What's Good: Spuntino

It’s no secret that I love the Italian lifestyle and pretty much everything that comes with it that doesn’t involve the terms “Jersey” or “shore.” Fresh veggies, cheese, cured meats, wine, pasta dishes, limoncelo, primo dishes followed by secondi dishes, more wine, espresso, three hour lunches followed by a nap, more cheese, Paninis, balsamic, seafood…I have one or more of those items daily – often 3-4 of those items daily (the nap, not so much). What I really appreciate is the simplicity of where traditional Italian foods come fromand how they are prepared. Most of the time we’re talking about centuries-old methods ofcuring meat, making cheese or cutting up homemade noodles. If its not broke, don’t fix it – which is what I appreciate about Spuntino in the LoHi neighborhood.

The little café doesn’t have a huge menu (it changes on the chalk board often), and virtually no pasta (that I’m aware of), but what it does, it does well. Spuntino literally means “snack” in Italian, after all. Paninis, bruschetta, soups, salads, flat breads, and deserts…lots and lots of deserts. Not only to they make their own tarts, tiramisu and gelato (go with the salted chocolate carmel), but they have somehow perfected an idea that I always had but never knew it – make anything and everythinginto popsicle form. From your normal strawberry and chocolate flavors, to some interesting combinations (French toast, toasted coconut) to the exotic flavors that I’m somewhat scared to try (avocado vanilla, blueberry cinnamon). If you dream up the flavor, I’m sure Spuntino could put it in popsicle form. The great part is that most everything on the desert menu is made daily, so the next time you visit, they’ll have some type of new goodness for you to sample or take home with you.

I like Spuntino for a variety of reasons: fresh food, interesting combinations, gelato (in the restaurant and pints to take home!), cool space in an old LoHi building, virtually unlimited desert options, wine on tap, and a friendly staff who just generally seems like they enjoy being there. And really, who wouldn’t enjoy earning a paycheck by serving snacks, deserts and wine? It’s like handing out smiles and hugs for a living. Grazie, Spuntino!

What's Good: Panzano Brunch

The quest to find the perfect brunch is a constant one…mainly because the research is so much fun. I love weekend brunch. No, seriously, I LOVE brunch. It’s the perfect mix of sleeping in (typically), coffee drinks, breakfast meats, danishes and pancakes, eggs, sandwiches, steak, large plates and fruit juice mixed with booze. You can grab a table at 8:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. You can order a side of French fries with your scramble, a milkshake to go with your blueberry pancakes, or a screwdriver to compliment your reuben. Bacon and a beer? That’s brunch. Pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream with a glass of champagne? That’s brunch too. It’s a veritable no-holds-barred meal - there are no rules, and anything goes.

My latest find and new favorite is the brunch at Panzano. Consistently recognized for its delicious Northern Italian cuisine, gluten-free menu, fresh baked breads and wine list – and known for weekday power lunches and higher-end dinners, I never thought about Panzano having brunch until it came up in my Eat Denver Dining Deck.

Located in a 30s/40s era building and sharing space with the lobby of Hotel Monaco, the atmosphere is best described as “refined awesomeness.” It’s a quiet space, but if you want to liven things up a little, ask for a seat with a view of the kitchen and then watch the chefs do their work.

I expected a tasty menu filled with some of my favorite Italian standbys, but there were three things that moved Panzano’s brunch menu from “really good brunch” to “who wants to go back next weekend?”

1) The way they seamlessly mixed Italian ingredients with American brunch. Pancetta and fontina cheese omelet? Salumi scramble? An Italian layered casserole with puliese bread, eggs, prosciutto, spinach, basil, feta, provolone, scallion and chilli flake? Yes, to all of the above, please.

2) The price point was really reasonable. For a restaurant that serves $20-$30 plates for dinner I was expecting to pay more than $7-$12 for the plates listed above. Thankfully, I was able to sample the ridiculously delicious Italian omelet for the same price as lunch at Biker Jim’s or a burrito from Illegal Pete’s.

3) $9 bottomless Bellinis. I don’t think I need to say much more about this. Amazing. Go, get yourself an Italian inspired brunch, and sip on a Bellini that will never be empty…

The wait staff was professional and personable, the surroundings are appealing, the restaurant smells like fresh baked bread and pancetta, the food is delicious and the Bellinis are bottomless. Meet me at Panzano on Saturday mornings…

What's Good: Marco's Coal Fired Pizzeria

There are pizza joints, and there are pizza joints. Marco's Coal Fired Pizzeria is the latter, and there are a variety of reasons that make it the best pizza joint in Denver.

