It’s been a busy and hot week in Denver. In fact, temps closed one marketplace down early this past weekend. The heat was also turned up for Bodega owner Cliff Blauvelt, who had to change the name of his award-winning sandwich shop. Fans of La Diabla downtown can try a new patio menu, and now there’s more alfresco dining at Lou’s Italian Specialties thanks to a revamped porch.
Read on for more of this week’s top stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of the award-winning eatery Odie B’s. Turns out it’s the new moniker of chef Cliff Blauvelt’s Bodega in Sunnyside. But it’s not just a cute name change, the sandwich shop was slapped with a cease and desist from an independent restaurant in Kansas City.
The chef writes on a social media post, “It’s already hard enough to run restaurants and it’s tragic when other independent operators are out to get ya [sic] too.”
Beloved eatery Welton Street Cafe continues to push for a July opening. Known for solid soul food with a Caribbean bent, the restaurant closed in 2022 after over 20 years in business. Now, the family-owned cafe has taken over the spot on 2883 Welton St., building the venture from the ground up. The cafe is offering sponsorship opportunities as well, which can be found by contacting the owners.
Construction has finished at Lou’s Italian Specialties in the Cole neighborhood. The elevated deli now has a patio in the front with about eight tables and shading. This expands the seating capacity so diners can enjoy dishes such as the chicken parm sandwich, muffaletta, and deli salads right there.
On the beer side, the Brewers Association announced the retirement of president and CEO, Bob Pease. Pease held the position for 32 years, and the non-profit trade association, which advocates for small and independent American craft brewers, is actively seeking a replacement for the 2025 term.
In quick news bites, Tag Burger Bar launched lunch service on Tuesday through Sunday starting at 11:30 a.m. Yelp named Rocky Yama Sushi one of its top 100 sushi spots in the country. Next Level Burger acquired Veggie Grill, fanning out its vegan empire even further. Finally, the high temps this past weekend had Denver Central Market limiting hours to 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Openings and Closings
Local coffee brand Novo Coffee launched its second spot in the Denver International Airport in Concourse B. The full-service kiosk also serves a variety of fresh baked goods and other on-the-go items. The 20-year-old Novo Coffee is known for making great coffee and crafted syrups such as the lavender one this past spring, which we enjoyed in a cup of ice chai. This location joins the company’s five other stores.
Pancho Poncho has officially opened right next to Carboy Winery. The space replaces Logan Street Restaurant & Bar, bringing classic Mexican fare, a menu of molcajete, and a bar program heavy with mezcal and tequila to the Capitol Hill area.
The former Chipotle in Boulder’s West End is now another outpost of Zoe Ma Ma, owner Edwin Zoe’s Taiwanese street food spot. The restaurant offers the same walk-up ordering process as previous locations, and seats around 75 diners inside and outside.
On the Menu
Head to The Post Chicken & Beer locations for a new happy hour menu. Running Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., the list includes loaded fries ($6), smoked chicken wings with sauce ($6), deviled eggs ($1.50 each), Post draft beer flights ($5), classic margaritas ($5), and more.
MAKfam on South Broadway has officially launched a weekend brunch menu. Known for its push to destigmatize the use of MSG in Chinese food, the new menu features tantalizing bites such as Salted Egg Yolk Hong Kong French Toast ($10), Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Jian Bing ($13), and Steak and Eggs with Garlic Butter Rice ($25). Brunch runs weekends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For the first time in seven years, the cocktail menu at Maggiano’s Little Italy is changing. With over 50 locations, the chain now has a table-side experience dubbed the Mixologist Collection, with cocktails ranging from $15 to $18.
Wild Columbia River King Salmon is now available at Water Grill in downtown Denver. In fact, salmon season is in full swing here, and this beauty weighs in between 15 and 20 pounds. Enjoy the fish grilled with a side of heirloom carrots and curry butter.
Welcome the Juicery by Snooze A.M. Eatery. Now brunch fans can get a glass of good-for-you juices along with that plate of pancakes. Flavors include Super Greens, Butterfly Lemonade, Rejuvenate, and more.
La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal launched a new patio menu available from 5 p.m. to close on Wednesdays through Saturdays. Dishes include Ostion Rasurado (fresh oysters), Tamalito de Mero (halibut with blue corn nixtamal and chiltomate), and Cameron Mamalon (shrimp grilled with salsa macha and chilhuacle mayo).
Upcoming Denver Events
Bistro Vendôme kicks off bi-weekly Monday movie nights now through September. The film comes with a four-course prix fixe menu running $65 per person. The first screening is The Intouchables, followed by The Duelists on July 29, and Ratatouille on August 12.
Dog Haus celebrates National Hot Dog Day on Wednesday, July 17 by giving away free Haus Dogs. The only catch, you must be a member of the Haus Rewards program to reap the special.
Get ready for Reels for Meals, a fundraiser for both Flatirons Food Film Festival and Meals on Wheels Boulder, on Thursday, July 18 from 5 to 10 p.m. at eTown Hall (1535 Spruce St.)in Boulder. Not only will funds aid in getting nutritious meals to those who need it, it will also help the film festival return to screening individual films after a two-year hiatus.
Chef Dave Hadley of Samosa Shop teams up with Fireside at Five to bring a Taste of India to the Sheraton Downtown Denver on Thursday, July 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. The four-course pop-up meal includes his signature samosas, darjeeling tea risotto, and red snapper ceviche with turmeric and crispy curry leaf. Tickets are $100, or $150 with cocktail pairings, purchase here.
Ironton Distillery & Drafthouse hosts its 6th Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 27th in Denver’s RiNo district. Expect a tiki-themed 6th fete from 12 to 8 p.m. as well as the debut of its first Bottled-in-Bond whiskey. Festivities also include DJs, food specials, hula dancers, hourly giveaways, and a musical performance from the Rick Lewis Project featuring 103.5 The Fox personality, Rick Lewis.
Head to the second iteration of the Tennyson Street Fair on July 20. The free neighborhood block party goes from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., all down Tennyson Street from West 41st Avenue to West 43rd Avenue. Shop local, drink local, and eat local all along the way. A portion of proceeds from the fair benefits the Tennyson Berkeley Business Association.
Join pastry chef Saura Kline at Local Jones inside the Halcyon Hotel for her Cups & Cones Ice Cream Class on July 20. While learning how to make ice cream, attendees will be fed plenty of sweet treats depending on which class you take. The 10:30 a.m. session is geared toward ages 3 and up, while the 2 p.m. course is for ages 21-plus and includes boozy frozen goodies. Bonus, students get 20-percent off a post-class meal at Local Jones.
