Based on all the fresh seasonal menus and cozy foods coming out, there’s no denying fall is here. Happy Autumn Equinox y’all! In other local news, a driver-less vehicle broke the law, chefs are shuffling, and Denver does Dolly. There’s also a mega loca party coming up, and all the proceeds go to charity.
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The 411
Surprise Guest at Farmers’ Market
Last weekend, the Pearl Street Farmers Market in Denver received an unexpected visitor, who in normal circumstances would have been arrested. About 20 minutes before the market opened on Sunday, news of a Waymo, those wacky self-driving cars we’ve seen cruising around, driving off script came in. It went past the market’s barricades and signage and drove down the pedestrian-designated path.
Luckily the market hadn’t opened yet and no one was hurt. Staff told 9News the vehicle was ushered out, almost like you would a stray dog. As of now, there are no laws in place to ticket a self-driving car.
Party For Charity
In true Dana Rodriguez fashion, the party the chef is throwing to celebrate her one year anniversary of Work & Class Englewood is doubling as a fundraiser. The party is this Friday, September 25, from 4 to 9 p.m., and takes place on the street between the restaurant and the Craig Foundation. We heard news that she will shut down traffic for the community block party, which also benefits the foundation.
Rodreguez recruited several nearby restaurants to join the fun, including Osteria Alberico, Tai Tai Japanese and Hawaiian, Zomo, and Cochino Taco. The evening will also feature a rooftop DJ, family activities, an ice cream truck, giveaways, a silent auction, and more. Tickets are $40, and all proceeds go to the Craig Foundation.
The Chef Side Shuffle
After years of Daniel Mangin managing the American Elm kitchen, we heard news of fresh meat in the kitchen. Welcome chef Isaac Jones. We aren’t sure where Mangin landed, but excited to see what Jones brings to the table.
Over at Bar Dough in Highland, chef Carrie Baird has taken back the reins of the kitchen. But where did chef Stefy DeVita go? She’s now making pasta as executive chef of Boombots in Sunnyside.
Dolly Day!
At last, a (hopefully soon-to-be national) holiday we really want to celebrate! Thanks to the Imagination Library of Colorado, the Office of Governor Polis, and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, celebrate the legacy of icon Dolly Parton with Dolly Day Colorado, a statewide celebration running September 25 to 27.
Okay, maybe this news has little to do with food, but we’re sure there will be bites and drinks to purchase at the free, family-friendly celebration. After all, there will be music, story time, and all things Dolly. The flagship event takes place at Governors Park (701 Pennsylvania St.) in Denver from 3 to 7 p.m. on September 25. And yes, that’s 9-2-5.
The Wine is Blooming
FiNO’s new wine garden is now open, complete with tasty small plates like anchovy toast and charred cabbage. Aside from wine, sip on signature cocktails like the Hazelnut Hugo Spritz or Mascarpone Ramos. The garden is open from 5 to 11 p.m. daily, and yes, you can make a reservation.
This Garden Died, but the Chef Continues to Grow
After just over a year, we heard news of Briar Patch in Congress Park closing. We had a hint the restaurant was folding after chef Amanda Singh left and took on a new role as executive chef of Barcelona Wine Bar in RiNo. A sign on the door simply stated there wasn’t enough business to keep it afloat. Sister brewpub Briar Common in Jefferson Park is still going strong.
More Hours to Celebrate
Did you hear the news? Pig and Tiger is now open every Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Taiwanese restaurant in Five Points recently earned a place on the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list, and with the new hours we have even more time to enjoy seasonal favorites like the Tomato Egg Noodle or Taiwanese Street Corn before summer produce fades away. Reservations are available on Resy here.
In RiNO, BearLeek just announced news that it’s now open Sundays. Now, the official hours are Sunday through Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. So don’t wait, you have every excuse to head there for the Bread and ButterBear, Fried Jimmy Nardello Peppers (more on that below), and the Whole Fried Black Sea Bass.
Daily Brunch in Cherry Creek
Local Jones in Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, now offers a brunch menu daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Think items such as Cinnamon Swirl Monkey Bread, pancakes, avocado toast, pork green chile breakfast burritos, coffees, and more. Diners can also get the usual lunch service during the week as well.
On the Menu
New Chef, New Menu
New Panzano chef Giovanni Lanzante just overhauled the seasonal menu at the downtown hotel restaurant, bringing the fruits of summer’s end to the table. Start with the Arancini with pumpkin, ricotta, and roasted red pepper coulis, or the Insulate Autunnale with baby spinach, radicchio, frisée, gorgonzola, poached pear, pickled onion, candied pecan, and honey balsamic vinaigrette.
