Out with the Old Pig, In with the new GastroPub

A new GastroPub in North Cherry Creek has taken over the old Squealing Pig location. Public Houses have been known across Europe as a gathering place for anyone and everyone. Just reviewed by the Denver Post, this charming Celtic establishment offers far more than your standard "pub fare". Start with a Ginger Gin-Ade with house made fresh ginger syrup on the gorgeous patio and then delve into the new menu- featuring tasty delights like Rabbit Lasagna in a Sage Scented Bechamel.

Drinks, dinner, brunch- Argyll GastroPub is a definite "not to miss" restaurant!

Argyll GastroPub is located at 2700 East 3rd Avenue Denver, CO 80206

(720) 382-1118

What Makes A Great Chef?

When Culinary Connectors launched November 15 2008, we had no idea of the reception we would receive from the chefs and shop owners. I don't think we would have ever dreamed of the degree to which they have embraced us with open arms, advised us and encouraged our mission.


Our mission is to let everyone know about the amazing culinary talent we have in the Mile High City.

One question you may ask - I know I did - is what makes a great chef? I've discovered that there are two characteristics that weave a common theme throughout my interviews: passion and curiosity.



When these two characteristics cross paths, you get to experience food like Alex Seidel's fresh take on the classic Oysters Rockefeller or Matt Selby's succulent lamb ribs. Culinary school is not a prerequisite as to if you make a great chef or not; in fact, you're not even considered a chef when you graduate from culinary school. A perfect example of this is Thomas Keller, renowned chef and owner of the award-winning French Laundry and Per Se restaurants.



Amanda Faison, food editor for 5280 Magazine, says "great chefs are inspired by their environment. The flavors and texture of the food are well-balanced, thereby letting the simple ingredients speak for themselves."

Did you know we have a certified master chef in our midst? It's true, look for more information on Ed in the very near future.

We will be featuring different chefs from around Colorado on our upcoming tours and blog so you can experience their curiosity, passion -and exquisite cuisine - for yourself.

Sweet Deal! - Twelve Offers $35 Price Fixe Menu

Like you needed another reason to eat at Jeff Osaka's Twelve Restaurant, here is a good one. For June, July & August, Jeff is offering a price fixe menu of three courses for $35! um, hello? Anyone out there hungry? That's any starter, entree & dessert. Hey, we're headed into prime "Twelve" season so if you're out and about in Denver, give it a try, 2233 Larimer St. Hit it before or after a baseball game, hit it before the theater, a movie, a walk, a break up, make up, proposal... does it matter? Get the lamb, get the halibut, but, just get there.

Twelve will be on our tour June 13th - you can get a taste then, but, why wait? Get the full monty and have the price fixe on Tuesday or Wednesday. Tell 'em CC sent you.

To Market We Go...

Let's talk about passion for good food, quality products and a desire to be the best neighborhood market around. When we talk about that, then you have to talk about Marczyk Fine Foods and you should grab a beer or a glass (ok, a bottle) of wine because you're going to be talking for a while.

Where to begin about this wonderful market? We could start with Jimmy, the second generation butcher ,who made breaking down a part of the cow seem like a walk in the park. While we're talking about beef, let's keep going; lamb, pork, - a cowboy steak! Hello? Have you seen this hunk of beautifully marbled beef? Ok, so, when I'm anywhere close to downtown I can't help myself but to stop by and pick up some short ribs, lamb chops or one of their house made sausages.

And while I'm there I might as well head over to the wine shop, where over 80% of their wines are below $20! And they have some great ones, make sure to ask Ashley about the Ruche - so enjoyable.

In closing, the whole staff at Marczyk's is great, they just want to make sure you have the best experience while in their store and with the food and wine you take home with you.

770 E. 17th Avenue Denver, CO 80203 303-894-9499

They Just Keep Getting Better

Have you ever had an experience that you didn't think existed? I'm talking about you've dreamed of it but that's about as far as it got. I have to tell you I had one of those experiences on March 21st during our Gourmet Culinary Tour. Usually, I write about one or two shops we visited but, I have to tell you, they were all great. From our friends, William & Steven, at Wen Chocolates and that chocolate cake that if it wasn't so rude, I would've eaten the entire thing by myself (OK, that, and I still need to fit in my jeans). Just look at this gorgeous cake, and I assure you, it tasted as good as it looks.

We were also treated to a lesson in gelato making by the very talented Deanna Parker of Red Trolley Ice Cream Boutique - they finally got on Twitter so now I (and the rest of Denver) can find out what flavors they are putting out that day. Trust me when I tell you if they put out the Salted Carmel Gelato with the Homemade "Snicker's" Topping, just go, drop whatever you're doing and go get a pint or a gallon. If you really want a sugar buzz, you could take the gelato over to Wen Chocolates, get one of Chef William's cakes and pretty much be in heaven. (Did I mention I like chocolate?)

Our visits to Savory Spice and The Truffle always delight the senses, how could they not? We're tasting exotic spices from all over the world. Did you know that they grind most of their spices in house? And make their own blends? Just smelling the turmeric, chili powder, ginger, salt, pepper and paprika in that mixture was enough to make me want to go home and start cooking. But,

that would mean I would have missed a fantastic shop coming up. That's in the next blog, so, go grab a pint of gelato, some cake, might as well as stop by Little Raven Vineyards and have Peter Klann pick out a nice dessert wine for your chocolate treasures and make a night of it.

Spice mixture at Savory Spice

Seven Cups & Marczyk's Shine on Gourmet Culinary

Amazing! In a word, the tour on Saturday was amazing. As one guest on the tour said, "I've been to all of these stores before but I've never experienced like I did today - it was great."

We had two new additions to our tour this month; Seven Cups Tea House at Jewell and Pearl and Marczyk's Market at 17th & Clarkson.

Greg Fellman of Seven Cups Chinese Tea House hosted us as we tasted six different teas from all over China. We tasted white teas, green teas and black teas from all over China. What a wonderful experience to enjoy a Chinese tea tasting on a gorgeous Denver day.

We also went to Marczyk's Market - if you haven't been there - GO! And ask how to make the steak tar tar - unbelievable, really, it was so good. That was just one of the treats we enjoyed. Jimmy, resident butcher at Marczyk's showed us how to break down a whole segment of their dry aged beef to beautiful rib eyes. Truly it was like being a kid in a candy store, but, it was a grown up foodie in a foodie "candy" store. Pete Marczyk personally gave us a tour around his truly beautiful store - I just wish he would put one in Littleton. If I had to say one theme I walked away from Marczyk's it would be quality ingredients and products without all of the extraneous nonsense stuff manufacturer's feel necessary to put in our food.

The best part of the tour on Saturday were the people; from the guests that joined us to the wonderfully passionate people who participated on the tour - Deanna at the Red Trolley, Kate at Savory Spice, William of Wen Chocolates, Greg at Seven Cups, Rob at The Truffle Cheese Shop and Pete Marczyk's at Marczyk's Market and our guest chef this month Diane Brown and our ever present Alan Hill of http://www.alanhillphoto.com/.

Join us, we'd love to share our culinary connections with you. Our next event is April 18th - Ethnic Market - sure to be another amazing event.