Sassafras Could Soon Bring Brunch Cocktails to Jefferson Park

When Sassafras opened in an old Victorian bungalow listed on the National Register of Historic Places three years ago, co-owner Julia Grother brought considerable experience in the restaurant business to the Jefferson Park neighborhood – and a lot of Southern comfort. One thing was missing, though: a liquor license. Even...

By Westword Staff

April 27, 2015

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When Sassafras opened in an old Victorian bungalow listed on the National Register of Historic Places three years ago, co-owner Julia Grother brought considerable experience in the restaurant business to the Jefferson Park neighborhood – and a lot of Southern comfort. One thing was missing, though: a liquor license. Even so, the breakfast/brunch/lunch spot was a hit from the start.

And Grother filled that gap when she opened a second Sassafras last year, in the former home of Uptown Brothers Brewing on East Colfax Avenue, which came with a liquor license. "I understand if you a need a catch-up with your friends on Sunday, and you want to relax with a mimosa," Grother said when the Sassafras sibling debuted ten months ago. Not just mimosas (with four kinds of fresh-squeezed juice), either: The lineup earned Sassafras our Best Brunch Cocktail Menu award in the Best of Denver 2015.
Now the first Sassafras is playing catch up: There's a sign out front notifying the neighborhood that Grother is going for a liquor license for this location, which had a liquor license when it was home to the original La Loma four decades ago (and a host of failed eateries after La Loma moved two blocks down the street). The hearing is at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29.

Sassafras has shown that it's an asset to the rapidly changing area; some adult beverages would make a visit to this Southern comfort restaurant just that much more comforting.

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