Ultra5280's Top Picks For Thanksgiving Eats And Drinks

Thanksgiving can be a busy week for many, with friends and family coming into to town sometimes the last thing we want to do is cook. Lucky for us these amazing Denver restaurants are willing to put in the hard work for us. Check out some of our favorite spots and what they have to offer this week.

Thanksgiving Eve – gather with friends on Weds night: 

  • A meetup with old friends before the crush of family obligations on the holiday means an energetic bar, open-air rooftop, and free-flowing drinks. Federales (2903 Larimer St) checks all the boxes: a vibrant bar and restaurant with tacos, tortas, tequila and cocktails in a high-energy environment, just the thing for catching up with your friends before the holiday. Don’t miss the green chile nachos or the Pork & Pineapple tacos, Federales’ take on al pastor, and be sure to finish your night with the Choco Taco before heading home.

  • Energy and drinks are the name of the game at Barcelona Wine Bar (2900 Larimer St., Denver). Though known for their eclectic and easy wine lists, Barcelona is also a hidden-gem cocktail bar with Mediterranean-inspired cocktails, traditional + creative gintonics, and wine/port-based beverages – and a lively, U-shaped bar anchoring the space and tailor made for socializing, casual conversations, or intimate catch ups before the haste of the holiday. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, don’t miss the seasonal flavors in the Bourbon Spice Rack like Cardamaro, maple syrup, cardamom and lavender; or the Dos Peninsulas with joven tequila, sherry, lemon + agave and finished with nutmeg.

Thanksgiving Day – Kick back at home with these meals to-go:

  • Don’t slave in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day; instead head to Mondo Market at Stanley Marketplace (2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora) pick up a full Thanksgiving meal for groups all sizes from 2 all the way up to 8 and including classic turkey, sides, smoked hams, and cheese boards, as well as also offering a holiday breakfast option for take and bake. Meals come with turkey and traditional sides along with gourmet optional add-ons; the Mondo team also tucks in a sheet with turkey roasting and sides reheating instructions for you. Consider adding on the holiday breakfast items, including Quiche Lorraine, breakfast potatoes and croissants for bake-at-home, and you can also order cheese/charcuterie boards from Mondo Market to round out your holiday meal. Order online or call 303-248-3983.

  • Whole Sol​ (multiple locations) is known for delicious vegan dishes and drinks, and this year they are serving up a to-go Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner for a healthy celebration at home. Bonus: Solo diners can order the dinner for one if you happen to be the only vegan in the family. The dinner options feed 1 or 4-6 people and includes vegan takes on favorites like green bean casserole, butternut squash and herb stuffing, spiced pumpkin mac and cheese, french fried onion tofu, and more. Don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth with vegan and gluten-free desserts like the oreo cream pie, classic pumpkin pie with coconut whipped cream, and cranberry tart. All dishes are vegan, gluten-free, and organic. Order online wholesol.com; orders close Monday, November 22nd at 8:00 am and will be available for pickup at the Pearl St and RiNo locations on November 24th or November 25th.

  • Chef Bill Espiricueta at Smok (3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver) is offering a few take home ways to enjoy the regionally-inspired barbecue at home this Thanksgiving. For those looking for a bird-only option, the $50 4lb smoked turkey breast for the table is the go-to choice for those looking small and comes with instructions for reheating; or go big with the Take Home Thanksgiving Meal ($75). Dinner serves 6-8 people and includes 4lb smoked turkey breast, one shareable pan of jalapeño cornbread with honey butter and fluffy mashed potatoes with housemade gravy. Reheating instructions are included for every item, and don't forget to add Smok's individual pecan pies to the order to share with guests or hang on to for post-holiday treats. Please call 720-452-2487 to reserve your dinner by 11/18.

 

Black Friday – take a break from the shopping craze:

  • Number Thirty Eight (3560 Chestnut Place) knows exactly what to do the day after Thanksgiving. Whether it's from all the food, all the fun or all the family - it's a day for recovering. Why not lounge in your PJs with your friends at the RiNo hotspot's Post-Thanksgiving Pajama Party? Roll out of bed, step into your slippers and head to Number Thirty Eight where you can cozy up to three new winter beverages - the Hot Chocolate Toddy made with Idlewild Vanilla Vodka and caramel; a Hot White Russian made with coffee, vodka and Kahlua or add Telluride Peppermint Schnapps to your hot chocolate for spiked cold-weather classic - all festively topped with whipped cream.

