Reader: Can't wait to have a beer on that awesome Wash Park patio!

While residents and users of Washington Park gear up for a fight over the proposed ban of 3.2 beer -- the only alcohol allowed -- from the park, another site of strife in the neighborhood seems relatively calm. It's been a couple of years since Brown Dog Pizza finally gave...

By Patricia Calhoun

April 8, 2014

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

While residents and users of Washington Park gear up for a fight over the proposed ban of 3.2 beer -- the only alcohol allowed -- from the park, another site of strife in the neighborhood seems relatively calm. It's been a couple of years since Brown Dog Pizza finally gave up on opening a pizza place in a former mechanic's garage at 1001 South Gaylord Street; instead, that spot became home to Il Vicino, a New Mexico-based pizza joint. But Il Vicino recently went dark, and now Jean-Philippe Failyau, owner of Park Burger and Park and Co., has taken on the space for a new concept: Homegrown Tap & Dough, a "family-friendly place with wood-fired, thin-crusted classic and modern pizzas, pastas, antipasto, salads, a couple of main dishes -- think brick chicken -- and a great beer program." See also: -Homegrown Tap & Dough replacing Il Vicino in Washington Park -Washington Park alcohol ban pushed to address "drunken, belligerent behavior

How will that play in Washington Park? Says Skid:

I was hoping a trendy restaurant specializing in GMO offal would take that spot.

But most readers seem ready to welcome this homegrown concept to the neighborhood. Says Greg:

That is a great space. Can't wait to have a beer on that awesome patio.

Just make sure it's not 3.2!

How do you feel about the Washington Park neighborhood? The proposed ban on beer in the park?

Follow @CafeWestword

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

Follow:

Facebook: patricia.calhoun.927