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Updating The Eater Heatmap, January 2014

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It's a new year and Denver's ever-growing food scene does not show any sign of slowing down. More restaurants seem to open each week giving the Mile High City a wide range of options for dining from casual joints to ethnic ones and special occasions ones. Often Eater gets this question: Where should I go for a drink right now? Where should I dine this week?

What's new, what's hot, where do the crowds flock to? That is what the January Heatmap is all about - this dining and drinking moment in time.

IN: Lower 48, Voodoo Doughnut

OUT: Old Major, Comida

Have any suggestions? Any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments or send 'em down the tipline.


04/04/13: Added: Beast + Bottle, Pinche Tacos Highlands

05/02/13: Added: Bohemian Biergarten, Uber Sausage LoHi

06/06/13: Added: Pizzeria Locale Denver, Izakaya Den

07/11/13: Added: Drakes Haus, Jax Fish House Glendale

08/01/13: Added: Le Grand Bistro and Oyster Bar, Harman's Eat & Drink

09/05/13: Added: Comida, Root Down DIA

10/03/13: Added: Acorn at The Source, Colt & Gray

11/07/13: Added: Aviano Coffee, Session Kitchen

12/05/13: Added: Sugarmill, Ste. Ellie

· The Cocktail Heatmap: Where to Drink Right Now [EDen]
· The 38 Essential Denver Restaurants, October '13 [EDen]

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Ste. Ellie

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The bar and eatery, sister to the three year old Colt & Gray restaurant, finally opened in a sexy space with crafted cocktails and an edited food menu that is served until 1:30 a.m.

Voodoo Doughnut Mile High

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Few openings have taken Denver by storm as much as this one. While the Portland-based doughnut maker is still in soft-opening mode till January 15, the shop is open daily with irregular hours and the lines are still long.
The wood-fired modern American cooking and the elevated craft cocktail program at Acorn have made a splash in Denver since the restaurant's opening in September. Today, the restaurant also started serving lunch.

Williams & Graham

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Williams & Graham, Sean Kenyon's LoHi speakeasy joint hidden behind a bookshelf, is one of the harder places to get a table these days. Between Kenyon's cocktails and food from former Squeaky Bean chef Max MacKissock, this remains the hottest place to go for drinks and food.
This Highlands Asian-fusion spot dishes out outstanding ramen dishes, noodles bowls, and a spectacular kimchi stew. In a modern decor with friendly service, Uncle is a great choice for a casual dinner packed with Momofuku-inspired flavors.

Lower 48

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In a Ballpark location that can accommodate 98 guests Mario Nocifera and his partner, Alex Figura, are serving an eclectic mix of items ranging from chickpea fries to a braised brisket. Fermented, pickled, or smoked are descriptions you'll find in nearly every dish.

Sugarmill

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The dessert lounge and eatery created by chef Troy Guard with pastry chef Noah French offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a selection of savory items and spectacular pastries and desserts.

Beast + Bottle

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Beast + Bottle, one of the most anticipated openings of 2013, remains popular with the Denver dining crowds. The restaurant, owned by siblings Paul Reilly, the chef, and Aileen Reilly, the general manager, focuses on rustic, comforting American craft cuisine. Brunch is a treat at this Uptown spot.

OAK at fourteenth

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Between the spectacular bar and cocktail program that Bryan Dayton is leading, complete with ice carved on premises and house-bottled sodas, and the daring dishes fired by chef Steven Redzikowski in the wood-fired oven, Oak at Fourteenth remains the hot spot in Boulder.

The Populist

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The RiNo restaurant from Noah Price, owner of Crema Coffeehouse and chef Jonathan Power is nearly a year old and going strong. Try the cauliflower and pear soup and the curried chickpeas and don't overlook the small but smart wine list.

Session Kitchen

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The new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Parker formerly of Table 6 is buzzing on Old South Pearl Street for its food and more. With a thoughtful cocktail list created by Michael Cerretani and a space filled with art, there are many reasons to visit and return.

Colt & Gray

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This Denver favorite just got a makeover: a renovation that includes 30 more seats and a private dining room. Folks are buzzing about Colt & Gray where owners are soon opening the bar Ste. Ellie and the butcher Viande downstairs.

Ste. Ellie

The bar and eatery, sister to the three year old Colt & Gray restaurant, finally opened in a sexy space with crafted cocktails and an edited food menu that is served until 1:30 a.m.

Voodoo Doughnut Mile High

Few openings have taken Denver by storm as much as this one. While the Portland-based doughnut maker is still in soft-opening mode till January 15, the shop is open daily with irregular hours and the lines are still long.

Acorn

The wood-fired modern American cooking and the elevated craft cocktail program at Acorn have made a splash in Denver since the restaurant's opening in September. Today, the restaurant also started serving lunch.

Williams & Graham

Williams & Graham, Sean Kenyon's LoHi speakeasy joint hidden behind a bookshelf, is one of the harder places to get a table these days. Between Kenyon's cocktails and food from former Squeaky Bean chef Max MacKissock, this remains the hottest place to go for drinks and food.

Uncle

This Highlands Asian-fusion spot dishes out outstanding ramen dishes, noodles bowls, and a spectacular kimchi stew. In a modern decor with friendly service, Uncle is a great choice for a casual dinner packed with Momofuku-inspired flavors.

Lower 48

In a Ballpark location that can accommodate 98 guests Mario Nocifera and his partner, Alex Figura, are serving an eclectic mix of items ranging from chickpea fries to a braised brisket. Fermented, pickled, or smoked are descriptions you'll find in nearly every dish.

Sugarmill

The dessert lounge and eatery created by chef Troy Guard with pastry chef Noah French offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a selection of savory items and spectacular pastries and desserts.

Beast + Bottle

Beast + Bottle, one of the most anticipated openings of 2013, remains popular with the Denver dining crowds. The restaurant, owned by siblings Paul Reilly, the chef, and Aileen Reilly, the general manager, focuses on rustic, comforting American craft cuisine. Brunch is a treat at this Uptown spot.

OAK at fourteenth

Between the spectacular bar and cocktail program that Bryan Dayton is leading, complete with ice carved on premises and house-bottled sodas, and the daring dishes fired by chef Steven Redzikowski in the wood-fired oven, Oak at Fourteenth remains the hot spot in Boulder.

The Populist

The RiNo restaurant from Noah Price, owner of Crema Coffeehouse and chef Jonathan Power is nearly a year old and going strong. Try the cauliflower and pear soup and the curried chickpeas and don't overlook the small but smart wine list.

Session Kitchen

The new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Parker formerly of Table 6 is buzzing on Old South Pearl Street for its food and more. With a thoughtful cocktail list created by Michael Cerretani and a space filled with art, there are many reasons to visit and return.

Colt & Gray

This Denver favorite just got a makeover: a renovation that includes 30 more seats and a private dining room. Folks are buzzing about Colt & Gray where owners are soon opening the bar Ste. Ellie and the butcher Viande downstairs.

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