Located in the Santa Fe Art District, Interstate Kitchen & Bar has a traditional diner feel to it with elevated American comfort food and libations.  The food and drinks are homemade, full of flavor and delicious.  Interstate has over 100 whiskeys available as well as a large selection of hand crafted cocktails and craft beers.

Interstate Kitchen & Bar is open late, until midnight for dinner and 1:30am for snacks, has 2 happy hours daily (4-6pm and 12-1:30am) and serves brunch on weekends.  Happy hour specials include $2-4 drink specials and $1-4 cheap eat specials.  A not to miss happy hour drink special is the Horse’s Neck which is made with whiskey, gingerale and a twist of lemon.  Cheap eats include pulled pork sliders, highly addicting bacon popcorn with spicy peanuts, fried pickles and $1 deviled eggs.

This Friday, October 31st, Interstate Kitchen & Bar is putting on the 6th annual Haunted Highway with a costume contest, live music, $20 unlimited drink wristbands and no cover.  Festivities start at 10pm.  Another not to miss event at Interstate is every Monday night “Game Night” starting at 8pm.  This is a chance to challenge your skills at various game shows and possibly win food, drinks and other prizes.

Interstate Kitchen & Bar is located at 1001 Santa Fe Dr. Denver 80204. 720-479-8829.

Happy Hour Daily 4-6pm, 12-1:30am

Lunch Monday-Friday 11am-4pm

Dinner Daily 4pm-12am

Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm

Pulled Pork Slider

Argyll Whiskey Beer is a GastroPub with high caliber food, drinks and the warmth and ambiance of a 100 year old pub. Argyll Whiskey Beer focuses on whiskeys from all over the US, Canada and Europe. The cuisine focuses on local ingredients, flavorful sauces and some menu items with a Middle Eastern influence.

Argyll Whiskey Beer recently opened in Denver under Robert Thompson, creator of the Punch Bowl concept. Argyll has received much attention as a go to destination for Denver with it’s unique concept, delicious food and hand crafted drinks. Happy hour drinks include $4 beers, $4 selected whiskeys $5 punches and $5 wine glasses. They have brunch cocktails like mango mimosas, Irish coffee and rum punch for two.

Take advantage of the knowledgeable staff at Argyll to expand your drink choices and pairing with food, and try some of their different whiskeys and cocktail drinks that are new to you. They feature over 200 whiskeys, 20 draft beers and a global bottle selection.

Argyll Whiskey Beer is located at 1035 E 17th Ave. Denver 80218. 303-847-0850.
Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm
Friday 11am-2am
Saturday 10am-2am
Sunday 10am-9pm
Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3:30-6pm

Whiskey Rebellion is something you do not want to miss this Thursday, July 10th if you are a whiskey fan.  Whiskey Rebellion is meant to show case some of America’s best whiskeys and will have a variety of whiskey producers and suppliers offering samples for guests to try.  Whiskey Rebellion will also have whiskey experts available for any questions and explaining the distillery process.

A ticket to the Whiskey Rebellion will get you into the event, along with sampling 12 different whiskeys, see a cocktail demo and eating snacks from The Corner Office.  What makes this event even better is that it is fundraising for Water For People, a non-profit organization helping bring fresh water to everyone in the world.

The event is put on by Aaron Cohen from Eat Boston.  Cohen wanted to inform people more about whiskey, as many people like to drink it but don’t know a lot about it.  Look for local Colorado distillery Peach Street Distilleries as one to try.

Whiskey Rebellion will be held July 10th from 6-8:30pm at The Curtis 1405 Curtis St.

Tickets cost $37-75.

Photo from:
http://www.5280.com/spirits/digital/2014/07/03/dont-miss-whiskey-rebellion

Central Bistro and Bar is considered a true American restaurant with fine food in a relaxed, home feel environment.  Central Bistro and Bar has a vintage feel to it with a high end menu at affordable prices.  For example, you can enjoy unique American spins like chicken fried chicken oysters, lemon cured foie gras, lobster tail cioppinno, sofrito skirt steak, caramelized Brussels Sprouts or decadent chocolate fraiche cake and nutella waffle.

