Barely four months into 2014 and new restaurants have already made their mark on the local dining scene. Work & Class could not be any hotter, the Kitchen Next Door is becoming a Glendale staple, and lunch time at Guard & Grace offers one of the best people-watching spots. By the end of August, there will be so much more. From established names like Jennifer Jasinski and John Broening to innovative chefs like Jon Robbins and bagel masters like Josh Pollack, the next few months promise to elevate Denver's dining scene even more.
Bistro Barbès [Photo: Adam Larkey]
BISTRO BARBES
Where: 5021 E. 28th Avenue in Park Hill
What: A quaint neighborhood bistro that will feature a daily changing menu filled with takes on classic French cuisine along with some Spanish, middle eastern and North African influences.
Who: Chef Jon Robbins formerly of Mizuna Restaurant and the founder of the popular supper club Gypsy Kitchen.
Anticipated opening: This week, on Wednesday.
· Bistro Barbès Announces April 30 Official Opening [EDen]
· Jon Robbins of Gypsy Kitchen to Open Bistro Barbès [EDen]
GLAZE BY SASA
Where: 1160 Madison Street
What: The reincarnation of the popular Glaze Baum Cake Shoppe in partnership with Sushi Sasa. Think approachable neighborhood eatery and dessert bar, featuring salads, small plates, 80% of the sushi menu from Sasa, and stunning desserts. The cakes and macarons that made Glaze famous will still be available to go.
Who: Heather Alcott of Glaze and Wayne Conwell of Sushi Sasa
Anticipated opening: Mid-late May.
· Glaze Will Return As a Sushi and Dessert Bar [EDen]
· Glaze Baum Cake Shoppe Will Close on March 1 [EDen]
Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen 26th Avenue Rendering [Photo: Courtesy of Josh Pollack]
ROSENBERG'S BAGELS DELICATESSEN
Where: 725 East 26th Avenue
What: An authentic NYC-style bagel shop and deli. Bagel production will be a big feature but there will also be, among others, a meat-curing program, as well as in-house smoking fish and making corned beef and pastrami. When Rosenberg's opens, it will serve daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Who: Josh Pollack
Anticipated opening: June
· Look Into The Future: Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen [EDen]
· Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen Will Open in Five Points [EDen]
CART DRIVER
Where: RiNo, 2500 Larimer Street
What: Inspired by the Autogrill, the Italian-style chain of truck stops, this casual eatery will serve simple food cooked in a wood-fired oven. A retail component will feature spices sourced from San Francisco's Le Sanctuaire, fresh pastas and grab-and-go items.
Who: Kelly Whitaker and Andrew Birkholz, the co-owners and pizzaioli at Basta.
Anticipated opening: Early June.
· Coming Attractions: Cart Driver [EDen]
Frank Bonanno [Photo: Food Republic]
SALT & GRINDER
Where: Highland, 3609 W. 32nd Avenue, former Venue Bistro space.
What: Meat-curing emporium and sandwich shop in the former space that housed Venue Bistro.
Who: Acclaimed restaurateur Frank Bonanno who will add this eleventh venture to his Denver restaurant empire.
Anticipated opening: May.
· Former Venue Space Will Become a New Frank Bonanno Venture [EDen]
· Venue Closes Its Doors Quietly [EDen]
THE KITCHEN FORT COLLINS
Where: Fort Collins, 100 N. College Avenue
What: A third outpost of the Boulder-based The Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant. The group is also opening locations of [Next Door] in Union Station and at City Set in Glendale, but the Fort Collins location of the original concept is by far the most notable move in their empire building this year.
Who: Owners Kimbal Musk and Hugo Matheson.
Anticipated opening: Early June.
· The Kitchen Will Expand Out-of-State [EDen]
ARGYLL WHISKY BEER
Where: Uptown, 1035 E 17th Avenue, former Las Margaritas space
What: The reincarnation of the gastro-pub that became popular in Cherry Creek but shuttered over two years ago. The food program will be led by accomplished chef John Broening. The new venture will put an emphasis on the beverage program which will include the largest whisky library in the state of Colorado with an emphasis on single malt whiskys.
Who: Restaurateur Robert Thompson (Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar, Punch Bowl Social) and chef John Broening (Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar, Spuntino).
Anticipated opening: June.
· Argyll Will Reopen In The Former Las Margaritas Space [EDen]
· Le Grand Bistro Brings Chef John Broening on Board [EDen]
· Robert Thompson: The Revival of Brasserie Dining [EDen]
BLACKBELLY MARKET
Where: Boulder, off Arapahoe & 55th
What: A restaurant and butcher shop that will serve lunch and dinner seven nights a week with brunch on the weekends. A whole animal butchery program will bring guests custom cuts of meat. There will be house-made charcuterie, cocktails created by bartender James Lee, and more.
