🚌 A transit revolution is coming

🔑 Michelin’s Return to Colorado

Just seven months after the Michelin Guide’s first-ever visit to Colorado — during which it bestowed its coveted “stars” to five local restaurants — the lauded tourism guide is back with more praise. This time, Michelin has handed out eight Michelin “keys” to Colorado’s best hotels and resorts, including three in Denver: The Four Seasons, The Crawford, and the Clayton Hotel & Members Club. [Axios Denver]

• Speaking of the Clayton Members Club … We recently poked around to find out just how young, wealthy, and beautiful you have to be to join. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
• Also: What’s the real price of a Michelin star? And is it the moment of validation for our dining scene we hoped it would be? [City Cast Denver 🎧]
  

🕍 Antisemitism Soars

In the midst of the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover, new data from the Anti-Defamation League shows “antisemitic incidents” in Colorado have spiked 199% over the last two years, a trend that was only exacerbated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. [CO Sun]

🌮 Dana Rodriguez Restaurant Closes

Cantina Loca has closed up shop and the building is on the market. The LoHi Mexican restaurant is co-owned by chef Dana “Loca” Rodriguez, a James Beard semifinalist known best (before she helmed the kitchen at the new and improved Casa Bonita) for her flagship restaurant Work & Class. Cantina Loca prominently showcased Rodriguez’s signature tequila and mezcal line, Doña Loca. The chef cited post-pandemic challenges as reason for the closure. [Denver Post 🔒]

• Hear from Chef Loca herself: We spoke to Rodriguez just after news broke that she’d be leading the kitchen at the famous Pink Palace. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🚌 The Future of Mile High Transit

Will bus rapid transit change Colfax forever? What about BRT’s impact on the public transit system across the Mile High City? Urban planners, infrastructure experts, and public transit riders weigh in. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Last week’s answer: Call Your Mother Deli on Tennyson in the Berkeley neighborhood.

• Readers Kathryn W., Amanda W., and Evan all agree The Sun City bagel sandwich is “to die for.” Cara F. recommends adding pastrami and an iced honey oat latte 🤤
• Mary P. charmingly adds: “I live around the corner and it’s like having a Lisa Frank folder in your face” 😂

Speaking of Call Your Mother, they were included in our taste test to find Denver’s best bagels. See how they fared 👇🎧

🥯 Extra schmear for our correct guessers:

• Brooke G. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• But Keith S., Madison D., Josie W., Ben R., Dave M., and 18 others (!) weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU know recognize this swanky cocktail lounge? ✨ Here’s a hint: It’s really out of this world 👀 Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

📸 Want to submit a photo? Send me a snapshot of somewhere in Denver, and I’ll consider it for an upcoming photo trivia segment!

How Faster Buses Will Reshape Denver As We Know It

What’s the future of public transit in Denver? As the city embarks on its first installment of a Bus Rapid Transit line along Colfax, many questions remain: Will it make traffic better or worse? Who will use it? How does it work? The City Cast Denver crew hosts a live panel conversation with transit experts to dig into the details of BRT as part of this year’s Road Ahead 2024 conference.