tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86605628345057167702012-02-15T09:48:53.138-08:00A Denver Restaurant and Food BlogMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-47033291820313607182012-02-01T22:42:00.000-08:002012-02-01T22:43:33.596-08:00

I've never been very good at reading. Not that I don't enjoy getting into a good book from time to time, but in terms of regular hobbies you'd be hard pressed to actually catch me in the act. More publicly, I confess to be a glutton for fine food and photography, hence the focus of this blog. Secret's out... ...and not just in the fact that the only thing I read is a menu. But also, as you can

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1Highland, Denver, CO, USA39.7617151 -105.0111474000000339.7538921 -105.02466240000003 39.769538100000005 -104.99763240000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-36504662169041241812012-01-25T19:34:00.000-08:002012-01-25T19:34:58.876-08:00

Well, it's the most wonderful time of the year again.  After having a little time to recover from holiday consumerism and gluttony, as well as build myself back up to a healthy level of productivity at the office, I find myself relapsing on all fronts. Thanks to the upcoming Denver Restaurant 'Week' (Feb 25 - Mar 9), not only do I currently spend way too much time filtering through loads of

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-66731605727516633422012-01-07T11:52:00.000-08:002012-01-07T21:08:41.715-08:00

It's about time. As the fluffy white stuff finally starts hitting the hills after a depressingly mild winter so far, I revert back to a childlike state; the days where heading to the mountains with my dad was as much of an adventure as anything. Spending a weekend at the YMCA of the Rockies in Winter Park, riding snow cats before I could even drive a car, tubing down a roaring ice hill, cross

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-35511082294210105842011-12-28T14:04:00.000-08:002011-12-28T20:30:20.157-08:00

I'm always looking for that breathtaking experience in light of a culinary adventure. More often than not, you can attach the old adage of "you get what you pay for" in terms of defining an exquisite meal or not. Lobster and caviar will always be more expensive than chicken. A fine french restaurant will always be more expensive than the pizza joint down the street. But somewhere along the way,

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-914456584124019822011-12-24T09:17:00.000-08:002011-12-24T09:17:30.084-08:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas- as you spend time with family, friends, and of course fine food... I look forward to Facebook posts of some of your culinary adventures! Here's to a whimsical and delicious 2012. Thanks for following, and Buon Apetito! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-34245740579485808332011-11-09T12:00:00.000-08:002011-11-09T12:00:06.178-08:00

I look back a few years to when I worked downtown- and had a few bucks lying around to eat out regularly. Nice summer days amongst the skyscrapers normally gave one a sense of cabin fever while working in a stale cubicle, in which case the lunch hour to spoke out in an extended radius brought endless possibilities to the table. Wazee Supper Club, Dixon's (R.I.P.), Chipotle, and a number of

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-53868634823396868882011-11-04T21:58:00.000-07:002011-11-07T20:04:28.638-08:00

So after running into Alex Seidel at the Snowmass Culinary Arts Festival this fall and watching a demonstration on 'How To Make Sheeps Milk Ricotta', I made sure that we touched base for a farm visit. After all, the theme of the main event was farm-to-table, an otherwise trendy buzzword but a concept that is difficult to execute. And though Larkspur isn't too far from Denver, it was well worth 

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-11314140046395107762011-10-14T22:00:00.000-07:002011-10-14T22:13:36.701-07:00

Short and sweet- I'm stoked that I was able to stop by Zengo the other night for a limited edition menu that served to please. After getting a tip about their "Taste of Lima-Tokyo Dinner", I was truly enticed and stopped by for a fine evening of cuisine and cocktails with Jess. After all, Zengo is admittedly one of her favorite places to eat in Denver, and rarely falls short of high expectations.