Pizza is a pretty simple food, really. Some baked bread with a variety of veggies, meats and cheeses. Marco's serves two styles: New York Pies and Neopolitan - in fact, they're one of only 40 restaurants in the U.S. certified as an authentic Neapolitan restaurant by the Verace Pizza Napoletana. That's a lot of big words, but basically it means their pizzas are pretty basic (mostly tomato and mozzarella-based), fresh and generally amazing. They're cooked in a traditional coal-fired oven at a crazy high temperature – which translates to getting your food quicker and having a good mix of soft and crunchy crust (drool). I’m no foodie, so I won’t try to describe the ins and outs of Marco’s ingredients or cooking methods, but try the Sicilla if you’re into meat, or the Abruzzo if you’re a veg (or even if you’re not…the Abruzzo is on the top of my list regardless).

If you can, try not to fill up completely on pizza and sample some of the other greatness on the menu like the limoncello chicken wings or even the house salad (spring mix, mozzarella, grape tomatoes & balsamic). And do not, I repeat, do not leave without ordering a Nutella pizza for desert…I just started sweating while thinking about it. There’s a reason Marco’s was the top reader’s choice for pizza in this year’s 5280 Top of the Town.

Some other randomness that makes Marco’s great:

• The ballpark neighborhood location. It’s a great mix of LoDo, pawn shops, funky people, tattoos, local businesses and Rockies games. ‘Nuff said.
• Shiner Bock on tap. The pride and joy of Shiner, TX. These guys deserve their own post.
• The back patio. Which will remove you from the pawn shop clientele via 7-foot brick walls and patio lights for some ambiance. They even have heaters available for those chilly spring/fall Denver nights. Sit back with a Shiner and enjoy a Downtown Denver evening.
• The wine list. It’s not the top list in Denver, but its good wine to go with good food. Who can argue with that combo? Go with the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
• The lunch special. A personal margherita pizza, house salad and a fountain drink for 9 bucks. Boom goes the dynamite.
• The wait staff. Friendly, helpful people who remember your name if you stop in a couple of times. Specifically, say hi to Marcel Alaniz (Sol) behind the bar and make friends with him…now. Find out why he was a 5280’s Reader’s Choice for Best Bartender in Denver.

I think I’ve painted the picture here, and I didn’t even mention the antipasto plate with reduced balsamic, Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma; or the gluten-free options. Good God…who wants pizza tonight?

What's Good: Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

Summer and hotdogs go together like rye and bitters. You typically don't have one without the other. Typically this means gathering with friends for a backyard BBQ, packing a few Plumpers on the camping trip, or grabbing a Rocky Dog while being consistently mesmerized by Tulo. But a few months ago, Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs moved into my 'hood, and now I'll never look at hotdogs the same way.

Biker Jim's has "gourmet" in the title for good reason, but let's be honest - its a hotdog joint. So I appreciate the Easy Rider meets Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas logo on the wall and the fact that every dog has the option of cream cheese - applied by a caulk gun. The ambiance is a feel-good mix of exposed brick, brushed metal and tattoos. I liked the place before I tasted anything.

The menu goes from the exotic (Alaskan Reindeer, Pheasant, Wild Boar) to the more mainstream (all-natural beef, the Perfect Italian), and includes comfort-style sides like mac 'n cheese and fried green tomatoes. They also have a "Something Different" section on the menu that includes not-so-frequent options like the Wiener Wellington and the Yak Dog. Looking a little closer at the website you'll find that nearly all of their dogs are locally raised and produced, without hormones, antibiotics, nitrates or nitrites. And the buns are baked locally. Seriously cool. This ain't your grandfather's hotdog stand...

I'm a huge fan of condiments, and that was where things went from "really good" to "I'll be back." The option of sauteed onions comes with every dog, and a Taj Majal of toppings awaits you once the flame cooked dog is in hand. Multiple mustards, multiple kechups, banana peppers, onions, jalepenos...just about anything you'd ever want, short of Gummy Bears. They had me at "multiple kechups." My original voyage included a Perfect Italian dog with sauteed onions, some type of peppery ketchup, dijon mustard and banana peppers.

Imagine going your whole life watching old school antenna-based analogue TV, and then stumbling upon the Super Bowl playing on a 70-inch HDTV. That's the best way to describe my hotdog experience at Biker Jim's. Hotdogs done amazingly well, lots of options, made by some pretty cool people, and the only cream cheese caulking gun in Colorado. I think I know what I'm doing for lunch tomorrow...

