New cottage food law is the icing on Cake Pandemic

Christine Black is an avid home baker, one who bestows treats on her friends, family and co-workers. As requests for her goodies grew, she considered renting commercial space and actually growing her passion into a business. But when the “cottage food bill,” which allows home cooks to sell their goods…

Big Easy Creole Kitchen is coming to Cherry Creek North

Creole is suddenly on a roll in Denver: Zydeco’s opened last fall on Wynkoop Street, a new Gumbo’s is going into the space that had been Roam on East 17th Avenue, and the 1812 Restaurant & Bar is currently amassing funds to build a restaurant in Five Points. Now you…

The Gold Hill Inn opens for its fiftieth season this weekend

In 1962, husband and wife Frank and Barbara Finn purchased the old Bluebird Lodge and its dining hall, nestled in the mining town of Gold Hill (ten miles west of Boulder, up Sunshine Canyon). The couple turned the almost-century-old spot — now known collectively as the Gold Hill Inn –…

3 Monkeys Cantina opens in the former Bistro One space

I was rather hoping to see a few monkeys when I stopped by 3 Monkeys Cantina, the new Mexican restaurant that owner Alex Waters opened yesterday in the former Bistro One space, which he closed four weeks ago after a four-year run at 1294 South Broadway. No monkeys, no trees…

Guess where I’m drinking this mint julep?

Saturday could very well be a national holiday for drinkers, with Cinco de Mayo celebrations colliding with Kentucky Derby-watching parties. It’s not hard to find a good margarita around town — but a great mint julep? That’s a much more elusive creature. Still, I recently found a perfect version –…

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill: Hail fellow, well-Med!

Colorado is the birthplace of a number of popular chains, including Noodles & Company, Smashburger and that golden child, Chipotle Mexican Grill; we’re definitely ahead of the curve when it comes to the growing fast-casual movement. And also when it comes to the growing group of fast-casual chains that emphasize…

Last call at Pete’s Monkey Bar, but more monkeys coming

Did you miss last call at Pete’s Monkey Bar? The Dead-centric spot at 717 East Colfax Avenue had “a fucking awesome run,” according to owner Pete Penzastadler, and closed after one final bash last night. Westword photographer Nick Callaio was there; see the complete slide show here…

Photos: Gary Lee’s Motor Club & Grub

This, declares Gary Lee Bomar, standing behind the bar of his new, eponymous Motor Club & Grub, has “always been my dream.” A dream, he continues, that’s finally come to fruition after more than a year of blood, sweat and tears. “It’s been a year-and-a-half process putting this together, and…

Guess where I’m eating a loaded hot dog?

In baseball terms, that’s a hot dog with the bases fully loaded. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week’s Guess Where posts is entered into a pool — and every Monday, we select one lucky winner who’ll receive an…

Street Kitchen’s veggie options hit Asia’s highlights

Although Russo’s, the spot next door, closed last month, Street Kitchen Asian Bistro has managed to capture a decent-sized lunch crowd in this strip of restaurants that sits, like an oasis, amid chains and office complexes. (Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizzeria is another Street Kitchen neighbor.) The Street Kitchen menu draws from…

Garbanzo wants diners to feel good about Mediterranean food

Free falafel is a fine way to make friends. Alon Mor, the founder of Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, makes sure that customers are handed deep-fried spiced garbanzo-bean fritters as soon as they walk in the door of one of his restaurants. He also has a “just ask” policy that allows them…

Larimer Associates inks a deal with Smashburger to lease the Samba Room space

It’s been nearly two years since the Samba Room, a Cuban restaurant chain based in Dallas, closed in Larimer Square, following a major water leak that dripped…and dripped into the Comedy Works space below. The chain’s parent company, E-Brands Restaurants, eventually filed for bankruptcy last year, leaving the two-level Larimer…