Late-Night Eats: Round 1

After a long night out with friends, choosing the right late-night food experience is crucial.  Atmosphere, price, and the meal itself create a delicate composition that can either deliver a KO punch or ring the victory bell.

Let the late-night showdown begin:

Pete’s Kitchen

• 1962 E. Colfax Ave, between City Park and Cheesman Park
• Open 24 hours, 7 days

The menu at Pete’s Kitchen, one of several local spots owned by Pete himself, announces that this diner has been a Denver landmark since 1942.  I haven’t yet learned the local lore about the diner pre-Pete, who moved to Denver from Greece in ’56, but regardless, Pete knows his business.  Bustling even at 2 a.m., the breakfast burrito (pictured below) is worth the wait.  Filled with scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns and topped with green chili, tomatoes, onions, and cheese, this hefty burrito weighs in at reasonable $6.75.  Plus, the convivial atmosphere extends the fun of your night out – expect to run into friends, or make new ones.

Is your mouth watering yet?

Best kept secret: their French toast!  I had a love affair with my burrito, but our table-mate’s French toast caused a wandering eye or two.  Consider an order to share.

Tom’s Urban 24 Diner

• 1460 Larimer St., in Larimer Square
• Open 24 hours, 7 days

In the wee hours, Tom’s Urban 24 is an exercise in juxtaposition.  The well-lit diner has a hip, modern look (with a hint of a retro vibe), and they serve dishes like truffle parmesan popcorn with rosemary – this may be a diner, but it’s no greasy spoon.  But after the Cinderella hour, you’re treated to a parade of tipsy blondes wobbling on their stilettos as they try to figure out how to work a revolving door.  We also witnessed a woman leave her solitary seat at the bar and join first one group of strangers, and then another.

After sipping a refreshing grapefruit mimosa, I ordered the Larimer Square breakfast, $10, which is a typical eggs/meat/potatoes meal.  What is not typical, however, is their hash browns, which should be winning awards, if they haven’t already.  They’re more like creamy, herb-ed, pan-fried mashed potatoes.  My co-diner and I also split some lemon poppy seed blueberry pancakes, $9.50, which tasted like lemon-blueberry cake batter (delightful, but sweet).

Best kept secret: Founder Tom Ryan invented stuffed crust pizza, and also McGriddles.  Clearly, this man is a genius.

When my NYC friends visit, I plan to bring them to Tom’s Urban 24 for brunch, but for the times when I’m craving an accompaniment to a Colorado craft beer (or five), Pete’s Kitchen is the undisputed victor.  At least in Round 1…

Happy Hour: Round 1

Denver has so many great restaurants and bars, it’s going to be a difficult task to find the city’s best happy hour.  Lucky for all of us, I like a challenge.

Let’s meet our Round 1 competitors:

Lowry Beer Garden

• 7577 E. Academy Blvd. in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood.
• Happy Hour: M-F, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Weekend 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lowry Beer Garden, though it’s a bit out of the way, is a strong contender for happy hour with $3 draft pints of local craft beers.  The picnic tables are great for a group of coworkers or friends.  The bartenders are friendly and will happily offer you a taster before you commit to a pint, and they serve burgers and brats if happy hour turns into dinner.  Also, the Air & Space Museum is next door, and the B-52 bomber out front makes for interesting scenery.

Best kept secret: when they’re showing a game, they extend happy hour through its conclusion.

Caveau Wine Bar

• 450 E. 17th Ave. in Uptown
• Happy Hour: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Caveau Wine Bar is charming: its cozy atmosphere is ideal for date night or catching up with a few close friends.  During happy hour, drafts are $3, but this is the place to splurge on vino – glasses of wine $13 and up are half off, and those $12 and under are an accessible $6.  If you’re hungry, they’ve got small plates – try the meatballs (or, if you’re vegetarian, go for the tiny grilled cheeses).

Best kept secret: Travel + Leisure featured Caveau as one of “America’s Best Wine Bars.”

After careful consideration, our Round 1 Winner is…drumroll, please….

Caveau Wine Bar!

Lowry Beer Garden is better when you’re with a crowd, but Caveau Wine Bar’s happy hour wins based on variety and the bar’s location.  We’ll see how Caveau holds up next round!