Editor’s note: This live chat with Denver Post dining critic Tucker Shaw took place Wednesday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m.
DenverPost moderator– audience)Welcome all to our chat with Post dining critic Tucker Shaw. Please keep sending the good questions, we’ll get started in about 5 minutes.
DenverPost moderator– audience)Tucker, you ready to go?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) yup!
DenverPost moderator– audience)Here’s your first question …
chipsndrink– audience)How does Denver food compare to other places you’ve lived/worked?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Hey everyone, thanks for joining me at my first live chat on Denverpost.com…. I’m your humble restaurant critic, here to help where I can with any culinary questions you may have!
Tucker_Shaw– audience) When I moved to Denver seven months ago, I was immediately surprised and encouraged by how good the food is here. Sure, there are things in New York and San Francsico that can’t be beat, but Denver has a sharp audience of smart people who demand…and often get.. very good food. I do miss the fresh seafood of the coasts, though.
eateateat– audience)I’ve never tried Ethiopian, but want to. What place would be a good bet for a first timer?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Head east, to Colfax avenue… and look for the Queen of Sheba. Also, in aurora, Inyie Ethiopian has many fans. Ethiopian cuisine is delicious… and super hot! So prepare your palate for some heat!
joni– audience)after “Sideways,” is it gauche to order merlot?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) It’s never gauche to order a wine that you like. Personally, I dig the soft silkiness of merlot, and I’m not ashamed to say it!
JJ– audience)Tucker, do you think Denver is more finicky a town than other places? It seems like trendy places turn over so quickly here.
Tucker_Shaw– audience) The restaurant industry worldwide is a finicky business! I just think Denverites have very clear ideas about what they like, what they want, and what they don’t. But if you have a favorite place that is in danger of going out of business, the best thing you can do is patronize it frequently. Be a regular!
Janie– audience)My roommate is finishing exams this week for grad school. We would like to go out, with about ten friends, to celebrate this Saturday night. However, I work at a non-profit and she is a grad student so nothing to expensive or fancy.
Tucker_Shaw– audience) If you’re into Mexican and dig margaritas as much as salsa, hit Mezcal on East Colfax
DTree– audience)I am bringing my daughter to work tomorrow, for Take your Daughter to Work Day. Can you suggest a good restaurant downtown, accessible on the 16th Street Mall shuttle? I’d like to impress my daughter with something grown up, but still fun.
Tucker_Shaw– audience) How about India House on Larimer? Indian food has many kid-friendly flavors, and it’s a special treat to eat there. If she just loves fries, though, try Bistro Vendome, also in Larimer Square, and have croque monsieurs!
Jen– audience)How do you get a gig like Post dining critic? Can you share some of your foodie/writing background?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) That was a perfect storm, getting this job… I had just published a book in which I photographed everything I ate for a year, and the Post covered the book in the food section… it was right around the time when they were looking for a new critic, so I threw my hat in the ring! I’ve written a lot about food, but this is my first critic job… it is a real challenge!
lola– audience)After reading the article in the Post a few weeks ago about Frasca in Boulder, I have been trying unsuccessfully to get a weekend reservation there. What would you recommend as another top shelf’ restaurant for two couples to share a special 40th birthday dinner. Focus on both food and ambience, could be Boulder or Denver.
Tucker_Shaw– audience) For starters, keep trying for a table at Frasca, even if you can’t get one till July. In Denver, try Mizuna (wonderful American cuisine) or Solera. Up in Boulder, Brasserie 1010 is more casual than Frasca, but a great place to celebrate.
suzi– audience)Do you get sick of eating out? Do friends invite you over for dinner, or are they afraid they won’t stack up to a quality restaurant?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Ha! Good question. I suppose some people are afraid to cook for me, but anyone who knows me knows that I just love food so much, from all points on the spectrum, that I’m down to eat anything. Plus, the gesture of cooking for someone else is never lost, even if the food sucks. But yes, sometimes I’d rather stay home with a pizza than go out for dinner… but it’s a happy problem to have. I’m a lucky guy.
