Cuisine wish list
While we certainly have lots of great foods, do you crave certain cuisines that aren’t currently in the Grand Valley? I know I certainly do!
Here is an alphabetical listing of my “wish list” of seven types of restaurants I hope to see here someday.
Central American/ Mexican — There are so many delicious foods from that part of the world and it would be great to have more variety here. Have you tried Lucina in Denver? It is an amazing and unique restaurant located at 2245 Kearney St. Their website notes that their food is an “homage to the cultures of the Americas.” I have been there several times and not only does the food transport you, the atmosphere is elegant and fun.
Chefs Erasamo Casiano and Diego Coconati and their team have created a unique and fabulous restaurant. They even have some Western Slope family connections, so I keep suggesting they open a third restaurant over here. Here’s hoping!
Ethiopian — Ethiopian food is one of my favorites! There is something for everyone and many of their foods are naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. The spice level can be anywhere from mild to hot depending on the dish. I love the communal eating and the whole experience. Every time I’m in a city with Ethiopian restaurants, I make sure to visit. This cuisine has also been a favorite of my kids since they were little and I would be in food heaven if we ever got an Ethiopian restaurant here!
Italian — While I know western Colorado has some good Italian restaurants, I really miss Brunella Gualerzi’s cooking and her former Grand Junction restaurant, Il Bistro Italiano. Her fresh, homemade pasta, artichoke Parmesan soup and other authentic dishes make me long for her to come out of retirement and open a new restaurant.
Middle Eastern — There is a lot of variety in restaurants that fall under the umbrella term of “Middle Eastern.” We are lucky to have the tasty Sitto’s Arabic food truck in town and I would also be happy to see either of the fast-casual chains, Garbanzos or Cava come to town. In addition, it would be great to have a sit-down restaurant to eat warm, fluffy pita, crispy fried falafel, rice dishes, kabobs and more!
Spanish — Wouldn’t it be terrific to have an authentic Spanish restaurant that served dishes like paella and a variety of tapas? One of my favorite Spanish restaurants is La Boca in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Located at 72 W. Marcy St., Chef James Campbell Caruso really shines with his vibrant atmosphere, live music and delicious food and wines. We need something like this here!
The Melting Pot — This fun and yummy fondue restaurant chain is one that I enjoy dining at when I’m visiting family around the country. Colorado’s is their top-performing restaurant and located in Littleton at 2707 W. Main St. The restaurant is beautiful and in an elegant, old historic library with multiple stories. (Pun intended.)
The meal is interactive and features multiple fondue courses such as Gruyère cheese to start and chocolate/caramel for dessert. I find that we typically spend several hours eating, laughing and enjoying each other’s company when we are there. I think it would be a big hit here.
West African — West Africa is home to a variety of wonderful cuisines, including the countries of Ghana and Senegal. The Denver metro area has a number of options including the popular African Grill and Bar in Lakewood, at 955 S. Kipling Parkway.
Closer to us is Mawa’s Kitchen in Aspen at 305 Aspen Airport Business Center. Chef Mawa McQueen creates dishes that feature ingredients from her childhood in the west African country of Côte d’Ivoire, culinary school and life in France, and her experiences in Colorado. She even has a cookbook, Mawa’s Way, that you could explore and have fun cooking with in your own kitchen. What are you hungry for that you wish would appear in the Grand Valley? Bon appétit!
If you have any food and beverage-related events or information you want readers to know about, please email me at AllThingsFoodChristine@gmail.com.
Sublime Icelandic cod in curried coconut milk served in a banana leaf at Lucina’s in Denver.
Photos by CHRISTINE GALLAGHER
Learning how to make Spanish paella while in Spain one summer.
A delicious sampler platter from Ethiopian restaurant, Abyssinian in Denver.
FOOD NEWS
ALLAGHER
Delicious chocolate and caramel fondue at The Melting Pot. A terrific way to end a yummy dining experience!
