Best bites and sips from the Big Eat in Denver

Best bites: I went to check out the spread. Here were my favorites:

• Riot BBQ serves Texas barbecue with a Mexican twist, celebrity chef Manny Barella told us. And he delivered with juicy smoked pulled pork with esquites cornbread.
• Blackbelly brought the perfect one-two punch with its lardo and stonefruit toast topped with Colorado peaches. That paired nicely with a gazpacho shooter featuring tomato water, cucumber and chile.
• Samosa Shop surprised us with its hearty but delicate kesar mango salad made with farro, asparagus chutney vinaigrette and pomegranate.
• Meow Wolf partnered with Tito's on the most refreshing cocktail of the evening, dubbed Buzzbles. It included vodka, watermelon juice, basil simple syrup, lime juice, sparkling wine and a mint garnish.