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Denver Westword •

Another Round of Fees on Beer, Wine and Spirits Proposed at Colorado Legislature

A proposal to implement a series of fees on beer, wine and spirits manufactured and distributed in Colorado is back at the Colorado Legislature for another round. 
Dubbed the Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery Enterprises Act, the bill seeks to collect 5 cents per gallon of beer or cider, 35 cents per liter of spirits, and 7 cents per liter of wine from Colorado manufacturers and distributors. The state would use the resulting revenue to fund a variety of programs for the prevention and tr...
Denver Westword •

Food, Music and Community: Puerto Rican Social Club Opening In Denver

Among the many scenes of Puerto Rican culture on display during the much-watched-and-debated Super Bowl halftime show was Bad Bunny doing a shot served by an 85-year-old woman. 
That was no actress, but Maria Antonia “Toñita” Cay, owner of the legendary Caribbean Social Club in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s one of the last surviving Puerto Rican social clubs in New York. 
And now, Denver is getting one: Brooklyn native Christy Rivera, along with husband Ben Oakes and friend Terwanda McMoore, are...
Denver Westword •

Meet the Man Behind Denver's Hummus to Die For

Foodies like to throw around words like “obsession” when discussing their favorite dishes. But few will fly into a literal war zone to follow that obsession, as Brady Weinstein did. 
Last May, the founder and sole operator of Hummus Capara, a local cult favorite, scheduled the latest of his semi-regular research trips to the Middle East — he calls them “hummus quests” — at a time that happened to coincide with Israel’s military surge in Gaza. 
“I almost wasn’t able to get over because a rocket f...
Denver Westword •

Leven Supply to Reopen February 20 After Tax Seizure  

Well… that didn’t take long.
For those of you dismayed over the sudden closure of Leven Supply on February 17 after the State of Colorado seized the Washington Park spot over unpaid taxes — or perhaps hoping to score some equipment and supplies in a potential auction to cover the debt — this chapter appears to have come to a rapid end. 
According to owner Anthony Lygizos, Leven Supply will reopen its doors tomorrow. 
“We are thrilled to share that we are reopening Leven Supply tomorrow, February...
Denver Westword •

Rising Chefs Will Show Off Their Skills at Pop-Up Series

Last year, a pair of Denver chefs launched a culinary incubator program called Up NXT DEN designed to highlight up-and-coming cooks, new concepts, and act as a catalyst for the next generation of Denver’s dining scene. 
The brainchild of Bruto alumni Brandon Soto and Silvino Sanchez, the one-month pop-up series held at Koko Ni played host to such talents as Rema Maaliki (now co-owner and chef de cuisine of Bear Leek), Cheyenne Langis (now CDC of Dio Mio) and Yna Zuniga (Bruto’s former pastry che...
Denver Westword •

Popular Wash Park Deli Seized for Unpaid Taxes, Wage Withholding 

It’s been over a year since Leven Deli expanded its brand and operations to the Leven Supply in Wash Park and by all indications, the offshoot has proven a success. Its addition of pizza to the Leven lineup has won a loyal following (along with what might be the best oatmeal raisin cookies in the city), and last August, it tacked on a wine club subscription. 
So it comes as no small shock to learn that Leven Supply has been seized by the State of Colorado for non-payment of taxes. According to t...
Denver Westword •

Aurora Eateries Are Now Eyeing the Michelin Spotlight

Three years ago, the Michelin Guide launched its first Colorado edition and those who have been included in the years since say that the attention has greatly benefited the dining scene and its national culinary reputation. 
But that impact didn’t reach far. Initially, the guide’s inspectors were limited to the very specific cities of Denver, Boulder, Aspen/Snowmass, Vail and Beaver Creek — all of which agreed to foot the bill for the marketing costs associated with launching in a new market. Th...
Denver Westword •

What It Really Takes to Open a Restaurant In Denver Today

On January 29, Dear Emilia, the highly anticipated new restaurant in RiNo, celebrated its grand opening.
As the ownership trio of chef Ty Leon, hospitality director Heather Morrison and Austin Carson cut the ceremonial ribbon, their eyes beamed a mixture of pride and weariness, their laughs a cathartic release. To the public, the event marked the start of the group’s second restaurant since the 2020 debut of Wash Park pasta temple Restaurant Olivia. But for the team, it was the end of a long, gr...
Denver Westword •

Italian Eatery Dear Emilia Is Now Open — Does Denver Deserve It?

Denver has seen no shortage of new Italian restaurants in the last few months, including Johnny Bechamel’s, a fun, modern spin on Italian American fare, and Florence Supper Club, an ode to the beloved red sauce joints of the East Coast.
But the January 29 opening of the long-awaited Dear Emilia in RiNo from the restaurant team that gave us Restaurant Olivia — chef Ty Leon, hospitality director Heather Morrison, and Austin Carson — offers a decidedly alternative view, one that looks past America...
Denver Westword •

Has the Colorado Michelin Guide Paid Off for Restaurants?

