Every Opening and Closing This Week: Four Spots Debut

It was a long time coming, but Uchiko finally opened its doors in Cherry Creek this week. Although Hai Hospitality had announced this project four years ago, the renovation of the former home of the Ginny Williams Gallery was a massive project.

This restaurant was worth the wait. Uchi means “house” in Japanese, and “Ko” is the affectionate diminutive suffix for a child, and Uchiko is definitely the child of Hai Hospitality’s Uchi, which came to RiNo in 2018. As Gil Asakawa reports, this is a place where diners can feel like they’re relaxing at home while sampling a variety of excellent dishes inspired by Japanese culinary tradition and modern foodways.

While the scene had long anticipated the opening of Uchiko, no one saw the closure of 100 % Agave coming. The Mexican restaurant opened in the Beauvallon back in 2013, then was taken over by new owners in 2024. No word on why it closed so quickly, but here’s a fun fact: Decades ago, this space housed Troy Guard’s first restaurant, Nine75.

Meanwhile, Arvada now has its own agave-themed restaurant: Agave Blue Cantina, in the Candelas development. The chef is Oscar Padilla, who also runs Gaucho Parilla at Freedom Street Social in Arvada.

Closing and reopening over the span of three wild days this week: Leven Supply, which was seized by the State of Colorado for non-payment of taxes on February 17, but cleared its bill in time to reopen on February 20. It will take more time for Odyssey to get back in business. This Italian restaurant is always hot on Monday, when it offers real deals, but on February 16, it suffered a fire that will require considerable repairs.

In other openings-and-closings news:

• Super Mega Bien is serving throwback specials ahead of its March 14 closure.
• March 14 will also mark the last day for the Dark Horse, an iconic Boulder bar.
• Aurora now boasts the country’s largest Hispanic food hall, La Plaza.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed this week*:

Openings

Agave Blue, 18168 N 92nd Lane, Arvada
Einstein Bros. Bagels, 2000 South University Boulevard
Po’Boys Creole Cafe, 5505 West 20th Avenue, Edgewater
Uchiko, 299 Fillmore Street

Temporary Closure

Odyssey Italian, 603 East Sixth Avenue (closed for repairs after a fire)

Closures

100% de Agave, 975 Lincoln Street
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2907 Huron Street

*Or earlier and not previously reported.

Know of something we missed? Email cafe@westword.com.