Robert Thompson is headed back to Denver

When last we saw Robert Thompson, he'd closed Brasserie Rouge, was out of Atomic Cowboy, and was selling B-52 Billiards (which would become the Real World: Denver House, then Theorie). He moved on to Chicago, where he's now co-owner of Seasoned Development -- a restaurant company that just leased 5,500 space at 1433...

By Patricia Calhoun

December 10, 2008

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When last we saw Robert Thompson, he'd closed Brasserie Rouge, was out of Atomic Cowboy, and was selling B-52 Billiards (which would become the Real World: Denver House, then Theorie). He moved on to Chicago, where he's now co-owner of Seasoned Development -- a restaurant company that just leased 5,500 space at 1433 17th Street in Denver, where the company plans to open its first Noca Kitchen.

"Noca Kitchen is going to be a substantial growth vehicle for us in Denver," Thompson announced yesterday, "as well as the rest of the country."

But not in Phoenix, we're assuming, since that city already has a highly rated restaurant named Noca -- which is not connected to Seasoned Development, even if both concepts emphasize food influenced by Northern California. But unlike Noca Kitchen, which is a fast-casual chain idea, Phoenix's Noca is all about leisurely dining.

Look for Noca Kitchen to open in Denver in spring 2009.

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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