It’s been three years since Michelin Guide inspectors arrived in Colorado, bringing with them a new level of scrutiny and attention to the state’s rapidly evolving culinary scene — which just yesterday earned a record number of James Beard Award semifinalists. 
Since 2023, there’s been no shortage of Michelin Stars and snubs, not to mention head-scratching decisions about coverage boundaries and category definitions. The Guide now includes the state’s first two-Star honor for Id Est Hospitality...
Denver Westword •

I Ate at Every Restaurant on Aurora’s Havana Street: Here’s What I Learned

Once a week over the past year, I’ve made the drive from the south end of Havana Street in Aurora north towards Sixth Avenue to visit a different restaurant along what has been called the most diverse street in Colorado for Westword’s Eat Up Havana series. 
On my last trip up this stretch to visit the final stop in this culinary adventure, shortly after Hamden Avenue turns sharply north to become Havana Street, I passed the same Olive Garden near the intersection of Havana and Iliff as I have ev...
Denver Westword •

As Denver-Area Red Sauce Joints Shutter, This Littleton Mainstay Is Expanding

In many major metropolitan areas of the U.S., like New York and San Francisco, Little Italy sits next to Chinatown. In Littleton, there was just Robert’s Italian Deli and Wu’s Garden Chinese restaurant sitting side by side in the same suburban strip mall for nearly 25 years. 
But, as we reported in August, Wu’s Garden was forced to close after the strip mall’s new owner declined to renew its lease, offering Robert’s Italian right of first refusal to assume occupancy of both the old Wu’s as well...
Denver Westword •

Eat Up Havana: Carniceria Aurora Has New Digs, and an In-Store Restaurant

Over a decade ago, former Westword food editor Mark Antonation began his food-writing career by eating his way up Federal Boulevard. Now, we’re turning our attention to another vibrant culinary corridor.
The four-plus-mile stretch of Havana Street between Dartmouth and Sixth Avenue in Aurora is home to the most diverse array of international cuisine available in the metro area. From restaurants and markets to take-and-go shops and stands, food lovers of nearly any ethnicity or interest can find...
Denver Westword •

No Reservations? No Problem! Popular Sushi Spot Adds Walk-In Omakase Experience

Omakase experiences are all the rage in Denver right now, but reservations at spots like Michelin-starred Kizaki can be tough to come by. Being able to just walk in for an omakase-style meal is a rarity in today’s well-planned, digitally curated dining environment. But chefs Toshi and Yasu Kizaki of Sushi Den and Izakaya Den fame are taking steps to bring back at least a hint of spontaneity. 
There was a time when a sushi omakase experience didn’t require a reservation made months in advance. Ba...
Denver Westword •

This Chinese Restaurant Is Livestreaming Its Attempt to Save the Family Business

People love reality TV about struggling restaurants, like Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Confidential and Bar Rescue. 
But Jade Cafe in southwest Denver isn’t inviting any celebrity screamers into its house. Instead, this American-Chinese institution, family owned and operated for 38 years, is hoping avoid landing on the list of restaurant closures by livestreaming its dinner service on TikTok.
It’s all part of a developing master plan led by Phu Nguyen, the third family member to take the reins of the...
Denver Westword •

Eat Up Havana: Geez Habesha Is Hard To Find, But Easy To Enjoy

Over a decade ago, former Westword food editor Mark Antonation began his food-writing career by eating his way up Federal Boulevard. Now, we’re turning our attention to another vibrant culinary corridor.
The four-plus-mile stretch of Havana Street between Dartmouth and Sixth Avenue in Aurora is home to the most diverse array of international cuisine available in the metro area. From restaurants and markets to take-and-go shops and stands, food lovers of nearly any ethnicity or interest can find...
Denver Westword •

Resolve to Be a Better Diner in 2026 With These Pro Tips

With 2026 just around the corner, now’s a good time for Denver diners to make a few resolutions to help ensure they have the best dining experiences of their lives in the year ahead. 

The fact is, while dining out can often be an enjoyable, engaging, and delicious experience, it sometimes falls short of expectations. The reasons why vary. In some cases, the restaurant just blows it. But in most cases, diners can stack the odds in their favor and increase their chances for satisfaction with just...
Denver Westword •

Eat Up Havana: New Latin Spot Stars Fresh-Baked Empanadas

If you ever find yourself at Orejano Casual Latin Cuisine on Aurora’s Havana Street, you’ll soon discover that there are empanadas, and then there are empanadas. The minute you walk into the former SteveO’s Pizza & Ribs space, you’ll see the difference before you even taste it. Unlike nearly every other empanada joint in the city, you won’t find a glass display case piled with the backed hand pies here. That’s because each order is made fresh, which makes a bigger difference than you might think.
Denver Westword •

Historic Edgewater Bar Seeking New Tenants…Again 

It’s not uncommon to hear from Denver restaurant owners bemoaning the price of real estate. But landlords have their share of beef as well. Let’s face it, as much as we love our homegrown bars, cafes and diners, sometimes they don’t pay rent.

Take the space at the iconic address of 5280 West 25th Avenue in Edgewater. Great neighborhood, corner spot and a street number to die for. But for landlord Natalie Jolin, finding a stable tenant has proven harder than expected after she inherited the prop...
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