Daniel Asher Launches River and Woods in Former John's Restaurant

A force to be reckoned with, Daniel Asher announced last month that he is taking a step back from his role at Edible Beats to pursue a project of his own. The chef, who helmed the two Root Downs, Linger, and Ophelia's, remains involved in some aspects of those restaurants, but he is most excited about a first solo album of sorts.

River and Woods, a family-forward restaurant, is that personal album for Asher, and he and partner Josh Dinar are bringing it in the former John's Restaurant space. Home to one of Boulder's first fine dining establishments, the iconic space is being transformed with the goal of both "paying tribute to its history and energizing its vibe." With the feel of a homesteader's cabin, the new attraction will feature natural elements like timber from a local silver mine, a newly remodeled kitchen, and a cozy outdoor patio and bar with a rotisserie oven highlight.

Community is the name of the game here and the commitment to it goes deep, all the way  to creating the menu. Asher plans to crowdsource recipes from his guests, reinterpret them, and put them on his brand new menu. The dishes served at River and Woods will be "at once wholly familiar and infused with innovation" and crafted with "the most honest and local ingredients available."

Chef Asher describes the new restaurant here:

On Monday, April 18 the Colorado comfort cuisine spot will launch an Indiegogo campaign to involve the community in building its new space that will feature "an Airstream bar and lawn games for the whole family."

When it opens this summer, River and Woods will serve dinner seven nights a week and brunch on the weekend.