An inventive new dining concept is set to take shape in the heart of Larimer Square this summer.
Husband-and-wife duo Frank and Jacqueline Bonanno, the force behind Bonanno Concepts, will debut Rōmyō this July inside the historic Miller Building at 1401 Larimer St, according to a press release.
This new concept comes as Dumplin’, the group’s Highlands-based Asian fusion comfort-food restaurant, prepares to close on April 12. A company representative told What Now Denver that Rōmyō will build on Dumplin’s foundation while offering a refined, expanded menu and more room for chef creativity and innovation.
Bonnano Concepts has long leaned into collaboration and global inspiration through its “culinary playdate” pop-ups. Among them, the concept of Itameshi—a fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisines—has emerged as a standout, returning year after year at Luca, their Italian-inspired neighborhood dining room.
Rōmyō—named as a paean to Rome and Tokyo—marks the transition from pop-up to full-fledged restaurant, transforming one of the group’s most popular concepts into a full-service dining experience. The opening also coincides with a milestone moment for Bonanno Concepts, bringing together 25 years of culinary creativity, hospitality, and influence in Denver’s dining scene.
Since opening Mizuna in 2001, the Bonannos have shaped their group around a philosophy of generous hospitality—for both guests and staff. Frank, a hands-on chef known for his “bold flavors and insatiable culinary curiosity,” has played a key role in mentoring generations of Denver culinary talent, while Jacqueline has guided the group’s creative vision, designing each space and shaping its identity.
“Rōmyō is truly a family affair,” said Jacqueline. “One of our boys, who is a beautiful potter, is crafting all our serve ware from scratch. Our other son is studying film in school and will be working with the producer of ‘Full and Buzzed’ to capture the metamorphosis of the space as we chronicle Rōmyō for season three. Every design touchpoint will have a distinctly ‘Bonanno Concepts’ mark. It’s one of our most exciting projects to-date.”
Inside, Rōmyō will feature an 80-seat dining room anchored by a vibrant, kaiseki-inspired bar, setting the tone for an energetic yet refined experience. Outside, a lively patio will place diners right in the center of Larimer Square’s pedestrian buzz, framed by views of the surrounding foothills.
The concept itself draws inspiration from across the group’s portfolio—pulling in the rich broths and playful Asian flavors of Bones, the daring Japanese influence of Mizuna, and the rustic Italian foundations of Luca, alongside the comfort-driven creativity of Dumplin’ and the longstanding legacy of Osteria Marco.
“We’re all about embracing past and future Denver,” said Chef Bonanno. “Larimer is particularly close to our hearts. Osteria Marco, Green Russell and Russell’s Smokehouse are among the historic spaces we’ve reimagined on this block; it’s so important to us to honor these buildings and we couldn’t be more excited about introducing Rōmyō to this space.”
