Reader: Encore deserves an encore

The big news on the Denver dining scene last week was the sudden shuttering of Encore, the restaurant that's been part of the Lowenstein complex -- the restaurant occupies the original lobby of the theater -- since that project debuted on Colfax Avenue. But the landlord did not renew the...

By Patricia Calhoun

April 23, 2012

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The big news on the Denver dining scene last week was the sudden shuttering of Encore, the restaurant that's been part of the Lowenstein complex -- the restaurant occupies the original lobby of the theater -- since that project debuted on Colfax Avenue. But the landlord did not renew the lease, and Encore closed after yesterday's brunch -- named Best Brunch in the Best of Denver 2012.

Siblings Paul and Aileen Reilly plan to open another restaurant. "It's going to be a space that best suits our style," says the chef. "We had been looking around, and we just hadn't found that perfect spot."

Says Locavore:

Sad news. Gourmet food and very friendly service without a hint of the pretention of many similar restaurants in downtown and Cherry Creek. We've been going there before we had kids and with two young, boisterous kids and they treated us with the same friendly, helpful service. Looking forward the their next endeavor, even if it's not in our neighborhood.

Where would you like to see Paul Reilly behind the burners next? Is there a perfect spot for his next restaurant? And what should happen with the Encore location?

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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