Walking into The Village Cork, one is greeted by a harmonious scene: happy patrons sipping wine, carefully constructed cheese plates in front of them, servers actively participating with each table from the first glass poured to the last lick of a desert spoon, and at the center of all it all is chef Samir Mohammad. Samir cooks behind the bar with no over-head, two induction burners, a convection oven, and an infectious passion for food. He is what makes The Village Cork one of the city’s hidden treasures.   The work Samir does with his small space in the middle of the restaurant action is inspiring.  If you are able to sit at the bar and watch him, it’s like attending a live taping for the Food Network.  A few favorites on the current (and ever-changing) menu are the seldom seen Duchess potatoes with Pecorino and wild mushroom demi-glaze; the pork carpaccio, with Il Mondo Vecchio copa and a caper, cornichon, arugula, pickled cauliflower salad with a marinated egg yolk; the decadent mushroom and lentil Wellingtons with a truffle crème fraiche and truffle caviar; and the dish which pays homage to Samir’s New Mexican roots: the Chimayo flank steak over pork belly posole rubbed with New Mexico Chimayo chile, fennel, cardamom, coriander, oregano, and cumin. The Village Cork is accepting reservations for Valentines Day, featuring a playful menu (bubbles included).  It’s a sure way to fall in love with your honey or, The Village Cork.

Samir often holds cooking classes.  Friend The Village Cork on Facebook for updates!

Opening for Sunday brunch and dinner starting March 18th.

In affluent Aspen, cozy BB’s Kitchen offers seasonal upscale comfort on a plate in a panoramic setting without astronomical prices.  BB’s serves breakfast (think a pulled pork benedict), lunch (healthy salads and stacked sandwiches on house-made breads), an après-ski menu under $12, and a scrumptious dinner menu, including the treasured Six Point Berkshire pork chop with green chili spoon bread, as well as a variety of house-made pastas.  BB’s also has fun weekly events like trivia on Tuesdays and Sunday-fundays with “adult brunch”: $15 bottomless mimosas, bloodies, and Shiner or Trumer Pilsner complete with DJ.  

BB’s Kitchen 

525 E Cooper Ave, 2nd Floor

Aspen, CO 81611

(970) 429.8284

Many consider Boulder the biggest little food town in the West and when Oak at Fourteenth opened in fall of 2010, Boulder was buzzing about their newest restaurant darling.  Oak promised to bring more recognition to Boulder with a dynamic cocktail program designed by the famed beverage director/owner Bryan Dayton, a rustic, but elegant wood-fired oven-inspired menu perfected by Jean Georges-trained chef/owner, Steven Redzikowski, and a well-rounded, attentive staff.   Oak quickly gained momentum in its first six months, including a Food & Wine mention and GQ’s naming of Bryan as the most inspired bartender in the country.  Last March Oak at Fourteenth suffered a tragic fire causing severe damage to the whole building; the doors were closed for nine months to re-build.   Although the interior has changed and the menus have been tweaked, Oak at Fourteenth still has the same familiar vibe, elemental yet modern menu, surprising takes on classic cocktails, old world wines, and an admirable resilience.

I look at the theme of the place and see if the cocktail menu stays true to the identity of the establishment. I generally stay away from “Martini” and “shot” sections.

Ozo Coffee is Boulder’s Mecca for coffee connoisseurs.  Baristas are more like mixologists who know your profession, kids names, and if you like extra foam.  The educated baristas are what makes Ozo’s special, even creating a little latte art to get your day started right.  With brew bar tastings every Friday at 2pm, showcasing one coffee brewed with three different processes you can feel like one of these sassy baristas too.

Ozo Coffee

1015 Pearl St, St. 100,

Boulder, CO 80302

(720) 974-0215

The Corner Office is a constant crowd-pleaser with dishes such as the house-ground Office Burger to suit the conservative diner or for the more adventurous, The Ramen with a 62-degree egg garnished with a house-made chicharrón. These days with our wallets being cleaned out by Santa, hosting house parties, and New Years Eve debauchery, The Corner Office gives us a reason to come back out without having to dip into our 401K’s, featuring a 3-course menu for $52.80 for two (tax +gratuity not included).  Each month the menu is themed based on a theater program at the nearby Denver Center for the Performing Arts.  Arroz con Pollo, inspired by West Side Story or Maghreb Lamb Meatballs for the The Lion King have been featured in the past.  These monthly menus are keeping Chef Will Cisa on his toes.  No stranger to thinking outside of the box, Chef Cisa loves the challenge.  To add to the excitement, diners can vote for their favorite 3-course menu and the crowd’s best choice will be TCO’s featured on their Denver Restaurant Week Menu.  Follow The Corner Office on Facebook and Twitter to see when voting begins.

1401 Curtis Street

Denver, CO 80202

303.825.6500