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-78821210703205069682011-10-10T20:19:00.000-07:002011-10-12T21:46:17.637-07:00

So if you haven't heard yet, we're in the thick of EatDenver's Harvest Week. With a very different format from that of 2010's week-long celebration of fresh Colorado food, 2011's vintage consists of a handful of dinners at Denver's GrowHaus (an indoor farm in North Denver), hosted by Denver's best restaurants and chefs. For the next three nights, you can enjoy custom menus consisting of course

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com04751 York St, Denver, CO 80216, USA39.7827259 -104.95979139.5188909 -105.42671 40.0465609 -104.49287199999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-48737818896632389042011-10-08T12:54:00.000-07:002011-10-08T22:38:50.771-07:00

So the time has finally come, and it's accompanied with a humble apology. Having been writing The Denver Dish for just over 2 years now, I am well aware of some of my shortcomings in terms of coverage on the website. One of the more obvious being, that I have yet to formally review a Bonnano concept. Now don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean I don't eat at the culinary guru's food meccas, as a

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-32783850082790452662011-10-05T22:27:00.000-07:002011-10-05T22:39:32.151-07:00

So the 2011 annual ode to gluttony has been released- that of course being 5280's 25 Best Restaurants list. Every year when I read this, I look forward to spending the next year eating at each and every restaurant, and personally dissecting the fateful 25. Not that I have any beef against 5280's food writers, but if I'm going to accept any challenge this year, or even make a certain holiday

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-6529198050842734582011-09-25T15:22:00.000-07:002011-09-25T15:26:00.983-07:00

I've always enjoyed Denver for its melting pot of cultures, and in turn their respective cuisines. And after having traveled more than usual this summer, I've confirmed one thing: our mile-high city still reigns supreme, especially when it comes to Mexican. Now that doesn't mean I didn't find good food in some of these other cities, but I do find myself longing to return home for a comfortable

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0Jefferson Park, Denver, CO, USA39.755093 -105.0184110000000139.747593 -105.02626150000002 39.762593 -105.01056050000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-79966001551365253232011-09-13T12:50:00.000-07:002011-09-25T15:26:56.842-07:00

Nashville is obviously the home to many things... one of those being classic food. I spent the first morning in town with my friend Chris at the Pancake Pantry, a quintessential little joint that has been a Nashville staple for 50 years. And after waiting in line for almost an hour was not disappointed. A bomb breakfast with The Pantry's world famous sweet potato pancakes- that truly melt in

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-86811846210213962492011-09-12T12:07:00.000-07:002011-11-04T22:18:49.895-07:00

When it comes to a mantra- I live by a rather simple code. Do what you have to do every day- but when you take time to decompress, indulge. Thankfully, there has been a recent influx of fine eateries that can assist in fulfilling this simple mission, and ultimately surprise one who walks in their doors; each as unique as the next, with a different palette of flavors and design. On a recent

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-24913954155117124902011-08-25T22:03:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:33:32.848-07:00

I had to do it again. After attending last year's meatfest and finding out that the 2011 vintage was going to be bigger and better than ever, I found myself not only anxiously awaiting but splurging (hey, it's for a good cause) for a peek at the burger offerings of Denver's best restaurants and chefs.  Now some folks may say that burgers are an overdone fad (I'm not one of them), but one

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-65728084115099420692011-08-19T21:39:00.000-07:002012-02-05T20:21:37.976-08:00

It's been some time since I ventured up to the Roaring Fork Valley- partially due to the fact that I have a rather limited geographic locale, but even more so that enough free time to trek 4 hours into the hills seems more than scarce. But when I was enticed with a weekend in Snowmass and a star-studded roster of culinary talent, it was hard to pass up. The valley this time of year is stunning-

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-48583275859828866632011-08-07T15:37:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:35:03.859-07:00

If you're one of those Denver food and wine lovers who, like me, loves to save a buck or twenty on a great dining experience, The Capital Grille is just the place to cool down as summer keeps blaring on. For what is a premium restaurant with a mature wine list, I was personally surprised to see that they were beckoning in the average Denverite in an unassuming way. Case in point, until

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-19669502174272713802011-07-20T19:38:00.000-07:002011-07-20T19:38:35.797-07:00

Each year, EatDenver's network of independent Denver restaurants releases the ultimate prize for a Denver foodie-The Deck. Consisting of 52 $10 gift cards to each of their network restaurants, you can eat out all year long and get a little help along the way! Since 2011 is half way over you'll have to do it double time to use them all, but you can't go wrong with this hit list, including: -

