Monday is National Fried Chicken Day — the best finger-lickin’ day of the year.

In honor of this most-delicious day, the fried chicken experts at MAX’s Wine Dive (696 Sherman St. – www.maxswinedive.com/denver-east-7th-avenue/) are offering a special all day long – buy one, get one free on their famous southern fried chicken.

MAX’s has won numerous national awards for its fried chicken that’s brined in jalapeno buttermilk and fried at a low temperate to keep the chicken tender and juicy, and there’s a gluten free version that’s breaded with a cauliflower mixture that some say is even better than the original.

(Kevin Marple photo)

Punch Bowl Social (65 Broadway) is partnering with Breckenridge Distillery to create a #LoveWins cocktail in honor of the recent Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex marriage in all 50 states. The summery beverage is made with lavender syrup, lime juice, peach bitters, ginger beer and Breckenridge Bourbon.

The #LoveWins cocktail is $7 and Punch Bowl Social is giving $2 (because this effort represents two people) to The Human Rights Campaign through the month of July for each #LoveWins cocktail sold.

Gravitas Development Group, a local firm specializing in urban infill development, has announced Sushi Ronin as the final tenant of its new five-story development at 2930 Umatilla. Located in the LoHi neighborhood directly south of the popular neighborhood eatery Linger 2930 Umatilla will house a mix of office and restaurant tenants.

“We reviewed a variety of concepts for the street-level restaurant space at 2930 Umatilla and felt that Sushi Ronin was an ideal fit for both the building and the neighborhood,” said Ryan Diggins, Gravitas Development Group partner. “LoHi needs a sushi restaurant to call its own and Corey Baker’s impressive experience and vision for Sushi Ronin will work well in a neighborhood in which chef-driven restaurants have been the catalyst to development.”

Comprised of 23,000 square feet, 2930 Umatilla is currently home to Delivery Agent, the market leader in turning viewers into revenue-generating consumers, located on the building’s third, fourth and a portion of the fifth floors. The building starts and stops with restaurants; the street level and top floors will both be home to local dining concepts, each slated to open in late 2015. The top floor will be operated by restaurateur Justin Cucci, the chef/owner of other popular Denver concepts including Linger, Root Down and Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox. The restaurant will showcase unobstructed eastern views of downtown Denver from a large open-air patio.

Sushi Ronin will make its home on the bottom street level space. At the helm of the restaurant is Executive Chef and partner Baker. Baker has more than 10 years experience and training in the art of sushi and Japanese cuisine, from numerous master sushi, kaiseki and kappo-style chefs. Baker was formerly the head sushi chef at Denver’s lauded Sushi Den, where he worked for more than six years. Prior to that, in 2004, Baker opened Sushi Hai, located in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood, and ran the kitchen as the executive chef for three years. Baker also has experience in the kitchens at Sushi Sasa, Sushi Yoshi, Sweet Ginger/Spicy Ginger and Rice Bistro.

Boasting just under 2,000 square feet, Sushi Ronin will feature transitional indoor/outdoor space and a distinct dining area and bar/lounge. With an omakase forward menu, Sushi Ronin will also offer a curated sake and spirits to complement the menu.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my vision for Sushi Ronin to life,” Baker said. “The concept of Sushi Ronin is rooted in traditional sushi preparation, and this will be juxtaposed with an esoteric-traditional menu to create an intimate yet energetic environment.”

Eavesdropping on myself: “Have a blast on the Fourth!”

Denver Union Station will hold its first annual Stars and Stripes Express Fest from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the popular historic building in front of the Terminal Bar on Wynkoop Street.  During the month of July, The Crawford Hotel and Denver Union Station will celebrate the official one-year anniversary of its revitalization, in addition to kicking off the Independence Day weekend by extending the Terminal Bar patio for a day with live entertainment and family fun.

On Friday, the Wynkoop side of the historical building will offer an extended patio featuring refreshments from the Terminal Bar, Little Man Ice Cream and old-fashioned floats from MilkBox Ice Creamery, live entertainment and family-friendly activities including face painting.  Musical entertainment will include the Dixieland Express Trio, Train 45, Phat Daddy and more.

“It will be a great way to kick off the weekend in Denver,” said Joe Vostrejs, of the Union Station Alliance.  “There’s so much happening in the city for the Fourth like the Zac Brown Band concert at Coors Field and fireworks at Civic Center Park, we wanted to start the celebration off in everyone’s favorite place to be, Union Station.”

More information about the Denver Union Station Stars and Stripes Express Fest can be found at www.unionstationindenver.com.  Reservations for the July 4^th weekend can be made for The Crawford Hotel at www.thecrawfordhotel.com.

The City and County of Denver’s mobile website, www.pocketgov.com, has re-launched with a new streamlined look and additional features, providing residents and businesses easier access to key city services.

This upgrade offers a new map that gives residents an opportunity to learn more about races, parades, festivals, markets and other special events planned for public property. Debuting just in time for the busy July 4^th holiday weekend, residents can pull up the special events map on their mobile devices or desktop computers and quickly decide whether to join in on the fun or find alternate routes for travel around town.

“Pocketgov is an innovative tool that gives you a direct connection to the city that serves you,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “With the help of resident feedback, we’re adding new features to this online service center every month, like the special events map, and making Denver city living a whole lot easier.”

In addition to the special events map, there are several new features at www.pocketgov.com, including a:

• Map of B-cycle stations;
• Map of ballot drop-off locations around the city;
• Real-time election results.

With the new design, residents can easily use existing services such as:

• Setting up text message alerts for street sweeping reminders;
• Reporting potholes or graffiti;
• Signing up for notifications for waste removal;
• Finding Denver property values.

