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Gossip…There’s talk that Z Cuisine, East Highland’s tiny Parisian bistro, might be expanding into a vacant spot in the building. But chef and owner Patrick DuPays is tight-lipped, saying there are still details to work out—such as figuring out gas meters and other logistics with the city. One thing is for sure, says DuPays: the popular restaurant is not moving out of the neighborhood. “There’s a big chance we might do something, but no, we’re not moving—even if we can’t expand.” Stay tuned. 2239 W. 30th Ave., 303-477-1111, www.zcuisineonline.com.
Trend…Breakfast is already big business in Denver (Mona’s, Dozens, and Annie’s Cafe are proof of that) but the competition is about to get stiffer. On April 2, Snooze, a new “a.m. eatery” in the historic Ballpark neighborhood will begin serving breakfast and lunch. While San Francisco-based chef Brenda Buenviaje spent years creating and fine-tuning the hipster menu, a local kitchen crew will carry out her recipes while she consults from afar. Snooze owner Jon Schlegel, a Denver native with 15 years of restaurant experience including managing the late Mao Asian Bistro, Sushi Den, and The Denver Chop House, named the restaurant after his love for the snooze button, but promise of vanilla-almond-oatmeal bržlèe and pineapple upside-down pancakes are enough to get us out of bed on the first try. 2262 Larimer St., www.snoozedenver.com.
New…Long-standing jobs at Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli and Panera Bread proved to be good stepping stones for foodie Jyll Tuggle, who just opened Under the Umbrella Cafe in Congress Park. The five-week-old cafe set up shop in the former Mr. Lucky’s space and serves fresh-baked goodies (Tuggle was pulling lemon bars from the oven when I spoke with her), quiche, and sandwiches with fillings such as roast beef with pesto and chicken salad doctored with sugared pecans and bits of celery. Tuggle says the cinnamon rolls and muffins (she uses butter rather than oil to keep the texture lighter) as well as the sandwiches have already been a hit with the neighborhood. 3504 E. 12th Ave., 303-256-0797.
– Amanda M. Faison
