Many closings were announced in the news in the first week of December. But it’s not all gloom and doom, we also saw a few openings and a lot of goodwill toward the community. One chef made an appearance on a cooking show, while another garnered high honors. Hot cocoa is on the menu and one small restaurant will showcase a whole fish breakdown.
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
More good news for the Alma Fonda Fina team. Esquire magazine just named the chef-owner Johnny Curiel its Rising Star of the Year. This comes on the heels of the restaurant’s Michelin Guide recognition with a star and Curiel’s 2024 Young Chef Award for Colorado.
Stone Cellar Bistro in Arvada recently garnered buzz after chef Brandon Kerr competed on Gordon Ramsey’s cooking show, Hell’s Kitchen. The chef shows up on season 23, and you can watch the fun now.
Windfall Brewing Company in Westminster recently hosted a family and their pet for the dog’s last meal. Liz Gorgue shared the story on Facebook, giving a shout out to owner Shawn Murray, who not only brought her pup a doggy steak and fries, but sat on the floor to cuddle the 13-year-old animal too.
We also love seeing restaurants help other restaurants. The team at Point Easy in Whittier recently invited Fathim Dickerson of his family’s Welton St. Cafe, to come train in handling a larger kitchen and higher volume. Welton St. Cafe recently reopened at 2883 Welton St., Denver, in a new home after a couple years in limbo after being displaced from its original space.
Openings and Closings In the News
Coastal Mexican restaurant Perdida launched a second location in Westminster. Run by the Gastamo Group, it opened next door to another outpost of the company’s popular Homegrown Tap & Dough.
Goudy’s Deli & Market kicked off last week at 1207 E. Alameda Ave. in Denver. The small, family-run eatery sells dry goods, meats, cheese, and more. The market also supposedly serves really good sandwiches.
We missed the opening of Mad Macks Brewing, which launched in mid-November at 1921 Youngfield St. in Golden. Owner Kim Marie has started a monthly Mug Club membership too. For $150 it includes a specialty mug, 20-ounce pours for the price of a pint, 15-percent off merchandise, a free crowler each month, and early access to new beers.
We’re sad to report chef Russ Fox’s TABLE in Arvada ceased after a short run inside New Image Brewing. A post on Instagram announced the closure and read, “Unfortunately, the concept just hasn’t proven to be sustainable, so effective today, our kitchen in Olde Town is closed and our journey with Table has come to an end.”
Big Red F is chattering its LoHi Location of the Post Chicken & Beer. Not only does this mark the closing of a neighborhood fried chicken place, but end the 20-year hold the restaurant group had on that corner, which used to house Lola Coastal Mexican.
Currently Agave Taco Bar and the decades-old Wash Park Grille on South Gaylord Street are closed after being seized by the city of Denver for not paying $33,358 in sales taxes, reported Business Den. Owner Jeff Estey told the publication he is aiming to reopen both soon.
On the Menu
Tí Cafe is all about hot cocoa this season. Go in now to try the MELTÍ S’mores Hot Chocolate, which can be made dairy free if you skip the classic kem and jumbo toasted marshmallow on top.
Events In the News
Don’t miss La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal’s first Festival del Chile Relleno, running now until December 16. The menu features seven different rellenos all for $50, or a la carte for $16 each. Add on two drinks for an extra $15, and truly feast every day this week from 5 p.m. until close.
Head to the space housing KoKo Ni for a series of pop-ups with chef Silvino Sanchez. Sanchez, previously of Bruto, brings his take on Mexican-Thai cuisine to the space on December 13 through 15, and 20 through 22.
Head to The Ritz-Carlton, Denver for an expert gingerbread house decorating experience with pastry chef Stella Wright. The event runs Saturday, December 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $195 per table, which seats up to five, with one house per table (more can be added on). The price tag includes instruction, all the decorations, hot chocolate, and wrappings to take the masterpiece home.
Make a reservation now for Ukiyo Omakase’s New Year’s Eve celebration of all things tuna. The small, chef-counter only space will break down a whole Japanese blue fin tuna, dishing out cuts of the fish for guests. If you miss it, worry not, the event will continue once a month on Tuesdays after that.
Get in with the Grinch at Dairy Block’s Who-Ligan Brunch on December 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dress up in your best ugly sweater or “mean one” attire to enter into the costume contest. The event also features live music, drink specials, and a toy drive for Childhelp, which is dedicating to eradicating child abuse and neglect.
