This week, we are excited to inform you that one of our very own cocktail bars was named the best in the country. With booze on the mind, let that inspire you to buy tickets for all of the upcoming wine and beer festivals Colorado has to offer. Also, be sure to check out the tequila inspired popsicles at La Biblioteca and Tamayo to help celebrate National Tequila Day, as well as Linger’s newest addition to its dessert menu: Taiwanese shaved ice.
Food & Booze News
Williams & Graham Named Best American Cocktail Bar At Tales of The Cocktail
Williams and Graham menu and cocktail. Photo by Brittany Werges
Word by Brittany Werges
When: Winners announced July 18
The Low Down: On Saturday July 18, Denver’s Williams & Graham was named the “Best American Cocktail Bar” at the 9th annual Spirited Awards during Tales of The Cocktail in New Orleans — a premier international cocktail festival. This year marked the largest nomination pool in the history of the event, with the winners chosen by a panel of over 100 industry experts. The award adds to a plethora of accolades for the team over at Williams & Graham including prestigious nods such as one of the World’s 50 Bars back in 2014.
To view the full list of all the finalists, including categories of the American Bartender of the Year and more, go here.
Highland Tap & Burger Announces Plans for Location in Sloan’s Lake
SLOANS Rendering courtesy of JG Johnson Architects
Words by Brittany Werges
When: March 2016
Where: 1565 Raleigh St.,Denver
Neighborhood: Sloan’s Lake
The Low Down: Popular Highlands watering hole, Highland Tap & Burger, announced it will open another location in the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood. The concept, called Tap and Burger at Sloan’s Lake, will be a part of the $300 million SLOANS complex, a 369-unit luxury apartment development by Trammell Crow Residential. The restaurant will be 4,600 square feet with 230 seats, a raised patio, private dining rooms and a centralized bar. The menu will reflect the Highlands location by featuring Colorado craft beers (36 to 40 will be on tap), and signature dishes such as Stranahan’s barrel-smoked chicken wings and IPA mac and cheese. The yet-to-be-named chef will also add new menu items including several new burgers.
The opening is projected for March 2016, with construction scheduled to begin late fall of 2015.
Dos Santos Opens in Former D Bar Space
Aguachile at Dos Santos. Photo courtesy of Dos Santos Facebook.
Words by Brittany Werges
When: Opened July 11, 2015
Where: 1475 E 17th Ave., Denver
Neighborhood: Uptown
The Low Down: Uptown has officially welcomed its newest restaurant with the opening of Dos Santos. The taqueria recently took over the former D Bar space, which relocated last year to One City Block on 19th Street. Now helmed by Brothers Kris and Jason Wallenta, the location dishes out a tailored menu of tacos that range from chicken thighs to slow roasted pork as well as tuna and vegetarian varieties. Starters include several guacamole, or “guak” as it’s called at Dos Santos, and comes served with options like fresh fruit with bacon, pumpkin seeds and a “classic” choice. The beverage program highlights local beers from Station 26 on draft as well as cider from Colorado Cider Company. The cocktail list has its collection of margaritas as well as unique offering such as a tequila old fashioned. To view its full menu as well as its hours, go here.
This Week’s Events
The BigEat
The Big Eat. Photo courtesy of Imbibe Denver.
Words by Maranda Bodas
Where: The Galleria at The Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1100 13th St., Denver
Neighborhood: Theatre District
When: Thursday, July 23, 6 – 10 p.m.
Cost: $55
Tickets: Buy your tickets here.
The Low Down: The Big Eat is back and better than ever, with 40+ local restaurants sampling delectable bites, and mixologists serving up signature cocktails to wash it all down. Savor everything the Mile High City foodie scene has to offer and support EatDenver, a collective committed to supporting Denver’s independent restaurant scene. To learn more about EatDenver visit its website.
National Tequila Day: July 24, 2015
Tequila Popsicles
When: July 24, 2015, all day
Where: La Biblioteca: 1610 Little Raven St. #200, Denver
Tamayo: Larimer Square, 1400 Larimer St, Denver
Neighborhood: Riverfront/Lodo
Cost: Popsicle will be sold for $3 each
The Low Down: Celebrate National Tequila Day on Friday, July 24 at La Biblioteca and Tamayo with their new tequila popsicle. Tamayo is featuring a tequila sunrise popsicle that will be paired with the Sandia Tajin margarita made with Monte Alban blanco tequila, watermelon, tajin simple syrup and fresh lime. La Biblioteca will offer a watermelon margarita popsicle, including Manzana Mexicana granny smith green apple infused tequila, fresh lemon juice and agave nectar. Popsicle are $3 and will be available for purchase all day long.
Denver Summer Brew Fest
Photo by Camille Breslin
When: Friday, July 24- Saturday, July 25
Where: 2027 West Lower Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: Tickets run anywhere from $35 for a GA one-day pass, to $45 for a VIP one day pass. $55 GA two day passes are also available.
