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Keeping up with Denver’s ever-changing, always-growing dining scene can be challenging. For this reason, we bring you “the Highlight Reel,” a monthly recap of everything you need to know about dining out in (and around) the Mile High City. We’ll talk about the month’s hottest openings and news, as well as closings and what we’re looking forward to in the month to come.
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Recent Openings
Justin Cucci’s fifth concept, El Five, opened on May 2. The chic Mediterranean-inspired restaurant features stunning panoramic views, Spanish-style gin and tonics, and a exciting tapas-driven menu.
On May 2, Asheville-import Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar opened in the Union Station neighborhood.
ChoLon chef Lon Symensma and chef Luke Bergman finally unveiled Concourse Restaurant Moderne in Stapleton’s Eastbridge community center on May 3. The gorgeously appointed restaurant offers a tempting menu that spans breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Symensma also announced that he’ll be bringing Kaya Kitchen to Avanti Food & Beverage this summer.
Chef Radek Cerny has returned to Denver with Atelier by Radex, which opened in City Park West on May 3.
The Long I Pie Shop relocated from the Temple Bakery to Globeville’s Fort Greene Bar on May 6. Owner Shauna Lott has rolled out a menu of savory items and continues to serve her signature sweet treats.
White Pie, the second Denver endeavor for the brothers behind Dos Santos, opened in the Uptown neighborhood on May 18. Go for the thin-crusted pizzas, delicate pastas, and frozen beverages.
On May 20, Intrepid Sojourner Beer Project opened in the Santa Fe Arts District with a globally inspired menu of suds.
Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen opened its second location at the Stanley Marketplace on May 26.
LoHi breakfast-and-lunch cafe ProsperOats opened its second location in Broomfield’s Arista development in May.
Broadway Deli opened in the former home of Authentic Greek Cuisine on Broadway this month. Its late-night hours and fresh subs are sure to be a hit in the South Broadway neighborhood.
Closings
Richard Sandoval shuttered Zengo and La Güera Gastro Cantina on May 4. The Zengo space will become Wayward, a vegetable-focused project from the team behind the Way Back, and La Güerra will become a daytime grab-and-go cafe of sorts.
In May, Troy Guard closed two of his restaurants: Lucky Cat and Sugarmill. He plans to expand the original location of Los Chingones into the Sugarmill space.
Turley’s Kitchen, a 40-year-old health food restaurant in Boulder that began as the Good Earth, has announced that it will close this month.
Old South Pearl’s Pajama Baking Co. shuttered this month. It will be replaced by the French bakery the Boulangerie in June.
JJ Chinese Seafood, a favorite for Cantonese food, closed up shop on West Alameda Avenue. Yummy Szechuan Restaurant is taking over the space.
After a 20-year run near Coors Field, Fadó Irish Pub shuttered on May 27. It may reopen in a new Denver location in the future.
News
As of May 26, the summer Passport Program is back. Read all about the new participating restaurants here.
A serious poke wave has hit Denver, with new spots like Turtle Boat, Poke303, Sushi Cup, and Poke City now open and soon-to-open joints including Poke House, Denver Poke Company, and Aloha Poke Co.
Colorado’s James Beard Award Foundation finalists—Frasca Food and Wine for Outstanding Restaurant and Oak at Fourteenth, Acorn, and Brider‘s Steve Redzikowski for Best Chef, Southwest—didn’t take home the awards, but they still made Colorado proud.
Bryan Dayton, co-owner of Boulder’s Oak at Fourteenth, Acorn, and Brider, has announced the name and vision for his forthcoming Boulder restaurant, Corrida. He’s tapped former Old Major chef Amos Watts to head up the kitchen, which will focus on the cuisine of the Basque region in northern Spain.
The Inventing Room is (almost) back! Owner Ian Kleinman will open a brick-and-mortar Inventing Room Dessert Shop on Tennyson and 29th Avenue later this summer.
Zoe Ma Ma owner Edwin Zoe has announced he’ll open Chimera in the former Sushi Tora space in Boulder this fall. The restaurant will focus on Pacific Rim cusines.
Looking Ahead to June…
Señor Bear, the latest from Bar Dough chef Blake Edmunds, chef Max Mackissock, and Juan and Katie Padro, should open in the former Jezebel’s space in early June. The menu will feature a wide range of upscale, Latin-inspired dishes.
Chef Troy Guard will open his third location of Los Chingones in Stapleton’s Eastbridge Town Center in late June.
Birdcall, a fried chicken joint from the folks behind Park Burger, is slated to open up in the former home of Tom’s Home Cookin’ in Five Points sometime in June.
June is the official kickoff to summer festival season here in Colorado. We can’t wait for Top Taco (June 22). Here are 10 more must-attend events for foodies this season.
