Food/Drink

SPICY-RED-RAM $10. Chimera Ramen. 2014 10th St., Boulder, 720-580-1100, chimera.kitchen

TRY THIS WEEK: Spicy-Red-Ram @ Chimera Ramen

WHERE THERE ONCE was Chimera, a pan-Asian complement to Edwin Zoe’s fantastic Zoe Ma Ma, now (as of June 1), there is Chimera Ramen, a pivot from the original concept. It’ll share its Downtown Boulder space with another forthcoming fast casual spot of Zoe’s creation, but it builds off the success of the ramen bowls Chimera has always served. We tried the spicy-red-ram bowl on a recent visit, composed of an umami-rich broth of kombu, miso and bonito, with succulent roast pork belly, spicy sprouts and a bright sansho-chili oil. It’ll open the sinuses as well as the palate.

Drink this: Twisted Pine Brewing Company’s Billy’s Chilies

IT’S HARD OUT here for a beer, and your favorites need your loyalty. Forget tasting your way through a slew of seasonals and smallbatch beers; better to stick with the hometown heroes. And one of the best in the county is Billy’s Chilies, a classic American wheat ale dry-“hopped” with fresh Anaheim, Fresno, jalapeño, Serrano and habanero peppers. It’s thirst-quenching, spicy and light — ideal for drinking on a patio in June. Which you can do now, see page 25 for more.

Closed: The Med, Brasserie Ten Ten and Via Perla

DOWNTOWN BOULDER is going to feel a little empty for a while. On June 8, The Walnut Restaurant Group, which runs The Med, Brasserie Ten Ten and Via Perla, announced it will permanently close all three restaurants. “With the new economic pressures that the hospitality industry is now facing, we simply cannot continue to run and operate our restaurants with the level of quality and service that we are committed to providing, and that our guests have rightly come to expect,” group owners Joe and Peggy Romano wrote in a statement. Sites for celebrations, first dates, nights out and holiday meals, the three restaurants will be missed by many.