Vibrant Culture Meets Elevated Dining

 

With stunning mountain views and the rich colors of fall, The Brinkerhoff offers one of Castle Rock’s most picturesque dining backdrops. Located at 6373 Promenade Parkway, this modern interpretation of the classic American steakhouse invites guests to experience warmth, elegance and connection, all steeped in family history and timeless design. Every detail––from the architecture to the menu––reflects the Brinkerhoff family’s commitment to creating an unforgettable dining experience.

Founded in Denver in 1980, Brinkerhoff Hospitality is a premier management company recognized for crafting distinctive dining concepts such as Sierra and Savina’s Mexican Kitchen (formerly named La Loma). Each boutique restaurant carries its own personality, yet all share the Brinkerhoff hallmark: an unwavering attention to detail and a genuine dedication to hospitality.

Mark and Johana Brinkerhoff bring that legacy into a new era with The Brinkerhoff, which opened last month. The couple’s vision for The Brinkerhoff is deeply personal—a celebration of Johana’s Mexican heritage, their shared love of travel to Mexico and the enduring strength of family.

“The Brinkerhoff is a place to be somewhere different. Somewhere special. Everything here has meaning,” Johana shared, glowing as she reflected on the love and inspiration behind the restaurant.

The design marries colonial architecture with the vibrant energy of Mexico City, honoring the late family patriarch Milford Hall “Sonny” Brinkerhoff, who believed that “the strength of a family is the strength of a nation.” Every corner tells a story: the entrance features aqueducts and torches to warmly welcome patrons; a vintage Brinkerhoff Drilling Company truck is displayed in the rear courtyard (discovered by Johana’s brother via satellite image from Nebraska); Jo’s Meadow, named after Sonny’s beloved wife of 58 years.

Sonny, the youngest of five, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. After serving in the Army Air Corps as a C-47 transport pilot, he joined the family’s Brinkerhoff Drilling Company, a leading Rocky Mountain oil and gas contractor. He and Jo settled in Cherry Hills Village in 1954, raising four boys. A passionate home cook with a love for Mexican cuisine, Sonny later invested in La Loma Restaurant in northwest Denver, a venture that would plant the seeds for a family tradition in hospitality.

To honor Sonny’s entrepreneurial spirit and lifelong passion for food, Mark and Johana created a steakhouse that is about more than dining; it is about connection. From the open kitchen where guests can glimpse the craft in motion, to the champagne cave designed for intimate celebrations, to the patio with mountain views and the garden room that brings the outdoors in, every element was designed to evoke emotion and foster togetherness.

A special highlight still to come is an installation being curated by a famous artisan from Mexico: a life-sized tree made from repurposed dead trees that had to be cut down, giving them new life. The piece will be placed inside the covered patio. Itis inspired by the Brinkerhoff Tree poem, which has been passed down through generations.

 

 

The menu is full of surprises and redefines the art of dining, one dish, one drink and one guest at a time. Highlights include the Grilled Cali Artichokes — steamed, then grilled for a perfect smoky finish; Pimento Cheese Dip — a fan favorite, served with toast and a touch of honey; Spicy Hiramasa Roll — with spicy tuna, avocado and jalapeño for a subtle kick; Chipotle-Glazed Wagyu Short Ribs — slow-cooked and wood-grilled, served with coleslaw and corn on the cob; Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes – Maryland crab served with crispy shoestring fries and coleslaw; New York Strip — thick-cut and tender, accompanied by a giant baked potato and Billionaire’s Butter; and Tres Leches Cake – heavenly light cake covered in a blend of three milks and served with fresh fruit.

Pair any dish with a curated selection of signature cocktails, craft beers or fine wines. The standout cocktail, the Ritz Serendipity, features Calvados, Rothschild Champagne, apple and mint––the perfect toast to the day, the night and life itself.

At The Brinkerhoff, guests are invited to stay a while––to celebrate, reconnect or simply enjoy a meal without hurry. Whether it is lunch with a colleague, dinner with adult family members, or a post-work drink at the bar, every visit promises warmth, beauty and meaning.

Reservations are highly recommended. For more information, visit thebrinkerhoff.com.

… And coming soon, watch for our feature on Bar Hummingbird at The Brinkerhoff, an adjacent event venue with as rich a story as all the other Brinkerhoff Hospitality locations.

By ViVi Somphon