Wood Cellar offers diverse menu, versatile space

The Wood Cellar Bar and Grill is trying to get the reputation as a neighborhood restaurant with good customer service, quality food and reasonable pricing.

The restaurant in Bergen Park, in the former Tanglewoods location, has been open since July 1 and is owned by Tabor Cowden and Buck Glenn.

The two used to work together at Trinity Irish Pub at El Rancho and decided to open a place of their own.

Cowden, who lives in Evergreen, said the menu has something for everyone — healthy, not-so-healthy, kids. You name it, it’s there.

Two unusual items on the menu are the Loco Moco, consisting of rice, gravy, a burger and fried egg. This is Glenn’s concoction, and Cowden said he doesn’t even know the recipe for the gravy.

Cowden’s addition to the menu is called the garbage plate — French fries, macaroni salad, a burger, onions and a special hot sauce.

“It’s not the healthiest option we have,” Cowden admits, but the two dishes are flying out the door because people are enjoying them.

In addition, the fish is fresh. Cowden said he has a friend who is a boat captain in Alaska who sends fish to the restaurant daily.

Cowden said the layout of the restaurant has been advantageous because the restaurant can cater to many different people. Families can be in the dining room and patio, while adults can gravitate to the bar.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. until at least midnight. Call 303-670-8448 for reservations.

Sub Shoppe is for sale

For Stefan Phillips, owner of the Sub Shoppe in Evergreen, a life-changing experience is compelling him to sell the restaurant.

On June 12, Phillips suffered a posterior intracranial aneurysm. He is one of the lucky ones. Unlike most, he not only survived, but he has regained about 90 percent of his mobility.

As he explains it, he went to the Sub Shoppe on June 12 with a headache. He was making a sandwich and talking with a neighboring business owner when he knew he needed to get to the floor rather than faint. Then next thing he remembered, he was waking up after having two seizures, and the ambulance was on its way.

His first thought, he said, was to make sure that the stove burners were turned off and the doors were locked.

“We didn’t know for about a month what my life would be,” Phillips said. “The best guess was that I would have the abilities of a 2- to 3-year-old. They thought I would lose motor function, would not be able to swallow, eat or go to the bathroom. Fortunately for me, my brain decided it was going to reroute.”

As Phillips recovers, he is continuing to keep the restaurant open with part-time help. He prefers finding someone who wants a great business opportunity.

“I anticipate that the business will stay alive and will continue to serve Evergreen,” Phillips said. “It just needs some TLC, and people who can be there to run it.”

The Sub Shoppe has been open in Evergreen since 1973. Phillips, who is the fifth owner, has been running it for about a year.

For the next six months, Phillips expects simply to recuperate and determine his next step.

“Right now I have a lot of things I can do,” he said. He’s considering photography or writing a book about his experiences in the hospital.

“Time will tell,” he said. “My life has always been, when one door closes, three windows open, and I pick the best way.”

Anyone interested in buying the store should contact Barbara Haywood at ReMax Alliance, 303-838-1888.

Angels Unite fund-raiser on Sept. 2

Women of Evergreen Business is planning its annual fund-raiser Angels Unite from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Ice House in the downtown historic Evergreen Hotel.

This year’s event includes a silent auction, live music and food. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and can be purchased by calling Kathy McCarty at 303-202-5350 or Emily Ossmann at 303-674-1891.

The organization uses the money it collects for Evergreen families and organizations that need a little assistance. Donations go directly to the recipients.

Women of Evergreen Business is an organization devoted to the promotion and success of women-owned businesses through community support and outreach. It donates funds, supplies and time to charitable organizations and families in Evergreen, Conifer and surrounding mountain communities.

Da Kind gets 5280 editors’ choice award

Da Kind Soups has the distinction of having received the editors’ choice award from 5280 Magazine for top soup.

The award was announced in the magazine’s July issue, in which it lists the “Top of the Town — 205 Reasons to Love Denver.” The magazine gives awards for just about everything — from best taco to best athlete.

“We thought this was really lovely,” said Ariane Speck, co-owner of the restaurant on Meadow Drive. “Here’s a big fancy magazine recognizing us. I’m really proud of Dustin.” Dustin Speck is co-owner and soup chef.

Ariane said getting the award has been fun for Da Kind customers because they come in to the restaurant talking about the recognition.

The 5280 blurb about the restaurant said, in part, “When we first learned that this 1-year-old Evergreen soup joint was located in a converted 7-Eleven, we were skeptical. But Da Kind's space works, with big, sunny windows, soup-ladle decorations and an exposed brick wall. All of which we barely noticed as we spooned down a bowl of spicy clam.”

Have tips about businesses in Evergreen? Contact Evergreen resident Deb Hurley Brobst at deb@evergreenco.com.