Tickets: Available here
The Low Down: Don’t miss Denver’s Summer Brew Fest at Mile High Station Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. The festival will include craft beverages from local Colorado companies and beyond. Besides drinks, one can enjoy food and live local music by Rapidgrass Quintet on Friday and Dragon Deer on Saturday. This event benefits Swallow Hill Music, a nonprofit founded in 1979, that supports musicians as well as music lovers.
Breckenridge Wine Festival
When: Friday, July 24 – Saturday, July 25. For full times and schedule, go here.
Where: Main Station Plaza, Breckenridge, Colorado
Cost: Tickets run anywhere from $45 for a GA pass, to $80 for a VIP pass.
Tickets: Available here
The Low Down: The Breckenridge Wine Festival, which includes nearly 45 wineries and over 150 wines, will be held on this weekend in Downtown Breckenridge. Not only can you indulge in great wines, but also fabulous bites while taking in the fresh mountain air. Seminars will be taught by master sommeliers and and paired with foods to help that will help to excited your taste buds. The festival is hosted by Rocky Mountain Events Company and aims to bring the community together while raising awareness for the Breckenridge Rotary Club through wine sampling, live music and food.
Rocky Mountain Tea Festival
Words by Maranda Bodas
Where: The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, 1770 13th St., Boulder
When: July 25 (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and July 26 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Cost: General Admission is free | Prices vary per workshop
Register: Sign up for specific workshops here.
The Low Down: Join the Dushanbe Teahouse for a weekend centered around the tradition and craft of loose leaf tea. Whether you wander through the tea bazaar filled with teaware and tastings, or take advantage of one of the festival’s many workshops, it is bound to be one tasty (and calming) weekend. Learn more about the event here.
Eat Now
Taiwanese Shaved Ice at Linger
Credit Lauren DeFilippo
Where: Linger, 2030 W. 30th Ave., Denver
Neighborhood: LoHi
Cost: $8
The Low Down: Linger introduces its newest dessert offering, Taiwanese Shaved Ice. If you are unaware of what it is, Taiwanese Shaved Ice falls somewhere between ice cream and shaved ice desserts. This “snow” like flavored ice can be topped with fruit, sauce or other goodies. All options can be made vegan or gluten-free by request.
How it works:
1.) Pick a dairy or dairy-free base. The list includes: matcha, Thai tea, coffee, coconut or strawberry banana.
2.) Choose three toppings (some of the choices include): mochi, fresh fruit, and corn milk crumble.
3.) Complete your treat with a sauce, such as: sweetened condensed milk, strawberry coulis, or dulce de leche.
New Burger Menu at Tony’s Market
Photo courtesy of Tony’s Market.
Words by Molly Martin
When: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: 950 Broadway, Denver
Neighborhood: Golden Triangle
The Low Down: Since opening its first location in Centennial is 1978, the family-run Tony’s Market has become a well-known Denver institution for specialty foods and high quality meats. The Broadway location, though, offers even more with an eat-in pizza and burger bistro inside the market. Now, the bistro known as Tony’s Burger is being helmed by Le Cordon Bleu educated chef Bucky Jaquess who’s bringing a dose of traditional Italian influence to the menu as well as a commitment to serving up simple yet fun flavors. Everything from pickles and condiments to bacon is made in house as Jaquess and his team aim to produce the perfect burgers and pizzas. Expect to see plenty of hand-pulled mozzarella, specials like porchetta, and playful burger options like The Parisian with rosemary ham, brie, pickled red onion and dijonaisse.
Mark your Calendars
The Governor’s Cup Wine Tasting
When: Saturday, August 1, 7 p.m. for VIP entry, 7:30 p.m. for public entry
Cost: $60 for History Colorado Members (available June 17th)
$75 – General Admission (available July 1)
Tickets: Available here
Leftapalooza
When: August 1, 2015
Cost: $10 Pre-Sale Tickets, Kids 5 and under – free
Tickets: Available here
Sesh Fest
When: August 1, 2015
Cost: $25 – General Admission
Tickets: Available here
Beer Olympics
When: August 1, 2015
Cost: Each ticket cost $2 – one ticket will get you a DBO official beer, two tickets will get you a craft beer from any brewery present
Tickets: Available here
Pizzeria Locale Boulder Takeover with Katie Parla
When: August 4, 2015
Cost: $25 Roman-inspired street food menu, optional Italian craft beer flight $38 (does not include tax & gratuities), full Pizzeria Locale menu also available
Reservations: 303-442-3003
National Oyster Day
When: August 5, 2015
Denver Burger Battle
When: August 6, 2015
Cost: $69 – General Admission
$109 – VIP
Tickets: Available here
Want to see your event included? Email Brittany@dev-303magazine.pantheonsite.io for consideration.