St. Patrick's Day In Denver (Where to Celebrate)

St. Patrick’s Day in Denver has always been full of traditions, from the parade to the bustling bars serving up green beer and Irish whiskey. We narrowed down a few spots to check out this year if you are feeling lucky.

Stanley Marketplace:

Grab your green and head to Stanley Marketplace on March 17 for the annual St. Patrick’s Day performance by students from Celtic Steps School of Irish Dance at 1 pm on the Southeast Plaza. The local dance troupe will be showcasing traditional Irish dance favorites, bringing the heart, soul and luck of the Irish to Stanley Marketplace in a celebration of Irish culture and history. While you’re there grab a stout for the season at Stanley Beer Hall with choices from the 51 self-pour tap wall, like the Dry Irish Stout Nitro from Left Hand Brewing Co., or consider a Latin-inspired cerveza like the El Flaco Dry Irish Stout from GABF award-winning Cheluna Brewing Company after the show. 

Yardbird:

Embrace your Irish spirit on St. Patrick’s Day with a post-parade patio party at Yardbird. Located just steps from the parade’s end in RiNo, Yardbird is firing up the smoker and hosting a celebration after the parade on their south-facing outdoor Front Porch with a special menu of traditional bites and beverages like a smoked brisket reuben with Yardbird fancy sauce, sprout kraut and swiss cheese, served on marble rye; pastrami spring rolls with Swiss cheese, house made pickles, and Russian dressing, and bangers & mash, Irish sausage served with yukon gold potato puree and caramelized onion gravy. Special sips for the day include traditional black & tans, Irish car bombs with Jameson, Bailey’s Irish cream, and Guinness; and Irish coffe with Jameson, brown sugar, hot coffee and topped with clouds of whipped cream. The DJ starts spinning tunes at 2:30 and the party lasts until 6pm; visit online to learn more.  

Federales:

Denver has a reputation for hosting one of the country’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades, and this year on Saturday 3/16 is no different. The team at Federales is marking the day with their annual Party Like a Piñata St. Patrick’s Day party, as the tequila + tacos emporium opens doors at 9am for the celebration until noon that includes 4 drinks tickets plus food buffet. You can purchase tickets online or visit FederalesDenver.com to learn more.  

"Opening Day" Places To Celebrate In Denver

One of our favorite days in the Mile High City is Opening Day. Although we haven’t had much to cheer from our hometown Colorado Rockies, we do get to celebrate a few of our favorite restaurants and their special offerings for this celebratory day. Be sure to stop in before, during and after the game to enjoy some of these amazing drinks and food pairings.

Catch the opening day action at Federales (2901 Larimer St), just a 20-minute walk from Coors Field, where the RiNo bar & restaurant is celebrating with a special extended happy hour from 11am - 7pm: special pricing on margaritas, taquitos, nachos, queso and guac; plus $15 beer buckets + $5 Coors Light drafts. You can catch the game on one of the of the 14 wide screen TVs as the Rockies take on the Nationals.  

Stop in to 5280 Burger Bar at the Pavilions ahead of the game for some creative takes on stadium nachos like the Ahi Nachos, togarashi dusted ahi tossed in sesame soy with a gingered carrot-cucumber relish on wonton chips; or dig into the Stadium Nachos with 5280’s housemade chips and queso, slow-roasted pulled pork, fresh pico de gallo and house made roasted corn and black bean salsa. Don’t miss the restaurant’s own 5280 Lager to round out your visit.  

Drop into Barcelona Wine Bar after the game to celebrate the win (or ignore the loss). It’s a quick walk from the stadium to unwind with friends after the game and enjoy elevated post-game snacks like the spring-forward Harissa Carrots with pistachio pesto, the Chicken Thigh with aji verdi or the Albondigas, spiced meatballs in jamon-tomato sauce and wash it down with a Biodynamic-calendar-inspired Gintonic or unwind with a Bees & Bays (no ABV) cocktail. 