  • Give your feet a break after a Black Friday shopping spree and visit Bellota (3350 Brighton Blvd) for a pick me up at the hopping bar: choose from the famed frozen margarita with milagro blanco tequila, house orange liqueur, agave and fresh lime; the La Perla with tequila, fino sherry, St. George pear, and strongwater cocao bitters; or the holiday-festiveRum-Chata with flor de cana rum and housemade horchata. Don't miss Chef Manny Barella’s trio of salsas – smoky morita, spicy verde and chile de arbol – to kick off your visit.

Breckenridge Brewery And Breckenridge Distillery Partner For Buddy Pass Exchange

Two iconic ski-town businesses, Breckenridge Brewery and Breckenridge Distillery have teamed up to debut Buddy Pass, a unique barrel-exchange program. Buddy Pass is both a Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout and an Imperial Stout Cask Finish Whiskey that blends the best of these award-winning brands. Breckenridge Brewery opened in 1990 and is the third oldest brewery in the state and Breckenridge Distillery, the World’s Highest Distillery is built from pure whiskey passion and quality products and one of the most highly awarded craft bourbons in the country.

“This is a true Breck to Breck partnership,” said Jimmy Walker, Head Innovations Brewer at Breckenridge Brewery. “We’re two like-minded companies that love to bring people together for moments that become memories. Plus, we’re buddies. Buddy Pass is an expression of our friendship as well an ode to the mountain’s buddy passes and the friendships toasted after an epic day. It’s truly a collaboration at its peak.”

The collaboration brings together the true culture of Breckenridge. Breckenridge Brewery brewed an Imperial Oatmeal Stout, a tribute to the first beer ever brewed there, it was then aged in Breckenridge Distillery Bourbon barrels from just down the road— 2.5 miles, to be exact. When the beer was sufficiently aged, imbued with flavors from the barrels, it was returned to stainless steel containers. Those freshly dumped barrels were taken back to Breckenridge Distillery and filled with its award-winning whiskey and aged again for about a year. The subsequent spirits and suds are a perfect marriage between the two craft companies that both beer and whiskey lovers alike will enjoy. Collaborations like this are so rare because of the short window of time when it's possible to refill the whiskey barrels after the beer has aged in them.

Buddy Pass is Breckenridge Brewery’s Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout is a quintessential “big beer.” With a velvety mouthfeel, this beer is meant to be sipped, not slammed. The Imperial Oatmeal Stout imparts notes of dark chocolate-covered cherries, espresso, and toffee; its time in the Breckenridge Distillery’s high-rye bourbon barrels imparts hints of caramel sweetness that take it to the next level. As a result, Buddy Pass is a bold, boozy brew that is meant to be shared.

Stout Cask Finish is Breckenridge Distillery’s showcase notes from the Imperial Oatmeal Stout. The resulting spirit is dark and sultry: the nose conjures rich, earthy chocolate-covered fruit; at first sip, velvety chocolate notes envelop the palate with hints of caramel and orange; think whiskey by the fire after a day on the slopes.

Buddy Pass will be available on November 15, 2021 and will be available November- February with Bottle (6/4) and Keg (1/2 BBL) (1/6 BBL) options. 

Matt Stone and Trey Parker Acquire Casa Bonita and Announce Culinary Partnership with Chef Dana Rodriguez

South Park creators and Colorado natives Matt Stone and Trey Parker have acquired Colorado’s beloved and iconic Casa Bonita restaurant.

The new owners today announced their partnership with award-winning chef and restaurateur, Dana Rodriguez, who will share her culinary talents in her role as Executive Chef of Casa Bonita. Rodriguez, a three-time James Beard award nominee, will oversee the kitchen redesign, new menu development and culinary team, promising a major overhaul of the culinary program that will “improve everything, but change nothing” in the storied restaurant.

Chihuahua, Mexico-born Rodriguez, known by the affectionate nickname “Loca,” is a well-known talent in the Colorado culinary world. Rodriguez started her career as a dishwasher, working her way up through the ranks of Denver’s top restaurants including Rioja and Bistro Vendome, eventually opening two restaurants of her own - Super Mega Bien and Work & Class - with a third concept - Cantina Loca - opening in late 2021. Along the way Rodriguez has garnered numerous local and national awards.

“This is a dream come true,” says Rodriguez. “Casa Bonita means so much to so many people here in Denver. I’m excited to work with Trey and Matt and reimagine the culinary program; I want to make sure this is a place where people will look forward to eating, drinking, spending time and bringing friends, family and visitors.”

For more information about Casa Bonita, please visit CasaBonitaDenver.com.