Anon– audience)What’s Denver’s best kept restaurant secret?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret. But since it’s just us…. I secretly love the Handlebar and grill on Alameda and Downing. The food isn’t remarkable in its uniqueness, but it’s such a friendly neighborhood spot, and I’ve never had a bad time there. Also, Avenue on 17th St. mixes my favorite martini.
Gillian1– audience)Tucker, are you able to remain anonymous while dining out in Denver? It just seems like restaurant owners might be able to figure out who you are and up the quality of service, no?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) So far, I think I’ve stayed successfully under the radar. It’s too important for my job that I do so. So far, so good.
Moorejohn– audience)What cheap sleazy greasy spoon is your total guilty pleasure?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Well, I wouldn’t call it sleazy, but I’d eat at the Breakfast King on Mississippi and Santa Fe every day if my cholesterol count would allow. I also love Tia Maria up on Pecos St.
eatnow– audience)Do you think there is a Colorado cuisine? What is it?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) That’s a great question, and something I think a lot about. Colorado is a unique place, with so many influences… Mexican, cowboy, Italian, Eastern European. We have a lot to be proud of, from steak to green chile to game to our terrific cheeses and lamb. But part of the beauty of Colorado is the fact that we have people, new and long-time residents, from all parts of the planet.
mark– audience)Are you a chef as well as a critic? What’s your specialty?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) I’m not a chef by trade, but I love nothing more than to cook. (Except maybe to eat.) I make a pretty mean pot of chile, and I mix a nice cocktail every now and then.
mmmhotdogs– audience)Do you feel like you have to rush and try Denver’s newest and trendiest places, or do you think it’s better to wait for some of the buzz to wear off? Also, is there competition to review a new place before the Rocky or Westword?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Chili, i mean.
Tucker_Shaw– audience) I like to be “in the know” about new places, but I do like to let a new restaurant find its legs before subjecting them to a review. It’s only fair… no one can come out of the gate with their best game. Some critics chase the scoop, but I’d rather wait and see how things shake out before sharpening my pen.
dave– audience)Can you give me a couple good options for patio dining?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Tis the season! Lots of taverns around town have patio dining… the Edgewater Inn in Edgewater has a particularly lively one. Just be a Broncos fan if you go. If you’re in the Wash Park area, Reivers has a pleasant out-front area, and I love it when Yanni’s fires up the spit on their patio… spit-roasted lamb, here I come!
suzi– audience)How do you decide what restaurants to review?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Sometimes it’s obvious… there’s a new restaurant with a lot of buzz that needs attention. But I try and look at the long-term picture, and make sure I’m hitting a wide variety of cuisines, price points, and locations over the course of several months. I, and most eaters I know, want to know about a range of restaurants, not just the ones with lots of buzz.
lola– audience)Tucker, when you’re on a long road trip, what snacks do you buy from the minimart as car food?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) beef jerkey and all those weirdly-flavored diet cokes…. yum. and a cherry slurpee can keep your attention on the road for hours.
Andrea– audience)Is it a rule that you don’t review chain restaurants? Don’t you think there are any worth trying?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Not a rule at all! In fact, I have reviewed some chains. The Samba Room on Larimer is actually a chain, with a half-dozen other locations. I like it there! And I happen to love Outback, as un-foodie as that makes me sound.
HHH3– audience)Do you think Kevin Taylor is all he’s cracked up to be?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) THere’s no question that he’s a talented, experienced chef. I do think that some of his restaurants are better than others. I’m looking forward to his new place at the new art museum extension, which I hope will be open later this year.
