A vibrant, contemporary Mexican cocina will open its doors to the public on Monday, January 21, in the Arista Broomfield community. Meet Masa; with its bold ornamentation and fresh take on Mexican favorites, this new addition is a unique sibling to Hickory & Ash — Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group’s modern American concept located next door.

READ: Kevin Taylor Ditches White Tablecloths to Open First Restaurant in 10 Years

 

The 3,200-square-foot space appears to break the mold from what diners may have come to expect from a Mexican cocina. Offering a menu that incorporates ingredients from multiple regions south of the border, the open atmosphere is characterized by high ceilings, imported Mexican lanterns and playful, yet thoughtfully curated decor.

Guests may admire a custom mural by Denver tattoo artist, Mike Graves, depicting an agave plant, as well as calavera skull-inspired artwork and a hand-embroidered tapestry the Taylors found in Hidalgo, Mexico.

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Menu highlights will include a mixture of elevated essentials and less recognizable dishes including albondigas ($9)—braised meatballs with pickled peppers, chile rojo, cilantro and cojita, or Oaxacan Chile rellenos ($15) with cilantro rice, black beans and cinnamon tomato sauce. A selection of street tacos on house-made tortillas is available with fillings such as perfectly crispy fried tilapia with arbol chile salsa, lime mayonesa and cabbage slaw, or a vegetarian option with butternut squash, grilled chayote and smoked pepper salsa. The red mole chicken ($15) presents a mole with a more savory flavor profile to compliment a tender plate of chicken accompanied by squash, corn masa grits, pickled onions and cojita.

For dessert, opt for classic churros ($8) with a rich Mexican hot chocolate, or try the tres leches cake ($9) with pineapple, coconut and guava.

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An agave-focused bar program will feature over 30 tequilas and mezcals, a selection of craft cocktails, and Mexican beer and wine. Mezcal lovers may enjoy The Tarantula ($12), a refreshing cocktail with hibiscus aqua fresca, Fidencio mezcal, Chareau aloe liqueur and chapulines salt—a mix of toasted grasshoppers and spices. The Pepino Mojito ($12) focuses on spice over sweetness, with Bacardi Superiore rum, cucumber, mint and poblano. Meanwhile, the bar itself was created from repurposed midwestern bowling alley lanes and matches the restaurant’s bright overall aesthetic.

Inspired by Executive chef/partner Frank Blea and chef/partner Ryan Taylor’s own travels through Mexico and love of street food, Masa will be the newest addition to Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group’s lineup including Mila, Hickory & Ash, Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House and Limelight Supper Club & Lounge, as well as a catering operation within the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

Starting Monday, Masa will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Lunch service will begin on January 29. It is located at Arista Pl, Broomfield.

All photography by Elliott Trout.