It’s never too late to talk about good food, and the line up last month tickled our tastebuds in a memorable way. We’re talking about a chicken so good, we can’t wait to go back. There’s also a happy hour seafood special worth getting out of the office early for. The springy month also brought farmers’ markets back and with it, southern Indian food. Read on for the full list of the best dishes we had in May.
Dubai Mochi Donut at Kuluka Boba + Sweets
During the first week of May we celebrated Mile High Asian Food Week, and at Kuluka Boba + Sweets in Westminster there was a special Dubai Mochi Donut. It was fantastic. So rich and gooey, with the perfect balance of dark chocolate and creamy pistachio. The item proved so good, the team added it to the menu, so you can try it too. 6030 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster, kulukaboba.com
Jalapeño Popper Pizza at Capitol Pizza
Intrigued by the idea of raspberry sauce swirled onto a savory pizza, we tried the Jalapaño Popper Pizza at the Thornton location (second spot is in Littleton). It worked wonderfully and melded well with the garlic butter sauce base, toasty mozzarella cheese, bacon, slices of fresh jalapeños, and dollops of cream cheese. Overall, the pie tastes spicy, sweet, and satisfying. Sizes run 10- to 20-inches, starting at $12.75. 805 W. 88th Ave., Thornton, and 1500 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton ,itscapitolpizza.com
Double OD Burger at Odie B’s
If your birthday is in May and you want a really, really good burger, there’s no place like Odie B’s. For $15 you get a double smash patty, melty American cheese, great pickles, and the “fanciest sauce” all on a soft potato brioche. If you’re feeling extra you can add green chilies, bacon, and even an egg. The fries are also great, but sometimes all you really need is a solid cheeseburger. There’s now two locations, one in Sunnyside and the new one in RiNo. 2651 W. 38th Ave., Denver, and 1350 40th St., Denver, odie-bs.com
Coctel Campechano at Xiquita
Only at Xiquita’s happy hour can you have this fantastic seafood bowl, and it’s only $15. Inside you’ll find firm shrimp, briny oysters, and chunks of white fish in spicy tomato huichol sauce. Lime and avocado add even more layers, and you can use the saltines to scoop it up or simply ladle it straight into your mouth. 500 E. 19th Ave., Denver, xiquita.co
Uttapam at Chaatwala
Pradyut Bansal offers a real taste of southern Indian food at the farmers’ markets this year. Get paper-thin dosa and uttapam, a savory pancake served with chili chutney. Find Chaatwala every weekend at the City Park Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through October 26; and at the Lafayette Farmers Market Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October 26. Follow Chaatwala on Instagram for updates.
Moulard Duck at Wildflower
It’s been a minute since we delved into the beautiful menu at Wildflower in LoHi, but after chef Aiden Tibbetts took over our social media stories in May we couldn’t stop thinking about it. This time we went for the Wildflower Bouquet menu, a tasting menu running $75 or $92 for a spread of delights chosen by the chef. Everything was stunning, but the absolute favorite was the Moulard Duck. Smoked with apple, the lovely piece of meat came with beet tartare, and yogurt with pistachio. The menu here is very seasonal, but even while the produce side may change, the duck remains consistent. 3638 Navajo St., Denver, larkhotels.com
Roasted Half Chicken at American Elm
When a restaurant makes a roast chicken you dream about, you know the place is doing something right. Thank goodness we have chef Daniel Mangin at American Elm, who makes maybe the best roasted chicken at a sit-down restaurant in Denver. It’s simple, succulent, and juicy. On the side you’ll find smoked cheddar polenta, braised collards, and heirloom tomatoes, all for $33. The chicken does take more time, about 20 to 30 minutes, so plan for that when you go. 4132 W. 38th Ave., Denver, amelm.com
Salmon Sushi at Kizaki
To pick only one piece from the extraordinary omakase at the newly-opened Kizaki is near impossible, but this bite of salmon sushi really stuck. The fish was perfect, and the bright bursts of fish roe cut through the richness of salmon, showcasing chef Toshi Kizaki’s edomae-style sushi. While we can’t promise it will be served just like this again, you’ll certainly be wowed by whatever the chef deems perfect for the plate. 1551 S. Pearl St., Denver, denchukizaki.com
Bucatini with Vodka Sauce at Bella Colibri
A friend invited me to Golden to try out Bella Colibri, and I can’t help but wonder where it’s been all my life (more on that later). The setting proved elegant and beautiful, with tons of natural light and a rustic fine-dining vibe. But the favorite of the table was the bucatini tossed in a smooth and spicy vodka sauce. The fresh pasta menu changes often, but you can usually find the vodka sauce decking out one of the dishes. Even if the restaurant doesn’t have it, there’s plenty of other dishes destined to be favorites. 812 12th St., Golden, bellacolibri.com
Stir-Fried Greens at MAKfam
There’s so many tasty things at MAKfam on South Broadway, it’s a constant craving. Recently we tried the a-choy, or Taiwanese lettuce, which gets stir fried with garlic and fermented bean curd. The tender greens have a crunch too, hitting all the right textures. Add a dollop of chili crisp to make it spicy, and you might not need that second order of wings. 39 W. 1st Ave., Denver, makfam.co
