Metro Denver’s food scene has never been as vibrant as it is today, something The Denver Post’s food writers and the rest of the staff of The Know understand. That’s why we’re out on the town as much as possible. Each month, we’ll provide you with recommendations about a few of the dishes we tried over the previous weeks. Want to hear about them early? Subscribe to the Stuffed newsletter, where we introduce one of these dishes every Wednesday.
Somebody People
“This is vegan?” I heard someone ask recently at Somebody People, before dramatically pretending to faint while chewing. “Consider me a convert,” the person said. This must not be a rare realization at the vegan restaurant, where owners Sam and Tricia Maher and chef Justin Freeman bring the most flavor out of seasonal produce farmed in Colorado. Their spring gnocchi ($23) is a perfect example of their creativity: a rich, aromatic dish with sautéed greens, gnocchi and peas in spring garlic sauce. Pine nuts sprinkled on top give the zesty sauce a little earthy counterpoint. Pair it with a glass of wine and you’ll understand why so many people — not just vegans — keep on coming back.
1165 S. Broadway, Denver; somebodypeople.com
The Balkan European
Lunch often sneaks up on me, like it did over the weekend during a quiet afternoon stroll. Outside my neighborhood brewery was The Balkan European, a food truck that officially hit the streets in May. Alexandra and Sorin Dodan, a married couple from Denver, worked on their concept for over a year, deciding to focus on langos, a popular Hungarian street food. They have three langos options — all served above frybread — including a strawberry dessert treat, but I opted for the supreme ($9). Bacon bits, cheese, sour cream, red onion, roasted bell pepper and arugula were drizzled in a mouthwatering garlic oil.
Around Denver and Golden; see schedule at thebalkaneuropean.com
Aloha Cones
The best poke restaurant in Denver is on the ground floor of the Denver Health Foundation directly next to the Denver Health Medical Center and Hospital. (No, this isn’t the start to an old Stefon joke.) An employee was filleting and salting a salmon in front of the counter when we walked in on a recent weekend, a cheery sight when considering quality. The $25 Charashi bowl is a pretty chunk of change that’s also worth every bite. Ahi, salmon and yellowtail lay atop a bowl of sticky rice with a large helping of cucumbers, seaweed and crab salads. The sashimi was heavenly. Aloha Cones also has sushi rolls that are less expensive and just as flavorful.
601 N. Broadway #125, Denver; alohaconesdenver.com
Woody’s Wings N Things
This recommendation comes directly from Stuffed reader Anjali, who answered one of my recent Tip Pool questions on where to grab a meal in Westminster. Woody’s Wings N Things, in the middle of a small commercial lot north of Hidden Lake Park, has a menu of Asian dishes longer than a legal brief. Many of these items are lunch specials, such as the cashew chicken, tossed with mushrooms and green bell peppers and served with a big scoop of fried rice and an egg roll. Others tap into Southeast Asian cuisine, like the spicy Cambodian soup or the popular Thai-style seafood tom yum soup. And yes, they’ve got some of the best wings in Denver, too. It’s a modern, broad-minded union.
6817 Lowell Blvd., Westminster; woodyswings.eatintakeout.net