Eater Denver - Food Writers Talk About 2015 in Dining and Look Ahead to 2016The Denver Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2015-12-31T09:18:43-07:00http://denver.eater.com/rss/stream/104728392015-12-31T09:18:43-07:002015-12-31T09:18:43-07:00Food Writers on Headline Predictions for 2016
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<p>As is tradition at Eater, we close out the year with <a href="http://denver.eater.com/year-in-eater">a survey of other local food writers on various restaurant-related topics</a>. Today, we conclude with headline predictions for 2016. </p> <p class="p1"><b style="line-height: 1.5;">Q: What are your headline predictions for 2016?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Brittany Werges, </i><a href="http://303magazine.com/category/food-and-booze/"><span class="s2"><i>303 Magazine</i></span></a><i> food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">The suburbs are going to get a lot of love this coming year. With places like <b>Stanley Marketplace</b> is opening in the spring, I think we'll see people flocking from Denver to eat on its perimeters.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Ruth Tobias, </i><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/denver"><span class="s2">Thrillist </span></a><i>contributing writer</i></span></p>
<p>Niche, niche, niche. Places that keep their repertoires <b>narrow and focused</b> on what they do best, like Onefold, The Inventing Room, or even in a sense Finn's Manor, are where it's at.</p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Linnea Covington, freelance writer, <a href="http://www.westword.com/restaurants">Westword</a> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><b>Ramen</b> will start popping up, it has to. Denver has been behind this trend for too long. Sure, there is Uncle and Bones, but it's not nearly as haute here as it is in other parts of the country.</p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Gigi Sukin, <a href="http://www.cobizmag.com">CoBiz</a> and </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I can't for the life of me imagine this pace of opening after opening is sustainable. I'm noticing that a lot of Denver institutions are closing their doors, which I hope not to see more of in 2016. Curious if <b>fast casual</b> will continue to have the hayday it's had. Hoping to see the best and brightest continue to shine and newcomers make their way, as long as they understand Denver's culture and taste.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Andra Zeppelin, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">"The fast casual bubble has finally burst"</span></p>
<p class="p1">"<b>Babka</b> is the new cronut (or the new kale)"</p>
<p class="p1"><i>Jennifer Murphy, freelance writer, AFAR contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">More exotic grains, more large format dining a la Oak at 14th, lots of fermenting and pickling, breakfast 24 hours a day, the continued obsession with artisanal doughnuts, a bigger focus on sustainable seafood, more third-wave coffee roasters.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Amanda Faison, </i><a href="http://www.5280.com/eatanddrink"><span class="s2"><i>5280 Magazine</i> </span></a><i>food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The rise of the <b>multipurpose coffee shop</b>. Think Black Eye's swiveling a.m./p.m. cabinet and Bellwether's whiskey list and clothing boutique—both spots are smart and well curated, and I'm sure we'll see more of these hybrids pop up.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Jessie Levine, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">"<b>Porridge</b> is the new toast"</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Lori Midson, </i><a href="http://www.zagat.com/denver"><span class="s2"><i>Zagat Denver </i></span></a><i>editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Expanding restaurant <b>empires</b> from blockbuster chefs (think Troy Guard, Paul Reilly, Lon Symensma, Justin Brunson and Kevin Morrison), coupled with more fast-casual concepts. My crystal ball also includes a moratorium on ramen, along with intense discussions regarding minimum wage and tipping policies. And the next big restaurant ‘hoods? I'm going with Stapleton and Lowry. As for ingredients, I'm predicting that underutilized fish will become more mainstream and that new condiments (hot sauces, especially) will make a big splash on the table and in the kitchen. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s3"><i>Maya Silver, </i><a href="http://diningout.com/denverboulder/"><span class="s2"><i>Dining Out Magazine</i> </span></a><i>writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">At a meal at Zengo recently, I learned that Richard Sandoval had declared "<b>fusion is dead</b>." At first, this shocked me since the restaurant's original premise was Latin-Asian fusion, but I think there's something to that. Increasingly, I think we're seeing a desire to create authentic, pure dishes that speak to tradition rather than overly complicated amalgamations of cultures. There's a saying that what grows together, goes together so maybe there's a reason that a dish born out of a specific region with its indigenous ingredients makes innate sense. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Megan Barber, </i><a href="http://ski.curbed.com/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Curbed Ski</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> editor</i></p>
<p class="p1">More delivery services like SupperBell and I think <b>cauliflower</b> is going to be the new kale.</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Adam Larkey, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver </i></span></a><i>photographer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">"Classics, <b>Closings</b> and Consolidation - A Tale about the Denver Dining Scene"</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rebecca Treon, freelance writer, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Spanish</b> Food Finally Gets Its Due, Artisan Cheese Shops Dominate the Denver Dining Scene, <b>Finger Food </b>Makes a Comeback</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Grace Boyle, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">More eatery <b>food halls</b> opening, and mobile eating on the rise.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rachel Greiman,</i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"> <i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p>After a million restaurant openings this year, especially from <b>big names</b> opening multiple restaurants at a time, I think we will see some of those <b>close </b>within the year. That isn't a headline, but it is what I think will happen.</p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/31/10632414/food-dining-headline-predictions-denverAndra Zeppelin2015-12-30T14:18:20-07:002015-12-30T14:18:20-07:00Local Food Writers Name Their Biggest Restaurant Grievance of 2015
