Nine months after a devastating fire destroyed Oak at Fourteen^th [2], the resilient restaurant threw open its doors to reveal a sleeker, more spacious interior. Co-owners Bryan Dayton and Steven Redzikowski happily show off not only a lovely new 50-seat private dining room (in the former Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop [3] space), but also new and improved menus.

Dayton (who was crowned by GQ Bombay Sapphire [4] as the “Most Inspired Bartender in the Country”) spent the nine months of construction refining his already impressive drink list. Look for house-made alcoholic and non-alcoholic sodas—offered in seasonal flavors like blood-orange-ginger and kumquat-tarragon—as well as the award-winning, berry-driven East Aspen Heights [5].

Meanwhile, chef Redzikowski polished his skills staging with Bryce Gilmore (one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs [6]) at Barley Swine [7] in Austin, Texas. For proof, try the braised Colorado lamb shoulder (pictured), delicately encased in tender cannelloni with wild mushroom, rosemary, and mustard; or the Tender Belly Farm [8] pork chop with creamy grits, crispy pork ears, and pickled pepper jam.

1400 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-3622