Ann– audience)are there any “desserts only” type of restaurants anywhere?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Good question. There is a place whose name right now escapes me in the Bonnie Brae area of South University that only serves dessert and wine… talk about a perfect date. My favorite desserts in town, though, are at Duo restaurant in the highlands. They won’t mind if you just come in for dessert….. Get the tarte tatin!
mark– audience)I’ve noticed a theme in your writings – you are a serious fan of eggs. What’s your favorite local spot for breakfast (besides Breakfast King, which you’ve already mentioned)?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Can’t beat the breakfast king, but I also love the crabcake-benedict concoction they serve at Mona’s on 15th and Platte. Lucille’s on Logan is a great bet too (they also have outposts in Boulder and Longmont and a few other towns)…. just don’t try and go on a Sunday, when you’ll wait an hour for a table.
dew– audience)Are you ever going to give a bad review?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Good question. There are some reviews I’ve written that are more “bad” than others, but my point of view is this: If it’s truly bad (and not otherwise noteworthy, like with a celeb chef), then it’s not worth my time to write it, or your time to read about it. There are too many good restaurants to write about. But will I ever write a bad review??? Stay tuned, is all I can say 🙂
From our audience member suzi– audience)The wine and dessert place is Capuvino, fyi
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Ah thank you… for the reminder
Simeon– audience)What’s your fave Mexican in the city?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Hands down El Taco de Mexico on Santa Fe and Seventh… just don’t expect any fancy frills to go along with. I also dig Brewery Bar which is just to the south, and La Fogata on East Evans. La Cueva in Aurora has its merits, too.
Ann– audience)Wondering if any of you know who the young hot new manager is at the Palace Arms restaurant? Up until lately the place seemed to be below par, but things seem to really have changed in the past few months.
Tucker_Shaw– audience) I don’t know the manager’s name, but I agree about the transformation that’s going on over there… the menu is seeming much more experimental and exciting.
mmmhotdogs– audience)Will you be putting out a top-10 (or something) this year? Or do you think these are just a waste?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) We did do a restaurant guide a few weeks ago, where we didn’t proclaim the top restaurants, but listed 75 or 100 of our favorites. Check out Denverpost.com, we have a searchable list of all the restaurants we mentioned.
eatnow– audience)Cocktails! Now you’re talking. Where do you head for good margaritas here?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Earlier I mentioned Mezcal on East colfax, which have tasty and very alcoholic margaritas. There’s also a place in Colorado Springs, Amanda’s Fonda, where I’ve had my fair share of margaritas. But I’ll take any tips on great Denver margaritas… always looking for the perfect cocktail!
Liza Barrett– audience)Tell me about the food editor. What’s she like?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Brilliant and gorgeous.
Anon– audience)What’s the best Italian? And I’m not talking about one of those $100-plus per couple places like Barolo.
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Well, my favorite Italian is Luca D’Italia, but it’s kind of a 100-plus place. I dig Paliachi’s, too, for red sauce and minestrone. Pizza? Virgilio’s in Belmar
Liza Barrett– audience)How often do you eat out?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Most nights, I eat out. But I always save myself at least one day to put on my ugly clothes and watch TV with a bowl of mac and cheese.
DTree– audience)I am getting hungry as I read this and it occurs to me: how can you stay at a healthy weight and do your job?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) Run like hell!
DenverPost moderator– audience)Okay then! Thanks a bunch Tucker, and thanks to our audience for the interesting questions. We’re going to wrap this up with one last …
Ann– audience)What are the best/worst things about being a food critic?
Tucker_Shaw– audience) The best thing? Free dinner, no doubt. The worst thing? Having to disappoint a hard-working restaurateur with a less-than-perfect review. I love restaurants, and sometimes it’s tough to point out faults. But it’s the greatest job in town, about that there is no doubt. Thanks everyone for chatting with me today, I really appreciate the questions!
DenverPost moderator– audience)We will be posting the transcript of this chat on DenverPost.com shortly. Thanks for your interest, and be sure to check out Tucker’s review of Z Cuisine today. Go to .
