We recently passed the halfway point of 2019 — love it or hate it, we’ve still got plenty of 2019 to go — which got us to thinking about where we’ve been so far in this crazy year of “Old Town Road” and lackluster “Game of Thrones” finales and . Here’s a look back at Colorado’s biggest restaurant openings of the year to date:
Zocalito Latin Bistro
Zocalito in January, and brought its signature specialty peppers from Oaxaca, Mexico, with it. 999 18th St., Denver, 970-920-1991; ; Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Broadway Market
In February, Broadway Market, brainchild of the Stanley Marketplace team, to the former Tony’s Market space on Broadway. And there’s a spot selling fancy chocolate, too.950 Broadway, Denver, 720-390-7132; . Open Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to midnight. Food vendors close at 9 p.m. weeknights, 10 p.m. weekends.
Constellation Ice Cream and the Little Man Ice Cream Factory
In March, Little Man Ice Cream out of a 75-foot airplane wing in Stapleton (an homage to the old airport). Then, in July, Little Man opened its 7,000-square-foot factory/tasting room/bakery, which serves treats on a conveyor belt.Constellation: 10175 E. 29th Drive, Denver. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Little Man Ice Cream Factory, 4411 W. Colfax Ave. Denver, 720-710-8440. .
Dry Storage
This Boulder bakery and retail shop is, as Josie Sexton reported, “a coffee/dessert/bulk-grain-bar hybrid. Translation? Get a side of dark chocolate pistachio truffles with your milled-to-order farro flour. Oh, and there will also be booze.” 3601 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 720-420-0918. Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, with weekend brunches and evening pop-ups forthcoming.
Quiero Arepas
In April, spot on Old South Pearl Street after selling stuffed-to-the-brim Venezuelan sandwich pockets out of the Avanti food hall and a food truck (which are also still operating).1859 S. Pearl St., 720-432-4205; ; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Le French
Also in April, Senegalese-French sisters Aminata and Rougui Dia opened Le French, their first restaurant/bakery in the Denver Tech Center. (The chocolate croissants are to die for. Trust us.) 4901 S. Newport St., 720-710-8963; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
American Grind
American Grind sold its “burgs and sammies” out of a food truck and then a slot at Avanti Food & Beverage before moving into its current brick-and-mortar home in Wash Park. Plus, vegetarians love its beet and sweet potato veggie burgers.81 S. Pennsylvania St., Denver; . Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Sotto Voce
With its Prohibition-era speakeasy vibe, Sotto Voce opened in June downstairs in LoDo. “Dripping, fake candles lead downstairs to the dimly lit space, which is imbued with a bootlegging, Prohibition-era feel (a table for two is situated in part of a former underground tunnel),” Denver Post restaurant reviewer Daliah Singer wrote.1520 Blake St., 720-541-7721, . Open 4:30 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.
Post Oak Barbecue
Also in June, Post Oak Barbecue started serving brisket, ribs, pork shoulder, half chickens, house-made sausage and turkey breast all smoked over Texas Post Oak wood inside a four-ton smoker. There’s also fried okra, “gooey” butter cake, “borracho” beans and more.4000 Tennyson St.; ; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and until 3 p.m Sunday
Maine Shack
Lobster and chowder and clams, oh my. In July, the much-anticipated (and much-delayed) New England seafood fast-casual spot , bringing coastal recipes (and restaurant decorations) direct from Maine. You might balk at the $34 lobster roll on a hot dog bun, but heck, itap cheaper than a flight to the East Coast.Maine Shack, 1535 Central St., Denver, 303-997-2118. Open: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; .