Dia De Los Muertos Happenings Around Denver

Day of The Dead is the much celebrated event that takes place November 1 and 2nd amongst the Mexican community as well as other cultures around the world. A few of our favorite local spots are joining in on the fun to celebrate with some amazing events and specials to commemorate the holiday.

Federales Zombie Apocalypse:

It’s the return of the undead for Halloween at Federales (2903 Larimer St). RiNo’s lofty, open-air bar and restaurant is hosting a party all day on Saturday October 30. Infect yourself with some fun with your best zombie costumes and join the Federales team for tacos, taquitos, tequila and more with a high-energy party. Doors open at 11am; costumes are encouraged as the restaurant is decorated and transformed for the epic apocalyptic weekend. Make reservations here.

Whole-Some activities at Whole Sol

The flagship location of Whole Sol in Sloan’s Lake is celebrating their one-year anniversary with a Soloween Party all day to include whol-some activities like pumpkin carvings (11 a.m. to noon), MELT Project box class (noon to 1 p.m.) for all and cookie decorating (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.), a Living Décor Plant pop up from 11am-2pm and a FRE Wellness on Wheels Pop Up from 11am-3pm. The team will be offering food specials all day such as a $5 OG bowl, $5 any toast, $3 Vegan Cookie Dough, plus more of fun activities for all ages.

Monterrey, Mexico born and raised Chef Manny Barella from Bellota (3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver) and his team are planning celebratory events at the restaurant for the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Starting Monday 10/25, the team is building a traditional altar (ofrenda) for the community in preparation for the holiday which they’ll celebrate on Monday 11/1. The altar will include candles, photos, and traditional offerings and Bellota guests and friends are encouraged to join in by bringing in photos of loved ones they’d like to be included in the altar in remembrance and honor for the departed. Guests who bring something for the altar will be given a token to return on Monday 11/1 where they can be redeemed for a marigold-infused Milagro tequila shot (marigolds are traditionally known as the flower whose scent attracts the souls of the departed to revisit at the altar). Food specials include tamales with pork in salsa verde wrapped in banana leaves and a succulent Chicharron Taco with chicharron (fried pork skin) braised in salsa verde with cotija cheese and onions with lime. Drink specials include theTierra de los Muertos, a black cocktail with Sol De Mexico tequila, Fernet Vallet, Demerara sugar and Cacao bitters.

(2501 Dallas Street at Stanley Marketplace) is known for their Mexican soul food including a menu of mix and match variations of tacos and up to 10 kinds of margaritas. For Dia de Los Muertos, the team is asking guests to bring in photos of loved ones (including pets) to be added to the altar and in return Comida will buy them a house margarita of choice. On Monday 11/1, Comida will be offering special mezcal cocktails, including the Vida de Muertos Del Maguey Vida’s, with pear nectar, lemon, cinnamon simple syrup, and angostura.

Cheluna

The state’s first Latinx-owned Mexican craft brewery is brewing up a traditional altar for the community to enjoy for the holiday, a Dia de Los Muertos Halloween Costume Party with Karaoke on Friday 10/29 from 7-10 pm; and hosting a sugar skull crafting class with Adriana Gonzales, free with Cheluna purchase on Saturday 10/30 from 1pm – 3pm.

Go Karting On Ice.....Yes Please.

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Add this to your list of things to do this winter.

Level up from regular karting to Ice Karting this winter and drift your way to victory on our custom-made ice track! Ice Karting is coming to a secret location in Denver from 7th - 23rd January 2022. Experience the thrill of ice driving during an exhilarating kart session, an experience out of this world! Ice Karting is the perfect way to have some high speed competitive fun.

Test yourself and practice driving around the ice rink whilst navigating a variety of fun and challenging obstacles. Our expert team will be on hand to give you some tips on how to glide at speed and navigate the course. We’ll have plenty of dress-ups for you to pick and wear on the day so you can race around the track in style.There will also be lots of off rink activities including winter themed bars dishing out your favourite cocktails and traditional winter games like curling, hockey shooting and ice luges so you'll be entertained even when you're not in the kart.Tickets are available now for just $75pp, so whether you’re a regular go- karting enthusiast or a newbie looking for some fun, it will definitely be worth switching things up and testing your skills on a new surface.

Get your tickets now as is this is sure to sell out quickly.

I Scream, You Scream, Lowry Screams For Gelato

I Scream Gelato, the Colorado based dessert restaurant, is set to open their newest location in the Lowry neighborhood of Denver on July 15.

