A fire and vandalism put a damper on two local restaurants, and the community is rallying to help. The city lost two breweries this week, as well as a Swedish egg eatery downtown. On the uptick, a popular vegan spot is getting its own space soon, and there are so many events we want to go to, we wish there was more time.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
A shout out goes to Blue Pan Pizza and its food truck. Not only did the staff working the truck help a woman in distress get medical attention, but they also gave the Denver Fire Department that responded free pizza. This is a community in action.
On a not so positive note, someone smashed in the windows at Peter’s Chinese Cafe. It’s the second time in the last few months this has happened, and windows are expensive. Just this year the restaurant owner, who opened it in 1985, gave the business to his workers so they can continue the legacy. Now the employee-owned shop needs all the love it can get to help pay for the damage.
Chingon on Santa Fe, which just opened, experienced a debilitating fire last week. Unfortunately the restaurant is closed while the team assesses the damage and there’s no set date for reopening.
Get ready for the Leven Wine Club, a quarterly wine subscription meant to complement Leven Deli’s existing Supplies & Provisions monthly culinary subscription. Club members get access to wines hand-selected by Leven proprietor and sommelier Anthony Lygizos, as well as exclusive tasting events at Leven Supply. The first wine club event with cult-favorite Oregon winemaker Soter Vineyards takes place on Monday, July 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. Join Leven Wine Club here by July 11 to get in on the debut edition.
Happy first birthday to Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder. It may be award-winning chef Johnny Curiel’s second restaurant, but this masa-driven love letter to Mexican tradition is just as great as Alma Fonda Fina. Bonus, there’s a new summer menu to check out.
Denver’s Number Thirty Eight just launched its redesigned Wild Possibilities Bar, which adds on a lineup of New Belgium draft beers, along with several cocktail options. We already love the giant, dog-friendly patio for many reasons, including our wing eating contest, and now there’s another reason to visit.
Openings and Closings in the News
The Easy Vegan announced it’s finally opening a brick-and-mortar spot soon. Details to come, but we do know the award-winning food truck is going to rock its own spot.
Though not opening until later in the year, the California-based Starbird announced it’s launching the first Colorado location this coming fall at 965 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. The fast-casual chicken spot makes an array of crispy chicken salads, sandwiches, tenders, and wings, with the idea that everything is made fresh to order and from whole ingredients.
Another heavy metal bar bites the dust. This time it’s TRVE Brewing, which, after 13 years on South Broadway, will close on July 12. Founder Nick Nunns announced on social media of the closure, which also includes the Asheville, North Carolina taproom.
Also in brewery closings, Chris Kirk and Will Curtin announced the closing of the 10-year-old Banded Oak. The plan is to shutter the spot this coming September, after it hosts the Underground Music Showcase.
After six months, Eggs Inc. is closing its downtown location. Swedish husband and wife team Glenn and Elisabet Eriksson opened the eggs-only fast food restaurant along with Peter Forsberg, a Swedish former professional ice hockey player who played with the Colorado Avalanche, and TAG Restaurant Group founder Troy Guard (Guard & Grace, Los Chingones, #Hashtag, and TAG Burger Bar), who was a backer. They had hopes to expand the concept, but turns out Denver’s desire for eggs wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Santo Remedio Mexican Restaurant in Berkeley was closed by the city this past week. According to the owners, they have plans to reopen by the end of September this year.
Events
WeldWerks Brewing Co. in Greeley is hosting the Juicy Summer Music Market on July 12 from 3 to 7 p.m. This community-centered, market-style event features craft beer, local housewares, live music, and a dog adoption bonanza with Big Bones Canine Rescue. The rescue will be on site from 4 to 7 p.m.
Chefs Johnny Curiel and Erasmo Casiano are hosting their third dinner in the Our México: A Regional Dinner Series this coming Monday, July 14. The dinner highlights the rich culture and cuisine of Oaxaca and begins at 6 p.m. at Xiquita in Uptown. This will be a coursed dinner with pairing options available ($129). Reservations are required and available here.
Prior to the highly-anticipated opening of their brick-and-mortar restaurant in Five Points this summer, chefs Darren Chang and Travis Masar from Pig and Tiger are partnering with the talented team at Somebody People for a “Mates that Grill” pop-up on July 14. Notable menu items include grilled Taiwanese street corn, charred broccoli, and other veggie classics. Tickets are priced at $125 and are available for purchase here. The pre-set menu can be had throughout the evening.
Adrift’s Adult Spelling Bee is coming up on Thursday, July 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. Come thirsty and bring your brain for cocktails, tasty food, and a shot at winning prizes such as $100 cash for first place, $50 gift card to Adrift for second, and a punchbowl for two for third place. If you miss this one don’t worry, there’s another on August 21 and September 18.
Tennyson Street Fair returns Friday July 18 and Saturday July 19. The two-day, family-friendly neighborhood festival features more than 200 Tennyson businesses and other local artisans, alongside food trucks and live music. The Friday kickoff event includes Berkeley Beer Fest from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring local breweries Cerebral, Westbound & Down, Crooked Stave, and more. Tickets are $20 and $25 day-of. There’s also a special collaboration beer brewed specially for the festival between Call to Arms Brewing Company and The Empourium Brewing Company, it’s called the Tennyson St. Belgian Wit and you can try it at the festival.
On July 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., head to 9+CO for the Cloud 9 Park Block Party. Expect snow cones, sidewalk chalk art, and delicious eats from local food trucks. The party also acts as a fundraiser for the venue’s Fill a Backpack campaign. Find more information here. ! Help us support local students by donating school supplies.
Head to Denver Milk Market on Wednesday, July 23 for Candles & Cocktails from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Luxe Intuition, make your own signature scent for a 10-ounce, luxury-grade, coconut-apricot wax blend candle. Price is $55 per person, with cocktails available for purchase. Just make sure to sign up by July 9.
Head to the Denver Performing Arts Center on July 24 for EatDenver’s big fundraiser, The Big Eat.This year expect goodies from Coperta, Pirate Chef, Odie B’s, Kawa Nii, King of Wings, and so many more. The event is 21-and-up, and includes endless bites and drinks and a lot of conversations. Proceeds go to support EatDenver, a nonprofit membership organization built to connect and empower the independent food and beverage community in Colorado. Buy tickets now for $110.80 (fees included) here.
Have you thought about joining Toro’s Tequila Locker? Now is the perfect time to see what the fuss is about during the restaurant’s July 24 event. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 150 Clayton Lane in Denver, ticket holders can get a sneak peek of what membership entails. Meet some of the restaurant’s tequila partners and sample some pours along the way. The $30 price of the ticket will go towards membership for those who sign up in-person during the event. Reserve a spot here.
On Wednesday, July 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. you can join the Denver Milk Market for a Craft Your Own Cocktail Class. It’s held in Stranded Pilgrim and attendees will create three drinks including the Raspberry Pepper Paloma, a Margarita, and the Tequila Mockingbird. Enjoy light bites during the class and take home a cocktail shaker so you can mix up your creations at home. Tickets are $65 each.
