Somehow we are in the last week of February, 2025, and the news has gotten intense in the Denver restaurant scene. Namely, HB-1208, a bill recently proposed to lower the tipped wage amount in the city (more on that to come). On a non-political note, the dining scene has added onto its all-you-can-eat offerings, and closed a couple restaurants. The events this week definitely entice, so make sure to scroll to the end to find out what’s you have to check out.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
There’s been a lot of buzz over HB-1208, a bill proposed to lower the tipped wage amount currently in Denver. A lot of naysayers claim the bill wants to give restaurants a way to pay workers less, often saying these people don’t make a liveable wage. On the other side, proponents of the bill claim the current minimum wage structure, which follows inflation, means tipped workers will continue to make more money on top of tips, preventing the restaurants to afford raises for the back-of-house. We are working on a piece to dissect both sides and explain what HB-1208 really means.
Daughter Thai in LoHi closed last week due to a plumbing issue. As of today the LoHi spot has yet to reopen. But in case you’re hankering for a solid Thai meal, check out these three places.
The Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC), a nationwide group that champions the needs of independent restaurants and bars, as well as the millions of employees found at both, just added EatDenver’s executive director, Kristen Rauch. Rauch was elected to the all-volunteer national Board of Directors. Congratulations not only to Rauch for this honor!
In Downtown Denver, The Regular has decided to close the chapter on being a public restaurant, and instead is converting to an exclusive private event space and catering. Run by Sydney Younggreen and chef Brian De Souza, The Regular opened after the couple wowed the dining community with their in-home eatery dubbed The Guest, which they launched during the pandemic. In 2023 they went on to open The Regular, changing it from a high-end tasting menu joint to an a la carte menu throughout its run.
Openings and Closings In the News
With the opening of Umai-Ya (7450 W. 52nd Ave., Arvada) we have another all-you-can-eat (AYCE)sushi space in town. It’s open for lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner service seven days a week, including all-day dinner on the weekend. The restaurant also serves AYCE ramen.
Also on the ramen trend is Mikaku Ramen & Temaki (14302 E. Cedar Ave., Aurora). The restaurant offers over half-a-dozen types of ramen, hand rolls, and classic Asian appetizers in a comfortable, modern-Japanese setting.
Earlier this month Sloan’s Lake Tap & Burger closed, though already the building has a new tenant. Enter the fourth iteration of Stoney’s Bar and Grill, which will take over the space asap.
The casual Italian restaurant Benzina announced plans to close at the end of March. Situated on E. Colfax Avenue in a former muffler shop, Benzina, which means “gasoline” in Italian, opened in 2021. Go now for one last Mortadella pizza and Smoked Rainbow Trout Caesar salad.
Another community restaurant has also fallen. GraceFull Community Cafe, a pay-what-you-can restaurant in Littleton, recently shuttered. However, the GraceFull Foundation, the nonprofit behind the eatery, remains in operation.
Events
FlyteCo Tower commemorates the 30th anniversary of the closing of Stapleton International Airport. Yup, the tall edifice the brewery and play center is known for originally acted as a flight tower for the first major airport. Come celebrated on Thursday, February 27 with tours of the 11-story tower, a special gin barrel-aged beer, and specials including a large pizza and two beers for $19.95.
SAME Cafe and Easy Vegan will host a collaboration on Friday, February 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Easy Vegan, 2023 champions of Food Network’s Great Foodtruck Race, offers vegetable-forwards dishes, which it will share with SAME Cafe’s diners. Visit the restaurant for this special event, and keep in mind the eatery serves food in exchange for either money, produce, or volunteer time.
Celebrate Mardi Gras at the St. Julien in Boulder from Friday, February 28, to Saturday, March 1. It’s free to attend, though food and drink are for sale. Options include NoLa specials such as Ron Zacapa Hurricanes ($14), andouille and shrimp jambalaya ($16), and beignets ($12). Plus, enjoy live music from the Brazilian Carnival band, Ginga, on Friday, and Voodoo Lily on Saturday, both from 6 to 9 p.m. each night. For more information visit stjulien.com.
On Saturday skip the booze and enjoy the Sober Saturday Soiree, aka Bottoms Up Brunch at Champagne Tiger. The event starts at 1:30 p.m., and not only will no alcohol be served, but all the performers are sober too. The host is Chase Bottoms, featuring the talents of Mona Mystic, Lulu Krystals, and Doily Sun, with DJ Markie Arendelle.
Celebrate one year of Lottie’s Meats. On Sunday, March 2 the local sausage company parties at My Boy Tony from 4 p.m., until the owners and sisters Cassie and Chelsey Maschhoff sell out of their meat.
Just reading the title, “A Peak at the Alpine: The Alluring Après-Ski in a Snow-Capped Tasting Menu Experience,” make us want to head to Mizuna on Monday, March 3 for chef Alexis Sicklick’s pop-up dinner. Sicklick comes to us for a special trip from her home of New York City, and specializes in vegetable-forward cooking meant to evoke music. The prix fixe meal is $140, and there are two times to choose from, 5 and 8 p.m. Learn more and reserve here.
