Valentine’s Day is here, and we have a list of some fun events you can do, with or without a sweetheart. Of course you can always plan a date based on the most romantic spots in town. This week we got news of an award-winning chef coming to Denver, and Union Station has some tantalizing things coming. It’s a pretty good time to love the Mile High City.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
In Los Angeles, chef Doug Rankin has decided to shutter his award-winning Bar Chelou after a severe loss of business caused by the devastating fires last month. Now, he plans to bring the concept to Denver.
According to Eater L.A., Rankin, “Finds inspiration in Denver’s dining scene and noted Los Angeles chefs who successfully opened new restaurants, including his former mentor, chef Ludo Lefebvre, who debuted Chez Maggy there in 2022. Though he plans to reopen Bar Chelou in Colorado, he still sees the possibility of returning to the Los Angeles restaurant community down the line.” Now we just have to wait and see.
Longmont’s Dry Land Distillers and Salida’s Woods High Mountain Distillery just collaborated on a new whiskey dubbed Tread Lightly. Crafted with two award-winning spirits, Wood’s Tenderfoot Malt Whiskey and Dry Land Heirloom Grain Whiskey, both whiskeys only use Colorado-grown grains. The limited-time bottle features original label artwork by Colorado artist John Cross. Preorders for the Tread Lightly release are available for those on Dry Land’s bottle club list, and Dry Land recommends preordering on the website before Saturday, February 15.
Worried about ICE and what it could mean for your restaurant? The Colorado Restaurant Association hosts a free webinar on Thursday, February 13 at 10 a.m. titled, “Immigration Best Practices in 2025: How to Prepare Your Business and Your Team.” Find details and register here.
Check out the bright and shiny new sign at Linger in LoHi. The global eatery opened in 2011, and now the sign glows pink and blue.
Openings and Closings In the News
Denver Union Station debuted two new kiosks, Telluride Truffle Artisan Chocolate and a branch of the flower shop Beet & Yarrow. The chocolate company has been around since 1997, founded by resident Patty Denny. All the truffles are handmade and many are named after a Colorado landmark or feature.
Also opening in the transportation hub, starting on Wednesday, February 12, is Baumé – A Dessert Bar. Located in the Great Hall, expect European-inspired patisseries along with a curated Champagne list.
Cafe Miriam opened a second location in Uptown at 1707 N. Lafayette St. Housed in what used to be the Waffle Brother’s space, the 1,700-square-foot restaurant was remodeled and offers two stories of cozy seating. Expect a French cafe menu that mimics the original City Park spot, and plenty of fresh pastries by chef Pascal Trompeau.
After coming to Colorado with a bang, and bringing his whole family to settle here, restaurateur Jared Leonard closed three of his places, Grabowski’s Pizzeria and the two Campfire spots in Lakewood and Evergreen. Leonard still runs AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Rosedale.
Another pizza place has also decided to call it quits. EatYa Pizza on the 16th Street Mall announced its closure. The last day to enjoy the Roman-style pies is on Thursday, February 13.
Voghera Apericena in Berkeley has officially closed and currently there’s an eviction notice on the door. The Italian restaurant opened in October, 2021 at 3963 Tennyson St. A note on OpenTable stated legal issues as the crux of the closure, and the owners hope to open another version of the concept down the line.
On the Menu
Cart-Driver LoHi announced its monthly Cocktail For a Cause. Dubbed Field of Dreams, the drink features Family Jones gin, blueberry simple syrup, Lo-Fi Gentian Amaro, and lemon. For every cocktail ordered, the restaurant donates 100-percent of the cost to Urban Sports Abroad, an organization that provides equal opportunities through sports to U.S. military service members and their families stationed abroad.
Valentine’s Day Events
Want to spend a non-romantic but heart-themed night with friends? At Wonderyard on Thursday, February 13 the LoDo spot hosts Galentine’s Movie & Craft Night. Bring your girlfriends and get ready for a night of rom-coms and crafting. Tickets run $30 per person and include a personalized wine bottle for crafting, and unlimited popcorn for snacking during the movie.
FIRE Restaurant at The ART Hotel Denver starts the heart-filled holiday on February 13 through 16. Dubbed the Day Romance Package, expect macarons and two mini Moët Rosé bottles waiting in your room. Then head to the lobby between 4 and 6 p.m. for a special Don Fulano tequila tasting before dinner at FIRE.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special four-course prix fixe meal at Jovanina’s Broken Italian on February 14 and 15. Not only is the atmosphere made for love, but the tables come decked out with real taper candles burning slowly as you canoodle with your honey. Score a spot in Sotto Voce, Jovanina’s subterranean, Prohibition-era-style lounge filled with shadows, low light, and cozy nooks. Dinner runs $95 per person, and includes house-made focaccia with buttermilk ricotta and lavender wildflower honey to start. Discover the rest of the line up on the restaurant’s website.
Glady’s Restaurant, that vegan hot spot in Edgewater Public Market, will serve a multi-course meal starting at 5 p.m. on February 14. All items will be presented in pairs to share, priced at $64. For this event the restaurant will be prix fixe only, with gluten-free modifications on demand.
Head to the Block Distilling Co. on Valentine’s Day for Love Letter to Denver from noon to 10 p.m. Romance or not, the idea is to spread the love to its neighbors by offering a complimentary first-round cocktail, mocktail, or neat pour as a token of the distillery’s gratitude and affection. Then from 5 to 10 p.m., enjoy a bouquet bar from Sophia Eliana Florals, a love letter-writing station with stunning commemorative postcards designed by local artist Lena Dechamps, buy-one-get-one-free welded jewelry from Velvet Moss Magic, flash tattoos from Mel M, and delicious onigiri and mochi from Taeko San Takeout. Find out more here.
If you’re looking for action, Puttshack has all the ball you need during Treats for Daters on February 14. During the casual event, team members at Puttshack Denver will distribute happy Valentine’s cards to guests that include a promo code for one free game in the future (valid from February 15 to March 15). Puttshack will also offer free Valentine’s-themed photos at a Simplebooth photo booth.
Take a trip to the East without leaving Denver at Le Colonial. On Valentine’s Day the Vietnamese restaurant serves an elegant three-course prix fixe menu for $125 per person, complete with a welcoming fresh rose for each guest. For more information or to make a reservation go here.
