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The Way Back Rendering
The Way Back Rendering

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The Ultimate Guide to Spring and Summer Restaurant Openings in Denver

29 most anticipated openings rolling into Denver between now and Labor Day.

Denver's restaurant scene keeps heating up and the next few months promise to bring big additions. There are projects in the works from the popular teams from Beast + Bottle and Linger/RootDown/Ophelia's, collaboration projects from Biker Jim and chef Steve Kleinman, and ambitious bars like the Way Back in the works. Matsuhisa and Departure will open in Cherry Creek as two new food halls prepare to debut with star-studded line-ups. Here, a look at the most-anticipated restaurant openings of the spring and summer in Denver.


As we look ahead, these upcoming restaurants and bars, listed in the order of anticipated opening, promise to raise the bar for the Mile High dining scene.

VIA PERLA

Where: Boulder, 901 Pearl Street
What: An Italian trattoria with casual and comforting classics.
Who: The team behind The Med and Brasserie Ten Ten
Anticipated opening: March 21

· Via Perla Gets Ready for March Opening in Boulder

THE PRESERVERY

Where: RiNo, 3040 Blake Street
What: A breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night spot that will be open six days a week, with fast-casual counter service, an in-house bakery, and full bar. Live music will also be a regular fixture.
Who: Owners and industry veterans Whitney and Obe Arriss
Anticipated opening: Late March

· The Preservery Moves Ever Closer to Opening at Backyard on Blake


POP'S PLACE

Where: Ballpark, 2020 Arapahoe
What: A casual neighborhood breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot
Who: Jim Pittenger of Biker Jim's and veteran chef Steve Kleinman
Anticipated opening: Late March- early April

· Biker Jim, Steven Kleinman Are Opening Pop's in Former Lower48 Space

THE WAY BACK

Where: Berkeley, 4132 W. 38th Avenue
What: A new bar, casual eater, and old timey saloon.
Who: Industry veterans Chad Michael George, Kade Gianinetti, and Jared Schwartz
Anticipated opening: Late March- early April

· The Way Back Will Open in Berkeley in the Former Bark Bar Space

BIJU'S LITTLE CURRY SHOP

Where: Berkeley, 4279 Tennyson Street
What: A 2,400 modern space designed by LivStudio housing the second location of fast casual Indian spot that got its start in RINo.
Who: Chef and owner Biju Thomas
Anticipated opening: April 1

· Biju's Second Little Curry Shop Lands in Berkeley

THERE DENVER

Where: LoHi, former Pagliacci's site, 33rd and Navajo
What: A 2,300 square foot space that will feature an open kitchen, an omakase table, and a large bar. This is the sister-concept to a Telluride-born restaurant.
Who: Business partners Enrique Margulis, Andrew Tyler, and Orin Cohen
Anticipated opening: April 1

· Former Pagliacci's Site Becomes Home to There Denver, a Bar and Eatery

STEUBEN'S ARVADA

Where: Arvada, 7355 Ralston Road
What: Not a carbon copy of the wildly popular Uptown spot, Steuben's Arvada will bring its modern Americana diner food to this side of town.
Who: Restaurateur Josh Wolkon of Steuben's, Ace, and Vesta Dipping Grill
Anticipated opening: Early April

· Steuben's 2.0 Going to Arvada

THE ROLLING PIN

Where: Five Points, 725 E. 26th Avenue
What: A European pastry kitchen and bakeshop that will feature a variety of croissants, Danishes, breads, but also patisserie items like eclairs, tarts, and more.
Who: Owner and executive chef Jay Thomas and partner Michael Martinez. Josh Pollack of Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen will share the space with the new business.
Anticipated opening: April

HOMEGROWN TAP & DOUGH ARVADA

Where: Arvada, 5601 Old Wadsworth Boulevard
What: A 4,200 square foot beer-driven pizzeria with a strong burger element in a well-designed mountain-inspired interior
Who: Jean-Philippe Failyau, founder of the Park Burger and owner of another Tap & Dough location