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<p>Sad shutters, overused ingredients, and underperforming desserts.</p> <p class="p1"><i>As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. This year, we asked the group eight questions and we have already covered <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632370/best-restaurant-standbys-2015">restaurant standbys</a>, <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632376/best-new-restaurants-denver-industry-experts">top newcomers</a>, <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/29/10632396/12-30-11-am-what-was-the-biggest-dining-surprise-of-2015">biggest dining surprises</a>, </i><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632386/restaurant-scene-summary-experts"><i>the dining scene in one word</i></a><i>, <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/29/10632392/best-dining-neighborhoods-denver-2015">the best dining neighborhoods</a>, and the </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/30/10632400/best-meal-dinner-denver-food-critics"><i>best meals of the year</i></a><i>. On deck: <b>Grievances</b>. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Please, add your answers in the comments.</i></p>
<p class="p1"><b>Q: What was the biggest restaurant grievance of 2015?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Lori Midson, </i><a href="http://www.zagat.com/denver"><span class="s2"><i>Zagat Denver </i></span></a><i>editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Servers who ask me a hundred times if I'm enjoying my breakfast/lunch/dinner, but completely ignore the small details like removing empty plates, refilling glasses, replacing cutlery and delivering the check before I fall asleep. And one more grievance: While Denver experienced an onslaught of new restaurants, too many of them were just<b>carbon copies of each other</b>. I so wish that chefs in this city would take more risks and stop doing more of the same. I'm not asking for a New York or San Francisco restaurant scene; I'm simply asking for more diversity and international cuisines.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Amanda Faison, </i><a href="http://www.5280.com/eatanddrink"><span class="s2"><i>5280 Magazine</i> </span></a><i>food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class="p1"><span class="s1">With just a few exceptions, the <b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased;">lack of ingenuity in Denver's pastry scene</b>. Dessert has become boring—and that's a travesty.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>William Porter, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> restaurant critic</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Too often, there's <b>a certain sameness</b> between restaurant menus, especially those hailing from the Contemporary American school of dining. Do we really need another place serving crispy Brussels sprouts, deviled eggs, cheese grits, kimchee or someone's misguided notion of what constitutes Southern-style pulled pork? Does baked cauliflower really need its moment in the sun? Can't it just stay in the pages of Nation's Restaurant News or whatever industry magazine less imaginative chefs cop ideas from?</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Andra Zeppelin, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The half-assedness of <b>dessert programs </b>at most top restaurants and utter lack of great patisserie-like places (except for my darling Devil's Food!) where a sugar fanatic like me can get a well-made macaron, a high-quality eclair, or a fresh fruit tart. For some reason, this last bite and last impression of a meal is not a priority for chefs and owners. The lack of innovation, authenticity, and ingenuity in a lot of our top restaurants comes second on my list of things I'd like to see change in 2016. Hop Alley gives me hope because it is so original and full of heart. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Brittany Werges, </i><a href="http://303magazine.com/category/food-and-booze/"><span class="s2"><i>303 Magazine</i></span></a><i> food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">I think<b> service</b> could still improve in Denver, as well as general consistency. It's always a bummer when you go to a restaurant and have an awesome experience, and later return and have it be really subpar.</p>
<p class="p1"><i>Jennifer Murphy, freelance writer, AFAR contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><b>Gluten free </b>everything.</p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Ruth Tobias, </i><a style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.thrillist.com/denver"><span class="s2">Thrillist </span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">contributing writer</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Besides the fact that last year's—the <b>lack of legit Spanish tapas bars</b>—still hasn't been addressed? The closure of some of Denver's most exciting restaurants, most notably Lower48 Kitchen and <b>Trillium</b>. Nothing makes me cry except bad Sandra Bullock rom-coms, but I came damn close upon learning we were losing the dream team of Alex Figura and Mario Nocifera. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Jessie Levine, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">I had some<b> remarkably mediocre meals </b>at esteemed Denver restaurants this year. My grievance would be the dearth of true <b>consistency</b> with some of the Denver's "best" restaurants. I want to root for Denver's food scene on a national level, but more of our top restaurants need to be consistently stellar and keep up with national trends in order for that to happen. Until then, for most meals, you'll find me on Federal Blvd. seeking out inexpensive Asian food.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Grace Boyle, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributo</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Fuel Cafe and <b>Tom's Home Cookin' </b>in Denver. Although I'm not surprised and didn't love the restaurant, Boulder Cafe was quite iconic and a great location on Boulder's Pearl Street. A bummer we recently learned that a bank (not a restaurant) is going in its place. Too bad.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Gigi Sukin, <a href="http://www.cobizmag.com">CoBiz</a> and </i><a style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Across the board I think<b> service</b> leaves a lot to be desired. I'll tell you, some of my favorite food experiences in Denver have been overshadowed by lousy attitudes, poor responsiveness or seemingly l lack of interest in being in hospitality. This, unfortunately, is a recurring theme and for me a total deal-breaker.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span></span><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Maya Silver, </i><a href="http://diningout.com/denverboulder/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Dining Out Magazine</i> </span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">writer</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Farm-to-table-washing</b>. These days, it's becoming almost expected that great restaurants source their products fresh and locally. To call yourself farm-to-table, I think you need to go the extra mile beyond just featuring a few local products when it's convenient. I love seeing more restaurants deepen their commitment to local and sustainable sourcing by owning their own farm (e.g. with The Squeaky Bean) or partnering with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program like Jax and Cart-Driver. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Megan Barber, </i><a style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://ski.curbed.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Curbed Ski</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> editor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Fuel Restaurant </b>closing. