We break down our favorite moments of our OCN Eats series, Restaurant Tours, where we visited local restaurateurs and talked about their businesses, as well as tried some delicious food!
Our resident restaurateur and food expert, Larry Herz, has visited more than 15 local restaurants and eateries in the Denver metro area to speak with the owners and get an inside look at these favorite stops. And, of course, who could forget about all of the incredible food each restaurant has to offer?
Check out the recap of the first season of Restaurant Tours below, and if you're interested in learning more about each restaurant, we've included links below to all 16 episodes! (You're welcome.)
Restaurant Tours Episode 1: Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant
We sat down with Luis and Daniel Ramirez to learn about the history of their family restaurant and sample some of their highly touted cuisines! Without a doubt, this was an experience to remember. Their menu lived up to every bit of the hype.
Restaurant Tours Episode 2: D.C. Pie Co.
Owner Dominic Cavagnuolo (the "D.C." in D.C. Pie Co.) hails from Miami Beach, Florida, where he operates a successful upscale eatery, Lucali, that also serves brick oven pizzas. We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him about his pizzas, which are made with authentic, locally-sourced ingredients, that make for a light and crispy slice.
Restaurant Tours Episode 3: Ocean Prime
This upscale, award-winning new-American restaurant and lounge from renowned restaurateur Cameron Mitchell is the second Ocean Prime location in Colorado. With stunning settings, vibrant energy, an impressive menu of seafood and steaks, and truly exceptional service, it’s an ideal place to socialize, talk business, celebrate, and indulge.
Restaurant Tours Episode 4: Ash'Kara
The team took a trip to Ash'Kara, a new spot serving up "Unorthodox Cuisine" in Denver's LoHi neighborhood. Our own restaurant specialist Larry Herz sat down with Ash'Kara co-owner (and former star of ABC's The Bachelor) Ben Higgins, and Chef Daniel Asher to learn a bit about the concept behind the restaurant.
Restaurant Tours Episode 5: River and Woods
This charming restaurant is in the former home of John’s Restaurant on Pearl Street, one of Boulder's first fine dining establishments. River and Woods strives to pay tribute to the legacy left by John's Restaurant while simultaneously building its own community that will serve "an elevated taste of Colorado Comfort Cuisine."
Restaurant Tours Episode 6: The Kitchen Bistro
Located in the former Sugar Building in LoDo, The Kitchen Bistro offers a relaxed atmosphere and strives to serve delicious, real food sourced from American farmers. Founded in 2004 by Hugo Matheson and Kimbal Musk, the American bistro has several locations in Colorado, including the Denver restaurant, as well as in Boulder and Fort Collins.
Restaurant Tours Episode 7: 20 Mile Tap House
The neighborhood pub in Parker only features the best beers available, as well as serves menu items that are made from scratch and uses the freshest ingredients.
Restaurant Tours Episode 8: Esters at Oneida Park
Esters, which has two locations in the Denver area, strives to strengthen the community through "craft beer, great food, and atmosphere," making it very different from your average pub.
Restaurant Tours Episode 9: Next Door Eatery
We're all about community here at OCN, and nobody else knows more about the meaning of the word than the folks at Next Door Eatery. With six locations in Colorado, as well as several others across the country, Next Door strives to be a place where people "can grab a beer at the bar, stop in for a bite and gather with family and friends."
Restaurant Tours Episode 10: Avelina Denver
We sat down with Joshua Oakley, Executive Chef at Avelina, to learn about the history of the LoDo restaurant and sample some of its delicious cuisines! The restaurant focuses on seasonal New American cuisine, while the full bar offers a diverse roster of cocktails, craft beers, and boutique wines.
Restaurant Tours Episode 11: Piper Inn
We sat down with Jed Levin, proprietor of the Piper Inn, to learn about the family-owned restaurant that has become a bit of a landmark here in Denver after being on the scene for more than 50 years. The Piper Inn serves everything from classic American bar food to Chinese cuisine and practically everything else in between.
Restaurant Tours Episode 12: MidiCi
Located in Belleview Station, MidiCi is your new go-to stop for Neapolitan pizza! Not only does the fast-casual pizzeria use select and high-quality ingredients in its pizzas, but each pizza will be baked to perfection in a mere 90 seconds!
Restaurant Tours Episode 13: Pizza Republica
With two locally owned locations in Colorado, Pizza Republica gives its customers the chance to "experience a true taste of Naples right here in the Mile High City!" Honestly, what could better than that?
Restaurant Tours Episode 14: GQue BBQ
GQue BBQ is home to some of the best in Colorado. With two locations – one in Lone Tree just outside of Park Meadows Mall and the other in Westminster – GQue gives you plenty of opportunities to see what all the fuss is about. After all, the restaurant is home to championship barbecue!
Restaurant Tours Episode 15: Barbed Wire Reef
Tired of the same menu everywhere? Not a problem at Barbed Wire Reef. Specializing in wild game burgers and bratwursts, as well as seafood, Barbed Wire Reef serves up exotic meats you can't find anywhere else like kangaroo, antelope, alligator, camel, and rattlesnake, just to name a few.
Restaurant Tours Episode 16: Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar
What was started by Mark Van Grack in Boulder 20 years ago has grown to four locations and is a staple in the Denver sushi scene. Best known for their racy-named rolls, like the Orgasm Roll, Don’t Sleep on the Freshest Sashimi, and Nigiri in Town, there's truly no other restaurant in town that does sushi better.
Are there other restaurants in the Denver area that you'd like the OCN Eats team to visit next season? Share your suggestions with us in the comments below.