DiningOut magazine, the creator of the Top Taco taste fest and competition held Thursday at Sculpture Park, has compiled the winners of the popular vote. They are:
Traditional taco –
* First place: Highland Tap Burger
* Second place: Comida
* Third place: NorthCounty

Creative taco –
* First place: Kachina, Southwestern Grill
* Second place: Comida
* Third place: Los Chingones

Tequila cocktail –
* First place: Highland Tap and Burger / Maestro Dobel Tequila
* Second place: Work & Class / Casa Noble
* Third place: Comida / Suerte Tequila

Liquor Limo, the premiere shopping experience for wine, liquor and beer delivery, has just launched in Denver. The free app, now available for download on iOS and Android, offers seamless, scheduled liquor delivery or in-store pickup. Unlike competitors, Liquor Limo offers free delivery on orders of more than $50, and there is no need to tip.

“We developed Liquor Limo as a solution to a need we identified within the market,” said Kevin Byrne, Liquor Limo COO. “Now, through the app, customers in Denver and across Colorado, can receive scheduled and professional liquor delivery, while still supporting their local neighborhood retailers. Additionally, our proprietary Replica Recommendation Engine enables users to explore vast retailer inventories, and discover new beverages based on the chemical fingerprint of their current likes and dislikes.”

Liquor Limo partners with local neighborhood liquor stores to provide their inventory and delivery services to customers with a minimum order, typically $25. Valid photo ID proving the user is 21 years of age or older is required to register the app, and is also verified upon delivery, which can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance. App users have direct access to local liquor stores’ inventory, and Liquor Limo never marks up prices on any products. All payments are remitted to partner liquor stores directly through the app, via the customer’s securely stored payment information.

Currently, the delivery service has 15 retail partners providing liquor delivery in the following markets: Avon, Vail, Frisco (Beavercreek, Lake Dillon), Pueblo, Stapleton, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Durango, Carbondale, Montrose, Thornton, Fort Collins, Greeley and Denver.

Akin to providing consumers a personal sommelier, cicerone or spirits expert in their smart phones, Replica Recommendation Engine enables users to discover new beers, wines and spirits based upon their particular taste and aroma preferences. Liquor Limo has analyzed the chemical “fingerprint” of more than 15,000 unique beers, wines and spirits in its state-of-the-art analytical lab, to create this constantly growing database, the most comprehensive and unique in the industry.

Through the Liquor Limo app, users can identify their favorite beverages, then use Replica to compare meaningful chemical data points across tens of thousands of brands. They can then search store inventories for similar tasting beverages, often at a fraction of the price. 

Boasting more than 40 years of collective experience in the wholesale liquor distribution business, Liquor Limo’s management team has vast experience distributing liquor, beer and wine to local retailers. Members of the team founded Baroness Wines in 2001, and built it into the largest independent wine, beer and spirits distribution company in Colorado. After developing a strong understanding of distribution efficiencies for both retailers and the end user, Baroness Wines was sold to a division of Berkshire Hathaway in 2014, and Liquor Limo was developed shortly thereafter.

“Liquor Limo will not only provide a valuable service to time-strapped consumers, but open entirely new consumer groups to local liquor stores,” Byrne said. “We think it’s a win-win.”

For more information, go to www.liquorlimo.com.

The Downtown Denver Partnership recently introduced IKE, a first-of-its-kind interactive kiosk experience designed to provide information, engage users and support economic development downtown. IKE, a collaboration between the Downtown Denver Partnership and Street Media Group, and developed with the support of several Colorado-based businesses, is a pilot program created to support the Partnership’s 20-year vision for downtown by providing a comprehensive way-finding system that leverages technology, promotes retail goods and services and helps welcome international visitors to the center city.

IKE will enhance the downtown experience all day every day at six locations, five along the 16th Street Mall (at Tremont, Court, Market, Larimer and Curtis) and one at 15th and Curtis, by serving as an:

• Information portal – IKE is an interactive directory of places to eat, shop, play and stay downtown. It also hosts a comprehensive event listing and supports getting around downtown through maps, walking directions and information on transit routes. IKE is an enhancement of the Partnership’s printed guides, including its map and directory and events flyer, which will continue to be printed and available throughout downtown.
• Engagement opportunity – IKE encourages two-way dialogue through its “question of the week” application, has a photo booth where users can send photos to their mobile devices and games that provide exclusive offers for those who participate.
• Economic development tool – IKE enhances the economic activity of downtown by providing unique promotional opportunities for businesses, the opportunity to welcome new businesses and also builds upon downtown’s emphasis on technology and innovation.
• Safety resource – IKE is capable of displaying critical safety and emergency announcements both visually and with sound. IKE’s large bright screens also provide additional lighting to enhance areas after dark.

“It is really important for us to bring the most advanced technology available downtown to advance our culture of entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “IKE energizes our commercial core and will help us provide an even better experience for Downtown consumers.”

IKE is a result of collaboration from all Colorado-based companies, including Four Winds Interactive, who created the operating software; Display Devices, who built the kiosks; Mode Set; Oh Heck Yeah, who provided the Catchy game; Leg Work Studios, who designed many of the apps and with consulting support from FinWater Advisors.

“IKE is truly on the cutting edge of interactive kiosk technology, and offers not only a forward-thinking approach to way-finding, but also a unique opportunity to help downtown businesses thrive,” said Gary Young, CEO of Street Media Group. “We are proud to join the Downtown Denver Partnership and our partners to bring this exciting technology to downtown Denver.”

IKE is ADA compliant and most content is also available in Spanish. The pilot program is scheduled to last 18 months. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.