Creating a safe space for those with gluten allergies, on a Keto diet, doing the Whole 30 plan, and lactose-free diners wasn’t always the goal, said Jennifer Peters, owner of Just BE Kitchen. But as she worked with her own dietary restraints she found others were glad to have an easy option as well.
“It’s interesting, I don’t know if I want to say trends or awareness, but when we first opened, being gluten-free or Paleo, that was the thing,” said Peters, who never really pushed the Paleo aspect of the restaurant. “We have been seed-oil-free too, but it was unknown and if you Google it now, there’s awareness.”
Now Peters has gone one step further to become the first restaurant in the country to earn a Seed Oil Free Certified designation from the recently launched Seed Oil Free Alliance.
The purpose of keeping seed-oil free, said Peters, is to maintain an anti-inflammatory diet. Seed oils, she continued, are known for being the opposite, as well providing fewer nutrients than other oils. For those without an intolerance, it may mean little. But for those dealing with inflammation and gut problems, it’s a game changer.
On to the food. Just BE Kitchen, with two locations in Boulder and in Denver, has some of Peters’ favorite dishes. Think of a Keto-friendly breakfast burrito ($15.55), vegan vegetable curry ($13.33), and a Whole30 burger ($17.95) made with grass-fed beef. But when she wants to indulge away from work she has her own special spots that cater to her dietary preferences. Read on to find out her top places to go, from morning to evening and in between.
Breakfast at Green Collective Eatery in Washington Park
One of Peters’ favorite parts about Green Collective (1058 S. Gaylord St., Denver) comes from how owner Allison Rifkin designed her second location.
“It’s simple, clean, and fun and I think Ali has done a great job with the space,” said Peters. “Atheistically, it’s really nice there.”
But it’s not just the space Peters enjoys. Personally, she said, she goes in for the fresh smoothies ($10 to $11.50) and juices ($10 to $11.25). And on the hearty side while maintaining her gluten-free diet, she enjoys a plate of the breakfast tacos ($14). The other location, in LoHi (2158 W. 32nd Ave. Denver), offers similar fare.
Lunch at Bowls by KO in Avanti Denver
Katelin Overton, owner of Bowls by KO (3200 Pecos St., Denver), used to be a sous chef for Just Be Kitchen, and Peters likes supporting her former chef’s dream. She also likes to eat Overton’s food, especially the Korean Beef Bowl ($14).
“They do a great job of keeping it simple but still tasty,” added Peters. “It’s also a good spot with great ticket times, and a nice rooftop that I like to have a drink on while there.”
All the bowls are diet-friendly and can be catered to diner’s needs and tastes. Overton delivers a simple menu of six bowls, but also a build-your-own. It’s quick, easy, and healthy, and bowls start at $12.
Dinner at Root Down
Right around the corner from Avanti is Edible Beats’ (owner of Vital Root, Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, Linger, and El Five) Root Down (1600 W. 33rd Ave., Denver), one of the first restaurants in the area to really focus on dietary restrictions by clearly noting them on the menu. For Peters, it’s the gluten-free options that she really appreciates.
“I never have had a bad dish there and it’s consistently good,” she raved. Her favorites include Devils on Horseback ($16) and, when on the menu, the roasted chicken and a curry fish dish.
Date Night at Safta
Whether going out for a romantic dinner or a friend date, Peters loves Safta (3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver, eatwithsafta.com) for its beautiful decor and great food.
“It’s a place where I will eat gluten, they make their own pitas in house,” she said. “I know they aren’t seed oil free, but I know they take a lot of care and Mediterranean food is anti-inflammatory in general.”
Surprisingly, Peters said one of her favorite things to get at Safta is the eggplant. It’s the one vegetable, she said, that she just doesn’t like. But here she’s happy to order the Babaganoush ($10) and even craves it sometimes. The hummus ($16 to $20), she added, also slays.
Going Out For a Drink
Holidaily Brewing (801 Brickyard Circle, Golden) is Peters’ go-to spot for a cold beer. The 100-percent gluten-free brewery serves such as the Favorite Blonde golden ale, Fat Randy’s IPA, and BuckWit Belgian, a brew made with buckwheat.
Peters also mentioned Just BE Kitchen in LoHi has a great drink program (that includes the aforementioned beers). All syrups for the coffee drinks and cocktails get made fresh, in house. There’s even a homemade, dairy-free “Bailey’s, and grenadine whipped up with real pomegranates.
Currently a Lemon Drop Martini is on the menu, and year-round a Skinny Margarita graces the list with seasonal twists. The eatery also offers an extensive coffee menu with a lavender collagen latte to crave. Just Be Kitchen serves local kombucha too, sometimes using it to make a probiotic cocktail.
Visit Just BE Kitchen in LoHi Sunday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 2364 15th St., Denver. Visit the Boulder location daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 2500 30th St., Boulder. justbekitchen.com