Score twists on your ballpark favorites at EDGE Restaurant and EDGE Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. The swanky bar offers fun takes like the Chicharrones with espelette, lime and salt; Beer Battered Onion Rings with black ‘n’ blue EDGE spice plus Cholula aioli; Bougie Wings with truffle Fresno hot sauce, pickles, and labneh ranch; and the housemade Warm Pretzel Rolls with charcuterie, beer cheese, housemade apricot mustard, grilled fennel sausage and cornichons. Bonus: valet park your car at the hotel and a visit to EDGE nabs you a discounted rate for the evening. 

Grab a pre-game sandwich and snacks to-go from Little Finch downtown Denver and make the 10-minute walk to the stadium. Start with a fresh-pressed juice or craft coffee like the Cafe Cajeta to fuel up for the game along with the Curry Chicken Croissant sandwich with herb roasted chicken breast, red onions, celery, golden raisins and curry sauce; or the Southwest Flatbread for on-the-go eats. Don’t forget to grab the white chocolate dipped twinkie on your way out for that seventh-inning stretch snack.  

If you can’t make it to the ballpark, a visit to Stanley Marketplace (2501 Dallas St, Aurora) covers all the bases on Opening Day.You’ll feel like you’re at the ballpark at Stanley Beer Hall when you nosh on Southwest Bison Brat or the Warm Pretzel Bites as you catch the game on their multiple big-screen TVs, and there’s no waiting in line at the 51 self-pour taps featuring local beers, wines, cocktails and more.

Follow it up with a visit to Cheluna Brewing Co., for a craft cerveza from the state’s first Latinx-owned brewery, and finally drop by Churreria de Madrid for authentic Spanish churros, a sweet handheld game day snack.

 

Just down the street from Coors Field, Three Saints Revival offers new-for-Spring dishes for game-goers like the Pork Cheek Casuela with hazelnut picatta and pickled raisins, Risotto with sweet peas and asparagus and the Spicy Greens with chistorro sausage and orange in a mushroom broth. Finally, trade your baseball beer for refreshing cocktails like the bright and fresh Spice Trade or the adventurous and tropical clarified punch, Monarch of the Sea.

Head out of downtown after the game to Cantina Loca for tacos and tequila drinks from James Beard Award nominee Dana Rodriguez. Try a variety of the agave cocktails, from classic or frozen margaritas to the Rosita, made with Rodriguez’s Doña Loca reposado tequila, sweet & dry vermouth, amaro and bitters, and don’t miss building your own Barbacoa, Carne Asada or Pollo Adobado tacos.

Party Without A Hangover, Denver Spots For Dry January

For many the month of January is a chance to partake in “Dry January”, while many options are limited, some of Denver’s finest restaurants and bars are offering some low/no ABV cocktails to indulge. These cocktails are creative concoctions available now (and possibly after January) and will not make you feel left out.

Bar teams across our city have been developing creative, interesting mocktail programs to live on menus in January – and year-round - so that those who are (quietly, or not-so-quietly) looking for ways to manage alcohol intake don’t feel left out of celebrations.

Bees & Bays: Barcelona Wine Bar

Barcelona Wine Bar is known for their eclectic wine lists but in response to growing requests for non-ABV drinking, they have the incredibly popular Bees & Bays, the team’s first No ABV cocktail and a sweet, spicy and citrusy sipper with lime, salted honey syrup and warming cardamom. Tumbled with ice and topped with sparkling water, it’s garnished with torched smoky bay leaves. No lack of complexity, and no ABV. 

The Rehydrator: Bellota

The Rehydrator from Bellota (The Source in Denver and 4580 N. Broadway in Boulder) is created with aloe vera juice, cranberry, lime, agave and housemade grenadine. The gorgeous cranberry-hued drink is naturally frothy, not too sweet and has a nice tart finish.

At Three Saints Revival they have another creative bar program, they’re taking a page from the trend book and offering two “Spirit Free & Full of Flavor” drinks that are complex alternatives to traditional boozy cocktails. The 24 Carrot Gold is made with carrot, ginger, cinnamon syrup, blood orange and nutmeg for seasonal spice while the Steep Dreams is made with muddled blackberries + rosemary, chamomile + lavender, cardamom syrup, lemon juice and aquafaba for a creamy finish. Delightful sips for spirit-free fun. 

On elf the many tasty cocktails at Edge Restaurant and Bar.

