Opening Chef Lance Barto Let Go From Brazen

When Gretchen Kurtz reviewed Brazen in January, she was wowed by the West Highland eatery's chef counter and the "unpretentious, seasonally inspired" dishes of chef Lance Barto. Not only did we include Brazen in our list of the Fifteen Best New Restaurants in Denver for 2014, but the restaurant also...

By Westword Staff

February 24, 2015

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When Gretchen Kurtz reviewed Brazen in January, she was wowed by the West Highland eatery's chef counter and the "unpretentious, seasonally inspired" dishes of chef Lance Barto. Not only did we include Brazen in our list of the Fifteen Best New Restaurants in Denver for 2014, but the restaurant also made our list of the Twelve Best Chef Counters — and it looked like the restaurant was a major contender for Best New Restaurant in the Best of Denver 2015. But all that's changed now: The chef just posted this on his Facebook page:

Ironically, Lance Barto was the executive chef at Central Bistro & Bar when it opened in 2012, and that restaurant was in the running for Best New Restaurant in the Best of Denver 2013 — until Barto was let go on the last day of 2012. After some more changes in the kitchen, Central seems to have landed on a winning formula with Matt Selby in the kitchen.

Will Brazen do as well?

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