St. Patrick’s Day is this week, and we have news of one doughnut shop celebrating. Check out a new pasta-forward tasting menu, and fresh items at an Uptown Mexican restaurant. Read on to find out how to win up to 63 beers as well. Have a tip? Send us a note via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Popular Bakery Responds to Fans
After announcing its closure, Cakeheads Bakery got so many sad notes it decided to stay, at least in a producing capacity. Fans can still get the baked goods at Coffee Sarap, Whole Foods, Naturally Grocers, and Lucky’s Market. You can also order items to pick up from the retail shop at 7530 S. University Blvd. in Littleton.
Help This Bill Pass
The Swipe Fee Relief Act (SB26-134) passed through the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee last week, the first step in getting the bill enacted. The bill is meant to help restaurants save money by eliminating the swipe fees on sales taxes. According to the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA), if the bill passes it should save restaurants thousands or tens of thousands of dollars annually.
The bill doesn’t affect diners or the ability to use a credit card at all. The CRA urges supporters to call their senators and house reps to ask them to vote “yes” on SB 134. You can find your elected officials by clicking here and entering your zip code.
Free Beer in the News
March Madness is here, and chef Carrie Baird is offering up 63 free beers. Of course, you have to do something for her. Head to a Tap & Burger and fill out one of the chef’s brackets for men’s or women’s basketball. It’s free to play and for every correct pick you wine an Odell Tap That lager, up to 63. All picks must be submitted by the end-of-day on Wednesday, March 18.
On the Menu
St. Patrick’s Day Doughnuts
This St. Patrick’s Day The Salty launched its first ever crullers. In honor of the Irish holiday, try the Malted Milk & Matcha Cruller and/or the Irish Coffee Cruller. Both come topped with some lucky gold leaf and are only available on March 17 at all locations.
Ancestral Mexican Food Upgrade
Chef Erasmo Casiano has a line up of new dishes and drinks at his restaurant Xiquita in Uptown. On the food side, look for crudo with aged hamachi in a chabacano (housemade apricot vinegar) and topped with green apples, salsa negra, and fried garlic. Also try the Taco de Suadero, a taqueria-style taco with beef cheek confit and pico verde on top of house-nixtamalized sopes.
Casiano pays homage to the nostalgia of Hispanic households with the Asada de Pollo, an arbol and black garlic-marinated chicken that’s grilled. For dessert, try the Mexican Mocha Paletas, featuring housemade coffee ice cream dipped in dark chocolate with cinnamon and cacao nibs. On the cocktails side, the Zarzamoras y Crema is an agave-forward reimagining of the classic Gin Fizz.
New Pasta Tasting Menu
The lauded Restaurant Olivia announced news of a special tasting menu centered entirely around pasta, an idea developed by co-owner and chef Ty Leon. The $85 experience leads diners on a four-course meal highlighting the grains behind each dish. Not only will each course highlight a specific grain, but also the producers who grow it. Expect the menu to change with the season, and every plate to come with a story.
To start with, enjoy risotto with Cascina Oschiena rice, basil, mascarpone, truffle butter; tortelloni with Ryman rye, duck, and blood orange jus; gnocchi made with spelt flour, venison ragù, and purple carrot; and finally, tajarin crafted with white sonora wheat, prosciutto and pancetta ragù, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Every meal, be it the tasting menu or a la carte, will come with a Kernza focaccia starter to showcase the restaurant’s partnership with The Land Institute.
Feeling Board(s)
Oliver’s Italian in Greenwood Village now offers charcuterie with six distinctive meats. The lineup includes: finocchiona, soppressata calabrese, spreadable ‘nduja, 24-month-aged Prosciutto di Parma, marbled coppa, and liver pâté. On the cheese side find robiola, gorgonzola dolce, pecorino toscano, 24- month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, and La Tur. The board is entirely customizable, with selections priced at $8 each or three for $23.
Don’t Miss This Week
Need some dining out recommendations? Try these three hot spots, and make sure to check out the week’s events.
Tuesday: Leven Deli has a great happy hour during the week from 4 to 7 p.m. Think mezze boards, artichoke dip, charcuterie, and wine deals. Bonus, if there’s leftover bread at the end of the night, you might leave with a gratis loaf.
Wednesday: Top Chef season 23 launched last week, and while thinking of our own Denver chefs who have been on the show, we also started thinking about their restaurants. Now we’re making a beeline to Riot BBQ to visit chef Manny Barella and to get a pile of smoked turkey, ribs, and cornbread.
Friday: This Thursday chef Amanda Singh of Briar Patch is taking over our Instagram stories. We were already hungry after reading a profile on her, and we expect after seeing her day we will be craving a burger, pot pie, or brunch special even more. On Fridays you can get brunch, lunch, and dinner.
