Local Food News: New food at Avanti
Peko Peko opens June 6 in Boulder’s Avanti Food & Beverage. The menu includes traditional Japanese favorites including temaki, ramen and donburi. Peko Peko joins Boychik, Lost City, Mangia Panino, New Yorkese, Rooted Craft Kitchen and Quiero Arepas at Avanti.
Teocalli Cocina (in Lafayette and Arvada) has opened a third restaurant at 460 Main St. in Longmont.
Coming soon: The Den on 11th, 1111 Francis St., Longmont.
Delicious Z’s, open since 2017, has closed at 802 S Public Road in Lafayette.
Culinary Calendar: Do drink local
This is the weekend to reduce your beverage-related carbon footprint by tasting local libations. The Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival, 12:30-5 p.m. June 1, offers wines from more than 30 Colorado wineries. The Lafayette Brew Fest, 2-6 p.m. June 1, will pour locals like Cellar West, Liquid Mechanics, Stem Ciders, Wibby, Mother Tucker and Westbound & Down.
Taste of the Week: Louisville lemon bar
I admit I have a jones for lemon bars, the dessert halfway between lemon pie and lemon cake. They are not as popular as easy sweet pastries like pain au chocolate, chocolate chip cookies or brownies, but lemon bars last. They are so rich, dense and intensely flavored you can savor it bite by bite.
Pucker lovers are like black licorice lovers: There aren’t many of us, but we are passionate about finding great lemon bars and avoiding the many yellow disappointments.
I found a satisfying candidate recently at South Street Market, 824 South St. in old Louisville. Besides offering scratch-made sandwiches, soups and entrées, the kitchen turns out serious baked goods, including a stellar lemon bar. The firm, bright curd over a perfectly buttery crust is not too sweet with tons of fresh lemon tartness. It provided serious pastry satisfaction between sips of a double espresso.
John Lehndorff hosts Radio Nibbles and Kitchen Table Talk on KGNU. Podcasts: kgnu.org/category/radio-nibbles