Anticipated opening: April

MUSIC CITY HOT CHICKEN

Where: Fort Collins, 111 Prospect Road
What: A fried chicken and beer emporium featuring brews from Fort Collins-based breweries like New Belgium, Black Bottle, Odell. The fried chicken will be served in the classic fashion, atop a piece of red and white checked parchment paper in a nostalgic plastic basket.
Anticipated opening: April

· Music City Hot Chicken Will Hatch in Fort Collins

HEIFER AND HEN

Where: Boulder, 5290 Arapahoe
What: An ode to frozen treats that will feature 20 ice cream flavors, 8 dairy-free and sorbet options, as well as a float bar and a variety of ice cream sandwiches.
Who: Ian Clark of BRU Handbuilt Ales & Eats
Anticipated opening: April

· Organic Creamery Heifer and the Hen Rises Next to BRU

BLACKBELLY BUTCHER

Where: Boulder, 1606 Conestoga
What: A full service butcher shop featuring custom cuts, fresh sausages, salumi and charcuterie plus reakfast and lunch service. Grab-n-go items as well sundries such as terrines, brine kits, bacon kits, rubs, sauces gravies, broths, stocks soups and salads will be available.
Who: Chef Hosea Rosenberg of Blackbelly Market
Anticipated opening: April

MATSUHISA CHERRY CREEK

Where: Cherry Creek, 1st & Steele Street
What: The first Denver location of the popular and upscale sushi house which will bring lunch and dinner service.
Who: Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, the Japanese chef behind two of the most highly regarded sushi restaurants in the world, Nobu and Matsuhisa
Anticipated opening: April

CENTRAL MARKET

Where: RiNo, 2669 Larimer Street
What: A food hall featuring 13 vendors including multiple restaurants, a bar, an ice cream shop, a bakery, a fish counter, and a coffee element, all curated by chef Jeff Osaka.
Who: There are new projects from chefs Sean Kelly of Desmond's, Andrea Frizzi of Il Posto, Justin Brunson of Old Major, and Jesus Silva from Sushi Rama, among others. Etai's will move its pastry operations here, led by chef Jason LaBeau.
Anticipated opening: Spring

· Central Market Brings Chefs Andrea Frizzi and Sean Kelly to RiNo

VITAL ROOT

Where: Berkeley, 3915 Tennyson Street
What: A modern and casual vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant. The name connects the restaurant with the next door yoga studio and the goal of a healthy lifestyle
Who: Restaurateur Justin Cucci of RootDown, Linger, Ophelia's
Anticipated opening: May 1

· Justin Cucci to Open Vegan-Friendly Spot in Berkeley

MIZU IZAKAYA

Where: LoHi, 1560 Boulder Street
What: A modern and casual Japanese sushi bar and eatery that will feature small plates but also a full sushi bar.
Who: Hong Jian Lee, who operates East Moon Asian Bistro & Sushi in Westminster

Anticipated opening: May

· Mizu Izakaya and Sushi Takes Over Former Cibo Space

COPERTA

Where: Uptown, 400 East 20th Ave at Logan Street, former Jonesy's
What: A large format restaurant and bar inspired by the food and culture of the Southern half of Italy are the inspiration behind the new venture.
Who: Paul C. Reilly and Aileen V. Reilly, owners of the popular Beast + Bottle
Anticipated opening: May
· The Scoop on Paul Reilly's Coperta

SOL COCINA

Where: Cherry Creek, 250 Columbine Street
What: A Baja taco bar featuring modern interpretations of traditional coastal Mexican cuisine. The menu is about fresh, seasonal ingredients along with a bar with over 60 artisan tequilas.
Who: Chef-owner Deborah Schneider
Anticipated opening: May

· SOL Cocina, Coastal Mexican Eatery, Opening in Cherry Creek

MISTER TUNA

Where: RiNo, Industry development at 3001 Brighton Boulevard
What: A large 115-seat, 3,500 square foot restaurant that will add American flair to flavors from along the Mediterranean coast and beyond. Expect lots of shared plates and a similar sensibility to TAG but a lower price point.
Who: Chef Troy Guard of TAG, Guard & Grace, Bubu, TAG Burger Bar, Los Chingones
Anticipated opening: June

