New Denver restaurant, Point Easy, carrying on after owner died shortly after opening

It is kind of a odd restaurant identify, Point Straightforward. It sounds like it should be a youthful Keanu Reeves surfer movie or a little something. But no, the proprietors, Andy Bruch and brothers Denn and Dan Phelps, wished one thing to make diners really feel comfortable and taken care of after they stepped into the Whittier spot, so there you have it. Place Uncomplicated.

It’s a delightful new cafe, now tinged with a little bit of disappointment, in a neighborhood that could likely use much more pleasant new dining places. Level Uncomplicated usually takes over where by The Whittier Pub remaining off, changing the darkish, wood-significant inside with a dazzling bar and geometric ceiling, and the common bar foods menu with updated seasonal dishes.

Bruch and the Phelps brothers satisfied functioning at The Kitchen Boulder and required to place their have spin on food stuff and drink designed with sustainable, very well-sourced ingredients. Their spin will involve 4 contemporary pastas each evening a rotating choice of charcuterie and cheese huge, mostly meat-centric entrees and treats and compact plates that operate the gamut from French fries to herb labneh to local veggies.

Unfortunately, just a few weeks into Issue Easy’s brand name-new cafe existence, Denn Phelps died all of a sudden. The 37-yr-previous handed away on July 22 soon after battling well being troubles, Bruch mentioned, leaving behind the restaurant, but satisfying his intention of opening his personal spot.

“It was his dream,” mentioned Bruch. He normally preferred to cook his individual meals in his individual cafe but, Bruch extra, in a collaborative way. “He was a huge believer in collaborating with the entire kitchen area staff members, the entire group. That is how he thinks in remaining in the kitchen area — incorporating unique people today and distinct ideas.”

New Denver restaurant, Point Easy, carrying on after owner died shortly after opening
Some of dishes at Issue Effortless, a new restaurant in the Whittier neighborhood. (Presented by Level Effortless)

Issue Uncomplicated experienced been humming, falling into a groove and currently earning community lovers. When the menu was collaborative, Bruch mentioned that Denn’s “amazing palate” is existing in every single and just about every dish, and individuals recipes will go on to seem on the menu.

I was fortunate enough to try to eat some of Denn Phelps’ food in that brief three-week window, and his contemporary bucatini with guanciale and chile was so good that it impressed me to monitor down bucatini of my have and endeavor to recreate the dish at household all weekend long. (I unsuccessful.)