On Friday, the Hotel Teatro at 1100 14th St. announced that Restaurant Kevin Taylor (pictured below) will cease operations within the hotel effective March 30.
The 1,500 square-foot space that currently houses the restaurant will temporarily be shuttered in anticipation of Hotel Teatro’s planned multimillion dollar renovation that will take place this spring.
Prima Ristorante, also located within the hotel and owned and operated by Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group, will remain open until May 1, at which time it will be closed for a renovation as well, then reopened as a new restaurant, operated by the hotel.
Employees of Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group were notified on Friday, given three weeks notice, and many will be transferred to other properties within the restaurant group.
Design for the new restaurant and reception areas will be done by a local team, handpicked by the hotel ownership – including Oz Architects, Tundra Kitchen design and interior designer, Studio Frank. More details of the concept will be shared closer to the July launch date.
Restaurant Kevin Taylor has been a staple within the hotel, and the city, for the past 15 years. Rated Four-Star by Forbes Travel Guide and Four-Diamond by AAA each year since its inception, Restaurant Kevin Taylor remains the only Four-Star, Four-Diamond restaurant in the city. Through the years, Restaurant Kevin Taylor has been the recipient of numerous awards from top culinary authorities, including Wine Spectator, Food & Wine and Sunset magazines, Zagat, Fodors and others.
“While we didn’t have plans to close Restaurant Kevin Taylor prior to the hotel’s decision to renovate, repurposing the space is in the best interest of the property,” Taylor said “It also leaves us with a tremendous opportunity to do something new elsewhere.
“Restaurant Kevin Taylor had an incredible 15 years in Hotel Teatro, which is a long time for any restaurant to remain open and sustainable. We’re excited about the possibility of creating new concepts down the line, now that we’ll have a bit more time and resources to do so.
“In the meantime, we hope Restaurant Kevin Taylor’s customers, who’ve been incredibly loyal over the years, will find a new favorite in one of our other restaurants, particularly Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House, which appeals to a similar guest.”
“Restaurant Kevin Taylor has been a significant part of the Hotel Teatro experience these past 15 years, and it has been a pleasure to have such a notable establishment as part of the hotel,” said Afsi Bird, general manager of Hotel Teatro.
“We are excited to look ahead at the next chapter and introduce a new, integrated experience to our guests. The renovation that will take place this spring will create a gathering place for coffee, food and cocktails catering to both locals and travelers.”
Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group operates several additional Denver-area restaurants, including Palettes at the Denver Art Museum, Taylor’s at the Opera House and Limelight Supper Club & Lounge, as well as Rouge and the Teller Bar, located within the Central City Opera House.
Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group gift cards will be honored at these locations. In addition to the restaurant locations, Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group operates several catering operations, within the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver Art Museum, and recently announced, within the Clyfford Still Museum.
“We’re extremely thankful to the dining public for allowing us to have such a great run with these restaurants,” Taylor said. “More importantly, we’re thankful to our managers, staff and partners. Without them, and their high degree of dedication and professionalism, the past 15 years wouldn’t have been possible.”
Hotel Teatro will be undergoing a renovation project beginning this spring and will reopen the restaurant space as a new concept restaurant that is yet to be determined.
(Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group photo)
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