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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
On September 7, Chipotle made news for re-opening at its very first location on West Evans Avenue.
LoDo’s Rhein Haus has a new sister restaurant: Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern. The Wisconsin-themed bar and eatery opened on September 8.
Pride & Swagger, a new gay bar in Uptown, celebrated its grand opening on September 8.
The highly anticipated (and much-delayed) Tavernetta by Frasca Food and Wine finally opened on September 13. Sadly, just a week after opening day, the restaurant suffered a kitchen fire (no one was hurt) and is now closed for repairs. We’ll post an update when a re-opening day is set.
On September 15, two of Denver’s top Jewish bakeries, the Bagel Store and Rosenberg’s Bagels and Delicatessen, merged to become Rosenberg’s Kosher. It is now the largest kosher purveyor in the state, offering a vast selection of house-made baked goods (bagels, among other things), smoked fish, salads, and spreads.
On September 17, Triple Tree Cafe opened in Capitol Hill. The motorcycle-themed cafe took over the former Caffe Sanora CO 40 space and is serving many of the same dishes.
On September 18, Stapleton favorite Four Friends Kitchen opened its second location near the University of Denver.
Le Méridian Hotel debuted Corrine restaurant and 54Thirty cocktail bar in mid September. As the highest rooftop bar in the city, 54Thirty is already attracting a steady stream of folks looking to take in the stunning views.
Rebel Restaurant launched Obey Sandwichery on September 18, serving lunchtime-only sandwiches and salads from Rebel’s kitchen window. Items such as kimchi cheesesteaks will be for takeout only, no substitutions.
Korean food has arrived at the Champa food court off the 16th Street Mall with Ssäm BBQ, which specializes in grilled meat wraps.
Austin-import Lustre Pearl made its unofficial Denver debut on September 21. The laid-back RiNo bar doubles as a music venue.
After a three year absence, beloved Spicy Pickle deli returned to Denver on September 22. The new Lawrence Street location features the original menu and a renewed focus on ingredient quality.
Copper Door Coffee Roasters unveiled its second location—this one on Santa Fe—on September 25.
Lakewood favorite Stack Subs opened its second location—this one in downtown Denver—On September 25.
LoHi got a new Italian spot on September 30: Marcella’s Ristorante, Pizzeria, and Wine Bar. The new eatery slings pizza, pasta, and charcuterie and cheese platters.
Korean barbecue favorite Dae Gee opened up an Aurora outpost in late September.
Closings
Arvada Eggshell, a breakfast staple in Olde Towne, shuttered in September. Flying Pig Bacon Company will debut in the space early in 2018.
September 17 was the last evening of service for Black Eye Coffee Cap Hill’s evening alter ego, White Lies. The coffee shop will continue to serve food, coffee, and cocktails until 6 p.m. daily.
Bamboo Sushi is leaving Avant F&B on September 30 to prepare for its move to a brick and mortar location in LoDo.
RiNo’s Hutch & Spoon cafe has shuttered.
LoDo’s Crave Real Burgers closed in September.
News
On September 20, Airbnb and restaurant reservation system Resy combined forces to make it easier to experience the Mile High City’s vibrant culinary scene.
After studying for a decade, Colorado’s own Ashley Vaughters became a Master of Wine, one of the world’s most prestigious designations for wine professionals.
Renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer is headed to Colorado to speak at the Colorado Restaurant Show. We caught up with him to talk about the forthcoming Colorado Shake Shack location, hospitality, and more.
Pizzeria Locale’s Denver locations are offering a whole lot more than pizza this month. Stop by anytime in October for a meatballs-and-burrata collaboration pizza with chef Steve Redzikowski of Oak at Fourteenth, Acorn, and Brider (if you drop by tonight, October 2, half of what you spend will go towards the American Lung Association). It’s also partnered with Epic Brewing Company for a sun dried tomato- and basil-infused ale, which you’ll have to head to the taproom’s fifth annual firkin fiasco to sample..
Steuben’s Arvada debuted everyday breakfast service in September, meaning you can pop in for the “traffic jam”—a heaping pile of green chile cheese, bacon, sausage gravy, and eggs—everyday of the week.
Boulder food truck park the Rayback Collective has added on-tap cocktails, a coffee shop, and a kombucha tap room to its permanent lineup of attractions.
Amazing news for cookie lovers: Santa Fe Cookie Co. will be returning very soon. Original founder and owner Debbie Kuehn passed away in July from cancer, but her niece is reviving the beloved Denver biz.
Overland’s Declaration Brewery Co. debuted its dog-friendly patio in September.
Jax Fish House chef Sheila Lucero attended the James Beard Foundation’s 2017 Chef’s Boot Camp for Policy and Change. Here’s what she learned.
Beer giant Breckenridge Brewery debuted new beer labels that pay homage to the Rocky Mountains.
Futuristic fried chicken emporium Birdcall announced it will debut its second location inside Union Station’s long-anticipated Whole Foods this fall.
2018 will be the year of Little Man Ice Cream. The local favorite is primed to open four new outposts—from Sloan’s Lake to Fort Collins—next year.
The team behind Zaika Indian Cuisine and Zaika Indian Express announced that they’ll brink Mehak’s Indian Aroma, an upscale Indian joint, to Cherry Creek in December.
The empty Uptown space formerly home to Argyll Whiskey Beer is getting a new tenant this winter: Stoney’s Bar & Grill.
The La Loma team is expanding to Lone Tree with Sierra, an American Kitchen.
First Bite, Boulder County Restaurant Week, is taking place November 10 through 18. Check out the list of participating restaurants here.
What We’re Looking Forward to in October
October in Denver means one thing: The Great American Beer Festival. Check out our insider’s guide to the fest here.
Ohana Grille, an extension of the food truck of the same name, is celebrating its grand opening on October 2.
Kendra Anderson (aka “Swirl Girl Denver”) opens her gritty-chic wine- and cocktail-focused Bar Helix in RiNo on October 3.
You’ll quickly forget that Colorado is landlocked once seafood-centric Wewatta Point opens this October in LoDo. Indulge in a lobster roll or linguine with clams.
Kitchen Table: BBQ & Comfort Food is relocating from City Park West to the Goosetown Tavern space on East Colfax Avenue. The new location is expected to open in mid-October.
Blackbelly’s Hosea Rosenberg will open his second Boulder restaurant, Santo, sometime in October. He’ll focus on New Mexican-style comfort food.
Ginger & Baker, a highly anticipated Fort Collins bakery, restaurant, and market, will hopefully open in October. Its opening date has been delayed due to heavy rains.
The Bindery, an eatery, market, and bakery from chef Linda Hampsten Fox, is shooting for a mid-October opening date for its LoHi location.
Under the Umbrella Cafe and Bakery will open its second location—this one in the Baker neighborhood—in mid-October.
Two new poke spots, Poke House and Denver Poke Co., are primed for October openings.
Chuey Fu’s will open a second brick-and-mortar location in Englewood come October.
The Inventing Room Dessert Shop plans to open by the end of October, with twice the square footage, a patio, and exciting design elements “we hope will blow our guest’s minds as soon as they step foot in the door,” says owner Stacey Kleiman.
