We are moving this column to Tuesdays given so many Mondays end up being holidays. This week the buzz centers around awards, the closure of a national noodle chain, and a summer of delicious spritzes.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
The Colorado-based, fast-casual restaurant chain Noodles & Company announced it will close up to 21 of its restaurants across the country this year. Of those closures most will be company-owned establishments, though the exact locations have not been announced yet.
Bobby Stuckey of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder now touts the Julia Child Award, which is given to individuals (or teams) who “made a profound and significant difference in the way America cooks, eats, and drinks.” Aside from the honor, the award comes with a $50,000 grant given to a food- or education-based organization selected by the winner.
Governor Jared Polis vetoed SB25-005 (Worker Protection Collective Bargaining), which preserves the Colorado Labor Peace Act. The veto ensures that Colorado workers, including those in the local restaurant industry, maintain the right to make decisions about union membership through a democratic, two-step process. SB25-005 would have stripped away safeguards that allow restaurant employees to make personal, informed choices about union affiliation.
Leven Supply, the second iteration of the popular Leven Deil, just got the green light to build a patio. The restaurant plans to have it ready by mid-June.
On Monday, May 26, TAG Restaurant Group locations, including Guard and Grace, Los Chingones, HashTAG, and Bubu, will offer 50% off meals to veterans and active-duty military members (for parties up to four with valid military ID). In addition to this gesture, each restaurant will also feature a “Missing Man” Table in tribute to fallen and missing service members which is a tradition chef Troy Guard and his team have observed since 2015.
The Denver Passport Program is returning for summer 2025, and kicks off on Friday, May 23. The guide features two-for-one drink deals at 76 venues across the metro area, and it’s all easily accessible through a passport-sized booklet. Some restaurant participants include Annette, Xiquita, Lucina, Dio Mio, Redeemer Pizza, Mercantile, Carne, Work & Class, Olive & Finch, Leven Supply, and Mecha Noodle Bar. On the bar side, head to Traveling Mercies, Fort Greene, Adrift, The Whiskey Sanctuary at Law’s Whiskey House, Cohesion Brewing, and The Family Jones. Coffee shops also have a section, including Hearth, Hot Shot Coffee, Convivo Café, and Copper Door. The Passport is $30 and can be purchased here. It’s valid from May 23 to October 1, 2025.
Looks like Wheat Ridge Poultry might have to close its doors. The family-run shop has been serving the neighborhood since 1942, but after a bout of theft and personal issues, it’s barely hanging on.
“Over the past few years, our family has been challenged with cancer, the loss of parents, attempted suicide, double digit theft from a business associate, and the sudden and unexpected loss of my brother-in-law, the business owner,” wrote family member Heidi McCarty, who has set up a GoFundMe page to try and save the butcher shop. “These challenges are not only affecting our ability to keep our business open, but we are also facing the potential loss of our family home and new health issues from the stress.”
Support Wheat Ridge Poultry by donating here. And fingers crossed it can open up again soon.
Root Shoot Spirits earned a gold medal in the American Single Malt Whiskey category during the London Spirits Competition. Root Shoot Whiskey is distilled just a few miles from where the raw materials were sown, grown and malted on the company’s fifth-generation family farm. The result is a uniquely hyper-local, sustainable supply-chain journey of only about 30 miles from field to bottle.
Denver’s own The Cake Bar made the PETA list of the nation’s ten best “Bakeries That Take the Cake.” Established by Angie Wells, The Cake Bar is Denver’s first Black and woman-owned vegan bakery and specializes in wedding cake. For example, the marble cake with maple frosting and the Chantilly, a vanilla cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and mint.
Openings and Closings in the News
Hearth is opening its third outpost this May in Highland at 3617 West 32nd Ave., in what was formally the coffee shop Nova. The bakery and coffee shop got its start at the Highland Farmers Market in 2021, and now the venture will be near where it all began.
Mantra Cafe has opened at 1147 Broadway in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The restaurant specializes in Indian and Nepalese fare, with dishes such as lamb choila, pani puri, momos, vindeloos, and more.
