With so many events and good news this week, we’re full both in belly and heart. Speaking of heart, we love that chef Andrea Frizzi is launching something new. We’re also thrilled over all the anniversaries this week, including Denver Beer Co., Spinelli’s Market, and more. There’s a couple openings to look forward to as well. Think a 1980’s themed bar, Thai street food, and a Colombian lounge.
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
In good news, Andrea Frizzi is back with a new ghost kitchen called Cucina Fantasma at Georgie’s Denver in LoDo. Frizzi ran Il Posto in RiNo for 17 years, and after the popular Italian closed at the end of February he promised something new. Sure, he still has his pizza and pasta joint Vero in Denver Central Market, but the chef expressed he’s happy to get back in the kitchen and tie up his apron strings. The concept runs Wednesday through Saturday starting at 5 p.m. Expect small plates of Italian goodies, with a side of Frizzi’s ineffable charm.
The Brown Palace celebrates the 60 year mark of The Beatles staying at the hotel during their Red Rocks performance. To commemorate the occasion, head to Palace Arms for a four-course meal ($80 per person) on August 22. On August 26 the hotel hosts THE 3EATLES, a Beatles tribute band. Of course the property’s iconic tea service gets in on the fun, and on August 26 expect to hear music by the iconic band during a very special rendition of tea time ($65 per person).
The Denver Food & Wine Festival introduced a new program during its run from September 4 to 7. Check out the Dine Out Culinary Auction Series, where anyone can bid on an experience. Some, like the chef’s counter for two at Hop Alley, are specifically for September 6. But others, such as the VIP pasta class for two at Restaurant Olivia, can be used any day. Bidding is open now, and runs for 16 more days.
Mici Handcrafted Italian has been churning out fast-casual Italian comfort food for 20 years. The first location opened in 2004, and now the family-run company boasts nine Colorado locations and one in Arizona. The restaurant chain was founded by siblings Jeff, Kim, and Michael Miceli, who still oversee day-to-day operations. Happy anniversary Mici!
Snooze A.M. Eatery spread the news of its original Ballpark location reopening on Wednesday, August 14. The relaunch comes after a $2.5 million dollar investment that not only upgraded the space, but expanded the historic building from 2,870 square feet to 4,100 square feet.
Join the party starting on August 14. The restaurant will giveaway prizes throughout the day and into the weekend. For starters, the first 50 people in line the first morning will receive a one-of-a-kind Snooze Ballpark t-shirt and an iconic yellow Snooze mug, and be entered to win a huge Denver gift pack. The first 10 will receive 12 $25 gift cards, and the other 40 people get a $50 gift card.
Openings and Closings In the News
The Delorean has parked on South Broadway. Club promoters Scott Happel and Peter Ore are bringing the 1980s to Denver in the form of a neon-tinged bar. The drinks speak to the era with names including Cuckoo For Cocoa ($12) and the She-Ra Spritz tiki drink ($15 or keep the mug for $60). Snacks too pay homage to TV dinners of yore, think pizza rolls ($10), dino nuggets ($12), and an assortment of ‘80s candy ($10).
Inspired by Colombian nightlife, MDE Lounge has opened in Denver. With a focus on Medellin, the city in Columbia known as “eternal spring,” and serves an array of hamburgers, sandwiches, and cocktails.
Black Rock Coffee Bar just opened a location at 7630 W. 80th Ave., Arvada. Black Rock Coffee Bar was founded in Oregon and has 139 locations across seven states. The Arvada shop is the sixth in Colorado. On the independent side, Ms. Marji‘s is another coffee shop fresh to the Denver scene. The menu features basic coffees, pastries, and small bites, as well as a red hat mascot reminiscent of Carmen Sandiego.
The news is out, in Aurora, Real Thai Mile High brings Thai street food to the area. Look for the usual suspects as well as plenty of more elusive dishes such as a whole fried squid ($25.95) and khao man gai ($15.95), also known as Hainanese chicken rice.
