Metro Denver’s food scene has never been as vibrant as it is today, something The Denver Post’s food writers 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’ve tried. Want to hear about them early? Subscribe to the Stuffed newsletter, where we introduce one each Wednesday.
White House Pizza
Headed to the mountains for the holidays and bummed about the slow progression of the snowpack? Ditch the apres ski and head to Carbondale for a pie at White House Pizza. The rustic restaurant has one heck of a lunch special, offering an 8-inch version of any signature pizza, a side and a drink (even a beer), all under $15.99. The sweet and spicy was packed with pineapples, jalapeños and spiced Italian sausage. The pizza dough was so fluffy and porous on the inside, almost like focaccia. I was not leaving the crust behind.
801 Main Court, Carbondale; whitehousepizza.com
El Taco Express
Say you go out looking for William H. Macy — actor, star of Showtime’s Shameless, and Roaring Fork Valley resident — at Woody Creek Distillers, the distillery he co-owns in the town of Basalt. You likely won’t run into him there, though a cardboard cutout of him holding up some fine-grain mash liquor does greet everyone who walks through the doors. Outside of the distillery, I found a surprise consolation prize: the El Taco Express food truck. (The business also operates in Glenwood Springs and Rifle.) Tacos are $3 each and rich with flavor. The birria was juicy, the al pastor was well-seasoned, and the salsas were scintillating. I was left wanting at least three more — the sign of an ultimate street taco, in my opinion.
60 Sunset Dr., Basalt (other locations listed online); eltacoexpress.com
The Pullman
Should you find yourself traveling cross-state along I-70, a pit stop at Glenwood Springs for dinner might make your heart a-flutter. The Pullman, a farm-to-table restaurant right off the resort town’s riverfront, prepared exquisite dishes using a select few ingredients. The kitchen takes spuds and turns them into soft gnocchi, pierogis and beignets with a perfect golden crust. Their soup of the season, a butternut squash puree with a toasted marshmallow on top, was simply one of the best dishes I had all year. It’s a sweet combination that made my memories of Thanksgivings past come rushing back to my head.
330 7th St., Glenwood Springs; thepullmangws.com
Riviera Supper Club and Scratch Kitchen
For the last in my “mountain edition” of eating recommendations, I’m going back to the first meal I had during a recent visit to Glenwood Springs. The Riviera Supper Club and Scratch Kitchen is named so for its prime location on the banks of the Colorado River. Its menu consists of meat entrees and vegetarian options like garden pasta, beef Wellington and lasagna. I opted for the beef stroganoff, a rich and tender plate of Colorado beef, mushrooms, onions and linguine tossed in a brandy cream sauce, topped with pickled red onion and served with a slice of garlic bread. Though the plating could have been better, the dish was prepared fantastically. It’s the kind of hearty Alpine food our mountain region chefs know all too well.
702 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs; rivieraglenwood.com