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Denver is set to get a new restaurant to take over the former home of Fruition next year.

Chef Quincy Cherrett, who previously held top culinary positions at Colt & Gray, Death & Co., Izakaya Den and Sushi Den, announced he plans to open his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Madeline, in spring 2026.

The restaurant is named after Cherrett’s niece.

Madeline will be at 1313 E. 6th Ave. in an 1,100-square-foot space, south of Cheeseman Park. It will seat up to 48 guests.

The restaurant’s menu will be “unfussy,” focusing on seasonal ingredients and culinary craftsmanship. The items featured will include housemade pasta, refined classics and rotating dishes inspired by the season.

Cherrett graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and has worked across the Mountain West. He launched a food truck and stall called 22 Provisions and a bistro at Avanti Food Hall called Eloise.

His first brick-and-mortar restaurant will allow him to “refine his voice, test ideas, and clarify the hospitality-driven vision that will come to life fully at Madeline,” according to a news release.

MICHELIN-RECOGNIZED TEAM OPENING ANOTHER ITALIAN EATERY

The team behind Olivia, one of Denver’s Michelin-recognized restaurants, announced its plans to open a new restaurant in the River North Arts District in January.

The new restaurant will be called Dear Emilia, described as a “love letter to Emilia Romagna.” Emilia Romagna is a region in Italy home to cities like Parma, Reggio and Bologna considered the birthplace of prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar.

The concept comes from Chef Ty Leon, Austin Carson and Heather Morrison. The team is behind Olivia, which is known for mixing Italian food with “global flavors.”

“This restaurant has been a long time coming, and it means so much to finally welcome people into a space we’ve poured so much care into,” said Morrison, who will lead Dear Emilia’s hospitality program, in a news release.

Dear Emilia will open inside The Current, a 12-story office building in RiNo at 3615 Delgany St.

The 3,700-square-foot restaurant was designed by Denver-based Regular Architecture, which also designed local restaurants Beckon, Sap Sua and Hey Kiddo.

“I can’t wait for guests to experience what we adore about this beautiful region, whether they’re discovering it for the first time or reconnecting with flavors they already love,” Morrison added. “More than anything, we’re hoping to add something truly special to Denver’s vibrant and ever-evolving dining scene.”

It’s set to open on Jan. 29, 2026.

HOMEGROWN TAP & DOUGH OPENS IN CASTLE ROCK

Homegrown Tap & Dough will open its sixth location in downtown Castle Rock on Dec. 26, the Denver-based hospitality team Gastamo Group announced.

The neighborhood Italian restaurant chain will open at 221 Wilcox St. in a 6,020-square-foot space with 226 indoor seats and a 35-seat patio.

The menu of Homegrown Tap & Dough includes Italian classics such as hand-tossed pizzas and pasta dishes. It also serves a curated list of Colorado craft beers and specialty cocktails. The new Castle Rock restaurant will have an “elevated ranch” aesthetic, ranging from rustic wood details and Pendleton fabrics to Western decor. It will also have large garage doors that open up to downtown.

“Opening in Castle Rock is a milestone we’re proud to celebrate with the community,” said Peter Newlin, CEO of Gastamo Group, in a news release.

Gastamo Group is the owner of Perdida, Park Burger, Park & Co and Lady Nomada. It operates Homegrown Tap & Dough in Arvada, Parker, Westminster, Littleton and Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood.