A Denver Culinary Legend Is Bringing a Ceviche Bar and More to Cherry Creek

Richard Sandoval, the noted chef behind acclaimed Denver Mexican spots Tamayo and La Sandia, is bringing a restaurant that combines elements of Latin American and Asian cuisines to Cherry Creek.

On Monday, Richard Sandoval Hospitality announced that Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge will open next year inside the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek hotel at 150 Clayton Lane.

Toro will replace Social Fare Denver Dining & Drinks, a restaurant focused on serving American comfort food and cocktails that opened in January 2018 and served its last meal on Saturday. The Denver outpost will be the sixth Toro location in the world (Denver is joining the likes of Mexico City and Tokyo) and the second in Colorado (there is also one in Snowmass Village).

Toro’s calling card are its small plates, including short rib tacos, Parmesan-crusted scallops, and grilled octopus. There is also a menu of steaks and entrée specialties like a Chipotle Miso black cod, a barbecued King Salmon, and a stir fry containing quinoa and tofu. For dessert, there is caramel churros served with chocolate sauce and berries, chocolate flan, and limon paletas (a coconut tapioca pudding).

Sandoval Hospitality also promises the new Toro will offer a ceviche bar along with several menu items unique to Denver. The restaurant’s name is a nod to its focus on fusing Latin and Asian cuisines as the word “toro” translates to “bull” in Spanish and “tuna” in Japanese.

If the Snowmass menu is any indication, Toro will be the priciest of Sandoval’s Denver restaurants with small plates going for $19 to $25 and entrees ranging from $19 for the Toro burger to $56 for the lamb chops.

The cocktail menu will be focused on Latin-spirits, including rums, cachaças, tequilas, mezcals, and pisco. However, there will also be Old Fashioneds, Mules, Sazeracs, and other classics.

The Snowmass Toro also offers a breakfast menu featuring a mix of American staples like pancakes and Eggs benedict and Mexican specialties such as breakfast burritos and Huevos Rancheros, plus cereals and avocado toast.

• Richard Sandoval and Richard Sandoval Hospitality [official]
• Toro Snowmass [official]