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Linnea Covington, freelance writer, <a href="http://www.westword.com/restaurants">Westword</a> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">Let's get the <b>Asian game</b> going, please? There are good pho places, but the ramen scene and Chinese food offerings are sad.</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Adam Larkey, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver </i></span></a><i>photographer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Labor shortages, inconsistent service and <b>increased rents</b> seem to remain the biggest issues in the industry. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rebecca Treon, freelance writer, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">That we are losing a lot of great places like<b> Lower 48</b> and Trillium because the market is so flooded with competition.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rachel Greiman,</i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"> <i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p><b>Service</b>. But not what you're thinking. The average touch-point with a server is ELEVEN times per meal in Denver. Yes, I counted. And that was only the times they spoke. I do not need to be asked three times how my meal is. Ever. Especially when you interrupt my conversation to ask me.</p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/30/10632406/denver-restaurant-problems-serviceAndra Zeppelin2015-12-30T09:23:02-07:002015-12-30T09:23:02-07:00Friends of Eater Name Their Single Best Meals of 2015
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<img alt="Bar Dough" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HqooTV5yt-rju_j0USnqJSOrpZE=/0x0:800x600/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48465319/Bar_dough.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bar Dough | Adam Larkey</figcaption>
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<p>From Denver's high end restaurants to sushi bars in Tokyo and tasting menus in Nashville, these are some meals for the books.</p> <p class="p1"><i>As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. This year, we asked the group eight questions and we have already covered <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632370/best-restaurant-standbys-2015">restaurant standbys</a>, <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632376/best-new-restaurants-denver-industry-experts">top newcomers</a>, <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/29/10632396/12-30-11-am-what-was-the-biggest-dining-surprise-of-2015">biggest dining surprises</a>, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632386/restaurant-scene-summary-experts"><i>the dining scene in one word</i></a><i>, and <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/29/10632392/best-dining-neighborhoods-denver-2015">the best dining neighborhoods</a>. Up now, the best meal of the year. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Please, add your answers in the comments.</i></p>
<p class="p1"><b><span class="s1">Q: </span>What was your single best meal in 2015?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Linnea Covington, freelance writer, <a href="http://www.westword.com/restaurants">Westword</a> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><b>Old Major</b> back in the summer. My family and I went when trying to decide where to move to, and I was blown away by the decor, service and food. Loved the flatbreads and the chicken, wow. In fact, that's the place my son, then 9 months, had solid meat for the first time.</p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Gigi Sukin, <a href="http://www.cobizmag.com">CoBiz</a> and </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Probably<b> Mercantile</b> - from start to finish the service was impeccable, the meal was well-timed, food was over-the-top delicious and thoughtfully presented. Dinner is so different from lunch in that environment - I was pleasantly surprised. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><i>Jennifer Murphy, freelance writer, AFAR contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">Ever meal I had this year at Mercantile Provisions surprised me and introduced me to new flavors and ingredients and challenged my palette. The bone marrow brûlée on that menu really proves Denver's palate is expanding. That duck breast dish has so much awesomeness going on - the quinoa risotto is a play on grains and the pickled butternut squash and duck confit marmalade are the perfect hits of sweet and savory.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Brittany Werges, </i><a href="http://303magazine.com/category/food-and-booze/"><span class="s2"><i>303 Magazine</i></span></a><i> food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">As always, this is a tough one.<b> Acorn</b>, Lower 48, Cho77, Owl Bear at Finn's Manor and Mercantile & Provisions all gave me some really stellar experiences. But I think the one I won't soon forget was the pig's head at Rebel. They braise and then deep fry it until it's a deep golden-amber brown. The skin is so intensely crispy and it makes this crazy crackling noise. But because it's braised the meat (especially the cheek) is super tender. It is for sure one of most unique dining experiences I've ever had in Denver. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Andra Zeppelin, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">In Denver,<b> the Plimoth</b> is my most memorable meal of the year. From service (it is so comforting to see the same staff there on every visit!) to the fun wine selection and the inspired, yet simple food, every detail there is incredibly thoughtful. Outside of Denver, it is almost unfair to have to choose because I had a tremendous year of travel both here and abroad. Dining at<b> Noma </b>was a once in a lifetime experience that showed what an open-minded and curious team can create in the dining room. <b>Sushi Sawada</b>, a six seat spot in Tokyo ran only a husband and wife, was one of the most unique experiences ever. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Amanda Faison, </i><a href="http://www.5280.com/eatanddrink"><span class="s2"><i>5280 Magazine</i> </span></a><i>food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">In Denver, it was To The Wind. Outside of Denver, <b>the Catbird Seat</b> in Nashville.</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Ruth Tobias, </i><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/denver"><span class="s2">Thrillist </span></a><i>contributing writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">My virgin experience at <b>Rebel</b>. The chef's so outrageously inventive, yet he has the chops to back up his creativity. I know they're not about signature dishes, but the s**t on a shingle and fried-tripe poutine with foie gras gravy are hall-of-famers in the making. Second best happened at Cafe Marmotte, which came as a shock to me, because my tastes aren't very haute or classique. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Jessie Levine, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">I had a pretty amazing experience at <b>Il Posto</b> in April - I'm a sucker for homemade pasta, the olive oil chocolate cake was show-stopping, plus the service was fantastic. Also some heavenly bourbon chicken out of a styrofoam box from Bourbon Grill on Colfax this one time too. Outside of Colorado? <b>Animal</b> in LA.