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Zoom In: Chef Lon Symensma

Q&A with chef Lon Symensma // Executive Chef
and Owner // ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro // Denver

What are your favorite things about Denver?
The weather here is my favorite. I love driving through the mountains on my motorcycle in the summer and skiing in the winter. It’s great to live so close to the mountains and still get to experience city life on a day-to-day basis.

How would you describe the current culinary scene in Denver?
Growing! We’ve had so many incredible restaurants open in the past few years. It is a very competitive market.

What makes dining at ChoLon special for groups?   
Our group dining experience is a little different than that at many restaurants because all of our plates are designed for sharing. Among the most popular options are our French onion soup dumplings, pork belly buns and Saigon lobster crepes.  

Before booking the dinner, our event coordinator helps the leader of your large party select a menu for the table. Food then arrives at the table as it’s ready. It’s a fun experience that encourages the members of your group to interact with the food and each other.

Do you have a favorite dish that you like to prepare for groups?
Our doughnuts with Vietnamese coffee ice cream are always a hit among our large groups.

What are some great culinary experiences you would recommend for groups meeting in Denver?
I always recommend visiting the growing number of food halls that are opening in Denver, including Avanti F&B, Denver Central Market and Stanley Beer Hall, to name a few.    There’s definitely a lot of variety for people who have different tastes to select from, and they’re a fun demonstration of the versatility of Denver’s food scene.