What's Good: Lou's Food Bar

I talk a lot about food in this space, but really...why not, right? We need food, we enjoy food, and some of the most memorable moments with others, or even in general, involve food (e.g., The Last Supper, Michael Corleone's dinner with Mark McCluskey). Denver is rife with good places to grab a bite, as well as various (and different) neighborhoods to visit for said bite. That, to me, is what Lou's Food Bar is all about.

Lou's is up on the 1800 block of 38th Avenue, and it fits that exact neighborhood well. I don't claim to be a history buff, but that area of Denver is the only one with former mob ties. A little gritty, a little funky, a little hipster, and pretty damn cool. Copy and paste those comments for Lou's.

Case in point, their website reads: "Sausage. Cheese. Big Salads. Fried chicken. Pie." Ummm, yes please.

I've only really had the chance to sample some cured meats and cheeses, a couple beers and a desert via cruiser bike on a Sunday afternoon, but it was apparent that this is a place I like. Food that someone put some thought into, but has some comfort. Nothing flashy, but definitely tasty. The atmosphere is relaxed, but is still a good place to show off to your co-workers. And the happy hour (3:00-6:00, daily) helps keep the bank account afloat. More than anything, I like a place that has a fun atmosphere, serves good food, isn't pretentious, and has a sweet patio with cool lights for a summer night in Denver. I'll be back to try more, but the first impression was "I like hanging out with that person."

What's Good: The Green Russell

Different situations call for different drinks. Winding down on a summer weeknight? I'll take a Blue Paddle, please. Hot summer afternoon? Tequila and tonic with lime (try it sometime in lieu of a marg). Then there are days when you need a cocktail. A REAL cocktail. Gin. Bourbon. Bitters. Ice. If you're having a "cocktail" day, or even if you just want a really, really good drink, go to The Green Russell (1422 Larimer St., Denver).

Lots of "Prohibition-Style" cocktail joints have been popping up around the country (try Peche in Austin) but its the Green Russell's location (behind Larimer Street, downstairs, not easy to find), the fact that you have to walk through a pie kitchen to get there (fully expecting to pass by Peter Clemenza on the way through), the lighting/fixtures/barstools and general atmosphere, and most importantly, the staff's knowledge of great booze and cocktail artistry - the Russell is a step above any of the "speakeasy's" I've visited.

The bar is owned by the same group that brought us some Denver favorites - Osteria Marco, Mizuna, Bones, and Lou's - so the menu, while limited, is solid - try the "pig in a blanket" for a side-of-pork-twist on an old favorite. But let's be honest here...you go to the Russell for a cocktail, not food, and not even beer or wine for that matter.

The menu has several house-suggested drinks, all are good, but if you want to see the suspender/vest/newsboy-cap-wearing bartenders showcasing their know-how, go with the "Bartender's Choice." Here you will be able to tell your 'tender you like a gin-ish drink with a hint of egg white, or simply "something with bourbon" - or whatever might help ease the trials and tribulations of your previous 10 hours. What you'll get in return is a cocktail made with care - in every sense of the word. You notice the fact that there's a hint of pepper where there has never been before, or that the one giant ice cube keeps your drink cold while not watering down your Leopold's (the Russell is reported to have an ice block-making machine that cranks out 300 lb. blocks that are later cut down, and then chipped down at the bar for that exact reason).

My last visit I asked for "something with rye and bitters" - 10 minutes later (good drinks take time, folks...if you want a vodka/cranberry go to the generic sports bar down the street) what I got was an Old Overholt with (regular) bitters, the house made pepper-infused simple syrup and a blood orange slice/rind for flavor with one large hand-cracked ice cube. It was one of the best cocktail experiences I've ever had. Just what I needed after a cloudy, long day at work.

What's Good: The 1-Up Bar (LoDo)

I'm a fan of Rockies baseball, non-cliche sports bars, craft beers, a place that knows how to make a good bourbon cocktail and any place that serves fine meats and cheeses. But sometimes (albeit, rarely) my inner-video game geek rears his Mountain Dew-drinking, parents'-basement-crashing head. For those special occasions, I now have a place to call "home."

The 1-Up Bar is a teenage-voice-cracking dream on Blake Street that consists of pretty much any and every retro video came console you could shake a joystick at. Joust, Centipede, PacMan, his life-partner, Ms.