Next, move to Risotto alle Verdure with Arborio rice, basil pesto, Swiss chard, seasonal squash, sweet potato, argumato, hazelnuts, and goat cheese. Or, try the Quaglie alla Saltimbocca, a quail dish with sage, prosciutto, mushroom duxelles, sage pan gravy, and patate e verdure. Also on the entree side, the Alce alla Girglia is new, and features grilled elk loin with polenta, baby carrot, gremolata, and demi-glace.
Join the Flock
After a successful first iteration, SHEEP, Kelly Whitaker’s residency at the Clayton Hotel & Members Club, is getting boarish. Wild boar that is. Meet the newest menu item: Boar Bo Ssam. The dish features wild Texas boar, stone fruit kimchi, cucumber, mushroom XO, sourdough gochujang, and kumquat.
Fun fact, wild boar impact both crops and livestock in Texas, where they cause over $500 million in damage each year. Do your part to eradicate them and reserve on OpenTable here.
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Now and until September 29, Apple Blossom in the Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver is celebrating Oktoberfest with a flight of three local craft beers from New Terrain Brewing Company and a handmade Rebel Bread pretzel for $24. It’s also close to the downtown festival, which is good news for us!
Sugar & Spice Ice Cream
Now and until the end of the month, The Little Man Ice Cream Sugar & Spice Collection is available in all the ice cream shops. On the menu you’ll find the gluten-free Pumpkin Chip, Pecan Pie Please, and Apple of My Pie, a collaboration between Little Man and Legacy Pie Co.
Pickle Dip Go
Postino, the vibey wine café known for its bruschetta boards and wine deals, is partnering with Grillo’s Pickles. This is an extra-big deal because it’s Postino’s first-ever brand collaboration. From now through October 28, pickle obsessives can score an exclusive limited-time menu item: the Hot Pickle Dip, made with Philly cream cheese, labneh yogurt, garlic, fresh dill and Grillo’s pickle brine, then topped with Grillo’s signature Hot Dill Pickles. It’s served with crispy house chips and fresh vegetables.
Peking Duck Flies In
Head to the newly-opened Blossom by SYC for a whole Peking Duck. Pair it with handcrafted dim sum bites like the Hong Kong Classic Shao Mai or Pork & Shrimp Chili Wontons, and sip on a cocktail like the Silk & Smoke or the Meigroni. Reservations available on OpenTable here.
Jimmy Nardello Season
BearLeek is celebrating Jimmy Nardello peppers, one of summer’s best items. The vibrant peppers have a short seasonal window, and because of this news, the chefs are taking advantage of it. Find the peppers tempura-fried and served with creamy labneh, chermoula, and crunchy pistachios. Make a reservation here.
Nostalgia But Make it Ice Cream
Sweet Action Ice Cream just released 13 new fall flavors. Some of the highlights include Mexican Chocolate Churro, a cinnamon-spiced chocolate ice cream loaded with churro pieces; Cowboy Coffee Chip, a cold-brew coffee ice cream studded with chocolate chips; and Bananas Foster Cheesecake with caramelized banana and cheesecake swirled together. Also check out the Tea & Yorkshire Biscuit, an Earl Grey ice cream with oatmeal biscuit mix-ins. There are two new vegan ice creams too, the Vegan French Chocolate and Vegan Pumpkin Pie.
Leven’s New Fall Menu
Leven Deli and Leven Supply celebrate the coming fall with all things comforting. On the new menu you’ll find biscuits and pastrami gravy for breakfast, butternut squash soup, seven-spice chicken soup, a loaded grilled cheese with cheddar, Swiss, and provolone on Leven’s house-made sourdough bread; and the Fall Harvest Wrap featuring local Raquelitas tortilla stuffed with butternut squash, pickled fennel, hummus, chickpeas, mixed greens, pepitas, feta, and herbed dressing.
For drinks, there’s a pumpkin spice latte, black sesame cold foam for topping any coffee or matcha, and the Oaxacan Cider made with mezcal. Plus more.
Hispanic Heritage Month Doughnuts
The Salty, a Latina-founded doughnut and coffee shop from Miami, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at its Denver shop. Naturally, treats are involved and in this case you can get the Guava & Cheese and White Chocolate Tres Leches doughnuts. Each was inspired by founder Amanda Pizarro-Rodriguez’s Cuban-American roots.
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: Since we heard about a new Jimmy Nardello pepper dish over at BearLeek, you can bet we are there and ready to try it.
Thursday: Today is RARE Steak Championship in Denver. What better place to be than there and indulging in great bites from dozens of local restaurants?
Friday: Booking my spot at the newly-opened Rōmyō in Larimer Square. It’s the latest by the Bononno Concepts team, and I can’t wait.
