One Last Ramen Bowl: A Second Helping of Westword Food & Drink, December 14-18

Ramen was big in 2015, with the openings of Katsu Ramen, Osaka Ramen in RiNo and Cherry Creek, Tengu and Miyako Ra-Men Spot. Now you can add one more to the list, as Tycoon Ramen & Sushi opens at 5 p.m. tonight in the former home of Emilio's Mexican Restaurant. Tycoon...

By Mark Antonation

December 18, 2015

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Ramen was big in 2015, with the openings of Katsu Ramen, Osaka Ramen in RiNo and Cherry Creek, Tengu and Miyako Ra-Men Spot. Now you can add one more to the list, as Tycoon Ramen & Sushi opens at 5 p.m. tonight in the former home of Emilio's Mexican Restaurant. Tycoon is the work of the former owners of L'Asie Fusion Bistro on East Sixth Avenue (which is now Odyssey Bistro & Grill).

Fast-casual was also a big trend this year, and one of the biggest fast-casual concepts to open was Honor Society Handcrafted Eatery. But don't let restaurateur/consultant Justin Brunson hear you call it fast-casual; he prefers the term "fine-casual" to describe the chef-driven fare served in a laid-back environment. Gretchen Kurtz joined the club this week to see just how fine the food and beverages really are.

And Mark Antonation sought out other fast and casual rarities around the city in the form of seven elusive sandwiches with international pedigrees. In other news:

RESTAURANTS/BARS OPENING THIS WEEK*
Birrieria el Viejon, 3000 South Federal Boulevard
Brider, 1644 Platte Street
Hinman's Bakery, 4850 East 39th Avenue
Hop Alley, 3500 Larimer Street
The Melt, 8501 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton
Stowaway Coffee + Kitchen, 2528 Walnut Street
Sushi-Rama (Sunday), 2615 Larimer Street
Tycoon Ramen & Sushi, 338 East Colfax Avenue

RESTAURANTS/BARS REOPENING THIS WEEK*
Fooducopia (had been closed for remodel), 1939 East Kentucky Avenue

*Or earlier, and not mentioned in a previous Second Helping.

Mark Antonation is the former Westword Food & Drink Editor. In 2018, he was named Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association; he's now with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

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