12:30 pm, Mar 1, 2011
Cheese Importers' Market Europa and La Fromagerie in Longmont is one of the Front Range's best-kept culinary secrets. Tucked into a nondescript warehouse on South Pratt Parkway, the European-style market belies its industrial facade. One step inside the canopied front door and you're captivated by the aromas wafting from the tiny cafe and a cheese collection—housed in a 2,000-square-foot...
12:15 pm, Feb 28, 2011
When dining at Potager, it's all too easy to end the meal with the rich chocolate mousse—a treat that's been on the menu since the restaurant first opened in 1997. But, I urge you to stray from the classic and opt instead for the seasonal Meyer lemon pound cake.The deceptively light (even though you know it's jammed with butter) cake zings with bright citrus and is perfectly matched with a scoop...
12:30 pm, Feb 25, 2011
You've likely heard the buzz about Pizzeria Locale, the creators of Frasca Food and Wine's addition to the Boulder pizza scene. If you haven't been yet, here's what you have to look forward to.Like many local pizza spots, Locale is inspired by Napoli, Italy. But here, in true Frasca form, every detail has been thought through. The oven—the first of its kind in Colorado—was hand-constructed by the...
1:30 pm, Feb 24, 2011
Shazz Cafe and Bar—a popular farm-to-table eatery in northwest Denver—recently launched its mid-winter menu, and it's something to celebrate. The new lineup is chock-full of root vegetables, wild mushrooms, bitter greens, and locally produced, organic meat.A group of us spent Friday night eating our way through the new offerings. Some of our favorites included: the tender braised oxtail served...
12:30 pm, Feb 23, 2011
As a kid, one of my favorite movies was Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. I would buy candy bars and unwrap them delicately, half-believing that I'd find a shimmering golden ticket inside. As an adult, I'm no less captivated by the promise of treats—though my tastes have matured. Which is why I signed up for Denver Gourmet's A Sweet Taste of Denver Tour, an adult romp around the city's...
12:30 pm, Feb 22, 2011
Last year, Wayne and Debbie Anderson took over Cilantro Mary, a funky Mexican restaurant in downtown Lyons, with the goal of breathing new life into the local dining scene. They brought in executive chef Todd Garston (from the now-closed SOBO American Bistro) and chef de cuisine Ian Rubenoff (formerly of Q’s Restaurant) to implement a farm-fresh menu. And this month, the couple rebranded...
12:30 pm, Feb 21, 2011
Olivéa never ceases to inspire me with its Mediterranean-slanted menu and its fresh take on flavor and texture. Take the semolina gnocchi alla romana with vegetable pistou—it's like no gnocchi you've ever tasted. Instead of potato, chef John Broening uses semolina flour to form these Italian dumplings. The result is more hushpuppy than traditional gnocchi, which can become gummy and dense....
12:30 pm, Feb 18, 2011
Lunch at Tres Jolie, a shabby-chic boutique and tea cafe in Old Town Littleton, is a delight. Order at the counter before finding a table among the cottage-style furniture, teardrop chandeliers, trinkets, and old-fashioned glass jars filled with candy. Sandwiches arrive plump with ingredients, soups and salads are inspired (hope the poblano corn chowder is available), and indulgence comes in the...
12:00 pm, Feb 17, 2011
On a recent frosty evening, a friend and I sought comfort at Encore on Colfax. In the mood for hearty fare, we ordered two lamb dishes: fresh tagliatelle smothered with lamb ragu, and lamb T-bones served with chewy Brie popovers. In both, the meat was tender, sweet, and surprisingly mellow, without any of the gamey aftertaste so often associated with lamb.Encore obtains its lamb from Ewe Bet...
12:30 pm, Feb 16, 2011
As someone newly diagnosed with celiac disease—and a recovering cupcake addict—I’ve been mourning the loss of baked goods in my diet. While plenty of places around town offer gluten-free variations of my old staples, most turn out to be dry, crumbly, and altogether unimpressive. Enter City, O’ City, the popular vegetarian restaurant in Capitol Hill that bolsters its menu with an impressive...
