Departure Restaurant, a PDX Darling, Will Open in Cherry Creek

In the upcoming $60 million, seven-story, luxury hotel in Cherry Creek North will sit Denver's own Departure restaurant, insider sources confirm. An offshoot of the eponymous Asian eatery located at the top of the Nines Hotel in Portland, the restaurant will be led by chef Gregory Gourdet.

Gourdet is a one-of-a-kind badass. He traded a pre-med track to follow his passion for cooking. He went to culinary school at the A.O.S Culinary Arts, C.I.A., climbed up the ladder to sous chef at the acclaimed Jean-Georges restaurant in NYC, and was once voted Portland's hottest chef by Eater readers. In 2010, this soft-spoken marathon runner from Queens, brought his pan-Asian cuisine to Departure in Portland. His dishes here are bold and creative, mindful of health, and challenging of expectations. Let's put it this way: in a world where Brussels sprouts preparations have been exhausted, Gourdet still manages to put out an original yet simple wok-cooked dish with chili, lime, and mint. He is currently a contestant on Bravo's Top Chef Boston and over the first three episodes has been winning challenges left and right.

The chef has already visited Denver in anticipation of the new restaurant. His other connection to the Mile High City? Chef Lon Symensma of ChoLon. The two cooked together at Jean-George.

The upcoming restaurant will be located at 245 Columbine, the Old Post Office Building in Cherry Creek. Denver-based companies, BMC Investments and Sage restaurant Group will be developing and operating the restaurant.