The gourmet gelato shop, with locations in both Frisco and Breckenridge, Colo., puts a new twist on the classic Italian dessert. Serving traditional gelato flavors like vanilla and hazelnut alongside eccentrically delicious flavors like donut and cotton candy, I Scream Gelato has a little something for everybody. 


I Scream Gelato has “over 100 archived flavors and features 32 flavors at a time in-shop,” said store manager Ben Paningbatan. The rotating menu offers no room for disappointment and includes vegan, gluten-free and nut-free options. Guests are welcomed to unlimited samples of the unique flavors before making that ever so difficult choice of what flavor to enjoy. To provide maximum freshness each batch of gelato is only available in the shop for no more than 24 hours, making each returning trip feel like the very first time again. “There are three chefs working on-site making the gelato daily,” Paningbaton said. The shop's menu also features a variety of other artisanal desserts including intricate milkshakes, gelato smoothies, bubble waffle cones and an assortment of espresso beverages with espresso provided by Whiskey Barrel Coffee, another local establishment. 

The newest location welcomes guests into what owners Nadav Abergel and Yuval Fuchs describe as, “an authentic gelato experience,” with an Instagram worthy floral-wall that is brightly illuminated by a radiant pink neon sign reading the shop's name. Guests are met with a spacious interior ample for indoor seating. The soft-pink walls paired with contrasting green plants help create an environment that would feel wrong not to enjoy a sweet treat in. 

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I Scream Gelato is located at 63 Quebec St. and will be open daily from 10 a.m to 9 p.m. 

Words and images by Patrick Haney

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

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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).



Saucy Chix Giving Us That "Tender Lovin" Chicken We All Need

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Dining out at restaurants has taken a unusual turn due to the COVID crisis and while many are beginning to open up again, it has become a rather challenging time for many. Many restaurants have opted for takeout and curbside pickup options. The team behind Morning Story has launched a new concept: Saucy Chix, offering freshly-fried chicken takeaway and delivery, from 4-10 p.m. daily, from the same Denver and Arvada locations: 560 S. Holly Street and 8025 Sheridan Blvd, respectively.  

Morning Story will continue to offer diners daily breakfast, brunch and lunch, but beginning at 4 p.m., the kitchens will prepare and package menu items for Saucy Chix, the casual delivery and takeout-friendly local fried chicken joint, specializing in house-made sauces. 

With freshly-fried chicken at the forefront, the Saucy Chix menu features “Tender Lovin’” chicken platters and “Mother Clucking” fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, including the Swaddled Chix: Chicken strips wrapped in a giant spinach tortilla with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and buttermilk ranch sauce, and the Bare Naked Chix: A grilled chicken breast with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, zesty pickles and house sauce. Starters – or “Chicken Feed” – such as fried pickles, onion rings and waffle fries, along with an array of salads, sides and sweets round out the menu. The complete menu is complemented by a thoughtful variety of house-made dipping sauces, including a secret-ingredient House Sauce,  The Original Buffalo, Buttermilk Ranch, Scorpion Ranch, Golden BBQ, Honey Dijon and Sweet & Spicy Thai, allowing guests to personalize every bite.

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“With this new concept, we want to offer our guests something delicious and comforting, all while being incredibly convenient,” said James Gregory, owner of Saucy Chix and Morning Story. “With diners continuing to seek options that are delivery/take-away friendly, Saucy Chix will meet that need, providing a variety of new, fresh and customized choices for busy families and individuals on-the-go.”   

We have had a chance to sample some of this goodness and would highly recommend it if you are looking for a well rounded lunch/dinner with an amazing sides and an array of sauces for you to dip in.

Breck Brewery Launches Howler Crowlers to Fuel Coloradans’ Howls; Benefits Project C.U.R.E.

Just in time for the Full Moon tomorrow...Breckenridge Brewery has created the Howler Crowler to celebrate the nightly howl and 100% of proceeds go to charity. See below the details and the cool image of the can.

You can hear it every night: Coloradans letting out howls at 8PM for a variety of reasons, from giving thanks to healthcare heroes’ selfless acts during the pandemic to finding joy in feeling united as a community.

Breckenridge Brewery wants to keep fueling those nightly howls across Denver-area communities, so they are releasing Howler Crowlers: custom crowler cans (32 oz) filled with your Breck beer of choice! 100% of Howler Crowler profits will be donated to Project C.U.R.E., which supports our local healthcare system by donating medical supplies to hospitals in need.

Howler Crowlers will be available for delivery or pick up from the Farm House starting on 4/22 in the afternoon, just in time to celebrate Howloween, the night of the new moon. This Howloween, Coloradans can celebrate by dressing up in costume and standing (safely) outside to howl for healthcare workers, sipping on a cold beer that gives back!

