Rocky Mountain News (CO)
June 28, 2002
Section: Entertainment/Weekend/Spotlight
Page Number: 27D

AWARDS A MATTER OF TASTE
John Lehndorff
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

5280's handy June/July Top of the Town issue includes many dining awards I'm happy to second, including best pancakes (Hot Cakes), green chile (Jack-n-Grill), breakfast burrito (Little Anita's), barbecue (Brothers BBQ), French fries (Mateo) and Italian takeout (Parisi Market). The editors and readers of the magazine agree with me that the best steakhouse is Del Frisco's Double Eagle.

I also had plenty to disagree with. The patios at El Rancho and Potager are swell, but for outdoor dining nothing beats Highland's Garden Cafe. Sweet Soiree is a fine bakery but Gateaux is the Tiger Woods of Denver desserts. I like the sandwiches at Heidi's Brooklyn Deli and at Quizno's, but the Spicy Pickle builds the city's best subs.

As is common in best-of issues like this, the editors and readers are often at odds. Readers favored Bonnie Brae while the editors chose Maggie Moo's for best ice cream. In the macaroni and cheese category, the editors went with Mel's upscale version while the readers chose the excellent mac 'n' cheese at Noodles & Company. In the best wait staff category, the readers chose Del Frisco's and the editors picked Mizuna. As for best local beer, I'd happily sip Avery's Ellie's Brown Ale or New Belgium's Fat Tire.

Speaking of good beer, Colorado ales scored well at the 2002 World Beer Cup announced June 12 at Aspen's Hotel Jerome. Gold medal winners from the state are Original Coors (Coors), Abbey Belgian Style Ale (New Belgium) and Baby Fitz ESB (Big Horn). Other medal winners include Release the Hounds Barley Wine (Bull & Bush), Pitchfork Pale Ale (JarreCreek Ranch Brewery) and Capstone ESB (Oasis).