At EDGE Restaurant and Bar  at Four Seasons Hotel Denver, the put together The Dragon’s Tonic with blueberries, lemon and tarragon and they also have the Fire on the Mountain with grapefruit, basil and lime. The trend of low/no ABV cocktails is here to stay, and bar manager Scott Larson makes these NA drinks so guests can indulge, celebrate, be part of the party and enjoy healthy sips with flavors that mean you won’t miss the booze. Such creativity in that bar program! 

Our Picks For Your Best places To Eat and Drink During Christmas

The holidays can be stressful for many of us. In between shopping, working, and family gatherings the last thing we want to do is prepare a family feast. Luckily for you we’ve picked out a few of our favorite local eateries to take the stress of your plate (no pun intended).


CHRISTMAS DINE-IN


Three Saints Revival
Just-opened in November, Three Saints Revival (1801 Wewatta St.) offers a vibrant, bohemian wine bar feel with tapas, small plates, entrees and dishes every from coast of the Mediterranean (think Spain to Italy to Greece, Turkey, Egypt and more). On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Three Saints Revival is open and, in addition to the regular menu, will be offering guests a special rotisserie roasted porchetta. The spectacular roulade of pork is blasted with garlic, herbs, spices, and rotisseried to a rich, crispy-skinned finish and served with rosemary potatoes and cranberry mostarda. The housemade cranberry mostarda is a Northern Italian condiment made of candied fruit and a mustard-flavored syrup, an ideal holiday flavor pairing. $26; please call (720) 707-3500 for more information or make your reservations online.

CHRISTMAS TO-GO


Smok
Bring home a holiday meal with all the fixings from Smok, located in The Source (3330 Brighton Boulevard). Offered chilled with reheating instructions, packages include one whole beef brisket (5-5.5 pounds), two family-style sides of garlic roasted Brussels sprouts and cheesy truffle potato gratin, and a housemade chocolate cheesecake (serves six). The full package is $200, or you can opt for a brisket and sides for $180 or a cheesecake à la carte for $20. Call 720-452-2487 to order for pickup on Wednesday, December 22 or Thursday, December 23 for a Christmas Eve or Day feast.

Whole Sol
Whole Sol (multiple locations) is known for delicious vegan dishes and drinks, and this year they are serving up a to-go Vegan Christmas Dinner for a healthy celebration at home. The dinner options include vegan takes on favorites like vegetable Shepard’s pie, “meatballs” with cranberry glaze, baked kale gratin with garlic bread, spiced apple cider, and more. Don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth with vegan and gluten-free desserts like the maple pecan bread pudding, coconut chocolate cheesecake, and peppermint bark. All dishes are vegan, gluten-free, and organic. Order online wholesol.com; orders close Monday, December 20 at 8:00 am and will be available for pickup at the Pearl St. location in Boulder, and the Sloan’s Lake location in Denver on December 24 or December 25.

Stanley Marketplace
At Stanley Marketplace you can get your entire holiday meal ordered ahead for Christmas Day celebrations; you’ll find everything from breakfast to main courses and starters to cocktails:

Morning Coffee: Start your Christmas morning bright eyed and bushy tailed with a festive peppermint mocha with all the fixings from Logan House Coffee at Stanley Marketplace. The team is offering a holiday favorite house-made peppermint syrup for the season as well as their onsite roasted and brewed Jingle Beans Holiday Roast, available only during the holidays and bottles and served in recycled wine bottles to heat up at home or drink over ice and cold. Pick up both any time between now and Christmas.


Mains: Award winning Executive Chef/Owner Raquela (Rocky) Serber at Elita is offering a variety of entrees and sides that draw inspiration from her own multicultural upbringing and are reflected in this variety for the holiday. Mains include Beef Tenderloin Roast plus optional black truffle or Elita Holiday rub; Porchetta Roast wrapped in pork belly with a Tuscan orange zest rub; Free Range Whole Duck served with plum dipping sauce; Handmade Tamales with pork green chile and turkey red chile. Sides include a roasted poblano & potato au gratin and cranberry & pecan roasted brussels sprouts. Order online here; you can also text 720-231-7965 or email info@elitafoods.com.


