Just an update on an earlier post:
Kiva Fusion Restaurant (http://kivadenver.com), after a week-long "soft opening" is open for lunch and dinner in the old Tosh's building at 31st and Downing.
We ate there several times during their soft opening, when entrees were $5. Today as I understand it is the first day they're open for both lunch and dinner, and, I think, at regular menu prices.
While they haven't had time to decorate, the quality of the food was encouraging (try the skirt steak!), and they seem very ambitious in what they want to do with the space.
A successful Kiva would be an important step forward for the neighborhood, so be sure and check them out! And come back here and record your comments on your experience.
3 comments:
Hi! Our firm used to travel to Tosh's Hacienda every year on Staff Appreciation day and enjoy the light atmosphere, filling food, tasty margs, and lots of laughter. We were very disappointed to learn early last year that they would be going out of business. Well, Staff Appreciation day is coming right up and it was my "job" to determine whether Tosh's had survived, when I learned of its replacement, Kiva. From what I gather, you also enjoyed Tosh's and were skeptical about Kiva, but it appears that you've given it a try (or a few!) and are impressed with it. It is because of your blog that I will be going up there soon to "scope it out" and, if all goes as expected, we will be continuing our old tradition at the same location, in the new place! I will post back with our results. Thank you.
Hi Sio,
Thanks for reading!
Lots has changed at Kiva since my last post, as the management (not the ownership) has changed. The service and food quality has seemed to be more consistent the last couple times I've visited, but they're still struggling to find their niche and audience.
I think their biggest challenge was going into a location and market so well known (and loved) as Tosh's. Remember when Brian Griese took over for John Elway? Even with a couple of great years (especially relative to Elway's first few) he never met the public's expectations.
So is Kiva, struggling to meet expectations while in many ways they've improved upon Tosh's.
It's certainly not the same food, but I would argue of equal or better quality in places. The steak items are consistently very good, as are the burgers and the crusted tilapia. The chimis just aren't the same however, to my disappointment.
I think as long as one doesn't expect it to be "the same old Tosh's" they'll find it good food at an extremely reasonable price.
I recommend calling ahead and speaking to the new manager, a very nice gentleman named John. If you let him know your history with Tosh's and your desire to support Kiva similarly, I'm sure he'll make sure your event is a success. And please let him know where you read about Kiva, as I'm really trying to turn this site into some sort of resource for the Cole, Curtis Park, Whittier, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Good luck, enjoy, and thank you for supporting local North Denver businesses!
We love Kiva! The service has always been attentive and gracious, and the food very good. Don't go expecting "authentic Mexican", although the flavors are reminiscent of New Mexican cuisine. We have eaten there several times - twice in one week when my foodie brother and his wife came out from Kansas to help me strip the floors. He pines for Kiva....
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