This week we are seeing so many seasonal dishes in the news, and some have a festive twist. Speaking of, if you’re thinking of holiday gifts, a popular chain has the perfect bundle. Also find out which Colorado wine won top awards, and who took home a coveted honor.
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
Food Lab announced its opening at 1250 S. Pearl St. in Denver next year. Founder Casey Easton first signed a lease in 2014 in Boulder, opening her popular event and food space. Now, she is happy to be launching in Denver too. She projects a big summer launch and plans on running contests and giveaways as she gets closer to the big day.
A major congrats goes out to restaurateur Bobby Stuckey and the Frasca Hospitality Group. Stucky recently earned a spot on Robb Report’s 50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining for the second year in a row. This year he landed at number 31, and remains the only power player to be featured in the whole state.
During the annual Colorado Uncorked event, the premiere event of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB), OBC Wine Project received the Best in Show award for its 2023 Colorado Red. OBC is based in Fort Collins, and its Colorado Red is made from a blend of Cabernet Franc (63%), Chambourcin (25%), and Teroldego (12%).
“We have many passionate and creative winemakers and grape growers producing award-winning wine all over our state,” said CWIDB executive director, Kyle Schlachter. The judges were greatly impressed with the unique blend of the 2023 Colorado Red, not only for its aromas and flavors, but for the story the blend tells.”
Leave it to Chipotle to keep gifting fun with its “All I Want Is Chipotle” holiday collection ($50). The three part bundle includes Cilantro Soap, a “Water” Cup Candle, and Car Napkin Holder. Find it exclusively at Chipotlegoods.com, or aim to win one through Chipotle rewards.
Need even more holiday cheer? Torchy’s Taco is offering an exclusive Queso Gold Card. This magical card grants free queso for a year, access to the 2024 limited-edition ugly sweater, and 50-percent off during Black Friday.
Stuff some stockings with Ace Eat Serve’s new line of take-home sauces or just enjoy right now. The restaurant group has launched Ace Sauce Co. starting with a line of three Asian-inspired wing sauces. Yes, there’s one for Tiger Wings, a favorite dish on the menu since 2012. Also on the list find Dragon Wings and Asian Buffalo Wings, both born from the Wing Alley ghost kitchen the company hosted during the pandemic. Ace is starting with 5,000 bottles of each sauce, and to make it possible to sell more, the company wants to get these out fast. Click here to order a 3-pack now.
Finally, for those looking to indulge in some fine amaro, The Block Distilling in RiNo just released its first iteration. It wasn’t easy to make, said the distillery, but it is delicious.
Openings and Closings In the News
The Cherry Creek neighborhood has a new upscale spot coming. Le Colonial, a small national chain, brings French-inspired decor and upscale Vietnamese cuisine to give diners a sense of 1920s Saigon. We expect the restaurant to open soon this winter.
The much anticipated Magna Kainan has opened in RiNo, the latest from the Culinary Creative Group (A5 Steakhouse, Bar Dough, Mister Oso, and more). Helmed by chef Carlo Lamagna, the new spot is an offshoot of his popular Filipino restaurant Magna Kusinan in Portland, Oregon. It’s one of the only places around to get Filipino fare. Find Magna Kainan in the NOVEL RiNo building, the same location of the restaurant group’s other new spot, Sorry Gorgeous.
The 14er Brewing & Beer Garden in RiNo announced it will close this coming weekend. Founded by Andrew Kaczmarek and Nato Francescato, the brewery opened in Denver in 2016. Toast to the end of one of the best pickle beers around this Saturday as the last taps are pulled.
The New York-based Korean fried chicken spot Mono Mono closed its Lafayette location. Brought to Denver by J.W. Lee, the brand expanded then shrank, leaving only two outposts in Downtown and Lakewood still serving.
On the Menu
RiNo’s Corsica just launched an all-new brunch with a Mediterranean vibe. Look for cocktails such as the Staycation with tequila, sherry, lime, tomato, tarragon, and olive oil. To eat, the menu features a Spiced Apple Pain Perdu, Croque Signora, and Cacio e Pepe Eggs. Owned by the same team, the nearby Barcelona Wine Bar just announced a special deal on Monday. Now all bottles of wine are half off, all day long, from 4 p.m. until close.
