Robert Tournier , owner of Le Central, closed his popular French restaurant in Denver in 2015. (Craig Walker, The Denver Post)
Denver had its share of ballyhooed restaurant openings in 2015, befitting a city where the dining scene just seems to grow and grow. But there were also some closings, including some longstanding rooms with big followings.
So consider this the culinary equivalent of the annual Stars We Lost montage at the Academy Awards ceremony.
Among the departed:
Le Central
How many Mile High residents were introduced to mussels-and-frites at this French staple at the corner of East Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Street? Owner after 34 years, much to the regret of loyal patrons.
Tom s Home Cookin
Southern-style dining in Denver took a big hit when this Five Points favorite closed in December. Owners put the place on the market just to test the waters of what the property might bring in its burgeoning neighborhood. Well, they found a buyer. So goodbye to terrific pulled pork, collards and peach cobbler that made so many locals and ex-pats line up outside the door for more than a decade.
Bang!
This comfort-food haven in the West Highland neighborhood closed in the summer. The restaurant was a forerunner of the locavore trend, and developed a loyal following over two decades. We still miss the roast chicken.
Lower48
This restaurant near the Ballpark neighborhood fought the good fight for two years, but finally shuttered in late autumn. was the result of a partnership between Mario Nocifera and head chef and co-owner Alex Figura, the restaurant served top-shelf Contemporary American fare.
Rosa Linda s Mexican Café
was a Highland staple, turning out Mexican-American fare that drew a rabid following – the burritos were especially popular. The restaurant, owned and operated by the Aguirre family, shut down in October. Its departure was made doubly sad because it came so close to Thanksgiving, when the restaurant annually fed the needy.
Trillium
The much ballyhooed Scandanavian food movement never quite took off here, despite the noble efforts of chef-owner Ryan Leinonen. closed in September after a four-year run of austere but flavorful food in a sparkling dining room.
Session Kitchen
A member of the Breckenridge-Wynkoop restaurant group, opened in late 2013 on South Pearl Street. With a gorgeous room and an excellent New American menu, Session looked like a slam dunk. Despite the rave reviews, the restaurant closed its doors in July.
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