The Locavore Scene in Denver

Dining locally in downtown Denver

By Mindy Sink

Staff Writer

Rockies.com

DENVER, Colorado (Rockies.com) – Even in downtown Denver you can find a scrumptious meal made from locally-sourced ingredients at a handful of excellent restaurants.

1. Potager is in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, northeast of downtown Denver. Chef Teri Rippeto was ahead of the locavore dining trend by about a decade with a menu created around the seasons that changes every four weeks. She finds inspiration at local farmer’s markets in Denver and nearby Boulder and uses Colorado ranchers for meat and poultry. Potager is a perfect mix of sophisticated but casual dining.
2. Panzano is in the heart of downtown Denver on 17^th Street. Chef Elise Wiggins goes beyond the kitchen to make her restaurant green by recycling all glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard and oil and grease into biodiesel fuel. She also selects organic produce, meats and chooses local sources whenever possible. Enjoy Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy cheese on the large antipasti plate or Colorado’s Hazel Dell Mushrooms on the funghi pizza.
3. Root Down is the latest addition to the locavore dining scene in Denver. Based in the Highlands neighborhood and situated in a former auto shop, Root Down has an incredible view of downtown Denver. The emphasis is on local producers of everything from produce to beer.
4. Duo Restaurant is also in the Highlands and has built a solid reputation on their seasonal menus. Duo regularly hosts “Meet the Farmer” nights as well as “Meet the Brewer” and so on, so diners can really get to know more about where their food comes from.
5. Il Posto is a small trattoria in the Uptown neighborhood of downtown Denver. No leftovers mean less waste and the menu changes here daily with only the best local ingredients from Colorado ranchers and farmers.