Wonderful bites

Welcome to The Daily Sentinel’s new “Food News” column! You already know me as the food writer for the Sentinel and this will be another space for readers to learn more about food-related happenings throughout the Western Slope.

Food News will be in addition to my regular “All Things Food” column that is found in Wednesday’s Off The Clock section of the paper and will have a different feel to it.

Food News will be a place to learn about local restaurants, food trucks, orchards, farms, bakeries, nonprofits, stores, wineries, breweries and other food-related businesses. It might include timely information about upcoming activities, classes, foods, chefs and more. Feel free to email me with food business openings, closings, events, new products and more. I look forward to sharing those details with readers and shining a light on culinary happenings on this side of the state.

I’m kicking-off Food News with a listicle featuring a variety of delicious Grand Valley foods and beverages that myself and some dining companions enjoyed this past year. (Have you ever heard of a listicle? It is the combination of the words list and article. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, it was first used in 2007 and is a popular way to highlight information.)

This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of wonderful bites I have tasted in the valley this past year and meant to be a fun way to get us talking about food. And, yes, I know this is an amusing list.

I’m pretty sure some of these foods have never shared the same mention with cheese curds. But what can I say? I have an eclectic palate. Bon appétit!

Twelve Yummy Bites Found in the Grand Valley (listed in alphabetical order)

¦ Ahi Poke Tuna on Gyoza Chips — No Coast Sushi, 1119 N. 1st St., Grand Junction

¦ Beet Tartare (A revelation starring beets!) — Bin 707 Foodbar, 225 N. 5th St., Grand Junction

¦ Cheese Curds with a Root Beer Float — A&W, Mesa Mall Food Court, 2424 U.S. Highway 6 & 50, Grand Junction

¦ Deconstructed Elote (Mexican Street Corn) with a Mezcal Flight — Fidel’s Cocina & Bar, 113 W. 3rd St., Palisade

¦ Fish and Chips — Ocotillo Restaurant and Bar, 2325 W. Ridges Blvd., Grand Junction

¦ Green Chile and Cheese Pupusas with a Flight of Beer — La Pupusaria Food Truck and Base Camp Beer Works, 2575 U.S. Highway 6 & 50, Grand Junction

¦ Kashmiri Naan with Vegetable Korma — Namaste Nepal, 2692 U.S. Highway 50, Orchard Mesa

¦ Manhattan Cocktail featuring Woody Creek Rye Whiskey and Luxardo Cherries — The Winery Restaurant, 642 Main St., Grand Junction

¦ Sandia Loca (aka “Crazy Watermelon”) — La Michoacana, 2430 Patterson Road, Grand Junction

¦ Smoked Duck Breast with Bucatini Pasta and Pesto — 626 on Rood, 626 Rood Ave., Grand Junction

¦ Stromboli with Pepperoni and Cheese — Hot Tomato Pizza, 124 N. Mulberry St., Fruita

¦ Sweet Potato Egg Rolls — Thai Number 9, 539 N. 1st St., Grand Junction

■

Email Christine at allthingsfoodchristine@ gmail.com

Deconstructed Elote (Mexican Street Corn), Fidel’s Cocina & Bar

Ahi Poke Tuna on Gyoza Chips, No Coast Sushi

Beet Tartare (A revelation starring beets!), Bin 707 Foodbar

Fish and Chips from Ocotillo Restaurant and Bar

Sandia Loca (aka “Crazy Watermelon”), La Michoacana

Mezcal Flight, Fidel’s Cocina & Bar