Sometimes, I get DMs asking about great restaurants or recommendations for specific cravings and occasions. I’ve picked some of my recent favorites to share with you. If you have a question of your own, shoot me a DM on Instagram!
Salads. Know of any great ones?
Oof! Coming into contact with a great salad is so rare that I can only remember a handful of times it’s happened. In theory, salads should be just as tasty as anything else on the menu. I don’t buy into the excuse that a restaurant “has to” put it on the menu so the vegans and vegetarians have something to eat. But so many times they arrive and it’s giving sad desk salad vibes or it’s so terribly anemic in flavor and inspiration the chef might as well just come out from the kitchen, throw the plate down on the table and shout, “Here’s your rabbit food, you gosh darn hippie!”
One of the most memorable salads I’ve ever had was a chopped romaine version from Caroline Glover’s restaurant, Annette, located in the Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. Dressed with a silky cashew cilantro dressing, it was pre-cut into manageable pieces (thank you for not making me do it myself!) and topped with pickled asparagus, pepitas, and parmesan. The menu changes seasonally, so it’s not available right now, but these folks take their greens seriously, and there are reliably at least two options on the menu at any given time. I’m pretty confident you’ll be in good hands with whatever they’re serving up.
More recently I enjoyed a good salad at Jacques, a French bistro that opened in LoHi in 2023. Theirs is made of shredded cabbage, sprinkled with dukkah and topped with pickled green tomato, and peppercorn dressing. We did, in fact, order it because one of my tablemates was vegan, but I did, in fact, keep eating it because it was really very good.
Have you been to Nana’s Dim Sum and Dumplings? Was it good?
Ok, very specific question, but I get why you’re asking. In the past year, three Nana’s Dim Sum and Dumplings locations have opened in quick succession: one in LoHi (Tejon St), another in Aurora (South Havana St), and a third in Boulder (13th St). Two more are set to open in Lowry and the Golden Triangle.
My unpopular opinion? You should go to Nana’s for everything except the dumplings. While their vast selection makes it a great place to sample different options, there are better spots for XLB and pan-fried dumplings.
Instead, dive into the other sections of their extensive menu to yield a higher rate of success. Vegetable dishes like Chinese broccoli and stir-fried green beans are snappy and vibrant. If you want your tongue to tingle, definitely try the spicy cucumber salad. The pan-fried pork buns are plump and appealing. I’m a sucker for noodles of any kind, so I was pleased with the stir-fried udon. It’s definitely worth sharing at the table, along with an order of the sweet rice shu mai (which are absolutely massive, btw). The restaurants are also perfectly designed to accommodate large groups, so if your group chat is feeling dim sum, Nana’s might be the perfect fit.
Sweet potatoes are my favorite food. Any recommendations?
I’m excited to answer this one! Hands down, you need to order the camote asado, or grilled sweet potato, offered at both Alma Fonda Fina and Cozobi, chef Johnny Curiel’s restaurants in Denver and Boulder. Whether you choose Cozobi or Alma – the latter of which is harder to book since earning a Michelin Star earlier this year — the camote asado is identical at both locations. The agave-charred sweet potato offers a smoky sweetness, while the chunky salsa macha adds spice and texture. Be sure to swipe every single bite through the cloud of creamy fennel requesón that accompanies the dish.
Where would you have dinner very near Sloans Lake?
If you’re looking for something casual, head to Edgewater Public Market, a spacious food hall on the west side of the lake. There are several tasty food vendors to choose from, including Knojo Ethiopian Food.
However, my personal favorite – and the one I’d make a special trip for – is the all-vegan stall, Gladys, run by chefs Rocky Hunter and Dave Grant. They excel at infusing and building flavor in their dishes, and I’m particularly fond of the Garden Ratatouille currently on their menu (which I’ve mentioned before on my Instagram feed).
If you’re still skeptical about how tasty vegan food can be, maybe this little story will help: I had someone DM me last month to say that one of their friends fell in love with the root vegetable Reuben at Gladys, ordering it several times while thinking it was meat – only to later realize it was completely plant-based. That sounds like a winner to me!
Bonus points: If the weather is nice and you’re there during dinner time, and the main dining hall is too loud and crowded, head up the flight of stairs near the entrance to access the rooftop seating. You’ll enjoy views of Denver and the mountains, and it’s usually much more chill.
My parents are visiting and want to check out Boulder. We’ll be driving up, but I want to beat rush hour traffic, so we need a spot to kill some time before dinner. Suggestions?
Hosting your parents can be a little anxiety-inducing, especially if they’re traveling from far away. That’s why I suggest a failsafe option: grab drinks or a snack from the rooftop of Avanti Food and Beverage at Pearl and 15th. It’s a casual food hall where you can hang out as long as you like. When you walk in, take the main elevator all the way to the top floor. There’s a spacious bar where you can grab a cocktail or two. Head out onto the balcony for a stunning view of the Flatirons and a bird’s-eye view of the Mall – it’s the perfect backdrop for a family photo.