Women in Food: A Second Helping of Westword Food & Drink, August 24-28

Earlier today, Patricia Calhoun broke the news that Cafe Options, the downtown breakfast and lunch spot operated by Work Options for Women as a training ground for women at risk of living in poverty, will be closing in mid-September. It's the second charity-based restaurant to pull the plug recently; Pizza...

By Mark Antonation

August 28, 2015

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Earlier today, Patricia Calhoun broke the news that Cafe Options, the downtown breakfast and lunch spot operated by Work Options for Women as a training ground for women at risk of living in poverty, will be closing in mid-September. It's the second charity-based restaurant to pull the plug recently; Pizza Fusion will also close tomorrow, ending its mission to train homeless individuals to enter the hospitality industry. Both Work Options for Women and the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (the organization that worked with Pizza Fusion), will continue on, but Denverites will have two fewer choices for good food with a good cause.

While WOW's announcement means it will have to shift its strategy for providing vocational assistance to women entering the food-service industry, Forbes Magazine celebrated those women who have already succeeded in the restaurant world by naming its top ten female chefs in the U.S. as part of Women's Equality Day. Denver's own Jennifer Jasinski, whose restaurants include Rioja, Euclid Hall and Bistro Vendome, was selected for Stoic & Genuine, the lively seafood house she operates with partner Beth Gruitch, but the article also mentions her support of Work Options for Women.

In other news:

RESTAURANTS/BARS OPENING THIS WEEK*
Abejas, 807 13th Avenue, Golden
Euro Crepes, 1842 South Broadway
Finn's Manor, 2927 Larimer Street
Postino LoHi, 2715 17th Street
Pressed Juice Daily, 4421 West 43rd Avenue

RESTAURANTS/BARS REOPENING THIS WEEK*
Mezcal, 3230 East Colfax Avenue

RESTAURANTS/BARS CLOSING THIS WEEK*
Mayan Manjar Yucateco, 5209 West Mississippi Avenue
Pizza Fusion (Saturday), 571 East Colfax Avenue

*Or earlier, and not reported 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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