A sketchy restauranteur gets arrested by the feds, and many Colorado chefs and restaurant workers are happy to see him indicted. There’s also a new martini on the menu of a Cherry Creek bar that costs $2,500. In other news, plenty of restaurants are opening up, and there was only one closure this past week.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Con man Jared Leonard, who ran Campfire in Evergreen, Grabowski’s in Littleton, and AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Denver, was arrested on federal fraud charges. Leonard had skipped town to Mexico, leaving employees and vendors unpaid. Read more about the case here.
On a positive note, starting Wednesday, July 16, chef Troy Guard is bringing back Big Wave Taco for a summer pop-up in Central Park. The coastal-inspired concept is taking over the former Los Chingones space, offering tacos and a margarita bar, as well as a daily happy hour from 4 to 5 p.m. Plus, free soft serve all summer long. Big Wave Taco originally launched at Junction Food Hall in 2020, but paused in 2021. The final pop-up day has yet to be decided, so there’s plenty of time to check it out.
Denver based Chile con Quesadilla, first place winner for Best Vegetarian Taco at the 2025 Top Taco, will be on MSNBC with John Leguizamo Does America. The episode will air on Sunday, July 20 at 7 p.m.
Openings and Closings in the News
Briar Patch is now open at 1222 Madison St. in Denver. It’s owned by the team behind Jefferson Park’s Briar Common Brewery + Eatery, which has operated since 2016. The menu features globally-inspired American cuisine with dishes such as Duck Confit Loaded Fries, Reuben, Miso Glazed Barramundi, and Pan Roasted Chicken with stuffing. It’s open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
Postino WineCafé opened a new location in Westminster last week, taking over a spot in the Orchard Town Center. Diners will find the same great menu items and detailed wine list, all to be enjoyed in the bright space complete with a signature art wall with floor-to-ceiling vintage lockers.
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa launched Le Palais Frites, a new dining experience featuring a twist on traditional French flavors. The historic restaurant is now under the direction of chef David Varley, formerly of Canyon Ranch and MINA Group, and executive chef Adrian Carson, who has been part of the Palace Arms culinary team for nearly nine years following his time at Tavernetta. For this limited-time pop-up diners get a three-course prix fixe menu for $49.
Teocalli Cocina announced it’s opening up in Denver’s Highland neighborhood this summer. It’s the fourth location of the Mexican restaurant, which has spots in Arvada, Lafayette and Longmont.
The mountain ice cream hot spot Sundae announced the opening of its sixth location in Denver. The new 5,100-square-foot shop will be at 1600 Glenarm Place, and owners have plans to expand offerings with commercial and production kitchens, multiple freezers and refrigerators, a classroom, and retail. We don’t have an opening date yet.
The Arvada Beer Garden opened this week into its indoor-outdoor space. The venue was built with support from the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority, and already it has a following.
In closing news, after just one year of opening, Le Clare’s Patisserie said it will close its retail operation on July 19. The dessert shop plans on doing catering and wholesale. The reason for the closing comes down to the Colfax Avenue construction, which has been having an impact on numerous businesses along the strip.
On the Menu
Would you pay $2,500 for a martini? What if it came with a diamond necklace? Read more about B&GC’s new specialty drink.
Cart-Driver LoHi is now serving Peachza, its signature peach pizza. On the pie you will find honey-marinated Palisade peaches, double cream brie, red onion, basil, Calabrian chili, and parmesan.
Over at Reunion Bread, chef Ismeal de Sousa has released a special in the form of the Dubai Chocolate Croissant. It’s amazing and if you see it on the bakery’s Instagram, make sure to go get it.
Events
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.
Sweet Action celebrates National Ice Cream Day (July 20) all weekend long on July 17 through 22. Look for deals such as a free waffle cone on Thursday, July 17; half-priced baked goods on Friday, July 18; one free topping on Saturday, July 19; in-shop entries for a “free pint every week for a year” giveaway on Sunday, July 20; buy-one, get-one scoops on Monday, July 21; and half-off pints on Tuesday, July 22. All daily specials are available while supplies last and must be mentioned in-shop to redeem.
Pick up a Bourekas Box from Novel Strand Brewing Co., on Sunday, July 20. The baked filo dough pastries are made by Arielle Israel, owner of Black Box Bakery in Edgewater Market Place. Each set comes with one big bourekas, two overnight baked eggs, brined cucumber pickles, and grated tomato, tahina, and skhoug for dipping. Order in advance through the brewery’s Instagram here.
MAKfam is hosting the Summer Siew Yeh Sik BBQ on July 22 and August 5 from 5 p.m. until items sell out. Siew Yeh Sik is a Cantonese phrase for BBQ and for this epic grill out MAKfam will have buckets of ice cold beers and wine specials all night. Some of the highlighted dishes include Tamago Sando Bao Bun, meatball, tofu, or shrimp skewers, and Grilled Chicken Satay. The event is a collaboration with Yes Wines and S&M Selections. There are no reservations and open seating, so get there early.
On July 23, August 20, and September 10, head to Sunset & Saffron at Kisbee on the Roof. The view is great and with this celebration the rooftop bar pays homage to golden hour with a Spanish-themed event. The party runs from 6 to 9 p.m. to make it perfectly timed with the Colorado sunsets. Enjoy live paella cooking, Spanish-inspired tapas sangria, and cava. There will also be an Ibiza-style DJ set. Walk-ins are welcome to the free event, though reservations are encouraged through OpenTable.
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.
