There's certainly no shortage of traditional elements at the new Sushi Ronin, which opened on January 2 in Lower Highland — the first new restaurant of 2016. Japanese koi swim along a band of blue on one wall, and touches of bamboo, rough-hewn timbers and brushstokes of Japanese script add a sense of age to the clean, modern lines.
But at the sushi bar, the standard glass case that places a barrier between chef and customers is ditched in favor of a low divider that creates intimacy and immediacy for diners. Chef Corey Baker, a veteran of Denver's most esteemed sushi spots, and his crew serve up fresh fish and more unusual marinated dishes along with a roster of small plates that guide guests away from typical breaded cutlets and sweet glazes. Choose from a long list of sakes and Japanese whiskeys to augment your dinner selections.
Keep reading for more photos of Sushi Ronin, which opens at 5 p.m. nightly.