I’ve had fun eating at some restaurants I haven’t dined at in a while and also trying some new ones in the Grand Valley.
It’s always a challenge to balance returning to old favorites while keeping up on the new places.
Here are four restaurants I’ve recently revisited and an overview of some new ones coming up.
Bistro 317 — The downtown Grand Junction French restaurant, Bistro 317, 317 Main St., has a new chef and owner. (The pastry chef is the same.) I swung by there for lunch one day and enjoyed sitting outside with a friend. The tomato tarte tatin was delightful! This puffed pastry topped with olives and tomatoes paired beautifully with a crisp, French white wine. I also got a salad and admired all the beautiful pastries on display. I look forward to returning and getting a scrumptious almond croissant.
Blue Moon Bar & Grille — This Grand Junction favorite has been in business at 120 N. Seventh St. since 1987. (Almost 40 years!) It continues to be a people pleaser. I like ordering the flaming saganaki cheese appetizer — I ask for pita instead of bread, but both are good. Burgers, gyro, salads, great fries and more make this friendly diner a solid choice for lunch, happy hour or dinner.
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel
A gyro and salad make for a tasty combo at Blue Moon Bar & Grille, 120 N. Seventh St.
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel
Josephine’s — Fruita welcomed this new Italian restaurant in 2025 and it has been quite popular. Josephine’s, 169 Mulberry St., features high ceilings and concrete floors, so it can get a bit loud with lively crowds. If you want a cozier atmosphere, you can enjoy the front patio. Wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads and desserts are some of the menu items. Don’t miss the roasted carrot appetizer and the delightful pignoli (pine nut) cookies with a chewy, almond paste center.
Namaste Nepal — I’ve been going to this delicious Nepalese/Tibetan/Indian restaurant in Orchard Mesa, 2692 U.S. Highway 50, since it opened many years ago. Everything is made from scratch, so settle in and prepare to take your time. Be sure to order the Tibetan momo’s (dumplings) as they are such a unique and savory delight. I’ve tried many different foods there over the years and some of my family’s favorites are the creamy vegetable korma, Tandoori chicken, Kashmiri naan and the lamb vindaloo. One note: The restaurant no longer has the buffet that was so beloved, and I’m hopeful the “no buffet” signs can be removed along with all the unused equipment inside. I would love to see Namaste Nepal move forward with an updated interior to go with its wonderful food.
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel
The veggie momo’s (dumplings) at Namaste Nepal in Orchard Mesa, 2692 U.S. Highway 50, are a delicious treat.
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel
Other places in the Grand Junction to explore this year (in alphabetical order):
Junct’n Square Pizza — The new owners have officially opened at 626 Rood Ave. It offers lunch and dinner and is open until midnight on Friday and Saturdays. A Sunday brunch menu will be happening in the near future, too. Menu items include a Detroit-style, deep-dish pizza and antipasto salad. I’m happy Junct’n Square has reopened the tucked-away, private side patio. It’s a lovely spot, and I look forward to dining there in the near future.
Sitto’s — Do you remember the yummy Syrian/Arabic food truck called Sitto’s? (The name means “Grandma” in Syrian Arabic.) The truck broke down a while back, and the chef/owner purchased a space in Cottonwood Mall, 2493 U.S Highway 6, that formerly was home to the Outlaw Cafe. There’s a lot of construction to be done and the owner is hopeful to open by the end of the year. I am thrilled that we will have a Middle Eastern restaurant in the Grand Valley, and I am guessing it will be a tasty hit.
Teriyaki Madness — This national, fast-casual chain is coming to Grand Junction at some point this year. Menu items include a variety of rice bowls and appetizers. It will be located at 2691 Patterson Road, the former Which Wich location. Other new franchises will be Panera Bread and Jamba Juice on Colorado Mesa University’s campus. Panda Express launched its second location recently in Clifton.
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel
Carrots and an Aperol Spritz are a colorful combo at Josephine’s, 169 Mulberry St., a new Italian restaurant in Fruita.
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel
The Roost — Newly opened, this restaurant in Grand Junction will surely be a welcome addition to downtown. It’s located in the Alpine Bank building, 225 N. Fifth St., next to the large statue of an eagle. The Roost is currently in its “soft opening” phase. It is serving lunch now and dinner service will be forthcoming. The space is light and inviting, parking is easy and there is a large front patio to enjoy. The owner also runs The Goat restaurant in Carbondale.
Tiki Bird — This eagerly-awaited restaurant in downtown Grand Junction by the talented chef/owners of Pêche in Palisade hopes to open this month. Tiki Bird will be in the renovated space where the former Junct’n Square Pizza was located: 119 N. Seventh St. The owners have been doing extensive remodeling, and I’m definitely looking forward to checking it out. I’m guessing it will be pretty fabulous!
What are some of your favorite restaurants to return to and which new places are you looking forward to trying?
It’s time for me to head back to The Winery restaurant and enjoy a cocktail with the smoked salmon appetizer in the beautiful lounge, to check out Moody’s for its new lunch hours, to bop over to Suehiro’s and sit at the fun traditional Japanese tables, and to grab a breakfast burrito (with tater tots inside!) at Lil’ Richards’ food truck.
In addition, I am planning to go to Fruita and buy some of the delicious breads and pastries at The Bread Mine.
There sure are a lot of terrific choices out there!
Email Christine Gallagher at allthingsfoodchristine@gmail.com.
Dining and Cooking