As the New Year approaches, we are pleased to report that the Mile High’s juggernaut food and beverage industries show no sign of slowing down. No doubt the twenty-tens is shaping up to be a watershed decade for Denver in more ways than one, but the many advancements in our city’s culinary arts are a sure boost for tourism and help make life here fuller––both literally and figuratively. There is much more on the horizon to be sure, but for now here are some new developments to keep in mind for the weeks ahead as we close out 2015 and begin 2016.

Acorn Gears Up to Open Brider

Brider, 303 Magazine, new restaurants, Acorn, Brider denver

Brider. Photo by Tristan Chan.

Where: 1644 Platte St, Denver

When: Grand Opening on January 4, 2016

The Low Down: Just as Executive Chef Steven Redzikowski and Beverage Director Bryan Dayton are busy celebrating the fifth anniversary of their restaurant Oak, they are preparing to open their third concept, Brider, in the coming weeks. Housed on the first floor of the new Nichols Building on Platte Street in LoHi, the fast-casual concept welcomed its first customers for a soft opening this week. Keep on the lookout for the grand opening of the latest venture — that will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner — from one of Denver’s most respected fine dining teams in early 2016.

Onefold Rolls Out Lunch Menu

Onefold lunch

Photo by Romeo Fernandez.

Where: 1420 E 18th Ave, Denver

The Low Down: Mark and Terese Nery quietly bought and restored a shuttered Quiznos franchise on East 18th Avenue last February, turning it into one of the most refreshing new breakfast restaurants the city has seen in a while. Dishes like the Bacon Fried Rice and Congee have helped to distinguish Onefold from other breakfast/brunch eateries in its first year, and now the restaurant is a few weeks into offering a slender lunch menu that one hopes will continue to build upon its reputation as a small neighborhood establishment with a lot of character, charm, and crazy-good food. It is exciting to see PhoTaiwanese Beef Noodle Soup and Carne Asada in Onefold’s new lineup, and we trust that Onefold’s Vietnamese Iced Coffee will taste just as good with some duck-fat fried Salt and Pepper chicken wings or Chicken Adobo as it does with the breakfast burrito.

Stoic and Genuine Rolls Out Lunch Menu

Stoic & Genuine.

Oysters at Stoic & Genuine. Photo by Brittany Werges.

Words by Brittany Werges

Where: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver

The Low Down: This week, Stoic & Genuine’s motto “no ocean, no worries,” extends to lunch with the release of a new menu. Featuring an array of its trademark high-quality seafood, the afternoon menu includes a pairing of fish and salad ($19.50) with options like Japanese hamachi and Skuna Bay salmon with salads such as The Med made with arugula, artichokes, crispy shallots, piquillo peppers and feta. Sandwiches, including a lobster roll ($23), Oyster Po’ Boy ($15), along with main dishes like Fish & Chips ($14) and scallop tacos ($18.50) round out the lunch offerings. Stoic & Genuine will also have its diverse selection oysters ready for shucking for those seeking a more indulgent afternoon.

Cheese + Provision Opens

CHEESE + PROVISIONS

CHEESE + PROVISIONS

Where: 2432 W. 44th Ave, Denver

The Low Down: Fast on the heels of Bacon Social House’s launch last month, the revitalization of Cobbler’s Corner in Sunnyside inches closer to completion with the opening of Cheese + Provisions, an artisan-supplied shop that focuses on American Farmstead Cheeses. Founder/owner Steve Duty will share operating duties with his wife Kim Duty and put to the test his years of experience as a chef, cheese and winemaker and one-time farmer. Acquainted as the Dutys are with the ins-and-outs of what it means to be an artisan food producer, they are eager to facilitate the introduction of new flavors and pairings to any and all cheese-lovers in Denver.

GoodBird Kitchen to Open in Longmontthe post

Where: 105 W Emma St, Lafayette

The Low Down: In December of last year we had the opportunity to sit down with the creative team behind Lafayette’s The Post Brewing Co., followed by a hearty meal of fried chicken and beer. If a bit off-the-beaten-path for those based in the city, the Post is nevertheless enriched by a down-home approach to family dining and that familiar rustic appeal that seems to be part and parcel of the brewpub identity — and we’ve found that the restaurant continues to please. While we may have to wait a little longer for a Denver location, the Big Red F Restaurant Group is set to open GoodBird Kitchen, described as the “irreverent younger brother” of the Post in Longmont January 5. The beer and food programs will closely resemble those of the Post, differing mainly in the offering of complete fried and rotisserie chicken platters with a main dish, side, and a biscuit.

New Belgium, Ben & Jerry’s Donate $100K to Climate Advocacy Group

New Belgium beers. Photo by Camille Breslin.

New Belgium beers. Photo by Camille Breslin.

The Low Down: East meets west in the partnership between the Fort Collins brew titans, New Belgium, and the ever-popular Vermont ice cream makers Ben & Jerry’s. The two teamed up to co-create a small-batch Salted Caramel Brownie Ale beer and ice cream flavor as a symbol of their mutual appreciation, but also to celebrate their collective contribution to climate advocacy group Protect Our Winters. Last week at an event held at Stoney’s Bar and Grill, representatives from both companies presented a $100,000 check to Protect Our Winters (POW), which was started by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones in 2007, and aims to engage the snow sports community in the push for climate change awareness.