In LoHi, BriDer, a rotisserie-focused fast casual restaurant, has new menu items. Look for Pesto Shrimp Pasta, Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo, Ancho Marinated Flank Steak with parmesan fries, and the new BriDer Burger with sambal aioli, caramelized onions, pickles and arugula.
For the season, The Fort in Morrison announced a buffalo prime rib (starting at $52) is available in eight, twelve, and sixteen-ounces, all with a side of au jus and creamy horseradish starting at $52. Also head here every Monday through Wednesday for the fan-favorite prickly pear margarita, which is only $5 until December 25.
Snooze’s Holiday menu drops on November 29, right when the world can officially start celebrating Christmas (or at least that’s what our editor thinks). The special menu runs through January, featuring items such as Nana’s Hot Cocoa Pancakes, Boozy Cranberry Orange Snoozius Cocktail, and Vanilla Cranberry Cosmo.
Nantucket Bay scallops have flooded Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar this month. A seasonal delicacy, the sustainable scallops are harvested by hand using traditional methods in order to minimize environmental impact and preserve the integrity of the shellfish. The scallops are available all month at Jax Fish House Boulder, Glendale, LoDo, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. While there, check out the restaurants’ monthly cocktails special, Port O Call with Ketel 1 Citroen, Grand Marnier, sweet ruby port, and cranberry juice.
Get your crab on at Water Grill (hero image). Currently the menu features Florida stone crab and British Dungeness crab. The Florida crab is available through mid-March, and the Dungeness crab goes through December.
Jovanina’s Broken Italian launched a new, late-night happy hour menu. Available Tuesday through Saturday from 9 to 10 p.m., find a selection of bites including mozzarella bocconcini ($11), the bee sting panino ($13), and a chef’s choice pizzetta ($10). Enjoy a curated list of wine and beer, and $7 cocktails including an Aperol Spritz, a classic Negroni, and a Cosmopolitan.
In RiNo Nocturne also celebrates the season with the Autumn Roots salad, complete with heirloom radish, beet, smoked goat cheese, carrot-ginger vinaigrette, and pancetta. There’s also a vegan Gnochetti Bolognese with San Marzano tomato, gnochheti sardi, vegan parmesan and plant-based protein. For dessert the chef whipped up a Caramel Apple Cheesecake with vanilla mascarpone, sauternes caramel, local apple, and graham cracker.
Brunch lovers rejoice, Church and Union is officially open for brunch. Bottomless mimosas are on the menu, as well as shrimp and grits with bacon and roasted mushrooms, brioche French toast with huckleberry marmalead, and a breakfast charcuterie board. The latter serves multiple diners and includes fried chicken, eggs, bacon, donuts, and jam.
Detroit-style pizza concept VIA 313 launched Hub Cap Cookie Desserts, a cookie special running until December 6. Flavors include Red Velvet Chocolate Chip, Hot Chocolate, and Peppermint Sugar. Each runs $7, or order the trio for $17.
Events
Celebrate Friendsgiving at Nurture, The Wellcare Marketplace this Thursday, November 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. It’s a free event done potluck style, and open to all. Reserve your spot here, and also find the food sign up sheet.
Waldschänke Ciders + Coffee is hosting a cider and cheesecake pairing on Friday, November 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets run $33.85 per person, and can be purchased via Eventbrite here.
Blanchard Family Wines is hosting Holiday Sparkles: A Bubbles Tasting Experience on Sunday, November 24 at Dairy Block. The tasting explores four unique methods of sparkling wine production, featuring wines made in Colorado and California. Founder James Blanchard leads the event, showcasing the traditional method to pét-nat, and the secrets behind each sparkling style. Holiday Sparkles will start at 5 p.m. at the Blanchard Family Wines tasting room in the Alley at Dairy Block for $30 per person. Advanced registration is required here.
