How are you planning to spend Easter weekend? If brunch is on the schedule, we've rounded up the best options in town for a memorable holiday meal.
Follow that up with a reservation for Mientras, a pop-up at Cantina Loca from current Colorado Top Chef contestant Manny Barella, who — no spoilers — had a big moment in the season 21 premiere on March 20.
Also on the calendar is a menu that pays homage to bees, a floral cocktail bar experience at Death & Co, a mezcal and pozole fest, and more.
Be sure to bookmark this page — we update it weekly with the best food and drink events in metro Denver. In the meantime, here are the highlights for the next seven days. There are also upcoming events to put on your calendar as you start to plan for summer, including the return of Out to Brunch in June.
Through Monday, April 22
Tamayo and Toro by chef Richard Sandoval are kicking off their third annual Viva Abejas ("long live the bees") seasonal menu. Items such as coconut ceviche, duck confit tacos and honey vanilla cheesecake use ingredients that require bee pollination, and the special helps raise money and build awareness through partnerships with local Title 1 schools Academy 360 and all 25 Boys and Girls Clubs of metro Denver. Reservations are not required, and the menu is available until Earth Day, April 22.
Through Sunday, April 28
Death & Co has transformed its intimate Suite 6A space at the Ramble Hotel in RiNo into an immersive cherry blossom experience called Sakura Blossom Bar, with more than 400 cherry blossoms lining the ceiling and a menu of specialty highball cocktails. Read our six reasons to check it out.
Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 2
Chef Manny Barella is competing on the new season of Top Chef, and you can get a taste of his fare at the last two editions of his Mientras pop-up at Cantina Loca. The four-course meal includes options like beef tartare with salsa macha XO, smoked lobster tetela and birria mafaldine for $110 per person, with an optional cocktail pairing for $50. Book tickets at mannybarella.com.
Wednesday, March 27
Enjoy an Easter chocolate bonbon and sake pairing at Colorado Sake Company (3559 Larimer Street) for $28 per person. After the tasting, guests will be able to purchase additional chocolates to gift (or keep for Easter treats).
Thursday, March 28
Agave spirit- and pozole-tasting event Bowl of ’Zole returns to the Skylight event space (833 Santa Fe Drive) from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets start at $55 and are available online.
Traveling Mercies at the Stanley Marketplace is teaming up with Alex Jump, beverage consultant, industry advocate and co-founder of Focus on Health, and Three Spirit for a night of non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Walk-ins only.
Saturday, March 30
Collaboration Fest is returning to the Westin Westminster. Tickets are $55 (general admission) or $75 (VIP) and we've got a round-up of fifteen beers to try if you're attending.
Monday, April 1
B&GC, an underground bar beneath the Halcyon hotel in Cherry Creek, is hosting an April Fools’ Day-themed cocktail class. Attendees will put their taste buds to the test at the Two Truths & Lie Mixology experience, with classes from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and include two cocktails, one mocktail and light bites.
Save the date:
April 2: Oak at Fourteenth in Boulder is hosting a seasonal omakase dinner with a focus on Japanese fare from chef Peter Ho. The six-course menu is $78 per person and includes dishes such as Duroc heritage pork belly with truffle dashi and cauliflower; green tea-marinated duck with miso eggplant purée, dashi rice, watercress; and bamboo leaf-wrapped smoked salmon anago sushi. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
April 3-6: Taste of Vail returns for its 32nd year with a packed lineup of events, including special gala opening and closing dinners. For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit tasteofvail.com.
April 9: Head to Cafe Brazil (4408 Lowell Boulevard) for the Latin Supper Club series of twelve fundraising dinners hosted by owner and chef Tony Zarlenga alongside MasterChef Mexico's chef Pablo Aya. Proceeds go to the Sabor Comunitario program for Hispanic students; tickets are $150. Upcoming editions include guest chef Luis Gurrola of Necio Mexican Kitchen on April 9 and Ms. Betty’s Cooking co-owner Tajahi Cooke on April 23.
April 14: The Colorado Wine Walk is back at Dairy Block, with pours from twelve local wineries and live music. Tickets, which start at $45, are on sale now.
April 17: Guard and Grace is celebrating a decade in business with an anniversary party featuring fifteen small bites crafted by fifteen well-known local chefs. There will also be guest bartenders serving craft cocktails; the event benefits Roundup River Ranch. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased on OpenTable.
April 27: Les Dames d’Escoffier Colorado is hosting its annual festival, the Big Stir, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Tivoli Turnhalle on the Auraria campus. The event honors women making an impact in the local food, beverage and hospitality industries, and will include wine, spirits and food tastings and seminars. Early-bird tickets start at $55.
May 6-12: Westword Burger Week is coming back. Expect $7 burgers for seven days from a variety of local spots dishing up gourmet blends to off-menu specialties and even drink pairings. Stay tuned for a full list of participating restaurants.
May 30: The Colorado Restaurant Association's annual summer bash, Drink Red Wear Red, will once again take place at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. A batch of discounted tickets will go live on Thursday, March 28, at 8 a.m. Sign up for its email list to access the deal. Early-bird tickets go on sale April 4.
June 8: Westword's Out to Brunch returns for its second year, with unlimited drinks, bites and entertainment at York Street Yards. Tickets start at $40 and are on sale now.
Know of an event that belongs on this calendar? Send information to [email protected].