Get ready for a bevy of great fall events as Denver cools off. We also look forward to some new restaurants on the scene, including a NoLa-style snoball spot. In hard news, one chef defends her town, while another is a finalist for a prestigious award. Look at the upcoming food and drink additions too, with the changing of the leaves comes a menu shift as well.
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
Chef Caroline Glover took to social media to speak out against a rumor circulating around the country about foreign gangs taking over Aurora. While the severity of the issue has been debunked, turns out it’s more about a slum lord than migrants, the story is still being touted as fact. Most recently, by former President Donald Trump in last Tuesday’s presidential debate. Glover, who owns Annette and Traveling Mercies in the Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, expressed the need to have positive rhetoric surrounding the suburb, which offers one of the most diverse dining scenes in the state.
Chef Mary Nguyen’s Olive & Finch is a finalist for the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics. The award recognizes a business (or nonprofit) that demonstrates integrity-driven best practices. Good luck team, we are rooting for you.
The Family Jones Spirit House in LoHi is temporarily closing this fall to refresh the space before the holidays. We don’t have a timeline for re-opening, it depends on construction. Until then, find its spirits at select retail shops and at many bars across the city.
Openings and Closings In the News
Sweet Nola Snoballs opened in the Mayfair neighborhood last Friday. The New Orleans’ treat features shaved ice and plenty of toppings. While it may sound like a snow cone, owner Lara Stepneski-Mintz said the fine, fluffy snow that melts on the tongue is nothing like the hard pebbles of ice the other frozen water dessert is known for.
Downtown, the historic George Schleier Mansion is now the Urban Cowboy hotel, which has launched Urban Cowboy Public House inside. And, inside of that is Colorado’s first Roberta’s pizza, a now mini-chain straight from the hipster archives of Brooklyn.
In Arvada Stay Tuned Brewing has opened. The idea behind the new spot is to bring together lovers of beer, television, music, and entertainment. Boulder’s Peckish restaurant just launched a second location in the Denver Tech Center area. The fast-casual spot is known for wings, burgers, and other foods college-age kids might crave.
Peel Handcrafted Pizza in Frederick has decided to close after eight years serving tasty food and drink. The owners said a new concept was moving in, details to come.
While the newly minted Bib Gourmand spot MAKfam is still going strong, it decided to stop its brunch program. There were hints some of the dishes might be going to the regular menu, and we just hope it’s that amazing Hong Kong French Toast.
On the Menu
Now is the time to get Osaka Ramen’s signature corn ramen. It’s super limited, so head to RiNo as soon as possible for a cozy bowl. La Fillette Bakery also has a warming, end-of-summer item on the menu, a spiced-pear filled croissant-muffin, topped with salted caramel and whipped white chocolate ganache.
Coperta launched a pasta bar during lunch hours on Saturday and Sunday. The event runs each weekend from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and features Coperta classics and seasonal specials, as well as new snack items such as rosemary truffle fries, mussels, and sweetbread sliders.
In Arvada, Stone Cellar Bistro started Bistro Days on Sundays and Wednesdays, with a select menu for a casual night out. The restaurant also announced it’s now open seven days a week.
In honor of football season, EatYa Pizza has a Saturday and Sunday dine-in special where $21 gets all-you-can-eat wings. There are two flavors, lemon pepper and buffalo, and a three hour time limit.
Point Easy launched a new happy hour menu featuring chicken wings with fish caramel and crispy garlic, oysters with champagne mignonette, and french fries with chicken aioli. Happy hour runs Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m., and all day on Sunday.
Events In the News
Celebrate National Cheeseburger day on Wednesday, September 18 with two specials. At Dog Haus, all 60-plus locations have a BOGO offer where you get one cheeseburger, and the second is free, just as long as you sign up to be a Haus Rewards loyalty member by September 17. The chain Bar Louie also celebrates with the Louie’s Choice Cheeseburger with fries or tots for $9.95 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lucina Eatery & Bar is hosting a paired wine dinner with Langtry Farms Vineyard and Winery out of California. The six-course meal, complete with wine pairings, takes place on September 18 from 6 to 9 p.m., and costs $150 (including tax and gratuity) per person.
It’s time for the annual High West Oyster Fest (HWOF) on Thursday, September 19 at Boulder’s eTown Hall. Hosted by Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, this year’s HWOF marks the 30th anniversary of the restaurant, which first opened its doors on Boulder’s Pearl Street in November 1994. During the event, expect unlimited oysters, beverages, a Bubbles & Bumps caviar bar, eating competition, and more. All proceeds benefit local nonprofit There With Care. Tickets run $121 for general admission, $151 for VIP, purchase here.
In support of Adaptive Adventures, a nonprofit organization that provides outdoor sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities, on Saturday, September 21, Brews & Barrels will take place at Orchard Town Center. The beer-forward event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. The $40 ticket includes event admission, food and drink tastings, and entertainment. Purchase here.
Head to the Alley at Dairy Block for Bourbon Boulevard on Friday, September 20. Each GA ticket runs $45 per person, 21-and-up only, and VIP is $60, which includes early access at 5 p.m. and a gift bag. From 6 to 9 p.m. taste 24 different whiskies, with three to four iterations from each distillery, including Seven Grand’s exclusive new single barrel spirit. Find more details and purchase tickets here. A portion of ticket sales will benefit CHOW – Culinary, Hospitality, Outreach, Wellness, a non-profit organization focused on supporting wellness within the hospitality industry.
Celebrate the 37th anniversary of Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard on Saturday, September 21 with $1 scoops of made-to-order custard all day.
Join Point Easy for a Pizza and Wine Party on September 19. The ticketed event features three pizzas, two late-summer vegetable dishes, and a dessert course, all paired with wines from Anvil and local distributor Grape Juice. Each ticket runs $85, reserve online here. Spots are limited.
Get a taste of the season during Tavernetta’s special five-course Harvest Dinner in collaboration with Esoterra Culinary Garden on Sunday, September 22, for $135 per person with an option to add on wine or spirit-free pairings. Reservations can be made here.
Woody Creek Distillers is joining bar man Sean Kenyon and spirit spokesman William H. Macy (yes, the actor) at Williams & Graham on September 26 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Taste some whiskey and listen to the Shameless star play some music.
