Every Denver restaurant that opened or closed in September - Alo Japan

Romyo on Larimer Square brings a blend of Italian and Japanese cuisines.

Provided by B Public Relations

It’s been five months since I took on the role of Westword’s new food and drink editor, and what a whirlwind it’s been. Keeping up with all the comings and goings in Denver’s restaurant scene definitely keeps me on my toes and has opened my eyes to all the activity in our city each month.

This month, we reported on some notable closures, including the Briar Patch after only 14 months of giving it a go in Congress Park, as well as the sad end of an era with the original Lucero’s location in Clayton shutting its doors following the sale of the property. Looking south, a pair of Asian eateries hung it up, as well, with both Mian Fresh Noodle Bar and Mama Kim’s leaving the scene.

But while we watched 10 establishments depart, we also welcomed over 20 newcomers. The action in RiNo continues with the addition of the long-promised La Vie En Rose champagne bar from the team behind the neighboring Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club. And Denver Central Market continues its refresh with the addition of the Tiny Rino Treat House replacing High Point Creamery after its July departure.

In other ice cream news, the cult favorite Sadboy Creamery opened its pint-shop on Colfax as well.

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Speaking of refresh, Larimer Square got a major upgrade with the arrival of Bonanno Concepts’ Romyo taking over the long-vacant space that formerly housed Ted’s Montana Grill. The train-inspired design and creative mashup of Italian and Japanese cuisine is already drawing crowds both in and around the iconic corner.

Several of the restaurants we welcomed last month opened their doors after long permitting and regulatory processes, such as the much-delayed Good Girl Cafe and Bookstore, but we’re still waiting on the rebirth of House of Bread following a fire last year. Yet others seemed to sail straight through the process. The third installment of wing-king’s Fire on the Mountain replaced the former TAG Burger Bar in Central Park in just a few months. For new spot YGF Malatang, taking over the Mian Fresh Noodles space took mere weeks.

Of course it’s a new month, and with it a new round of expectations for the next big openings to announce. We had hoped to see Risica welcome diners by now, so we are anxiously awaiting that debut, if for the portafoglio sandwiches alone. Black Box Cafe and Holm are both eyeing November timeframes, too.

Here’s who we welcomed and said goodbye to in the last month:

A for-sale sign placed outside the original Lucero’s marks the end of an era for the 64-year-old Denver staple.

Openings

303 Ramen, 8025 Sheridan Blvd., Arvada
Call Your Mother Deli, 5074 E. Hampden Ave.
Cha’s Café & Atelier, 925 W. Eighth Ave.
Fire on the Mountain, 10155 E. 29th Drive
Flat Six Coffee, 1394 S. Acoma St.
Good Girl Cafe and Bookstore, 2807 S. Broadway
La Vie En Rose, 1336 27th St.
Neo’s Latin Kitchen, 1818 E. Colfax Ave.
Peach & Jack’s Bar & Grill, 776 Lincoln St.
Pho Tumi, 8283 S. Akron St., Centennial
Raising Cane’s, 7375 W. 88th Ave., Westminster
Romyo, 1401 Larimer St.
Sadboy Creamery, 1201 E. Colfax Ave.
Summit Tacos, 1149 13th St., Boulder
Sweet Time Coffee, 3107 Colfax Ave.
Terruño Ancestral Spirits, 1526 Blake St.
The Loco Potato, 12161 Sheridan Blvd., Broomfield
Tiny Rino Treat House, 2669 Larimer St.
YGF Malatang, 7350 E. Hampden Ave.
Yemen Grill, 1135 E. Evans Ave. (reopened)

Closures

BoxBox, 5038 E. Colfax Ave.
Briar Patch, 1222 Madison St.
Good Bread, 1515 Madison St.
Lucero’s, 3657 Fillmore St.
Mama Kim, 8745 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village
Mestizo Brew Cantina, 6800 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge
Mian Fresh Noodle Bar, 7350 E. Hampden Ave.
Natuur, 3712 W. 32nd Ave. / 1525 N. Raleigh St.
Smoothie King, 22651 E. Aurora Pkwy, Aurora
Starbucks, multiple locations
Western Sky Bar & Taproom, 4361 S. Broadway, Englewood

*Or earlier, and not listed in a previous Restaurant Roll Call

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