Caroline Glover wants to take you on a journey. Inspired by the eateries Glover and her husband, co-owner Nelson Harvey, seek out when they explore other cities, six-month-old Traveling Mercies feels like a mini-vacation. “They are usually seafood- and cocktail-centric, with a concise wine list, and are smaller and off the beaten path,” Glover says. “We really wanted to create that type of spot.”

To nail the ambience, Glover tapped Denver-based FAM Design, which transformed the petite space on the third floor of Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace formerly occupied by aviation-themed Sky Bar. Ochre, terra cotta, and ocean blue tones and a dazzling curvy ceiling accent the light-bathed room, making it a beautiful place to slurp oysters and sip martinis.

5280 June 2024
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Pop in for the herbaceous Kill Your Darlings spritz while you wait for a table at Annette, Glover’s first restaurant, located downstairs. Or build a dinner-worthy spread out of a slab salad studded with sun-dried tomatoes, blue cheese, and pancetta; a plate of plump shrimp with mustard-powder-zinged cocktail sauce; anchovies on a butter-slathered baguette; and whipped-cream-topped rice pudding.

Read More: 3 New Denver Restaurants with Stylish Interiors

This article was originally published in 5280 June 2024.
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia joined the 5280 staff in July 2019 and is thrilled to oversee all of the magazine’s dining coverage. Follow her food reporting adventures on Instagram @whatispattyeating.