Durrah: You’re Bound to Love The Bindery

I want to take this time and wish all of our readers a happy new year for 2020. I am going to designate 2020 as the year for women. What would this world be like without the leadership and contribution of women to our society, business world, sports, politics and families?  

columnist Scott Durrah
Chef Scott Durrah

My journey this month was to find a restaurant owner who demonstrates all these contributions and more. I would like to introduce you to Linda Hampsten Fox. She is the owner and executive chef of The Bindery Eatery, Market & Bakery located at 1817 Central St. in the Highlands. 

What makes this place special is, well, everything, and I don’t know where to start. The Bindery is an all-day eatery that serves hand-crafted, artisanal dishes with a culturally diverse menu from Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, France and the islands of Elba and Sardegna.

Chef Hampsten Fox was born in New Jersey and has traveled the world to master her craft. She has also served as a personal chef for Nancy Pelosi, Jane Goodall, Michael York and Dave Matthews, to name a few. 

Chef Linda Hampsten Fox

The restaurant is 100 percent eco-conscious from floor to ceiling. All ingredients are carefully and sustainably sourced. Linda even has plans of having a beehive on the rooftop of the building to harvest fresh honey. 

The Bindery has partnered with Growers Organics of Colorado to ensure only the healthiest foods are served to her customers. Her commitment to excellence starts from the moment you enter the establishment. You just feel good from the moment you enter the place. It has an open kitchen, fantastically cool bar, three separate patios and semi-private dining areas for special events. Oh, and let’s not forget the in-house sommelier for you wine enthusiasts, and the amazing bakery open all day!

It has a fresh market open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner items for take home meals, picnics, catering and special events. 

Delicious dishes available at The Bindery. Photos courtesy of Lucy Beaugard.

Fresh bread and pastries are made daily along with award-winning Dragon Fly Coffees. I forgot to mention the four-top chef’s table with reservations allotted weekly by lottery for an impressive seven-course meal. 

The place is very romantic for that special dinner or large enough to accommodate parties of 10 plus very easily, and the noise level is extremely low to ensure great conversations.

The Bindery has The Blue Happy Hour, Tuesdays through Saturdays, with great daily specials and half off bottles of wine on Wednesdays.

Oh, and when it snows, The Bindery offers complimentary coffee and buy one, get one wine during happy hour. The staff does everything to ensure customers have an incredible experience.  

Yes, all of this in one beautiful establishment and the most amazing thing about The Bindery is Chef Hampsten Fox. I sat down with her and we chatted for a while and ended up exchanging cookbooks— which I recommend you purchase. She is an amazing woman and single mother who raised a child while following her dreams and making them come true. I have nothing but respect for Linda and praise her attention to detail in every aspect of The Bindery.

This is a restaurant we all need to visit and share with others. Please make sure you ask for Linda and tell her Chef Scott said hi!


Scott Durrah is a proud resident, chef, restaurateur and cannabis business owner in North Denver for 15 years. He previously owned Jezebel’s Southern Bistro and 8 Rivers, and currently owns Simply Pure. 

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