G-Que BBQ opened a new location in Thornton (2681 E. 120th Ave) last Wednesday, May 14. The restaurant has over 2,000 square feet of dining space, a seated bar, ice cream counter, and patio. In addition, G-Que will soon introduce its first ever Que-Thru Mobile Pick Up Lane, which will soon become available to guests who place an order online or through the app. The public and media are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony featuring members of G-Que leadership, Thornton City Council, and the Thornton Area Chamber of Commerce at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23.
The Knotted Root Circular Lounge opened at 5126 E. Colfax Ave. in the former spot that housed Bellwether, Horror Bar, Slashers, and the most recent tenant, Heartbreak Kid. The bar will focus on two American lagers in a comfortable setting.
After 40-plus years at 722 Santa Fe Drive, El Noa Noa has closed. Now the space will house a new El Chingon location. The late Gloria Nunez founded El Chingon in 2010 inside an Arvada strip mall, and later moved the restaurant to Tennyson Street. After about 10 years, the family moved El Chingon again to a larger spot at 1691 Central Street. Last fall it closed for good, but fans can look forward to the fourth iteration.
The casual-fine French spot Jacques closed last week. Co-owner Nick Daulton tried to find someone to take over the LoHi restaurant, but unfortunately he wasn’t successful. Daulton still runs Brasserie Brixton, which, he said, won’t be going anywhere.
Breakfast King owner David Frieder posted on Instagram about the closing of his iconic brunch spot off of Evans Avenue. He said the restaurant’s closing comes because the building owner didn’t renew the lease. Breakfast King has been serving for 50 years, and Frieder took over 20 years ago.
“The BI has been there for the community and the community has always been there for the BI. It comes with great sadness to share with the community that the BI will be closing permanently on June 8 at 2 p.m.,” Frieder wrote on social media. “After a year of fighting the good fight, our lease was not renewed and the property has been sold…I will certainly miss what the BI means to the community.”
On the Menu
Bezel has a new list of seasonal cocktails including the Blueberry Parfait with Avua Amburana, Byrrh Grand Quinquina, Oloroso, cream Sherry, salted balsamic blueberry, Greek yogurt, and cacao bitters. Also on the menu you’ll find the Green Smoothie with Kale Leblon, banana-ginger calvados, pineapple matcha, and lime; and the Curry Leaf Sazerac with carrot-infused Angels Envy Rye, Remy Martian, 1738, curry leaf and coconut rum reduction.
Small plates too have gotten a refresh. Look for Beetatas Bravas, a dish of salt-roasted beet puree, crispy beets, and goat cheese. There;s also Bison Chorizo Arepas, Pheasant Tostadas, and Miso Glazed Salmon with a roasted carrot-sake puree.
Denver Events
Head to Adrift Tiki Bar for Spam Musubi Week. Now until Saturday, May 24, guests of the tropical oasis get a free Spam Musubi with purchase of a drink, food, or both. For those who don’t know, Spam Musubi is Hawaii’s famous grab-and-go snack inspired by Japanese onigiri and dating back to World War II. It’s a little sweet, a little salty, and comes with an umami punch. Try it now, one per person.
To celebrate the Summer Spritz menu, Punch Bowl Social hosts a patio pop-up with festive Aperol Spritz décor, swag giveaways, and more all summer long, in addition to its weekly programming and entertainment like silent disco, Mixtape Saturdays and karaoke. Kick off with the First Taste Event on Friday, May 23, featuring $10 spritz drink specials and an Aperol Spirtz tote bag with swag for the first 25 guests. The Friday event runs 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to RSVP here.
On Saturday, May 24 ViewHouse Ballpark will host a throwback hip-hop themed brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the event enjoy themed food, cocktails, and music alongside a hip-hop inspired bingo game where winners can receive concert tickets.
National Burger Day takes place Wednesday, May 28 and Bos Butcher & Deli at Denver Milk Market in LoDo is celebrating. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., take advantage of Denver Milk Market’s burger special. Choose either a $9 Bos Burger, served with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and Bos sauce on a potato bun, or pay $13 to get the same burger with a side of fries, tater tots, Brussels sprouts, onion rings, or mac and cheese. Don’t worry if you miss National Burger Day, the Bos Burger special is served every Monday from 11 a.m to 1 p.m.
