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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Every month I update my list of every new and upcoming restaurant opening in and around the Denver area. After reviewing that list, I’ve compiled this list of the 9 new restaurants that opened in March 2025 that I think you should know about: This is an excerpt from the New Denizen newsletter on Substack. […]
By day, the sunny corner lot that houses Odell’s Bagels buzzes with morning regulars ordering expertly crafted open-faced sandwiches and bacon, egg, and cheeses while others quickly drop in to grab a coffee and an everything bagel with cream cheese to go. But when the sun starts to set, a transformation takes place. Entering the […]
As I announced in January, I’m keeping a list of every new and upcoming restaurant opening in and around the Denver area. I regularly update the list based on your tips and my research, and so far I’ve marked 36 restaurants, bars, or cafes that have opened their doors since January 1. But not all […]
NADC Burger, an Austin-based burger restaurant founded by pro skater Neen Williams and chef Phillip Frankland Lee (Sushi by Scratch Restaurants), opened its first Colorado location in Denver’s Larimer Square in mid-December. The concept grew from the two skating buddies’ post-session burger runs, where they’d brainstorm how to craft the perfect burger. Those daydreams led […]