The Japon roll and the Green Colfax roll.
Molly Martin
Coming off a very busy October that included over forty restaurant and bar openings, November is kicking off with ten new spots to check out, including another addition to East Colfax Avenue. Late last month, Ma’s Kitchen brought dim sum and noodles to Colfax and York; that same week, cocktail bar the Lowbeam made its debut in the former Middleman. Now, Japon is open right across the street, in the space that was formerly brunch favorite Fox Run Cafe.
Japon is a new Japanese spot from the owners of Ito Sushi Asian Bistro in Castle Rock. (It is unrelated to the long-gone Japon from Miki Hashimoto, and it has different owners than the Japon Sushi & Asian Cuisine that opened in Aurora in September.) Here, a large cherry blossom tree mural greets guests and the transformed space includes such thoughtful touches as fresh flowers on every table. Even the water is served with a thin slice of cucumber, a little bonus surprise.
On a visit this past week, the staff was incredibly friendly and we enjoyed edamame (available in spicy or garlic flavors); super crispy shrimp and veggie tempura; the spicy gyoza, which is topped with a bit of chile oil and is served over diced cucumber in a savory sauce; and a couple of the signature sushi rolls (the very rich Japon roll topped with crab meat and filled with barbecue eel, cream cheese and avocado, and the Green Colfax roll with spicy tuna that’s topped with avocado and crunchy flakes.
We’ll be back soon to try out the ramen, poke and bento boxes at this delightful addition to the neighborhood. Also coming soon to Colfax: a third outpost of Hong Kong Station.
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The Big Ass Mozz Stix from Boombots are sure to be a star on social media.
One of the most anticipated fall openings makes its debut this weekend as Boombots, a creative pasta shop from the owners of Odie B’s, officially opens following several test runs — check out our first look for a preview of what’s on the menu.
Platte Street is in the midst of a renaissance. Malinche Audiobar and the new location of the Devil’s Drink recently opened on this strip between LoDo and LoHi, and now there are two more additions: Insee Father Noodle House from the owners of Daughter Thai, and Colorado’s third Van Leeuwen scoop shop, which has taken over the former Inside Scoop, which had been serving the neighborhood for a decade. Its Littleton location remains open.
Two high-end spots welcomed their first official guests this week, including the Guest, a relaunched Market Street tasting-menu spot located inside the Regular event space. Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse is also now open in Cherry Creek, which has long been a hot spot for upscale steakhouses. This one is the first offshoot of the original in Oklahoma City, which opened back in 2014.
Patrons can order ahead online for easy pickup from Camino by Ultreia.
Over at Union Station, Ultreia chef and partner Adam Branz is now dishing out salads, bowls, and cold and hot bocadillos (sandwiches) made with traditional Iberian Peninsula ingredients from Spain and Portugal at the new Camino by Ultreia, grab-and-go, fast-casual kiosk.
Rounding out this week’s openings are the third location of bakery Hearth in Littleton; Azu Ramen, a family-owned joint in Aurora; and Origami Den, a speakeasy-style concept in the lower level of Sushi Hai created by local influencer Candies Liu (@candieseatsworld on Instagram).
There are also two closures to report this week. Smashburger, which was founded in Denver in 2007, shuttered its fifteen-year-old 16th Street location on the ground floor of the Tabor Center, where Mellow Mushroom also made an exit in March. Also gone is the sole Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q location outside of Florida, which had been open in the Tech Center for two decades.
In other openings and closings news:
The final savory course on the Guest’s current menu: a duck leg served among foraged plants.
Here’s the complete list of every restaurant and bar that opened and closed this week*:
Openings
Azu Ramen, 12600 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
Boombots Pasta Shop, 2647 West 38th Avenue
Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse, 2345 East Third Avenue
Camino by Ultreia at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
The Guest, 1432 Market Street
Hearth, 5610 South Curtice Street, Littleton
Insee Father Noodle House, 1700 Platte Street
Japon, 3550 East Colfax Avenue
Origami Den at Sushi Hai, 3600 West 32nd Avenue
Van Leeuwen, 1535 Platte Street
Closures
Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, 9393 East Dry Creek Road, Centennial
Smashburger, 1201 16th Street
*Or earlier and not previously reported.
Know of something we missed? Email cafe@westword.com.
Dining and Cooking