New Denver Restaurant Openings: Ash & Agave, Cenizas, Waldo's, and More

Ash & Agave — Cherry Creek Shopping Center

The California Pizza Kitchen space in Cherry Creek Shopping Center has been dark for a while. It's now Ash & Agave, the latest from Sean Huggard — who also runs Blue Island Oyster Bar and Oliver's Italian in DTC.

The concept pulls from Mexico's Pacific coast. Huggard cites Cabo and Puerto Vallarta as the inspiration, and the room reflects that: the bar is tall enough that bartenders use a library ladder to reach top-shelf tequila, booths have actual agave succulents planted above them, and a neon sign at the mall entrance flips between "VAMOS" and "HOST."

One thing Huggard apparently fought his team on: chips and salsa are free. Three kinds, plus small cuts of fruit servers drop in your water glass. Small gesture, but notable in Cherry Creek.

The menu is coastal Mexican — ceviche, a Coctel Campechano with lobster, sea bass and shrimp ($19), an octopus and shrimp tostada with coconut aioli ($13). Larger plates include pineapple-braised chicken with quinoa tabbouleh ($30) and a grilled 10-ounce skirt steak with chimichurri, cheese fries and a quesadilla ($39). Tacos and enchiladas come in pairs. There's also a spinach salad with shiitake, maitake and wood ear mushrooms ($16) that Huggard calls a personal favorite.

I've heard good early word, but the honest take from people who've been is that the vibe is doing at least as much work as the food — which in Cherry Creek isn't unusual. It will compete with Richard Sandoval's Toro and Johnny Curiel's Alteño nearby, both of which have been around long enough to have real followings. Worth trying if you're already in the mall. Accessible from inside the shopping center or via a valet entrance outside. Hours are 11am–10pm weekdays, 11pm Fridays and Saturdays, 9pm Sundays.

Cenizas Mexican Restaurant & Cantina — Tennyson Street

Nicolas Medina is back in the space on Tennyson Street where he ran Tres Chiles before closing it in 2023. After renting to Santo Remidio (which has moved to Jefferson Park), Medina is back with Cenizas — Spanish for "ashes" — a Mexican restaurant and cantina.

The hook is the weekly specials: $5 margaritas on Mondays, half-off tacos on Tuesdays. If you're in Berkeley regularly, that's worth knowing.

DiFranco's — Westminster

Dave King opened DiFranco's in Capitol Hill in 2024. This week he added a second location at 7727 West 92nd Avenue in Westminster. Same counter-service setup, same menu: vodka penne, chicken Parm, meatballs. Solid option if you're in that part of town and don't want to make the drive in.

Waldo's Chicken & Beer — Glendale

Waldo's Chicken & Beer is now open in the former Panera space at CitySet in Glendale at 640 South Colorado Boulevard, drive-thru included. It's a Nashville-founded chain serving Southern fried and rotisserie chicken — this is their third Colorado outpost.

That stretch of South Colorado already has strong fried chicken competition. Waldo's in the mix makes it more interesting, not less. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Also this week

Old Blinking Light in Highlands Ranch had its grand reopening after being closed since January 1 for renovations — new ownership, refreshed space, updated cocktail program.

Grandview Tavern & Grill in Arvada is still under the same name it's had since 2004, but new owner Chef Jeremy Wolgamott has taken over, redone the interior, and launched a Southern menu with $20 hot-plate lunch specials. They hosted a crawfish boil grand reopening on April 13.