Grain-Focused Neo Bistro Emmerson Will Open in Boulder

An all-day neo-bistro from a team of heavy hitters will open at 1600 Pearl Street in Boulder next month. The space was occupied by LYFE Kitchen for some 18 months and served as home to the Gondolier for several years prior to that.

Emmerson, a low-key, anytime coffee bar, cocktail bar and restaurant, is the creation of entrepreneur Ben Kaplan, an investor in several restaurants including Oak at Fourteenth and Brider. Kaplan wanted to accomplish two things: Open a restaurant that celebrated grains in their many forms and shine a light on the talents of the team he assembled.

Chef and partner Michael Gibney moved to Colorado from Brooklyn where he served as the executive sous chef at NYC’s Tavern on the Green and 10 Downing, among others. Also hailing from New York is chef and partner Jeb Breakell who will collaborate equally on the menu with Gibney and will serve as the bread and pastry master. Master we say because Breakell is a CIA-trained pastry chef with experience at the Michelin-starred restaurant Daniel, Eleven Madison Park and Thomas Keller’s seminal Per Se, among others.

Courtesy of Ben Kaplan

Fret not, Kaplan is keeping things local by bringing in Tre Gerbitz, former wine & beverage director for the Walnut Restaurant Group, who will serve as general manager and Ben Foote, most recently the bar manager at Blackbelly Market, who will fill the beverage director and assistant general manager roles.

What’s in the name? Wild Emmer, the ancient “mother grain,” served as the inspiration for the title of this spot that will offer breads and pastries, homemade porridges and fresh-made pastas, and more.