Back in 1997, a kitchen garden that supplied Potager with fresh herbs and greens was considered revolutionary; the menu was a radical departure, too, with simple dishes prepared from immaculate ingredients served in a casual, shabby-chic setting. The restaurant quickly became a mainstay, and even now, neighbors queue up at the door for the 5 p.m. opening, while couples and families from all over the city plan destination dinners to the cozy eatery.

Potager's original menu got a refresh several years ago, and now it's getting new owners.
Lindsey Bartlett
The two have roots that make them a good fit to continue the Rippetos' mission. Paul grew up in western Maryland and ran an 800-acre farm/restaurant in the Shenandoah Valley for ten years before coming to Denver, and Eileen is a native New Yorker and certified sommelier.
"It has been an amazing and wonderful 23 years," Teri Rippeto said in the Potager release, which notes that the new owners "make a perfect team to continue to maintain the highest of standards that Potager has built and then exceed them and lead again."
Regular customers won't notice much of a change, other than the Rippetos' absence. Teri is taking time to travel with her husband, while Tom is diving into a home-remodeling project.
The spring growing season has begun, and fresh herbs are sprouting in Potager's secret garden in the back of the restaurant. The seasons bring change, but at least Potager will continue to grow under new leadership in Capitol Hill.