Dear Emilia, the second concept from the Michelin-recommended Restaurant Olivia team, will officially open to the public on January 29, 2026.
Located on the ground floor of The Current at 3615 Delgany Street in Denver’s River North Arts District, Dear Emilia will blend soulful Italian cooking with a warm, design-rich dining experience.
“This restaurant has been a long time coming, and it means so much to finally welcome people into a space we’ve poured so much care into,” Morrison, who will lead Dear Emilia’s hospitality program, said. “I can’t wait for guests to experience what we adore about this beautiful region, whether they’re discovering it for the first time or reconnecting with flavors they already love. More than anything, we’re hoping to add something truly special to Denver’s vibrant and ever-evolving dining scene.”
The restaurant hopes to focus on the expression of Emilia Romgna, the agricultural heart of northern Italy and birthplace of some of Italy’s most well-known foods, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional balsamico, tagliatelle and proscuitto di Parma. Dear Emilia will reflect the inspiration in their entryway, where a batteria filled with barrels of San Giacomo’s balsamico, referred to by the team as their “black gold,” stands as both design centerpiece and tribute to the artisans of the region.
Dear Emilia honors the connections they’ve made traveling to Emilia Romagna for years by working with trusted Italian purveyors as well as growers and makers across Colorado, the Mountain West, and the world who share the team’s commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship.
As for food, Dear Emilia’s menu will reflect Chef Leon’s reverence for Emilia Romagna’s most defining culinary traditions while celebrating the agricultural richness of Colorado. The Smoked Trout Tigelle will offer a modern interpretation of the region’s beloved street-food sandwiches, while also made with White Sonora flour and filled with trout from Colorado’s Frontier Trout Ranch mixed with mascarpone.
Guests will also find pasta dishes rooted with mortadella and pork and finished with a pour of clarified Parmesan broth at the table. Main secondi dishes, like Grama Farms Beef Striploin from Boulder County topped with pesto modenese, a classic mixture of lardo, rosemary, Parmigiano Reggiano and black pepper, will reflect the rustic farmhouse cooking of Modena.
“Creating this menu has been a joy because it allowed us to blend those classic dishes with ingredients and ideas that feel true to Denver,” says Chef Leon. “It is a celebration of the people we have met along the way and the connections that continue to inspire us.”
In terms of drinks, Dear Emilia has designed an ingredient-forward program that tells a story at the very first glance. Every drink is named after its starring ingredient, ensuring that the ingredient’s story guides the experience. Drinks such as “Blood Orange” or “Fig” are crafted with seasonality, preservation, and close collaboration with the kitchen at top of mind.
Wine Director Scott Thomas, one of the only 22 certified Italian Wine Experts in the world, has created a fully Italian wine program for Dear Emilia as well, shaped by the years he spent living, studying, and traveling through Italy. The list will place emphasis on Emilia Romagna, with Lambrusco taking center stage by the glass and even in a dedicated Lambrusco flight.
The space at Dear Emilia features seating for 88 guests, a 10-seat patio, and a private dining room for up to 22 with full A/V capabilities.
Guests are invited to follow the journey to opening in January and be the first to know when reservations go live by visiting www.emiliadenver.com or follow them @dearemilia_denver on Instagram.
