Welcome back to our monthly Dig Into Denver series. At the beginning of each month, we deliver a food and beverage-based itinerary for the best ways to eat and drink your way through the city — including what’s recently opened and what’s worth celebrating for no reason at all.
Bookmark this page to reference these Denver food events all month long, and let us know in the comments what Denver food events you’d like to see included in Dig Into next month.
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But First… Food News
In case you missed it, here are some of the biggest announcements in Denver food news from last month.
Tinsel, Toddy and Sleigh Bells – Holiday Pop-Up Bar Season is Lit
The Lowdown: Although the holiday season has passed, some Denver bars are still offering up festive cheer all the way until January 31. From curated cocktails to ski themed decor it’s never too late to soak in the nostalgia of the holidays or celebrate the new year. Visit our list to see where these offerings are in the city.
The Lowdown: Meet Sabrina B. LaCombe, the artisan baker behind Twinkle Treats Co., a bake shop offering custom-made cookies and cakes, authentic French macarons and more.
Warm Up Your Game Day: Cold-Weather Tailgating From Home
The Lowdown: Playoff season is in full swing. While the weather is getting colder, leaving your house to go watch the game is not always the first option. Why not order in and even cater for a whole party with our list of eateries offering the perfect bites just in time for kickoff.
Newly Opened
A Look Into Le Colonial – A Vietnamese Restaurant Settling Its Roots in Denver
The Lowdown: In late November last year, Le Colonial introduced its 7th location in Denver on Fillmore Street. Its tropical decor transports guests to an oasis in the city with vibrant food and drink. The restaurant offers elevated Vietnamese cuisine with timeless dishes such as Banh Uot (Sesame Beef Ravioli) and Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef), as well as innovtive dishes like the Ca Chim (Halibut with “La Vong” scent) and Ca Chien Saigon (Crispy Red Snapper).
Excuses to Celebrate
Dry January
The Lowdown: The new year brings new goals and new opportunities to improve your health and mental wel-being. Denverites already have the healthy lifestyle part down with outdoor activities available all year-long, but why not celebrate the start of the new year with sober sips from these Denver bars offering up innovate mocktails, NA beer and sipping goodness.
January 20: National Cheese Lover’s Day
The Lowdown: Calories don’t count when it comes to cheesy goodness. On January 20, celebrate all things cheese from queso fundido to grilled cheese and more.
Don’t Miss: Try out Mister Oso and Hudson Hill
January 30: National Croissant Day
The Lowdown: Nothing beats the buttery, flaky crust of a croissant and these bakeries are all about delivering the best. From sandwiches to ones filled with chocolate, roasted apples and everything seasoning you can’t miss this National Croissant Day.
Don’t Miss: Poulette Bakeshop and Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe
Eat Well, Give Back
Denver is a giving community, and there are countless events every month benefitting non-profits across the city. However, for Dig In, we specifically highlight food and beverage events that support food-focused causes and non-profits — those that tackle hunger, service industry assistance and more.
“Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown” Fundraiser Dinner at MAKfam
Where: 39 W 1st Ave., Denver
When: February 6, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., reservations open 11 a.m. Jan 20
The Lowdown: Not a lot of people know about the deep history of Chinese immigrants in Denver from the late 1800s to early 1900s due to the lack of evidence of its presence to begin with. However, on February 6, MAKfam is hosting its Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown dinner to bring back awareness and support Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU) – an organization that strives to reveal little known Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander narratives in Colorado. For example, CAPU was instrumental in the removal of a wrongfully titled plaque mislabeling a violent riot in 1880 perpetrated against the Chinese community in Denver. In its place now sits two murals and three historical markers signifying the large Chinese community presence that was once there before numerous incidents like Chinese Exclusion Act and xenophobia drove them away.
With Lunar New Year just around the corner MAKfam’s dinner will feature a mix of Chinese American as well as tradition-inspired Cantonese fare, a tribute to MAKfam’s third culture experience. “Food is a form of cultural preservation, and we hope the flavors they share will give participants a taste of what Denver’s historic Chinatown was like,” says CAPU Executive Director Joie Ha. Its cocktails program will follow the same line which highlights Baijiu, a Chinese grain spirit that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Reservations can be made online and go live at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 20. No walk-ins are available so be sure to make your reservation before heading over.