Hong Kong pizza, bagels, and fried-gator-laden po’boys have landed in Colorado. But that’s not all, we also look forward to a new Spanish spot in Boulder, sushi in Cherry Creek, and a bee-themed hotel bar. On the closing side, a historic waterhole says goodbye forever, and a popular cake spot folds. Read on for more openings and closings in the Denver metro area and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
Openings in the Denver Area
Creole Dishes Come to Edgewater
Jeremy Bentham Smith and CJ Davidson have taken over the former Tessa Delicatessen spot in Edgewater Public Market to open Poboys Creole Cafe. It’s the pair’s first venture, and guests should expect po’boys filled with gator meat, crawfish, roast beef, eggplant, andouille, and shrimp. The menu doesn’t stop at sandwiches, diners can also get jambalaya, étouffée, Creole-style poutine, a burger topped with crawfish, and more.
Hong Kong Pizza
Visit Metro Pie Pizza, the newest member of the Red Line Station where Red Bus Coffee debuted last fall. The idea is to serve Hong Kong-style pizzas, made to order, with a rotating Asian-inspired special. The small eatery is owned by the parents of Red Bus’s founder, and shares a cute patio with the coffee shop.
Bee Ready For This New Hotel
The 175-room Apiary Hotel, part of Marriott’s Bonvoy Collection, is now open at 4855 S. Quebec St. in Belleview Station. The suites are complimented by a gratis hot breakfast and kitchenette in each room. Visit on-property concepts Keepers Cocktail Lounge and June Gap Market and Café, both situated adjacent to the lobby. To celebrate Apiary’s opening, the hotel offers a special “Apiary Pre-Opening Welcome Package” throughout February, which includes an Apiary honey jar, a bottle of wine in the room upon arrival, a welcome note from the hotel team, and flexible late check-out.
NYC Bagels in Colorado Springs
Jeff’s Bagel Run comes to Colorado with a location in Colorado Springs. Grand opening is Friday, February 27. The NYC-style bagel shop started in Florida in 2021, and has been growing nationwide ever since.
Casa Juani, a new Spanish restaurant in Boulder, has officially opened. Two former Frasca Food & Wine chefs, Eduardo Valle Lobo and Kelly Jeun are running the show, with a planned menu of tapas, seafood, rice, and other classic dishes from Valle Lobo’s home in Madrid.
Anticipated Denver Sushi Spot Opens
Straight from the team that launched Uchi, we welcome Uchiko, chef Tyson Cole’s Japanese restaurant concept. It’s now open in the Ginny Williams Gallery in the Cherry Creek neighborhood. Reservations are now available online.
Coming Soon
New Boulder Spot
Boulder will get a new family-oriented bar and grill this mid-March, dubbed The Lowdown. It will launch at 2731 Iris Ave. with an eclectic menu, 14 taps of craft beer, and more. The restaurant is owned by couple Adam and Erin Perkins.
Get Ready For Round Two
Nicolas Medina started Tres Chiles in 2018, taking over the space at 3900 Tennyson St. He closed it in 2023, but now he is back in the spot with Cenizas. The crux remains similar with Medina whipping up family recipes from his native Mexico. He will also have brunch on the weekends. Opening date to be determined.
Mediterranean Chain Lands in Denver
The popular Mediterranean chain Spitz is coming to RiNo this April or May, taking over the former Park Burger spot. The location is owned by Regina Bryant, who discovered the brand while visiting Salt LakeCity as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. This will be the third Spitz in Colorado, the others are in Greenwood Village and Longmont.
Go Chicken Salad Go
Fast-casual eatery Chicken Salad Chick is opening its eighth restaurant in Colorado. The location will be at 5322 DTC Blvd. in Greenwood Village. The grand opening is on Wednesday, March 4, and the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year.
Closings
A Sweet Denver Goodbye
After 16 years slinging custom cakes, Cakeheads Bakery will close on March 7. The owners posted on social media about the decision, though no reason was given. They simply wrote, “We know goodbyes are hard, but we’re closing with sweet memories.”
Historic Bar Rides Off Into the Sunset
The Dark Horse in Boulder officially goes dark on Saturday, March 14. The closing date comes on the historic bar’s 51st anniversary. The space housing the venue will be torn down in order to make way for the approved Williams Village II. When news came of the redevelopment the owners of the Dark Horse planned to relocate, but now it’s ending the chapter for good.
The Last Cart Rolls By
Also on March 14, we will say goodbye to Super Mega Bien in RiNo. Originally started by chef Dana Rodriguez in 2018, the restaurant, located inside the Ramble Hotel, was known for serving Latin American dim sum, cart and all. The team wrote on social media: “With full hearts and deep gratitude, we’re sharing that Super Mega Bien will be closing on March 14.”
You can still enjoy it for this year’s Denver Restaurant Week. The restaurant offers a $45 multi-course menu from March 6 to 14, and then, on the final service day, there will be a clean-out-the-space party with on all-you-can-eat snacks for $20 and cocktails for $10, starting at 8 p.m.
