14 DECEMBER 12-18, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Fruition 1313 East Sixth Avenue 303-831-1962 fruitionrestaurant.com It’s been seventeen years since James Beard Award-winning chef/restaurateur Alex Se- idel opened Fruition, and if you think this spot is only for fancy nights out, it’s time to visit again. Despite its reputation as a cel- ebration spot, Fruition has always aimed to be more of a neighborhood bistro. Its current chef, Jarred Russell, came from a three-year stint at Thomas Keller’s lauded French Laun- dry, but he’s committed to Seidel’s mission of catering to regulars and newcomers alike with fun twists on familiar favorites. GetRight’s 6985 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge 303-345-0758 goodygetright.com GetRight’s got its start as a cottage bak- ery during the pandemic, gaining a loyal following that owners Matt Dulin and his wife, Lindsey Judd, worked to main- tain during the eleven months of delays they encountered trying to make their brick-and-mortar place a reality. In 2023, the spot fi nally opened, and fans have continued to line up for whatever it’s dishing out that day, from pastries and bread to scrumptious savory items like pizza and sandwiches, including a dreamy jambon beurre. Despite all the challenges, they defi nitely got this right. The Ginger Pig 4262 Lowell Boulevard 720-324-8416 gingerpig.com Former hockey player and lawyer Na- tascha Hess spent time living in China when she was younger and fell in love with the food. She started the Ginger Pig as a food truck specializing in Asian fare, and in 2020, she debuted her fi rst brick-and-mortar, adding a second take- out spot in Boulder in 2023. Now with a solid team in place, she’s been able to continue to travel back to Asia in order to continue learning — and adding new items to this spot’s lineup of street-food-inspired hits. The Greenwich 3258 Larimer Street 720-868-5006 thegreenwichdenver.com Originally from Greeley, Delores Tronco was part of the local dining scene for years before moving to New York City, where she opened the Banty Rooster. While that venture ulti- mately shut down because of COVID, it led to something new: a return to Denver, where Tronco opened the NYC-inspired Greenwich in RiNo. In 2024, Tronco and new executive chef Luke Miller revamped the concept, lean- ing into Italian fare with a focus on sourdough- crust pizza plus veggie-forward small plates. Hey Kiddo 4337 Tennyson Street 720-778-2977 hk-oy.com In 2023, the now Michelin-starred Id Est Hospitality group added a more casual spot to its roster with the opening of Hey Kiddo. Located on the third fl oor of the Asher, the aim was to create a place that’s “good and fun,” and damn, has the team delivered on that promise. The oysters, caviar and K-Town Fried Chicken may get you in the door, but you’ll keep coming back for the unexpected fl avors, hidden rooftop deck and Ok Yeah, the cocktail bar tucked into the back of the space. Lucina 2245 Kearney Street 720-814-1053 lucinaeatery.co In 2022, Create Cooking School co-owners Erasmo “Ras” Casiano and Diego Coconati opened this Latin eatery that specializes in the food on which the two were raised — which includes dishes inspired by Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Miami. Named for Casiano’s mother, the restaurant is a labor of love, with a bright and airy decor and a menu that includes hit after hit, from the mofongo to mussels with chorizo and the ever-changing weekend- only paella. Point Easy 2000 East 28th Avenue 303-291-1061 pointeasydenver.com Point Easy debuted in 2022 in the former Whittier Pub space, and it quickly cemented its place as a favorite in this historic neigh- borhood. The bright and welcoming space is matched by the bright and friendly service, all of which complement the seasonal menu highlighting local ingredients in ways that are upscale enough to feel special, but cozy and comforting enough for a weeknight meal. Bottom line: This place is easy to love. Revival Denver Public House 630 East 17th Avenue 720-524-7867 revival-denver.com Revival Denver Public House debuted in the former Avenue Grill space on East 17th in 2021. Despite a name that sounds a bit generic, this spot owned by chef Dan Viz- zard and his wife, Emily, is bursting with