Starters: Once you have your meal sorted, time to tackle the starters. Mondo Market at Stanley Marketplace is creating charcuterie boards in sizes small ($49), medium ($74) and large ($120) for your holiday celebration, whether it’s for nibbling pre-dinner, lunchtime fill-ups, or casual all-day grazing while opening presents and hosting friends and family. Each board is elegantly arranged on a reusable wood tray and is packed to the brim with gourmet cured meats, artisan cheeses, fruits, nuts, breads, crackers, dipping sauces, condiments and more. Mondo’s creative chefs create the boards to order and can adapt to most requests. Order online here or call Mondo at 303-248-3983for more information or to reserve your board.


Cocktails: A memorable holiday meal needs a signature cocktail for the crowd: at Create Cooking School, it’s all about cocktails + cooking, and this year for the holidays the team took some of their best sellers and holiday favorites from the bar and batched them up in beautiful repurposed glass carafes to take-home for Christmas celebrations. Create’s batched cocktails are in 1liter bottles and include the Puerto Rican holiday cocktail the Coquito. The Coquito is a holiday drink with rum, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and the classic fresh cinnamon and nutmeg spices, along with grenadine. It’s a spicy, creamy and festive alternative to eggnog. Other classic cocktails are available like the old fashioned, negroni, and a black Manhattan alongside creative new concoctions like the Sloe Down Bitter and Palomita. Order online for curbisde pickup or delivery here; please call (720) 573-9949 for more information.​

Mythology Distillery Releases ‘Best Friend Bourbon’ and Donates 10% of Sales to Mountain Pet Rescue

emily-sierra-2020-mythology-whiskey-varieties-2.jpg

It’s no surprise around the office that we love booze and we love puppies. When you combine the two, well it’s just the perfect pairing.

Mythology Distillery, named Best Colorado distillery, launches Best Friend Bourbon with a community giveback program. The inspiration to produce Best Friend Bourbon is to craft a uniquely layered Bourbon by blending straight bourbons with different mash bills and maturities. Enjoy neat, on the rocks, or in whiskey forward cocktails like an old-fashioned or manhattan.

“Spending time with our dogs, slowing down the pace of life with a glass of whiskey, and living in the moment inspired the story of Best Friend Bourbon. This ideology is captured on our bottle with a story of a farmer and his dog reflecting on each day with good company,” said Mythology’s Founder, Scott Yeates, who enjoys spending time with his two rescue pups, including Whiskey, who was adopted from Mountain Pet Rescue last year. Mythology will be donating 10% of tasting room sales of bottles of Best Friend Bourbon to Mountain Pet Rescue to support finding good homes for other loving best friends.

By sourcing a 15 year Kentucky Bourbon, Mythology is able to incorporate a lasting richness of vanilla and tobacco that's a rare find in craft whiskey. The 15 year Bourbon compliments younger high-rye Bourbons aged two to five years that provide wildflower honey and warm cornbread on the nose, giving way to honeycomb upfront on the pallet that transitions gentle cinnamon and toasted almonds.

Since 2018 Mythology is recognized as Colorado’s Top Distillery consecutively, and its whiskey, gin, and vodka have won more than 50 domestic and international awards. Mythology Distillery’s whiskey, gin, and vodka are handcrafted in small batches in Denver, Colorado, for people who seek premium whiskey and gin. “Our passion is to craft unique and layered spirits and for friends and family to enjoy a glass of exceptional whiskey or cocktails while sharing stories of travels and adventure. Our philosophy is that we each form our own Mythology through travel, connecting with others, and experiences. It’s based on this that we named our brand Mythology.” - Scott Yeates, Founder, Mythology Distillery.

“We are a foster-based rescue in Grand County, CO that focuses on rescuing active, energetic “mountain” dogs by working with overcrowded shelters in and outside of Colorado,” said Sybil Miller of Mountain Pet Rescue. “We are thankful to partner with Mythology and help each dog find a perfect home and ensure a healthy and enjoyable relationship.”

Starting today, Mythology will be donating 10% of Best Friend Bourbon's sales to Mountain Pet Rescue when purchasing a bottle directly at the Mythology Distillery tasting room (3622 Tejon Street, Denver, CO 80211).


