Blog
By:
Category: Best Bets, Table Talk
Posted: October 4, 2012 8:30 AM
Tags: The GrowHaus, Pop-Ups, Harvest Week, EatDenver, Best Bets, 20 days of giveaways
Best Bet: Harvest Week (Oct. 14–19)
In recent years, turning my calendar to October has come to signal more than just crisp temperatures and the discussion of Halloween costumes, it also means Harvest Week. This annual event from EatDenver (full disclosure: I co-founded this nonprofit) has evolved over the years but it has always been about celebrating Colorado's bounty in the context of Denver's dining scene.
What used to be a showcase of harvest-focused menu specials has matured into a more experiential, all-encompassing series of pop-up dinners at the ever-inspiring GrowHaus. And it's a perfect fit: Not only are pop-ups hugely trendy, the GrowHaus lends credence to Harvest Week's "eat local" mantra. You see, these dinners (and one brunch) take place inside the facility's greenhouse and demonstration farm. Diners can wander the space, ogle the aquaponics systems, and get an overview of the organization's mission. If you've never been, it's impressive—especially when the space is bathed in twinkle lights and set with community tables.
Which brings us back to the celebration at hand. Starting on Sunday, October 14, with the Praise the Lard Gospel Brunch and running through Friday, October 19, with the Million Dollar Cowboy dinner, 36 EatDenver restaurants will stage themed, four- to six-course meals for a limited number of diners. (Prices range from $50 to $80 per person, depending on the event). Of course, there will also be hand-crafted cocktails and local beer and wine pairings. Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme and dress up—prizes will be given for the best costume. (I can only imagine the collection of grass skirts at the Platte River Luau and the tourist getups at the Denver Globe Trotters dinner.)
I'm attending the Hedonist's Guide to Tailgating and the Feast of the Hunters and Gatherers. Should our paths cross, seek me out and say hi. Maybe we'll even sit at the same community table.
FYI: In order to minimize waste and reduce cost, EatDenver requires that you bring your own place setting (plate, cutlery, cloth napkin, and wine glass). Do it up right and you might win a prize.
GrowHaus, 4751 York St., 720-515-4751 (If you've never been to the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood in northeast Denver, find a map and directions here.)
THIS STORY WAS PART OF 5280's 20 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS!
What a great idea!
Submitted by jasminelayton on Thu, 2012-10-04 14:59.
Harvest Week
Submitted by klbennett on Thu, 2012-10-04 14:57.
I absolutely love Denver's dining scene - moved here from Iowa about a year ago and love that I still haven't even come close to dining out at all the restaurants here!
A fun idea
Submitted by Diego on Thu, 2012-10-04 14:24.
What a great way to taste great food and meet fun people.
What a great idea!
Submitted by charshir on Thu, 2012-10-04 14:15.
I miss summer already, what a great way to ring in Fall!!!
It's the season of sweater weather!
Submitted by kimberlyhan84 on Thu, 2012-10-04 14:05.
I am fairly new to the Denver area so I subscribe and use 5280 to see what is always happening around town. Autumn is my favorite season with the chill air and warm colors of the scenary and clothing. What I love most about autumn is the comfort food that you couldn't eat during the summer. Eat Denver!
Community Ties
Submitted by perfectk4y4king on Thu, 2012-10-04 13:52.
Its amazing how wonderful things can be when we are involved in, grow and develop our communities! LOVE HarvestsWeek
Harvest Week
Submitted by Bean2343 on Thu, 2012-10-04 13:51.
Million dollar cowboy sounds like a blast!
i want
Submitted by dermot.monks@gm... on Thu, 2012-10-04 13:50.
this -- I've only skiied once since moving here and this would definitely reignite my old passion.
Colorado grown
Submitted by berkeley.sara on Thu, 2012-10-04 13:28.
Harvest week sounds amazing - I can't believe I've never heard of it.
Giggles ...
Submitted by J Sherman on Thu, 2012-10-04 13:23.
"Praise the Lard" Gospel brunch ... hehe!
Fall = the BEST time of the YEAR!
Submitted by mille926 on Thu, 2012-10-04 13:12.
