The first week of August has already seen some major closings and shifts in the restaurant community. Unfortunately more break ins have also plagued the scene. What’s up with the vandalism people? We do have some positive news to report as well, including a 20-year anniversary and local peaches gracing menus.
Read on for more of this week’s top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder celebrates 20 years this month. The fine dining restaurant by Bobby Stuckey and his partners Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Peter Hoglund, has garnered many awards in the last two decades including three from the James Beard Foundation and recently, its first Michelin star.
Crafted Concepts announced a big change in the business, starting with the closing of the decade-old Stoic & Genuine in Union Station. Founder Beth Gruitch and chef Jennifer Jasinski have decided to pare down to their roots and focus on the 20-year-old Rioja, their first restaurant. That said, they are giving long-time chefs Adam Branz and Tim Kuklinski the opportunity to take the reigns of Ultreia and Bistro Vendome.
Branz will step back into the executive chef role as the sole operating partner of Ultreia, while also keeping a hand on his other baby, Split Lip, an Eat Place in Number 38 (the hot chicken just made our best bites of July). After 18 years with Crafted Concepts and five of those as culinary director for the whole group, Kuklinski will assume control of Bistro Vendôme in Park Hill as operating partner. Neither chefs plan to change much to the established restaurants.
Cultura Chocolate suffered a burglary last week that not only cost them monitary losses, but destroyed the shop too. The small-batch Mexican-American chocolate company remains closed for the month of August, halting both new wholesale orders and online orders. However, fans can support the operation by attending the Saigon Azteca Night Market on August 10 from 2 to 10 p.m., and other pop ups.
Another act of vandalism hit Ballmer Peak Distillery in Lakewood. Right after closing, someone smashed the window and proceeded to steal two bottles of liquor and some ice. While the spoils weren’t bad, the repair to the window will cost the craft spirit house close to $1,000.
Procession Coffee is holding a benefit for one of the staff, Ash Amegin, who is battling cancer. The event is on September 19 and will be part of the Latte Throwdown. Entry is $25, and all entry fees go to help her recovery.
On the Menu
Redeemer Pizza and Dio Mio launched a $10 spritz menu for the month of August. It includes four options such as the classic Aperol Spritz and Schwartzhog, a mixture of Schwartzhog liqueur and Aquila Cellars Summer Triangle Cider. Coperta in Uptown has also joined the Spritz spectacular with a special happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Read more about that tasty menu here.
Tap & Burger has released its burger of the month. This time chef Carrie Baird is all about the peaches. The burger features a beef patty, grilled Palisade peaches, heirloom tomatoes, stracciatella di bufala, fresh basil, a dash of balsamic vinegar, and a Harvest Moon potato bun.
Illegal Pete’s and Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station have collided to roll out a menu of rainbow-colored burritos. The only catch is, you have to go to the art installation this month, the mash up is only available until August 31.
Openings and Closings In the News
Xiquita Restaurante y Bar officially opened this past week. This is the second restaurant by the James Beard-nominated owners of Lucina Eatery & Bar, as well as chef Rene Gonzalez Mendez. Speaking of second spots, Mizu Izakaya opened its second location in Denver International Airport. The sushi restaurant officially launched last week in concourse B.
The rosé-themed restaurant The Hampton Social opened at the end of July, bringing another Insta-famous spot to the dining scene. It’s the first Denver location of the concept, making 12 total across the country. The massive two story, 7,800-square-foot space in the LoHi neighborhood features a 360-degree bar and 1,600-square-foot rooftop terrace. The menu offers pan-global coastal fare and plenty of craft cocktails.
Chef Lon Symensma has officially closed Bistro LeRoux, his downtown French concept. The only catch, the restaurant shared a kitchen with his casual dumpling shop, Yum Cha. Symensma has said he will either open a new concept in the LeRoux spot, or close both, to be decided.
Another Downtown spot has shuttered too, at least for now. French 75, the on-again-off-again restaurant by Bonanno Concepts is reportedly taking a break for the rest of the summer. It’s the second time the eatery has closed, and the last time it opened with a newish menu and style.
Event News
Dine out for chef Amos Watts on August 7. To help support the family of the late chef, restaurants across the city are donating a certain portion of items and/or sales to help. Find out more info here.
Celebrate SAME Café’s expansion on August 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests can take a tour, have some small bites, and meet the people who have made the unique program work. Since starting in 2006, SAME Café (the name stands for So All May Eat) has had a mission to serve food to those who need it, offering really good food for anyone to enjoy. Register here to attend.
Top Taco 2024 is here on August 8 in Westminster Central Park. Our parent company DiningOut Events has hosted this fete for 10 years, and you can expect unlimited tacos, drinks, live music, Lucha Libre wrestling and more. Tickets start at $89, purchase here.
Now in its new RiNo studio, Rowdy Poppy offers an array of flower classes complete with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. On Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. the $45 Flower Hour gives attendees a chance to make their own bouquet. On August 8 there’s a very special Flower Hour with the team from Beckon making specialty cocktails with edible flowers themed around Colleen Hoover’s book It Ends With Us, and the new film based on it.
Happy 59th birthday Singapore! Join the Singapore Potluck and Parade on August 9 at Die Die Must Try Beverage Co. The free event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and includes $5.90 drinks for the occasion. Bring your favorite Singapore dish and watch the parade, just make sure to register to save a spot.
On August 10 from 3 to 7 p.m., Fizz Fight Battle of the Bubbles is back after a five year break. The 21-and-up event is all about hard seltzers, sparkling cans of goodness, and refreshing canned tipples. Join the fun starting at $40, buy tickets here.
This year the Den Corner Rooftop Party takes place on September 3 and 4. Hosted by Sushi Den, over 30 chefs will be flown in from Japan to make the celebration happen. The two-day festival features tons of Japanese street food, sake, beer, cocktails, and more. Each $195 timed ticket is good for one day, reserve one here. Bonus, a portion of the proceeds go to We Don’t Waste.
Monarch is hosting a pizza pop up on August 14 starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $60 each and are good for two people. It includes a half-bottle of wine, salad, and pizza. Reserve via Tock.
