Session Kitchen Sale to Mission Yogurt a Done Deal — Que Bueno!

Rod Tafoya and his Denver-based Mission Yogurt, Inc. have completed the purchase of the building at 1518 South Pearl Street that formerly housed the ambitious, if ill-conceived Session Kitchen created by the Breckenridge-Wynkoop group — and, before that, the original Izakaya Den. But don't expect this stunning space to become the world's...

By Patricia Calhoun

November 19, 2015

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Rod Tafoya and his Denver-based Mission Yogurt, Inc. have completed the purchase of the building at 1518 South Pearl Street that formerly housed the ambitious, if ill-conceived Session Kitchen created by the Breckenridge-Wynkoop group — and, before that, the original Izakaya Den. But don't expect this stunning space to become the world's largest frozen yogurt emporium.

Mission Yogurt currently operates Que Bueno at Denver International Airport, the best reason to miss a plane, as well as the twelve-year-old Que Bueno Mexican Grille in the Westminster Promenade, which is slated to be demolished by its landlord next year. So for the as-yet-unnamed restaurant on South Pearl Street, the company will draw inspiration from the Que Bueno in Westminster (as well as customers who will no longer be able to drink their favorite margs there), but elevate the experience with chef-driven cuisine, as well as a late-night component.

"So we intend to take a variation, a better version of that idea, into Denver," Tafoya told us when the deal was still pending. "We're very excited. We want to make sure that it works. We intend to be a great neighbor to the community."

The new concept should open in early 2016.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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