personality, from the hodgepodge of art and knickknacks to the Southern-inspired menu and the killer happy hour that includes some standout deals on favorites like Old Fashioneds and martinis, broiled oysters (go for the chorizo butter option), Hatch chile pimento dip and the crab pretzel, a large, round soft pretzel topped with blue crab, Old Bay and melted cheese. Somebody People 1165 South Broadway 719-674-0500 somebodypeople.com This brightly hued, plant-based eatery that debuted in 2019 feels casual and light- hearted, but the food is serious business, built on real vegetables, nuts and grains rather than relying on fake meats. Named for a line in a David Bowie song, it opens up a whole new world of light yet satisfying fare, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or neither, and it’s only gotten better since Monarch pop-up chef Justin Freeman, formerly of the Greenwich, stepped into the executive-chef role. Get a sample during its weekly Sunday Supper, which includes a multi-course meal for $38 per person. Spuntino 2639 West 32nd Avenue 303-433-0949 spuntinodenver.com Elliot Strathmann and his wife, chef Cind- hura Reddy, took over this intimate Italian eatery over a decade ago, expertly guided it through the pandemic and came out the other side — somehow with even more vigor for offering a dining experience that’s hard to beat from start to fi nish. Dishes are often infused with unexpected culinary touches from Reddy’s Indian heritage, and Strath- mann’s impressive collection (and knowl- edge) of Italian amari continues to grow, while staples like goat from El Regalo Ranch and creamy arancini have earned a place among the city’s most iconic bites. Count yourself lucky if this is your neighborhood spot, and make the trek if it’s not. Temaki Den 3350 Brighton Boulevard 303-200-0530 temakiden.com Sushi Den and its sister restaurants on South Pearl Street have long been the standard for high-end Japanese dining in Denver, so when group co-founder Toshi Kizaki and chef Kenta Kamo opened a spot inside the Source in RiNo, diners took notice. Now four years into its run, Temaki Den has a deserved reputation for excellence, dishing out aburi (or fl ame-seared sushi) and hand rolls (te- maki) assembled in front of diners who are instructed to eat quickly and effi ciently so as not to upset the delicate balance of the per- fect bite: crispy nori, warm rice and cool fi sh. Teocalli Cocina 5770 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada 303-923-3170 teocallicocina.com In 2019, Grant Hopfenspirger, son of the restaurateurs who created the local retro-diner chain Gunther Toody’s, opened Teocalli Cocina in Lafayette. In 2022, he debuted a second location of the Mexican eatery in Olde Town Arvada, in a space that had not been occupied since the closing of Griff’s Hamburgers in 2015. The addition has proven to be a hit, and while the tacos and margs are popular, be sure to explore the rest of the menu, which in- cludes such options as charred pasilla ribs, pozole verde and adobo tuna. Vine Street Pub and Brewery 1700 Vine Street 303-388-2337 mountainsunpub.com/location/ vine-street-pub-brewery Vine Street Pub, one of the Mountain Sun spots, has been brewing its own beer since 2012, which makes it a par- ticularly welcome hangout in Denver’s City Park neighborhood. A four-year closure starting in 2020 felt much, much longer to the spot’s loyal fans, who were ecstatic to hear of its reopening in June 2024. Thank- fully, many menu favorites returned, too, including the wings, burgers and hand-cut fries. A welcome addition: The formerly cash-only spot now accepts credit cards. Work & Class 2500 Larimer Street 303-292-0700 workandclassdenver.com In 2014, chef Dana Rodriguez co-founded Work & Class in a space created from re- cycled shipping containers in a part of town that wasn’t known as a hot spot — yet. A decade later, it still draws crowds in now- bustling RiNo. Rodriguez has gone on to make other big moves, including oversee- ing the culinary revamp of Casa Bonita and opening a new spot in the neighborhood, Carne, but Work & Class remains a master class in offering a square meal and a stiff drink at a fair price. ■ Martinis and oysters are a must at Revival’s happy hour. MOLLY MARTIN Eat Here continued from page 13