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Lori Midson, </i><a href="http://www.zagat.com/denver"><span class="s2"><i>Zagat Denver </i></span></a><i>editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">It's a deadlock between the scampi from<b> Bar Dough</b> and the roasted butternut squash soup from Mercantile. Oh, and the pig's head from Rebel. I guess it's a three-way tie.</p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Maya Silver, </i><a style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://diningout.com/denverboulder/"><span class="s2"><i>Dining Out Magazine</i> </span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">writer</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">It was at <b>Ototo</b>, specifically for the insanely sweet meat on the red snapper head, but also for the corn-laden miso ramen, sashimi, and gyoza. A tasting menu at The Briarwood Inn in Golden follows not far behind. Outside of Colorado, it would be dinner at Momofuku/Milk Bar in DC. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>William Porter, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> restaurant critic</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Do I have to limit it to one? For me it was a toss-up between Sugarbeet in Longmont and <b>Milk & Honey</b> in Larimer Square. I thought both were exceptional in their imagination and execution.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Megan Barber, </i><a href="http://ski.curbed.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Curbed Ski</i></span></a><i> editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">I'm going with <b>Bar Dough</b>. Top notch, seasonal brussel sprouts salad, amazing pizza, and a to-die-for warm chocolate torte. So good.</p>
<p class="p1"><span></span><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Adam Larkey, </i><a style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver </i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">photographer</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">On a recent trip to visit my parents in Baltimore, we tried a relatively new restaurant, <b>La Cuchara</b> - specializing in Basque food. From a stunning space, to amazing food and quality cocktails, it made for one of my most memorable meals of the year. But the Brothel Burger and a Hard Eight at Ophelia's or Crudo and anything on Bar Fausto's cocktail menu and I'm a happy guy as well!</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rebecca Treon, freelance writer, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">There were many, but probably the dinner I had at <b>Bistro Barbes</b>, they're always doing something interesting.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Grace Boyle, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Sorry, not a restaurant but <b>Meadlowlark Farm Dinner </b>at Toohey & Sons this Summer.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rachel Greiman,</i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"> <i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p><b>The Plimoth</b>. The corn bread alone put it into my top five of the year.</p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/30/10632400/best-meal-dinner-denver-food-criticsAndra Zeppelin2015-12-29T11:00:02-07:002015-12-29T11:00:02-07:00Friends of Eater Pick 2015's Best Dining Neighborhood
<figure>
<img alt="Bar Fausto" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xVdsHoxkYClfqp811Gmt8Ayq9ZQ=/49x0:849x600/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48456481/Bar_Fausto.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bar Fausto | Adam Larkey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One 'hood is seriously dominating the landscape. </p> <p class="p1"><i>As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers. We've already covered </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632370/best-restaurant-standbys-2015"><i>Best Standbys</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632376/best-new-restaurants-denver-industry-experts"><i>Top Newcomers</i></a><i>, and </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632386/restaurant-scene-summary-experts"><i>2015 in one word</i></a><i>. Now it's time to pick the best dining neighborhood. Readers, please add your thoughts to the comments.</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>William Porter, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> restaurant critic</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Lots of competition here, but the edge goes to RiNo.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Lori Midson, </i><a href="http://www.zagat.com/denver" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Zagat Denver </i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">editor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Without question, RiNo. From ambitious restaurants like <b>Rebel</b> (one of the few to push the culinary envelope) to groovy hangouts like Bar Fausto, RiNo dominated the city's culinary landscape.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Jessie Levine, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/15/9533907/south-park-episode-sodosopa">SoDoSoPa</a></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Linnea Covington, freelance writer, <a href="http://www.westword.com/restaurants">Westword </a>contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">I think Highlands is tops, and not just because I live here. It's growing in the best possible way.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Gigi Sukin, </i><a href="http://www.cobizmag.com"><i>CoBiz</i></a><i> and </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributing writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">RiNo.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><i>Jennifer Murphy, freelance writer, AFAR contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">RiNo.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Brittany Werges, </i><a href="http://303magazine.com/category/food-and-booze/"><span class="s2"><i>303 Magazine</i></span></a><i> food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">I said this last year, and I'm gonna say it again—RiNo continues to be one of the most exciting and dynamic dining neighborhoods. Tons of new spots I really love opened up here in 2015 including Bar Fausto, <b>Finn's Manor</b>, Osaka Ramen and Nocturne. And those only add to the long list of places I currently love in the hood. Plus, with some big new developments coming to the area including Jeff Osaka's and Ken Wolf's Central Market, <b>The Source Hotel </b>with Denver's first New Belgium Brewery, it's only bound to get better.</p>
