Squeaky Bean's happy hour features a different punch each day.

Squeaky Bean won't turn one until later this month, but already the restaurant has given LoDo a couple of presents: an outdoor patio with seating for sixteen, and a new happy hour that starts at 4 p.m. (an hour earlier than the restaurant used to open) and runs until 6 p.m. Owner Johnny Ballen was putting the final touches on the patio yesterday (just in time for the rain), while chef Max MacKissock was creating the pots of "spreads and shmears" that, along with housemade breads and crackers, comprise the happy-hour offerings. The food offerings, that is; there are also drink specials, including a punch crafted daily.

See also:
- Best Contemporary Cocktail Bar 2013: Squeaky Bean
- Max MacKissock's new tasting menu sprouts at Squeaky Bean
- Ten favorite cocktails (with recipes!) from ten favorite Denver bartenders

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Backcountry Provisions, the Steamboat Springs-based mini-chain that added a LoDo store in 2010, has changed its name to Backcountry Delicatessen.

"The brand refresh represents more than a name change; it's a progression of our business which positively represents our commitment to our customers and desire to expand to other locations," says Backcountry co-founder David Pepin."We felt it was essential to elevate the company's profile as we position ourselves for expansion. We're continuing to enhance the overall Backcountry Delicatessen experience while maintaining our core values to prepare and serve only the highest-quality, natural, great-tasting food, with incredibly friendly service, and to always be active in the community."

See also:
- Backcountry Provisions about to provide for LoDo
- Chef Justin Brunson and crew have plans to open a second Masterpiece Deli in Uptown
- Best Sandwich Shop 2013 Vert Kitchen

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A river of red sauce used to run through northwest Denver, where many first-generation Italian Americans settled and opened their own restaurants -- which were later taken over by second- and third-generation Italian Americans. But those red-sauce joints have been disappearing; Pagliacci's, Longo's Subway Tavern and Carbone's Italian Sausage Deli all closed within the past year. In some cases, developers gave the owners an offer too good to refuse; in others, the next generation didn't want to keep in the business.

Now comes word that Lechuga's Italian Restaurant and Lounge is for sale -- for a cool $3 million.

See also:
- Lechuga's in northwest Denver is famous for its canolis
- Photos: Last supper at Pagliacci's
- Longo's Subway Tavern reaches the end of the line

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Back in the early '80s, Cliff Young's eponymous spot at 700 East 17th Avenue (today the home of Hamburger Mary's) was about the swankiest spot in town, during an era when swank was definitely in. But price point isn't the only thing that's changed in Denver over the past three decades. "Back then, when you had a seasonal menu, you changed it four times a year," Young recalls, and laughs.

With today's emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce, restaurateurs now change their menus far more often -- every month, sometimes every week. And that's what Young has planned for CY Steak, the restaurant he opened three and a half years ago at 1222 Glenarm Place, adjacent to the Diamond Cabaret, a "gentleman's club and local legend."

See also:
- Cliff Young stakes a claim on CY Steak
- Oooh la la! Cliff Young is back, and opening a steakhouse at the Diamond Cabaret
- Girls and grills at CY Steak

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Our first clue that something was up at Strings came when we heard that many long-time employees had left the restaurant that the late Noel Cunningham had founded in 1986.

Our second clue was when the annual Mother's Day brunch hosted by Strings, a benefit for Volunteers of America, started looking for a new location (it's been picked up by Sage Hospitality).

And the third clue? Today's story on Denverpost.com that Strings will close on April 30.

See also:
- Best local do-gooder 2012: Noel Cunningham
- Reader: Noel Cunningham made Denver a better place
- Humanitarian, father, husband and chef Noel Cunningham dies

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Lori Midson

Justin Brunson at Masterpiece Deli.

The Best of Denver 2013 has hit the streets, and once again, LoHi is our Best Restaurant Neighborhood. At the end of 2012, the LoHi Merchant Group did a count of all the eateries in the area and came up with over fifty -- more than double the count from six years ago. And while new spots are opening all the time, older spots are upping their game with new menus and interior overhauls. Masterpiece Deli, for example, which will be closing today at 4 p.m. for what should be a quick, one-day renovation.

See also:
- Best Sandwich Shop 2012: Masterpiece Deli
- Chef and Tell with Justin Brunson of Masterpiece Deli
- Lohi goes from 22 bars and restaurants to 55 -- in just six years

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Mark Manger

Lunch should be hot at Central Bistro & Bar.

Central Bistro & Bar will start serving lunch tomorrow, eight months after Isiah Salazar opened his restaurant on the very edge of LoHi, almost three months after opening exec chef Lance Barto abruptly left the kitchen. That kitchen is now in the hands of Gerard Strong, who'd come from Z Cuisine to help open Central, as well as Jason Clark.

And what will they be cooking at lunch?

See also:
- Review: Central Bistro & Bar redefines what a neighborhood restaurant can be
- Photos: A closer look at Central Bistro & Bar
- Executive chef Lance Barto out at Central Bistro & Bar

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Three years ago, Blake Street Tavern moved a block south from the spot it had been for close to seven years, into the massive warehouse space at 2301 Blake Street that had once been home to Polly Esther's (and many clubs before that). The first floor was filled with a big bar, private dining areas, games and gathering spaces, booths where you could enjoy dishes off an ambitious menu -- and lots of TVs, of course. The new Blake Street Tavern was a hit from the start -- but the space came with a basement bonus, and coming up with the right fit for that has been trickier.

See also:
- Blake Street Tavern opening interactive game room
- Best Sports Bar for Food and Drink 2012 -- Blake Street Tavern
- Blake Street Tavern takes a swing at a new location

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The current Izakaya Den.

Construction is moving quickly on South Pearl Street, with Izakaya Den slated to move into its new home next tosibling restaurant Sushi Den in late May.

In the meantime, Izakaya is holding a job fair at its current location at 1518 South Pearl Street on Monday, March 25.

See also:
- Izakaya Den's move to new home next to Sushi Den set for May
- Breckenridge-Wynkoop have a concept for South Pearl -- but the name's still a secret
- The Izakaya Den/Pearl Street Grill deal moves forward...slowly

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The Wazee Supper Club got a facelift last year, almost four decades after it first started slinging pizzas in a part of downtown that was at least ten years away from being nicknamed LoDo.

Since then, watering holes have come and gone from lower downtown, but the Wazee just carries on -- and its continuing contribution to the neighborhood was just honored when the LoDo District presented its 23nd annual Limelight Awards.

See also:
- Wazee Supper Club reopens after renovations
- Chef and Tell with Randy Balch of the Wazee Supper Club
- Chef and Tell with Tom Coohill of Coohills

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