Fresko is no more

The motives were so noble: Fresko is Mexican casual cuisine, promised the menu, a unique place, an experience, and a taste only known in Mexico. Fresko is honored to be in Colorado. Fresko is genuine, culture, quality, passion, freshness, ambiance, with a staff that loves to share. Experience metropolitan Mexican…

A new tenant for the old Drift Inn

For a year, the owners of 6901 East Colfax Avenue looked for a tenant to fill what had once been the Drift Inn, then Joe’s West of Memphis BBQ, then the Spinnin’ Chicken. Now, finally, a deal’s in the works: The people behind Spicy Thai at 2235 Oneida Street have…

Behind the bar, Bryan Dayton is a Frasca Star

Bryan Dayton has been behind the bar at Frasca, the legendary three-star restaurant, since the eatery was eight months old. But he’s been in Boulder a lot longer than that and is an expert on fake IDs, trail running, the dangers of a “dirty” martini and how important it is…

Snack on half a chicken at Thai Lotus

I “discovered” (read: accidentally stumbled across) Thai Lotus a couple of years back when, hungry for something that wasn’t necessarily Italian food, I wandered into the strip mall at Belleview and Yosemite probably most famous for being the place where Venice Ristorante got its start and found myself standing in…

Roll call for September

RESTAURANTS OPENING IN SEPTEMBER Brio Tuscan Grille, 2500 East First Avenue SALT Bistro, 1047 Pearl Street, Boulder Modmarket, 1600 28th Street, Boulder Interstate Kitchen & Bar, 901 West Tenth Avenue Empanada Express Grill, 2600 East Street, Golden Cilantro Fusion, 1531 Stout Street Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, 8225 South Chester, Englewood The…

Guess where I’m drinking?

Candy-apple-red booths (vinyl, natch), an air of intrigue, stiff drinks poured by chill bartenders and a killer jukebox that, to my ear, doesn’t promote one throwaway tune form the endearing vibe at this Denver dive that’s also the perfect spot for tucking into a dark corner and snogging. There’s a…

A second Sam Taylor’s Bar-B-Que, at your service

A dozen years ago, Sam Taylor moved his barbecue operation from City Park to 435 South Cherry Street in Glendale, where Sam Taylor’s Bar-B-Que continues to serve up ribs so finger-licking good that you need a hot towel at the end of your meal. And now Taylor’s doubled the fun:…

Guess where I’m eating: A double-challenge

Yeah, it did taste good. And thanks for asking. Matter of fact, it tasted so good, it inspired me to post this double-strength challenge. I don’t just want to know where I was eating (because that might be too easy), but I’d also like you to guess exactly what I…

Chef and Tell with Alex Seidel of Fruition

“We set out to do a small, simple restaurant, not to blaze any trails,” says Alex Seidel, executive chef of Fruition, the indelible American restaurant that’s been the object of everyone’s affection since he and co-owner Paul Attardi opened the place two and a half years ago on East Sixth…

Getting healthy at Taste of Thailand

They were giving away irises at Taste of Thailand the other day — free to a good home, free to anyone who wanted to take away a little beauty. I was too late to get one; the cardboard box that had held the plants was empty. But the restaurant was…

What’s cooking? Pete Marczyk kisses up to sticky lips chicken

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 the big, new kitchen. They usually bring a selection of some of their market’s choicest ingredients home with them, and cook up a feast…

Guess where I’m eating?

You’d think the four free hot sauces would be enough. But toss in a heaping mound of pork fajitas — only $8 at lunch on Tuesday — and you’ve got an unbeatable deal. To enjoy that special, though, you’ll need to answer this question fast:Where am I eating?…

Guess where I’m eating?

1. Grease-fest2. You could use them as whips3. Droopy 4. Unsalted5. Undercooked, by like a mile6. Tasted like dirt7. Cold8. Over 600 calories of yuck9. One more artery. Clogged. 10. GrittyTranslation? Worst. Fries. Ever. Guess where you should never eat french fries? Bummer, too, because I really like the burgers…

America’s Most Wanted: The criminal cereal-mascot edition

Attention Cereal Eaters: The following ten cereal mascots are wanted by the authorities for a variety of criminal activities. They are fugitives from justice and currently at-large. United States law enforcement agencies encourage the community to assist in the fight against crime by overcoming the three key elements that inhibit…

Mangiamo Pronto! could be opening pronto

Mangiamo Pronto!, which is taking over the former LoDo home of Common Grounds at 1607 17th Street (the coffeehouse moved across the intersection), looks like it should be opening pronto — perhaps even this week. The sign’s up, the doorway’s painted — and the liquor license is secured…

Guess where I’m eating?

We’d spent the day riding in southeastern Colorado, in a region of the country that produces more beef than any other region. So it only made sense that beef was what was for dinner. Beef, Mexican-style, and plenty of beers, all served up in a room that had just the…

Ask the Critic: Beating a dead horse

My last Ask the Critic was all about changing seasons and foods we were looking forward to either A) making at home or B) having Denver’s chefs add to their menus once the cold weather settled in permanently. There were a lot of very interesting comments, a lot of wonderful…

Guess where I’m eating?

Last week, while corrupting indoctrinating our new Cafe Society intern, we ordered a pizza. But because we were trying to impress a smart Johnson & Wales University student with more extracurricular activities to her credit than Gordon Ramsey has kitchen disasters, we asked the pizza dude from a nearby pie…