March has come in quick and the first Monday of the month has zoomed by just as fast. Somehow, three days in, there’s so much news to discuss. First up, Colorado Pint Day is back with a new design on a collectible glass. In bigger news, Del Taco has closed almost all the Colorado locations. Lauded AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q also folded, though it came with a lot of drama on the back end. On a more positive side, restaurants have started rolling out spring menus and we’re so excited to try them.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
The 10th Annual Colorado Pint Day, hosted by the Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) is on Wednesday, March 5. The state-wide event features over 200 breweries, offering a custom glass designed by Leanne Bridie and dubbed, “Beer is for Everyone.” It’s the 10th year we’ve had Colorado Pint Day, and each time it helps support CBG’s mission to promote and protect independent craft breweries. Find a complete list of participating venues here.
In sudden closure news, Jared and Amanda Leonard’s AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Rosedale has ended its term. The award-winning barbecue spot abruptly shuttered after the staff walked out last week. According to a post on Reddit submitted by alleged employees, the Leonards hadn’t paid them, took taxes out of paychecks without sending in the funds, and left the country. Right now the latter can be confirmed given the Facebook activity the couple has posted about moving to Mexico.
The post read, “Today the staff made the decision to close the doors after learning owner’s Jared and Amanda Leonard have been stealing from their employees. No employees have received their W2s for 2024, but simple social security check shows no income for employees, many for more than one year. Employees have begun to receive letters from the IRS stating they owe thousands of dollars from past years that taxes should have been paid. They were paid by Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, and checks that would bounce. Rarely were they given paystubs with the hours worked or tips accumulated.”
As of this news, the A.J.’s employees are currently seeking legal aide.
On a positive note, happy anniversary to Nocturne, Nicole and Scott Mattson’s vibrant jazz and supper club in RiNo. When signing the lease the couple revamped the warehouse-like space into the beautiful venue it is, bringing live jazz paired with good food to the area. The doors officially opened on March 9, 2015, and remains one of our favorite spots.
In local politics, restaurants, employees, and diners are torn on the Restaurant Relief Act. Learn the facts of this news item here.
Last week Del Taco closed 14 locations in Colorado. Currently the only one open is the Del Taco location in Grand Junction that is owned by a separate franchisee. However the state may see the fast food taco chain again, which opened in 1964 in California.
The official news statement read, “Del Taco is proud to have been serving the state of Colorado since 2003 and we appreciate the ongoing support of our loyal guests. At this time, our Denver and Colorado Springs franchise locations are temporarily closed. We will re-open these locations as soon as possible and will share updates as they become available.”
Openings and Closings in the News
This weekend TropiTai Delights opened at 98 Wadsworth Blvd. in Lakewood. The quaint shop specializes in Taiwanese and Hawaiian desserts. The opening weekend was so packed, it had to close for a few days to restock.
The Delaware-based brewery Dewey Beer in RiNo closed last month. Now the space is home to Shambles, a neighborhood-friendly bar.
In Northglenn, Los Dos Potrillos Cocina y Cantina closed. Run by Ramirez Hospitality Group, this was one of many outposts, but the only one with a fast-casual model. The brand still has full-service locations of Lost Dos Portrillos in Castle Rock, Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, and Parker.
After 10 years in Union Station, Edwin Zoe has closed his Taiwanese noodle shop Zoe Ma Ma in Union Station. Zoe said the shuttering came at the end of his lease last month, and he decided to extend it. He is, he added, looking for another Denver location. Right now fans can still get the Michelin-recommended fare at the Boulder spot, which he first opened in 2010 before Zoe moved the shop to a new location in the same area.
On the Menu
Book a table for Springtime Tea at Local Jones, running March 1 through May 31. The elegant service runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Delight in warm scones, house-made pastries, and savory sandwiches, and choose from lemonade, tea, and tea cocktails to sip on. Reservations run $60 per person and $25 per child, or $80 per person to add a glass of bubbles. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here.
Snooze launched three new breakfast bowls to help cater to different dietary needs. Enter the Keto Breakfast Bowl with spinach, shredded carrots, Dijon vinaigrette, house-made chicken sausage patty, avocado, everything spice, tomato, and hard-boiled eggs.
There’s also the Protein BLT Bowl with scrambled eggs, bacon, Polidori breakfast sausage crumble, tomato, avocado, house-made pickled red onions, and a pinch of Maldon salt on top of Dijon vinaigrette-dressed baby spinach and carrots. The popular brunch spot also has three other bowls, the Farmers’ Market Veggie Bowl, Biscuits and Gravy, and Pull-a-Party Roll, which is described as if, “A cinnamon roll and monkey bread had a delicious baby.” These are all available at Snooze locations across Colorado.
Wonderyard Garden & Table expanded the menu with new dishes. Look for Crispy Cauliflower Wings, Sweet Chili Brussels Sprouts, and Hawaiian BBQ Flatbread to start. Next find the decedent S’mores Waffle, which is only available on the weekend brunch menu. Wonderyard also debuted a new Power Bowl, Harvest Salad, and Beet and Avocado Salad.
It’s officially spot prawn season at Water Grill. The shellfish are found exclusively in the Pacific Ocean, and are the largest type of prawns in those waters. To provide the best flavor and quality, Water Grill places these live spot prawns in saltwater tanks and prepares them to order. Since they can be harvested through October, you can really enjoy them for months.
News of Chefs On the Move
The ART Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton announced a new executive chef, Tharon Weighill. The chef started his career as sous chef at the long closed, but not forgotten, Le Central French restaurant. He then helped open Guard and Grace under restaurateur Troy Guard. Eventually he became head chef at STE. Ellie, a gastropub located under Colt and Grey, which are now both closed. Next he worked as executive sous chef and chef de cuisine at Denver Country Club, and the executive chef at Marriott Boulder.
Events
Celebrate Venice’s annual Carnevale festival now through March 4 at Jovanina’s Broken Italian. While guests can order off the regular menu, the restaurant also offers a special four-course dinner menu priced at $75 per person, with the option to add wine pairings for $30.
Menu options include ahi tuna crudo with blood orange, crispy capers, Meyer lemon gelee, pickled shallot and marigold petals; squid ink ravioli with braised octopus, Italian sausage, basil parsley oil, red bell pepper puree and saffron brodo; pan roasted duck breast with beet root polenta, braised endive, balsamic figs and anchovies salsa; and focaccia gelato for dessert. A featured cocktail, the Sazerac, is also available. Reservations can be made here.
Head to Leven Supply, the newest outpost of Leven Deli Co., for a Mardi Gras feast. All day long the shop will be making shrimp o’boys for $16. Then, head to Lucile’s Creole Café for a Mardi Gras celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets include more food, drinks, a live DJ, and tarot readings.
SAME Cafe will host its 8th annual SAME Table Gala, the non-profit’s largest fundraiser of the year. It takes place on Thursday, March 6. Tickets are $75 or, true to the restaurant’s unique participation model, guests can also pay-what-they-can or volunteer time in exchange for a ticket. Check out our write up of SAME Cafe chef Kim Brazile, and find tickets here.
Also get ready for Denver’s Restaurant Week, which starts Friday, March 7. Read about some of our picks here.