ABOUT MOUNTAIN PET RESCUE

Mountain Pet Rescue was started in January 2012 to improve the lives of pets in need by providing rescue, foster care, education, training support, and adoption into safe, loving homes. While our adoption fees generally cover the cost of a healthy dog's rescue, it is not unusual for dogs to arrive with unanticipated medical and/or behavioral needs. We depend on fundraisers to support those needs. At 2800 dogs saved, and counting, we have brought joy to countless people as well. To learn more about Mountain Pet Rescue, please visit https://mountainpetrescue.org/.


ABOUT MYTHOLOGY DISTILLERY

On a ski trip in the Alaskan backcountry, three close friends and Colorado natives capped off each day drinking whiskey and cocktails at a local craft distillery while meeting new friends and sharing stories about their wild adventure. Inspired by the Alaska trip, Scott Yeates returned with a passion for starting Mythology Distillery as a brand that invokes conversation and brings the community together. Leveraging years of experience that our production team gained from other successful distilleries, our team has developed a portfolio of products that have won more than 50 awards in 2 years, including best in class, double golds, and gold medals. As Coloradans that value our backyard playground, have implemented sustainable manufacturing processes to do their part in preserving our planet. Learn more at www.mythology distillery.com.

Postino (9Co) Delivers With A Great Wine And Food Selections

Denver has its fair share of amazing food and wine options to choose from. Even with a pandemic some establishments are thriving under the pulse of amazing service and food and drink selections. The up-an-coming area around 9th and Colorado has seen a resurgence in new restaurants, retail, apartment complexes and more. At the center is the newest Postino (9co), the wine-cafe is the third location in Colorado. Other locations are spread out between Arizona and Texas. We had a chance to indulge in some amazing wine tastings that paired amazingly with their delicious food options.

Hailing from the fine wine regions of Argentina, Espiritu delivered. (Photo: Robert Castro)

With its extensive wine selections (one of the best in Denver) and an amazing array of food board and bruschetta options, the pairings are sure to fulfill your taste palette.

We tried a couple different options including the cheese board that featured three different cheese options, nuts and a delicious quince jam that paired well with the Malbec (smooth and bold) wine bottle we had.

Cheese Board (Photo: Abbe Glasser)

Cheese Board (Photo: Abbe Glasser)

We also tried the Bruschetta option which allowed us to pair four different spreads that included their:

Brie, Apple and Fig spread

Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil

Sweet N’ Spicy Pepper Jam and Goat Cheese

Ricotta, Dates and Pistachio

Bruschetta pairings to die for. (Photo: Robert Castro)

The ambiance of the restaurant is a perfect mix of classical nostalgia and hip decor (check out their sunglass wall). Ambient lighting sets the mood perfect for anytime, we recommend their 5 ‘Til 5 Every Day Happy Hour, $5 glasses of wine and pitchers of beer ‘til 5 PM. They also have an amazing Board and Bottle special featuring a $25 bottle of wine and bruschetta board on Mondays and Tuesdays after 8 PM.

If you are looking for a quaint place to enjoy amazing wine and food options make sure to visit Postino (9Co).



Denver's Best Restaurants For A Night Out With Friends

Denver’s Best Restaurants for a Night Out with Friends

There are very few things in life better than a great meal shared with your closest friends. One of the best places to grab dinner with your buddies is in Mile High City, known for its rich and thriving food culture. Indeed, Denver has slowly morphed into a culinary melting pot, giving you a unique multitude of dining experiences that can satisfy pretty much every craving. Given the number of choices, where would one even begin? We've got you covered. Read on to discover the best restaurants in Denver for your next night out with friends!

Acorn

Acorn Facebook Page

From the creative minds of the people behind Boulder's OAK at Fourteenth restaurant, Acorn is one of the city's must-try culinary stops. This restaurant seamlessly blends together local Colorado fare grounded in a strong Southern tradition, sending all who dine there on a culinary trip you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the city — or even the country. Be sure to try the cured Rocky Mountain Trout and the 14-day dry-aged Hudson Duck Confit.

Other than the great food, another reason to stop by here with a couple of friends is its proximity to the Mission Ballroom. Acorn is located in the Source Hotel, so be sure you and your friends stop by the next time you go out to see a show.

