Thanksgiving often means being thankful, eating lots of food, eating lots of sweets and eating lots of leftovers.  If you did not receive your share of home baked pie this week, check out Long I Pie Shop of Denver.  Shanua Lott not just bakes amazing pies but also donates 10% from each slice of pie to local non-profits and hires at risk youth to help teach them life and work skills.

You can enjoy these tasty pies throughout the week at various locations.  Long I Pie Shop does not have a store front, but here is where you can find them:

Fridays at Huckleberry Roasters (2500 Larimer St. and 4301 Pecos St. in Denver)

Saturdays and Sundays at The Universal (2911 W 38th Ave. in Denver)

Saturdays at Sweet Bloom Coffee (1619 Reed St. in Lakewood)

Fridays at Friar Farms (6405 South Boulder Rd. in Boulder)

Look for the Long I Pie Shop 1966 Airstream trailer (named Stella) around Denver area as well.

Flavors of the week can include: The Purple Pear with pear, lavender and crumble top, The Honey Flower with salted lavender honey custard and The Drunken Nut with bourbon chocolate and pecan.  Holiday pie flavors also include sweet potato ginger, spiced apple cranberry and pumpkin chocolate.

You can submit a whole pie or special order online via their website.

Long I Pie Spiced Apple Cranberry Pie

Maci Cafe is not a newly opened cafe in Denver, rather it is a newly named cafe- formerly Shangri- La in the Highlands neighborhood.  Owner Massimo Ruffinazzi, who was born and raised in Italy, has been wanting to change the name since he took over the cafe 3 years ago.  Maci Cafe fits more with his Italian style, and the best news is the menu is not changing.

The paninis and drinks at Maci Cafe are some of the best in town.  Massimo and his team take care with making the coffee drinks to the highest standards and with coffee from Italy.  The paninis are always on homemade bread, and they have numerous creative combinations that are inspired by chef Massimo.

Stop by to grab a delicious coffee drink and try a savory panini combination to congratulate Massimo on the name change and for being such a vital part of the Highlands neighborhood.

Maci Cafe is located at 1575 Boulder St. Ste B Denver 80211. 720-855-7585.

Monday-Friday 6am-5pm

Saturday 7am-5pm

Sunday 8am-3pm

Chef and owner of Maci Cafe, Massimo Ruffinazzi

Panini from Maci Cafe

Homegrown Tap & Dough is a family-friendly place with wood-fired, thin-crusted classic and modern pizzas, pastas, antipasto, salads, and a great beer program started by Jean-Philippe Failyau who owns Park Burger and Park and Co.  Homegrown Tap & Dough occupies the space on old South Gaylord that used to be Il Vicino.  The restaurant space has an inviting patio, a wood based rustic design inside that has almost a ski lodge feel to it and simple, satisfying Italian inspired dishes with Colorado flare.

They feature 21 unique specialty craft beers on draft, a huge wine selection and a beer cellar that will wow even the most knowledgeable beer connoisseur to go along with the food.  The pizza is cooked in a wood fire stove with thin crust and unique toppings.  The croque pizza has Idaho potatoes, ham, two eggs, fresh mozzarella, radicchio; the Homegrown has basil pesto, artichokes, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives and pecorino.  The funguy pizza has garlic base, fontina, mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, arugula, shaved parmesan, prosciutto and truffle oil.  If you’re not in a pizza mood, try the potato gnocchi, sausage & rappini or the new spinach lasagna.

Homegrown Tap & Dough is located at 1001 S Gaylord Denver 80209.  720-459-8736.

Sunday-Wednesday 11am-11pm

Thursday-Saturday 11am-midnight

New Spinach Lasagna;
https://www.facebook.com/HomegrownTapandDough/photos_stream

https://www.facebook.com/HomegrownTapandDough/photos_stream

Cooper Lounge is one of the most sophisticated bars in Denver.  Located in Union Station, it is actually hidden from plain site.  It is a small space tucked away and is somewhat hidden by the railing wrapping around the second story.  Cooper Lounge acts as a lounge area for the Crawford Hotel, but it is also open to the public.

The public can enjoy the feel of this swanky 1930’s style bar anytime.  Walk ins are welcome from the desk on the South side of the Great Hall near Amtrak.  The concierge will then escort you to the second floor when seating is available at Cooper Lounge.  You may have to wait for seating, as space is limited, but the high end drinks, knowledgeable bar tenders and beautiful views of downtown and Union Station make it worth it.

Enjoy an extensive wine list or cocktails such as:

Timeless Old Fashioned with Peach Street Straight Bourbon served over muddled sugar, orange twist, and lemon twist with angostura bitters.

Coloradier with Breckenridge Bourbon stirred with Breckenridge Bitters and Sweet Vermouth, served with an orange twist.

Palisaide Sour with Peach Street Pear Eu de Vie, Egg Whites, Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup, shaken and finished with Black Walnut Bitters.

Cooper Lounge is located at 1701 Wynkoop St. (second story) Denver 80202. 720-460-3738.

Monday-Sunday 11am-midnight

Reservations may be booked up to two weeks in advance for parties of 20 guests or less. For reservations, please call 720-460-3738. The Cooper Lounge reservation line is live from 9 am to 11 pm daily.

