Review: LoDo Bites
By: Marisa DiTullio
Summer is in full swing! And there’s no better way to experience what LoDo has to offer this season than by participating in LoDo Bites, an annual event that offers patrons the opportunity to frequent 18 participating venues for a sample of cuisine, beverage, and/or entertainment.
Although this is the 8th year that LoDo Bites has taken place, I was particularly excited to participate this year given all the recent change that the LoDo historic district has undertaken. LoDo is perpetually evolving, and the renovation of Union Station has created a new gathering place for visitors and locals and has led to the opening of many new restaurant and shops. I have kept a running list of new places I’ve been wanting to try. I was excited to have the chance to try them all in one evening.
Upon arriving to Terminal Bar, I met Ryan King, the executive director of Lodo District Inc. His enthusiasm for the event was palpable and we discussed notable newcomers this year as well as the concert at Coohills which would be a highlight of the evening’s tour. After picking up my mini pocket guide, I had the chance to absorb the atmosphere at Union Station and the music being played by singer/songwriter Jason Vigil while I waited for my friend to arrive. While watching him perform, I helped myself to a taster of rum punch from Terminal Bar in addition to a small scoop of strawberry ice cream from Milkbox Ice Creamery. I was happy to learn that rum and ice cream complement each other in a way I never thought possible.
Once my friend arrived we started on our walking tour, trying to visit as many venues as possible. Each restaurant offered a sample dish from their menu to share. Size and type of dish varied from restaurant to restaurant which made for a fun surprise at each venue. From oysters at Stoic and Genuine, to tacos at Tom’s Urban, to brick oven pizza at World of Beer, and noodles at Zoe Ma Ma, and so on – always felt as though I had room for more. I was also pleasantly surprised that, despite the popularity of the event, we rarely had to wait for more than a few minutes at any one venue.
Another surprise was the incorporation of non-food venues such the Mike Wright Art Gallery. This is a spot where I might not typically have the opportunity to frequent, so I enjoyed noshing on sweets while taking in the paintings and riding on a mustache see-saw sculpture. We finished the night by making our way back to Coohills for a concert put on by the Hazel Miller Band. The stage was situated on the bridge adjacent to Coohills, overlooking the Platte river. It was a beautiful night, and I couldn’t have thought of a better finale for the 2015 LoDo Bites. Until next year!
