Colorado gained just a single Michelin-starred restaurant on Monday as the vaunted guide company announced its 2024 list of dining recommendations. In addition, the five existing Michelin-starred restaurants all reclaimed their stars from 2023.

Alma Fonda Fina, a high-end Mexican dining room, which opened just nine months ago at 2556 15th St., in Denver’s Lower Highland neighborhood, joined the one-star club, which includes Beckon, Bruto and The Wolf’s Tailor, all in Denver, Bosq in Aspen, and Frasca in Boulder.

“Chef Johnny Curiel started off in his family’s restaurant in Guadalajara, and after years of high-end culinary experience, he revisits dishes and flavors from his upbringing with creativity and finely honed technique delivering results that are both satisfying and delicious,” Michelin wrote in its new guide to Colorado restaurants, which was released Monday morning.

“Resist the temptation to fixate on any one item, as the menu is littered with treasures: perfectly crisped pork belly carnitas make for a brilliant taco on a sourdough flour tortilla, while agave-roasted sweet potato with nutty salsa matcha and luxuriously creamy whipped requesón is a revelation, and vibrant seafood crudos like thinly sliced Maine diver scallop with tomatillo and apple aguachile are downright electric. No desserts are offered for the time being, so there’s no reason to leave any extra room,” the Guide continued.

In addition, Michelin added one Bib Gourmand recommendation to its list: MAKfam, a Cantonese-American restaurant that opened in November 2023 at 39 W. 1st Ave. in Denver. Bib Gourmands recognize “eateries for great food at a great value,” according to Michelin.

“What began as a pop-up back in NYC, where owners and married couple Doris Yuen and Kenneth Wan first met, and then became a stall in a Denver food hall, is now at last a full-service restaurant. The winsome, colorful space and the compact menu both celebrate the pair’s Chinese American roots, both having been raised by immigrant families who worked in restaurants.

“Fried crab and cheese wontons and hand-shaped chicken and chive potstickers are inspired by Chinatown favorites and takeout staples, made with particular care and big flavor. Chicken wings with a spicy, tingly málà seasoning are favorites with good reason, and larger dishes, like the familiar-yet inventive corned beef fried rice or spicy garlic butter rice cakes, impress as well,” Michelin continued.

And finally, two Denver restaurants joined the list of recommended eateries, Brasserie Brixton, at 3701 Williams St., and Kawa Ni, at 3200 W. 32nd Ave.

“Opening Kawa Ni this past November has been an exciting challenge, and naturally, there was some concern about fitting into the Colorado culinary community. Thanks to the fantastic team in Denver, we’ve been warmly welcomed beyond expectation, and to earn Michelin recognition within just a year of opening is truly special,” Kawa Ni chef and founder Bill Taibe said in a statement.

There were three special awards this year. The Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award went to Jessenia Sanabria of Sweet Basil; the Michelin Sommelier Award went to Chris Dunaway of Element 47; the Michelin Outstanding Service Award went to Allison Anderson of Beckon; and the Michelin Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award went to Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina.

Two restaurants that were on the 2023 guide are not listed in the 2024 guide: A.J.’s Pit BBQ, which won a Bib Gourmand in 2023, and Potager. Both are in Denver.

“As we celebrate year two of the Michelin Guide in Colorado, we can see the passion and
momentum continue to grow in this culinary community,” said Gwendal Poullennec, the
International Director of the Michelin Guides, in a statement.

“The famously anonymous Inspectors were also eager to shine a light on the growing talent in the local community, with a handful of new restaurants added to the selection,” she added.

This is a developing story.

Colorado’s 2024 Bib Gourmand restaurants

Ash’Kara, 2005 W. 33rd Ave., Denver
Basta, 3601, Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
The Ginger Pig, 4262 Lowell Blvd., Denver
Glo Noodle House, 4450 W. 38th Ave., Denver
Hop Alley, 3500 Larimer St., Denver
La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, 2233 Larimer St., Denver
MAKfam, (new) 39 W. 1st Ave., Denver
Mister Oso, 3163 Larimer St., Denver
Tavernetta, 1889 16th St. Mall, Denver

Colorado’s 2024 Recommended restaurants

A5 Steakhouse 1600 15th St., Denver, 80202
Barolo Grill 3030 E. 6th Ave., Denver, 80206
Blackbelly Market 1606 Conestoga St., Boulder, 80301
Boulder Dushanbe Tea House 1770 13th St., Boulder, 80302
Bramble & Hare 1970 13th St., Boulder, 80302

Brasserie Brixton (new) 3701 N. Williams St., Denver 80205
Dio Mio 3264 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
Element 47 675 E. Durant Ave, Aspen, 81611
Fruition 1313 E. 6th Ave., Denver, 80218
Guard and Grace 1801 California St., Denver, 80202
Hey Kiddo 4337 Tennyson St., Denver, 80212
Kawa Ni (new) 1900 W. 32nd Ave., Denver 80211
Marco’s Coal Fired 2129 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
Mawa’s Kitchen 305 Aspen Airport Business Center, Ste. F, Aspen, 81611
Mercantile Dining and Provision 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, 80202
Mirabelle 55 Village Rd., Beaver Creek, 81620
Noisette 3254 Navajo St., Denver, 80211
Oak at Fourteenth, 1400 Pearl St., Boulder
Olivia, 290 S. Downing St., Denver

Osaki’s, 100 E. Meadow Dr., Vail
Prospect, 330 E. Main St., Aspen
Q House, 3421 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Safta, 3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Santo, 1265 Alpine Ave., Boulder
Smok, 3330 Brighton Blvd. #202, Denver
Splendido at the Chateau, 17 Chateau Lane, Beaver Creek
Stella’s Cucina, 1123 Walnut St., Boulder
Sweet Basil, 193 Gore Creek Dr., Vail
Temaki Den, 3350 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Wyld, 130 Daybreak Ridge Rd. Avon
Zoe Ma Ma, 2010 10th St., Boulder

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Originally Published: September 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.