Gastamo plans new restaurants in Central Park, Westminster, Parker

Gastamo Group is keeping its plate full. The Denver-based restaurant group is opening a third Lady Nomada in Central Park, bringing Homegrown Tap & Dough to Parker and opening two of its concepts in the former C.B. Potts in Westminster, according to owners Jean-Philippe Failyau and Peter Newlin. “In the city of Denver, if we … Read more

Rooted Craft American Kitchen closes West Highlands restaurant

When Nicholas Kayser was given the choice to either close his West Highland restaurant or rebrand it, he decided to be fiscally responsible. “Rebranding isn’t free,” the Rooted Craft American Kitchen co-owner said. “A sign alone costs $20,000.” Rooted Craft American Kitchen, located at 3940 W. 32nd Ave., held its last day of service on … Read more

A quick skillet turkey dinner you’ll make over and over

By Melissa Clark, The New York Times Bunches of fresh mint and piles of sugar snap peas are still weeks away from showing up at my local farmers market, but April’s lengthening days and warming temperatures already have me craving that classic spring pairing. Luckily, they can also be foraged right now at the supermarket … Read more

Golden’s Bonfire Burritos adding two more locations

Bonfire Burritos has held a steady blaze in Golden for decades. And for the first time ever, the owners are expanding that flame out of the western city. Co-owner Ian Lanier said Bonfire is opening its second and third locations in Arvada and Wheat Ridge, pending city and municipality approvals. The company’s cult following can … Read more

“Pasta nada” and more ultrafast, flexible dinners

By Emily Weinstein, The New York Times I’ve recently returned from spring break, where I scrounged a few quiet minutes to lie down poolside and devour “The Upstairs Delicatessen,” by Dwight Garner, a book critic here at The New York Times and a known eater of exceptional taste. The subtitle of this memoir: “On Eating, … Read more

The ingredient your chocolate chip cookies are missing

By Rick A. Martínez, The New York Times Eleven years ago, La Rifa Chocolatería in Mexico City introduced a dizzyingly dark, dense chocolate and cream tamal to its menu. Run through with the sultry flavors of caramel, butterscotch and molasses, the dish would quickly become one of its most popular to date. Of its carefully … Read more

Milieu brewery opens Saturday on Anschutz campus in Aurora

At the end of the day, all that most people want in a local brewery is solid music, good beer in their glass and a cool environment where they can hang out with friends or even by themselves. “What else could you want?” asked Rob Bessett who will open Milieu Fermentation on May 4 with … Read more

Agave spirits with Colorado ties: Chawar, mezcal and tequila

Colorado may be a whiskey lover’s paradise, but those looking for an agave spirit have many options with local ties to choose from. To be clear, drinkers won’t find a tequila distillery in Colorado since the liquor must be made in specific parts of Mexico to be called that. Most come from Jalisco, the Mexican … Read more

The best fish is also the most local. Why is it so hard to find?

By Melissa Clark, The New York Times MONTAUK, N.Y. — On a cold, windy February morning on Shinnecock Bay, on the South Fork of Long Island, New York, Ricky Sea Smoke fished for clams from the back of his 24-foot boat. The fisherman, whose real name is Rick Stevens, expertly sorted through haul after haul … Read more

Chef Amos Watts dies at 43 just weeks from reopening The Fifth String

Denver chef Amos Watts, owner of The Fifth String, has died weeks ahead of the acclaimed restaurant’s reopening. Watts, 43, died Sunday morning after a medical episode, according to his friend Justin Brunson and former mentee Caroline Glover. Neither were fully sure of the nature of the episode. “He touched a lot of folks in … Read more