Brandon Bortles and Barry Dobesh — "the Bs," to their friends — have been working at a furious pace to open their new Golden restaurant, Abejas. The only thing missing was a liquor license, but with that now in hand, they'll open the doors for business tonight at 5 p.m. Beginning Thursday, August 27, they'll also add lunch service from 11 a.m.
Abejas is Spanish for "bees" — a play on Bortles and Dobesh's combined nickname — and the menu will feature local produce and proteins prepared by chef Nicholas Ames, whose previous work includes time at Colt & Gray and as executive chef at Spuntino.
Dobesh and Bortles both have roots in the Golden restaurant scene, but their careers have diverged since then, with Dobesh heading to Aspen as an executive chef and Bortles running the front of the house at restaurants in New York City and Denver. Although an online menu has yet to be posted, expect New American cuisine using seafood, farm-fresh ingredients and a plancha for grilling and searing. For a preview, check out food photos on the eatery's website and Facebook page.