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February 11, 2026

Meet the Ambiance Architect of Denver’s Coolest Restaurants

City Cast Denver

Meet the Ambiance Architect of Denver’s Coolest Restaurants

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From gaining Michelin star status to collecting a bounty of James Beard Awards, Denver’s culinary profile keeps rising. But beyond decorated chefs, all star meals, and international media attention lies a low-key secret to the Mile High’s dining out success — a well-designed restaurant. Award winning architect Kevin Nguyen grew up in Aurora and has been the mind behind the look and feel of spots like Brutø, The Wolf's Tailor, Hey Kiddo, Hop Alley, Xiquita, and many more. He joins host Bree Davies to dig into why the placement of a restaurant’s entrance and the sound of a dining room are just as important as what’s on the menu.

A few years ago, we took a tour of Casa Bonita with “Professor of Fun” David Thomas to learn about how the design of this iconic eatertainment space is as much about its built environment as it is the cliff divers.

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What’s your favorite Denver Restaurant? What place makes dining out in Denver worthwhile? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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