Tessa Delicatessen
Restaurant · Montclair ·
Classic sandwiches, burgers, cocktails, and deli fare
Classic sandwiches, burgers, cocktails, and deli fare
"A Denver deli whose owner originally considered naming it for his grandmother but instead chose a different women’s name because of the sound and associations of warmth and nurture; the proprietor, father of three daughters, liked the name’s Greek meaning of “born fourth” (seeing the deli as a figurative fourth child) and playfully noted the word’s connection to a type of ham." - Rachel Levin
"Opened at 5724 East Colfax Avenue, this new deli aims to be Park Hill’s go-to for Reubens, Cuban sandwiches, charcuterie and a weekend “party brunch” vibe, serving quinoa bowls, avocado toast and brunch cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys alongside beer, wine and coffee. Owner Vince Howard — who moved from Los Angeles — emphasizes serious sandwich craftsmanship, sourcing meats from River Bear American Meats (run by former Old Major chef and heritage-meat enthusiast Justin Brunson) and much of the bread from RiNo’s City Bakery; menu highlights include a Thanksgiving-style deli turkey, a New Orleans muffuletta, a Cuban sandwich and a barbecue pastrami inspired by a Russian deli in Boston. The 2,500-square-foot space, housed in a former furniture store, has a clean, simple feel with a large deli counter, a 60-seat dining room, a small kids’ area with mini picnic tables and toys, and expansive kitchens; the spot also offers charcuterie and cheese boards and plans a late-night menu with items like bison burgers, meatballs, mac and cheese and possible vegetarian options. Open 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, the concept is intentionally multifunctional—breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and a laid-back neighborhood atmosphere aimed at being a place that “has it all.”" - Paul Albani-Burgio
"At 5724 Colfax Avenue in Park Hill, LA transplant Vince Howard will open a deli in a former antique furniture store offering a solid lineup of hot and cold deli and breakfast sandwiches on City Bakery ciabatta and pretzel rolls with Justin Brunson’s River Bear meats, plus Tapatío-topped grain bowls, avocado toasts, fresh corn and cotija salads, and an assortment of meats and cheeses." - Paul Albani-Burgio
"Laid-back brunching, all day long, is the vibe Vince Howard says he’s bringing to Park Hill and Montclair this spring at Tessa Delicatessen. A former fine-dining chef who moved from Los Angeles after running a beachside sandwich joint in Playa Del Rey, he’s combining “chef-y techniques” with “speed-demon” sandwich making to bring a piece of California fresh to East Colfax. The restaurant will occupy a 2,500-square-foot former antique furniture store at Colfax and Ivy Street (5724 East Colfax Avenue), outfitted with a large industrial kitchen and a smaller dining room with benches and community tables for about 60 guests. The all-day menu leans brunchy—pretzel roll breakfast sandwiches, Tapatío-topped grain bowls, avocado toasts, fresh corn and cotija salads, meats and cheeses and other “nosh stuff”—but the sandwiches are the stars, served hot and cold, likely on City Bakery ciabatta and pretzel rolls with River Bear meats and all the fixings. Howard says “life’s a little better with a sandwich,” and he references pancetta tesa (unsmoked bacon) and a family joke about the name, quipping, “This will be my most expensive daughter for sure.”" - Josie Sexton
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