This week enjoy the beautiful weather during Central’s happy hour Wednesday-Friday from 4:30-6pm.  Enjoy 40% off bottled wines, $5 select wines by the glass, $3 draft beers and $5 specialty cocktails.  If you’re looking for something special, Central offers, in their words, “weird” cocktail concoctions, barrel aged cocktails and whiskey flights.

Central Bistro and Bar is a featured restaurant in Toques and Tails competition on May 22.  This is a fun competition between 8 restaurants in Denver that are judged on 1 dish and 1 beverage.  Chef Mat Selby and bar manager James Menkal will be representing Central Bistro and Bar.  Guests at the event will be able to walk around the venue trying the food and cocktails from each restaurant.  Tickets to Toques and Tails are available now, and the event is on from 6-9pm Thursday May 22.  This event benefits the charity Share Our Strength.

Central Bistro and Bar is located at 1691 Central St. Denver 80211

Lunch: Wednesday-Friday 11am-2pm

Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday 4:30-10pm

Friday-Saturday 4:30-10:30pm

Sunday 4:30-8pm

Sunday brunch: 10am-2pm

Happy Hour: Wednesday-Friday 4:30-6pm

Atticus is the newest restaurant addition from the restaurant group Table to Tavern that specializes in local Colorado brews, distilleries and a comfort food menu.  Other restaurants from Table to Tavern include Boone’s Tavern, Handlebar Tavern and Table 6.

Atticus opened in November 2013, and is located off Evans Ave. near the University of Denver.  Atticus has a beautiful interior, and a friendly neighborhood hangout atmosphere.  The menu offers breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner.  Happy hour $1 off draft and specialty beers, $2 off wine glasses, $5 for 1/2 order of mussles and frites and $5 for board with 2 meats and 2 cheeses.

Atticus offers unique comfort food dishes including grilled hanger steak made with cherry whiskey butter and pork belly Brussels sprouts and potatoes, herb crusted quail or coffee and coriander crusted local lamb.  Atticus offers distinctive drinks from some of Denver’s best breweries and distilleries.  Coffee lovers should try from Atticus Denver’s Leopold Brother’s French Press coffee liquor.  For a fruity, herbal spirit, try the award winning Leopold’s Three Pins.  Craving a root beer float?  Atticus has you (or the kids) covered for this rare treat.

Atticus is located at 1115 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80210.

Atticus is open Monday-Saturday 7am-11pm, Sunday 7am-2pm.

Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm.

Take Flight with Central Bistro & Bar

this New Year’s Eve

Named after Denver’s Central St., Central Bistro & Bar is a true American restaurant that attracts those looking for an unforgettable sip of America complete with a view of downtown Denver as the cherry on top. Central Bistro & Bar is the type of place where friends and family may relax and reminisce while the waitstaff at Central do their part to spoil, delight, and pamper. At Central, life is about eating, drinking, and ultimately nurturing. One visit and you will feel the urge to reorganize those priorities of yours to match those “central” to life at this Denver bistro and bar.

To start off 2014 on the right step, you might begin this re-prioritizing this New Year’s Eve as you give into the sweet life of feasting and drinking at Central Bistro & Bar. If you are looking to jump on board in light of this enticing proposition, prepare to take flight as Central will be taking you on a journey of fine cuisine and libations from some of the culinary capitals of the world. This journey consisting of five unforgettable courses will guide you through the cuisine and regional wine pairings of Spain, Italy, and France.

If you are not looking to feast in the last hours of 2013, and would rather participate in an evening of fine drinks then you might consider Central’s Open Bar offer that includes a midnight toast for only $35! This deal will get you open access to select wines, draft beer, and premium cocktails from 11-1am. With such a deal, you will feel no guilt over raising as many glasses as you so desire!

Central’s Bar

You might also take flight with the help of Central’s Bar with a night full of whiskey tasting. Central offers an impressive lineup of flights to choose from, all offering a different style of whiskey to taste. Flights include Rye, Bourbon, Local, Light, Mash, and the creme of the crop, the “High End Flight” for those looking to end 2013 and begin 2014 in “high” style. To mix things up a bit, Central also offers their own Whiskey cocktails that range from the basic Old Fashioned made from Woodford Reserve or Breckenridge Bourbon to what they call the “Horse’s Neck” formed from George Dickel Whiskey, Ginger Ale, and that unexpected lemony twist.

