This week is all about celebrating dad. From the brew masters to the brunch connoisseurs, there is surely something to suit all of the Denver fathers out there. Plus, in true Colorado fashion, there’s more than one occasion to celebrate our favorite suds including a hidden beer festival that’s only accessed by train.
Father’s Day Deals/Events
Photo by Camille Breslin for 303 Magazine.
Where: 1937 Market St., Denver
Neighborhood: LoDo
When: June 19, 6 – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $99
Register: Reserve your spot here.
The Low Down: Move over wine, there’s a new cooking agent in town. Start Father’s Day weekend off right with an evening of perfectly paired brews and bites, and a crash course in the art of cooking with beer with Cook Street as they break out some of Colorado’s craft libations in their latest cooking class. (P.S.: Sipping your favorite craft while you cook is definitely encouraged).
Methods of Cooking: Grilling at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts
Where: 1937 Market St., Denver
Neighborhood: LoDo
When: June 20, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $85
Register: Reserve your spot here.
The Low Down: Whether your old man needs to brush up on the basics or fine-tune his Weber skills, spending a Saturday afternoon with him at Cook Street is definitely worth the investment. The culinary school will discuss the endless possibilities that come with cooking over an open flame, and you’ll get to chow down on the meal you help prepare with a cold craft beer in hand.
National Martini Day at The Corner Office
Where: The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar, 1401 Curtis St., Denver
Neighborhood: Downtown
When: June 19
The Low Down: Whether shakin’ or stirred, martinis never go out of style (unlike your dad’s collection of Hawaiian shirts). We don’t think it’s much of a coincidence that Father’s Day weekend starts with a day dedicated to James Bond’s beverage of choice, so get dressed up and treat dad to one of The Corner Office’s signature drinks including the Classic 1906 (Bombay gin or Chopin vodka, TCO vermouth blend, orange bitters, with lemon twist or olive,) and the Vespa (Woody Creek vodka, chamomile-infused Lillet Blanc, and Leopold’s gin.)
Smokin’ Father’s Day at The Nickel
Photo courtesy of Hotel Teatro
Where: 1100 14th St., Denver
Neighborhood: Theatre District
When: June 21, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Reservations: Reserve your spot here.
The Low Down: This Sunday’s brunch is catered to all things dad. From a barbecue plate with smoked pork shoulder to a housemade brat with all of the fixings, Chef Chris Thompson will play grill master for the day so your pops doesn’t have to. This meaty menu is sure to satisfy the carnivore in your family, not to mention a great selection of barrel-aged craft cocktails to wash it all down including the standard rock Manhattan made with barrel-aged Leopold Small Batch whiskey, Dolin Rouget vermouth, Dram’s “Hair of the Dog” bitters and house brandied cherries.
Raise a Glass
Rails & Ales Brewfest
Courtesy of Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
Where: 610 State Ave., Alamosa
When: Train departs 10 a.m. / Train Returns 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $59 (Standard Class); $99 (First Class); $159 (Diamond Class)
Tickets: Grab your ticket now.
The Low Down: We really can’t think of a better reason to play hooky than a day of riding the rails in search of handcrafted brews, hot barbecue, and live music in the Rockies. Head down to Alamosa and hop aboard the Rio Grande en route to Fir Station, a custom-built venue that can only be reached by train. Enjoy the perfect blend of nature and music as you sip beers from more than 40 Colorado breweries. Tickets include the round-trip train ride, access to the brewfest, and a commemorative beer glass.
‘Blood, Sweat & Beer’ Film Screening
Where: Denver Beer Co., 1695 Platte Street, Denver
Neighborhood: Riverfront
When: June 22, 7 – 9 p.m. (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
Cost: $5
Register: Buy tickets here.
The Low Down: Ever wonder what it takes to open a brewery? If the answer is yes, be sure to head on down to Denver Beer Co. for a screening of “Blood, Sweat & Beer.” This award-winning documentary follows the dramatic lives of four entrepreneurs as they journey into the land of barley and hops. Four entrepreneurs, two brand new breweries and one ultimate goal: to quench the thirst of the craft-craving masses. Watch the trailer here.
New in Town
Humboldt Farm, Fish & Wine Names New Head Chef
Photo by Marc Piscotty © 2014
Where: 1700 Humboldt St., Denver
Neighborhood: Uptown
When: New menu available June 18
The Low Down: With Chef D.J. Nagle heading off to lead the kitchen at the much-anticipated Blue Island Oyster Bar in Cherry Creek, the Humboldt family is excited to welcome Chef Will Tuggle, an award-winning chef who effortlessly brings a bit of New York to the restaurant’s farm-fresh fare. When dinner rolls around, look for new items including deceptively simple mushroom and egg grain salad with a one-hour sous vide egg, a chicken confit dish with sorghum, brussels sprouts, mustard vinaigrette and frisée, and the spinach ricotta gnudi with sweet pea mascarpone fondue and pickled matsutake. But that’s not all, Chef Tuggle has swapped out more than half of the lunch menu, introducing a handful of new salads including a cilantro-lime ahi tuna salad with fresh corn, avocado, watermelon and pickled jalapeño and a mustard-encrusted Scottish salmon salad with haricot certs, sunflower seeds, capers and fried shallots. (PS: Bill Clinton and Bono have both been spotted dining at one of our favorite Uptown eateries.)
Honor Society Handcrafted Eatery to Open Next Month
Rendering of Honor Society courtesy of Aiello PR.
Words by Brittany Werges
Where: 1900 16th St., Denver
Neighborhood: LoDo
When: July 2015
The Low Down: Next month Honor Society — a chef driven, health conscious restaurant — will open in LoDo near Union Station. The self-titled “fast-fine” eatery is spearheaded by acclaimed Denver chef Justin Bronson of Old Major in partnership with local entrepreneurs Jonas Tempel, Rob Alvarado and Ian Smith. The menu will center around healthy and flavorful quick-casual plates that are constructed using heritage-raised meats, sustainable seafood and locally sourced produce. Dishes include entrees such as grilled Aspen Ridge flank steak and sustainable Scottish salmon paired with seasonally rotating sides like organic fire-roasted rainbow carrots. Honor Society will also have sandwiches, salads and flatbreads along with freshly made teas and lemonades. A full bar will be provided with Glenn Pollack from award-wining Oak at Fourteenth designing a cocktail menu. The 3,300-square-foot restaurant will be located in a LEED certified building with decor made using reclaimed materials. Honor Society will be open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will offer digital delivery as well as catering.
Mark Your Calendars
Tasty Colfax: Eats ‘n Beats
Where: E. Colfax Ave. between York St. and Colorado Blvd.
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
When: July 14, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 ($30 day of)
Register: Buy tickets here.
The Low Down: This eclectic restaurant and pub crawl is the perfect way to check out some of the top eateries and bars along East Colfax Ave. With 17 restaurants sampling tasty bites and signature cocktails, this is a perfect way to support Colfax on the Hill Inc., a business association determined to revitalize the East Colfax neighborhood.