One of the best things about dining out in April is the start of spring, and with it, fresh vegetables and herbs popping up on plates across the city. Of course while one dish wowed with carrots and radish, I’m still drawn toward epic burgers and solid sandwiches.
This past month also saw a few amazing dinners that, while it won’t be repeated exactly, have us craving a repeat visit. Here’s 10 of the best things I enjoyed in April, and we would love to hear your favorites too.
Queso Fundito at Rosa Cantina
Yes, you need to go to Longmont to experience the beauty of Rosa Cantina and one of the best queso funditos ($12) around town. The restaurant’s signature cheese blend offers a deeper flavor than many funditos, and you can tell it uses real cheese rather than the processed stuff. A healthy dose of chorizo adds spice, and the dish gets served with warm, housemade tortillas. I also couldn’t get enough of the sauce, which I added to other dishes as well. 2333 Main St., Longmont, rosalongmont.com
My Fucking Burger at Misfit Snack Bar
The rumors are true, chef Bo Porytko makes a mean burger. Dubbed My Fucking Burger ($16), it’s the perfect balance of meat, cheese, pickles, and whatever else the chef wants to throw in there. It’s not claiming to be any certain type of cheeseburger, and it’s achieved a following despite that. The burger is also one thing on the menu that never changes. Head to Middleman bar, which houses Misfit Snack Bar, and taste what the fuss is about. 3401 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, misfitsnackbar.com
Horse Mackerel From the Counter at Odell’s
Choosing one piece from chef Miles Odell’s epic omakase ($175) may be silly, it was all fantastic. However the horse mackerel really stood out because it was the best piece of mackerel I had ever had. In fact, I didn’t know the fish could be so smooth, rich, briny, and sweet.
The only caveat, the chef changes the menu frequently to reflect season and availability. While I can’t promise it will be there the next time, the whole experience is worth checking out, with or without horse mackerel. Make a reservation Friday through Sunday, there are two seatings each night, and starting May 22 the restaurant will offer Thursday seatings as well. The Counter is located inside Odell’s Bagel, and is the chef’s new nighttime restaurant. 3200 Irving St., Denver, odellsbagel.com
Chips and Salsas at Tamayo
Adding cheese, guacamole, and mole to any dish can make it sing, but the pure beauty of the salsa quartet ($11) at Tamayo stars all on its own. The line up features homemade macha, verde cruda, molcajete, and habanero. Each proves so different, I found myself eating all the housemade chips just to keep trying the salsas.
The habanero had a pleasing smoky heat, and the macha was a spicy crispy chili sauce. The fresh verde cruda tamed the fire of the others, and the molcajete offered a traditional tomato-based salsa ground by hand in a molcajete. Add a margarita and it’s the perfect starter before the main show. 1400 Larimer St., Denver, tamayodenver.com
Honey Sichuan Green Beans at Bao Brewhouse Tea Room
The dumplings, Peking duck, and bao may be the most popular items on Bao Brewhouse’s Tea Room menu, but don’t sleep on the green beans ($15.88). It’s the tastiest way to get your veggies. The green beans are fried with garlic and tossed in a ginger-honey Sichuan sauce, giving the dish a sweet and umami-richness not always associated with the vegetable. On top you’ll find crispy onions and furikake seasoning.
The portion is huge too, so even though it’s a side dish, there’s plenty to share. Keep in mind the green beans are only available upstairs in the Tea Room, which boasts a different vibe and menu than the downstairs Tap Room. 1317 14th St., Denver, baobrewhouse.com
Garlic Hot Buffalo Wings at King of Wings Taphouse
I can’t deny King of Wings makes one of my favorite hot wing versions around town, and I often find myself ordering a second round when I manage to get there. Such was the case last month, and after 24 pieces ($36) my friend and I finally called it quits (we had a basket of Cajun cauliflower ($9) too).
First we started with the bourbon buffalo and spicy Thai, both excellent. But it was the second round that found the garlic hot buffalo tickling our taste buds. This combination is pure fire, and next time I’m there it’s first on the list. 7741 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, kingofwingstaphouse.com
Roasted Carrots and Spring Radish at Somebody People
Every Sunday Somebody People hosts Sunday Supper, a prix fixe dinner featuring seven dishes for $42. It changes each week, but a recent serving of roasted carrots and radish with a carrot top pesto showcases the magic executive chef Justin Freeman does with vegetables. Actually, Somebody People is all about the veggies as it’s a vegan restaurant. During the same dinner, themed around a classic American-Mediterranean meal, we had a seitan loaf that resembled meatloaf, asparagus “mimosa,” pasta primavera, and some of the best focaccia in town. 1165 S. Broadway, Denver, somebodypeople.com
The Choripán at Maria Empanada
Each option on the Sandwiches de Compo menu at Maria Empanada has a story, and the Choripán ($15.49) is a love letter to Argentinian football. The dish is stuffed with housemade chorizo from the owner’s own recipe, fresh arugula, garlic aioli, salsa criolla, and chimichurri.
In a way, said owner Lorena Cantarovici, it mimics getting a hot sausage after or before a soccer game, and topping it with chimichurri to be devoured right there. The Choripán is one of four sandwiches on the new menu, and served at Maria Empanada’s Broadway and Riverview cafes. Find the locations and hours on the website, mariaempanada.com.
Foie Gras Terrine at Union Station
Dining in the middle of Union Station is indeed a special occasion, and beautiful too. I had the pleasure of attending the last Platform Series Wine Dinner, which featured growers Champagne to pair with chef Kevin McCormick’s fabulous menu. All the dishes were amazing, but something about the luxurious foie gras topped with bright rhubarb really stood out. Each small bite proved silky and lush, with the pickled strawberries and sips from L. Aubry Fils Rosé cutting the richness.
The next Platform Series Wine Dinner is taking place May 15, featuring Schramsberg Vineyards. Book a seat asap for an unforgettable experience, and dishes just as memorable as the terrine. 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, denverunionstation.com
Spicy Beef Bao by Panda Bao
The last week of April brought about the third edition of Mile High Asian Food Week, and one of the events was a food truck and vendor pop up at Adobo. Panda Bao was at the event, dishing up spicy beef bao to a line of hungry patrons. Of course I got a double order ($9 each). Each bun is handmade and so pillowy soft, hiding the sizzling spice of the meat inside.
Lucky for us, we can still get Panda Bao at the City Park Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market goes on until the end of October, and hopefully by then Panda Bao will have another location. https://pandabao
