The world of Asian cuisine in metro Denver has become deeper, larger and more complex over the past few years as chefs and restaurants have begun focusing on regional cooking styles, elevated fare and fusion dishes that combine multiple kitchen traditions. Local diners, national food media and restaurant critics have taken notice, which has resulted … Read more
Growing up in Chihuahua, Mexico, chef Dana Rodriguez was used to seeing rows of restaurants serving similar menus all next door to each other. But the idea of a non-compete clause preventing someone from leaving one restaurant and taking a job at another one nearby doesn’t really exist, said Rodriguez, who owns Work & Class, … Read more
Colorado is known for producing some of the best beer in the world, but cocktail fans here also have access to bars where mixology keeps step with some of the nation’s best. Need proof? The 18th annual Spirited Awards, part of the esteemed Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans, recently announced its roster … Read more
After six weeks of blood, sweat, and miso ramen so spicy it could bring tears to your eyes, we have finally crowned a winner in The Denver Post’s annual food bracket challenge. This year, we pitted 32 of the best ramen purveyors against one another and, as always, we threw it open to readers to … Read more
Three restaurants and chefs advanced as finalists for the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious Restaurant and Chef Awards, the organization announced Wednesday. That stands in contrast to last year, when only one Colorado nominee (chef Michael Diaz de Leon formerly with BRUTØ) made it through to the finals. Two of the finalists were nominated in the … Read more
For 50 years, a Pepto Bismol-pink tower has loomed large over the Lakewood shopping center marking the spot of the legendary Casa Bonita. The tower is something of a beacon, calling to longtime fans and would-be diners with the promise of mariachi music, cliff divers, crispy sopapillas and the kind of fun that inspires childlike … Read more
Chef Manny Barella went into the premiere episode of Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 21 terrified of being eliminated first. “I’ve never been more nervous in my life, even when I proposed to my fiancee,” he joked. “As chefs, we fail in private, but failing in public is a whole different animal.” Barella, a 2022 James … Read more
Colorado might not have anyone to root for in this year’s Super Bowl, but there is a local player worth cheering on your big screen next month. Chef Manny Barella is one of 15 chefs competing on Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 21, set in Wisconsin and airing weekly on March 20. He will go head-to-head … Read more
Denver Restaurant Week started in 2005 with 83 participating restaurants. Now, in its 20th year, the 10-day event boasts 213 participants with more signing up every day. This year’s Denver Restaurant Week takes place March 1-10. It’s the Mile High City’s way of celebrating the local dining scene during one of the slowest times of … Read more
Michael Diaz de Leon hung up his apron as executive chef at Brutø in December, leaving big shoes to fill. But “Top Chef” alum Byron Gomez is ready to step up to the Michelin-starred plate. Gomez has been named as the new executive chef of Brutø, Denver restaurateur Kelly Whitaker’s 18-seat chef’s counter restaurant at … Read more