Mead St. Station

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If you're looking for something a little more casual, USA Today recommend restaurant Mead St. Station. The restaurant, established in 1994, is a Coloradan institution. They specialize in rustic no-nonsense American food where everything is made from scratch. Be sure to grab their famous Mead Street Burger with a healthy serving of sweet potato fries.

As an added bonus, if you and your friends happen to drop by on a Tuesday night then you should enter their weekly rock n' roll bingo night. Foxy Bingo’s guide on how to play 75-ball points out how it's especially fun for groups – the more friends you convince to join, the bigger the prize pool! So, be sure to grab some friends before heading on over to the Mead St. Station for a night of fun and food.

Root Down

Root Down

From culinary whiz Justin Cucci, who also happens to be behind culinary hotspots Linger and Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, Root Down is your one-stop-shop for good conscious eating. Root Down prides itself on its sustainability practices that both benefit the environment and produce delicious food. They have a 4,000 square-foot garden in the middle of the city that accounts for 20% of the seasonal vegetables they use in their restaurant. They provide diners with non-GMO fed cows, and all their seafood is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, assuring that their diners get the best and most humane products. Their menu also indicates where the ingredients on the items are sourced, letting you know just what you're eating and how it was grown.

Be sure to try the Three Chile Chicken and their Flat Iron Steak with meat sourced from Callicrate Meats.

Denver Food + Wine 2019 Grand Tasting

Denver’s annual food and wine week just wrapped up and we were part of the fun at Saturday’s Grand Tasting event. This six-day culinary takeover is courtesy of Food & Wine Magazine and brings Denverites various opportunities to eat and drink, meet celebrity and local chefs, and enjoy exclusive experiences. The festivities begin each year on a Wednesday in mid-September with a curated “Dinner Under the Stars”, continue Thursday with the “Bartender’s Bash” cocktail competition and sampling, Friday you’ll find a fun happy hour at a top restaurant, and Saturday afternoon we recommend attending, “The Grand Tasting.”

With multiple covered tents full of food & booze, taking a moment in the sun to soak it all in.

The main event of DF+WF weekend is Saturday’s Grand Tasting where over 40 top restaurants showcase their best bites and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits provide over 700 wines and spirits to sample! Every type of wine is available to taste at the Grand Tasting, from high end reserves, rare wine regions, French Champagnes, to affordable favorites. DF+WF is the most comprehensive “wine tasting” in the state (aside from the prestigious annual Aspen Food + Wine Classic). For the true oenophiles, Denver Food and Wine created a Tasting App to help one navigate and take notes on all the fine wines. There are also QR Codes placed next to each wine for guests to learn more and take screenshots for later, and of course the educated Reps are there ready to tell you all about their products too.

If that weren’t enough to keep you entertained and buzzed all day, the Grand Tasting also features over 200 different spirits ranging from straight samples, liqueurs, and cocktails. We saw the following brands showcase their products with full footprints complete with a branded bar, tables, and decor: Aperol, Atlos Tequila, Chloe Wine, Five Farms Irish Cream, Grey Goose Vodka, Jagermeister, and TX Whiskey.

The food is of course the complimentary component to the copious beverages and one will find bites for all palettes created by Denver’s best chefs. This year’s favorite bites included Avelina’s truffle anglonotti, Kachina’s Fry Bread Taco & guacamole shooters, Hank’s Texas Barbecue Brisket, and the bruschetta from the high school students enrolled in the Colorado ProStart Program. These kids get involved every year manning their bites booths or assisting the celebrity chefs at the Culinary Stage. The Colorado ProStart Program is a two-year foodservice and hospitality management, culinary arts, and business entrepreneurship curriculum offered to high school juniors and seniors in Colorado.

Hanks Texas Barbecue

The Team at Kachina

Another big draw to the Grand Tasting is the opportunity to watch and learn from the masters; celebrity chefs and master sommeliers and mixologists hold seminars throughout the day. This year’s Wolf Sub Zero/Specialty Appliance Culinary Stage favorite was Jet Tila, a Culinary Ambassador of Thai Cuisine and Food Network star. Recently, Jet partnered with the Wynn Resorts to open Wazuzu, a groundbreaking take on Pan-Asian dining, at the Encore Casino and Resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Jet has also inspired and cultivated multiple concepts in partnership with the largest foodservice company in the world, Compass Group. Jet, along with his wife Ali, showed their captive audience how to make fried chicken and waffles complete with room temp butter, maple syrup and Sriracha!