Photo from http://thecrawfordhotel.com/cooper-lounge-2/

Denver has many delicious taco places, and Pinche Taqueria is one of the best.  Pinche’s recognition has been nation wide; they have been voted one of the top 21 Mexican restaurants in the nation and one of the top 5 nationwide from Daily Meal.

Pinche’s is known for authentic street tacos that deliver huge, fresh flavors are very reasonably priced.  The wait can be a while depending on when you go, but the food is always worth it.  Even simple appetizers like fresh chips with homemade salsa and guacamole are elevated at Pinche’s.

They have a variety of street tacos from vegan, beef, pork, chicken and seafood from $3-4 per taco.  You really can’t go wrong with any flavor you choose.  Saturday and Sunday they offer brunch from 11am-3pm.  The usual amazing street tacos are available along with special breakfast tacos with eggs, carnitas or a potato and onion hash.

Pinche Taqueria is located at:

1514 York St. Denver 80206. 720-475-1337.

3300 West 32nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80211. 720.502.4608.

Monday 3pm-10pm
Tue-Sat 11am-10pm
Sunday 11am-9pm
Brunch Sat/Sun 11am-3pm

Happy Hour 3-6pm nightly, Mondays all night long.

Special brunch taco at York St. location: lamb, sweet potato and Brussels sprout hash, sunny side up egg.

De Steeg Brewing is literally tucked away off of Tennyson.  Based only on the address, you would not see any clear sign of De Steeg.  Instead, you must walk down the alley behind Tennyson and see the wood door with a beer goblet which suits the name, De Steeg, which means the alley in Dutch.

De Steeg Brewing is worth the extra trouble to find the entrance.  Owner Craig Rothgery opened De Steeg after years of home brewing and working as a mechanical engineer in the food industry.  They focus on having bold, artisan flavors and a wide variety that anyone’s palate will enjoy.  Rothgery has a tremendous respect for Denver’s beer culture and strives to make De Steeg a place people feel home at.

Seasonal brews include Imperial Pumpkin, Red Belgian Crisp, Barrel Hopped and Aged Pale Ale and Tequila Agave Tripel.  Every Wednesday they host a weekly team trivia starting at 7pm for the chance to win a growler.

De Steeg is located at 4342 Tennyson St. 303-484-9698.

Wednesday-Friday 4-11pm

Saturday 2-11pm

Sunday 2-9pm

John Burr launched The Walnut Room in Denver’s River North neighborhood in 2005, envisioning a gathering place where he could showcase local musicians and the thin-crust, St. Louis-style pizza he grew up enjoying in the Chicago suburbs.  Walnut Room Pizza serves delicious pizza with fresh ingredients and sandwiches with homemade ingredients.  The food is fresh and simple, which is always the best.

Need another opinion of why you should try Walnut Room Pizza?  According to the editor of 5280 Magazine, The Walnut Room has the best pizza in town.  Walnut Room has two locations, the original location in RiNo neighborhood and one on Broadway Street.

Some must try items:

The Sweet Home Chicago Sandwich with thinly sliced roast beef, provolone cheese, giardiniera peppers and a delicious, flavorful side of au jus for dipping.

Housemade Sangria (It’s so good- and all made in house!)

Walnut Room Special Pizza– Tomato pesto sauce, walnuts, roma tomatoes, green olives, onions,
fresh garlic.

BBQ Blues Pizza– House-made bourbon BBQ sauce, smoked ham, green peppers, onions,
jalapeños, pineapples.

The RiNo location has a live concert venue that is a second home to local entertainers and features national bands as well.  At both locations a lunch special of $7.50 is offered which includes a one topping pizza or half a sandwich with a side and a drink from 11am-2pm.

Walnut Room Pizza is located at:

2 Broadway Denver 80203. 303-736-6750.

Sunday-Wednesday 11am-11pm

Thursday-Saturday 11am-2am

3131 Walnut Street Denver 80205. 303-295-1868.

Sunday-Wednesday 11am-12am

Thursday-Saturday 11am-2am

Sweet Home Chicago, photo from Walnut Room Facebook page

Walnut Room RiNo location, photo from Walnut Room Facebook

Former Future is a small-batch, artisan brewery in Denver, CO that focuses on combining modern science and innovation with the styles and traditions of the past.  Head brewer James Howat was a former home brewer and a chemistry teacher.  Him and his wife opened Former Future Brewing Company soon after getting married, in February 2014, and have been crafting artisan beers to the pleasure of many.

At the recent Great American Beer Festival, Former Future Brewing Company took bronze in the experimental category for their Black Project #1.  Their use of small batches and a combination of old and new techniques for brewing make Former Future’s selection very unique.  Some of their beers are aged in barrels.

All the beers are crafted in house and no more than 120 gallons at a time.  At any time, Former Future has many different taps available.  A must try is the Salt and Caramel Prime & Porter.  Although they do not have a kitchen, they are strategically located on South Broadway right near GB Fish and Chips, Adelita’s, Maria Epanada’s and Pasquini’s Pizza which are available for take out/delivery.

Former Future Brewing Company is located at 1290 S Broadway. 720-441-4253 (4ALE)

Happy Hour Tuesday-Thursday 4-6pm $1 off all pints.

Tuesday-Thursday 4-10pm

Friday and Saturday 2-11pm

Sunday 2-8pm