Pork Shank Pibil
Teocalli Cocina, 103 N. Public Road, Unit C, Lafayette, teocallicocina.com
The pork shank is a terrific cut of meat — tender when slow-roasted and porkier-tasting than other parts of the animal. The excellent, new Teocalli Cocina treats this cut superbly by serving it on the bone (the meat falls off with hardly any effort) alongside pickled and smoked onions, x-ni-peck (a Mayan salsa with mango and habanero), savory rice, bright black beans and yellow corn tortillas, lightly fried and worthy of their own spotlight. $19.
Fish and chips
The Hungry Toad, 2543 Broadway, Boulder, thehungrytoad.com
With Brexit in full swing and Megxit just getting started, it really gives ya’ a hankering for a simple British pleasure: fish and chips. So we recently headed over to The Hungry Toad for a full-on British pub experience and to satiate our craving for that most British of dishes. Here you’ll find hefty portions of juicy white fish covered in a delicate beer batter, served alongside crispy fries (a more American version of the fry, thinner than the English chip but no less tasty) with plenty of sweet and tangy malt vinegar to dash on top. Dip those hot chunks of beer-battered fish into the creamy, lemony tartar sauce. Of course, wash it all down with a Boddingtons Pub Ale for best results. $18.
Peasant Loaf
Kim & Jake’s, 641 S. Broadway, Boulder, kimandjakes.com
Here’s what you do with the peasant loaf from Kim & Jake’s, the Boulder bakery that specializes in baked goods for those with dietary restrictions: Take the crusty, flat loaf home, pop it in a 400-degree oven for about 10 minutes, slice it up and slather it with some kind of fat, maybe extra virgin olive oil or, in our case, butter with shallots and herbs. It makes a wholly satisfying snack, quick breakfast or dinner side, and what’ll be even more satisfying is the knowledge that it’s gluten-, dairy-, egg-, soy- and GMO-free and still tastes great and feels like traditional bread when you chew. A savvy mixture of oat, cassava and sorghum flours, flax meal and canola oil create this loaf. Prices vary.
Lucid AF IPA
Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co., 297 U.S. 287, Unit 100, Lafayette, liquidmechanicsbrewing.com
Liquid Mechanics isn’t afraid to stretch brewing boundaries, but when it locks in on a style, it executes. The Lucid AF IPA is a quintessential West Coast IPA. Mosaic, Citra and Amarillo hops contribute to a powerful bouquet and well-reined bitter citrus flavor. Simply put, it’s a great IPA. Prices vary.
