LoDo (Lower Downtown)
Guide to Getting Away From Denver Restaurant Week
Denver Restaurant Week launched last Saturday, February 22, and will end on March 8. While participating restaurants attract many diners, there are still those who seek to get away from the $52.80 dinner for two promotion. Why get away? The crowds, the manipulated menus which sometimes do not reflect the essence of a restaurant, the stressed-out waitstaff that gets paid less and works more during the promotion, and hard to come-by reservations. So, if you want to get away, here are ten restaurants that will offer an alternative to Denver Restaurant Week.
The Early Word on Tom's Urban 24 in LoDo
Hipster diner meet junk food pleasuredome Tom's Urban 24 opened nearly four months ago, bringing the 24-hour fantasies of Smashburger founder Tom Ryan to the former Samba Room space in LoDo. Initial reviews of the restaurant were frenzied, much like an eight-year-old peaking on a sugar high. But when the hype subsided, locals were still drawn to Ryan's ambitious around-the-clock concept. Here's the early word on Tom's Urban 24.
Opening Report
Southern Hospitality, the slick new bourbon lounge run by One Republic's Ryan Tedder, is up and running at the St. Elmo Hotel. The Memphis-style ribs joint may have opened three months after its expected date, but it makes up for lost time with 23-year-aged Pappy Van Winkle. [Thrillist]
Cakebread Winemaker Dinner; New Belgium's Scavenger Hunt; Michelin Star Chefs; Snowball Snowbrunch.
[Photo: Davis Wince]
LARIMER SQUARE— TAG is hosting Dennis Cakebread of Napa Valley's Cakebread Cellars on Thursday March 14 at 7 p.m. for a six-course meal that will include wine pairings for $125 per person. Make reservations by e-mailing events@tag-restaurant.com.
ELDORA— This Saturday, February 23, New Belgium's Scavenger Hunt series will take over Eldora Ski Resort, boasting, "the most hilarious day of the season." Groups of one to four people can participate in the scavenger hunt which costs $10 per person plus the cost of a lift ticket. Participants can expect to chase clues spanning New Belgium's beer and culture, sustainability, the hosting resort, and the participating non-profit. This weekend it will benefit the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Prizes will be awarded at the post-party from 3 to 5 p.m.
Denver Chefs Recognized as James Beard Semi-Finalists
Today, the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists in the 2013 Restaurant and Chef Award and several Denver - and Boulder- fine establishments and chefs have been recognized for their talent and hard work.
The Colorado showing on the semi-finalist list includes Williams & Graham in the Outstanding Bar Program category, Frank Bonanno in the Outstanding Restauranteur category, and chef Jorel Pierce of Euclid Hall in the Rising Star category. Chef Alex Seidel of Fruition, as well as married chef couple Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja and Max MacKissock of the Squeaky Bean were all nominated in the Best Chef Southwest category. Frasca Food and Wine was also nominated in the Outstanding Wine Program category - the Boulder restaurant has been a finalist in this category for three years in a row.
The finalists will be announced on Monday, March 18, 2013 and live streamed right here on Eater; the winners will then be announced at the James Beard Foundation Awards on Monday, May 6, 2013 at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.
· James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalists [JBA]
· Chef Lon Symensma Will Cook at the James Beard House [EDen]
Vesta Dipping Grill Makes Hot Restaurant Week Offer
The two week dining bonanza known as Denver Restaurant Week begins on Saturday, February 22, when over 300 participating restaurants will welcome guests to enjoy a special menu for two priced only at $52.80. Vesta Dipping Grill is raising the bar with a special offer: the LoDo restaurant will allow late night diners to create their own $52.80 dinner from the regular menu. That's right.
For select dates and times, diners can choose any appetizer, entrée, and dessert for just $26.40 per person. This includes such signatures as ponzu shrimp, Madras grilled venison, sticky toffee pudding, and more. Reservations for this offer will be limited to after 9:30 p.m. on the following dates: February 24 through 27 and March 3 through 6. Call 303.296.1970 to make your reservation and mention promo code "Vestal Virgins."
· Williams & Graham's Industry Special for Restaurant Week [EDen]
· Squeaky Bean's Spin on Restaurant Week [EDen]