Review Preview: Wooden Spoon Cafe & Bakery

In the Best of Denver 2011, Lower Highland rated the award for Best Restaurant Neighborhood, and with good reason: In the past few years, the blocks on the bluffs above I-25 have added an incredible number of eateries -- everything from steakhouses to cafes to inventive finer dining spots --...

By Laura Shunk

July 12, 2011

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In the Best of Denver 2011, Lower Highland rated the award for Best Restaurant Neighborhood, and with good reason: In the past few years, the blocks on the bluffs above I-25 have added an incredible number of eateries -- everything from steakhouses to cafes to inventive finer dining spots -- to the Mexican and Italian mainstays that were already there.

Last summer, the tiny Wooden Spoon Cafe & Bakery joined the lineup on West 32nd Avenue, taking over a storefront on a block that already was home to Duo, a Pasquini's Pizzeria, Zio Romolo's Alley Bar and Gallop Cafe.

Wooden Spoon serves house-baked pastries, supplemented by breakfast sandwiches, sandwiches and salads that draw regulars to the counter, and also the few tables in the case. And that's where I headed for this week's review, soaking in the flavor of one of Lower Highland's many new neighborhood joints while I sucked up many cups of coffee.

Is a visit to the Wooden Spoon a stirring experience? Find out when the review is posted here tomorrow. And for a second helping of Lower Highland atmosphere, I also visited Gallop Cafe.

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Laura Shunk was Westword's restaurant critic from 2010 to 2012; she's also been food editor at the Village Voice and a dining columnist in Beijing. Her toughest assignment had her drinking ten martinis and eating ten Caesar salads over the course of 48 hours. She still drinks martinis, but remains lukewarm on Caesar salads.

Contact: Laura Shunk

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