BY MIGUEL OTÁROLA, @MOTAROLA_EATS

Late last year, I sat down with Kevin Nguyen, the architect behind many of the hottest new restaurants in Denver. Over the last decade he and his firm have amassed over three dozen projects, many of those designing kitchens and dining rooms for chefs and restaurateurs who are seeking simplicity, function and a touch of bold color. The Colorado chapter of the American Institute of Architects recently named Nguyen the Architect of the Year for his contributions. Read our profile of him below, along with all the other food news of the week, including the latest James Beard Award semifinalist nominations.

EDITOR'S PICKS

Denver lands an East Coast-style Italian red-sauce joint

TIP POOL

Do you know anywhere you can get a takeout lunch for two for $20 (total)?

MORE HEADLINES

• This Denver sandwich is so good, Michelin named it one of the best in North America
• Yelp’s Top 100 restaurant list has little in the way of Colorado recognition
  
• From champion steer to market beef — with a ceremony along the way
• After the Stock Show, a new steakhouse will debut inside the Livestock Exchange Building
• Upscale Thai restaurant plans second location in Larimer Square
  
• Staff Favorite: Old-school Denver diner offers corned beef hash two ways — canned or scratch-made — Barbara Ellis
• Commentary: Is takeout dying? The middle ground between the cost of eating out, cooking is disappearing — Allyson Reedy

EAT THIS

Poncho's Mexican Restaurant

"This isn’t the Colorado Mexican food you want if you’re a Colorado native," reads a customer review of Poncho's Mexican Restaurant, a south Denver diner that, based on its sun-bleached signage and booths, has seen a lot of love. The customer mentioned that, as an indictment, though I think many people would be happy to hear that it's different -- and more reminiscent of what you'll find in Southern California or the borderlands west of Texas. The "Al Carbon" taco plate ($16) has four sirloin steak tacos on flour tortillas topped with avocados, plus refried beans, Spanish rice and two hot salsas. The salsa that comes with the complimentary chips is even hotter. Poncho's, which is just off of Federal Boulevard, has a giant menu, including eggs, pancakes and other breakfast dishes served all day.

2995 W. Jewell Ave., Denver; ponchostraditional.com