After almost two decades on the Denver dining scene, Jeff Osaka is closing the doors on his last remaining restaurant today. The Sushi-Rama at 2615 Larimer Street — the original in what was once a five-location chain — will call it quits at the end of service on April 12. That follows the closure of Osaka Ramen earlier in April.
"The restaurant's closure reflects the harsh realities confronting Denver's independent restaurant scene," Osaka said in announcing this final closing. "When we first opened Sushi-Rama, the RiNo neighborhood was just beginning to find its place in the city as a dining destination. We took a risk with a fresh approach to sushi — inviting diners to experience Japanese cuisine through a playful, accessible lens. To the community that gathered around our conveyor belt, shared countless meals, and embraced our vision."
But while Osaka is no longer on the scene (for now), another sushi empire just keeps growing. Kizaki, which debuted April 11, comes from acclaimed chef Toshi Kizaki, who co-founded Sushi Den with his brother, Yasu Kizaki, in 1984. Since then, the brothers have added Izakaya Den and Ototo on a single stretch of South Pearl Street, aka Den Corner. Kizaki is part of Denchu, Toshi’s latest architectural marvel at 1551 South Pearl Street, and he's creating the twenty-course meal himself. “Kizaki is my vision of retirement," he says. "It’s my way of honoring edomae traditions and sharing these age-old techniques with Denver, the community that has embraced my creativity and shown me relentless support for decades. I want to finish where I started — making sushi.”
Also joining the scene this week is Catira, a Venezuelan restaurant opened by Clare and Manuel Sucre in the Denver Tech Center; they're hosting a grand opening on Monday, April 14.
After thirty years, Moe's Bagel has opened a second outpost, this one on South Colorado Boulevard; Corvus Coffee Roasters opened its sixth spot.
Finally, with the warm weather comes a craving for ice cream — as well as the return of Little Man Ice Cream Central Park, formerly known as Constellation in honor of the airplane at the entrance. After hibernating for the winter, this Little Man location reopened on April 11, and will be keeping spring hours from 2 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays in April.
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Openings
Catira, 5370 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood VillageCD’s Wings, 11211 South Dransfeldt Drive, Parker
Corvus Coffee Roasters, 1557 Logan Street
Kizaki, 1551 South Pearl Street
Moe's Bagels, 1390 South Colorado Boulevard
Reopening
Little Man Ice Cream Central Park, 10175 East 29th AvenueClosures
Sushi-Rama, 2615 Larimer Street*Or earlier and not previously reported.
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