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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
Tacos Tequila Whiskey (aka Pinche Tacos) opened up its third location in Governor’s Park on March 2.
Cherry Creek Beer Garden, which offers one of that neighborhood’s largest patios, opened up at the Moxy Hotel on March 8.
The long awaited Zeppelin Station opened RiNo on March 12. The food hall (from the same team behind the Source) boasts eight international food vendors and two bars.
Jeff Osaka expanded his Sushi–Rama concept on March 15 with a new location at Belleview Station. The space is three times larger than the original and offers a similar conveyor-belt sushi menu.
Connecticut-based tapas-and-vino chain Barcelona Wine Bar made its Colorado debut in mid-March with its RiNo location.
Burger empire Shake Shack opened its highly anticipated RiNo location on March 21. Denverites greeted the new burger joint by lining up around the block.
Corrida opened in Boulder on March 24 on the fourth-floor of the former Daily Camera building (now known as PearlWest). The modern Spanish restaurant from Bryan Dayton (Oak at Fourteenth, Acorn, Brider) offers unobstructed views of the Flatirons and a steak- and tapas-centric menu from executive chef Amos Watts.
Oasis Brewery, one of Colorado’s original craft breweries, reopened after a 16 year hiatus on March 29 in Highland, as reported by Eater Denver.
In late March, Andrea Frizzi opened a Boulder location of Vero, his wood-fired-pizza concept that originated in Denver Central Market.
Thirsty Monk opened its first Colorado location in Uptown in late March. Belgian brews are on the menu, as are brew-paired food flights.
Los Lounge opened in the former Sugarmill space. An expansion of neighboring Los Chingones, the lounge will offer a new setting for enjoying tacos, margaritas, and a late-night menu.
Boulder-born Woodgrain Bagels opened its second location in Lowry in March. Go for Montreal-style bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, skillets, and pizza.
Closings
Eater Denver reported that Element Kitchen & Cocktail closed in early March after just seven months at its Broadway location.
Restaurateur Dan Landes’ reboot of the Campus Lounge closed in March after just five months. As reported by the Denver Post, the divey neighborhood bar simply didn’t resonate with locals.
After 16 years on Colfax, Solera served it’s last dinner on Saturday, March 31. Chef-owner Goose Sorensen reflects on the journey.
News
The northwest Denver space that housed Patsy’s, one of the city’s oldest Italian restaurants, is almost ready for a rebirth as Acova restaurant, according to Westword.
The team behind Barolo Grill announced that they will expand their Avanti Food & Beverage concept, Chow Morso, into a brick-and-mortar restaurant called Chow Morso Osteria. The casual Italian eatery will open this summer in the LoDo space that formerly housed the Squeaky Bean.
Union Station’s Hearth & Dram announced Adam Vero (formerly of Mister Tuna) as its new executive chef.
Denver’s food hall scene is about to get even bigger. Eclectic Collective, a group comprised of food hall vets, announced that it’s planning a summer-opening for their Golden Triangle food hall, Broadway Market.
The 2018 James Beard Award finalist shortlist includes 5 Colorado finalists. We’ll have to wait until the awards ceremony in May to find out if any of them will win coveted medals.
Milk Market, the new Dairy Block food hall by Frank Bonanno, announced its 16 vendors. Expect everything from crêpes to Lou’s Hot fried chicken to Bonanno Brothers pizza.
LoHi will soon be home to a new coffee shop, bar, and taco joint, as reported by Eater Denver. Method Roasters, Lady Jane, and Bartaco will all open in the Alexan LoHi apartments this spring.
MiddleState Coffee is expanding into a larger warehouse space on Santa Fe Drive, reported Westword.
St. Louis-based Sugarfire Smoke House will open its first Colorado location in Westminster this summer.
Matt’s Big Breakfast, a popular Phoenix a.m. eatery, is coming to Denver, as reported by Westword.
What We’re Looking Forward to in April
Denver craft coffee pioneer Pablo’s Coffee is opening a new East Colfax Avenue location on April 5.
High Point Creamery will open its new Tennyson Street location in the Berkeley neighborhood on April 6, where they’ll be scooping new spring flavors like coconut-cherry crisp and pineapple-mint sorbet.
Curtis Park Delicatessen is aiming to open its second location on Sixth Avenue by mid-April, according to Westword.
Sean Kenyon, along with Matchbox co-owners Justin Anthony and Lisa Vedovelli, will open American Bonded in RiNo sometime in early April. The new watering hole from the acclaimed Williams & Graham and Occidental barman will feature plenty of whiskey selections and affordable cocktails.