<p class="p1"><span></span><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Andra Zeppelin, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> editor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Without a question, it is RiNo. So many incredible places have joined the fray in 2015, including Hop Alley, Bar Fausto, Finn's Manor, and Stowaway Coffee, and it seems like there is so much more in the pipeline. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Amanda Faison, </i><a href="http://www.5280.com/eatanddrink"><span class="s2"><i>5280 Magazine</i> </span></a><i>food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">RiNo.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rachel Greiman,</i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"> <i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p>RiNo.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Grace Boyle, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">RiNo.</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Ruth Tobias, </i><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/denver"><span class="s2">Thrillist </span></a><i>contributing writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">If I said anything other than RiNo just to be different, I'd be lying. Although Uptown, my own hood, isn't sucking at all either!</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s3"><i>Maya Silver, </i><a href="http://diningout.com/denverboulder/"><span class="s2"><i>Dining Out Magazine</i> </span></a><i>writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I love the Berkeley neighborhood with its small town vibe and mix of somewhat older, time-tested spots like Parisi, Hops & Pie, and DJ's Berkeley Cafe, and newcomers such as<b> Il Porcellino</b>, Atomic Cowboy, and Revelry Kitchen.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Megan Barber, </i><a href="http://ski.curbed.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Curbed Ski</i></span></a><i> editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"> I'm going with Lower Highlands. From old standbys (here's looking at you, Duo and Linger), to newcomers (Avanti, the Occidental, Recess), just when you think LoHi can't get any hotter, it does. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Adam Larkey, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver </i></span></a><i>photographer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">My neighbors in RiNo.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rebecca Treon, freelance writer, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Sunnyside and RiNo.</span></p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/29/10632392/best-dining-neighborhoods-denver-2015Andra Zeppelin2015-12-29T09:46:13-07:002015-12-29T09:46:13-07:00Restaurant Pros on the Biggest Dining Surprises of 2015
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MKf-rceyw-CT_XgS_qc-aROZVTI=/0x0:720x540/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48458305/toms_home_cooking.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>It has been a wild year in the dining scene. </p> <p class="p1"><b><span class="s1">Q: </span>What was the biggest dining surprise of 2015 </b></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Linnea Covington, freelance writer,<a href="http://"> Westword</a> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">So much good pizza popping up.</p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Gigi Sukin, CoBiz and </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span>OneFold - everything was beautifully presented and tasted even better than it looked.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span></span><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Jennifer Murphy, freelance writer, AFAR contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">The emergence of so many 24 hour food hubs like Avanti, Union Station, and the Source becoming social gathering spots.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Brittany Werges, </i><a href="http://303magazine.com/category/food-and-booze/"><span class="s2"><i>303 Magazine</i></span></a><i> food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Oh man, with so many openings it was surprising to also see some major closures this year. The departure of <b>Lower48</b> really broke my heart. I had some of the best meals I've ever had in Denver there. it was hard to say goodbye. I really hope they come back and open another spot!</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Andra Zeppelin, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The closure of Tom's Home Cookin'. I guess you think some places will never close. This was one of those for me. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Amanda Faison, </i><a href="http://www.5280.com/eatanddrink"><span class="s2"><i>5280 Magazine</i> </span></a><i>food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span>The sale, and thus closure, of Tom's Home Cookin'.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span></span><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Ruth Tobias, </i><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/denver" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Thrillist</i> </span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">contributing writer</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span>A long-overdue improvement on the barbecue front. Why now? Who knows. The answer is definitely not the price of meat.</span><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Jessie Levine, </i><a style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">Tom's Home Cookin' closes!? A major blow.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Lori Midson, </i><a href="http://www.zagat.com/denver"><span class="s2"><i>Zagat Denver </i></span></a><i>editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">From the surprise shutterings of <b>Le Central</b> and Tom's Home Cookin' to the closure of Fuel Café, we lost some very good restaurants. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s3"><i>Maya Silver, </i><a href="http://diningout.com/denverboulder/"><span class="s2"><i>Dining Out Magazine</i> </span></a><i>writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">How many classic seemingly successful restaurants closed their doors. That and how frequently <b>Guy Fieri </b>seems to be coming to our state--he's amassing quite the Colorado portfolio.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>William Porter, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> restaurant critic</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">The departure of<b> Brian Laird</b> after his short stint opening Sarto's. Yes, I know the restaurant business is flighty and volatile, but I thought Laird, who made his name at Barolo Grill, had found a home at this creative Italian spot in Jefferson Park. The kitchen was putting out excellent food, and then poof, he was gone.</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Adam Larkey, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver </i></span></a><i>photographer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The closings of quite a few notable and successful restaurants.<br></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rebecca Treon, freelance writer, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Tom's Home Cookin' closing!</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Grace Boyle, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">That Brussels sprouts and kale are still a novelty and on every menu.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rachel Greiman,</i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"> <i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">The closing of Tom's Home Cookin' ... there were plenty of iconic Denver restaurants that shuttered this year, but that one knocked the wind out of everybody's sails.</p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/29/10632396/12-30-11-am-what-was-the-biggest-dining-surprise-of-2015Andra Zeppelin2015-12-28T13:04:16-07:002015-12-28T13:04:16-07:00Dining Pros Sum Up the 2015 Restaurant Scene in One Word
<figure>
