Wonderyard Garden + Table, Lotus Concepts Management’s latest restaurant experience, will open its doors to the public on Friday, March 8. The “Great Gatsby” and “Secret Garden”-inspired concept welcomes guests to enjoy its eclectic interior and exterior, shareable menu and extravagant cocktails.
The driving force behind Wonderyard’s menu conception is its executive chef, Jose “Pepe” Rodriguez. Chef Rodriguez brings his expertise to Wonderyard following his tenure at Boulder’s Frasca, a James Beard Award-winner, and Basta, known for its Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. Rodriguez takes pride in the artisanal dough-making techniques he honed at these prestigious establishments and is excited to create a menu contributing these creations to the Denver culinary scene. Rodriguez uses Langin grain as the foundation of the dough he has created for Wonderyard, which is grown in northern Colorado and processed in Boulder.
“At Wonderyard, we’re not just serving food; we’re curating a culinary experience that brings people together,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “Every dish is meant to be shared, which made creating this menu such a different experience than what I am used to. The menu ended up being a homage to the communal spirit of Mediterranean cuisine, yet each dish carries a hint of global flair. It has been so much fun creating a menu that blends traditional techniques with unexpected twists to offer something truly special in Denver’s dining scene.”
Rodriguez’s dough is set to be the star of Wonderyard’s culinary offerings. It can be found in nearly every part of the menu, from appetizers like the seasonal bruschetta, which in March will feature house-made citrus focaccia, prosciutto, figs and ricotta to main dishes, like the chicken thigh shawarma, which will be served in a fresh-baked piada wrap, an Italian take on flatbread. Even the croutons in Wonderyard’s Caesar salad are made in-house using this special dough.
Chef Pepe is especially proud of his hand-made flatbread menu, which highlights eleven options, ranging from traditional staple flatbreads, like the lovingly named “Pepe-roni” to unique flavor pairings like the “Meat Me Halfway”, which balances rich cheddar cheese and house-made lamb sausage with the spice of harissa powder. With the addition of the vegan “Olive You More” flatbread, topped with red sauce, plant-based cheese, fresh garlic, onions and peppers, there will be delicious options for every palate.
When developing the menu, Chef Pepe was adamant about remaining as sustainable as possible when choosing ingredients and purveyors. Staying true to Lotus Concept Management’s Never Ever campaign, which promotes sustainable and ethical produce sourcing from local partners in the Centennial state, Wonderyard has partnered with local farmers, suppliers and ranchers to provide responsibly-raised meats and produce to guests. One of its local sourcing partners is Golden Prairie Farms, which grows the Langin grain that Chef Pepe uses in all of his dough-based dishes.
Along with its fare, Wonderyard will offer an extensive bar program. The cocktail menu has something for each guest; from sweet to salty to sparkly and everything in between. “Le Cloud” features pink lemonade vodka and a cotton candy cloud perched on the glass. The “One of a Kind” offers guests both a tropical getaway in the form of rum, passionfruit and coconut water, and an opportunity to give back to the community, with a portion of proceeds from each sale supporting a quarterly-rotating local charity. For larger parties, Wonderyard will serve large-format cocktails with stunning presentations. Wonderyard’s alcohol-free selection has been thoughtfully curated to include unique options like the “Lady Marmalade”, which combines Seedlip Grove, Lyre’s Amalfi spritz, honey and lemon with Dram CBD. For those who want to set their tastebuds on fire, the “Disco Inferno” couples Lyre Agave Blanco with watermelon, jalapeno and lime, providing guests with fuel to dance the night away.
The food and drink options complement the space’s interior and exterior décor. Outside is meant to resemble a secret garden, where guests will find an array of unique seating options like gilded birdcages, a spinning turntable and giant, pink teacups. The exterior walls were hand-painted with flowers and butterflies, transporting guests to a botanical paradise. Carousel horses are stationed in front of the outdoor “selfie wall,” providing a backdrop for photos. Inside, a sea of bold colors and textures, like velvet, cheetah and deep emerald leather, come together on booths, entrancing guests with a symphony of sophistication with nods to the Roaring 20s.
“Wonderyard encompasses the love I feel for Downtown Denver,” said Francois Saffiedine, CEO of Lotus Concepts Management. “I cannot wait to see how this new addition to the Ballpark neighborhood will impact the community, bringing locals and visitors close together over the backdrop of my wildest dreams come to life.”
Wonderyard is located at 2200 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205 and will be open for lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends.
