Election week is here, and while there’s plenty to think about on the ballot, make sure to check out the nuances of Ordinance 309 (Denver). Aside from that, no more politics here, only good food, news on openings, and current entertainment with a foodie twist.
Read on for more of this week’s top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Leven Supplies & Provisions is starting a monthly club to not only showcase the soon-to-be-open Washington Park space, but to deliver fresh goods to neighbors. Each subscriber gets 20-percent off an order once a month, a free drink, and delivery for the box. Join by tomorrow, November 5, and get the first edition box in November.
Spuntino in Highland just announced news that it’s opening on Mondays starting on November 11 from 5 to 8:45 p.m. Previously owners, chef Cindhura Reddy and Elliot Strathmann, only opened Spuntino Wednesday through Sunday.
After a brief hiatus and remodel, The Family Jones tasting room in LoHi is back. Not too much has changed from the outside, but the cocktail menu features new drinks.
The Colorado Chef Alliance celebrated chef Samantha New, a private chef that formerly ran Eclat Culinary and Avengard Events. New is the official November Chef of the Month.
The GrowHaus has been working to eliminate food injustice in Denver since 2009. Now, it’s being awarded the USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant. The non-profit is just one of 20 organizations nationwide, and the only in Colorado to receive the honor. The GrowHaus director Giselle Diaz Campagna remarked the funds will help expand partnerships with local farms and the amount it can do in the community.
On the Menu
Panzano in Downtown Denver features local, seasonal ingredients close to home, so Chef David Gross is launching his new winter menu this week. Showcasing the Northern Italian flavors the restaurant is known for, look for items including Polenta Croccante with crispy n’duja polenta, aioli, frisee, and gastrique; Ravioli Di Castagne with chestnut ravioli, butternut squash, hazelnut, sage, brown butter, pecorino pepato and burgundy truffle; Gnocchi Di Agnello with ricotta gnocchi, braised lamb breast and lamb jus; and Alce Alla Griglia with grilled elk loin, onion soubise, fingerling potato, pearl onion and blackberry juniper.
Cart Driver released a mushroom pizza with fennel arribiata, crimini mushrooms, red onion, and gran cacio. It’s now available at the RiNo location (the LoHi one is still closed, though a recent update project by the end of the year it will open).
Openings and Closings In the News
Hearth Denver has announced a new location in Uptown at 1300 E. 17th Ave. The new bakery and coffee shop plans to open doors on November 15. Also coming up, Odie B’s has spread the news that its new “little brother,” Boombots is opening soon. The restaurant is all about pasta, with chef Cliff Blauvelt.
Bonanno Concepts has filled the former Salt & Grinder spot with Dumplin’, opening on Thursday, November 7. Like the name suggests, the new place is all about, well, dumplings, and global takes on the food. The dumplings come steamed, pan-seared, or boiled, in flavors including cacio e pepe ramen, whipped tofu hummus. Oreo mochi, whiskey, and more. Keep in mind the restaurant doesn’t take reservations.
The Golden Outpost opened in Golden, run by the owners of The Golden Hayride. The idea is to provide a casual tavern space for the iconic hayride company, serving beer, cider, and other hearty drinks.
Rosso Pomodoro Pizza opened its second location in the Arapahoe Marketplace at 8575 E. Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village. The first iteration of the Italian pizza company, the first in the United States, launched in Central Park last June.
When Blush & Blu closed last month the city lost one of the only lesbian bars around. But now, it’s Cocks on Colfax with the same owner. The idea is to make a queer-safe place complete with cocktails, music, dancing, and a little karaoke here and there.
Both locations of Maine Shack have and are closing. Boulder is already shuttered, and by the end of the month the LoHi location will be as well. Personally, I found it to be the best lobster roll in the whole city (which I wrote about for Westword last year).
In drink news, BOCO Cider, the only cidery in Boulder, is closing on November 24.
Events
Rioja continues celebrating its 20th anniversary (earlier in the month with Wolfgang Puck), this time on November 13 with a bevy of local food and drink experts. The special dinner features Troy Guard, Paul Reilly, Hosea Rosenberg, Dana Rodriguez, Max Mackissock, Alex Seidel, and Carrie Baird dishing up signature bites.
On the beverage side, Todd Leopold, Alan Laws, Tony Zezas, Nick Touch, Jon Schlegel, and Roland Hermann will be pouring an array of whiskey, tequila, wine, and sherry. Tickets are $125 per person, and proceeds go to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Head to local restaurants to check out what the bartenders are making for DiningOut Events Barrel Royal. The final showdown is on November 14 at Stranahan’s Distillery. Find out more on how to vote and the event info here.
