Boy there are a ton of events to look forward to as summer ends, though we’re most excited for the RARE Steak Championship coming up September 18. In other news, the battle for La Loma finally ends. A popular coffee shop and ice cream parlour open again, while we lose Korean fried chicken and a Berkeley diner. Congrats to the restaurants making national news too, the world needs to know how awesome the Colorado dining scene is.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
After a divorce split the owners of La Loma, the battle for the name ensued. Now, Renée Brinkerhoff and her son William Brinkerhoff Jr. have earned the rights to moniker La Loma. That means Mark Brinkerhoff’s two locations on Broadway in Denver and Castle Rock have changed the name to Savina’s Mexican Kitchen. The La Loma locations in McGregor Square, Parker, and the newest spot in Greenwood Village maintain the original name.
We heard news that PBS was filming at SAME Cafe recently. More details to come on what culinary legend was there and projected air date.
Breckenridge Distillery celebrates the fifth year as the Official Bourbon of the Denver Broncos, and second year as the Official Vodka. There’s also a brand-new lineup of limited-edition spirits including Broncos Honey Whiskey, Creamsicle Vodka Seltzer, a camo-wrapped Breckenridge Bourbon honoring the 2015 Championship, and a rare Single Barrel Championship Reserve bottle with only 250 released.
Congrats to Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction and Mezcaleria Alma in Denver for getting listed on the New York Times 50 Best Restaurants in America list. It’s a prestigious lineup and we’re thrilled two Colorado spots are showcased.
Openings and Closings in the News
Moon Raccoon Baking Co. opens this weekend. The farmers’ market favorite will have many of the same things, plus some exclusive bakery items. Don’t worry, the owners still plan to sell their treats at the markets during the summer.
Bowls by KO opens on Friday, September 12. We got the run down on the six-year-old business and why it was time to open a true brick-and-mortar in the Sloan Lake neighborhood.
After a hiatus and revamp, Pigtrain Coffee and Milkbox Ice Creamery are back inside Union Station. Named for the trains that carry truck trailers on flatbed rail cars, Pigtrain serves a wide variety of coffee classics both to go and for those who want to hang out in the station and use free Wi-Fi.
The mint chocolate chip ice cream themed Milkbox Ice Creamery is once again scooping hand-crafted ice cream made by BRIX, including vegan options. Fall menu flavors include Peach Sweet Cream, Roasted Corn, Hazelnut Brownie, Pistachio Cherry, Roasted Strawberry, Salted Oreo, and Cosmic Berry. Shakes, sundaes and boozy shakes are also available.
Where one ice cream place blossoms another fades. Inside Scoop Creamery at 1535 Platte St. has closed, just as new concepts enter the block. No word on what’s coming next, though the Littleton location of the ice cream shop remains in business.
Casey Keller and Roy Benoit have decided to close their five-year-old diner Wendell’s (3838 Tennyson St.). It almost shuttered earlier this year, but the couple were able to keep it going. However the final last day is officially Sunday, September 21.
Mono Mono KFC on Blake St. has closed its doors. A statement on the website read, “These have been trying times for many, and unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to cease operations at this location. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and support throughout our time here.”
On the Menu
Jill’s Restaurant inside the St Julien Hotel & Spa is launching the Moët & Chandon Bubbly Brunch starting Sunday, September 14. Continue to join the bubble blast every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where a champagne cart will roam the room pouring a glass of bubbles to go perfectly with brunch fare. More information and reservations can be found here.
Birdcall and Red Rocks are collaborating on a new limited-time sandwich dubbed The Headliner. The sandwich features crispy chicken, bacon, onions, green chile queso, a dusting of Nashville hot seasoning, and shredded lettuce. It’s available now until the end of October at all Birdcall locations.
Events
Spirit of Japan is coming back on September 12 through the 14 at Sakura Square. It’s the second iteration of the annual event, and the goal is to highlight Japanese food, spirits, and culture. Sample Japanese spirits, including sake, sochu, whiskey and more while learning from experts about their origin, craftsmanship and tasting notes. On the food side, try authentic Japanese dishes such as yakitori, osakana zangi, and takoyaki. Tickets are on sale now.
Colorado’s celebration of local wine returns to the heart of Denver this fall with the Colorado Wine Walk. Hosted by Blanchard Family Wines the event takes place on Saturday, September 13 at Dairy Block downtown from 7 to 10 p.m. The event will transform the vibrant Dairy Block Alley into an immersive tasting experience, featuring unlimited samples from the state’s finest wineries and cideries, served in a commemorative glass.
General Admission is $55 per person and VIP Admission is $100 per person, which gets you access early at 6 p.m. and exclusive access to a VIP lounge and a food voucher redeemable at Cirque Kitchen. More information and tickets are now available here.