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-91081249782027775752011-07-18T19:49:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:36:37.549-07:00

Snowmass is hosting an Encore presentation of last year's hit Culinary Arts Festival this weekend- in what will likely be a classic weekend of fine food, beverage, and culinary talent. A more casual mountain culinary festival, this one will span 2 packed days and will focus more on the locals who are changing the gastronomic landscape of Colorado.   With tickets at $65- this is also a more

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-82750771878821251962011-07-11T22:07:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:37:08.626-07:00

Some of the most common questions I get from people are "where should I go to celebrate an occasion?" and "the company's paying, where should I take the corporate card?" I roughly translate this inquiry into, what is the finest and most memorable dining experience in town? Over the past few years, I've found this question more of a chore to answer, because the Denver dining scene has matured

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-43917136147247702612011-07-01T17:16:00.000-07:002011-07-01T17:16:32.105-07:00

If you're planning on being at the CCAF this weekend to check out great artists from Denver and abroad- make sure that as you enjoy the food and drinks you stop by The Robert Mondavi 'Discover Wine' experience. Featuring a cooking stage highlighted by local chefs and wine tasting, I have a feeling like I'll be spending some time here this weekend. Hopefully it will satisfy my Napa Valley yearning

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-44917409222122743902011-06-30T22:09:00.000-07:002011-06-30T22:09:30.426-07:00

 So a little while back I was wrapping up with a late night snack attack at Elway's CC with a few friends, and I couldn't help but notice the star-studded roster on the wall for the Hot Rocks Griller Challenge coming up. I was being beckoned- and I knew it was an event that my stomach had to be at. Thankfully where he goes, I go. We waited patiently, until a few weeks ago the night finally came.

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-77553186774208066062011-06-25T12:49:00.000-07:002011-06-29T07:48:56.378-07:00

The Kitchen's farm-to-table focus with Boulder's community at the core has always intrigued me. The simplicity of what they're doing, but the elegance of the result defines what Boulder is all about. In a sense, they're a quaint town doing powerful things when it comes to food. What is now becoming a nationally acclaimed region when it comes to cuisine, Boulder has never seemed to have trouble

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-69012421225451344252011-06-14T07:25:00.000-07:002011-06-14T07:25:18.185-07:00

Opens Today, June 14th at 11am! Be there to experience some of the freshest, farm-to-table ingredients concocted into delicious salads, sandwiches and soups. Full post coming soon, check back! www.thekitchencafe.com 1035 Pearl Street Boulder, Co 80302 720.542.8159 Open for walk-in seating only

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-33834093163293160622011-06-07T11:00:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:18:08.128-07:00

So I have to admit, when I caught wind of what was going on with the newest restaurant in Denver called Linger, I was a little intrigued in an apprehensive sort of way. I couldn't quite justify my confusion, but perhaps it was the fact that the invitation came on a toe tag, and that the restaurant logo read 'Olinger Mortuary' (Look closely there's a 'linger' in there...). Cute in it's own morbid

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-3780008823696828172011-05-31T19:20:00.000-07:002011-05-31T19:20:19.306-07:00

Now that summer's finally here and I'm back to the eating (and blogging) board, I find myself constantly daydreaming of a few things: and one of those is seafood. There's something about a cold beer paired with a dozen oysters, or a pound of peel and eat shrimp to demolish on a patio that just does it for me. But if there's one thing that tops it all off, that of course would be the Lobster Roll

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-62106362154892826642011-04-25T21:14:00.000-07:002011-04-25T21:14:32.184-07:00

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of landing at the Ritz Carlton for what I easily consider to be the best foodie event of 2011 so far- Cochon 555. After watching a YouTube teaser of this event and buzzing about it with my foodie friends, I anxiously endured a 3-month waiting period after securing my ticket. When finally, the fateful day had come. This particular Sunday was a cold, snowy one,

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-3902374417993494892011-03-16T21:39:00.000-07:002011-03-18T06:54:51.010-07:00