Breck Brewery Introduces Mountain Beach, Offers "Staycation"

Breckenridge Brewery wants to bring some much-needed sunshine into people’s homes across the US, so the brewery just released Mountain Beach, a tropical session sour with flavors of juicy pineapple and tart lime highlighted by sweet notes of guava. Every sip brings you major vacation vibes - making it the perfect way to turn a day at home into a sunny staycation. At just 4.5% ABV, the sessionable new brew will be available year-round nationwide.

While we’re doing our part and staying safe at home, many vacations have been put on hold. So Breck wants to give fans a much-needed break with the ultimate staycation experience. From now until Memorial Day weekend, Breck will choose one lucky winner per week to receive a staycation in a box, packed with everything they need to transform their home into an indoor paradise, from a pack of refreshing Mountain Beach, the scents of the ocean, to tiki lights, a porch swing, tropical decor, and more. To enter, fans simply share a pic on Instagram to show how they’re keeping busy at home, from puzzles galore to homemade bread, with the hashtag #BreckBrewStaycation.

Denver Beer Festivus: A Timely Classic Returns

Although the temperatures are dropping here in Denver, there is no short supply of your favorite beer festivals. The Denver Beer Festivus celebrated eight years this past Saturday afternoon. We have always maintained this one of our favorites, nothing changed as a slew of local breweries were on hand to sample some of their favorite brews. Beer drinkers were decked out in their favorite ugly sweaters and holiday attire making for some amazing outfits (we even saw multiple Cousin Eddie’s from Christmas Vacation). This years edition spread out over several rooms making it easy to navigate from brewery to brewery with little to no lines. Food was a plenty as a food court had everything from warm pretzels to pizza for you to enjoy. A silent disco was on site providing for some amazing tunes by some of Denvers best DJ’s. It’s hard to name favorites with a festival like this as all the breweries showcase their best, but if we had to…..some of ours included brews from Denver Beer Co, Black Project Spontaneous, Great Divide, Zuni Street, and Ratio Beerworks. If you have never been to one of these we highly suggest you put it on your radar for next year.

-Words and Images-Robert Castro

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.

Café Marmotte Transitions from French to Italian

Nestled in an unassuming corner next to a Starbucks on Alameda and Downing is a charming little French restaurant called Café Marmotte. You likely haven’t noticed it while driving/biking around the Wash Park neighborhood, but the new owners at Café Marmotte hope to change that. Café Marmotte was named an OpenTable Diners' Choice Award Winner in the “Romantic Restaurant Category” and “Top French Restaurant” by Trip Advisor.

French onion soup & Lyonnaise salad

The new Executive Chef and Partner Ty Leon (of Denver’s Mizuna and Bistro Georgette) has modified the menu to be both a mix of familiar French favorites alongside his imaginative re-interpretation of classics. Staples such as Lyonnaise salad, French onion soup, steak frites au poivre and coq au vin will make any Francophile feel at home. More contemporary dishes include lobster spaghetti with black truffle and mascarpone and a seared foie gras appetizer served with huckleberry waffle, foie gras ice cream and hazelnuts. Desserts like chocolate pot de crème with Chantilly cream and hazelnut granola (one of the best chocolate desserts we’ve had), a brown butter cake with macerated blackberries, lemon curd and caramel ice cream and a homemade apple tarte Tatin with macerated apples and caramel round out the divine dessert menu.

Coq au Vin & Baja Pacifico Striped Bass

Chocolate pot de crème

These past few months have brought big changes to Café Marmotte with a team of new owners who will ultimately transition the French restaurant into an Italian eatery early next year. The new team are partners Heather Morrison, Beverage Director Austin Carson and Executive Chef Ty Leon. With their focus on both Café Marmotte and the forthcoming Italian restaurant, the wine and cocktail menus will have equal representation of both regions during the transition. In the wine book, guests will choose from a list of French wines on the left and Italian on the right, with the guidance with an in-house master sommelier each side has plentiful options for guests to pair with their dining experience. Likewise, the craft cocktail list features Carson’s take on classic French cocktails and Italian, all incorporating locally grown ingredients and local spirits.

Seared Foie Gras

“I hope people come to Café Marmotte for approachable French dishes knowing the experience will be relaxed and welcoming thanks to Heather’s service. Austin’s cocktails always impress me and as we taste each other’s creations we each go back to tweak our respective sides of the menus,” says Chef Leon. “I’m continually inspired by Austin and Heather; we all challenge each other to be our best, ultimately for our guests’ benefit.”

