We are so excited to celebrate chef Johnny Curiel’s new opening, as well as a second location of Half Eaten Cookie’s regenerative beef burger joint. One sandwich shop owner went the extra mile to make things right, and a beloved chef has a new cooking show coming. There are a lot of events to book, so mark your calendar.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Chef Elise Wiggins of Cattivella in Central Park will star in her own television show on the lifestyle platform Eat This TV. Denverite reported last week that the name of the show is Cattivella Kitchen with Chef Elise Wiggins and filming of the 12-episode series begins in town, on March 16.
Get ready for Bear Leek, chef Harrison Porter’s first solo project coming to Denver’s RiNo neighborhood this summer. Bear Leek, which derives from the German translation of “ramp,” opens in the former Osaka Ramen spot, which closed last month.
Porter opens his restaurant along with chef de cuisine Rema Maaliki, and the pair aim to bring a playful, contemporary menu featuring riffs on nostalgic foods. For example, a French Onion Tartlet, where the tart shell holds caramelized onions topped with a velvety Schlossberger fondue. Every meal also starts with house-made bread and a charred-leek butter the chefs form into a teddy bear shape.
Denver is still working on HB25-1208, the Restaurant Relief Act. Last Friday, March 14, it passed through the House Finance Committee on an 11- 2 vote after an action-only hearing. Since originally proposed, amendments have been made to the original bill. As of now, there will be no reduction in the wages of tipped food-and-beverage workers in districts with a higher local minimum wage than that of the state of Colorado.
This includes Denver, Boulder, Boulder County, and Edgewater. As the bill states, the existing $3.02 tip offset will remain in place for all localities, and it will be up to local governments to make changes to the tip offset in the future.
“While the amended bill language is a far departure from its original impact, we are proud that independent restaurateurs retain their choice to utilize the tip credit,” said Kristen Rauch, executive director of EatDenver, in a press release. “We’re hopeful that continued stakeholdering between our membership and local representatives will create opportunities for small-business relief.”
In feel-good restaurant news, the owner of Congress Park Market sent out a post on Reddit about refunding a customer for a “bad” sandwich. Basically a young woman ordered The Lee sandwich, which comprises braised brisket, red wine sesame mayo, fresh arugula, and provolone on a baguette with a Sichuan peppercorn dipping broth. It’s one of the deli’s best sellers.
The owner wrote: “So here’s the problem, today at about 1:30 in the afternoon, someone ordered The Lee and I made it for her. Then about 10 minutes later, I grabbed a bite of brisket from the pan (as I’m won’t [sic] to do) and…the brisket was crap. Dried out, beef jerky, crispy not tender crap. I was so bummed. We 86d the sandwich right away since the brisket in the oven needed 2 more hours and stopped the online ordering.But, I couldn’t get back that sandwich.”
In the post the owner said the $15.99 sandwich was refunded, and, if anyone recognized the person based on the description, to have her come in and get a good one free of charge. It’s not often someone goes out of their way to make something right, but Congress Park Market sure tried to.
Openings and Closings In the News
Johnny and Kasie Curiel are ready to launch their fourth concept in just over a year. Alteño opened in the former Kini’s spot in the Clayton Hotel & Members Club today, March 17. The large restaurant pays homage to the chef’s Jaliscan Highland roots, giving diners the same refined Mexican fare and sleek style as the other three spots, Michelin-starred Alma Fonda Fina, Mezcalria Alma, and Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder.
On March 20, Boulder is getting its first C Burger, the regenerative smash burger concept from Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality. It makes sense given the city houses the group’s other restaurants Oak at Fourteenth and Corrida Boulder, as well as BriDer in Denver. Unlike the first iteration, a food counter in a brewery (200 W. Belleview Ave., Englewood), the new spot is bigger, with a larger menu, and will offer full service.
What makes C Burger really stand out from other burger joints comes in the meat. Each patty is made with 100-percent locally sourced, regeneratively-raised organic beef from Colorado Cattle Company, owner Bryan Dayton’s own regenerative beef label.
Mercury Cafe has finally said goodbye after decades serving Denver. The last day is March 31 and after that, a concept called The Pearl will take over. To celebrate a long run, on March 27 there will be an open mic and party in the ballroom. As someone who worked there when I was just 19, I wonder how the new space will look. With the Jungle Room at the Merc sporting paintings of snakes I did over 20 years ago and my kitty guarding the California door for just as long, it will all be missed.
On the Menu
Ultreia has launched a new happy hour called Pinche Pintxos, modeled after the Spanish pintxo and tapas bars of San Sebastian. It runs every day from 3 to 6 p.m., and includes bites such as Cana de Cabra ($6), a dish of goat cheese, piquillo pepper, and hot honey. There’s also Gambas ($8), featuring crispy shrimp and salsa rosa, $5 Negronis, $7 glasses of wine, and more.
For a culinary story with ties to the 1946 film Gilda, Spain, and starlet Rita Hayworth, order the Gilda ($6), a stack of green chili pepper, an olive, and an anchovy on a toothpick. Bonus, the new happy hour also includes behind-the-bar cooking activations, a Negroni fountain, and the possible guest chef and/or bartender appearance.
Events
Bowl of ‘Zole is coming back to Denver for its third year. The annual fete features samples of agave spirits and pozole made by some of the best chefs and restaurants in the city. Enjoy the fun on Thursday, March 20. The VIP tickets are $91.70 and gets you into the event at 5 p.m. The general admission kicks off at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $59.78. Secure a spot here.
On Thursday, March 20, the Platform Series at Denver Union Station launches in the heart of the Great Hall. The special wine dinner features grand cru selections from William Fèvre and Domaine Laroche, with each pour expertly paired with chef Kevin McCormick’s seasonally-inspired menu. The four-course meal starts at 6:30 p.m., with tickets running $150 per person. Seating is limited and advanced reservations are required here. This is the first of the series, which will run every third Thursday of the month.
Bruz Off Fax and ViDa Eats team up on Friday, March 21 at 6 p.m. to bring an evening of beer and cheese pairings. The pre-chosen flight includes four-ounce beers meant to complement four different cheeses. The Midtown location of Bruz Beers is also hosting a pairing on Thursday, March 20, same details. Tickets run $39.19 and can be purchased for Bruz Off Fax here, and Midtown Bruz here.
Try dating in a new way with Pearl’s Picks at Call Me Pearl on Wednesday, March 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The mixer has been thoughtfully planned out in order to break the ice and spark meaningful connections. Grab a ticket at the link here.
The Original in the Ballpark area has launched a whimsical PJ Brunch on Saturday, March 29. All day the casual American food spot will celebrate, and if you show up in your pajamas you’ll get a chance to spin the prize wheel.
Urban Farmer Denver has just announced its 2025 Tasting Menu Dinner Series, a chef-curated event to be held at the downtown restaurant once a quarter. Expect a rotating lineup of Colorado farms and local purveyors. The first event is the Beast & Bourbon Dinner on Tuesday, April 1. For the feats, executive chef Ryan Rau created a five-course menu showcasing American bison from Rock River Ranches in Hudson. The meal will be paired with Laws Whiskey House, which uses locally sourced grains to make amazing whiskies. The dinner starts at 7 p.m., and runs $195 per person. For more information and to make reservations, go here.
Chef Troy Guard and celebrity chef Robert Irvine join together for Dine with a Cause at Guard and Grace on Thursday, April 3. The five-course event benefits the Robert Irvine Foundation, which supports service members, veterans, and first responders. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the one-up dinner are $250 per person, reservations can be made here.
