A new Montrose eating option is set to open next month in the Oxbow Shopping Center on the south side of town.
The restaurant, named Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen, is a combination of healthy, fresh eating options, many of which are inspired by European cuisine.
Owners James and Stanya Gorraiz have worked over the past few months to update and remodel the space at 1541 Oxbow Drive Ste. 1000a (the former location of My Favorite Muffin).
“We feel savvy in that we can identify what a community needs, and Montrose needs this kind of food,” Stanya said. “Montrose is primed and ready for something like this.”
The concept is a fast casual restaurant with all fresh ingredients.
“We’re producing a concept that’s fast casual,” James said. “You can sit down, or you can pick up and take it. But you know you’re going to be getting a healthy product, and know that it’s sourced from a good place. We’re not doing anything that is unhealthy.”
The menu items will include gyros, pastas, salads, poke bowls, acai bowls, flatbreads, ramen, smoothies and more, but they didn’t want to unveil their full menu until they open. All ingredients, including vegetables, meats and fruits will be fresh and organic. That means no ingredients with corn syrup, and knowing the source of the food. There will be plenty of vegan options, as well.
The restaurant will have a baker making breads, James said. And they plan to make all their own salad dressings, using only healthy oils and fats.
The foods in their display case will rotate daily, so diners can have different experiences each time they visit.
“The goal is we’re going back to the basics, like olive oil and avocado oil,” James said. “Stuff that’s really good for you.”
The Gorraizs also plan to serve alcoholic beverages. James said the menu will include European-style cocktails, like an Aperol spritz.
Stanya and James have plenty of previous restaurant experience. They live in Telluride and own two successful restaurants there, Steamies Burger Bar and Shake N Dog Grub Shack.
Stanya’s parents now live in Montrose, and the Gorraizs decided they wanted to open a restaurant in Montrose. Stanya said they pride themselves on finding holes in dining options and trying to fill those.
“Both of our restaurants in Telluride came from filling that hole,” Stanya said. “ We could’ve replicated them, but those (kinds of restaurants) already exist here. We wanted to do something new here.”
The vibe inside the restaurant, as the name suggests, is urban and hip. There is indoor seating, as well as patio tables to eat outside.
“At first glance, I want people to be blown away that we brought something different to the community, even from a visual design standpoint,” Stanya said. “But that bleeds over into the food offerings. I want them to see it’s not smoke and mirrors, but the food matches the look.”
Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.
