Fall has kissed menus left and right, and for two restaurants, the news welcomes fresh chef appointments to ring in the season. Look for an anticipated bagel shop opening this week, as well as a brewery serving funky French-inspired global food. There’s a lot of stellar events we look forward to as well, though many are on October 12. Which will you choose?
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
Though the date hasn’t been solidified, Kura Sushi announced plans to open its first Colorado outpost at 1855 29th St. in Boulder. The mini-chain has spots all over the United States, serving sushi, ramen, and Japanese desserts.
Chef Caroline Glover (Annette, Traveling Mercies) has teamed up with mini-chain Birdcall for the month to help raise money for Southern Smoke Foundation. The partnership includes an exclusive sandwich, the Das Chicken Schnitzel, made with crispy chicken, pickled mustard seed dijonnaise, and an herbed coleslaw. One dollar from each sandwich sold goes to the organization, which helps support hospitality workers in many forms from mental health to understanding laws and regulations to financial aid.
Sunday Vinyl celebrated sous chef, David Almaraz. The Boulder native not only makes great food, but also donates his time to Sunshine Valley Kitchen, a program aimed at creating after-school meals for kids in need. At Nocturne, the jazz and supper club in RiNo, Travis Elliot has been appointed as executive chef. Elliot’s former roles include executive chef at Osteria Marco, executive sous chef at American Elm, sous chef at both Guard and Grace and Upward Projects, and chef de partie at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Also in chef news, Rob Monahan has officially taken the role as executive chef and chef de cuisine at Oak at Fourteenth on Pearl Street in Boulder. This is Monahan’s second run at OAK, which he worked at years ago. Before returning to the restaurant, he serves as chef de cuisine at Jax Fish House, followed by a role at Izakaya Amu, and then as a sous chef at Corrida.
Openings and Closings
News is chef Miles Odell has finally launched Odell’s Bagel in the Highland neighborhood. Taking over the former Denver Bread Co. spot (3200 Irving St.), the menu features naturally-leavened bagels, hand-sliced lox, and house-smoked meats such as koji-cured smoked beef pastrami. The bagel shop is meant to be a culmination of Odell’s Jewish heritage along with his Japanese fine-dining experience and affinity for bagel culture.
Just when we thought all combinations had been done, chef Adam Branz comes at us with French onion soup nachos and escargot wontons. Dubbed Cul-de Sac, the restaurant inside the Dewey Beer taproom in RiNo had a soft opening last week and will officially kick off on November 1. Branz, owner of Split Lip, an Eat Place, and a partner at Ultreia plans on making the menu center around French fare with an international comfort food twist.
Skiptown opened last Friday, giving RiNo a 50,000 square-foot, off-leash dog park, pet care facility, and bar. The venue (York Street Yards at 3833 Steele St., Denver) features indoor and outdoor parks, a splash pad, shaded areas, and plenty of seating for humans. Watch the pups play and grab a drink from the bar such as a local beer, coffee from Queen City Roasters, and cocktails.
Duets Tap and Grill (2403 Champa St.) officially opened, serving sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Owned by Kamry Gimmeson, Jessica Eliassen and Mike McNamara, the restaurant is located in the former MobCraft space, which used to house Liberati.
Park Burger in RiNo closed shop after its lease expired. But fans of the mini burger chain still have three other locations to visit.
On the Menu
Blue Pan Pizza released its pie of the month, the Emerald City Veggie. The Detroit-style pizza features house-made gorgonzola sauce, red onion, cremini mushrooms, feta, and pine nuts.
Federales Denver in RiNo just launched its Casita Pickup Window. The window is part of the tiny house, aka the casita, next to the main restaurant. It’s perfect for grabbing a quick bite or drink. The fall menu features pumpkin-spiced churros ($6), $2 tamales, and a walking taco.
Events In the News
Join the Fiesta al Aire Libre at Centro Mexican Kitchen on Friday, October 11 from 12 to 6 p.m. The outdoor party takes place on Centro’s open-air patio where guests can get tacos a la plancha to take and eat while strolling down Pearl Street. Choose between pork tacos (three for $10) or vegan green chile tacos (three for $7), plus all the toppings.
Forget GABF, head to Champagne Tiger this weekend for GABFFF, otherwise known as the Great American Bubbles and French Fry Festival. While the drag queen hosted event isn’t new, it’s the first time it has taken place at Champagne Tiger’s brick and mortar restaurant. Join the fun on Saturday, October 12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets run $69 per person, which includes all you can drink and eat. Reserve your spot here.
Celebrate nine years of Call to Arms Brewery with a special all-day party. It’s also the last day of Big Fest Energy, Oktoberfest edition. Join the fun on October 12 and indulge in the special fest beers, sausages from Lottie’s Meats and Provisions, mini cakes by The Denver Caker, Schatzi’s Pretzel, and live music by Jupiter Tea.
Dog lovers should head to The Original downtown for a special Puppies & Pancakes event on October 12 from 12 to 2 p.m. The McGregor Square restaurant has teamed up with Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue, who will have adoptable dogs available for a meet and greet. Diners’ own dogs are also invited to brunch on the patio as well.
Head to Traveling Mercies in the Stanley Marketplace (2501 Dallas St., Aurora) for a community happy hour to oppose Ordinance 309, which is on the Denver ballots this fall. Chefs Caroline Glover, Alex Seidel, and Andrea Frizzi host from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on October 16.
Mercantile Dining + Provision celebrates its 10 year anniversary with a special dinner on Thursday, October 24 with a one-night-only, ticketed event featuring dishes created by past Mercantile kitchen team members. The event starts at 6:30 pm with passed appetizers and a welcome cocktail by Patrick Murphy of Rootstalk and Radicto in Breckenridge, a former bar manager at Mercantile. It’s followed by a five-course seated dinner. A special selection of wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle. A limited number of tickets for the event are $195 per person and are available here.
