New Restaurant Cheat Sheet: Apr 2026 Report
A Michelin-recognized duo brings ramen and sushi to East Boulder, a Mexican concept moves into Denver’s fanciest mall, and a new bar and clubhouse serves up Millennial nostalgia.
Happy Cinco de Mayo! I don’t have my own guide for the holiday, but Dining Out Denver has an extensive list of ideas on where to eat today if you are looking to celebrate.
Has anyone else been very obsessed with the new season of Beef on Netflix? It (along with the Count of Monte Cristo on PBS) is one of my favorite shows on TV right now. We’re talking Succession and Better Call Saul level of storytelling. The White Lotus could never! The writing is incredibly sharp and every tiny element – from word choice to costume design – is 100% deliberate and imbued with meaning. An absolute wild ride of a limited series. Showrunner Lee Sung Jin deserves to win all of the awards.
Alrighty enough about TV – let’s dive into this month’s report!
Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
3 new Denver and Boulder restaurants & bars you should know about
3 links that made me laugh, cry, or say whaaaat?
One final craving (a yummy rendition of a classic Northern Thai dish)
3 new restaurants & bars you should know about
I keep a list of new and upcoming restaurant openings in and around the Denver area and every few weeks I filter through them to find the ones you actually need to know about. The last month’s openings calendar was sparse, so here’s my short-but-sweet list of notable spots that started welcoming guests in April:
New restaurant concepts
1. Odd Rabbit - East Boulder: New ramen and sushi spot from a Michelin-recognized duo
Christopher and Ariana Teigland just doubled the size of their restaurant group by going further north with the launch of Odd Rabbit, which opened in East Boulder at the very end of April. This latest concept is part of the retail component of the newly constructed Weathervane apartment complex. While the duo has maintained Michelin Bib Gourmand status for the last three years at their Highlands ramen spot, Glo Noodle House, their newest venture takes on a fresh set of challenges. Most notably, they are moving into the world of nigiri and temaki by putting Stephen Nguyen – formerly of Temaki Den and Uncle – in charge of the sushi program at the new spot.
Vibe: The restaurant occupies a sizable 3,500-square-foot space, complemented by a spacious patio perfect for warmer weather. Designed by Arrow B Architecture, the same firm behind MAKfam and Taco Uprising, the interior features a moody palette of dark wood and black seating. The atmosphere gets a bit of funky flair from colorful murals from artists Kyla Cecillia and Brandon Vargas. One wall in the main dining room displays glowing neon-red fish X-rays, while another piece draws from Ainu folklore, depicting a group of crabs battling a mythical Akkorokamui as it emerges from the sea.
What’s on the menu: While fans of the Teiglands’ Glo Noodle House can still find the noodles they love, the ramen section here is limited to a handful of dishes exclusive to Odd Rabbit. This includes a rabbit confit shio ramen and a shoyu broth topped with crispy chili-glaze chicken. For the sushi, there’s a dedicated menu of nigiri and hand rolls that feature hamachi and scallops from Japan, Spanish tuna, Scottish salmon, and Colorado wagyu. For guests who want something more substantial, larger fish and pork dishes, as well as a double cheeseburger round out the menu. As Christopher Teigland notes, “Ultimately, our goal was to create a menu that excites everyone at the table.” He adds, “The cheeseburger ensures everyone feels included, and it just so happens to be incredibly delicious.” The beverage program is led by bar manager Ali Özkay, whose cocktail list features global influences like the sesame fat-washed bourbon in “Orochi’s Revenge.” For those seeking a woodsy, vegetal profile, the gin-based “White Rabbit” combines mastic and Suze, while several zero-proof options ensure the bar is accessible to all.
2. Ash & Agave - Cherry Creek: Mexican cuisine hits Denver’s fanciest mall*
Located on the ground floor of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Ash & Agave made its debut in early April. As the latest concept from Shucking Good Hospitality, the restaurant occupies the former California Pizza Kitchen space, which has been extensively upgraded to provide a more upscale, full-service atmosphere. By building out a full bar and carving out discrete dining sections, the space reads as a full-blown, stand-alone restaurant rather than a spot designed as a mid-shopping pit stop. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful when they can be, but like so many new restaurants, it is still finding its groove. Service can slow down significantly once the dinner rush starts, so just plan on bringing your patience if you’re there on a weekend.
Vibe: The space is inspired by the Mexican Riviera, designed to mimic the feel of a resort. Bell-shaped wicker lampshades hang over cushy booths in the main dining room, while agave plants (natch) are scattered throughout to complete the look. The cast of characters dining there is diverse; on any given day, you’ll see everything from a lively children’s birthday party on the patio to mall employees grabbing a post-shift bite. In fact, with over 1,000 people working at the shopping center, they’ve quickly become part of the core clientele. If you’re looking for a spot at the bar, timing is everything – the ladies from Neiman Marcus have been known to claim the entire rail the moment their shift ends.
