With the holiday last Thursday, it was a lazy first week of July. While not a lot of big news items crossed our radar, plenty of chefs have added new menu items worth buzzing about. We also saw some closing announcements, as well as the opening of an anticipated spot in Boulder.
Take a dive into the local restaurant, bar, and food scene, and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
The late Patrick Mangold-White’s legacy lives on thanks to Better Future, who acquired Uno Mas Taqueria recently, as well as Kaos Pizzeria (which has an amazing garden patio) earlier in the year. With locations in Denver and Fort Collins, the Mexican restaurant also joins Oblio’s Pizza in the Arizona-based company’s line up.
Classic burger shop The Cherry Cricket announced its plan to open a fourth location next summer in Broomfield. The new outpost will take over a former Old Chicago restaurant site, and launch right before The Cherry Cricket celebrates 80 years in business.
The Spice Guy also expressed plans to open in Edgewater Public Market come August 1. It’s owner Zach Johnson’s first brick and mortar spot, and he is already busy building up the space. Breakfast spot Onefold plans to launch a third location in Greenwood Village in September. Like the other two spots, the menu will showcase Mexican-Asian brunch fare such as Chinese Sausage Fried Rice and Breakfast Tacos.
Openings and Closings
Chef Johnny Curiel’s Cozobi Fonda Fina opens on July 10 in Boulder. The sister restaurant to his popular Alma Fonda Fina, the new space aims to bring the same nixtamalization traditions and wood-fire cooking he is known for, west of Denver. In fact, the name Cozobi is an ode to the Zapotec god of corn. Reservations are available now via Tock.
Real estate takes out another family-run Chinese restaurant, and after decades in the same location, China Wok in Thornton has closed. The Han family, who ran the eatery, stated on the website it’s due to the landlord, Regency Centers, refusing to offer another lease. This news has traces of Noodles Express, who told customers in May it would close in August due to the same issue.
At the end of the month on June 30, Table Public House owner Craig Broek went live on Facebook with a eulogy for his restaurant. After five years serving Denver’s South Platte River neighborhood, and over a decade running Table Urban Farm, he has decided to close the operation.
On the Menu
Glo Noodle House launch a happy hour worth checking out. Think $7 highballs, $5 yakatori skewers, kani tamake, various bao buns, and more. Best part, it’s offered every day from 4 to 6 p.m.
For a while now chef Carrie Baird of Fox and the Hen has created a monthly burger for Tap & Burger, also part of the Culinary Creative Group. For July she launched the Red, White & Blueberry. The burger features blueberry jam, candied bacon, and Port Salut cheese on a Harvest Moon potato bun.
Kalaka Mexican Kitchen just added Rellenos de Birria to the menu for a limited time only. The deep-fried egg-roll-like dish comes with adobo shredded beef, asadero cheese, onion, cilantro, lime crema, and a classic consomé to dip it in.
The Family Jones Spirit House now serves large-format cocktails that equal about 12 drinks in each bowl. Look for the Porch Swing with Ella Jones Bourbon, peach tea, peach syrup and lemon, and others. Each is $110, but on Wednesdays you can get a bowl half off when ordering food too.
What’s Brewing
At Lakewood’s WestFax Brewing, right next to Casa Bonita, look for two releases on July 12. First up, the Rice & Shine, a rice lager with subtle notes of citrus and bready crackers. There’s also Full Throttle, a West Coast style IPA with zesty grapefruit, pine, and a tinge of tropical flavor.
Events
James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Qui heads back to Denver to his Koko Ni for a three-day event highlighting summer produce and Colorado’s stone fruit season. Qui, along with Koko Ni chef James Gnizak, will craft seven dishes with an optional wine pairing by Joy Wine & Spirits. Join the chefs on July 9, 10, and 11, with seatings starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $125 before adding drinks, reserve a spot via Tock.
Head to RiNo on Sunday, July 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. for a Monarch farm-to-pizza pop up at The Block Distilling. Also on Sunday, Did Die Must Try Beverage Co. hosts a fundraiser at Happy Living Wellness (14015 E. Evans Ave., Aurora). The event features neighborhood restaurants and community leaders reflecting on family memories. It’s free to attend but bring cash or Venmo for food and merchandise. All proceeds go to aid displaced Gazans in Egypt.
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.