<img alt="Cho77" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HY2SA3J3AVaAdJLUpYUt64CCK0A=/49x0:848x599/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48450425/CHO77_8997e.0.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Cho77 | Adam Larkey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>What word best describes the past year in food?</p> <p class="p1">As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. We've already covered the 2015's <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632370/best-restaurant-standbys-2015">restaurant standbys</a> and <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632376/best-new-restaurants-denver-industry-experts">top newcomers</a>. Now it's time for for our panel to sum up the past year in food.</p>
<p class="p1"><b><span>Q: Describe 2015 in one word.</span></b></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Lori Midson, </i><a href="http://www.zagat.com/denver"><span class="s2"><i>Zagat Denver </i></span></a><i>editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">#Asianinvasion.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>William Porter, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> restaurant critic</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Hopping.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Jessie Levine, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span>Fast-casualized.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Amanda Faison, </i><a href="http://www.5280.com/eatanddrink" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>5280 Magazine</i> </span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">food editor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Frenetic.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Brittany Werges, </i><a href="http://303magazine.com/category/food-and-booze/"><span class="s2"><i>303 Magazine</i></span></a><i> food editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Growing.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><i>Jennifer Murphy, freelance writer, AFAR contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">Explosive.</p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Linnea Covington, freelance writer, <a href="http://www.westword.com/restaurants">Westword</a> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1">Growing.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Andra Zeppelin, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> editor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Evolving. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Ruth Tobias, </i><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/denver"><span class="s2">Thrillist </span></a><i>contributing writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Meaty—in every sense of the word.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Gigi Sukin, </i><a href="http://www.cobizmag.com">CoBiz</a><i> and </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Growing.</p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s3"><i>Maya Silver, </i><a href="http://diningout.com/denverboulder/"><span class="s2"><i>Dining Out Magazine</i> </span></a><i>writer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Growthspurt. I know that's actually two words, but I'm combining them like a German compound word because I it fits!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Megan Barber, </i><a href="http://ski.curbed.com/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Curbed Ski</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> editor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Rising.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Adam Larkey, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver </i></span></a><i>photographer</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Transitional.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Grace Boyle, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><span class="s2"><i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Booming.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rebecca Treon, freelance writer, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><span class="s2"><i>Denver Post</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p class="p1">Shapeshifting.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Rachel Greiman,</i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><span class="s2"> <i>Eater Denver</i></span></a><i> contributor</i></span></p>
<p>Busy.</p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632386/restaurant-scene-summary-expertsAndra Zeppelin2015-12-28T11:30:59-07:002015-12-28T11:30:59-07:00Friends of Eater Name Their Top Restaurant Newcomers of 2015
<figure>
<img alt="Hop Alley" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5ruo985mCsTKyz1A1g5u1SaI8Og=/59x0:857x599/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48449561/Hop_Alley.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hop Alley | Adam Larkey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The top new restaurants to hit Denver this year.</p> <p><i>As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. This year, we asked the group eight questions running the gamut from </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632370/best-restaurant-standbys-2015">restaurant standbys</a><i> to biggest restaurant grievances. All will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the 2015. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Readers, please do add your survey answers in the comments.</i></p>
<p><b>Q: What are the top restaurant newcomers of 2015?</b></p>
<p><i>Amanda Faison, </i><a href="http://www.5280.com/eatanddrink"><i>5280 Magazine</i> </a><i>food editor</i></p>
<p><b>Bar Fausto</b>, Bar Dough, and Dos Santos, but you also can't talk about 2015 without mentioning Avanti. Hop Alley snuck in under the wire!</p>
<p><i>Andra Zeppelin, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com"><i>Eater Denver</i></a><i> editor</i></p>
<p><b>Hop Alley </b>is my number one choice even though it is so young. The RINo spot owned by Tommy Lee of Uncle is original, heartfelt, and so thoughtful in every single aspect. Cho77 and Bar Dough are tied for second in my heart. For drinks, I love the additions of the Occidental and Bar Fausto. It's been a good year!</p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Ruth Tobias, </i><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/denver" style="line-height: 1.5;">Thrillist </a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">contributing writer</i></p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;"></i><span>Rebel, </span><b style="line-height: 1.5;">Ototo</b><span>, and Bar Dough. All three blew my mind in different ways. That's a lot of different mind-blowing.</span></p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Jessie Levine, <a href="http://denver.eater.com">Eater Denver</a> contributor</i></p>
<p>Cho77, <b>Finn's Manor</b>, Bar Dough.</p>
<p><i>Lori Midson, </i><a href="http://www.zagat.com/denver"><i>Zagat Denver </i></a><i>editor</i></p>
<p>Cho77, Bar Dough, Rebel, Hop Alley, Blue Island Oyster Bar (great to see Cherry Creek on the rebound), Owlbear Barbecue (major kudos to Karl Fallenius for bringing kick-ass smoked meats to Denver), Avanti Food & Beverage and Osaka Ramen. And it's so good to see Sean Kelly back in action at <b>Desmond Bar & Grill</b>. Four words: The mussels are magnificent.</p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Linnea Covington, freelance writer, <a href="http://">Westword </a>contributor</i></p>