Who: Chef Hosea Rosenberg of Blackbelly Catering, winner of Bravo's Top Chef Season 5.
Anticipated opening: Late June- early July.
· Hosea Rosenberg Will Open Blackbelly Market [EDen]
STOIC & GENUINE
Where: LoDo, Union Station Development
What: An iconic fish house in the tradition of the oyster bar in New York's Grand Central Station. Guests should anticipate New England regional favorites such as lobster and clam rolls, whole Maine lobsters, a selection of the freshest oysters, raw and smoked fish preparations, a fish sandwich, among others, but also other styles of food, say an Italian crude or a Mexican ceviche.
Who: Jennifer Jasinski, the James Beard-winning chef and partner Beth Gruitch, the duo behind Euclid Hall, Bistro Vendôme, and Rioja along with chef Jorel Pierce, currently at Euclid Hall.
Anticipated opening: Early July.
· Chef Jennifer Jasinski Will Open Stoic & Genuine [EDen]
· The Kitchen, Alex Seidel, and Snooze Going into the Union Station [EDen]
Sarto's Patio [Photo: Facebook]
SARTO'S
Where: Jefferson Park, 2900 West 25th Avenue
What: An Italian restaurant focused on seasonal eating and fresh ingredients. The chef promises an extensive pasta program as well as meats and birds prepared in a big great pizza oven Florentine style. The eatery will offer pizza in the retail space, which will also feature house-made fresh pastas and sauces, grab-and-go salads, soups, panini, and more.
Who: Chef Brian Laird
Anticipated opening: Mid summer.
· Denver FIVE Cook at the James Beard House Tonight [EDen]
· Sarto's Brian Laird Talks Pasta and Passion for Italy [Zagat]
Tengu [Photo: Official Website]
TENGU
Where: 3001 Brighton Boulevard in the RiNO neighborhood
What: A modern casual Asian noodle shop, quick and affordable, offering a well-edited ramen-centric menu.
Who: A first time restaurant group related to the developers of Industry, the building housing the eatery.
Anticipated opening: Mid Summer.
· Tengu Will Open in RiNo [EDen]
· The Griffin, a German Beer Hall, Will Open in RiNo [EDen]
MERCANTILE DINING & PROVISION
Where: LoDo, Union Station Development
What: A venture that will include two concepts in one- a restaurant and market. The 75 seat restaurant will serve dinner only while the market will provide
Who: Chef Alex Seidel of Fruition Restaurant and Fruition Farms and his partners—Dan Skvarca and chef de cuisine Matt Vawter.
Anticipated opening: July 26.
· Alex Seidel Reveals Details for Mercantile Dining & Provision [5280]
· The Kitchen, Alex Seidel, and Snooze Going into the Union Station[EDen]
[Photo:Courtesy of David Burke Group]
DAVID BURKE KITCHEN
Where: Aspen, 515 Hopkins Avenue.
What: The contemporary farm-to-table restaurant. The opening menu will include emblematic dishes at David Burke Kitchen like peanut butter maple bacon dates with fried grapes, potted duck and foie gras with citrus-maple glaze, and short ribs with wild mushroom, cavatelli, and black truffle mousse. There will also be signature items such as the dry-aged patented beef from the aging vault, the pretzel-crusted crab cakes, and the cheesecake lollipops.
Who: Acclaimed New York City restaurateur David Burke and chef Matthew O'Neill, who most recently served as executive chef at the Ajax Tavern located in Aspen's iconic Little Nell hotel. O'Neill has also worked alongside Tony Maws at Boston's celebrated Craigie On Main and at Daniel Boulud's Bar Boulud and Restaurant Daniel, both in New York City.
Anticipated opening: Late Summer.
· David Burke Kitchen Will Debut In February in Aspen [EDen]
SOLITAIRE
Where: Highlands, 3927 W 32nd Avenue, former Highland's Garden Café.
What: A restaurant featuring diversified world cuisine and a comfortable bar.
Who: Mark Ferguson, formerly of Spago in Vail and Las Vegas.
Anticipated opening: Late Summer.
· Solitaire Will Open in the Former Highland Garden Café [EDen]
· Solitaire Restaurant [Official Website]
OSAKA RAMEN
Where: 2611 Walnut Street in RiNo
What: An underground authentic ramen shop that will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week. The menu will star the Ton Kotsu ramen, a rich and deep 24 hour broth made from pork bones and trotters. Four other ramen items will be offered, among other menu choices.
Who: Chef Jeff Osaka of Twelve.
Anticipated opening: August
· Osaka Ramen Pop Up Coming Up on May 2 [EDen]
· Osaka Ramen Will Open In August in RiNo [EDen]
Stay hungry Denver!
· Al Fresco: Denver's Ten Best Hidden Restaurant Patios [EDen]
· April Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now [EDen]