Café Marmotte offers dinner service starting at 5pm Tuesday-Sunday and weekend brunch from 10am-2pm.

http://cafemarmotte.com/

By Tiffany Candelaria

Free Market's Sole Restaurant BRUTØ Opens

BRUTØ, located inside the Denver Free Market, is a sustainability focused American restaurant officially opening Friday, September 27, 2019. The word BRUTØ means crude or directly from the earth, which is a reflection of the menu and vibe here.

The Denver Free Market opened in downtown Denver’s Dairy Block earlier this year and was created by local Id Est Hospitality. Their vision was to create a marketplace that connects people, objects, and ideas with hospitality at the forefront and a very thoughtful food and beverage partnership. The eight shops inside have not had a presence yet in Colorado, but bring great products and services, uphold good corporate values and exude a personable spirit. By incorporating the culinary and hospitality worlds into the Free Market, visitors are more comfortable browsing, shopping and more likely return again.

West Coast Oysters, Carrot & Fennel Salad, Sobrasada with Wildflower soda

The team behind BRUTØ is known for the beloved Basta in Boulder and the funky Wolf’s Tailor in Denver, all led by James Beard Foundation nominee Chef Kelly Whitaker. The menu is small but broad, centering around their Italian wood-fired oven and heritage grain-based items milled on-site or at Dry Storage, their baking counterpart of Basta in Boulder. Expect fresh-baked breads, seasonal crudités, hearty wood-fired meat dishes, and a raw-bar. They also have a full bar with a few craft beers, wines, local Stem Cider and cocktails and a coffee bar named called BØH (for back of house) around the corner inside Free Market.

Bruto’s menu

Socca (milled chickpeas) with Ricotta & basil

BRUTØ’s open kitchen with a wrap around bar is situated in a floor-to-ceiling glass corner of the market exposing it to passerby’s, making it perfect for cooking workshops and other events that are in the works. Their location also situates them one block from the Union Station farmers market, which was a selling point for Chef Whitaker who aims to provide Colorado-grown vegetables year-round.

BRUTØ during construction

The interior was a collaboration between three design groups: one from Berlin, one from LA, and a furniture and lighting artist in CA. The architect was a local CO company that designed Denver hot spots like Hop Alley.

Open during Free Market hours Tuesday -Sunday 11am-7pm.

Written & photographed by Tiffany Candelaria @TCdoesFnB

Acorn Gets an Update

Acorn, the acclaimed restaurant and baby of Boulder’s OAK at fourteenth restaurant, recently renovated both it’s space and it’s offerings. In 2017, Acorn welcomed a new Executive Chef with a long history of leading lauded kitchens such as Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta, The Little Nell in Aspen, and Mourad in San Francisco. Chef Ian Palazzola’s talent and experiences are channeled into his new menu at Acorn, which features a thoughtful collection of dishes inspired by where he has been, where is he now, and where he wants to go. “His blended cuisine celebrates Colorado's bounty, but is rooted in Southern tradition and accented with bold spices and global flavors.

Booze-free, tea mocktails

This is the first time the restaurant has undergone such significant changes since opening its doors inside The Source in 2013. In addition to their new Chef and menu, Acorn expanded into the former Western Daughter's Butcher Shoppe space this summer. The added space gave Acorn a new temperature-controlled wine room and a meat locker for dry-aging special cuts, meaning you’ll definitely see some great wines and aged meats on the new menu.

Acorn's menu still focuses on small plates, but the large-format options have become more robust with one of every protein usually on the rotation. When we dined, the offerings were robust indeed: 24-hour cured Moroccan Lamb (Palazzola’s last restaurant was a Michigan star Moroccan restaurant in San Fran). A 14-day dry aged Hudson Duck Confit, a 24oz 45-day dry aged certified ribeye, and a classic roast chicken.

To start, Chef presented us with their cured rocky mountain trout covered in colorful apple, celery, dill and flowers and an amazing seasonal dish composed of Jimmy Peppers, a smoked corn purée and greens. This madly of flavors and ingredients was unlike anything we’ve eaten before and we loved it. The one thing that remains on the all-new Acorn menu is their beloved Kale & Apple salad with candied almonds and lemon vinaigrette.

Top: Seasonal Heirloom Tomato Salad. Bottom: Cured Trout.

