Chef Dana Rodriguez closes Cantina Loca in Denver

Celebrated Denver chef Dana Rodriguez has decided to close one of her restaurants. Cantina Loca, at 2890 Zuni St., opened in January 2022 and was billed as Rodriguez’s first solo restaurant project. It specialized in tacos, tequila and mezcal. As of Thursday, it is closed. Cantina Loca is for sale with the intent to transfer … Read more

Rolling Pin Pizza and Eat’Ya Pizza both open in Denver

Denver recently beat out New York, Chicago and Detroit to take the top spot on a controversial list of the best pizza cities in the country. How did it happen? A data team from a company called Clever Real Estate tallied up Yelp ratings and the average price for a large cheese pizza, along with … Read more

BrewDog opens first-ever franchised brewpub in Denver

BrewDog, the Scottish-born beer maker that was founded based on a brash attitude and big beers, has teamed up with a family-owned holding company on a new location in Denver. It’s the first time BrewDog has licensed its name and beers to a franchisee in the United States. BrewDog Denver, 3950 Wynkoop St., opens at … Read more

Safieddine plans Mexican restaurant in LoDo building bought last year

Francois Safieddine is staying busy. The Denver restaurateur behind concepts like ViewHouse and the recently opened Wonder + Yard is planning a Mexican restaurant in a LoDo building he bought last September. According to a liquor and dance cabaret license application submitted to the city, Safieddine intends to open a Mexican restaurant at 1620 Wazee … Read more

Longmont’s first food hall, Parkway Food Hall, opens in May

When a group of investors announced they’d be opening Longmont’s first food hall this year, a flood of more than 100 applications from local food vendors came rushing in. They’ve since narrowed it down to eight food stalls at Parkway Food Hall, set to open Memorial Day weekend at 700 Ken Pratt Blvd., including Baa … Read more

Denver’s Renegade Brewing announces closure

The wave of recent local brewery closings has pulled another into the undertow. On Monday, Renegade Brewing Co. (925 W. Ninth Ave., Denver) announced it will close in just a couple of weeks, on May 3. The social media post suggested the closure came as a surprise to ownership. Michael Mulcahy, managing partner with Silver … Read more

Restaurant Olivia opening second Italian spot Emilia in RiNo Denver

With weekends booked out months in advance, Restaurant Olivia is one of the hottest tables in town. Chef Ty Leon, Austin Caron and Heather Morrison opened the Italian eatery in Washington Park in 2020, earning a spot as one of 30 recommended restaurants in the inaugural Michelin Guide last year. The restaurant hand-makes 10-12 pounds … Read more

Colorado teahouse trains, employs people with special needs

Five-year-old Avery Bland may not be able to express herself in a typical way, but when the youngster rolls into her new namesake teahouse in Loveland, it’s clear that she’s pretty darn happy. Avery is nonverbal, blind and wheelchair-bound. “She smiles the entire time, and she squeals while she’s there,” said mom Kristen Bland, who … Read more

Peckish wings, a CU Buffs favorite, plans Denver location

University of Colorado football star Shedeur Sanders has stopped into Peckish for wings. So has his food-loving dad. Buffs teammates Travis Hunter and Dylan Edwards have also come by, along with CU basketball player KJ Simpson – and dozens of other college athletes. In fact, a sponsorship by the Boulder restaurant, at 1320 College Ave., … Read more

Chop Shop closing East Colfax location after 10 years

Chop Shop is ending its 10-year run on East Colfax Avenue. The casual urban eatery will hold its last day of service at its original location on Sunday, April 7. “We were at the end of our 10-year lease, and we had the option to renew at market value,” chef and co-owner Clint Wangsnes told … Read more