Easter is over but we’re amped up for news of the new tenant inside the historic Evens School in the Golden Triangle. The best French dip spot in Denver has a cocktail for charity. Denver Nuggets fans can head downtown for a new pop-up that’s all about basketball. This past week we have also seen the closing of an icon, though it may be back.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
After 15 years the Denver Burger Battle is no more. The fun-filled, annual event featured burgers from venues across the city, and the judges and people’s choice winner were crowned each year. The Cherry Cricket won just about every year, and it’s too bad we can’t hear news of what crazy burger they come up with this year.
The hospitality community is coming together to support Molly Martin, the food editor at Westword, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in recent news. On Tuesday, April 22, La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal is donating 50% of sales from Street Taco Tuesday to help as she undergoes treatment. You can also donate via a GoFundMe page, here.
Congratulations to Lady Jane in Denver, who was one of 10 regional honorees at the Tales Spirited Awards (read about this cool cocktail it’s doing here). The category covered the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar West. Winners of this year’s awards included local bartender Alex Jump as the Best U.S. Bar Mentor and Yacht Club as the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar.
Pho Social, which is opening on April 27, had a setback last week when someone threw a rock through the front window.
In positive news, head to Snooze A.M. Eatery for its annual Earth Day Tree Planting extravaganza. The One Tree One Snoozer program has been going on since 2017, and involves planting a tree for every member of the company’s MySnooze Bennyfits loyalty program who checks in on Earth Day. This year it’s on April 22, and the restaurant chain hopes to hit 23,000 trees planted since the program started.
Openings and Closings in the News
Schoolyard Beer Garden and Schoolyard Café opened today in Denver’s historic Evans School (1140 Bannock St., Denver) in the Golden Triangle. The project is helmed by City Street Investors and partners Jerry and Fred Glick, the team behind Denver Union Station’s revitalization.
The Classic Revival building originally opened in 1904 as a public elementary school, though it’s been empty for four decades. Now it’s on the National Register of Historic Places and the revamping has modernized the fixtures while keeping the feeling of the original school intact. The beer garden and cafe connect to large outside areas, perfect for summer snacking. Enjoy daytime fare, happy hour, grab-and-go, ice cream, cocktails, and more. The 13,000-square-foot space will also host retail and other small businesses as it finishes construction and grows.
Over 60 years ago Cracker Barrel opened in Tennessee, and today the chain is found all over the country. Now, the southern food concept has opened on the Denver side of the Central Park neighborhood.
The team behind the three-location Rolling Smoke BBQ launched a Mexican-American joint dubbed Chubby Unicorn Cantina at 4180 Wynkoop St. There’s also a new bar pop-up in Denver Union Station in honor of the Denver Nuggets basketball team. Nuggets Gold Mine Bar is located on the lower level of the terminal, complete with basketball paraphernalia, and cocktails such as the whiskey-laced Gold Rush the Buzzer Beater tequila cocktail.
After 64 years at 4701 S. Broadway, Englewood’s Frank the Pizza King closes its doors. Owned by the Krascek family, the change wasn’t something they anticipated. Like many restaurant stories, the closure comes due to the landlord. This time the landlord sold the building and the new owner wants a clean slate. The family hasn’t decided if they want to try and open their old school Italian joint somewhere else.
On the Menu
Pony Up in Downtown Denver launched a special happy hour to support Rocky Mountain Immigration Advocacy Network. Help out immigrants by ordering the Chinga La Migra, a Tequila Real del Valle and spicy lemonade cocktail. A portion of the proceeds will go to the non-profit.
Denver Milk Market has new dishes for the spring. Find these tasty bites at the venue’s Fuso, Green Huntsman, BOS, and Albina by the Sea concepts. For example, the BLT Pizza with bacon, charred romaine, basil, and tomatoes. Milk Market Pizza with garlic butter, chicken, kale, red pepper, ricotta, and mozzarella. Mexican-style shrimp ceviche in a clamato broth with avocado, and pico de gallo with freshly made tortilla chips.
There’s also the Green Goddess Sandwich with cucumber, avocado, spinach, pickled onions, fresh basil, and green goddess dressing on a hoagie, among other tasty options. Then, at Denver Milk Market’s Moo Bar, find new cocktails such as the Raspberry Paloma, Yuzu Mojito with the venue’s signature rum, Spicy Mezcal Rita, and White Negroni.
News Worthy Events
Zero Footprint x Big Red F
From April 21 to 27, Big Red F restaurants will participate in Zero Foodprint’s Unfork the Planet event. Zero Foodprint is an organization dedicated to helping farmers restore the environment through regenerative agriculture. During this time, each restaurant will feature a special dish and donate a portion of proceeds to the campaign.
Locally, look for mushroom tostada with local Hazel Dell Mushrooms at Centro Mexican Kitchen; Colorado striped bass aguachile at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar Boulder; Green chorizo steamed mussels with Milberger Farms Pueblo green chiles at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar LoDo; Pueblo green chile with Colorado beans and chiles at all Post Chicken & Beer locations; and mushroom risotto with local mushrooms at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar Glendale.
Dining Out For Life
Project Angel Heart‘s annual fundraiser is here. In order to help support providing healthy, diet-focused meals to people suffering from severe illness, head to one of the many restaurants participating in Dining Out For Life on Thursday, April 24. You don’t have to do more than eat out at certain restaurants for lunch or dinner.
Some places will have ambassadors speaking about the program and fundraiser, but even if you don’t donate, 25% of your bill will automatically go to the non-profit. See the full list here, and catch managing editor Linnea Covington working the lunch crowd at the Cherry Cricket for the occasion.
Bingo Burlesque Game at Colorado Sake
On Thursday, April 24, get ready for a high-energy bingo and a roulette-style burlesque. During the show grab a bite of sushi, gyoza, fries, a glass of Colorado-made sake, and more. The game starts at 7 p.m., entry is $5. Win prizes from adult toys to sake to tickets. Seating is limited, so find tickets here.
National Pretzel Day at Rhein Haus
On April 26 celebrate National Pretzel Day at the Bavarian-inspired restaurant Rhein Haus in LoDo. All day enjoy the signature house-baked pretzel, the special maple-bacon pretzel, or a giant pretzel with obatzda, spicy mustard and cheddar fondue.
Puppy Party at FlyteCo Tower
Head to FlyteCo Tower on April 26 from 12 to 4 p.m. for an all-out bash celebrating the season and the venue’s dog-friendly patio. This is the first time the huge space has opened up to pups. In order to kick off the new perk, join the best dog tricks contest and/or the puppy costume contest, and indulge your fur baby in free dog treats. There will be food and drink specials for the humans too.
Bonus, it’s also World Pilots Day and two of the three owners of FlyteCo Tower are pilots. In honor of the occasion, guests can take a tour of the iconic air traffic control tower all day long. Pilots also get a free beer after the tour on this special day.
Alton Brown: Last Bite
Have you ever wanted to see celebrity chef and Food Network personality Alton Brown live? During this hour-plus event the famed chef will reflect on his decades in food media, present favorite culinary hacks, and perhaps sing some funny food songs in a food-focused variety show. Join the fun on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buell Theatre. Find tickets here.
Piñatas n’Pints at Bruz Off Fax
Head to the Colfax Avenue location of Bruz Beers for an exciting do-it-yourself piñata making. All supplies will be provided, though you have to bring your own stuffing. The event runs from 1 to 3 p.m., and costs $55 per person. The ticket price includes one pint of beer or N/A beverage, and, if you wear a costume, you get $1 off any other drinks.
