Session Kitchen Needs Work; Wayne's Smoke Shack Rocks

Session Kitchen, the Old Pearl Street helmed by chef Scott Parker, received two stars from 5280 Magazine's critic Stacey Brugeman. The 11,000-square-foot restaurant located in the former Izakaya Den space delivers more on the artsy decor than the food. Brugeman enjoyed the warm kale heart salad, the bergamot-spiked dolmas stuffed with creamy carnaroli rice, and the pizzalike tart at brunch. While some dishes were disappointing, she is confident that the chef has what it takes to make the food upstage the space.

While Colorado is not known for its barbecue, Wayne's Smoke Shack puts you deep in the heart of Texas. This is a lunch-only establishment, with closing times keyed to when the restaurant runs out of food, offers beef that is both hormone- and antibiotic-free. Don't miss the barbecue sausages and pork ribs.

· Body Of Work: Session Kitchen [EDen]
· Wayne's Smoke Shack: Deep In The Heart of Texas [Daily Camera]