Denver restaurants rejoice, permitting may be easier now. Also on the good news side, we saw a handful of exciting restaurant openings. And, get ready for the summer with a Red Rocks shuttle and special menu, plus a new farmers’ market to look forward to.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Restaurants looking for permits might have an easier time as Mayor Mike Johnston signed his first executive order today to create the Denver Office of Permitting. The idea behind this branch is to help decrease the amount of time it takes restaurants to get permits. To launch this program, Urban Egg used the expedited system and now plans to open its new location in July rather than November or December.
The team behind the 5-year-old City Park Farmers Market will introduce the Lafayette Farmers Market this year. City Park Farmers Market starts on May 3 and goes to October 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The new Lafayette market runs Sundays starting May 4, and until October 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thanks to a partnership with Panzano, Red Rocks goers now have a new way to travel to the concert venue. For around $60 a person, a shuttle picks up ticket holders, drives them there, and then takes them back. Plus, Panzano launched a new Red Rocks menu to go with the service, which includes $3 beers, canned cocktails, personal pizzas, sandwiches, and more easy-to-manage foods. Shuttle tickets are available here.
Som Dee Thai Kitchen‘s owner Orrapan Botthaisong recently served the Thai ONE Championship team at her uptown restaurant. The martial arts group was in Denver to train before its big match, and even gave the eatery a shoutout on stage.
Openings and Closings in the News
After opening Sushi Den with his brother, Yasu Kizaki, in 1984, chef Toshi Kizaki’s long-anticipated solo omakase concept is here. Enter Kizaki, a spot focused on edomae-style sushi, a 200-year-old Tokyo type honoring the integrity of each ingredient through authentic Japanese techniques. The restaurant is located inside Denchu on 1551 S. Pearl St., and opened on April 11. Reservations coming soon.
Mister Oso expanded to Boulder inside Moxy Boulder, 253 Pleasant St., Unit 101. Expect the same great tacos and tequila drinks found at the other two locations, both in Denver.
Clare and Manuel Sucre have opened Catira, a Venezuelan restaurant located in the Denver Tech Center. The name means “blonde girl” in Venezuelan slang, which symbolizes Clare. The bright eatery churns out arepas, empanadas, and tostones.
On Monday, April 21, Little Johnny B’s Woodfired Pizza will open inside the Hotel Urban Cowboy Denver, replacing Roberta’s Pizza. The eatery is owned by Mamas & Papas Hospitality Group, the newly-formed company from the team behind Dio Mio and Redeemer Pizza.
Postino announced it’s opening a Westminster location this summer. The casual chain, known for its great wine program and delicious crostini boards, will launch in the Orchard Town Center. The spot features 142 indoor seats and 42 seats on a courtyard patio.
On the Menu
Cart-Driver RiNo has some new items to check out. On the list is the Amatriciana, a pizza with tomato sauce, fresh oregano, garlic, calabrian chili, red onion, guanciale, and pecorino. Also try the Pickled Strawberry Salad, a true seasonal specialty.
At Cart-Driver LoHi new dishes grace the menu too. Think Colorado Milk & Honey. It’s an appetizer made by taking organic milk from Greeley and turning it into fresh yogurt cheese that gets rolled around in Spanish olive oil and fresh oregano. It’s served Boulder Valley honey and house-made sourdough fougasse.
Kachina Cantina launches a new menu on April 21. Dishes include Hatch Green Chili Baked Hominy, Grilled Half Chicken Mole Negro, Shrimp & Scallop Aguachile, Cauliflower Mole Verde Taco, Southwest Greens Salad, Charred Brussels & Chorizo, and the Bibb Lettuce Crispy Pork Belly Wedge.
Events
Indulge in the Farm to Glass Whiskey Wednesday this Wednesday, April 16 at Laws Whiskey Sanctuary. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m., and guests can expect an evening celebrating the connection between land, heritage, and the craft of whiskey making. Felicia Ohnmacht of Whiskey Sisters Supply and Sam Poirier, head distiller at Laws Whiskey, will talk about how the corn grown on the Whiskey Sisters farm plays a crucial role in the creation of exceptional whiskey at Laws Whiskey House. Also look forward to a never-before-released whiskey at the tasting. Tickets are $60 via eventbrite.
Collaboration Fest, the ultimate craft beer festival, takes place on April 19 at the Westin Westminster, 10600 Westminster Blvd. Since 2014 the aim of the festival has been to showcase the camaraderie and creativity of the Colorado craft beer scene. The crux of the event centers around Colorado Brewers Guild member’s breweries working with independent brewers from all over the world to create one-of-a-kind beers. The Collaboration Fest is also a huge fundraiser for the nonprofit trade association. The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. Get tickets and more information here.
Skip the bunny hop and head to the Odell’s Bagel Pop-Up at Novel Strand Brewing on Sunday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once there, get an exclusive first taste of Odell’s pumpernickel bagel beer collab and chef Miles Odell’s house-smoked pastrami sandwiches.
On Monday, April 21, the owners of sắp sửa host a panel discussion about Imposter Syndrome, featuring the voices of AANHPI creatives. The talk takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Clayton Hotel & Members Club, Margaret Ballroom. Speakers include Vanessa Pham of Omsom, Kevin Nguyen of Regular Architecture, journalist and therapist Chris Marhevka, sắp sửa chef and co-owner Ni Nguyen, and Mike Fogg, a local creative director and designer. Tran Nguyen-Wills, AAPI activist, community leader, and Mayor Mike Johnston’s Deputy Director of Outreach, will moderate. RSVP via the link here
On Wednesday, April 24, Corrida in Boulder hosts a special evening centered around one of Spain’s most esteemed wineries, Bodegas Emilio Moro. The event includes an appearance from Mario Moro, a third-generation winemaker and a member of the estate’s founding family. Guests are invited to stop by to meet Moro and taste through a flight of four Emilio Moro wines ($38), and enjoy a curated pintxo flight ($26). The event runs all night long, reservations recommended.
Join Local Jones for a springtime tea on Sunday, April 27 and May 18. The events run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and include a floral class hosted by Meg Sessions of Lily & The Bee Floral Design. Book a spot for Mother’s Day or for a morning adventure with friends. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased here.
