Last October, after the Justice League of Street Food, a confederation of food trucks that pioneered the city's love of pavement grub, held its final street food bash at TAXI, there were rumblings that this could be the end for the Justice League. "We haven't made any decision about whether we're going to continue next year," said Delores Tronco, who organized the gatherings. "It's been a great year; we've had an absolute ball. We're trying to determine if the group has a future, if it will disappear and be reincarnated...or just disappear."

The Justice League is not disappearing.

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Languedoc wines: Summer vacation, in a glass.

We are so ready for a vacation.

With five full weeks to go before the official start of summer, the last few days of sunshine (especially after all that rain) have been damn near torturous. You could say that weather like this brings out the hedonist in us -- and as such, brings on a craving for wines that feel as languid and uncomplicated as a day spent lazing on a beach or enjoying a moonlit stroll through quiet city streets. None of this is incredibly surprising, when you really think about it, because wine drinking (just like eating and clothing) is seasonal. You're not likely to be rocking a fleece-lined hoodie on an 80-degree day; why force your so-ready-for-summer palate to endure glass after glass of heavy, hearty wines? If you're as desperate for a vacation as we are, read on to discover why these four tasty bottles -- from a little known French wine region -- are like a perfect virtual (and vinous) passport to summertime:

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La Revolución Taqueria y Cantina opened in Louisville on Monday.

Dark wood, bright red paint and a gargantuan patio define La Revolución Taqueria y Cantina, a brand-new taco joint on Louisville's bustling Main Street. Owner Rick Betance, who's brought on star bartender James Lee and Zolo Southwestern Grill chef Brett Smith to consult on cocktails and food, respectively, hopes that La Revolución will revolutionize the local dining scene with its straightforward, wholesome menu.

"I grew up in LA, I'm part Mexican, this is the food I grew up on," says Betance.

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Mark Manger

This week's review took me to Phat Thai, the restaurant that chef Mark Fischer opened in Cherry Creek North, extending his empire east after opening the original Phat Thai in Carbondale, where he also has the excellent Six89. I wasn't expecting Phat Thai to be authentic -- the website and menu both dispel any notion that Fischer might be trying to accomplish that, anyway -- but I did expect it to be delicious.

I wasn't bowled over by everything I had, but here, to go with the review, are a few photos of the hits.

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Beirut Grill is opening a second location at 1600 Champa Street, in what was once the home of Champa Street liquors.

Although information is sketchy, we know that the menu will be the same as at the original location, 203 West Hampden Avenue: traditional Middle Eastern fare.

Look for this Beirut Grill to open June 1.

Mountain Sun

Longmont's Oskar Blues Brewery has signed a letter of intent to open a new restaurant in Boulder's historic train depot, it was reported this week, an interesting decision considering how many other brewpubs and brewery-centric restaurants are open or opening in town. The Boulder Beer Company and Twisted Pine already serve food at their breweries, as do Mountain Sun and Southern Sun, which just announced that it will open a new taphouse. And then there is Avery, which is planning a massive new facility that will include a restaurant, and Upslope Brewing, which would like to open an eatery of some sort. There's also the Walnut Brewery & Restaurant; Shine restaurant, which is launching a brewery; and Centro Latin Kitchen, whose chef just opened his own small brewery, Bru. And did I mention West Flanders Brewing, which hopes to open in the old B.J.'s space later this year? Is there room enough for all of them? Stay tuned.

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The Four Seasons

Last summer, the Four Seasons unveiled Level 3, a poolside bar open to the public once a week on Thursday nights, luring patrons to the deck with the promise of waterside drinks, small bites and a swanky "Miami vibe," according to the hotel's general manager, Thierry Kennel.

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Lori Midson

Beau Green
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele Street
www.denverzoo.org

This is part one of my interview with Beau Green, exec chef of the Denver Zoo. You can read part of our interview in this space tomorrow.

It was a juvenile-court judge who forced Beau Green into a kitchen. The 37-year-old chef of the Denver Zoo, who oversees a staff of 75, was a self-described troublemaker growing up in Texas. "I was a punk skateboard kid and did some things that got me into a lot of trouble when I was young, and I had a juvenile judge tell me that I had way too much time on my hands, so I had to go to high school and get a full-time job, which I did, in a restaurant -- and it was probably that judge who saved my life," says Green, who's been cooking ever since.

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Lori Midson

"So, to what do I owe the privilege?"

That's what rolled off my tongue earlier today when I picked up the phone and heard the booming voice of star chef and restaurateur Charlie Palmer on the other end, calling from New York with an update on what's transpiring at District Meats, the restaurant he opened in November of last year at 1631 Wazee Street.

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Gustavo Arellano isn't just the man behind Ask a Mexican!, his weekly column in Westword. He's also the author of Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, and in that book he lavishes praise on the Mexican food of Denver:

"I have finally learned to love Den-Mex," he writes. "Your epic Mexican hamburgers, your combo plates slathered -- scratch that, smothered -- in furious chile. Your street-corner, foil-wrapped burritos steaming with chunks of pork, the late-night runs to Chubby's. (Chubby's! The greatest Mexican restaurant in the United States!...) When I first came and tasted Den-Mex, I dismissed ustedes as a heresy as dangerous to Mexican culture as the only Mexican thing I knew about Denver at the time: Tom Tancredo.

"That's now changed: I'll devote the rest of my life to spreading your gospel, with the fervor of the converted."

And two weeks from now, Arellano will be in Denver to hold a service for all those who worship Mexican food...and great writing.

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