Denver’s dining scene continues to evolve with the opening of Madeline, a new chef-driven restaurant debuting May 7, 2026, in the former Fruition space. Created by Chef Quincy Cherrett, the highly anticipated concept blends refined culinary technique with a warm, neighborhood feel, offering a fresh take on seasonal dining in one of the city’s most storied restaurant locations.

---

Need more? Read more: 3 places to celebrate the 2026 Kentucky Derby in Colorado

---

Hospitality-driven restaurant concept centers on comfort and connection

Madeline is designed to be a restaurant where guests feel welcomed, relaxed and eager to return. The experience will prioritize genuine hospitality, thoughtful pacing and a sense of familiarity, whether guests are stopping in for a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Every detail, from the service style to the menu structure, will encourage conversation, comfort and connection.

Seasonal cooking defines the Madeline restaurant menu

The menu will showcase technique-driven, seasonal cooking with a clear point of view. Guests can expect signature dishes such as rotating seasonal housemade pastas and seared halibut with fresh green curry, alongside rotating seasonal plates that emphasize high-quality ingredients. The approach will be ingredient-first and unfussy, allowing flavors and craftsmanship to speak for themselves.

Highlights from the menu include:

• Oysters with radish and green apple mignonette
• Beet carpaccio with Thai red curry peanut sauce and lemon goat cheese
• Crab cake with red miso shrimp bisque
• Lamb agnolotti with spring pea, mint and morel mushrooms
• Scallops with white miso celery root purée and jasmine tea-pickled pears
• Signature halibut with green curry and black forbidden rice
• Black sesame cheesecake
• Passion fruit crème brûlée

Beverage program complements seasonal dining philosophy

The beverage program will mirror the kitchen’s philosophy, offering a curated variety of innovative cocktails. A strong by-the-glass wine program will support both spontaneous visits and celebratory meals, complemented by a cellar of special bottles. Cocktails will lean toward ingredient-driven simplicity and creativity.

Chef Quincy Cherrett brings extensive Denver culinary experience

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Cherrett has built his career in respected kitchens throughout the Mountain West and Denver. He served as Chef de Cuisine at Colt & Gray, where he trained extensively in whole-animal butchery and deepened his technical foundation. He later became Chef de Cuisine at Death & Co., helping launch and shape the culinary program while developing menus that supported the restaurant’s elevated bar-driven identity.

Cherrett then moved into the Executive Chef position at Izakaya Den and Sushi Den, overseeing back-of-house training, kitchen operations and standards across two of Denver’s most notable restaurants. Earlier in his career, he also served as Executive Chef at The Kitchen in Jackson, Wyoming.

Previous concepts shaped the Madeline restaurant vision

In recent years, Cherrett has explored more personal and entrepreneurial projects, launching 22 Provisions as a food truck and stall concept, followed by Eloise, a bistro-style concept at Avanti Food Hall. These experiences allowed him to refine his voice, test ideas, and clarify the hospitality-driven vision that will come to life fully at Madeline.

Family inspiration influences Madeline restaurant identity

The restaurant is named after Cherrett’s newborn niece, a deeply personal connection that reflects the project’s family-centered spirit. As the son of a hotelier, many of Cherrett’s earliest memories unfolded in the kitchens, corridors and guest rooms of Four Seasons properties, an unconventional yet formative environment that shaped his understanding of hospitality. Several family members will be involved behind the scenes at Madeline, reinforcing the restaurant’s emphasis on building a genuine sense of community.

To learn more, visit restaurantmadeline.com.

This story has been updated with new details ahead of Madeline’s May 2026 opening.