<p>Top of my list is <b>Blue Pan</b>, I can't get enough of their Detroit-style pizza.</p>
<p><i>Gigi Sukin, CoBiz and </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com"><i>Eater Denver</i></a><i> contributor</i></p>
<p>Telegraph, <b>Dos Santos</b>, Bar Fausto</p>
<p><i>Brittany Werges, <a href="http://303magazine.com/category/food-and-booze/">303 Magazine</a> food editor</i></p>
<p>There were a lot of great new places this year, but my top newcomers are ones that took risks. The first would have to be <b>Avanti Food & Beverage</b> for its collective eatery concept. They got a lot of talented people under one roof and gave some awesome chefs the ability to test out some cool ideas. The whole incubator notion for new restaurants is really smart for a growing dining scene. Next, Rebel restaurant really pushed some boundaries with their menu. They opened with a whole lamb's head on their menu, for heaven sakes! It's been cool watching Denver embrace them. Finally, <b>Black Eye Coffee</b> really impressed me with its triple threat Cap Hill location. The coffee shop/restaurant/bar is absolutely beautiful and I find myself frequenting the place at almost all hours of the day.</p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Maya Silver, </i><a href="http://diningout.com/denverboulder/" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><i>Dining Out Magazine</i> </a><i style="line-height: 1.5;">writer</i></p>
<p>Cho77, Abejas, <b>Wild Standard</b>, and Avanti.</p>
<p><i>Adam Larkey, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com/"><i>Eater Denver </i></a><i>photographer</i></p>
<p>Bar Dough, Bar Fausto, Hop Alley, <b>Rebel</b>, Globe Hall and Bacon Social House</p>
<p><i>William Porter, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food"><i>Denver Post</i></a><i> restaurant critic</i></p>
<p><b>Milk & Honey</b>, Dos Santos</p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Megan Barber, </i><a style="line-height: 1.5;" href="http://ski.curbed.com"><i>Curbed Ski</i></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> editor</i></p>
<p><b>Bar Dough</b>. I just can't get enough of this place. I also eat weekly at Avanti. And Cho77 is my go to for the chicken curry. Also love Old Major's new chicken sandwiches at lunch.</p>
<p><i>Jennifer Murphy, freelance writer, AFAR contributor</i></p>
<p>Mercantile Dining & Provisions, Cart Driver, <b>Ophelia's</b>, Osaka Ramen.</p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Grace Boyle, </i><a href="http://denver.eater.com" style="line-height: 1.5;"><i>Eater Denver</i></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p>Globe Hall,<b> Nocturne</b>, Wild Standard (in Boulder), and Cho77.</p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Rebecca Treon, freelance writer, </i><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/food" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><i>Denver Post</i></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p><b>New World Cheese</b>, Blackbelly Market, and the Avanti complex.</p>
<p><i style="line-height: 1.5;">Rachel Greiman,</i><a style="line-height: 1.5;" href="http://denver.eater.com"> <i>Eater Denver</i></a><i style="line-height: 1.5;"> contributor</i></p>
<p>My favorite new addition is <b>Cho77</b>. I love the funkiness of the space and the surprises on the menu. Also, very randomly, my favorite new coffee in all of Denver is the E.T. from Carbon.</p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10632376/best-new-restaurants-denver-industry-expertsAndra Zeppelin2015-12-28T11:01:37-07:002015-12-28T11:01:37-07:00The Year in Eater: Denver's Top 20 Stories of 2015
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<figcaption>Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Patterson | Adam Larkey</figcaption>
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<p>Take a look back at the last 12 months.</p> <p><span>As 2015 comes to a close, take a look back at some of the best posts of the year. There were openings galore, plus some famous food people swinging through town and helpful guides to Denver eating. Did you have a favorite dining moment this year? Send a note through </span><a href="http://www.eater.com/contact?community_id=494#tip">the tipline</a><span> and let us know.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/4/20/8456941/abandoned-child-los-toritos-restaurant-aurora"><b>Terrible Parents Abandon Little Girl at Los Torritos Restaurant</b></a></p>
<p>There's nothing like a helpless sweet soul getting a community fired up. When the parents of a young girl forgot her at an Aurora restaurant, the news outlets lit up and so did social media, in an effort to reunite her with her family. Hours passed until the police located the family.</p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/1/20/7858569/cake-shop-faces-legal-action-for-refusing-to-make-anti-lgbt-cake" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><b>Cake Shop Faces Legal Action For Refusing to Make Anti LGBT Cake</b></a></p>
<p><span>Azucar Bakery, a popular spot on South Broadway, stood for love and equal rights this year. </span><span>Owner Marjorie Silva refused to make a Bible-shaped cake complete with strong anti-gay wording and imagery and that cost her some legal brain damage. The community support she received, however, was strong, and eventually she prevailed in the legal action against her. </span></p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/6/8/8748405/bono-bill-clinton-lunch-humboldt-denver"><b>Bono and Bill Clinton Shared Lunch at Humboldt</b></a></p>
<p>Two public life giants happened to be in Denver at the same time and dine at an Uptown spot. Former President Bill Clinton and U2 lead singer Bono shared some bites at Humboldt, including the crispy broccoli and the ahi tuna noodle salad. Bonus: Chelsea Clinton was also present.</p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/5/15/8611627/steubens-olde-town-arvada"> </a></p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/5/15/8611627/steubens-olde-town-arvada"><b>Steuben's 2.0 Is Coming to Olde Town Arvada</b></a></p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/5/15/8611627/steubens-olde-town-arvada" style="line-height: 1.24;"></a><span>When what is now a classic of Denver is expanding, the buzz is loud. Soon-to-open in a former Gunther Toody's in Olde Town Arvada, Steuben's 2.0 will bring its new American diner style to an area that is hungry for more fun restaurants. But don't expect an exact replica of the Uptown original, owner Josh Wolkon shared. </span></p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/9/17/9340425/carbones-italian-deli-sunnyside" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><b>Everybody Panic: Carbone's Is Coming Back!</b></a></p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/9/17/9340425/carbones-italian-deli-sunnyside" style="line-height: 1.24;"></a><span>For decades and until 2013, Carbone's was the classic spot that brought diners a fix for that Italian meatball sandwich craving. A return of the family-owned spot was announced in a Sunnyside location. Construction will begin early next year.</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/11/16/9745320/toms-home-cookin-for-sale-five-points"><b>Tom's Home Cookin' Closes in Five Points</b></a></p>
