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RESTAURANT PEEKS: Dragon Tiger
Jet Tila’s Dragon Tiger Noodle Company Opens at Dragon Tiger Casino in Central City
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Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. by Chef Jet Tila, prides itself on its Pan-Asian dining concept inspired by every corner of Asia. dragontigernoodle.com
Maverick Gaming™ is excited to announce the opening of Dragon Tiger Noodle Company. This landmark opening is the first celebrity driven restaurant in Central City or Black Hawk and represents the first Colorado outpost of venerated celebrity chef Jet Tila.
Dragon Tiger Noodle Company introduces a new Pan-Asian concept with dishes inspired by Jet Tila’s travels across Asia. Guests will enjoy the opportunity to build a unique bowl with a wide variety of noodles, broth, proteins, and vegetables to choose from. Ramen novices can sample Chef Tila’s favorite creations, while experts can build a perfect customized bowl. All items are served quickly using only the freshest ingredients.
The restaurant is the fourth Dragon Tiger Noodle Company by Chef Jet Tila, who has introduced his spin on Asian dishes in Nevada with two locations in Las Vegas and another in Henderson.
“We’re thrilled to see how visitors, players and local residents have responded so enthusiastically to Dragon Tiger Noodle Company,” said General Manager Dodd Hanneman. “We see people come back frequently, often with new family members and friends.”
In addition to the main dishes, the restaurant’s unique chicken Dragon Wings have proven to be a standout item on the menu, Hanneman said.
The restaurant, which is open daily from 11am to 9pm, is also the first Asian restaurant in Central City. On Saturdays, starting January 21, it will also feature entertainment with a rotating lineup of deejays spinning contemporary hits.
Jet Tila originally hails from Los Angeles where he grew up working in the Bangkok Market and at his family’s restaurant, Royal Thai, which first opened its doors in 1978. When he was a boy, Chef Jet’s Cantonese grandmother would pass down ancient recipes and traditions to him, which cultivated a deep passion for Asian cuisine from an early age. As a child born in the first family of Thai food in Los Angeles, Chef Jet says he was the kid doing homework in the back corner of his parent’s restaurant.
As he reached adulthood, Chef Jet went on to round out his culinary education at Le Cordon Bleau and the California Sushi Academy. Today, he is a James Beard and Daytime Emmy award-nominated chef who has appeared on CBS’s “The Early Show,” and numerous food television shows, including “Cutthroat Kitchen” “Iron Chef America,” “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” “Chopped,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Beat Bobby Flay.”
Chef Jet received the ceremonial title of “Culinary Ambassador” for Thailand by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angles. Eventually, he made his way to Nevada where he landed a role as executive chef at Wazuzu Asian Restaurant at the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort. Chef Jet ended up leaving the Las Vegas food scene in 2016 to grow his national brand by authoring three cookbooks, appearing on radio and national television, and producing online recipe videos.
1550 Platte St. Ste C, Denver, CO 80202 Tel: 303-955-1687
DENVER POKE COMPANY
Located on the bustling Platte Street, Denver Poke Company is a lunch spot favorite for those living in the downtown condos or working in the offices nearby.
Poke Popularity | While poke—or diced raw fish—has grown in popularity, chef Anh “Freddy” Nguyen is not fazed by the competing downtown poke restaurants. He notes that they all have their own specialties. At Denver Poke Company, their focus is on seafood and healthy ingredients (without using frozen ingredients).
With fresh fish deliveries received daily, the small shop has limited seating with most customers grabbing their orders to go. During the warmer months, Denver Poke Company sets up outdoor dining on the sidewalk.
“We are similar to a boutique restaurant,” said Nguyen.
Before 2012, poke eateries only existed in Hawaii. Today, there are more than 1,800 poke restaurants in the US, according to Yelp’s data.
Chef Nguyen’s Experience | Originally from New Orleans, Nguyen’s culinary experience includes 20 years working as a sushi chef, of which nine years was at Denver-based Sushi Den. He comes from a family of restauranteurs. His mom worked as a hotel chef in downtown New Orleans, while his father managed a crab and shrimp boat.
Prior to Sushi Den, he worked at an upscale restaurant in Aspen called Kenichi, where he trained under Executive Master Sushi Chef Kiyomi Sano and Executive Sushi Chef, Yuki Hirabayashi.
In 2017, he opened Denver Poke Company with hopes to own his own restaurant and control its operating hours. As a father of two young children, he values balance between work and family. He viewed poke as a great “spinoff from sushi,” so it was an easy transition for him to use his experience and skills.
On the Menu | Denver Poke Company emphasizes healthy eating by offering vegan, gluten-free and nut-free options, providing two types of rice: Bamboo Rice (made of bamboo and green tea) and Brown Rice with Quinoa.
All bowls are sprinkled with scallions, white and black sesame seeds, and Hawaiian sea salt. Sauces are made in house, and seasonal ingredients could include snow crab or uni (sea urchin).
Nguyen’s preferred dishes include the spicy tuna bowl or chili mango salmon, while his employees enjoy the Pineapple Basil Yellowtail bowl. Another customer favorite is the Da 808—Hawaiian-style, made of tuna and octopus.
In addition to poke bowls, the restaurant also offers spam musubi, a snack created with a slice of grilled spam sandwiched between a block of rice and wrapped with seaweed. Salads are also on the menu including selections such as seaweed, hijiki, squid, crab, or baby octopus. Online ordering is offered for quick and easy pick up.
Visit DenverPokeCompany.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @DenverPokeCompany.
HOURS Mon-Fri: 11am to 7pm Sat-Sun: 11am to 5pm
