In this month’s cheat sheet, a new cool kids’ spot for late night eating and drinking has emerged, a globally inspired restaurant tucked underground debuted, and a high-end Cherry Creek convenience store that stirred online controversy. This is an excerpt from the New Denizen newsletter on Substack, published one month after subscribers receive the list. […]
It was a fleeting 36 hours in Barcelona, Spain, but I packed in as much eating and drinking as possible. Here’s a rundown of the restaurants and bars that made it into my dining schedule, and the pros and cons of each. Save for your next trip to Catalonia, or share with a friend who’s […]
Editor’s Note: On September 15, 2025 the Michelin Guide awarded Kizaki One MICHELIN Star. I visited the restaurant in July 2025. Denver restaurateur Toshi Kizaki — known for running several of the city’s most popular Japanese eateries – has opened a new, eponymous omakase counter, Kizaki. At 70 years old, he works on‑site four nights a […]
BearLeek is new globally-inspired restaurant in RiNo from Executive Chef Harrison Porter and Chef de Cuisine Rema Maaliki. The spot is tricky to find because it’s literally underground — you walk down a flight of stairs to reach the entrance of this moody space, with inky black walls bathed in an neon wash of red […]
In this month’s cheat sheet, a top vegan restaurant gets a sleek upgrade, a historic Colorado donut shop lands in Denver, and apartment building residents are annoyed by a rooftop cocktail bar. This is an excerpt from the New Denizen newsletter on Substack. Subscribe for free to be the first to get my curated lists […]
Of all the places I visited in Spain this summer, when my mind starts to wander, it often drifts back to the Alhambra. Perched on a hill overlooking Granada, the Sierra Nevada peaks rising behind it, this historic palace and fortress is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture — and I cannot overstate how awe-inspiring it […]
In this month’s cheat sheet, a Top Chef alum’s BBQ spot launches, Nepali flavors grow in RiNo, and a high-profile bar stirs things up in Sunnyside. This is an excerpt from the New Denizen newsletter on Substack. Subscribe for free to be the first to get my curated lists of new restaurant openings and recommendations. […]
Happy hour used to be all about giving diners a cheap way to fill up. Think fried apps, sugary drink specials, and empty calories at a bargain. But with fierce competition and diners growing more discerning, pricing alone no longer cuts it. Many restaurateurs now build loyalty by focusing on consistently quality food, not just […]
The Chef’s Counter at Hop Alley launched in February 2024 and shifted to a tasting menu format just over a year ago. The cuisine starts with Asian influences as its foundation but then branches out, with chefs Sean May and Josh Sanford pulling inspiration from across the globe to divine something new. During my meal […]
In this month’s new restaurant cheat sheet, an iconic sushi chef goes upscale and exclusive, a joyful Venezuelan spot keeps it deliciously affordable, and beer is now served in an old schoolhouse. This is an excerpt from the New Denizen newsletter on Substack. Subscribe for free to be the first to get my curated lists […]