· Troy Guard Will Open Five Restaurants in 2016

DEPARTURE

Where: Cherry Creek, Halcyon Hotel, 245 Columbine
What: A brand new Denver location of the popular eponymous Asian eatery located at the top of the Nines Hotel in Portland
Who: The Sage Restaurant Group and acclaimed chef and Top Chef runner up Gregory Gourdet
Anticipated opening: Early summer

· Departure Restaurant, a PDX Darling, Will Open in Cherry Creek

QUALITY  ITALIAN

Where: Cherry Creek, Halcyon Hotel 245 Columbine
What: A contemporary steakhouse rooted in contemporary dining preferences, yet rooted in traditional hospitality.
Who: Chef and founder Michael Stillman of whose restaurant empire includes Quality Meats NYC, Quality Meats Miami, Quality Italian, Park Avenue Winter (Spring/Summer/Autumn), Maloney & Porcelli, Smith & Wollensky, and Quality Eats in New York's West Village.
Anticipated opening: Early summer

· New York City-Born Quality Italian Coming to Cherry Creek Hotel

CARBONE'S AT MONKEY BARREL

Where: Sunnyside, 4401 Tejon Street
What: The return of Carbone's after a four year hiatus inside the new version of Monkey Barrel.
Who: Tony Lonardo of Carbone's and Jimmy Nigg of the Monkey Barrel.
Anticipated opening: June

· Everybody Panic: Carbone's Is Coming Back!

THE REGIONAL

Where: LoHi, location TBA
What: A casual eatery focused on American regional foods from across the country. There will be clam rolls, shrimp 'n grits, fried chicken, and porchetta sandwiches at this place that will serve lunch and dinner.
Who: Chef Kevin Grossi, previously of Lola and Jax Fish House.
Anticipated opening: July

HIGHLAND TAP & BURGER

Where: Sunnyside, Sloans, 1565 Raleigh Street
What: A second location of the popular burger and beer emporium that got its start in LoHi.
Who: Owner Juan Padro and partners.
Anticipated opening: Summer

· Highland Tap & Burger to Open New Location in Sloan's Lake

THE KITCHEN CHERRY CREEK

Where: Cherry Creek, Coda Building, 100 Streele Street
What: A second Denver outpost of the popular restaurant that got its start in Boulder.
Who: Partners Kimbal Musk and Hugo Matheson
Anticipated opening: Summer

· The Kitchen Grows with Cherry Creek North Outpost

MIGHTY MIGHTY SPARROW AND THE SEA MAIDEN

Where: Cap Hill, 1310 Pearl Street
What: A dual concept, restaurant and bar/lounge
Who: Tastié Concepts, who also owns Two-fisted Mario's Pizza and Mario's Double Daughter's Salotto in LoDo and the super dreamy Beatrice & Woodsley on South Broadway. In charge of the project are Kevin Delk, John C. Skogstad, Jr., and Ian Arreola.
Anticipated opening: Summer

· Mighty Sparrow & The Sea Maiden Will Open in Cap Hill

THE STANLEY

Where: Aurora, 2501 Dallas Street
What: A massive food hall and shopping center that will feature options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a variety of settings. Highlight: A beer garden.
Who: A collection of vendors that includes Comida, Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen, Miette et Chocolat, and Casita Brewing Company.
Anticipated opening: Summer

· All Stanley Coverage

VOICEBOX

Where: RiNo, 2601 Walnut Street
What: A first out-of-state outpost of a Portland-based company offering private suite karaoke in a 4,500 square foot space.
Who: Founder Scott Simon and consulting chef Jensen Cummings.
Anticipated opening: Summer

· Modern and Private Karaoke Palace Voicebox Comes to RiNo

OCEAN TO PLATE

Where: Uptown, 444 East 19th
What: A seafood emporium, the 2,400 square foot eatery that will seat 80 seats inside and 36 seats outside, will highlight a great raw bar with oysters, clams, crudos, and ceviche, as well as an interactive cooking station with steam kettles to prepare mussels, cioppino, and other shellfish creations in front of diners.
Who: The owners of the Lobster Bliss food truck, Rich Manzo and Jeff Reebie
Anticipated opening: By Labor Day

· Seafood Centric Ocean To Plate Coming to Uptown

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