Denver’s best bites can be fleeting, and that is especially true this month when there will be a wide variety of special events and pop-ups lasting anywhere from one night to a few weeks to a few months. Here are a few to dig into in July.
Bon Vin Summer Chef Series; July 10, 17, 24, 31
Bon Vin, a West Highland bottle shop that recently took over from the Toast neighborhood liquor store at 3828 W. 23rd Ave., has been hosting weekly Friday wine pairings with bites from some of Denver’s best chefs. The series, which began in May, will continue through Sept. 25; it runs every Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m. July 10 brings in Geoff Cox of Cimera, who is doing Peruvian anticuchos skewers; and July 17 is a Japanese-Italian yakitori collaboration between Porchetta House and Taeko-san Takeout. Monarch Pizza will stop by on July 24, followed by Farang Thai Kitchen on July 31.
Chaatwala pop-up; July 11
Chef Pradyut Bansal, the co-owner of Chaatwala, has done a variety of pop-ups featuring his Indian cuisine. The latest will be a collaboration with Tushar Mishra of The Wolf’s Tailor, who will provide Indian-inspired cocktails. The goal, he says, is to “recreate a night out in India. They’ll be at Hudson Hill, 619 E. 13th Ave., in Denver, from 6 p.m. to sellout.
Up NXT at Bear Leek — Magnolion; July 12
Magnolion, a crossover between Southern cooking and Asian cuisine, is next up at Up NXT Denver, a rotating culinary incubator and chef pop-up series that has been running since May on Sundays at Bear Leek, 2611 Walnut St. It allows restaurateurs, chefs and cooks to try out new concepts and ideas in a multi-course setting at a real restaurant space. Magnolion, led by chef Cody Peeler of The Wolf’s Tailor and chef Tiffany Leong, features an eight-course tasting menu
Cottage Bakery Sundays/King Arthur Baking pop-up; July 12, 19, 26
King Arthur Baking, which is operating a pop-up location at 2800 Walnut St., Suite 110, has started a new series called Cottage Bakery Sundays; it highlights local cottage bakers. Running from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. each Sunday in July, the series includes a lineup of local cottage bakers selling their baked goods. July 12 is sourdough breads and muffins from Plum Tree Bakery; July 19 is organic sourdough breads and rolls from Mathildes Pantry; and July 26 is oatmeal cream pies from Mile High Cream Pies.
A pair of Michelin award-winning chefs pop up at the Clayton Hotel in Cherry Creek — all summer
The first pop-up comes from chef Johnny Curiel, who is introducing Tequilería Alteño, a Mexican cantina and tequila bar, at the Clayton Hotel & Members Club, 233 Clayton St. It will operate inside Curiel’s Mar Bella Wine Bar Tuesdays through Saturdays, starting at 4 p.m.; it begins July 7 and runs through the summer. The menu consists of shareable small plates that celebrate the depth, versatility, and heritage of masa. Dishes include: Flautas with roasted chicken, salsa verde and crema de rancho; and prime NY Strip with guacamole and salsa negra de ceniza. There will also be more than 80 agave-based Mexican spirits to choose from. Curiel has won one Michelin star at two of his other restaurants, Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma. .
The second pop-up is Sheep, which will take over the sixth-floor rooftop space of the Clayton Hotel from July 8 through Oct. 4. Brought to you by chefs Kelly Whitaker, Taylor Stark and the rest of the team behind The Wolf’s Tailor — Colorado’s only two Michelin-star spot — the pop-up will focus on open-fire cooking. The four-course menu includes dishes like smoked heirloom tomato jelly with tomato water and frozen wasabi; and mackerel with a tom kha cream. This is the first time the Clayton Hotel has opened its 54-seat rooftop restaurant to the public. Dinner starts at $95 per person, but goes up from there with add-ons and beverages. .
The Big Eat; July 23
The Big Eat, a festival and fundraiser featuring food and beverages from more than 80 independent chefs, restaurants and drink purveyors, returns to the open-air Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on Thursday, July 23. Hosted by EatDenver, the event is a chance for people to try bites and dishes from restaurants all over the metro area. Participating restaurants and food vendors include: Ace Eat Serve, American Elm, BearLeek, Berliner Haus, Bistro Vendôme, Blackbelly Market, Boombots, Chopstix Fusion, Convivio Café, The Grandview Tavern, Kawa Ni, Konjo Ethiopian Food, La Diabla and Malinche Audiobar, Leven Deli, Mukja, Olive & Finch, Pig and Tiger, Pizzeria Leopold, Restaurant Olivia, Riot BBQ, Rōmyō, Saigon Noodle Club, Somebody People, Tavernetta, Ultreia, Monarch Pizza and many more. Tickets are $105 and all guests must be 21 or older. Get tickets and information at .
Flame Fest: Colorado’s Grilling Championship; July 25
If you like smoke, then Flame Fest at Denargo Market, 2525 Wewatta Way, in Denver, is the event for you. Organizers describe it as “a full-on celebration of live-fire cooking, where top local chefs, pitmasters, and restaurants go head-to-head serving up their best grilled creations. From perfectly smoked meats to flame-kissed veggies and creative bites you won’t find anywhere else, you’ll get unlimited samples and a front-row seat to the action.” There will also be craft beer, cocktails and other summer drinks; a live DJ and entertainment all night long; and people’s choice voting. Flame Fest runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Get more information and tickets, $88, at .
