Yes, chef: New sushi spots bring omakase to Boulder
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A variety of nigiri rolls at Temaki Joint in Boulder. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios Boulder
Two new Japanese restaurants have opened in Boulder, bringing omakase experiences and expanding the city's roster of high-concept dining options.
Why it matters: The fresh openings add to the Boulder's growing reputation as a launchpad for ambitious restaurant concepts from some of Colorado's best-known chefs.
Driving the news: Temaki Joint officially opened last week at 2900 Baseline Rd., following the debut of Wellness Counter last month at 1117 Pearl St.
- Both specialize in classic nigiri, hand rolls and seafood-forward small plates.
- And each offers "omakase" — where chefs curate the menu and walk diners through the stories behind each dish.
- That means you get a front-row seat to watch chefs slice fish with surgical precision, assemble intricate bites and occasionally break out a blowtorch.
Wellness Counter is the latest concept from Phoebe and Steven Lee, the co-owners of Wellness Sushi, Denver's first plant-based Japanese restaurant.
- The Pearl Street Mall space features ample indoor seating, a patio and a chef's counter with three work stations.
- The menu focuses on dry-aged fish, wagyu beef and seafood, much of it sourced directly from Japan.
Best bites: The sleeper hit here might be their toast plates, made with shokupan, a Japanese milk bread.
- The pillowy sweet bread goes well with salty ingredients like blue crab and sea urchin.
- Among the nigiri, the wagyu and kinmedai (golden snapper) stood out.
If you go: Reservations are available at Resy. Omakase can range from $95-$150 per person.
- Monday-Thursday: 3-10pm
- Friday-Saturday: Noon-11pm
- Sunday: Noon-10pm
Temaki Joint is the latest venture from chef Duy Pham, who's opened a variety of Japanese fusion spots in the Denver area.
- Upstairs from Pho Kitchen off Baseline and U.S. 36, the intimate space offers an enclosed patio and a six-seat chef's counter.
Best bites: As the name suggests, the star is the temaki, or hand rolls.
- The black snapper and smoked salmon were both favorites from the regular menu.
- During our visit, they also had a seafood dynamite roll — think a spicy seafood bake on rice.
- The menu also has a deep bench of nigiri and playful dishes like spicy tuna crispy rice and the eye-catching "temaki tree," which wraps tempura snapper around delicate fried enoki mushrooms.
If you go: Reservations are available through the restaurant. Omakase is only available on weekends, and can range from $60-$100 per person.
- Tuesday-Thursday: 4-9pm
- Friday-Saturday: 4-9pm
The bottom line: Boulder has been on a hot streak when it comes to Asian dining. With these two spots joining Odd Rabbit, the city now boasts a growing roster of high-concept Japanese eateries.