Woodford Reserve Whiskey

No matter what flight you are looking to take this New Year’s Eve, Central Bistro has you covered taking you around the world of the culinary capitals of the world or right through the wide world of whiskey. With only so many seats available, book your flight now and then prepare for a night of the sweet life.

Central Bistro & Bar is located at 1691 Central St. Denver CO 80211; Tel: 303-477-4582.

Now for the Denver foodie trivia question to see how educated of a foodie you are!

Which city do the vintage pieces decorating the walls of Central Bistro come from?

Tune in this coming Friday for the answer!

The answer to last Friday’s blog question: “Sunday nights at the Second Home are all you can eat of what popular classic American food? Hint: This particular food comes from down south.” Answer: “Sunday nights at Cherry Creek’s Second Home are all you can eat fried chicken, a southern classic indeed.“

Denver’s Star Bar Outshines the Rest

Every Denver-ite knows that Denver is filled with watering holes, all offering a unique drinking experience. In this myriad of drinking options, it can be hard to find that one bar that fits you and your drinking needs to a tee. If you have not yet found it yet, do not despair as there is one watering hole that is downtown Denver’s best kept secret…well until now!

The bar is known among those in the know-how as Star Bar. The bar has been around since the late 50’s, serving the Denver community for decades, and now stands as one of Denver’s oldest surviving watering holes. Like a good wine, Star bar has just kept getting better with age. With the help of some gentle renovations done in 2010, Star Bar took on a new modern appearance on the inside, while retaining its good ole fashioned free spirit (including high-quality Colorado spirits) in the inside.

Star Bar’s Good Ole Fashioned Free Spirits!

With a little facelift Star Bar has been shining bright and Denver’s popular media has been taking notice. Beginning in March 2011, Star Bar was voted “People’s Choice Best Dive Bar” by Denver magazine. This was closely followed by recognition from Denver’s 5280 Magazine that declared the Star Bar as their “Editors Choice Best Dive Bar” in July 2011. To add to the mix, Westword came along and noted Star Bar as “People’s Choice – Best Karaoke” just this year!

So what makes Star Bar so unique? The list is long but goes something like this: beers in cans including 17+ Colorado craft cans on hand at all times, 18 handles, classic cocktails made with local and craft spirits, and some spirits you’ve probably never even heard of, beer cocktails, smoked cocktails that involve a blow torch, and a made from scratch sour mix served regular or spicy with infused Serrano pepper. For those “Go Local!” fans they will be happy to know that Star Bar serves more local spirits than any other bar or restaurant in Denver. If it is made locally, they probably have it! The only thing they don’t have is the “cotton candy ginger chocolate carmel berry fudge stick spiked frappu-please-no!” drink you can find down the street on any block of your choosing.

With an eclectic line-up of craft beers and one-of-a-kind spirits mixed and matched to form Star Bar’s signature cocktails, it is no wonder that Star Bar has been drawing attention. Denver’s former best kept secret, a dive bar tucked in the Ballpark Neighborhood is now out, and the star is shining brightly like never before!

Star Bar is located at 2137 Larimer St. Denver CO 80205; Tel: (720) 328-2420. Open Daily from 4pm – 1:30 am.

Now for the Denver foodie trivia question to see how educated of a foodie you are!

In what year was Star Bar actually founded?

Tune in this coming Friday for the answer!

The answer to last Friday’s blog question: “True/False: The classic French bistros are said to have developed in the basement kitchens of Parisian apartment buildings by landlords who were seeking extra income by offering their tenants room and board that included French home-style cooking.” Answer: “True, the humble beginnings of the classic French bistro include basements kitchens tucked under the Parisian apartment buildings with untrained chefs in the form of landlords cooking up simple homemade fare.“

LoDo’s Legendary Public House

Courtesy of Denverjeffrey under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.

Located on the corner of 18th & Wynkoop in the Mile High City, LoDo’s legendary public house serves as a gathering place for those looking to enjoy some of Colorado’s finest brews and spirits all under one roof. The idea of such a public house that would cater to the Denver community began with a group of business pioneers including a young Governor John Hickenlooper. The goal these young entrepreneurs had in mind was to brew beer and in the process foster a community.

