Xiquita
5-Course Tribute to Mexican Tradition Tasting Event
Opened roughly one year ago, this Uptown eatery that celebrates ancestral Mexican cuisine has been showered with accolades, appearing on Bon Appetit’s “7 Must-Visit New Restaurants” List and being named a Westword “Best New Restaurant” Award Winner IN 2025. Chef Erasmo (Ras) Casiano, whose Lucina restaurant in Park Hill has become a destination since our last visit, was a James Beard “Best Chef: Mountain” Semi-Finalist. At Xiquita, his brilliant masa is the backbone to a range of dishes, from taco de mercado (duck fat cured ribeye) to sope (barbacoa de lengua, or bbq tongue) to tamal Oaxaqueno. Still, there’s so much more here: sikil pak (grilled beets over Yucatan tomato and pepita spread with goat cheese), tuetano (beef marrow with mushroom chile arbol), and carne asada. Fabulous desserts too, like pan de elote (sweet corn cake with ice cream and lavender) and prickly pear sorbet. 5280 hails Xiquita as “a deliciously ambitious ode to Mexico City…the masa dishes wow…exceptional.” We can’t wait to visit here, sit with Chef Casiano, and learn more about Mexican cuisine. Join us!
About the Host:
Erasmo Casiano
Chef/Owner
Mexican-American Chef Erasmo "Ras" Casiano graduated Summa Cum Laude from Johnson and Wales University's Culinary Arts program. After working in kitchens throughout Texas (including The Screen Door and Ferre Ristorante), he moved to Denver in 2009, serving as Executive Chef at Cru Wine Bar, Cafe Colore, and NoRTH Italia. He is a 2-Time James Beard Semi-Finalist for "Best Chef: Mountain" ('24 and '25).
The Lineup
All courses will be individually plated. This menu will be Gluten, Mushroom & Shellfish Free. For the list of restrictions Chef is accommodating, scroll to the bottom of this page.
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Aguachile de Atun
kombu cured bluefin, aguachile, apple
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Pipian Verde
green mole, roasted carrot, pinche salsa macha, chevre, epazote powder
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Taco de Pato
duck carnita, mole casero, crema de camote, xni pec, house nixtamal tortilla
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Puerco en Salsa
pork belly, guacachile, mixed herbs
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Gansito
chocolate, guava gel, mousse
Xiquita
500 E 19th Ave
Denver, CO 80203
Event FAQs
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email support@tastingcollective.com with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- Due to the large-format nature of our events, restaurants are not able to accommodate all dietary restrictions/food allergies or make any menu adjustments based on food preferences (e.g distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles). This restaurant will be offering substitutions exclusively for the following restrictions/allergies: Pescatarian, Dairy, Nut. They are NOT accommodating Vegetarians or restrictions related to the following ingredients: Garlic (cooked), Garlic (raw), Onion (cooked), Onion (raw), Scallion, Bluefin, Aguachile. If you have any of these restrictions/allergies, please make sure to note this in your profile (in the “Event Preferences” section) either before or right after purchasing your tickets so Chef can prepare accordingly.