Food Bank of the Rockies hosts Gather & Sow on Thursday, September 18 at the Denver Botanic Gardens from 5 to 9 p.m. The signature event is an opportunity to savor the best of Denver’s culinary scene amid the beauty of the gardens. Enjoy an evening of locally sourced bites crafted by top Denver chefs, a live auction, signature beverages, and more, all while raising money and awareness for the organization. Tickets are $250 each, you can get here.
Also on September 18 is DiningOut Events RARE Steak Championship at Sculpture Park by the Denver Center of Performing Arts. Starting at 5:30 for VIP, guests can enjoy a line up of steak bites created by local talent and sponsored by Buckhead Meat & Seafood. Think endless steak, bottomless drinks, live music, and a swank vibe. Reserve tickets here.
Yaniv Cohen, The Spice Detective, will be in Denver for one night only with Journey to the World of Middle Eastern Spices on September 18 at 7 p.m. at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music Festival (JAAMM). The one-of-a-kind culinary experience will transport attendees through the rich, aromatic history and cultural significance of the region’s most essential seasonings. The immersive event features live cooking demonstrations with tastings, engaging stories between dishes, and a chance to ask any burning culinary questions during a live Q&A with Yaniv. Tickets are available on a sliding scale and can be purchased here.
Denver’s Michelin recognized Restaurant Olivia is leading a sustainability event in tandem with National Clean Up Day on Saturday, September 20. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., chefs, staff and volunteers will join 100-plus locals to clean up Washington Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Join the effort for free by registering here.
On Tuesday, September 23, Riot BBQ will welcome James Beard award-winning author and chef personality Hank Shaw for a one-night only event to celebrate the debut of his new cookbook, Borderlands. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and costs $89 per ticket, which includes five dishes and a signed cookbook. Reserve your spot via Eventbrite here.
Chef Zorba’s hosts its September Wine Down on Friday, September 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. During the $30 event the cafe will pour Italian wines and serve small Italian bites on the patio.
Room for Milly is hosting Garden to Glass on Wednesday, September 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event underscores the bar’s commitment to sourcing from local gardens while supporting Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), a nonprofit that expands access, awareness, and resources for growing food across Colorado. The event is a personal passion project for owner Fiona Arnold and bar manager Kyle Fanfoni.
Drawing directly from Arnold’s own urban garden, Fanfoni creates cocktails that reimagine how fresh produce can be used behind the bar. Think a Chive Martini, Whipped Fennel and Orange Negroni, Tomato Water Scaffa, and a Blackberry Espresso Martini. Tickets are $35 and include a welcome cocktail, with proceeds directly benefiting DUG. Each guest will also take home seeds to plant. Tickets for the Garden to Glass party can be purchased here.
Woods Boss Brewing announced the return of its iconic Woods Boss Block Party after taking a break last year. Join the fun on Saturday, September 27, from noon to 10 p.m.. Expect a day full of local vendors, live music, family-friendly programming, food trucks, and more, all in partnership with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). It’s free to attend and takes place in front of the bar at 22nd and California Streets.
From noon to 4 p.m. on September 27, Big Red F and The Post Lafayette host Townie Fest, a Colorado celebration of craft beer and Pueblo chiles benefiting Boulder County fire mitigation and the Lafayette Fire Department. Previously known as Howdy Fest, the revived and refreshed Townie Fest is a flavor-packed, block party-style afternoon bash.
General Admission is $5 at the door, and kids under 12 are free. Once in, enjoy live music by local bands Juicebox and Los Mocochetes, open-fire cooking featuring culinary director Kevin Grossi, a kid zone, arts and crafts, a stein hoisting competition, vendors, and more. Beer fans will want to check out The Post’s festival exclusive Spicy Cowboy, a pilsner brewed with a Pueblo chile tincture just for the event.
Also on September 27, Nick’s Garden Center & Farm Market in Aurora starts its Fall Fest. The month-long celebration takes place every day through October and news is it includes chile roasting, kids’ activities, and pumpkin picking.
Denver Bake Fest is back for the third year, hosted by and held at Rebel Bread on Saturday, October 4. The celebration of baking features six all-new contest categories, and marks the opening of Rebel Bread’s new café and teaching kitchen. Nearly 100 bakers are expected to compete. It’s free to attend, and you can buy tickets for the baked goods.
Explore Tennyson presents the return of the 10th Annual Tennyson Fall Fest on October 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free, community celebration brings together more than 100 local businesses, breweries, artisans, and food purveyors along Tennyson Street from West 41st to West 43rd Avenues. Throughout the day attendees can enjoy activities such as live music, group yoga, a pet parade and other family-friendly fun.
