Bonanno Concepts Opens Japanese-Italian Restaurant on Larimer Square
DENVER, CO — Bonanno Concepts has opened Rōmyō, a new Japanese-Italian restaurant following a buildout inside the historic Miller Building on Denver’s Larimer Square.
Exterior Photo of Rōmyō | Courtesy of Joey Pusateri
The restaurant officially opened September 10 at 1401 Larimer Street, at the corner of 14th and Larimer streets. The new concept from Frank and Jacqueline Bonanno occupies an 80-seat dining space and represents a permanent home for the restaurant group’s take on itameshi, the fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisines.
The interior was developed under the creative direction of Jacqueline Bonanno and centers around a large pillared bar. A portion of the space has also been designed for a more intimate kaiseki dining experience, while outdoor patio seating extends the restaurant onto the pedestrianized portion of Larimer Square.
Custom design and fabrication elements are incorporated throughout the buildout. Near the entrance, a nine-foot-tall giraffe named Grace holds a chandelier over the host stand, creating one of the restaurant’s most prominent interior features. A mobile kakigōri cart is also planned for the space and will reference Japanese street culture while being used to serve the traditional shaved-ice dessert.
Denver-based FinArt worked with the restaurant on elements of the interior, including fabrication of the bar and the forthcoming kakigōri cart. Jacqueline Bonanno said the company helped translate her design concepts into the finished restaurant. Custom pottery and serveware are also incorporated throughout the dining experience.
Photo of Interior Dining Room | Courtesy of Joey Pusateri
The new restaurant gives a permanent location to a concept Bonanno Concepts had previously tested as an annual pop-up at Luca. Rōmyō draws inspiration from several restaurants across the company’s portfolio, combining elements of the Japanese-inspired cooking associated with Mizuna and former concepts Bones and Dumplin’ with the Italian influences of Luca and nearby Osteria Marco.
Executive Chef Johnny Rodriguez leads the kitchen. The opening menu includes Chicken Katsu alla Piccata, ’Nduja Dumplings, Udon Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe Ramen, Parma Prosciutto Roll and Chitarra alla Sake, along with chawanmushi and several kakigōri desserts.
The restaurant also worked with Colorado-based Leopold Bros. on several components of the menu. Rōmyō ages its own soy sauce in whiskey barrels in collaboration with the distillery and uses Leopold Bros. Colorado peach vinegar as a dipping sauce for dumplings.
Rōmyō is the latest addition to Bonanno Concepts’ Denver restaurant portfolio, which currently includes Mizuna, Luca, Osteria Marco, Vesper Lounge and Salita. Frank and Jacqueline Bonanno have operated the restaurant group since opening Mizuna in 2001.
Rōmyō is now open for dinner seven days a week, with lunch service offered Friday through Sunday.
Photo of Kitchen Staff on the Line | Courtesy of Joey Pusateri
Development Team
Restaurant / Owner: Bonanno Concepts
Owners / Proprietors: Frank Bonanno + Jacqueline Bonanno
Creative Direction / Interior Design: Jacqueline Bonanno
Fabrication / Bar: FinArt Denver
Food & Beverage Collaboration: Leopold Bros.
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4 minute read • Rōmyō is now open at 1401 Larimer Street, bringing a new Japanese-Italian restaurant and custom interior buildout to the historic Miller Building on Larimer Square.