The Bar-on family — father Udi and brother and sister Etai and Robin — is gearing up to open The Good Son at 2550 East Colfax Avenue. The new restaurant, home to Silvi's Kitchen until last November, opens on March 24 featuring 18 craft drafts, authentic Detroit-style pizza, and more.
"We wanted to create a neighborhood gathering place that focused on authentic Detroit-style pizza, excellent craft beers, unique wines and a mix of classic and inventive cocktails," explains Etai, adding that Mark Stewart, the former general manager of North and the now-closed Big Game, will manage the day-to-day operations.
The name of the new spot is the English translation of the French word "Bonfils," a throwback to the 550-seat theatre of the same name that predated the Lowenstein Complex. "The goal was to tap into the history of the old Bonfils Theatre by designing it with a whimsical theater and performance theme," says Etai.
The remodeled space that features dark wood accents and funky elements like a cherry-red wallpaper stamped with black-and-white zebras will accommodate up to 120 guests, including 16 at the bar, plus a patio. Local multi-media artist Zoe Rayor has been commissioned to create unique art installations for the restaurant.
The kitchen will be helmed by chef Dave Axelrod, a California native who moved to Denver in 2005 and was most recently the sous-chef of Silvi's Kitchen in the Glendale City Set development. His menu includes Detroit-style pizzas, but also appetizers, blue-plate specials (everything from roasted chicken to chicken and waffles) and focaccia sandwiches, all served with hand-cut fries.
The Good Son will focus on craft drafts. Eighteen beers will be available on tap, including a kettle-brewed sour cherry beer from Denver Beer Co. and a proprietary IPA that's a collaboration beer between The Good Son and Crazy Mountain Brewery, located in Edwards. A selection of cocktails from classic to new original ones will also be offered. "When we created this concept, we wanted to ensure that the pizza, beers, and cocktails all had starring roles, and I think that guests will find that this is a stage that wonderfully showcases exactly what the neighborhood has been longing for," says Etai.
After its Tuesday launch, The Good Son will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; The Good Son is closed on Monday. Weekend brunch is slated to launch in May.