There’s been a lot to celebrate within the Denver restaurant industry these past couple of weeks, including the Michelin awards and The New York Times 2023 best-restaurant list.
But sometimes bad news follows good. This month, Denver has already had to say goodbye to three well-known restaurants and is getting ready to bid adieu to one longtime Broadway bar.
Terra
Chef and owner Scott Schaden opened Terra across the street from the Colorado Convention Center in the summer of 2022. The farm-to-table Italian restaurant highlighted seasonal Denver cuisine with a focus on local ingredients — and was one named in The Denver Post’s most notable openings of 2022. But last week, Terra announced on Instagram that the restaurant has closed. “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the closure of Terra,” the post reads. “It has been an honor to share this culinary dream with Denver.”
891 14th St., Unit 100, Denver; terra-denver.com
Provided by Bellota
Enchiladas de huevo from Bellota in Denver. (Provided by Bellota)
Bellota
James Beard award semifinalist Manuel “Manny” Barella debuted Bellota in the Source Market Hall + Hotel in 2020. Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality, which also owns OAK at Fourteenth and Corrida in Boulder, opened the Mexican restaurant in place of Acorn, OAK’s sister restaurant, after seven years. Bellota closed its doors permanently on Sept. 2, according to its Instagram. With a focus on northern Mexican cuisine, Bellota’s second location in Boulder remains open. )This isn’t the only recent restaurant closure within The Source. Grabowski’s Pizzeria closed its doors in May, but has since found a new location in Lakewood.)
The Source, 3350 Brighton Blvd., Suite 150, Denver; boulderbellota.com
Bittersweet
Bittersweet Artisan Cuisine held its last bittersweet service on Sept. 15, and the restaurant’s building is currently on the market for $1.95 million. Owners and couple Olav Peterson and Melissa Severson opened the Washington Park-area restaurant in 2010. The garden-to-table concept was known for its seasonal rotating four-course menu.
500 E. Alameda Ave., Denver; bittersweetdenver.com
Barry’s on Broadway
Barry’s on Broadway is closing at the end of the month after 20 years. Denverite first reported that the longtime bar’s owner Barry Zadikoff made the decision after failing to reach a new lease agreement with the landlord. The neighborhood dive bar was popular for its witty marquee sign messages, cheap drinks and skee ball.
58 Broadway, Denver; facebook.com/barrysonbroadwaydenver