— ADVERTORIAL — It’s Not Just A Sports Bar, It’s A Destination! Food and Drink continued from page 78 strung from the ceiling. While it boasts some of the best green chile in town, the true can’t- miss option here is the carnitas, served simply on a plate with rice, beans and a tortilla on the side. The slow-cooked pork studded with onions and peppers is crisped before serving, and is an exemplary take on the classic. T neighborhood of Golden, Colorado, is home to a remarkable destination restaurant called Last Stand Tavern. Th e Tavern started out as a hobby in the basement of the home of owners Dr. Annette and Tom Lambeth in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a place for friends and family he Coal Creek Canyon across a stunning mountaintop location in Golden overlooking Coal Creek Canyon, she knew it would be the perfect new home for Last Stand Tavern. In November 2017, when Annette and Tom took over the space that formerly housed a fi ne- dining German restaurant, they noticed that the surrounding area was missing a casual gathering place. Th e fi tting debut for a sports-themed bar run by sports fanatics. Although Tom is a die- hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Last Stand Tavern welcomes everyone, no matter what team they root for. With thirteen TV screens displaying diff erent games, it’s no wonder the Tavern won the Readers’ Choice awards for Best Sports Bar for Watching Games and Best Bar for Cheering on the Broncos in Westword’s 2020 Best of Denver edition. Readers also to hang out and sample Tom’s home-brewed beer, but with both of the Lambeths working full-time, they never made it more than that. Aſt er the couple relocated to Colorado in 2013 to be closer to their two children, Annette retired and was seeking her next adventure. When she came 80 community needed exactly what Last Stand Tavern had to off er: hearty comfort food, cold craſt beer and a friendly atmosphere. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2018, Last Stand Tavern opened its doors and was met with a line of welcoming neighbors! Super Bowl Sunday was a chose Last Stand Tavern as 2020’s Best Sports Bar for Food and Drink and for having the Best Restaurant Patio, which of course is dog-friendly. It’s the perfect spot to refuel aſt er a hike, serving all- American classics like burgers, sandwiches and wings, plus a few Pennsylvania delicacies like an authentic Philly cheesesteak and the Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich. Wash it down with a rotating selection of draſt beers, many of which are brewed in Colorado, or a cocktail from the full bar. Beer lovers will admire Tom’s extensive beer can collection, which serves as the backdrop to the Tavern’s bar. Th ere’s a story behind each and every can, and if you bring him a can he doesn’t already have, you’ll get a free draſt beer! Whether Best Tacos Cantina Loca 2890 Zuni Street 303-284-6738 cantinaloca.com Chef Dana Rodriguez has worked magic again with her latest concept, the Mexi- can street taco joint Cantina Loca. It’s a vibrant spot bursting with complex fl a- vors, all packaged in bite-sized entrees and fi nger foods. Rodriguez, who brought us Work & Class and Super Mega Bien, opened Cantina Loca not only to deliver charcoal-tempura cactus and housemade chorizo tacos to the neighborhood, but also to showcase her fantastic mezcal and tequila. After all, what goes better with a succulent pork carnitas taco than a dram of smoky mezcal? On the less traditional side, don’t pass up the doraditos, which are fried tacos stuffed with cheesy potatoes and lemon cabbage salad, then topped with a spicy avocado sauce. Best House Margarita La Fogata 5670 East Evans Avenue 303-753-9458 8090 East Quincy Avenue 720-974-7315 la-fogatadenver.com The original location of La Fogata was opened by Danette Calhoun on East Evans Avenue back in 1990; a second spot was added in the Denver Tech Center in 2004. Both eateries are staples in their neighbor- hoods, and regulars are greeted warmly by longtime staff — and the house margarita. Made with a secret blend of juices that give it a pink hue and a more mellow lime fl avor than most, this marg is everything a great margarita should be: strong, sippable and the perfect pairing for burritos, Mexican hamburgers and chiles rellenos. you’re looking to bask in the breathtaking views of Coal Creek Canyon or the glory of your favorite team’s triumph, the Last Stand Tavern is the place to be. Best Distillery Taproom Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse 3636 Chestnut Place 720-532-0937 irontondistillery.com Ironton was what this neighborhood along the South Platte was named in the 1800s, and over a century later, Kal- lyn Peterson and Robbie Adams kept the moniker for their distillery, opening in the space previously owned by Ironton Studios, a founding member of the RiNo Art District. The distillery does Colorado proud both with its strong array of spirits such as vodka, rum, aquavit, gin and whis- key, and the great tasting room where you can try them. With a 10,000-square-foot outdoor space (dog-friendly for canines on leashes) and an art-fi lled indoor area, it’s an ideal place to sit back with a Scan- dinavian Sex Monkey (barrel-aged aqua- vit, orange liqueur, turmeric shrub and orange) or a Huntin’ Wabbits (rye, carrot juice, apple juice, herbal bitters and sage). And don’t just come for the booze and art — though both are reason enough to visit: Ironton Distillery also sells wood-fi red pizzas, charcuterie and seasonal salads by Angel’s Share Pizza Kitchen. Best Colorado Distiller The Family Jones 3245 Osage Street 303-481-8185 thefamilyjones.co When co-owner Paul Tamburello (the man behind the Little Man ice cream shops and plenty more) brought the Family Jones to LoHi in 2017, it was with the idea of creat- ing a stunning space where guests could try the distillery’s locally made spirits. And those are stunning, too: Master distiller Rob Masters has created Annika Jones vodka, Juniper Jones gin, Mo Jones rum and Atticus Jones rye, but he hasn’t stopped there. He’s always working on new spir- its, such as the recently released Earl Grey Juniper Jones and Ella Jones bourbon, as well as concocting collaborations with breweries and other institutions around town. All of the liquor is made using local purveyors — grain from the Whiskey Sis- ters, malted grain from Root Shoot Malting and potatoes from Jones Family Organics — and Masters also creates the mixers used in the bar’s unique cocktail program. As a result, this is one family you defi nitely want to join. Best Cidery Haykin Family Cider 12001 East 33rd Avenue, Aurora 720-242-7292 haykinfamilycider.com What started as a home hobby turned into an award-winning business for Daniel and Talia Haykin, who offi cially opened Haykin Family Cider in February 2018. Unlike at most cideries, apples here are treated much like grapes in winemaking, with a focus on highlighting single, heirloom varietals with names like Redlove, Dabinett and Porter’s Perfection — several of which are grown locally. The sparkling beverages are avail- able in liquor stores as well as the cidery’s tasting room, where they’re poured from Champagne-like bottles. Best Wine Bar Noble Riot 1336 27th Street 303-993-5330 nobleriot.com At Noble Riot, you can sip really good vino and learn about it at the same time. For $69 a month, Noble’s Flight Club is a great way to do both, as sommelier Troy Bowen or co-owner Scott Mattson lead guests in monthly wine tastings, dinners and special winemaker highlights. Of course, you can just pop in for a glass of pet nat or elegant rosé, too, no reservation needed — and if you don’t know what to order, the skilled staff will guide you. Finally, you’d be hard-pressed to fi nd another place that offers crispy fried chicken to pair with that glass of sparkling Le Monde Ribolla or light and airy gruner veltliner. continued on page 82 APRIL 7-13, 2022 WESTWORD | BACKBEAT | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | westword.com
