Eating in Denver at the Democratic National Convention

I’ll be blogging at MOTHERS Book Bag for MOTHERS and the National Association of Mothers’ Centers (NAMC) this week at The Big Tent in Denver during the Democratic National Convention. So, I will be too busy to blog here unless there are some amazing food happenings I feel you need to know about. (You can also follow me on my Twitter feed.)

The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is one of The Big Tent’s hosts. (Actually it’s in their parking lot.) Their greening mission for the Big Tent is to leave a long-lasting sustainability legacy that will be practiced by our tenants, visitors, vendors, and the community. Guests are encouraged to embrace sustainable
practices on a micro level, which means whenever possible to bring your own re-usable water bottles, beer mugs, coffee cups and utensils. (I’ll have my travel mug, which I can use for water, coffee or beer.)

Eat Locally and Be Green at The Big Tent
The Big Tent is partnering with local restaurants to provide healthy options for our guests. Where possible, meals and drinks are from locally owned and/or organic sources such as Chipotle, Papa John’s, Udi’s Bakery, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, R.W. Knudsen, Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli, and 8 Rivers. New Belgium Brewing Company, the greenest brewery in Colorado, will supply beer. (Yay! Their beer is wonderful and one of the best microbrews in Colorado.) Eldorado Natural Spring Water (a local water company) will be available in 5-gallon dispensers throughout the Big Tent. Looks like Illegal Pete’s and Green Mountain Coffee will be supplying the coffee, too.

Biodegradable Tableware
Plates, cups, cutlery and napkins made of corn starch and plant-based materials are being provided by EcoProducts. They will be used for all meals served
in the Big Tent. Food waste and tableware will be composted by Rocky Mountain Recycling, and taken to A-1 organics to be turned into rich topsoil.

Eating Downtown
The Big Tent Survival Guide gives some recommendations for Denver eating. However, some of the restaurants they chose aren’t exactly next door and require a cab ride across town or into the ‘burbs. Here are a few eateries I can personally recommend that are closer to The Big Tent:

Rioja
1431 Larimer St., Denver, 303-820-2282
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Cost: $$$
I went there once courtesy of Stacy DeBroff, CEO of Mom Central Consulting. She says it’s one of her favorite two restaurants in the United States. I thought it was fabulous and can’t wait to take my husband there for a special occasion. Bring your platinum card.

Pete’s Kitchen
1962 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303-321-3139
Cuisine: American diner classics with a Greek flare
Cost: $
My favorite Greek diner and the scene of many a late night chow down to sober up after going out to see rockabilly bands. Now that I’m an old mom, we take the kids there for burgers after going to the Denver Zoo or the Denver Nature and Science Museum. Great gyros and Greek salads, and a Denver institution.

Sam’s No. 3 Downtown
1500 Curtis St., Denver, 303-534-1927
Cuisine: American and Mexican
Cost: $
Another excellent greasy spoon. Try this friendly diner’s best selling supreme breakfast burrito with ham, bacon, sausage, gyro, eggs, and potatoes. Even better, they have a liquor license! Bloody Mary’s for breakfast, anyone?

Rock Bottom Brewery
1001 16th St., Denver, 303-534-7616
Cuisine: American
Cost: $$
A scene of recent bad behavior. (Blame their great beer.) It was 10 p.m. and we were a little toasted as were our friends. The manager asked us to cut down the cussing because there were kids eating next to us. At 10 p.m.? Yes, two table’s worth of little children under the age of eight out with their parents. I understand the manager, but not the parents. And after the waiter dropped our entire dinner order so we got a freebie, I really didn’t care.

Celtic Tavern
1801 Blake St., Denver, 303-308-1795
Cuisine: Pub
Cost: $$
We go there after Rockies games when no one’s around. The kids like the bangers and mash. We like the beer and Irish stew. Authentic Celtic cuisine featuring upscale fare from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Wynkoop Brewing Company
1634 18th St., Denver, 303-297-2700
Cuisine: Pub
Cost: $$
The original brew pub that launched an industry and Denver’s Mayor Hickenlooper. The best darn beer in town, great mead, and excellent homemade root beer for the kids. The food has been all over the place over the years, but has been best when they stuck to pub fare. Good salads, too.

McCormick’s Fish House & Bar
1659 Wazee St., Denver, 303-825-1107
Cuisine: Seafood
Cost: $$$
The big secret is their happy hour bar menu. You can get a bar cheeseburger and fries for $3 and $1 oyster shooters (with souvenir glass). We like going there after Rockies games on Sunday when LoDo is deserted. If you go, get the crab bisque, too. Also, on your way to the restrooms (scene of some of the best indoor vintage tile in Denver) check out the Cruise Room, which is also located at the Oxford Hotel. We used to dress up in our vintage clothes and head there for martinis before going out swing dancing. Those were the days.

For more Denver dining ideas, check out 5280 Magazine’s Dining Guide.