After our lovely, light starters we got a new Acorn staple off of their Heirloom grains and Veggie section, the Heirloom Blue Cornbread with surryano ham and whiskey maple butter. The special cornmeal used is shipped in from Anson Mills in the Carolinas, and they are also used to supply Acorn’s grits & golden rice. The cornbread comes with Surryano ham, America’s version of prosciutto, and really turns up the volume on that sweat and savory flavor one loves about cornbread!

Blue Cornbread with Surryano


The team behind Acorn aims for it to be a place where everyone can feel comfortable, from making an easy to read menu, a range of taste options and beverages, but also a menu that will excite the foodies and the chefs that dine and work here. The team also aims for as little waste as possible, not just in their restaurant, but also at the farms they purchase from. For example, Acorn will buy the early, unripe fruits and vegetables that farms generally can’t sell but need to pick, and use them in pickling, syrups, sauces, etc.

Duck Confit

The desserts are always creative at Acorn, and we tried the Coconut Cream and the Pistachio Diplomat. The Coconut Cream had a pana cotta base with seasonal palisade peaches, tart ginger and a meringue candy topping. Our favorite was the Pistachio Diplomat, a lemon cake infused with rose water, topped with a pistachio and quince (a rare, pear-like fruit) whipped cream and edible flowers. It tasted as good as it looked.

Stop by Acorn for lunch, dinner, drinks or the next time you’re going to a show at Mission Ballroom. The Source Hotel provides pre-show parking with a free shuttle to and from the show for only $5.

www.denveracorn.com

Written by Tiffany Candelaria Photographed by Samantha Bliss

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

Cochon555's Heritage Fire Culinary Experience

Heritage Fire is a live-fire, open-air culinary experience crafted by Cochon555 and visits 15 major cities across North America annually since 2009. The Cochon555 Tour executes a yearly host of authentic, hyper-local food events focused on raising awareness for heritage breed pigs through an innovative nose-to-tail pig cook-off.

Smoked Tomahawk Ribeye from Chef Will Nolan

Heritage Fire graced Colorado back in June during the acclaimed Aspen Food + Wine Classic and this past Sunday Denverites had their chance to indulge in this meat-based feast at Stem Cider’s Acreage Farms in Lafayette which is perched against a beautiful backdrop of Longs Peak. The whole event was wonderful with various creations and dishes highlighting the farm raised meats in a beautiful setting with limited tickets which meant quick lines and plenty of food and wine.

Heritage Fire always features an all-star cast of chefs and butchers who specialize in whole animal cookery and spend the afternoon grilling heritage-breed animals and serving them up to guests. Guests are able to see the chefs cooking and the animal in its entirety, so there is no doubt they are getting farm fresh food. The list of heritage and heirloom foods includes dry-aged beef, whole pigs, lamb, goat, squab, rabbit, duck, fish, chicken, artisan cheese and heirloom vegetables.

The meats are cookin’

Our favorite dishes were a Buffalo Empanada with Chimichurri from Chef Padillo at Social Fare in Cherry Creek. Shrimp & Grits and a smoked Tomahawk Ribeye by Chef Will Nolan. The charcuterie board by Cured Boulder, a gourmet grocery store & cafe with upscale decor offers hand-picked cheese, charcuterie, & wine. Speaking of wine, Blanchard Wines and Tenuta from Italy were pouring along with Stem Ciders, Wheatley Vodka, El Tosoro Tequila, and premium whiskeys and bourbons and LaCroix Sparkling Waters.

Charcuterie by Cured Boulder

Whiskey & Bourbon tastings

There was one booth dedicated to dessert, an unlikely restaurant to be at this meat-focused event. Uchi is Denver’s hottest sushi restaurant serving incredible Japanese delicacies from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole. Japanese tradition and culinary innovation fuse at this RiNo restaurant, read our full review here. Uchi’s head pastry chef prepared donut puffs filled with smoked vanilla cream and topped with bacon bits that were irresistible.

Creme filled donuts with bacon bits and raspberry puree from Uchi

The event’s ultimate aim is to provide education to consumers and provide guests with honest food from real farmers. Every event is a fundraiser for Cochon555's sister charity, Piggy Bank — a start-up farm in Missouri that serves as a kickstarter for new family farms and a safety net for those in the wake of a disaster.

For more information, visit www.cochon555.com or follow @cochon555 on Twitter and Instagram.

Article by Tiffany Candelaria @TCdoesFnB

Ocean Prime's Patio Happy Hour

Ocean Prime is a modern American restaurant and lounge from renowned restaurateur Cameron Mitchell. Located in Denver’s Larimer Square and the Tech Center, Ocean Prime is open for weekday lunch and dinner nightly. Their fine dining menu features seafood and prime cuts of steak, signature cocktails, a Wine Spectator-honored wine list and desserts paired with great service in a lovely setting. Ocean Prime was 5280 magazine’s editor’s pick for “Best Seafood” among many other awards nationwide.