<p>Desperate cries from Southern food lovers could almost be heard as the nearly 17 year old casual spot in Five Points closed its doors. Owners Tom Unterwagner and Steve Jankousky found a buyer for their building and decided to switch gears and focus on other ventures.</p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/13/9521699/introducing-the-best-bartenders-class-of-2015"><b>Denver's Best Bartenders, Class of 2015</b></a></p>
<p>Honoring our cocktail makers has become a tradition at Eater Denver and this year was no different. This group of 12 men and women mix drinks with skill at bars like Williams & Graham, Ste. Ellie, and the RiNo Yacht Club.</p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/4/24/8493113/guy-fieri-bijus-little-curry-shop-axios-diners-driveins-dives"><b>Guy Fieri Films at Biju's Little Curry Shop and Axios</b></a></p>
<p>The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew made several visits to Colorado this year. On what one them, foodie showman Guy Fieri featured not only Dae Gee, but also RiNo's favorite curry shop and a Greek Spot in Berkeley.</p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/7/9472991/sean-kelly-desmonds-park-hill-new-project"><b>Sean Kelly Returns with a New Park Hill Restaurant</b></a></p>
<p>Aubergine and its follow up, Clair du Lune were two of Denver's first farm-to-table restaurants. After a significant absence from the forefront of the dining scene, chef and owner Sean Kelly has taken a leap with a new restaurant, Desmond's Bar and Grill.</p>
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<p><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/20/9577889/lower-48-closes-ballpark">Lower 48 Calls It Quits on November 7</a></b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/20/9577889/lower-48-closes-ballpark"></a></b>The 24 month long shower of accolades was not enough to make this Ballpark restaurant survive. Owned by chef Alex Figura and front of the house rock star Mario Nocifera, Lower 48 put a stop to its new American adventure early in November.</p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/4/8/8367967/denver-torchys-tacos-capitol-hill"><b>Austin's Torchy's Tacos Set to Launch in Denver</b></a></p>
<p>Denver sure loves its Tex Mex although the<a href="http://denver.eater.com/maps/best-texmex-restaurants-denver"> lack of real options is palpable</a>. When Austin's cultish Torchy's Tacos announced a Colorado outpost, fans of the migas went crazy. The Golden Triangle spot will open <a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/11/11/9715836/torchys-tacos-denver-opening-january-2016">early in January</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/13/9521699/introducing-the-best-bartenders-class-of-2015"> </a></p>
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<p><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/6/23/8833705/bang-closing-end-of-july"> </a></b></p>
<p style="display: inline !important;"><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/6/23/8833705/bang-closing-end-of-july"><b>Bang Is Closing at the End of July</b></a></b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/6/23/8833705/bang-closing-end-of-july"> </a> </b></p>
<p><span>It was the end of an era when this classic Highland Square restaurant closed its doors in July. Partners Chris and Jeff Oakley and Cissy Olderman shuttered the nearly two decade old spot, fueling the rapid change of the neighborhood even further.</span></p>
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<p><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/24/9574435/bar-dough-lohi-max-mackissock#4860148"> </a></b></p>
<p style="display: inline !important;"><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/24/9574435/bar-dough-lohi-max-mackissock#4860148"><b>Chef Max Mackissock Reveals Bar Dough<br></b></a></b></p>
<p style="display: inline !important;">How we all missed the culinary skill of Max Mackissock since he left the Squeaky Bean! The chef is back with Bar Dough, a LoHi Italian-inspired casual eatery where pizza, pasta, salads, and more come with inspired irresistible touches.</p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/2/2/7964011/sushi-sasa-gets-an-f-on-its-report-card-morningside-cafe-has-no"><b>Sushi Sasa Gets An F on Its Report Card</b></a></p>
<p>The popular LoHi restaurant owned by chef Wayne Conwell landed in hot waters with the Health Department twice and the Fox 31/KDVR noticed<span>. On one of its weekly Restaurant Report Card segments, the tv station reported that Sasa was cited for 11 critical violations during two regular inspections by the Health Department. </span></p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/8/20/9182671/frasca-food-and-wine-denver-restaurant-kimpton-hotel-union-station"><b>Frasca Food and Wine Team to Open Denver Restaurant</b></a></p>
<p style="display: inline !important;">The news that the acclaimed team from Boulder's Frasca Food and Wine is coming to Denver made waves. A new stand-alone 125-seat space will anchor the ground-level storefront of the new Kimpton Hotel on the 16th Street Mall pedestrian mall adjacent to the Wynkoop Street Plaza and train platform.</p>
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<p><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/7/9859968/fuel-cafe-closed-rino-taxi-refuel"> </a></b></p>
<p style="display: inline !important;"><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/7/9859968/fuel-cafe-closed-rino-taxi-refuel"><b>Fuel Cafe Shutters in RiNo<br></b></a></b></p>
<p style="display: inline !important;">A pioneer in RiNo's dining scene, Fuel Cafe was known for its commitment to sustainable and organic ingredients. Chef and owner Bob Blair ran the quaint spot located at Taxi for nearly 8 years and charmed diners not just with its cuisine but also its unique wine list.</p>
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<p><b><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/4/9/8375523/opehlias-ballpark-opening-preview-justin-cucci#4713990">Ophelia's, a Seductively Sensory Feast, Will Open in Ballpark </a></b></p>
<p>There is some magic in every spot that restaurateur Justin Cucci creates and his third Denver venture, Ophelia's is no different. Part music venue, part restaurant and bar, this Ballpark attraction is set in a former brothel.</p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/1/7/7505867/get-ready-for-these-openings-in-2015-denver-boulder-restaurants-bars" style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: #ffffff;"><b>The 2015 Ultimate Guide to Restaurant Openings in Denver</b></a></p>
<p>There's nothing quite as exciting as a preview of what is to come on the Denver dining scene. This list shared details on everything from Cho77 to Bar Fausto and the Occidental.</p>
<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/2015/10/15/9533907/south-park-episode-sodosopa"><b>'South Park' Episode Pokes Fun at Gentrifying Neighborhoods</b></a></p>
<p>Colorado-born South Park creators took on gentrification and shared details on a fictional neighborhood called SoDoSoPa that looked like an eerie combination between RiNo and perhaps LoHi.</p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.eater.com/maps/denvers-25-most-iconic-dishes"><b>25 Classic Denver Dishes To Try Before You Die</b></a></p>
<p>While Colorado does not have a classic cuisine or well-known regional dish (sorry, but Rocky Mountain oysters don't count), these 25 dishes make our culinary scene proud. Whether you've lived here your whole life or you just arrived, be sure to check them all of your eating bucket list.</p>
https://denver.eater.com/2015/12/28/10672692/top-denver-food-news-2015Andra Zeppelin