Last fall, LoDo was all about pizza. Now, it's sushi. Blue Sushi Sake Grill, a link in an Omaha-based chain that signed on for half of the Dixons space at 16th and Wazee streets that wasn't taken by Lucky Pie, had a liquor-license hearing this morning with the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses.

But judging from the construction activity, there's still more work to be done on the spot beyond just getting that license. Blue Sushi should get in the LoDo swim by early summer.

A block away at 1520 Blake Street, in the former home of Organixx, Aoba was looking at a March opening, until that was delayed by construction problems, including an order to replace the window frames to comply with historic requirements. But at this point, an opening looks close.

The last sushi joint to jump into these crowded waters is coming from the Hapa Sushi group, which has taken over the former India House at 1514 Blake. Work has yet to start on the space, and there's an ad in the window for an auction on the contents. Look for the LoDo Hapa in August at the earliest.

• Word of Mouth