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!
I've lived in CO ...
Submitted by Asanville on Thu, 2012-10-04 22:40.
2 years and have yet to hit the slopes. I'd live to remedy that!
Can't wait for Ski Season
Submitted by Kwhrtnby on Thu, 2012-10-04 21:55.
Every year I tell myself I'm going to make this the year I get really good at skiing! I promise this will be the year!
Fall Is my Favorite
Submitted by ldumler01@gmail.com on Thu, 2012-10-04 21:50.
Fall Festivals are my favorite!
Denver Has a great Dinning scene
Submitted by annJ on Thu, 2012-10-04 20:58.
And I love costume Parties!
Mark Fisher Restaurants
Submitted by bluesky on Thu, 2012-10-04 20:23.
I have eaten several times at Phat Thai and 689 in Carbondale, CO but not at the newer Phai Thai restaurant in Cherry Creek. I'm looking forward to trying this restaurant very soon.
I've also dined at the Pullman in Glenwood Springs. The menu items are all very different at these Mark Fisher restaurants and I've enjoyed the high quality and presentatation of local foods on the menu.
Unfortunately, 689, my favorite Mark Fisher restaurant, is closing at the end of this month but the rumor is that Mark will be opening up a new restaurant in Carbondale so all is not lost. My daughter lives in Carbondale so we are up there several times a year.
Great city! I'm from NY. They
Submitted by murphys825 on Thu, 2012-10-04 20:01.
Great city! I'm from NY. They would never pull that off!
Sounds like fun!
How many bushels...
Submitted by ekstrahand on Thu, 2012-10-04 19:43.
Love the fun festive get out and do it.
Harvest Week
Submitted by patsy on Thu, 2012-10-04 18:15.
Looking forward to more information on these events.
How Fun!
Submitted by happytobeme on Thu, 2012-10-04 17:38.
Denver just gets more and more creative! I love the idea of the themed dinners, complete with costumes and place settings to match. We live in such a great city!
I just want to win the prize
Submitted by mckaym on Thu, 2012-10-04 17:18.
Supporting great causes
Submitted by wanderstruck on Thu, 2012-10-04 16:56.
This is great! I work for a local anti-hunger organization, and I love supporting causes such as yours. I hope to attend an event during Harvest Week, and I must make plans to visit GrowHaus. Cheers!
Can't think of a better way
Submitted by sueinnis on Thu, 2012-10-04 16:53.
Can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday week!
Snow in Boulder today?
Submitted by kaylaben on Thu, 2012-10-04 15:18.
Bring your own plate setting? Interesting concept, I like it.
Fascinating!
Submitted by Kayde5280 on Thu, 2012-10-04 15:11.
Colorado is such an amazing place. EatDenver and GrowHaus are perfect examples of what keeps our food scene alive and thriving!
Really!!
Submitted by karisworld on Thu, 2012-10-04 15:11.
This sounds like a fab idea! I would love to eat a meal, "close to the Earth" and really don't mind bringing my own set up! And costumes??? Shut the front door!!! Thinking the Hedo dinner could get "interesting"!!!
Save the Earth
Submitted by mmdaniels26 on Thu, 2012-10-04 15:04.
I love the idea of bringing your own placesetting! How awesome!
Harvest Week
What a great date night idea! I would love this!
Fun Fall Event!
I love that the EatDenver restaurants are getting involved - sounds like a fun event!
EatDenver
What a great way to get people to come to GrowHaus
Sounds like fun
there is nothing better than great food! I love how Denver loves to embrace all the different types of food and beer that we have to offer!
Love the fall food!
I am so excited about fall inspired food!
Fall in Denver
I am new to Denver and so far have been loving the dining scene. My friends have had nothing but good things to say about Harvest Week and look forward to attending it this year.
Beautiful Harvest Week
Nothing like it. Best event in Denver. Sorry I have to miss it this year. :(
Harvest Week.
All sound like interesting events... I love harvest time. I just spent the morning picking apples!
love that they are trying to
love that they are trying to reduce waste! count me in!
Wow
Lots going on around town! I love fall (but not so fond of this white stuff we got this morning) and can't wait to check out some local events.
Love Fall
Sounds like a great outing for the fam.
Aquaponics
What else can you put in front of ___ponics?
Atencio Jewelry
Beautiful!
Perfect!
This looks like the perfect event to go to. Local, original, seasonal food... I'm there!
Sounds Amazing !!
Would love to go !!
Interesting Concept
I just moved here from NY one month ago anf it seems like a great way to meet new people
Sounds fun!
Sounds like you get great food in a really interesting setting!
Thanks 5280
Thank you for always letting us know of the great things going on in and around Denver. Always something new to try out!
I am going!
can't wait for this event....aweomse Chefs...yummy food
I have always wanted to do this!
I have always wanted to eat at a communal table and meet some new people and I think this is a perfect way to start. Great idea and something different to do.
growhaus is the best
Congratulations to the Growhaus for its continuing important work in the community!!
I'm in!
This sounds like so much fun. What a great way to meet to new people and experience excellent food!
Please enter me in today's contest;)
I LOVE the idea of bring your own utensils!!!
list?
Where can I get a list of EatDenver restaurants?
first fall here in colorado-
first fall here in colorado- would love to go!
contest