Carnitas pizza

Ok, so I have a problem with carnitas. I can admit it. That's the first step, right?! Evan asked if I could make some pizzas last weekend, so I thought sure! That'll give me the perfect outlet for my carnitas obsession. I made the usual for the boys and Tanette but created something new for myself.

Homemade dough with cilantro jalapeno pesto

Added caramelized onions and the carnitas

Topped with Quesadilla and Cotija cheeses and a pinch of Epazote

After baking in the Egg and yes, it was delicious!

Smallest Brew Pub in CO

Yup. I found the smallest Brew Pub in Colorado. It just happens to be 1 mile from my house, in the suburbs, in a strip mall, surrounded by chains chains and more chains. It's pretty rare to see a non-chain in the 'burbs so I was happy to see Dad and Dude's Breweria open up right by my house. They say it's the smallest Brew Pub in Colorado and once you see it, you'll probably agree.

My wife and sons took me there for my birthday and everything was delicious. The decor is great, staff is helpful and knowledgeable and the food and beer was very good. My wife and I had a Pale Ale and I had a Black IPA, which I've never had before. Both were good, but I would have preferred more hops in both.

They use the spent grains from their beer in the pizza dough, as well as agave nectar. I was really happy with my Bootlegger pizza (meatballs, pancetta, roasted red peppers)! A solid "american"-style pie.

Probably one of the biggest surprises was that we went on a Tuesday night. Usually one of the slowest nights of any restaurant. When we got there around 6, there was a decent crowd (for a Tuesday) but by the time we left, the place was hoppin'! Great to see that. I'll definitely be back -- Drew
   

       

Bootlegger: Meatballs, Pancetta, Roasted Red Peppers

Penne with Marinara

Mushroom

Nice head on the Black IPA!

Albanian pizza? Really?!

Trump completely dropped the ball the other day when he took Sarah Palin to eat some pizza at an "authentic" pizza place in NYC. It turns out it was an Albanian pizza chain. Hey Trump, here's a quarter, go buy a clue.

Jon Stewart lets him have it

Pizza Republica - the bee's knees

If you've never been to Pizza Republica at the Landmark, you need to go this weekend. Chef Eric created a Roasted Duck Breast, Confit Duck Leg (oh god, do I need to go on? Yes, yes I do...), Prosciutto, Fig & White Truffle Oil Pizza...while he "was relaxing". Holy crap! Just go get 1 or 5. Soooooo good. Oh and the tiramisu, which I've never had there, was stellar. Well done Eric and crew! Serious Grub Chub today. Thanks for making my mom's birthday lunch so special! (and a special thank you to Drew Shope for the "bees knees" comment) -- Drew

I think I'm in love

...with mi huevo verde grande that is. I made homemade pizzas tonight for my family. For some reason, I've always been intimidated by making dough, but I got through it just fine and the dough turned out, crisp, tender and chewy, just like a good pizza crust should. Oh man, where they good. I left the dome open (while it was snowing) and within 20 minutes the Egg was up to 575 degrees. Nice

Pepperoni, mushroom and italian sausage pizza along with

my favorite Pinot Noir and one of the best cheeses in the

world, Parmigiano-Reggiano. It was a good night.
-- Drew