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The Ultimate Guide to Summer and Early Fall Restaurant Openings in Denver

The 22 most anticipated openings rolling into Denver between now and early fall

by Andra Zeppelin
Via Denver's Hottest Restaurants Right Now and The Ultimate Guide to Dining in Fort Collins

Summer heat is the only heat that rivals Denver's growing restaurant scene. There are projects in the works from the popular teams from Beast + Bottle, new projects from chef Alex Figura and Justin Cucci, and outposts of popular spots like the Kitchen.


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.

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: June 15

COCHINO TACOS

Where: Englewood, 3495 S. Downing Street
What: A playful modern taqueria just south of Denver, with a menu curated by chef Vinny Sosa, previously of Work and Class, who is working on opening Que Bueno Suerte!
Who: Restaurateur Johnny Ballen, who is a partner at the Squeaky Bean

Anticipated opening: Late June-early July

TERMINAL BAR BEER GARDEN

Where: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
What: The massive and very popular bar at Union Station is getting a makeover and turning itself into a German beer garden where the housemade pretzels and chef-curated spaetzle will be flowing
Who: Chef Lon Symensma of ChoLon and Cho77 is at the helm

Anticipated opening: Late June-early July

HARVEST BY KELLY LIKEN

Where: Singletree, at the Sonnenalp Club, North of downtown Edwards
What: Creative and approachable Colorado seasonal fare,with a Colorado-centric beer, cocktail, and coffee program.
Who: Kelly Liken, formerly of Kelly Liken Restaurant.
Anticipated opening: Mid-late June

MIZU IZAKAYA

Where: LoHi, 156o Boulder Street
What: A modern and casual Japanese sushi bar and eatery that will feature small plates and a large beverage selection.
Who: Hong Jian Lee, who operates East Moon Asian Bistro & Sushi in Westminster.
Anticipated opening: Mid-late June

AVELINA

Where: LoDo, 1550 17th Street
What: A New-American Restaurant focused on rustic preparations and seasonal ingredients.
Who: Power culinary couple John Broening and Yasmin Lozada-Hissom
Anticipated Opening: July

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:July

BLUEPRINT BAR

Where: Uptown, 417 E. 17th
What: Tapas, cocktails, wine, and beer is what this new casual bar will be all about.
Who: Ryan DiFranco, who also owns DiFranco's on Lincoln
Anticipated opening: July

QUE BUENO SUERTE

Where: 1518 Old South Pearl Street
What: An upscale and modern Mexican restaurant that will focus on authentic flavors and will serve lunch and dinner.
Who: Chef Vinny Sosa, formerly of Work and Class, and consulting chef Dana Rodriguez of Work & Class
Anticipated opening: July

RIVER AND WOODS

Where: Boulder, 2328 Pearl Street
What: A family-forward restaurant focused on local produce, meat, and fish prepared creatively and served in a cozy environment
Who: Chef Daniel Asher, formerly of RootDown, Linger, Ophelia's

Anticipated opening: July

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: July

· Everybody Panic: Carbone's Is Coming Back

THE REGIONAL

Where: LoHi, inside Avanti at 3200 Pecos
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: July

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

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: July

· Troy Guard Will Open Five Restaurants in 2016

COPERTA

Where: Uptown, 400 20th Avenue
What: A large format Italian restaurant focused on the flavors and culture of the south part of Italy
Who: Paul and Aileen Reilly of Beast + Bottle and chef de cuisine Bob Blair, formerly of Fuel Cafe
Anticipated opening: July

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: July

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


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: 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: Late July-early August

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

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: August

· The Kitchen Grows with Cherry Creek North Outpost

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: August

BLUE MOON

Where: RiNo, 1910 38th Street
What: A massive 450 seat restaurant focused on beer-friendly food. A small pilot brewery system and some barrel aging will also be part of the lineup.
Who: Blue Moon Brewery and chef Darrell Jensen

Anticipated opening: August

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 Blissfood truck, Rich Manzo and Jeff Reebie
Anticipated Opening: Labor Day

DIO MIO PASTA

Where: RiNo, 3264 Larimer Street
What: A casual pasta-centric eatery that will also have a small grocer component and will serve lunch and dinner
Who: Chefs Spencer White and Alex Figura, both last of Black Eye Coffee Cap Hill, Lower 48 prior to that.

Anticipated opening: Early fall

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