If all goes according to plan, Avelina will open before the end of August in LoDo. A wood-fire-centric New-American restaurant, the attraction is the brainchild of Stacey and Kevin Jennings of Urban Food Group, a multi concept, multi unit restaurant ownership company based in North Carolina.
What every diner in Denver should be excited for is the return of culinary power couple John Broening and Yasmin Lozada-Hissom. The chef-pastry chef team built a following with Duo, Olivea, and later Spuntino and are now returning to do what they do best: Seasonal, rustic, locally-driven dishes grounded in tradition and inspired by modern techniques. Broening's menu will include dishes like squash blossoms filled with sheep's milk ricotta and wood-fired brick chicken with flageolet beans. Among the desserts, Lozada-Hissom plans a hazelnut dacquoise and a Gianduja ice cream seven layer bar.
Eater photographer Adam Larkey toured the state-of-the-art 4,900 square foot space located at 1550 Seventeenth Street. A work in progress, the contemporary interior features a stunning open kitchen, an imposing marble bar, varied seating options, and pleasing soft lighting. Here's plywood update on Avelina: