The Nine Tastiest Events on the Culinary Calendar, March 27-31

Do you miss the Inventing Room since it closed in the Ballpark neighborhood last fall? We do — which is why we'll race you to Fruition this week for the return of chef Ian Kleinman's Molecular Donut Pop-Up breakfast for some sweet Wonka-esque creations. The fun begins on Thursday; in the meantime, satisfy yourself with two-for-one hot dogs on Monday, a pizzeria Tuesday, and a game night with brewers on Wednesday. Keep reading for the nine tastiest culinary events this week.

Monday, March 27
Say happy birthday to Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs, 2148 Larimer Street, and get something rare: a free lunch. Owner Jim Pittenger's famous shrine to sausage officially turns six years old on March 26, but is welcoming guests today with a two-for-one deal — or, as Biker Jim's says on Facebook: "Bring a friend and make them pay — you'll get a free dog! If at all possible, we'll cheat the other guy and pass the savings on to you." Head over for lunch or dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bistro Vendome, 1420 Larimer Street, continues its dinner-and-movie series tonight with the classic Mexican food film Like Water for Chocolate to accompany the bistro's classic French fare. The movie and a three-course dinner rings in at $55 per person. Seatings are at 5:30 or 8:15 p.m., and space is limited, so call the restaurant at 303-825-3232 for reservations.

Tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m., the Golden Chamber of Commerce is uniting the hamlet's finest breweries, restaurants and distilleries for the Taste of Golden, a culinary extravaganza featuring more than 25 different food and drink vendors. Whether quaffing Colorado Native or noshing on samples from the Buffalo Rose, you'll find something to suit your palate. Taste of Golden takes place at the American Mountaineering Center at 710 10th Street. Visit GoldenChamber.org to learn more and buy tickets, at $25 each.

Tuesday, March 28
Denver Deep Dish, 1200 West 38th Avenue, digs the ’90s so much that the Chicago-style pizza joint is hosting a ’90s ninja-movie marathon from 5 to 10 p.m. Dig into deep-dish or thin-crust pie or nosh on wings and sandwiches while enjoying a little cheese courtesy of Surf Ninjas, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Three Ninjas.

The original Pizzeria Locale, at 1730 Pearl Street in Boulder, has been touring Italy with a series of regional dinners. Flour + Fire continues tonight as chef Pat Kerzetski leads diners to Sicily for a family-style dinner with a selection of southern Italian wines to pair with the food. The cost is $105 per person, which includes wines, tax and tip. Seating is extremely limited — only fourteen guests for each dinner — so if you miss this week's, plan ahead; upcoming dinners include Campania on April 11 and Basilicata on April 25. Call the restaurant at 303-442-3003 for reservations.

Wednesday, March 29
Tonight at Punch Bowl Social, 65 Broadway, from 6 to 8 p.m., brewmasters form Declaration Brewing are taking on all comers for a Beat the Brewer night of games. Go head-to-head with the Declaration crew and the PBS management team in a number of different games for the chance to win prizes. Each victory earns you a little something: One win gets you a Brewer's Choice pour; two wins will net you some mystery swag; three gets you an hour of activities (bowling, karaoke, ping-pong and the like); and four lands you a $25 PBS Gift Card. There's no cost to participate for adults 21 and over; call the restaurant at 303-765 -2695  for more information.

Keep reading for culinary events on March 30 and 31...

Thursday, March 30
The Inventing Room closed the doors of its brick-and-mortar dessert shop last fall and we've been missing chef Ian Kleinman's sweet and crazy creations ever since. Thank the stars that Kleinman still has his catering business and is bringing back his Molecular Pop-Up Donut Shop, an annual breakfast soirée that first hit Denver in 2012. The latest version lands at Fruition, 1313 East Sixth Avenue, today from 6 to 11 a.m. and will return each morning from March 30 to April 2. More long john than doughnut, Kleinman's creations are typical of the culinary mad scientist's repertoire, with liquid-nitrogen ice cream, exploding whipped cream and other modernist delights topping hefty fried pastries. Each doughnut is made to order and topped with fresh fruits, brown butter bits, homemade butterscotch and other wonders. New this year is the Churro Donut — rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with Mexican hot chocolate ice cream and cayenne cotton candy. Wake up early and enjoy yours with similarly inventive coffee drinks.

Edge Restaurant & Bar inside the downtown Four Seasons Hotel, 1111 14th Street, is rolling out some new spring menu items and wants you to taste and decide what you like; in fact, you can name your own price for your dinner bill. Beginning at 6 p.m., the Pay What You Want Dinner will include tempting appetizers and entrees like Spanish octopus terrine with smoked romesco sauce and squid-ink aioli; herbed spaetzle with guanciale, English peas and Gorgonzola cream; and dry-aged pork with wild berries and duck-fat fingerlings. and the price is...whatever you think it's worth; call the restaurant at 303-389-3343 for details and reservations.

Friday, March 31
Vikings are huge these days, what with a hit show on the History Channel and dudes all around town sporting big beards and partially shaved heads, just like Ragnar Lodbrok. The Museum of Nature & Science taps into the Scandinavian zeitgeist on Friday, March 31, with a Viking Bash (as in party, not a blow to the skull) from 7 to 10 p.m. The 21+ event will celebrate the museum's temporary Viking exhibit, Vikings: Beyond the Legend, with drinks (one each; this is a place of learning, after all), appetizers, and demonstrations by the Fjellborg Viking Reenactor Society, complete with steel-weapon combat. Registration is $38 to $43 per person and includes a tour of the exhibit; sign up at dmns.org. Costumes are encouraged, so give it your best Lagertha or Ragnar! The museum is at 2001 Colorado Boulevard.