: Moontower Tacos opens in Capitol Hill

Y’all know how I roll: Tacos rule my universe, and now, there’s a new spot — Moontower Tacos — giving me (and the rest of you who agree that tacos are the equivalent to enlightenment) another reason to ballyhoo their virtue. See also: – Moontower Tacos will soon be serving…

Photos: McCormick’s Fish House & Bar makeover is complete

The McCormick’s Fish House & Bar renovation project is finally done. After the Cruise Room got a facelift this fall, the dining room also got an update. The last space to be spruced up was the Corner Bar, which has looked largely the same since McCormick’s opened in LoDo 26…

Little India was the audience favorite at Artopia

Despite its name, Westword’s eighteenth annual Artopia spotlighted much more than art. Across this year’s five venues, the event also featured food from Little Man Ice Cream, The Shoppe, El Camino, Little India, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Sushi by Night, Mustard’s Last Stand and DJ’s Berkeley Cafe. We asked Artopia attendees…

Guess where I’m eating kabobs with a huge mound of rice?

Right, so this was a weird experience: a friendly and earnest server who simply couldn’t get our order right — and it wasn’t a difficult one (a plate of kabobs, one of which was beyond funky and not in a good way) followed up by an employee who came storming…

A second helping of Cafe Society

Gretchen Kurtz reviewed True Food Kitchen, which opened last fall in Cherry Creek. Lori Midson interviewed Shaun Motoda, chef of TAG|RAW BAR, for Chef and Tell. See also: – True Food Kitchen is good…and good for you – Shaun Motoda, chef of TAG|RAW BAR, on the perfect bite and his…

Guess where I’m drinking a hot toddy?

The hot toddy is a cocktail steeped in history, and while there are numerous recipes for the soul-warming drink, the one in the above snap, concocted with Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, bourbon, lemon, English breakfast tea and simple syrup, and capped with a bitter chai foam, is in a class…

Photos: Southern Hospitality brings “sexy back” downtown

Southern Hospitality is now serving in the 116-year-old St. Elmo building at 1433 17th Street. This link in the Manhattan-based chain — which was co-founded by Justin Timberlake — is currently in a soft opening phase, with plans for grand opening event soon. Here’s an early look at the digs…

Reader: If you skip Aurora, you’re missing out on amazing food

On Monday, Visit Aurora launched its first online voter’s choice poll, Aurora’s Eats & Drinks, to pick that city’s favorite restaurants. And while voting continues on the poll through March 11, Cafe Society readers are already weighing in — some saying that they’d never eat in Aurora, others insisting that…

Kale calling: Five dishes featuring the antioxidant powerhouse

It’s been a good year for the cabbage family. First crispy Brussels sprouts elbowed their way onto menus, and now kale is following in its cousin’s footsteps. At True Food Kitchen, which I review this week, this leafy green is used in many ways: as a drink, with apple, cucumber,…

Guess where I’m eating buffalo meatloaf?

Brrrrrrr! It’s frigid out there, but on days like this, a plate of buffalo meatloaf with mashed potatoes (not so sure about the out-of-season asparagus, however) is the key to a full belly and a warm body. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first…

Round two with Shaun Motoda, chef de cuisine at TAG|RAW BAR

Shaun Motoda TAG|RAW BAR 1423 Larimer Street 303-996-2685 tagrawbar.com This is part two of my interview with Shaun Motoda, chef de cuisine of TAG|RAW BAR; part one of our conversation ran yesterday. Favorite Denver/Boulder restaurant(s) other than your own: I love the Cherry Cricket because their burgers are so consistent…

Sam’s No. 3 about to make it three with Glendale spot

The original Sam’s Coney Island opened back in the ’20s, when it was a favorite with everyone from judges to janitors. But by 1969, when Sam’s No. 3 opened on Havana Street, it was the last Sam’s left. Now, though, the Sam’s empire is growing again…and will soon actually have…