A couple of decades later, Wynkoop Brewery stands as a testament to the ability of one brewery to bring together a community that spans the beautiful state of Colorado. From start to finish you can taste test a never-ending supply of locally produced beer and spirits. They can come straight up or in the form of a cocktail, and are best enjoyed with a hearty plate of wild west cuisine.

Starting off, you have to first relish in the Wynkoop beer of your choosing. Wynkoop alone has a large enough selection to keep you entertained through the afternoon, evening, and most likely your next visits as well. Nevertheless, it is always nice to enjoy beer in the form of a cocktail. Pairing beer with unexpected combinations, the flavor profiles of Wynkoop’s lineup of beer cocktails will keep you guessing their ingredients all night long. For a taste of a little German style, warm up to the “Wixa-Vixen” made with the Wixa Weiss brew and Odwalla O.J. For an amply spiced medley to warm you up on a cold Colorado winter day, Wynkoop offers the “Koop Margarita” made of Chili beer, Sauza Silver, a splash of Cointreau, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a sprinkling of coarse sea salt.

Beyond the brew are Colorado spirits from well-known local producers such as Jack Rabbit Hill, Leopold Brothers, 3 Pins liquor, Montanya, Peach St. Distillers, and Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. Wynkoop uses this stellar lineup in their Crafstman Cocktails such as their “Raspberry-Thyme Cosmo” and their “Breckenridge Sour” served with an amareno cherry. You may also want to try Wynkoop’s house infusions that include vodka with lemon, grapefruit, raspberry-thyme, jalapeno black peppercorn, and vanilla. Gin may also be infused with cucumber and tarragon.

When all is said and done, Wynkoop Brewery lays the foundation for community by bringing together some of Colorado’s best brews and spirits to be enjoyed in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. If you are looking for Denver’s legendary public house, you have found it at the corner of 18th and Wynkoop!

Wynkoop Brewery is located at 1634 18th St. Denver CO 80202; Tel:303-297-2700.

Now for the Denver foodie trivia question to see how educated of a foodie you are!

In what year was Wynkoop Brewery founded by Colorado governor John Hickenlooper?

Tune in this coming Friday for the answer!

The answer to last Friday’s blog question: “Where does the name Satchel in ‘Satchel’s on 6th’ come from?” Answer: “Satchel’s on 6th is named after the owner’s youngest son.“

Denver’s Classic Southern Drinking Well

On the corner of what seems to now be one of the hippest spots in Denver to enjoy a drink and socialize is a southern bistro and bar named Jezebel’s that offers one of the most classic American bar lineups in the mile high city. Jezebel’s brings to you a menu of whiskey and bourbon that integrates the best of both worlds.

As you may or may not know, bourbon is a type of whiskey that differs from other whiskeys in flavor and body. Since Bourbon is made from American sweet corn, it is much more sweet and feels heavier on the tongue due to its fuller body. Some actually say that bourbon is whiskey’s “sweet spot,” providing people who have more of a sweet tooth a more toothsome version of the American classic. Bourbon has been a part of the American drinking culture since the 18th century. It is traditionally associated with the American south, in particular Kentucky where it has been made since centuries. As an American native spirit, Bourbon is often considered to be America’s contribution to the world of whiskey.

Other whiskeys don’t have to be made in the U.S., although many also have their roots firmly planted in American history. Rye whiskey was made at Mount Vernon by George Washington himself. The flavor is unique among whiskeys in that it tends to have a spicy or fruity flavor, and is much drier than sweet bourbon.

George Washington’s Rye Whiskey

If this bit of history on these classic American spirits has you intrigued, you should make your way immediately to Denver’s Jezebel’s. Offering the classics as well as some more novel varieties, Jezebel’s has a list that will make even devoted whiskey or bourbon drinkers “ooh and aah.” Unexpected flavors such as peach make their way into locally produced Leopold Brothers Peach Whiskey. Of course, Jezebel’s reminds us that whiskey can come all spiced up in the form of a Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey. The classics are not left out with the choice of Jack Daniels, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, Jim Beam, and even some of that Midnight Moonshine for those who dare. For a daring adventure through the world of bourbons, you can try one of Jezebel’s Bourbon flights that allow you to taste test the sweeter side of the whiskey world.

