Chef Samir Mohammad Opens an Italian Restaurant in Aurora | Eater Denver

"Opened late last month in the former Cody’s Cafe and Bar, this cozy 40-seat spot—whose name means “hole in the wall”—offers a rustic Italian menu led by Chef Samir Mohammad and his fiancée, Rachel Firestone. Mohammad leans on produce from his home garden and local farmers markets, bakes all of the breads in-house, and makes most of the pastas, giving the kitchen a homemade, market-driven feel. Standout dishes include cioppino (steamed mussels in a pesto and white wine broth), spaghetti and meatballs, pan-fried ricotta gnudi with roasted cauliflower, oven-dried tomatoes and Parmesan broth, and shrimp scampi; desserts feature flourless chocolate cake and tiramisu. Mohammad brings experience from Denver spots such as The Village Cork, Lala’s, Pesce Fresco and Black Pearl and was most recently the opening chef at Artisan 206 in Breckenridge. The restaurant is open 4:30–9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday." - Rebecca Treon