Enjoy your last week of July with some peach-laced pizza, new line of cocktails, and the ultimate burger event in Denver. Unfortunately petty theft has left some restaurants struggling, and there was a surprise closing in Edgewater. We are excited to sample the intergalactic burrito collaboration, and to check out Xiquita Restaurante y Bar.
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
Columbine Steakhouse and Lounge on 3rd Avenue and Federal Boulevard suffered severe damage after thieves broke in and stole around 250 steaks, reported Denverite on July 24. While the loss of meat sucked for sure, the main problem came from how the burglars demolished the kitchen wall. Not only is the restaurant structurally unsound, but it caused pipe and water damage too. As of right now, the iconic 63-year-old steakhouse remains closed.
Columbine Steakhouse wasn’t the only business to suffer damage. A car ran into The Bindery over the weekend. No one got hurt luckily, only a border wall and some planters suffered. Business there continues on usual. People were fine during a break in at the in-limbo The Fifth String either too, given it’s no open. Unfortunately, one of the late chef Amos Watts‘ banjos was stolen (learn more how to support the chef’s family here).
On a more positive note, we send a big congrats to all the local Tales of the Cocktail winners. This year we celebrate Alex Jump, who took home the award for Best U.S. Bar Mentor, The Family Jones Distillery and its award of the RTD Cocktail of the Year, and Yacht Club, which took the trophy for Best U.S. Cocktail Bar!
TAG Burger Bar has launched its Quarterly Burger Contest, which is now accepting public submissions via this online form. Basically you design your dream burger, name it, and share the details. Ohe lucky winner gets free burgers for 90 days and a signed photo with TAG Burger Bar’s owner, chef Troy Guard. Plus, the winning burger will appear on the menu during that period, and a portion of the proceeds from the burger goes to a charity of the winner’s choice.
The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) announced the Denver-based Work Options organization as one of the Summer 2024 Grant Awardees. Work Options is a certified National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation apprenticeship training program, which makes sure all students have access to high-tech, modern teaching kitchens. In addition to the $10,000 grant, the non-profit gets JPF-branded aprons and a group membership to the Foundation.
Speaking of high accolades, chef Michael Diaz de Leon has returned from traveling abroad and will host a series of pop-ups dubbed Pinchi Umami. The next event takes place August 6, 13, 20, and 27 at Noisette (3254 Navajo St., Denver) and tickets can be found on resy.com. Follow @pinchi_umami on Instagram for updates.
Finally, the Local Dudes Delivery has been showing up to the door with drama. Westword dove deep into the companies shady fees, finding not only do they charge customers upwards of 30-percent more for food, but most businesses on the platform don’t even know they’ve been signed up.
As for one more scam, In-N-Out Burgers officially has gone on the record stating “monkey style” is not a secret menu item and please, please stop ordering it. Rest assured “animal style” is still accepted.
Openings and Closings In and Near Denver
Based on Open Table accepting reservations on July 31, it’s a safe bet the rumor that Xiquita Restaurante y Bar starts service this week is true. Xiquita (pronounced cha-KEY-tah, like the banana) opens as the second restaurant by the James Beard-nominated owners of Lucina Eatery & Bar, as well as chef Rene Gonzalez Mendez.
Mikaku Ramen & Temaki announced its opening come fall. The Japanese restaurant will be at 14302 E. Cedar Ave., Aurora. Though not confirmed, we hope Mikaku will offer all-you-can eat fare like its sister spaces, Chubby Fish and Chubby Cattle, all owned by One Concept Restaurant Group.
Welcome BAR DBC, yet another concept inside a concept from the Denver Biscuit Company The bar is located in the Stanley Marketplace and pushes a later menu including the iconic Lights Out Burger, Chicken Sando, and chicken wings. Plus, a full bar menu for all types of imbibers. New hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Based on visual confirmation, the Cochina Taco in Edgewater abruptly closed this weekend. There are still two locations remaining for those who need a Doritos Nacho fix.
On the Menu
Cart-Driver is in the peach game with its latest special, Peachza. Head to the RiNo location (the LoHi spot remains under construction) for the pie, which features honey, horseradish, brie, Calabrian chili, basil, red onion, and of course, peaches. Esters Denver also has a peach pizza launching on July 31. Dubbed Fuego & Peaches En Regalia, it’s sweet and spicy and seasonal.
Sample the summer menu at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Look for whimsical drinks such as The Lucky Ducky cocktail served in a BJ’s themed bathtub cup and rubber duck. To eat try the new Graham Cracker S’mores Pizookie, which features a Ghirardelli triple-chocolate cookie topped with graham cracker crumbles, toasted marshmallows, two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream.
The chain Bar Louie recently partnered with illy Caffè to bring a new line of coffee drinks and coffee-enhanced cocktails to the lounge. Also on the drinks side, The Thompson Denver launched a new apéro hour, served daily from 3 to 6 p.m. Expect classic French bites such as escargots and bison tartare, as well as discounted wine, beer, and cocktails.
Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver has collaborated with Illegal Pete‘s to bring rainbow swirl burritos to the art institution.
Denver Events
In celebration of its six year anniversary on July 30, Leven Deli Co. will offer $1 funfetti cookies all day long while supplies last. Also look for Leven scratch-off prize cards, free with purchase.
On July 30 and 31 the Maine Lobster Shack in Denver celebrates five years with a weekend party. The fun runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and includes a lobster bake, all day happy hour pricing, free food for kids, raffles, giveaways, and more.
Join renowned fermentation revivalist Sandor Katz and Id Est‘s director of fermentation and sustainability, Mara King, on Thursday, August 1 for Ferment & Film. Presented by Slow Food Denver, attendees can view a special teaser of the Republic of Culture video series, which is a travel documentary featuring fermentation practices and traditions from Taiwan. Viewers also get to see People’s Republic of Fermentation, the two aforementioned experts’ series of short films.
Denver Burger Battle returns on Thursday, August 1, so break out the stretchy pants. The 21-and-up event features over 19 restaurants as they work to win the crown for the best burger in Denver. The event is at the Auraria Campus, Tivoli Quad (1000 Larimer St., Denver) at 5:30 p.m. Buy tickets here.
At the Stanley Marketplace, Traveling Mercies teams up with award-winning food writer Adrian Miller for a night of presidential cocktails on Thursday, August 1. It’s not just about drinking though, Miller, who wrote the book The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas, will also regale patrons with historic tales surrounding the drinks.
Each drink will be paired with a bite from Chef Caroline Glover tying the story and cocktail together on a plate. Further, in celebration of Barack Obama’s birthday week, a portion of revenue from ticket sales will be donated to the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans. Each ticket costs $50, and the event starts at 5 p.m.
