It began with (1535 Pearl St., 303-546-0886, mountainsunpub.com) in downtown Boulder, in 1993. That brewpub’s success nine years later spawned Southern Sun (627 S. Broadway, 303-543-0886), in a South Boulder strip mall. In 2008, the guys opened Vine Street Pub (1700 Vine St., 303-388-2337), in Denver.
And now comes , a much-anticipated brewpub located beneath — as in, under — Southern Sun. It opened last week.
It is at least slightly different from the other joints. Its predecessors are heavy on the hippie tapestries, the Grateful Dead posters. Under the Sun was designed by , the genius who gave us, among other things, the design for the breakfast spots.
Also, the other pubs share a menu, but Under the Sun has its own, and is a bit more ambitious, with a wood-fired oven roasting chickens and lamb shortribs, baking flatbreads, and more.
At least one thing is the same though: the beer. Under the Sun has 30 taps; all but a few pour Sun and guest-brewer beers (the few non-beer taps pour wine and cocktails).
The same bunch of pubs — minus Under the Sun — is also nearly a week into Stout Month, an annual celebration of stout beer. Love the stuff? Then you can’t go wrong with these pubs in February; they serve a huge variety of the dark suds during the month.
Boulder again? Just one more, Front Rangers — promise. Toward the end of the month, . Drop $45, and in one night you visit four restaurants; at each one you eat, and chat with the chef. Tax and gratuity are included in the price, but drinks are extra. Which restaurants? It remains secret, for now. It takes place Feb. 20 at 7 p.m., on Pearl Street. Interested? Go to dishcrawl.com/boulder/ or email Zoe Deneau at zoed@dishcrawl.com.
Sorry, Denverites. We are hopping over your patch of prairie and headed south to the city snug beneath Pike’s Peak. This weekend in Colorado Springs (1 Lake Ave., 719-634-7711, broadmoor.com) hosts its annual “Salute to Escoffier,” a two-day celebration of French food and the turn-of-the-century man referred to as the “godfather” of modern French cuisine — . The extravagant weekend involves oceans of wine, academic presentations and cooking demonstrations, a luncheon, and on Saturday night, what The Broadmoor is calling the Grand Buffet — a champagne and caviar reception; followed by a cheese reception; followed by cold dishes, warm dishes, and dessert. In the end, more than 100 offerings, including game, meats, poultry and fish entrees. Proceeds benefit the Colorado Restaurant Association and The Broadmoor’s culinary apprenticeship program and scholarship fund. Go to broadmoor.com and click on “Reservations” to schedule it, or call 719-634-7711. Individual events can be purchased separately; $510 gets you a double-occupancy room and admittance to a bunch of the events, including the Grand Buffet.
Denver? I have saved you, Mile High, for last. You’ve got the best thing going on. Tomorrow, more than 15 of the city’s top chefs work together on , a benefit for and . Proceeds from the event go to hospice patients who are nearing life’s end. Participating restaurants? Some of the city’s finest — , , , , and more. Your $100 ($80 if you are a young professional or a Centura Health associate) gets you soups and appetizers made by these kitchen maestros, and access to the silent auction. The event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the (1550 Court Place). Go to soupforthesouldenver.org, or call 303-561-5790.
Douglas Brown: 303-954-1395, djbrown@denverpost.com or twitter.com/douglasjbrown
