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By: Amanda M. Faison

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!

Comments

Harvest Week Love

Submitted by rab123lf on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:19.

I went last year and definitely plan on going this year. It is a great idea, great food, and really showcases the great foodie town that Denver has become!

Harvest Week

Submitted by lindastephens on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:18.

Sounds like fun!

Sounds great!

Submitted by amyfromohinco on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:17.

Like the BYOP

What a cool concept!  I bet

Submitted by mpcsmommy on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:16.

What a cool concept!  I bet the food is great too.

Time to Harvest

Submitted by leeramirez on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:15.

Wow, I've lived in Denver for 3 years and never knew about this. Where have I been? This sounds like a great event and I can not wait to experience it. Thanks!

Praise the Lard

Submitted by jgarrett83 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:15.

Awesome!  Always wanted to bring my own place setting and wine glass.  Do you think they'll wash it for me? ;)

Excited for Fall!

Submitted by kursten on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:14.

Now that the weather is officially "fall", it's perfect for harvest week!

Go Green

Submitted by arj3kb on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:12.

Fall is a great reason to get together and enjoy a meal and the whole idea of costumes and saving on waste is definitely a plus!

Wow

Submitted by Celehman on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:12.

What a great event!

Aquaponics - In Action

Submitted by bsajiremm on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:11.

I would be interested to see that in action.... I heard an NPR story about that a year ago or so.  Great theory.

GrowHaus

Submitted by amberrt on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:10.

The board chair is my cousin!  Love it!!

FOOOOOOD

Submitted by pvtalley on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:10.

Oh man, everything about fall and winter is getting me so JACKED UP. I'm pumped on fall foods (squashes and chilis and oatmeal, omg) and I'm even more pumped for ski season! I can't wait for opening day!!!!

Essential

Submitted by osuksig on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:09.

Don't forget that this is a BYOWG event....
Bring Your Own Wine Glass

Harvest week

Submitted by elim101 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:08.

Sounds like a fun time... BYOUtensils? 

Dress Up and Dine

Submitted by kctrask on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:08.

I don't think we have enough reasons to dress up or in costume! This sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for letting us know about it.

Bountiful

Submitted by drawnrake on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:07.

Love the idea of Harvest Week.

yum

Submitted by collinsd07 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:06.
Mi gusta

Harvest Week

Submitted by christiantwalter on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:06.

Sounds like a neat event...very CO.

BYO

Submitted by cmbertelson on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:05.

I love that you have to bring your own place setting, great way to safe on waste!

What a great idea...

Submitted by cdeckys on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:05.

I never knew this event existed.  Would love to try it.

Harvest dinner

Submitted by kchynowe on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:04.

I am so excited!

GrowHaus

Submitted by Loki_Ally on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:04.

I have heard WONDERFUL things about GrowHaus! Can't wait to visit!

EatDenver...

Submitted by nguykimb on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:04.

EatDenver Rocks! 

Praise the Lard!

Submitted by dhassler on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:03.

indeed. Also, bring your own placesetting: innovative.

Waiting for Fall

Submitted by KelseyWittenberg on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:02.

I've been waiting for this time of year for well, all year. Thank goodness it's finally here. Can't wait for the celebrations to begin!

Eat Local!

Submitted by PrairieElk on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:02.

Welcome Harvest Week!

Eat Local!

Submitted by PrairieElk on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:01.

Welcome Harvest Week!!

Nice

Submitted by dana.evans1 on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:00.

What a great way to get into ski season if you don't have all the necessary gear! Love it!

Snowboarding

Submitted by rorpheo on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:41.

sounds like fun!

This sounds wondrous!

Submitted by ClumsyGourmet on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:36.

I am a Restaurant Week freak but I haven't ever celebrated Harvest week.. Looks like something I better get on board with. :)

Tasty

Submitted by JHoDCo on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:33.

What a wonderful way to spotlight the wonderful chefs and amazing foods in Denver. I love that it's a bring your own placesetting event.

Awesome idea

Submitted by karissajohnson17 on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:29.

This is such a unique event, very clever.

Fun!

Submitted by hopela on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:27.

This sounds like so much fun!

This sounds like an amazing

Submitted by eringilbride on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:24.

This sounds like an amazing event, definitely going to read more!

EatDenver and The GrowHaus

Submitted by kimberleemiller on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:17.

 

What a very cool concept!  An urban farm playing host to many of our Metro community eateries.   It is events/ideas like these that allow extra exposure to what several of our local eating establishments have to offer while simultaneously exposing what benefits an awesome facility like The GrowHaus can bring to our urban neighborhoods.  Having to bring your own place setting and dressing up makes it even cooler!  EatDenver and The GrowHaus, you rock!

 

Bring your table settings?!

Submitted by andreac on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:09.

I love it!  Plan on checking this out!

Great Idea from EatDenver

Submitted by WannabeHero on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:09.

The setting for the meal sounds fantastic! Going to go look up GrowHaus....

WOOHOO

Submitted by Nikeguru on Thu, 2012-10-04 10:05.

I am new to Denver and this sounds like a blast! I will definitely be checking it out.

Harvest Week

Submitted by alanbau on Thu, 2012-10-04 09:40.

Is this a great city or what?

Bring Your Settings

Submitted by jbaetke on Thu, 2012-10-04 09:31.

Great local concept! I like the idea of bringing your own place settings. HA!

I'm convinced...

Submitted by KristinaOBoyer on Thu, 2012-10-04 09:29.

...from MyKitten5683's posting above that harvest week is definitely something I should put on my Denver To-Do List. Here's to hoping that they aren't completely booked up yet!

Harvest Week

Submitted by kathcav11 on Thu, 2012-10-04 09:15.

Unfamiliar wuth this event ~ what a great idea! Thanks for promoting it

harvest week... my favorite dinner series

Submitted by mykitten5683 on Thu, 2012-10-04 08:58.

I was so excited to attend last year and it was well worth it.  Not only are you giving to a great community but you reap the reward of incredible food.  The location is perfect too, the GrowHaus, you sit amonst the gardens in the green house and have an opportunity to read about the processes they use to grow and harvest what you eat.  Each dinner is themed so you get to explore new cusine or go with what you love.  The only issue is trying to decide which night to go!  I am signed up for two nights and am debating a third!  I hope everyone gets a chance to experience these wonderful chefs at their best and fantastic nights to remember.  See you there!

Harvest Week

Submitted by staceyweaver on Thu, 2012-10-04 08:50.

Thanks for co-founding this wonderful nonprofit!

Thanks for co-founding this wonderful nonprofit!

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