You've heard of it, you've probably had it, and if you have then you most likely loved it. This month's Better Denver Burger is of course, LarkBurger. I always have to pay homage to the locals in this feature, and LB (of which there are 4 units now) has Colorado written all over it because they "keep it natural". It's easier to read than to explain it- all I know is if I ever find myself

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-85524896641015776612011-03-06T22:03:00.000-08:002011-03-08T07:03:24.758-08:00

From time to time, I find myself drifting back to a carefree time in my life where all I had was a Eurail pass, a backpack, a good friend and a pipe. That was the life- one of adventure, a new culture every day and of course: great food. I recall walking the streets of Italy and sensing family, joy, and a simplicity of life that is not easily matched here. Something romantic and passionate

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-57779468264831780552011-03-02T16:43:00.000-08:002011-03-02T16:43:07.802-08:00

Jess and I have lived in Capitol Hill for almost 3 years now- and I've been to most of the great restaurants within a narrow radius. Many have never ceased to impress me, and will continue to each time I return. But what I've noticed is that this website has become a little oblong towards the downtown dining scene, and very few of the Capitol Hill gems have made it on here. Until now. Now maybe

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-15707044601096270142011-02-13T20:44:00.000-08:002011-02-13T20:44:40.189-08:00

Welcome to Colfax: the street that is Denver.  26 miles of history with a seedy reputation that somewhat defines it. But that is starting to change- as recently we've started to see a glimmer of rejuvenation with shops and restaurants, one of the finest hospitals in the country, and of course, Encore: The Colfax Country Club. Being a Capitol Hill local, Encore has been one of my regular

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-26719961126060400792011-02-12T10:25:00.000-08:002011-02-15T08:32:44.986-08:00

So if any of you check in with this website from time to time, you know I have a certain affinity for burgers. And Denver has a handful of excellent ones, as you'll see from my monthly Better Denver Burger features. Now I'm not the only one who has discovered that Denver has excellent burgers, as I received an email the other day from a guy who was running a Million Dollar Road Trip through our

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-66751915449524818222011-01-31T17:00:00.000-08:002011-01-31T17:00:03.461-08:00

"If Cherry Creek North is the diamond, we're the flaw." The Cherry Cricket knows this, and they're proud of it. It's one of these things that's not like the other. It's unique, quintessential, and legendary. It's history. That's sort of the Cherry Cricket story. We're talking about the Denver dive burger joint that has been around since 1950- when all that Cherry Creek is now, never was.  There

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-38648819068090468622011-01-29T16:57:00.000-08:002011-01-29T16:57:17.013-08:00

Chef Michael Long has lived atop the south metro food chain for quite some time.  Being one of the most celebrated fine dining spots in Littleton, Opus Restaurant has made quite a name for itself and it's officially time for the 2nd overture. Not only is this an encore- but Long is bringing out the big guns to tap into what might be one of the most restaurant-saturated markets of Denver. And he

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-59477839629827808112011-01-22T11:50:00.000-08:002011-01-22T11:50:04.759-08:00

I can't underline anything in the title of this post, but Snooze truly is THE A.M. eatery. When the name of your restaurant becomes locally synonymous with the meal of breakfast itself, you know you've done something right. When Dish Trip came to town a few weeks ago, it was hard not to start the day off with the funhouse of desayuno. Almost as if Willy Wonka were to open up a breakfast joint-

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-26008768000432328052011-01-12T17:01:00.000-08:002011-01-12T17:01:06.972-08:00

Time to get your grub on! Denver Restaurant Week 2011 is almost here, and if you haven't been barraged by  invites or spent half your day at work perusing all the amazing menus on tap, then you probably live under a rock. And it's probably not even a nice rock, don't deny it. We're talking the greatest celebration of Denver food and dining, all in a 2 week marathon format. More than 360

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-21137794294594519092011-01-03T14:00:00.000-08:002011-01-03T14:10:49.371-08:00

Imagine yourself walking along Boulder's Pearl Street on a cold winter night, breath clouding in front of you as you yearn for the satisfaction of a fine meal. The street appears absent of the usual Vaudevillian street performers and is rather still, but at the same time you find yourself drawn towards a buzz at the far end of the street to a small row of restaurants. On this night, if what

