Friends of Eater Name the Top Newcomers of 2014

Q: What are the top restaurant newcomers of 2014?

Stacey Brugeman, 5280 Magazine restaurant critic

2014 included a lot of exciting new openings: Work & Class, Guard and Grace, Argyll, Stoic & Genuine, Mercantile, and many others. Of these, the restaurant I seem to mention to people the most is Work & Class. They really nailed what they set out to achieve.

Ashley Hughes, Eater Denver writer

Work & Class, Cart-Driver.

Brittany Werges, 303 Magazine food editor

There were so many! I enjoyed many of them but my top five would have to be Brazen, Work & Class, Sarto's, Gozo & Blackbelly.

Andra Zeppelin, Eater Denver editor

The one place that I fell in love with the most in a year of countless great openings was To The Wind. There's such magic in what they have created there. I also very much enjoyed Bistro Barbes and the more recent openings at Sarto's and Blackbelly. As far as bars go, the RiNo Yacht Club nailed both the culture-building and the well-curated beverage menu.

Amanda Faison, 5280 Magazine food editor

Without question, Work & Class and To The Wind. These restaurants couldn't be more different, but I love the size and the spontaneity of both.

Laura Saffioti, Eater Denver contributor

Work and Class, Cart Driver, Biju's Little Curry Shop, Rosenberg's, everything at Union Station, I am in love with Mercantile. It keeps on evolving each time I eat there, plus the market has my favorite cheese, Ticklemore.

Ruth Tobias, Eater Denver and Thrillist contributing writer

I think everyone can name the biggies off the top of their heads, so I'd like to just throw some of the underdogs-Leña, Gozo, To the Wind, Bistro Barbès, Maria Empanada, Sassafras Cap Hill-in there for fun.

Meaghan Mooney, KDVR Anchor and Reporter

Chop Shop, Sarto's, Guard & Grace, Yaht Club, Salt & Grinder, Brazen.

Katy Hume, Eater Denver contributor

To the Wind, the Plimoth, Bistro Barbes.

Penny Parker, Blacktie Colorado writer

Work & Class, Sarto's, Sassafrass on Capitol Hill, D Bar and Guard & Grace.

Lori Midson, Zagat Denver editor

Work & Class, Mercantile Dining & Provision, Stoic & Genuine, Cart-Driver (oh, lord, the white clam pizza), Brazen, Dae Gee, To the Wind Bistro, Blackbelly Market, Sarto's, The BSide (holy shit, the fried chicken!); and Meadowlark Kitchen.

Maya Silver, Dining Out Magazine writer

Sarto's, Pizzeria Locale, the entire Union Station conglomerate, Work & Class, Salt & Grinder.

William Porter, Denver Post restaurant critic

A number of contenders. Bistro Barbes, Work & Class, and Argyll are on my list. I'm also fond of Post Brewing Co. in Lafayette.

Megan Barber, Curbed Ski editor

I just had a great meal at Kobe An Shabu Shabu. Also, Stoic & Genuine.

Adam Larkey, Eater Denver photographer

Mercantile, Stoic and Genuine, Brazen, Tengu and Nickel.

Jeremy Kossler, founder of the Denver Burger Battle

Chop Shop, The Plimoth, Work & Class, Stoic & Genuine.

Rebecca Caro, Denver Post contributing writer

To The Wind, Bistro Barbes, and The Plimoth, which I think might've opened last year. Some of the best food I've had all year!

Grace Boyle, Eater Denver contributor

Work and Class in Denver, Blackbelly and La Choza in Boulder and Post Brewing in Lafayette.

Carri Wilbanks, USA Today video producer and host

Stoic and Genuine, The Plimoth, Work and Class. Acorn. Paxti Pizza.

Jess Hunter, Eater Denver contributor

To The Wind, Bistro Barbes, Rosenberg's Bagels, Cart Driver, and the Union Station crew (Stoic & Genuine, Mercantile Provisions, The Kitchen Next Door, Terminal Bar, Cooper Lounge, Snooze, etc, etc). There were so many bright, wholesome, simple (yet stellar) flavors and on the menu this year and I ate it up.