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This Week in Denver Dining: Rescue Puppies By Eating Dessert and Fab Fall Foods

Grab a serving of the latest restaurant, bar, and chef news, dished out on November 11.
Written By: author avatar Linnea Covington
author avatar Linnea Covington
Linnea Covington is a regional managing editor of DiningOut, covering Denver, New York City, and Phoenix. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of national publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more. Follow on Instagram: @linneacovington https://muckrack.com/linnea-covington
Popcorn chicken hits the happy hour menu at the Denver restaurant. | Photo courtesy of JING Denver
Popcorn chicken hits the happy hour menu at the Denver restaurant. | Photo courtesy of JING Denver

Fall dishes keep falling into place and we are in no hurry to end the onslaught. Also in Denver area dining news, a 20-year-old Mexican restaurant closes in Boulder, desserts help puppies, and Eater names a Denver restaurant as one of the best in 2026.

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Centro to Close After 20 Years

Centro Mexican Kitchen in Boulder is a hot place to be this Cinco de Mayo. | Photo by Centro Mexican Kitchen
Centro Mexican Kitchen in Boulder is closing. | Photo by Centro Mexican Kitchen

Boulder has housed the restaurant Centro Mexican Kitchen for two decades at 950 Pearl St., and now, the concept will close after service on November 14. But, said parent group Big Red F (The Post, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar), something new will take over.

“Restaurants, like people, need a reset every so often,” said Big Red F chef and founder Dave Query in a press release. “Centro has had a great run, having served millions of guests over the last 20 years. This unmistakable corner is ready for its next stage.” 

The next stage is Altura, another Mexican concept with a more seasonal and upscale bent to the menu. After a renovation, Altura will officially open on the spot on December 8. 

Casa Bonita Lot Gets New Owner

Casa Bonita is located in a complex in Lakewood. | Photo courtesy of Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita is located in a complex in Lakewood. | Photo courtesy of Casa Bonita

Don’t worry, Matt Stone and Trey Parker still own Casa Bonita in Lakewood. However, the Lamar Station Plaza, the 271,632-square-foot strip mall and parking lot surrounding the eatertainment spot has been sold. 

Denver Business Journal reported that the new owners plan to spruce up the façade and signage around the property, as well as replace the roof, make the parking lot better, and other beautification services. 

Fall Lands at Pig and Tiger

New fall menu items await at Pig and Tiger in Denver. | Photo by Casey Wilson
New fall menu items await at Pig and Tiger in Denver. | Photo by Casey Wilson

Celebrate the season with new dishes at Pig and Tiger in Five Points, where each gets inspired by American holiday favorites rooted in Taiwanese tradition and featuring local ingredients. New menu highlights include Vegetable Dumplings, Black Vinegar Noodles (made with shredded house-cured duck confit), General Tso’s Squash (with flash-fried delicata squash), and Apple Pie Shaved Ice. 

Jovanina’s Broken Italian Launches Dessert Donations for Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue

Have an affogato at Jovanina's Broken Italian and help puppies. | Photo by Rachel Adams
Have an affogato at Jovanina’s Broken Italian and help puppies. | Photo by Rachel Adams

Right now you should head to Jovanina’s Broken Italian for dessert. Not only do you get to enjoy delights like the Nutellatiramisu, Rosemary Ricotta and Blackberry Marmalade Connolis, and affogatos, but each order helps animals in need. Now and until the end of the year, the Italian joint will donate 50% of dessert sales to Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue, a local non-profit animal rescue organization. 

Limited Edition Pistachio Doughnut at The Salty

The new Pistachio Tres Leches Donut. | Photo courtesy of The Salty
The new Pistachio Tres Leches Donut. | Photo courtesy of The Salty

To celebrate the arrival of Táche pistachio milk to The Salty’s permanent line up, the brand is launching a limited time menu November 13 to 22. Dubbed The Salty x Táche, diners can enjoy a Pistachio Orgeat Latte (espresso or matcha) and the Pistachio Tres Leches Donut. 

The latter features The Salty’s signature 24-hour brioche donut soaked in Táche pistachio milk, bottom dipped in pistachio white chocolate and topped with torched vanilla bean meringue and caramelized pistachios.  Bonus, on November 13 to 15, the first 10 guests to order the special drink or donut will receive an exclusive keychain or bandana gift with purchase.

New Menu at JING Denver

Check out the new menu items at this Denver restaurant. | Photo courtesy of JING Denver
Check out the new menu items at this Denver restaurant. | Photo courtesy of JING Denver

Head to JING in the Denver Tech Center to try the new menu. The line up includes Wagyu Gyoza with Snake River Farms wagyu, au jus, scallion, ginger-soy reduction; Sushi Tacos with ahi tuna, miso-ginger glaze, mango chutney, and macadamia nut; and Tuna Pizza with ahi tuna, tortilla crisp, ponzu aioli, yuzu soy, and toasted capers.

On the happy hour menu try the Popcorn Chicken, which comes with a kick of jalapeno. Pair an order with one of the new cocktails such as the JING Carajillo (Volcan Reposado, Licor 43, and espresso), Violet 75 (Roku Gin, butterfly pea flower, lemon, and sparkling float), or the Passionfruit Mojito (Bacardi Rum, passionfruit puree, fresh mint, and lime).

Flight Club Goes Hard For Fall

There’s a new contender on the Flight Club menu, and it’s all about fall. On the drink side, try the Sarti Vita Spritz and Crimson Margarita. For food, look toward the Mini Duck Tacos, Mini Pecan Pies, tiny Breakfast Biscuits, and more. Bonus, the space and menu is all designed for sharing and ultimate fun. 

Eater Names New Denver Restaurant as One of the Best

A handful of chefs touted Rougarou as one of the best restaurants of 2025. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Rougarou is one of the best restaurants of 2026. | Photo by Linnea Covington

Eater picked 15 eateries in the United States and designated them as the Best New Restaurants of the year. On that list, Denver’s Rougarou, run by the same team who own Yacht Club nearby in Five Points.

Turnbuckle Distilling Crafts a Bigger Location

According to What Now Denver, Littleton’s Turnbuckle Distilling is expanding with a new five-acre property. The target opening is next year, and the facility will be on the northwest corner of Bowles Avenue and C-470. With the growth you can expect more room to distill, a restaurant, tasting rooms, and multi-level bar. 

author avatar
Linnea Covington Managing Editor Denver
Linnea Covington is a regional managing editor of DiningOut, covering Denver, New York City, and Phoenix. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of national publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more. Follow on Instagram: @linneacovington https://muckrack.com/linnea-covington
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