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-37905276572626684552010-12-25T20:53:00.000-08:002010-12-26T13:49:03.890-08:00

Merry Christmas Denver Dishers! I hope everyone had a wonderful day with friends and family, and of course, killer food. Thought I would celebrate with one of my favorite red and green dishes! Let me start by saying if there was ever a dish that embodied comfortable delicacy for me, it would have to be Chicken Parmigiana. Growing up with an Italian mother who was also a little health nut, it

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-32664348665737120312010-12-12T16:46:00.000-08:002010-12-12T16:46:23.818-08:00

 If you live in Colorado, you know that everyone's favorite color is green. Even nationally our humble state is known  for being environmentally friendly, so it's no surprise that businesses build their entire plan on doing something typical in a more earth-friendly way. At the same time, the dining scene has also been shaped by an organic revolution, where patrons now expect the higher echelon

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-32871672640121432842010-12-05T16:01:00.000-08:002010-12-05T16:01:29.381-08:00

When I invited my wife to Culinary Date Night at Cook Street , she lit up. Not only did we have something to look forward to on her Thanksgiving break (between studying for finals and studying for finals), but thanks to Aubrey from Sprocket we got in one one of the more highly coveted classes that Cook Street offers. But take this as my ignorant confession: I wasn't exactly sure what to expect

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-50851957307477951252010-11-30T21:26:00.000-08:002011-01-30T17:00:59.283-08:00

So I have to humble myself as I start this feature- because I wouldn't have gone to Park & Co. had it not been for an absolutely crushing fantasy football loss to a competitor more worthy than I. With lunch on the line, my yuppie (yet slightly balding) friend suggested we head over to the younger brother of the Park Burger family since it was closer to his downtown high-rise office. Yes, even

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-15263977476157117772010-11-21T15:32:00.000-08:002010-11-21T15:32:02.636-08:00

I think I've officially procastinated myself to the brim with a back log of blog posts. But for accountabilities sake, I commit that I will have a freshly concocted review, dish, etc. up on a weekly basis through the holidays. So while you're all slacking at work and day-dreaming of sugar plums, black friday strategy and new toys, check back in and hopefully I can tell you how to fill your

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-27093727237871534392010-11-07T15:19:00.000-08:002010-11-07T15:19:03.529-08:00

Recently, I've been getting in touch with my roots. A few weeks ago, I reviewed Nonna's Bistro which checks off the Italian food portion of my gastronomic family tree. And you won't hear me complaining any day soon that I had to grow up on the stuff, because the Italians arguably boast some of the best food in the world.  However, when I start to get in touch with my Scottish side, the food tells

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-3143189827109980482010-10-31T21:51:00.000-07:002011-01-30T17:01:22.214-08:00

City Grille was long overdue for me. Having lived in Capitol Hill for 3 years and not really frequenting that side of Colfax, I finally made it over to the joint long known for one of the best burgers in town. Now I may lose credibility points as a burger lover for that one, but what I want to communicate is that CG has been on my list for a very long time, and this was sort of a defining moment 

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-58033602146233315602010-10-13T20:04:00.000-07:002010-10-15T18:10:55.648-07:00

Compliments: Twelve Restaurant  When Stu Smith from Smith Madrone was in town a few weeks back, the food world got a little bit smaller.  I wasn't able to join him for his media tasting early on in the week, so I joined him for dinner at the notorious Twelve Restaurant.  Having wanted to try it for some time, and also in the wake of Jeff Osaka's Chef of the Year nomination, Twelve served to be

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-87151286937799913852010-09-25T10:27:00.000-07:002010-09-25T10:27:35.560-07:00

Larimer, LoDo, Highlands, Boulder and Capitol Hill. If you're looking for some of the best food in Colorado, this is likely where you'll find it. I'm guilty myself... I don't tend to gravitate too much farther outside of the city unless we're heading up to Boulder for the night. But if you were to ask me where to find one of the best family Italian places in the city, I might send you off a

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-12910444958978513512010-09-18T14:39:00.000-07:002010-09-18T14:41:36.380-07:00