Smoking Shellfish Tower

The chefs at Ocean Prime take great pride in sourcing the highest quality ingredients available and use simple, pure, local and regional flavors on our made from scratch menu. Seafood is selected daily for freshness and features wild and naturally harvested fish. Steaks include USDA Prime cuts and are aged for maximum tenderness and flavor. This absolutely shines through in the dishes we sampled and during past experiences dining at various Ocean Prime restaurants throughout the country. Yes, they are a chain, and no they didn’t originate in Denver , but Ocean Prime is a superb dining experience which is why Denver has two locations despite the concentration of great restaurants here.

We highlight the opening patio party for Ocean Prime’s new DTC location that opened in November. We started with not-yet on the menu margaritas that were full of refreshing flavor and happy hour sushi rolls. Happy hour is weekdays from 4-6pm in the bar and patio and on Friday’s and Saturday’s there’s live music!

Our favorite dishes were the lamb lollipops, mini crab cakes, and ultra creamy lobster mac & cheese. The Smoking Shellfish Tower was also a favorite and great for any party, however is not part of happy hour pricing. One can order $2 oysters, $10 chef sushi roll and other great bites and drinks during happy hour here.

Don’t skip dessert, from chocolate peanut butter pie to NY cheesecake to their ever-popular warm butter cake, we always save room here.

https://www.ocean-prime.com/

Photos by Josh Stephens

El Five Adds Brunch & it's a Hit

Like its Edible Beats sibling restaurants Linger, Root Down, Ophelia’s and Vital Root, this Spanish/Middle Eastern hot spot for tapas transports guests to a unique setting serving amazing dishes and delightful drinks. El Five sits high above the offices of LoHi in a fifth-floor penthouse and is also the fifth restaurant in the Edible Beats family, hence the name El Five. Stepping off the elevator on the 5th floor guests are greeted with the smell of spices coming from the open kitchen and a vibrant atmosphere full of color and a spectacular view.

Dungeness Crab, Shakshuka & Iberico Benedict

Like Linger next door, El Five capitalizes on their perfectly perched location with a large patio and floor to ceiling windows/doors that showcases Denver’s downtown skyline. The décor is bright, bold and eclectic, the last word describing all of the Edible Beats restaurants. Colorful faces from midcentury Egyptian and Turkish movie posters are painted on the walls and reflected in little hexagon-shaped mirrors. The vibe is fun, funky, swanky and sexy. It’s a great place for a date, whether dinner or just drinks, the setting and menu lends itself perfectly. 

Photo taken from El Five’s website

We went to try their new Sunday brunch and of course, we were impressed. El Five‘s menu is clearly Mediterranean inspired, but creatively combines flavors and ingredients from multiple countries in that region. Thus, El Five has created a unique cuisine coined Tapas De Gibraltar, as the countries are all connected by this body of water. Indeed, everything we tried here had a unique twist that either tantalized or surprised our taste buds.

 We started with Coda coffee, Bhakti chi and a pastry basket with sweet treats like chocolate Baklava. We then moved on to the Pintxos tasting plate which we noticed all the tables around us had also ordered and was just like the tapas you get in Spain!

Pastry Basket with orange jam

Pinxtos Plate

For entrees we selected the Dungeness Crab with Potato Latkes, Iberico Benedict, Garlic Shrimp with Manchebo Polenta (our favorite) and the North African dish Shakshuka. All four dishes contained very different ingredients and flavors, having originated in different parts of the Mediterranean. While the menu is Mediterranean, the 10+ entrees on the menu provide a diverse spectrum to please any palette. 

Garlic Shrimp: Sunny Side Egg, Manchego Polenta, Crispy Ham, Ibérico Brown Butter, Chilis, Salsa Brava

To conclude we ordered a Moroccan Pancake, an Apricot FROSÉ (our favorite drink on the menu) and a Sangria con Frutas. A sweet ending indeed!  

The brunch prices are very reasonable, only a few dollars more than their cocktails lol. But don’t let the price steer you away, dining or even just coming for a cocktail is worth every dollar.  

Moroccan Pancake: Farmer's Cheese, Nutella, Apricot, Pistachios, Orange Blossom Syrup

Rooftop Sangria & Apricot Frose

elfivedenver.com

Words by Tiffany Candelaria @TCdoesFnB Photos by Samantha Bliss @RedCapturesherBliss