Jet Tila with wife Ali and a few Colorado ProStart students

Proceeds from the event always benefit various charities and this year’s recipients are Kroenke Sports Charities, Denver Post Community Foundation and Colorado Restaurant Foundation as chosen by Southern Glazer’s because, “… they are an integral part of our community and reflect our core values while supporting the people that live, work and enjoy our Colorado lifestyle.”

DF+WF events are so much fun and generally more enjoyable than the other food & booze events that have taken over Denver. Everything is top notch, from the food and drink offerings, to the Riedel wine glasses everyone gets, to the layout, the quality interactions with vendors and attendees, and minimal lines (even for the restrooms!)

If you do it right, you’ll end up in bed early after the Grand Tasting. If you’re up for it, the final event is a Sunday Rise + Dine Brunch the next morning with bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s and tasty breakfast bites to wrap up the week.

https://denverfoodandwine.com/

Written by Tiffany Candelaria @TCdoesFnB & Photographed by Josh Stephens @freezerfilmfoto

Denver Food + Wine Festival Returns with Even More to Explore!

Denver Food + Wine Festival (DF+WF) returns next week for its thirteenth consecutive year September 5-10! This event has gradually expanded from one attracting epicureans and oenophiles into a multi-day extravaganza attracting all types of foodies and wine and spirit drinkers. The Grand Tasting event not only has a huge selection of wines and eats, but also has entertainment, themed lounge areas,cocktails, sake, even beer, I hear. It is a really fun event and is offers the largest, most diverse selection of wine than any other festival or tasting in the Denver area. In addition the the Grand Tasting, there are various other DF+WF events that week to explore with varying price points.

To kick the week off the Dinner Under the Stars event, Sept. 6, celebrates the best that Denver’s culinary and beverage scene has to offer with a unique alfresco pairing dinners on the Coohills pedestrian bridge. This curated, six-course meal features a wine pairing with each course, hand-selected by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ Master Sommeliers. Each course is prepared by a lauded Denver chef, representing some of the hottest restaurants in the Mile High City. The menu can be found on the website.

On Thursday 7, local celebrity bartenders from the Colorado Bartenders Guild will compete for Denver’s “best cocktail” at the ShakeDown. Guests are invited to mingle from 6:30-9:30 while trying as many food bites and cocktails as possible and voting for their favorites of each! Live music from a special acoustic Dragondeer set, featuring members of Dragondeer, will accompany the evening’s festivities. This was a boozy blast last year, but come prepared to drink or you may miss out on the best cocktail!

On Friday 8, join Riedel and the DF+WF for an educational and entertaining program that will change how each guest enjoys wine. In a unique wine glass tasting, Riedel ambassador Doug Reed will demonstrate the relationship between the shape of a glass and the taster’s perception and enjoyment of various varietals. After the seminar, guests can take home a four-glass Riedel kit, valued at $120, containing one glass for each varietal explored in the seminar.

DF+WF’s Grand Tasting takes place outdoors on Saturday 9 and unites the region’s culinary leaders, award winning chefs, mixologists and wine professionals, for a day of exploring and celebrating Colorado’s food and beverage traditions. The all-inclusive layout allows guests to explore creations from more than 40 top restaurants, and more than 700 different pours from wine and spirit professionals. In addition, the 5280 Home VIP Lounge, will pair specialty wines selected by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Master Sommeliers with 12 upscale restaurants for an exclusive experience. Celebrity, award-winning chefs will offer demonstrations on the Wolf Specialty Appliance Culinary Stage and guests can participate in a silent auction.

And to wrap up this incredible week of DF+WF is a fun brunch festival featuring what will be the world’s largest Bloody Mary bar, with over 65 toppings! Rise + Dine will also feature delicious breakfast bites, bottomless mimosas, and encourage guests to wear their pajamas if they’d like!

http://www.denverfoodandwine.com/