Tuesday was a night of great food, great company, and of course honors. Denver Magazine's annual award ceremony is a night to celebrate the best of the best in Denver, and highlights the top foodservice professionals in a mix of categories. And all of this to ultimately crown Denver's Chef of the Year. The Talent Simply enough, the categories are Mixologist, Specialty Chef (this year defined

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-90791025177988957332010-08-29T20:04:00.000-07:002010-08-30T07:46:58.056-07:00

I myself have had a fine meal or two at Denver's only 4-star, 4-diamond restaurant, and it has always served to please. Beautiful food accompanied by classically-executed service is something to be appreciated, and in its own way is a fading art in a more casual dining scene as of late. But now, in addition, Restaurant Kevin Taylor (RKT) has upped the ante with a dining room makeover. 

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-84474294217735674642010-08-18T22:15:00.000-07:002010-08-20T11:51:52.644-07:00

Now we all know that there is no separating a man and his sandwich. It's a sacred bond of sorts, one of fulfillment and selfishness where one party fulfills its destiny, and the other experiences the sheer pleasure of devouring the other. It's a symbiotic and beautiful devotion, and last night was a celebration of such devotion. While 500 folks came from all over to meet in LoDo, there was really

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-35783805505664387482010-08-09T18:58:00.000-07:002010-08-09T18:58:24.309-07:00

It's time to get your green thumb on with some of Denver's best restaurants! That's right, the 3rd Annual Denver Harvest Week is right around the corner. Sponsored by EatDenver, this week-long event running from August 21st-27th is a celebration of Colorado produce and locally produced food and beverages. We all know that there's some seriously good stuff going on around Denver, and now is the

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-66046679308975967422010-07-30T17:10:00.000-07:002011-01-30T17:01:57.356-08:00

So if anyone is to blame for the "Denver Burger Buzz" lately, it's Park Burger.  Obviously I had to find out why, as my South Denver friends never stop talking about it. Recently hailed by Bon Appetit as one of "The Top 10 Best New Burger Joints", I'm personally surprised we even got a seat in this humbly small little burger joint on South Pearl.  Granted, we were there during the World Cup

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-87653090852076933102010-07-24T14:35:00.000-07:002010-08-30T07:47:35.015-07:00

I love sushi. So fresh that it's still swimming if you know what I mean, which can be a challenge to find in a landlocked state such as Colorado.  Or is it? One of the most popular social meal options is to go out for this authentic form of Japanese cuisine that has taken our nation by storm. Even though it's definitely more of a trend with the younger folks (I can tell you that mom still

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-11381942482669996612010-07-03T12:43:00.000-07:002011-01-30T17:02:45.105-08:00

  A couple of things pulled me to Encore on a Sunday afternoon with Jess and Chris.  Not only was it a gorgeous day to sit on the patio, but we were able to grab a 25 dollar Restaurant.com gift certificate for only 2 bucks.  That's always an added bonus, especially when gems like Encore end up on there. In my quest for Denver's Better Burgers, Encore was one of the first restaurants that

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-51015946936030755892010-06-26T17:18:00.000-07:002011-04-25T21:04:25.323-07:00

, The special occasions in life are normally accompanied by a special celebration at a special place.  And there are some special places that warrant celebrating in the first place because they are just that good. Frasca Food & Wine is one of those places. Obviously, it's reputation goes before it. Frasca is well-known for offering some of the best food in the region. Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-10104837131824127022010-06-20T14:28:00.000-07:002010-06-20T14:28:19.699-07:00

When I started my quest for Denver's Better Burger last month, I was surprised to hear the response that I did.  One thing was confirmed: not only America, but Denver LOVES THEIR BURGERS.  One of the most exciting responses I received was from a gentleman who introduced me to The Denver Burger Battle.  Benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters, this event will feature 10 of Denver's premium burger

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-3989917135717411282010-05-26T18:56:00.000-07:002011-01-30T13:28:41.308-08:00

