Thanksgiving Eve – gather with friends on Weds night:
The lively, U-shaped bar anchoring the space at Barcelona Wine Bar feels tailor made for catching up with friends before the crush of family on Thanksgiving. The menu of Mediterranean-inspired cocktails plus traditional + creative gintonics and wine/port-based beverages offer some gems - don’t miss the traditional Sangria or the seasonal Thanksgiving-forward flavors in the Bourbon Spice Rack like Cardamaro, maple syrup, cardamom and lavender; we also recommend the Dos Peninsulas with joven tequila, sherry, lemon + agave and finished with nutmeg.
Catch up with old friends at Federales (2903 Larimer Street, Denver) and enjoy a margarita or tequila-based cocktail at RiNo’s lively bar and restaurant. The menu of tacos, tortas, tequila and cocktails in a high-energy environment is just the thing for catching up with friends before the holiday and is sure to have something for everyone. Don’t miss the green chile nachos or the Pork & Pineapple tacos, Federales’ take on al pastor, and be sure to ”ring the bell” with friends before you leave.
Spending the day in Boulder or RiNo before the Thanksgiving feast? Wow your guests with a visit to Bellota (The Source in RiNo and 4580 N. Broadway in Boulder) for can’t-miss dishes from appetizers through desserts. Start with the sweet potato Wild Thing Fries topped with carnitas, cotija, lime, onion, cilantro and morita powder before tackling the Taco Flight - all seven of Bellota’s tacos on one platter. Finish with everyone’s favorite dessert, the Carlota, a creamy and tart lime pudding with vanilla cream and a Mexican cookie.
Thanksgiving Day – spend time with family
Treat yourself with an upscale harvest celebration at EDGE Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. Traditional and inventive Thanksgiving starters, sides and mains including elevated culinary stations will be offered on Thanksgiving Day from 11 AM to 4 PM and then again from 5 PM to 9 PM. Enjoy starters like pumpkin veloute, poached pears and fresh fuyu persimmons, traditional entrees like turkey roulade with chestnut stuffing, confit leg cranberry relish and giblet gravy alongside hickory smoked Colorado prime beef rib with merlo Demi and horseradish cream; and more unique options like salmon and scallion fish cakes, Alamosa bass and slow roasted lamb shoulder with harissa. Treat yourself with choices from the EDGE Raw Bar and desserts include white chocolate chai cream puff, mini pumpkin tarts, brown sugar cranberry cheesecake and milk chocolate mango pot de crème. Kids’ buffet options include sliced Tom turkey, grilled fish and broccoli, penne pasta, hummus fruit cups and holiday sugar cookies, mimi pumpkin tarts and milk chocolate pot de crème. To make a reservation, please call EDGE Restaurant & Bar directly at 303-389-3050.
Vibrant Three Saints Revival offers a 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). Bring yourself, your family, or your group of friends to Three Saints Revival where the talented culinary team helmed by Chef John Broening will be offering a limited menu of the Mediterranean-inspired dishes they’ve become famous for. Don’t miss the extensive and eclectic cocktails, or the menu of wines by the bottle and by the glass with a “map menu” to track which part of the Mediterranean your vino hails from. You can call (720) 707-3500 for more information or make your reservations online.
Don’t slave in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day; instead, fake it ‘til you make it by heading to Mondo Market at Stanley Marketplace and pick up a full Thanksgiving meal to take home for groups all sizes from 2 all the way up to 8 and including roasted or fresh turkey, sides, smoked holiday hams, salads and charcuterie boards. Meals come with turkey and traditional sides and condiments like cranberry orange relish and beet salad; the Mondo team also tucks in a sheet with turkey roasting and sides reheating instructions for you. Place orders by Monday 11/14.
Black Friday – take a dining break from the shopping craze:
Spending the biggest shopping day of the year downtown requires a beer and a big, juicy burger. Find both at 5280 Burger Bar in the Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall. There is no better combination than the Perfect Burger topped with gruyére cheese, bacon onion jam, pickled red onions and the house-made roasted garlic aioli and a cold draft beer.
Leaving the mall is not required to find a delicious meal on Black Friday. Guapo Taco opened in Colorado Mills (Lakewood) just last month and the taqueria is already the talk of the town. Whether you’re shopping solo or with a group, Guapo Taco serves up tacos from traditional to unconventional that are great for fueling up. Start with the crowd-favorite Corn Ribs - charred perfectly and topped with a delicious blend of Mexican spices - before digging into a plate of the Lamb Birria tacos, paired with the braising liquid for a dunkable dish.
Stay out of the fray altogether by shopping and dining in Denver’s River North neighborhood this holiday. With fun boutiques spread out in the neighborhood, there’s something for everyone, and you can leave the food to Dana Rodriguez. The James Beard Award finalist’s restaurants Super Mega Bien and Work & Class make up one of the most craveable corners in Denver at 25th and Larimer Streets. Find exactly what you’re looking for, whether that’s classic Red Wine Braised Short Rib with a side of Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese at Work and Class or a more spontaneous evening, grabbing whatever catches your eye on the passing Dim Sum carts at Super Mega Bien. Don’t let the Ropa Vieja made with Cuban style slow braised beef with jasmine rice, plantains and olive tapenade, or the addictive corn and cheese Arepas de Queso with pepita pesto and achiote crema pass you by.