I read a fascinating article in the Denver Post yesterday about the reopening of Domo Japanese Country Restaurant. This place has been in business here in Denver since 1996, and in addtion to its food, is famous for its beautiful outdoor gardens. I knew about the place, but have never dined there. Evidently, back in 2021, a 40 second TikTok video showing those Japanese gardens went viral and resulted in hundreds of people lining up at the restaurant every day, overwhelming chef Gako Homma and his staff. By September of 2022, Homma decided it might be time to retire, and closed the restaurant. God knows I can understand why.
Homma traveled to Turkey, Nepal, and Thailand, where he cooked some of Domo's famous curry. Coming home, moved by many notes from loyal customers and wanting to get back in the kitchen, he decided to reopen Domo on a limited basis, serving only lunch and a more simple menu Monday through Saturday, from 11:00 to 2:00, with a staff of only four - two in the kitchen and two in the front. He eventually plans to add more items to the menu, and have a dinner service, too. But at age 73, Homma wants to take things slowly. His mission is to show that Japanese food isn't just limited to sushi and ramen, and to introduce people to foods the Japanese have been eating for centuries, sometimes even cooking by hanging a pot over a fire. This story actually makes me want to visit this restaurant and try out that curry. Which for me is saying something.
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