There's some serious madness going on in Denver, meat-style that is. And there are a few mad men behind the scenes getting it done: Mark DeNittis, Gennaro DeSantis and Adam "DeSacco" Sacks.   The name of the game is "Salumi Fatto a Manno", and these guys are killing it at Il Mondo Vecchio. This meat shop is bringing The Old World to Denver in a handbasket.  Just picture a leg of Prosciutto di

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-75487102643100503032010-05-20T21:04:00.000-07:002011-01-30T17:02:24.082-08:00

Has America ever invented anything? Of course we have, but I mean food-wise, have we seriously ever invented anything? Okay, barbecue yes. But I think it's hard when you're such a 'new' country as we are to not find some familiar traces in every dish back to some ancient civilization, or to some European culture in or around the 18th century.  Case in point: the hamburger.  As I sat down to

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-4143218573232351982010-05-15T11:12:00.000-07:002010-05-17T19:25:14.800-07:00

We've all been to the restaurants where we order in numbers. Whether you're ordering off of an industrial food menu board at McDonald's or a salsa-caked one at the Mexican dive down the street, you have to admit a sense of justification comes from having your 'usual'. It didn't take me long to realize that Pho Duy was doing some really good stuff, and that I wanted to go back again and again. As

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-40569431786137741752010-04-28T21:20:00.000-07:002010-04-30T14:47:24.580-07:00

Many of you know I am a Chipotle FAN. So much so that I made sure my first job out of the pen was with the burrito giant. There's something about the simplicity of what Chipotle does. It is a well-oiled machine that pumps out personalized dishes faster than you can throw your credit card over the counter.  And we all have our routine there, you know your fancy. You'd have to be blind not to

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-64782873460937583562010-03-30T18:00:00.000-07:002010-04-12T22:03:56.968-07:00

So tonight, I had an epiphany. My vices go deeper than I thought, especially when I encounter 2 surprising ones that hang out together in a single dish.  I know I have already given this restaurant props on my website, but they just went from great to greaterest. Solera does it again. After an exhausting work and road trip combo visiting Jess's family in Omaha, we kennelled up our new puppy

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-88621364083384709272010-03-27T12:00:00.000-07:002010-03-27T12:31:53.138-07:00

The Denver Dish is now available in multiple flavors: Twitter: TheDenverDish (click here to follow) Urbanspoon Please share, pass along and help fill the craving for all those Denver foodies out there! Thanks to you all for your support so far. You know who you are.

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-48644136751614738392010-03-22T13:10:00.000-07:002011-02-06T11:59:41.425-08:00

  If you live in Denver and haven't heard about H Burger by now, then you might be the first I've heard of.  I can't tell you how many conversations I've had around the Mile Hi City in the past few months, not just about H Burger itself but about this and that burger joint that you gotta check out.  I think it's fair to say that there's a burger revolution going on... not just your burger burger

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-61034204309759902792010-03-16T18:29:00.000-07:002010-03-16T18:29:32.931-07:00

So do you ever run into one of those just too weird situations that almost seems like fate? Alright, maybe a little too romantic. But that's kind of what it was like when I ran into a buddy of mine a little bit ago and our conversation diverted to the blog that I've been up to for the last year or so.  Sometimes conversations go one way, and sometimes they go the other.  Normally this one ends

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-32723586033528493852010-03-10T15:08:00.000-08:002010-03-24T19:39:00.314-07:00

So in order to make The Denver Dish a more sustainable blog (especially with Jess in law school and our accounts on the fringe) my thought is to both expand the scope and narrow the focus of my subjects.  Not that eating out at the finer of fine in Denver is coming to a halt for us, but there are a lot of great places out there I look forward to sharing with you all and don't specifically fall in

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-39587787317452429262010-03-07T14:58:00.000-08:002010-03-24T19:38:00.308-07:00

Sometimes you run across that diamond in the rough that just doesn't quite make sense.  In a good way.  You know how they say location, location, location? I argue that Solera absolves the status quo of this cliche. Adjacent to the neighborhood tire and lube at Colfax and Grape, Solera is a culinary oasis waiting to pounce.  Goose Sorenson's classically creative menu sort of brings you to a

