Easing up on the formality of white tablecloths in chef Kevin Taylor’s collection of Denver restaurants, he and his son, Ryan have taken on a new venture with Hickory & Ash, opening for dinner within the Arista Broomfield community Friday, July 7. The modern American meatery lives within the 200-acre master-planned development centered around the 1st Bank Center. Wiens Real Estate Ventures, the development company behind Arista, has worked to woo Kevin Taylor and his culinary creations to the neighborhood since 2009.
The casual 5,500-square-foot restaurant is rustic – with woodsy accents throughout – and warm. Archways are covered in birch bark and ash tree logs are mounted on the wall, while lights are suspended overhead from restored railroad tiles. The spacious venue seats 120 guests in the main dining room, more than 60 guests in the private dining area, and another 36 on the patio.
Serving as executive chef at Hickory & Ash, Ryan Taylor who began his culinary career at age 15 working at Mugaritz, a two Michelin-starred restaurant in San Sebastìan, Spain. Most of his career was spent at his dad’s Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House.
The menu features American cuisine with Colorado-inspired dishes, many of which are grilled to perfection in a hickory-smoked fire. Local ingredients include Aspen Ridge Natural Beef, Tender Belly pork and Avalanche Cheese. Starters include the lobster bisque with black truffle dumplings and herb cream, as well as the gnocchi and shrimp coctele – a spirited take on a traditional shrimp cocktail – and a nod to the first dish Kevin Taylor taught his son. The short rib pastrami with Brussels sprouts, mustard, and pumpernickel aims to provide a childhood throwback followed by the striped bass, and “duck duck goose,” with potted duck, foie gras and gooseberries. To offset some of the heartier dishes, vegetarian options are available, such as the squash bolognese and burrata toast.
Cocktails – including the summer-friendly Manhattan – an exclusively local beer program and a varied wine list round out the beverage options. Hickory & Ash even collaborated with Broomfield-based Wonderland Brewing Company to create the Hickory & Ash amber, a custom brew.
Hickory & Ash will beginning serving dinner Friday, July 7 at 5 through 10 p.m., seven days a week, with happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m., brunch and lunch on the weekends.