Chefs Up Front 2012; 'Hallelujah' For Pinche Tacos

STATEWIDE— Tickets for the annual Chefs Up Front dinner on March 25 are now on sale. Some of the city's most talented chefs (26, to be exact) will be cooking and all proceeds benefit Cooking Matters Colorado.

COLFAX—Denver Post food editor Kristen Browning-Blas says lunch at Pinche Taqueria was the best meal she's had this year. "This simple (but not simplistic) Mexican menu made me want to stand up right there in the restaurant and say 'hallelujah,' and I hadn’t even had any tequila." [Denver.org]

VAIL— If you're up in Vail for the weekend, head over to Fireside Bar at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa tonight and tomorrow to mingle and drink with Breckenridge Brewing brewmaster Todd Usry. Pick his brain about Breckenridge's latest collaboration with Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey — Well Built ESB, a barrel-aged bitter beer with some mighty fine whiskey notes. [Eaterwire/5280]

LOVELAND—The Rialto Theatre Center project is the new home for Next Door food & drink, a small tapas restaurant opening March 4th at 222 E. Fourth St. [Reporter Herald]