A French bistro with North African influences and white-linen tablecloths is closing after reaching 12 years of operations in Park Hill, its chef and owner announced Tuesday.
Bistro Barbès, 5021 E. 28th Ave., Denver, will have its last day of service Saturday, June 13. Chef and owner Jon Robbins said he decided to “move on to the next chapter” of his career.
“Running Bistro Barbès has been one of the defining experiences of my life,” Robbins said in an email. “We tried to create a restaurant that was personal, thoughtful, and independent. A place where hospitality mattered and where a small dining room could still feel special.”
The former Mizuna chef opened the bistro in April of 2014 in a narrow restaurant space that could only seat 30 people and a couple more at the bar. But Robbins wowed critics with elegant dishes, a strong wine selection and friendly service.
The restaurant shared a name with the multicultural Barbès district in Paris, as well as its influences. Mediterranean, North African and Middle Eastern ingredients all made their way into the menu of French classics.
Bistro Barbès is currently offering a four-course tasting menu for $90 of English pea agnolotti, roasted beets, short-rib parmentier, and a cappuccino cup de creme. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday.
