After six months, Aria has settled into its home in Cherry Creek North. Different from chef Michael Longs Littleton restaurant, Opus, Aria has a more simplified and relaxed menu, offering standard items with unexpected twists, like the delicious bacon brie bison burger.  Catering to the upscale, yet familiar vibe of the neighborhood, Aria fits in beautifully with keen plates, a great happy hour, serving martinis of the moment for $5, and an affordable menu. The small plates are a perfect complement to the cocktail list. The Chefs Three for Thirty Nine Menu, three courses for $39, is a fun way to experience Aria’s best dishes without breaking the bank.

Chef Long is an energetic, Led Zeppelin loving CIA graduate that has been in the service industry since the age of twelve. His career has closely mirrored the American culinary revolution.  He is active, outgoing, and just plain fun to talk to.

What is Aria’s over-all food philosophy?

Great Food, cleverly thought out, made from scratch for a low price.

What or who inspired you to cook?

I started in the restaurant business for the action and along the way fell in love with food.

What is your favorite comfort meal?

Osso Buco

A kitchen tool everyone should own?

Good shears

If you were not a chef, what would you do for a living?

A writer, for sure.

I bet he would have good stories to share.

Join Culinary Connectors for Supper Club hosted by Aria on Tuesday, October 4th at 6:30.  $59 for 3-4 courses, wine pairings, tax and service!

Aria

250 Josephine Street

Denver, CO 80206

(303) 377-4012

The Aguirre family has lived and worked in North Denver for twenty-six years, long before the popular Highlands neighborhood boomed, before chefs roamed the streets looking for vacant properties to open their up-and-coming restaurants.  Through its growth, Rosa Linda’s has been serving the Highlands community, old and new, without missing a beat. With healthy dishes such as cactus tacos, or indulgent award-winning relleno’s, there is something to please everyone.  With a family friendly, down-to-earth, and festive atmosphere, Rosa Linda’s is a great place to unwind for breakfast (served all day), lunch, or dinner.  With our long sunny days numbered, a margarita (or two) over a long evening on the patio seems like the thing to do.

Rosa Linda’s Mexican Café

2005 W. 33rd Ave

Denver, CO 80211

(303) 455-0608

Chef Eric Skokan is both a master gardener and chef, cooking what he harvests and most recently, raising Heritage Mulefoot Pigs.  Black Cat is a local, organic restaurant serving traditional European recipes with ingredients from their own Black Cat Farms.  They bring true meaning to farm to table. Every savory bite expresses the talent on the farms and in the kitchen. With an ever-changing menu and carefully chosen ingredients, it’s a food lover’s dream come true.  The tasting menus range from $60- $110, from five to seven courses, and can include vegetarian or vegan options.  Immaculate technique from the chefs and local items picked at their peak combine to form Black Cat’s recipe for perfection.

Black Cat

1964 13th Street

Boulder, CO 80302

(303) 444-5500

Join us at Black Cat on September 20^th, for Supper Club!  Three to four courses with wine, beer or cocktail pairings, tax and service for only $59!

520 Grill Brings Aspen Tasty Affordability

By Becky Creighton

Walking in to 520 Grill (named after their opening date and their address) isn’t like walking into most restaurants in Aspen.  The concrete floors and metal tables lend an everyday feel to this fast casual restaurant.  Walk up to the counter and co-owner Wheaton Augur will be happy to take your order. Looking at the large sandwich board on the wall quickly tells you their food is simple and focuses on local ingredients.  I would say healthy, but, the sweet potato fries dominate their side dish menu with other indulgent favorites like bacon – that’s right, you can get a side of bacon (why wouldn’t you get a side of bacon?).

Speaking of healthy, I should mention the amazing kale salad they serve.  The kale is expertly prepared and lightly tossed with a roasted garlic, white balsamic and cilantro dressing.  Although the dressing is packed with flavor I think it’s the sunflower seeds and roasted red peppers that make this salad a stand out.  Add grilled salmon to the it and you have a super food salad.

Chef Troy Selby, formerly of the Cantina, oversees other tasty offerings from bison to salmon burgers, house made soups and a very nice selection of grilled sandwiches and side dishes. 520 Grill isn’t fine dining and it isn’t a chain restaurant (thank goodness!).  What it is is a good restaurant that offers a creative menu that is consistently prepared well and best of all, it’s affordable.

520 Grill is located at 520 E. Cooper St. Aspen, CO 81611 phone: 970.925.9788