What’s on the menu: There are plenty of starters to choose from, but the queso fundido featuring chorizo and mushrooms is a nice way to begin. If you’re into guacamole, go with a simple order of chips and guac instead of the harder-to-eat guacamole dip with cheesy nachos. Pass over the tacos and enchiladas in favor of the wood-fire grill entrees, specifically the beef barbacoa. It features a tender braised short rib in salsa guajillo that our server said was reminiscent of his mom’s home cooking. If you prefer seafood, the flame-kissed Pacific sea bass a la Veracruz with green olives and serrano peppers is a nice choice. To drink, a low-stakes way to try out their margs is to take advantage of the $8 happy hour pricing for a “mini” version (the toasted coconut version is the most compelling).
Bars, cafes, and coffee shops
3. Good Luck Club - Platt Park: A new bar serving up Millennial nostalgia
After facing city permitting delays that pushed back their initial winter 2026 opening, the team behind Good Luck Club drummed up some buzz through a series of February pop-ups around town. They finally opened their doors for their “adult clubhouse” on April 2nd. This marks the fourth Colorado venture for the LA-based Pouring With Heart hospitality group, adding to a local portfolio that includes downtown spots like Seven Grand and Emerald Eye.
Vibe: The atmosphere is a dedicated tribute to Y2K nostalgia, designed to feel like a high-energy hangout from the turn of the millennium. The space features year-round Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling and a vintage lounge area complete with an old-school TV and a Nintendo console for playing rounds of Mario Kart. Even the restrooms summon the spirit of “Oops!... I Did It Again”-era Britney; the bubble-gum pink women’s lounge is decorated with iridescent artwork and features a mini boombox where guests can play music from a curated selection of jewel-cased CDs.
What’s on the menu: The cocktail menu leans into the playful theme with creative names like the Burner Phone, a smoky Mezcal-based Paloma, and the Teddygram, a sweet Old Fashioned riff finished with a dusting of graham cracker-flavored demerara. Non-alcoholic fans can choose from various canned and bottled options like Topo Chico, Ghia, and Athletic Beer, or opt for a citrusy zero-proof shandy. While the bar provides some snacks, more substantial food options come from a rotating lineup of food trucks, which has recently included Smoke Ring Romantics BBQ, Samos Grill, and Chito Tex Mex.
* Disclosure: Blurbs marked with an asterisk were facilitated by a hosted meal or media event. However, the restaurant has no influence over my coverage, which remains independent.
3 links that made me laugh, cry, or say whaaaat?
I Found It: The Best Free Restaurant Bread in America. The Atlantic
Writer Caity Weaver went on an elaborate expedition to find the best free restaurant bread in the country. Her methodology started with surveying 555 people – a mix of friends, family, experts, celebrities, and sometimes random people she met on the elevator – to get a list of restaurants people thought served great free bread to diners. Then once narrowed down to the top contenders, she traveled to taste offerings from three-Michelin starred restaurants down to her local Red Lobster’s cheddar bay biscuits. If you prefer to get an audio overview, you can also check out Weaver’s appearance on the Search Engine podcast.
KJ Moody Styled Beyoncé for Years. Then He Started Over in Culinary School. D Magazine
After years of styling icons like Naomi Osaka and Beyoncé, KJ Moody realized last year that he needed a creative outlet beyond fashion. Driven by a lifelong interest in food, he enrolled in the Culinary School of Fort Worth and eventually secured an internship at Chef Wyl Lima’s Dallas restaurant, Ateliê. In this interview, he opines on the parallels between fashion and culinary arts, and recalls the surreal experience of trying to buy black work jeans at Urban Outfitters while simultaneously fielding phone calls from Anna Wintour.
What ‘Chicken-Gate 2026’ Tells Us About Modern Restaurant Economics and the Affordability Crisis in NYC. Vinepair
Have you heard about the $40 half chicken at Gigi’s in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that went viral after a NYC councilperson’s posted about it on Instagram? This piece explores the friction between gentrification, independent restaurants, and economics. Restaurant owners argue that city officials must reduce overhead – like licensing fees, rent, and insurance – to keep local independent restaurants alive. And a professor of geographic information science calls on customers to recognize that a higher check doesn’t just pay for poultry; it sustains a creator’s vision and their place in the community.
One final craving
A group of friends and I recently headed to Le Do Thai, which opened on Blake Street at the start of the year. While we enjoyed much of what we ordered, we really took a liking to the Larb Tok Salad. You can choose to have this dish prepared one of two ways: larb (minced) or nam tok (grilled, sliced meat) style. Our group went with the spicy ground meat version, which is tossed with chopped green and red onions and plenty of lime juice. Served with rice, it hits all those funky yet zesty notes that make larb so addictive. One of the best parts about Le Do Thai is their flexibility; they can make a large portion of the menu vegetarian or gluten-free – this salad included – so anyone with food sensitivities has plenty of great options.
ICYMI: Last month, I covered the Mediterranean food landing in a historic Colfax hotel, a BBQ chicken spot that’s like the Mexican version of Boston Market, and one of Colorado’s best bakeries getting a big time upgrade. ✨Read it here✨