Whether you are a new or experienced drinker of whiskey and bourbon, Jezebel’s has a lineup that will surely keep things interesting. Offering one of the longest and most complete whiskey and bourbon menus in Denver, Jezebel’s presents its patrons a version of the American bar that reflects the diverse and yet classic flavors of these two American favorites.

Jezebel’s is located in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood at 3301 Tejon St. Denver CO 80211; Tel: 303-433-3060. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3-6pm.

Now for the Denver foodie trivia question to see how educated of a foodie you are!

True or False: All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.

Tune in this coming Tuesday for the answer!

The answer to last Tuesday’s blog question: “The head baker and owner of Pajama Baking Company, Russ Tearney, played for what University of Colorado sports team?” Answer: “Russ Tearney played for the men’s basketball team at the University of Colorado as a guard before he turned into a culinary maestro.”

Drink Like a Gold-Miner

In the neighborhood of LoDo, the oldest part of the city where Denver was originally settled, is a long-lived classic Western saloon that takes its patrons back to the time when Denver was a gold-mining town. Indeed, the history is etched in the old brick walls and, in the case of Blake Street Vault, beneath the floor. It is beneath the main floor level that a vault was discovered that had been hidden tucked away under a secret trap door for over a century.

The Blake Street Vault Revealed

Originally built in the 1860s, just five years after gold was discovered in Cherry Creek, the building that would come to house this vault was originally a saloon and boarding house which offered room and board for the miners looking to strike it rich in the wild west. It was an infamous time in Denver’s history when saloons, gambling rooms, and other houses of ill-repute were commonplace in Denver’s make-up. The bunch who was willing to battle their way to the wild west in search of gold was a rowdy group. Now over 150 years later the original building houses a new type of saloon, one with a lot less surly gold-miners, but with some inanimate relics of this infamous time period in Denver’s gold-ridden past. Patrons to LoDo’s Blake Street Vault can still gaze upon the original vault that once held the money and other items of value that were traded by the miners for room and board.

As guests of the Vault take in the atmosphere laden with Denver history, they can sip upon a classic Denver historic drink from the 1940’s known as the Moscow Mule. This special drink includes a substantial dose of Russian vodka, Ginger Beer, and a squeeze of fresh lime that is mixed together and always served up in a the classic copper mug. If that does not take you on a trip to the past, you can always choose to play the part of the miner and purchase a bottle of Jack Daniels Single Barrel Whiskey specially selected for Blake St. Vault that will be housed in the vault for safe-keeping until you return for your next round.

If you are not a whiskey drinker, Blake St. Vault has you covered with a long list of house wines that come by the glass, priced at just $5 a glass during happy hour. Happy hour also includes $4 well drinks, $1 off draft beers, $4 Long Island Ice Tea, and $4 Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade. Since Blake Street Vault has the longest happy hour in the LoDo neighborhood including Wednesday through Saturday 11am-7pm and all day on Monday, there should be plenty of time for you to enjoy the Vault’s happiest hours. Head to the Blake Street Vault this week to take a journey into the early, mining days of Denver’s colorful past. With a nicely priced drink in hand, and a seat in a cozy, old western saloon atmosphere, a visit to The Blake Street Vault makes it easy to drink like a gold-miner.

Blake St. Vault is located at 1526 Blake St. Denver CO 80202; Tel: 303-825-9833. Happy hour is ALL DAY Monday, Tuesday 4-7pm, and Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 7pm.

Now for the Denver foodie trivia question to see how educated of a foodie you are!

What is the name of the ghost that haunts The Blake Street Vault? Hint: The ghost is female and her name begins with “L.”

Tune in this coming Friday for the answer!

The answer to Tuesday’s blog question: “Roughly (to the thousandth) how many meals did Project Angel Heart deliver in 2012? Answer: “In 2012, Project Angel Heart delivered over 445,581 meals to 1,950 clients, free of charge. Support this cause by attending a Taste for LIfe 2013 held this evening, November 5th starting at 6pm.”