Not-too-chilly weather, pumpkin flavored everything, turning leaves, the list goes on about why I LOVE fall. But my #1 favorite reason to love fall is the seasonal FOOD that goes along with it. Endless fun things to get you in the mood for fall!
Perfect Timing
Submitted by briannerenae on Thu, 2012-10-04 13:07.
With the chill in the air and the next several days forecasted to be very cool, this is perfect timing for this story. Cool weather and good eats - perfect!
EatDenver!
Submitted by mbtink on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:58.
I can't wait to see all the different place settings at EatDenver. What fun!
Mmm Mmm...Colorado!
Submitted by keanod33 on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:56.
I love the idea of chef's being able to expand their creativity and break outside of their "norm" for these types of community events! So great.
what a brillant idea - bring
Submitted by mollyj15150 on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:55.
what a brillant idea - bring your own place setting to reduce waste! this is why I love CO
Harvest Week
Submitted by kaaker on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:44.
Another example of why Fall in Denver is fantastic!
love the whole idea of celebrating local food!
Submitted by sabrina5by5 on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:36.
This sounds great, if I wasn't going out of town for business I would definitely try and attend one of these dinners!
Sounds like fun!
Submitted by bethcos on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:35.
Sounds fun! Glad this contest is exposing me to some cool ideas and events I wouldn't have otherwise known about!
You can't go wrong with a VIP
Submitted by jwill1856 on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:24.
You can't go wrong with a VIP ski rental!!
Delux VIP Ski Rental from Christy Sports
Submitted by lynellemarie on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:23.
My friends are embarrassed to get on the chair lift with me because I have such old ski equipment. My ski boots are men's boots from a garage sale over 12 years ago. I am recently unemployed and bought my EPIC pass in the spring so no funds for new equipment. I would love to be able to ski on something new just for the experience. Help me please??????
makes sense
Submitted by adschroe on Thu, 2012-10-04 12:03.
Love Denver, Love food, Love snowboarding!
Community Feast!!
Submitted by Clpayne on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:51.
We live in northeast Denver and we would love to come together with our community for food, fun, and conversation at GrowHaus. Plus we love to ski on our beautiful Colorado slopes. We are teaching our 3 year old son how to cruise on the snow this season and I'd love to rent some sweet skis to go with him and my hubby. Thanks 5280!!
GREAT COLLABORATIVE EVENT
Submitted by sherri01 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:49.
This is such a fun and unique event, and you can see which restaurants are collaborating on each meal along with the menu on the eatdenver.com website. So many good meals, wish I could attend them all!
Christy's!!! .
Submitted by Kunks2 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:42.
I use you anyway so maybe this is KARMA! Thanks
Harvest Week
Submitted by drdolly27 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:41.
Harvest week is just one more reason to make October my favorite month! Sounds like fun!
Looking forward to VIP Ski Rental
Submitted by erickmartinez on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:40.
VIP ski Rental sounds great.
When we moved here,
Submitted by indalay on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:38.
we knew we would love the natural beauty and activities available to us. We also knew from visiting that the people tend to be incredibly authentic and friendly. But we had no idea how AMAZING the food would be! So many opportunities to enjoy delicious local food - and Harvest Week dinners sound like they are not to be missed! Thanks, 5280, for helping us fill our calendar with yumminess!
Hula in October
Submitted by marztravels on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:34.
I'm planning on hip-shaking my way to the Luau! Can't wait...it'll be my first Harvest Week event!
The Produce of the Fall
Submitted by kautumnjones on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:34.
Reading this article, I was ready to make quick run to the nearest pumpkin patch and farmer's market to both decorate and cook with gourds!
SKIING!! YAY!!
Submitted by matherbs on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:32.
What an awesome prize! Bring on the SNOW!! Thank you Christy Sports & 5280!
Ahh, the most wonderful time of the year
Submitted by nisszab on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:29.
What a fun and unique way to bring people together. I can't wait to check it out this year!
Lucky to live in Denver
Submitted by reunited on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:23.
Events like this are yet another reason to be thankful for living in this community. We are so fortunate to be in place with so much opportunity to enjoy all that our surroundings have to offer.
I wish I could go to these!
Submitted by lenin1991 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:20.
But my wife's allergies make mystery-meals impossible :(
Harvest Week!