It's not just about the food, that is a secondary thing... Edible Beats Vol. 1
So when I was 16 I was going at school in another country. Not going to say too much because that would give away all my mystique but know that I think about it often. I met a boy and that boy had a friend that I was introduced to who happens to be one of the hottest chefs and restauranteurs in Denver. At a time when we can't actually eat in and break bread in his restaurants I found out there was a zine/but really amazingly interesting graphic magazine (really book) with stories and restaurant asides from his many restaurants in our fair Queen City. It is really cool. Really.
I bought it online on Sunday and four days later it's now in my hot little hands. It's pretty great. Chef Cucci has taken some incredible buildings here in town and made them into the most interesting and vibrant dining spaces around. There is history about the places, interesting asides about topics related to the buildings and honestly the design in the books as well. Totally unexpected and a highlight for me. He thanks his staff. He writes about them. I really didn't expect that. I thought it was a traditional cookbook. I should have known... nothing about what he does is traditional at all. And I as the reader am the lucky one.
There are some rather lovely recipes. It's fully rounded out. Vegetable forward food that is presented in a radically beautiful way. He calls it a zine... far from it... it's a story book and its beautiful.
Sorry it's not a better (meaning bigger) picture because I totally stole it from the site...
thanks J C... sorry thanks.
So let me preface this by saying I have a total love hate relationship with the restaurants. I want to LOVE these places. The food-amazing... , the decor- the tits... , but hold the phone, I have only been able to actually enjoy the service and dining when I have been to Ophelias for a concert and during the concert out of the dozen or so times we have tried (one time I actually walked out at the host stand because I was so pissed my reservation wasn't honored after they called confirming twice on the phone... I was less than happy...the manager later called and was less than honest and I swore I would never eat there again. Technically I haven't since we have only had a snack ... but it WAS delicious). I know that isn't their style to be jerks and that person probably is no longer there so to even write about it... really isn't valuable except this is my platform and I am going to kvetch for a sec. This is my kvetch and not one that is normal I am sure, for sure, but sadly I will never experience Brunch when they serve that again. Not worth the aggravation. No matter how good the food sounds. And when we ate the couple of times at Root Down, the service was less than great. I NEVER play the I went on a hunger strike in High School with your Chef ... I never ever play the I once knew the owner bullshit... no one cares about 1984. I don't think Chef Cucci does even. NO SHADE I swear... pinky swear.
Sorry tangent... anyways the staff is recognized, it a couple of different ways and I have never seen than in any other restauranteurs book or zine or article ever. It was a nice thing.
I went to a not my work but another person's work event at El Five and was duly impressed, they set out a buffet that was beautiful, made some cocktails that were special for the group that were delicious and honestly the view can't be challenged in the evening. The staff was busy and noted that it wasn't a normal evening there I am sure and they worked hard to some folks that I saw were less than kind at the bar... I don't want to say "entitled" but don't ever snap your fingers at a bar tender... I know when I worked service I would be known to slow down or sneezer someone that snapped their fingers at me. But they had that really great hummus out. Again with the hummus, I know but it's all I have to judge the food on really. That is all I remember. It was delicious.
The other thing I remember having was at Root Down was chef's avocado lime pie. Or something like that. We went for dinner there.. me and said boy from when I was 16 years old and his daughter she was 16 I think (we are still friends, it's nice)... that pie was amazing. The recipe is not in the book.
I had snacks at Ophelias (post our other experience) once in our seats at a Bill Frissell concert of the hummus and I swear to gawd that there is a recipe for maybe possibly it in this cook book makes me happy. It was that good. Everyone riffs on hummus and falafel and some are good, but Ophelia's hummus was great that night. And for the record, the concerts there (of the two that I have attended Nels Cline Singers earlier in the year and Brothers of a Feather (both our last shows out in the world actually) are really fantastic. I wasn't sure how a music venue would work but man oh man it's great. And if you go back and look at the back patio security footage from the Brothers of a Feather evening... that was me out there with some random stranger doing push ups... I was back there smoking and a guy from Texas who was in town skiing and for the show wanted a contest. He totally won do not be mistaken. Even drunk as all get out that guy won over sober me because well it was me. We celebrated with another cigarette.
I am going to enjoy cooking from this 'zine/book so very much... and there is so much to unpack in it's goodness.
Maybe even when lockdown is over we will try and give dine in at Linger or Root Down a go again. If not I will seriously just dig looking at this book. It's really beautiful.
The price is $18.95 and 100% totally worth it. I wasn't thinking that it would be. But ho nelly it really is. And please Edible Beats Team... bring us another volume! I know I have seen it in the works on your instagram (I peeked, but you linked), seriously make it happen. It's a beautiful thing to behold and have as part of my cookbook library.
For those of you who may be interested here is the link again to buy this yourself.
And here is a video that I just found that just shows how really inventive this group and Justin Cucci are:
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