Hello February! This month we cram as much good things into it as we can. Think, Black History Month, Super Bowl (Feb. 9), Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), National Pizza Day (Feb. 9), National Pistachio Day (Feb. 26), and Presidents Day (Feb. 17). Celebrate however you like, but in the meantime, enjoy this week’s openings, news, and events.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Chef and owner Jose Avila submitted site plans to take over the building next door to La Diabla Pozole Y Mezcal in LoDo. The idea is to bring five new food concepts to the neighborhood, which so far include seafood, mushroom, a torilleria, a churreria, and barbcoa. Right now he is waiting for approval, but we have our fingers crossed it will be soon.
Pho King Rapidos (PKR) and MAKfam are coming together to launch The PKR Shop, a Residency at MAKfam. Known for innovative Vietnamese fare, PKR started as a food truck and opened a stand-alone spot in Avanti Denver in 2023. When the lower half of the food hall closed at the beginning of the year for renovations, owners Long Nguyen and Shauna Seaman decided to move on.
Now the team has a four-week stint at MAKfam (39 W. 1st Ave., Denver) on Tuesdays starting February 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. Expect dishes including Triple B, Birria Bo Kho Banh Mi, Pho Dip, and the Chopped Cheese Crunchy Rolls, as well as new dishes to be announced on PKR’s socials.
Green Collective owners and sisters, Jamie and Allison Rifkin, have launched a line of matcha, which debuts on February 5. Dubbed Matcha Motto, the product is sustainably sourced, organic ceremonial grade matcha straight from Japan. Buy it online or from the Green Collective locations.
Coming off the recent opening of Leven Supply last month, the company announced it’s ready for a third location. Hence, Leven Downtown is slated to launch this year at 1520 California St., Denver. While we don’t have more details, we can expect the same thoughtful food program, the signature dry-aged pastrami, and really good fresh bread.
Just to give a little more whimsy to the year, Zeppelin Development announced a rebrand Zeppelin Station as a dinosaur-themed cafe called Clever Girl complete with animatronics. Nope, it’s not an April Fools prank. While we don’t have the details yet, you can bet we will be waiting with baited breath for more news.
Openings and Closings In the News
Panda Coffee House by Vinay Patidar just opened inside FlyteCo Tower. The specialty of the house centers on ceremonial grade matcha sourced directly from Japan. The extensive matcha menu includes takes on classic coffee orders such as the Mortado, Matchacano (matcha coconut water and matcha tonic), and Strawberry Matcha made with fresh strawberry puree, oat milk, and matcha.
Gluten-free gordida specialist Maiz officially opened with Good Vibes Cafe over the weekend. Now you can get your gordita with carnitas and peach pico de gallo fix inside Assembly Student Living at 3900 Elati St. in Denver.
Peter Newlin of Gastamo Group announced Home Grown Tap and Dough will expand to a new location in Parker come February 18. This marks the fifth location of the pizza and American food joint. The Colorado-based restaurant group also runs Park Burger, Lady Nomada, Perdida, and Park & Co.
Move over Hooters, there’s a new regime in town. Enter Bombshells Restaurant and Bar, a military-themed venue featuring scantly-clad ladies in pseudo uniforms. Located at 1400 Arapahoe St., this is the first Colorado location, though the parent company RCI Holdings does own local strip clubs and over 10 Bombshells in Texas. It’s slated to open right before the Super Bowl this week, and with a ton of TVs scattered about, you can bet the game will air there.
Events
Leading up to the famed Weldwerks Invitational, Hops & Pie in Denver hosts a mini beer festival from February 6 to 8 called The Weldwerks Invitational: Hops & Pie Edition. During this time the neighborhood pizza shop pours some of the same rare and sought-after beers directly to Tennyson Street for three days. The event caps off with the first Colorado tapping of Pliny the Younger on February 8. The full pour list can be viewed here.
Enjoy a sultry night at B&GC, that sexy bar beneath Halcyon, with the Two Truths & A Lie Mixology Experience on Tuesday, February 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. During the $55 event enjoy the step-by-step process of creating and learning about three unique drinks from the menu, as well as attempting to spot the mocktail among them. The price tag includes the drinks plus light bites, reserve here.
On Wednesday, February 12, Cart-Driver RiNo hosts its first-ever seated dinner with wine and beverage pairings. Seatings can be reserved for 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. The multi-course menu is inspired by the 10-year history of Cart-Driver. Tickets run $100 per person, find them here.
On Thursday, February 13, from 3 p.m. to midnight, hospitality folk can head to The Block Distilling for Bonded at the Bar. This industry-only event includes a complimentary shift drink, opportunities to network, and flash tattoos by Caitlin Janicek (from 5 to 10 p.m.).
Have you ever eaten blindfolded? Now you can during a special evening at The Fort in Morrison. On Friday, February 7 take part in The Dining In the Dark event, which includes a four-course menu of secret dishes for you to enjoy without seeing them. The dinner costs $75 for the lighter course menu, or $95 for the game meat heavy one, and starts at 7 p.m. If you miss this one, worry not, there’s another on March 7. Find tickets and reserve here.
And if you’re looking for a place to see the Super Bowl, we got you here.