In Greenwood Village, Honey Basil Express (9555 E. Arapahoe Road) just opened, serving Chinese food in a fast-casual setting. This is the second concept for the team, the first being Honey Basil on South Broadways. The group comes from the Denver restaurant Spicy Basil, which opened in 2003.
Hotel Indigo launched its third restaurant concept at 1801 Wewatta St. in Denver, after shuttering Mediterranean themed Three Saints Revival earlier in the year. This time the Sage Hospitality Group is going for an eatery inspired by the writer Jack Kerouac, hence the laidback moniker, Ambler. Expect the same ease through a menu of American dishes with international nuances.
After 20 years, Elway’s Cherry Creek will close. The reason, read a statement on the website, “The ongoing Cherry Creek Mall construction project requires our closure. Our plan is to continue to work with our development partners to determine a post-construction location. We have been honored to have been your dining choice throughout the years for special events and family celebrations and we hope to see you this month to thank you personally.”
Hopefully that news means it will be back in another spot. In the meantime, you have until August 31 to dine there. Or head to the still open Elway’s locations in The Ritz-Carlton downtown and in the Denver International Airport, which license the former quarterback’s name and recipes.
On the Menu
Now is the time to visit Federales in RiNo. For the whole month of August brunch food is half-off when purchasing the bottomless mimosas special, which includes 120 minutes of drinks for $25. The special is good Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Check out the new summer cocktail menu at Stranahan’s Distillery. The line up features the tea-forward Lady Grey, Shiitake That’s Good! with a special mushroom tincture, and Whiskey, Mango, Foxtrot, a sweet and spicy tipple.
The Detroit-style pizza shop VIA 313 just added a Jalapeño Poppa Pizza, available now until October 6. Excerpt a thick pie topped with whipped cream cheese, fresh jalapeños, bacon and sriracha hot honey.
Chef Paul C. Reilly’s Coperta has a new seasonal pasta, Ricotta Agnolotti with sweet pepper bolognese, corn, and parmesan. On the drink side, Wilde in Sunnyside now has dairy-free, organic horchata made in house, the perfect pairing with the stuffed churros. And for dessert, La Fillette Bakery in the Mayfair neighborhood has just put a S’mores Croissant Muffin ($7.70) on the menu. It looks dangerously good.
Event News
Show off your spelling skills at Adrift Tiki Bar’s Adult Spelling Bee on Thursday, August 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. First place gets $100 cash, second gets a $50 gift card to Adrift, and third get’s a punch bowl for two.
On Sunday, August 18, embrace a high-brow-low-brow side at Call Me Pearl’s Pearls Before Swine event. For $60 diners get unlimited oysters and roast pig, paired with 818 Tequila cocktails on the patio (drinks cost extra, but get $2 off 818 Tequila cocktails). Reserve here.
Head to Spinelli’s Market on August 18 for a 30th anniversary party that doubles as a neighborhood appreciation cookout. The event is free to attend, starts at 5 p.m., and includes burgers, sausages, veggie dogs, and hot dogs.
Future Events
In honor of Spirit Hound Distillers being open one year in Denver (3622 Tejon St., Denver), join the peach-themed party from August 23 to 25. Expect live music, peach-inspired vendors, and the debut of the distillery’s gluten-free Palisade Peach Vodka. Find the schedule online.
The BBQ Fest is back in town on August 23 and 24 in Civic Center Park. It’s free to attend and you pay-as-you-go, though each person 15 and older needs a ticket regardless. For unlimited bites, drinks, and other perks, the VIP tickets run $134. Expect vendors from all over the country, smoking a whopping 30,000 pounds of meat. Find more details and tickets here.
Denver Beer Co. celebrates 13 years with an anniversary celebration on August 24. The party runs from 2 to 7 p.m. at each of the five tap rooms. Expect special beer releases, food, and live music.
Save the date, Eat Denver’s Harvest Week is back from Monday, September 30 to Thursday, October 3 at Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse. More details to come.
