If you haven’t made your reservation yet, what are you waiting for?
Colorado has made it as semi-finalists in four categories of the 2019 James Beard Foundation list, aka the top culinary ‘best of’, ‘who’s who’ list in the country. No big deal (cue hair flip)!
James Beard was not just a pioneer of food culture in the 20th century, but he was a renaissance man within it. Chef, caterer, restaurateur, cookbook author, food writer, food tv host, mentor ... the list goes on. Basically, he was 'The Man.' And the awards that bear his name have the ability to make culinary careers. Here are four of Colorado’s finest who have made this year’s semi-finalist list.
Courtesy of Q House website
Best New Restaurant
Q House, Denver
Opened just last May, the modern Chinese restaurant, Q House, is off and running. Partners Jen Mattioni, Jon Pinto, and Partner/Executive Chef Chris Lin have found local success and national recognition tucked into a small yet inviting location on Colfax Avenue in Denver. You can’t go wrong with Bang Bang Chicken Salad, Pork Belly Buns, or the Duck Lo Mein. Beef Tongue and Tripe with numbing chili oil or Fried Smelts (a small fish often fried and eaten whole) temp the more adventurous food goer. This Best New Restaurant semifinalist is making its mark on food that is both confident and completely delicious.
Courtesy of Leopold Brothers website
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer
Todd Leopold and Scott Leopold, Leopold Bros., Denver
The level of spirit creating craftsmanship at the Leopold Brothers is next level. Brothers Todd and Scott Leopold aren’t doing things the hard way, they're doing things the best way. They floor malt their Colorado-grown grains, use Pre Prohibition techniques in their mashing and fermenting process, and their eight stills include a rare Three Chamber Still all to produce over two dozen high-quality spirits. Don’t drink another cocktail without taking a tour and tasting of the Leopold Brothers Distillery in Denver, and its easy to discover why they’re up as a James Beard semi-finalist.
Courtesy of Facebook
Outstanding Service
Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder
Bad service can ruin even a great meal. In an industry with notorious staff turnover and inherent challenges to maintaining a level of service, Boulder’s Frasca Food and Wine must be doing something right. The only non-Denver restaurant recognized on the list (yes, we know they are missing SO MANY amazing places) for owners Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson it is no small feat for Frasca to achieve a level of service to warrant its James Beard semifinalist status. The Friulano cuisine and fine wine they serve up is just that much better with their service to match it.
Courtesy of The Wolf Tailor website
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Jeb Breakell, The Wolf’s Tailor, Denver
With state representation in cuisine, drinks, and service… Colorado did not skip dessert especially when red miso pannacotta, buckwheat chocolate tart, and black sesame semifreddo are on the menu. Pastry chef, Jeb Breakell at the very cool Italian/Asian fusion restaurant, The Wolf’s Tailor gets the well deserved James Beard nod. Breakell creates art on a plate ready to tame your dessert desires with sweet Italian favorites with an Asian twist.
The 2019 winners will be announced Monday, May 6, at the James Beard Awards Gala in Chicago. So get your reservations and book your distillery tasting -- it might get a bit harder after May 6. Best of luck to all the Colorado semifinalists!
Learn more about James Beard, the James Beard Foundation, and view all the 2019 finalists.
Have you been to any of these best food and drink establishments on the list? Let us know your experience in the comments! Also, be sure to follow OCN Eats on Instagram to keep up with the latest in the food scene!