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-35694243774587526792010-02-10T22:15:00.000-08:002010-03-24T19:37:04.816-07:00

Well, the best pizza place in town has finally set up a sister shop. And they put the 'grand' in Grand Opening. Swimming with an eclectic mix of folks, free pies and of course a handful of PBR drafts... The Walnut Room did a stellar job entering onto the scene. Nice job to eM-Ve marketing who threw the bash together and made it a night to remember! Complete with the red carpet, The Walnut Room

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-67466393015557971722010-01-11T20:45:00.000-08:002010-03-24T19:30:36.739-07:00

Well, I'm finally back to the blogging board. My inspiration: TAG. A familiar face represents the newest member of the Larimer family. Rivaling some of the biggest, best and brightest of the dining scene with a few feet of buffer is a bold move. Granted, with a resume like Troy Guard, I suppose you have a few lumps of confidence to go with your coffee. That and a good luck charm in the form of a

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-92057467398318709322009-05-08T22:30:00.001-07:002010-03-24T19:35:52.494-07:00

There are few nicer days to spend at the St. Julien than one that follows a cool winter storm that dusts the Flatirons. As the snowcapped peaks swim in fog, the warm interior to the hotel fills with a signature scent, and the spa soothes and refreshes. On our visit, I felt no reason to leave, considering Jill's came with a pretty enticing menu and a promising atmosphere. Knowing it was a cold

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-72906658404558717742009-05-08T22:29:00.001-07:002010-03-24T19:35:01.511-07:00

What is it about these tucked away places? There's something about a place off the beaten path that just gets me. Don't get me wrong, I've done my time on Larimer or Pearl, and there are a lot of great places on either of these avenues. Location, location, location right? Perhaps not in this instance. Locanda del Borgo speaks for itself, and it doesn't need any of the pomp or visibility to

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-44189757657559780052009-05-05T10:24:00.000-07:002010-03-24T19:34:27.051-07:00

Picture yourself sitting at a tucked-away sidewalk cafe in Paris, with some guy named Francois adding to the ambience with some classical accordion music. The smell of fresh-baked baguettes harmonize in the air with spring lilacs, truffle oil and rich onion soup. Call that a traditional French dining experience, and I'll say that Bistro Vendome's patio is the next best thing. And you don't need

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-40896038509741775152009-04-11T19:06:00.001-07:002010-03-24T19:33:50.572-07:00

One of the newer restaurants on the Denver scene is Lala's wine bar. On one of the hottest corners in the city, Lala's competes with every other Governor's Park hot spot. Needless to say, they have their work cut out for them. So this begs the question, are they cut out for it? Recently noted in Westword's BEST OF DENVER, Lala's was bestowed with the honor of Best Wine Bar. That's quite a feat

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-59153414089873733412009-04-11T11:29:00.000-07:002010-03-24T19:33:12.521-07:00

So what's the low down on Root Down? In it's unique Highland abode, Owner Justin Cucci's contemporary concept boasts an impressive view of the Denver skyline. Perched just a few blocks Northwest of the pedestrian bridge in a remodeled lube shop, Root Down focuses on local and organic fare. Although not a completely revolutionary idea, still honorable. The restaurant's brand is deep and unique.

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-76061777153916922932009-03-02T19:46:00.000-08:002010-03-24T19:32:10.081-07:00

So where do we start? I figured I would get this thing kicked off with a little taste of my personal dining Mecca. In this case, that happens to be Mateo. My favorite currently, this Boulder ace gets it right from start to finish. Not only does it feel like you're home again, but Matthew Jansen, Chef and Co-Owner takes you on a culinary journey of old Europe (Provence specifically) with a touch

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660562834505716770.post-64968814638718787912009-03-01T16:11:00.000-08:002010-01-11T11:34:24.745-08:00

In my personal opinion, the Denver dining scene has matured immensely over the past handful of years. As I mention that fact, many of you are already chalking up your thoughts of the who, what, when, where and why of this revolution. And chances are if you're reading up on this blog, you're interested in figuring out who a couple more of these folks are in the here and now.I feel that no matter

MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091512194310417237noreply@blogger.com1