PacMan, 1942, Donkey Kong, Asteroids...I'm sure there are some they don't have, but you would be hard pressed to not find at least one game that brings back memories of Atari joystick cramps or Nintendo Thumb.

As if "pixelated happiness" wasn't enough, you can wash down your low score sorrows with a PBR tallboy or similar. To be honest, I was so enthralled with the games, I can't remember what they had on tap - I only know that they had food, the beer was cold and the quarters were numerous. To cap it all of, The 1-Up bar blew my mind with a "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" brilliant idea to give patrons a rest and cure any video-induced bug eye: Giant Jenga. Its not a complicated idea, and its actually more fun than it sounds. Four tables of three-foot-tall Jenga games made from 2x4s. Watch your toes, eat the ghosts, shoot down WWII aircraft, invade space, and jump barrels while jousting on a flying ostrich with a cold beer in your hand. Your inner-13-year-old will be pleased with the 1-Up Bar.

What's Good: Prost (Frisco, CO)

One more plug from my time in Summit County this winter, mainly because any place that lists "Fine Beer and Sausages" as its main selling points automatically makes the short list in my book. Prost is located on Main Street in Frisco, across the street from the Butterhorn (which is also worth your time for breakfast, cookies or all things baked) and sells pretty much what it advertises - beer and sausage.

From "exotic" buffalo and jalepeno sausages to the every day "spicy Italian" the selection of meats won't disappoint, complete with about eight different types of mustard and the surprisingly tasty German cucumber and potato salads as side dishes. And then, there's the beer. Pretty sure there's not a better selection of Bavarian beers in the mountains - try the McChouffe and make friends with the Belgian gnome. Sprechen sie delicious...

Huge props to the Prost staff as well. From helpful beer suggestions to speedy service to quickly turning it to the NCAA tournament game of our choice (Go Butler!)...your server is also your cashier and your cook. They're really good at multi-tasking and seem generally happy to be there. But then, if I were schlepping beer and sausages, I'd be pretty happy too. Prost!

What's Good: The Boat Yard, Frisco, CO

I spent a lot of time in Frisco this winter (which actually deserves its own post in the coming weeks) and the town is amazingly underrated for a place to hang in the mountains. Lots of solid restaurants, and not the types that are named "The X Zone" or "The Lift" or other names aimed at our out-of-state visitors - we're talking names like The Butterhorn, Moose Jaw and The Boat Yard.

Full disclosure - I haven't actually had more than two menu items from The Boat Yard, but it still deserves applause. A nice dining room on one side and a bar that meets all of the major criteria for a recommended watering hole on the other. Good selection of booze? Check. Multiple TVs and good food options? Check. Happy hour and other specials? Yes. Bartenders who have spent a little too much time on the mountain, have mustaches and are sarcastic but not rude? Check.

Grab a table at The Boat Yard during NFL/college football season or March Madness between 4-6pm for the happy hour specials and stay for the rock shrimp pizza. That was my order the first time I visited and I haven't gotten anything else in a half dozen visits since. Fresh roma tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, ricotta, pesto and delicious shrimp - with a crispy crust that perfectly contrasts the soft cheese and pesto. Honestly, I need to order something else at some point, but going to The Boat Yard and not getting rock shrimp pizza is like going to Vail and not skiing. If you're in Summit County and want to avoid the 20-something bars and tourist pizza joints, stop by the Boat Yard. You won't be disappointed.

What's Good: Snooze

Living and working in downtown Denver, a lot of my mentions here about the "finer" things in life will involve local businesses in the LoDo 'hood. When a cruiser bike and the Denver B-Cycles tend to be my main form of transportation these days, I probably shouldn't expect more. The great part is, there's always something to check out in downtown D'town.

For example, my favorite standby, Snooze. If you're familiar with Denver at all, you obviously know about the breakfast joint. But for anyone who hasn't spent much time in Denver its a can't miss. From Juan's Breakfast Tacos to the under-appreciated "scramble" (I take mine with spinach, feta and bacon, please) - and obviously the pancakes - its like breakfast had an affair with your dreams and this is the love child. The staff rocks, which is a reflection of our good friends Jon and Adam who created Snooze back in 2006. Soon to have three Denver locations (and rumor has it, more on the way), check out the ballpark Snooze at Park Ave. and Larimer for their upcoming 5th anniversary (April 6). Never disappointing. Thank you, Snooze, for making my favorite meal of the day even more amazing.