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We know that keeping up with Denver’s ever-changing, always-growing dining scene can be challenging. For this reason, we launched “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.
For more 5280 food and drink coverage, subscribe to our award-winning, weekly email newsletter, Table Talk.
Recent Openings
Highland Tap & Burger opened its Sloan’s Lake location on September 1.
Five Point’s historic 715 Club reopened in early September after being closed for nearly three decades. The neighborhood bar, which originally opened in the 1940s, retains much of its old-school charm.
Husband-and-wife team John Broening and Yasmin Lozada-Hissom returned to the Denver dining scene on September 6 with Avelina. The downtown restaurant features Broening’s rustic-yet-polished fare and Lozada-Hissom’s stunning desserts.
River and Woods, Daniel Asher and Josh Dinar’s community-minded restaurant, opened on September 6 in the former John’s Restaurant space in Boulder.
Mussels with grilled bread at Boulder’s new River and Woods. —Photo by Rachel Adams
The long wait for Carbone’s Italian Sausage Market & Deli’s return is over. In early September, the icon reopened in Sunnyside’s new Monkey Barrel location.
Carboy Winery and a second location of Angelo’s Taverna opened in Littleton in early September.
Congress Park Taproom opened on September 7 with 30 beer taps and four wine taps serving Infinite Monkey Theorem vinos.
South African-inspired food truck Jozi’s Kitchen & Shebeen opened a brick and mortar location in Parker on September 10.
After shuttering earlier this summer, the Juicing Tree returned to LoHi in mid-September in a cute wooden structure near Bar Dough.
Maria Empanada opened its Denver Tech Center location in mid-September.
In late summer, the team behind Little Man Ice Cream bought Adrift Tiki Bar. After a brief closing for a remodel in August, the team unveiled the new Adrift’s (with an upgraded menu) on September 17.
Rooftop patio Departure Elevated opened this month in Cherry Creek’s Halcyon Hotel. Departure chef Gregory Gourdet crafted a menu of Asian-influenced bites for poolside lounging.
Stock up on meat from the Local Butcher and much more at the newly opened Denver Central Market. —Photo by Rachel Adams
Voicebox Karaoke Lounge opened in RiNo on September 23. Nosh on small plates inspired by consulting chef Jensen Cummings as you belt out tunes in one of the private suites.
The highly anticipated Denver Central Market opened its doors on September 25. Take a look inside the 11-vendor gourmet market here.
The Goods opened in the space that was formerly the Good Son on Colfax Avenue on September 26. A week later, it temporarily closed due to a kitchen fire.
Commonwealth Coffee Roasters launched its cafe in North Park Hill on September 26.
El Coquí De Aquí, a brick-and-mortar location of the popular Puerto Rican food truck, launched on Colorado Boulevard on September 27.
Hamburger Mary’s is back: The Mile High location opened in Uptown in late September.
Closings
Highland French restaurant Z Cuisine Bistrot closed after more than a decade in business. The space already has new owners—one of them is Jamille Cucci, sister of local restaurateur Justin Cucci
After a very short tenure, Pop’s Place shuttered. The project from Jim Pittenger of Jim’s Biker Dogs and Stephen Kleinman, which took over the Lower48 Kitchen space, was open for less than six months.
After four decades, Bonnie Brae’s Campus Lounge closed on September 25.
The Celtic Tavern and Delaney’s on Blake Street both called it quits in September. Conor O’Neill’s Traditional Irish Pub and Restaurant in Boulder also closed this month.
The Golden Triangle’s popular Rooster & Moon Coffee Pub closed in September after eight years.
Hot Cakes Diner closed in September.
Ohana Island Kitchen is getting a brick and mortar. —Photo by Rachel Adams
News
On September 28, 5280 unveiled its annual 25 Best Restaurants list. See the rankings here, check out a behind-the-scenes interview with food editor Amanda M. Faison, and be sure to attend 5280 Dines on Sunday, October 2.
We were worried that Ohana Island Kitchen, the walk-up window on the side of the Truffle Table, might have to close up shop when the cold weather hit. But good news: the owners have a brick-and-mortar location of the Hawaiian eatery in the works.
The vacant Rosa Linda’s space will finally get a new tenant: Bremen’s Wine & Tap. The casual eatery should open sometime in early 2017.
Motomaki, a fast-casual Boulder restaurant specializing in sushi burritos, will open a Lakewood location in November.
Hand-made pasta from the Barolo Grill team will hit Avanti Food & Beverage when Chow Morso opens in early October.
What We’re Looking Forward to in October
Chow Morso, a new, casual project from the Barolo Grill crew, will open in Avanti Food & Beverage in the first week of October. Go for affordably priced, high-quality Italian fare. Don’t miss the fresh pastas, the rosemary doughnuts draped in porchetta, or the gelati.
Briar Commons Brewery and Eatery is slated to open in the Jefferson Park neighborhood in early October. Bonus: It’s got a sweet rooftop patio.
Good news for bagel lovers in the Mile High City: Rosenberg’s Bagels and Delicatessen is slated to reopen on October 15.
The Rolling Pin Bakeshop, the long-awaited bakery project located next door to Rosenberg’s Bagels, is expected to host its grand opening on October 18.
Chefs Alex Figura and Spencer White’s RiNo pasta restaurant, Dio Mio, will open in October.
Aurora’s highly anticipated Stanley Marketplace will open in October. Tenants in the massive space, which range from beer halls to creameries to sit-down restaurants—will start opening this month.
Que Bueno Suerte! Is slated to open in the former Session Kitchen space sometime in October. Expect an exciting Mexican menu from consulting chef Dana Rodriguez of Work & Class.
Ellen Daehnick of Helliemae’s caramels will open Post Oak Hall on October 15. The Wheat Ridge spot will focus on Houston-style po’ boys and icebox desserts, including Daehnick’s insanely good banana pudding with salted caramel sauce.
The Kitchen’s Cherry Creek outpost is scheduled for an October opening.
La Loma is (finally; actually) moving this month. The Jefferson Park favorite will relocate to its new downtown location (in the former Trinity Grille space) in late October.
