News of the James Beard Awards has been announced, and we have a Colorado winner. Also on the menu, a new spread by lauded chef Dana Rodriguez and dinner in a popular sandwich shop. Don’t miss the upcoming events either, from Pride fun to epic dinners, there’s something for everyone.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Get ready to enjoy Yampa Sandwich Co. all day long. Now all eight locations of the local sandwich shop have extended business hours into the evening, which means dinner service is officially on the menu.
“We’re reimagining what dinner looks like,” said Yampa Sandwich Co. co-founder, David Pepin, in a press release. “Sunset sandwiches just hit differently.”
The 2025 James Beard Awards are out! We are excited to celebrate Colorado’s winner, Frasca Food and Wine, who won for Outstanding Restaurant. Congrats team!
Congratulations are also in order for BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, which took home a victory at the 2025 NABA International Beer and Cider Awards. Since 1996 the Colorado-based brewpub has won over 250 medals for its beverage program. Taste the gold medal winner Razz Jerry Tart, silver medal winner BJ’s Coffee Blonde, and bronze medal winner BJ’s Oud Bruin at any of the five locations.
Openings and Closings in the News
The Local Drive brings a 25,000-square-foot, multi-level indoor golfing complex to the Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. This is the company’s third location, with the others residing in RiNo and Longmont. Enjoy beer, wine, soda, and housemade cocktails while playing.
The Bindery has officially opened its second outpost in the Denver International Airport. Located in Terminal A, expect chef and owner Linda Hampsten Fox’s thoughtfully crafted plates of American fusion food. Plus, she will be selling my personal favorite, lavender chocolate chip cookies.
The news in beer land is that the Mexican beer spot Cervecería Colorado has closed. Started by the Denver Beer Co. and now owned by Wilding Brands, the owners promised the popular ¡Venga! Mexican Lager will still be available at other outlets. As for the space, it remains under the company, so time will tell what moves into the Platt Street building.
On the Menu
Dana Rodriguez has released a new menu at Carne, her global steakhouse in RiNo. Head over to try appetizers such as the Salmon Crudo Roulade, burrata with avocado mousse and harissa vinaigrette, and a seasonal risotto. On the entree side check out the Veal Scallopini with a lemon demi sauce, Miso Salmon, and a Colorado lamb T-bone steak with a garlic and cumin marinade.
Events
Pigtrain Coffee Co. & Conscious Coffees is hosting the Golden Cup Cupping Experience at Denver Union Station on Saturday, June 21. The event starts at 9 a.m. and tickets are $25 each, which includes a four-ounce pour-over of the award-winning Peruvian Micro-Lot coffee that placed second in the prestigious Golden Cup Peru competition. You will also get a discount on Conscious Coffees beans.
The Pride week kickoff party at Champagne Tiger takes place on Sunday, June 22 from 3 to 7 p.m. Dubbed Lady Tiger, the bar will be occupied by the team of Lady Jane, a sweet little cocktail bar in Highland. Enjoy the fun and get a Fancy Jell-O shot to make a donation to It Takes A Village.
On Wednesday, June 25, Pita Mafia and chef Orland Benavidz of Bits & Pieces Con Cerveza will come together for a three course meal. The event takes place at Recess LoHi from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring the Pee-Wee Rueben (smoked adobada-style pastrami with Oaxaca cheese, fermented cabbage slaw, deli mustard beet tahini, and harissa pickles), side of kohlrabi-potato latkes, and banana pudding by The Yellow Fix. Tickets are $45 per person, found here.
News is, on Wednesday, June 25, Chopped champion and current Top Chef finalist, Tristen Epps returns to Denver for a one-night-only dinner at Guard and Grace with chef Troy Guard. This four-course collaboration seats 50 and benefits local nonprofit Work Options, which helps adults build meaningful careers in the food service industry. Epps previously worked as executive chef at Guard’s now closed Mister Tuna.
Get down with Osteria Marco’s Bottomless Drag Bingo Brunch in Larimer Square, taking place on Sunday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s an all out extravaganza with games, prizes, bottomless mimosas, and your favorite queens including host Shirley Delta Blow, Amerikah J Misdemeanor, and LaLa Queen. Find details and reserve a spot here.
Tickets are on sale for this year’s Midsummer Farm Dinner, a summer solstice celebration hosted by Somebody People in partnership with Esoterra Culinary Garden. The dinner party takes place on Sunday, June 29 and features a collective of culinary talent including Matt Vawter of Rootstalk, Miles Odell of Odell’s Bagel, Harrison Porter and Rema Maaliki of soon-to-open Bear Leek, and Rico Carbajal of Alma Fonda Fina, and of course Somebody People’s Justin Freeman.
The dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. at Esoterra Culinary Garden, 8985 Valmont Rd., Boulder. Tickets run $220 to $250, which includes dinner and drinks. Round-trip transportation from downtown Denver is also available.
In celebration of the season, Call Me Pearl is hosting two oyster shucking and pig roast Sunday soirees on June 29 and July 27. The event takes place alfresco on the restaurant’s outdoor patio for $50 per person. The ticket price includes two-dozen freshly-shucked oysters and slow-roasted pork carnitas, perfect for the DIY taco station. Add in live music by Will Wilding Quintet and a tasty drink, and you’ve got an afternoon to remember! Reserve a table for June here and/or July here.
Urban Farmer Denver is hosting Market & Mixology on Wednesday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sage Room at The Oxford Hotel. This is the second event in the 2025 Tasting Menu Dinner Series, and guests can expect an immersive, six-course evening celebrating the flavors and faces of Colorado’s farming and distilling communities, including spirits from Leopold Bros. Distillery. The event runs $215 per person, which includes drinks, both zero-proof and alcoholic depending on your desire. Book a spot here.
