Restaurant veteran Chris Donato learned early on that Champagne and caviar made a killer combination. In fact, he named his event company Champagne Tiger after his beverage of choice, adding a flare of drag queen performances to each fete with an occasional side of caviar. The company launched in 2021, but the idea for the party emerged long before.
“It started in the lobby of the Four Seasons in 2016 when me and six friends went there after the morning session of the GABF [Great American Beer Festival] and just ordered fries and Champagne to ‘sober’ up,” said Donato. “After that, I started to host the event for my friends and started selling tickets a few years later.”
Dubbed the Great American Bubbles and French Fry Festival, or GABFFF, the event occurs the same weekend as the GABF. This annual party features around a dozen types of french fries. There’s also bottomless grower Champagne, and beautiful Denver Drag Queens to pour it. Through the day, big-key bumps of caviar can be found too. Or, if you purchase a VIP ticket, plenty of caviar on potato chips and fried chicken before the main event.
“Champagne and fried potatoes are the perfect pairing,” said Donato. “The rich saltiness of the fry matches perfectly with the bubbles and mouth watering acidity of the champagne, and when you add caviar to fries or tater tots or potato chips it’s even tastier. “
The past two years the event took place at Post Chicken & Beer LoHo, but this year things will look a little different as Donato works to secure a brick and mortar restaurant. Yes it will be called Champagne Tiger. And yes, expect plenty of glasses of the signature drink as well as drag performances, caviar, and dinner service.
But for now, during pride month, Donato will celebrate with the luxurious combination at his favorite spots around town. Find him at these five venues, with or without an entourage of queens.
Major Tom
“The best priced Champagne list in town [is here], and it pairs perfectly with a dozen of their pristine oysters topped with Kaluga caviar,” said Donato.
If you can’t have potato chips with your caviar, go for the next best thing, oysters. The RiNo restaurant serves a dozen of these East Coast bivalves for $48, and offers $5-a-gram Kaluga caviar spooned on top. And yes, you can also order fries ($8). On the bubble side, Major Tom offers two by-the-glass options, and has an extensive sparkling wine and Champagne list worth diving into. 2845 Larimer St., Denver, majortomdenver.com
Yacht Club Bar
“Who wouldn’t want to eat a caviar-covered hot dog off the back of a brontosaurus,” quipped Donato. He added, “the Champagne options there are always changing and always delicious.”
Said hot dog is the Caviar Dog ($20), which comes “dressed to the 9s” with crème fraiche, pickled shallot, potato chips, and of course, caviar. Other hot dogs grace the food menu too, all made with River Bear Meats uncured, all-beef, natural casing hot dogs. Pair the frankfurter with one of the many sparkling wine options. The extensive list comes thanks to Mary Allison Wright, who co-owns the bar with her husband McLain Hedges. 3701 N. Williams St., Denver, yachtclubbar.com
Sunday Vinyl
“Clara [Klein] always has a thoughtful selection of Champagne chilled,” added Donato, speaking about the restaurant’s lead sommelier. “Plus, the fancy, McDonald’s-style hash brown topped with ample caviar is divine.”
The little sister to Tavernetta, Sunday Vinyl opened next door at Union Station, overseen by the Frasca Hospitality Group. Like other establishments from Bobby Stuckey and company, wine is a big part of the program, and the restaurant pours six sparkling wines by the glass each night. There’s even more options by the bottle, over four pages worth.
Caviar may not dominate the menu like Champagne, but as Donato suggested, the Kaluga caviar on a hash brown patty ($30), which wows with the addition of labneh and chives. An addition of pommes frites with aioli ($11) or dry-aged beef tallow and comte ($15) gives even more opulence to the meal. 1803 16th St., Denver, sundayvinyl.com
Jaques
“I love sitting at the bar at Jaques for caviar bumps, fries and Champagne,” said Donato. “It’s the holy trinity.”
Owned by three friends, Jaques specializes in shareable French cuisine, though you don’t have to give anyone your bump Kaluga caviar ($15). Other delicacies to fit the theme include potato pavé ($20) with caviar beurre blanc and an herb oil. Pair both with a crisp glass of bubbles, and enjoy the melding of flavors and textures either for dinner or happy hour. 3200 Tejon St., Denver, jacqueslohi.com
Rosenbergs Bagels
“After a night of drinking Champagne, revive yourself with more caviar,” suggested Donato. “Order the High Class bagel sandwich.”
The High Class ($17) breakfast sandwich, if you dare call it a sandwich, doesn’t offer quite the same experience of bumps of caviar with bubbles. But, it sure hits the spot after a night of said delights. Filled with the deli’s specialty smoked fish, caviar cream cheese, fresh tomato, red onion, and whatever bagel your heart desires, it makes for a solid brunch item. Bring it home and make your own mimosa for the caviar and bubble effect. 725 E. 26th Ave., Denver, rosenbergsbagels.com
