CityROCK climbing gym’s restaurant has officially rebranded from The UTE to Commonfork Bites & Brews. A launch party Nov. 14 marked the beginning of a new era for the gym and its restaurant serving healthful, family-friendly food options for climbers and casual customers.
“In my mind, the restaurant has lived under the shadow of the climbing gym since its inception,” says Heather Robinson, the general manager and co-owner of Commonfork. “We’re really trying to bring it out of that so that people feel comfortable coming in when they’re not climbers. We want to give the restaurant its own identity.”
Commonfork Bites & Brews
The rebrand also includes a refreshed interior and a lineup of batched cocktails. Commonfork now holds a full liquor license, expanding beyond the previous beer and wine offerings.
The old UTE restaurant, opened in 2015, featured a chandelier made of climbing equipment hanging from an industrial-style ceiling. Now, the main dining room emphasizes warm lighting to create a more inviting atmosphere.
Describing the cuisine “has always been a challenge for us,” Robinson says. “There’s a slew of different things on the menu, although it’s focused around fresh, healthy, made-to-order dishes that are accessible for all diets.”
The kitchen is small: Commonfork employs four staff members and operates in a compact space that forces creativity. Its new winter menu features hearty, comforting classics including chicken and broccoli Alfredo, butternut squash soup and green chili mac and cheese.
Robinson says she’s open to pop-ups, especially since the restaurant doesn’t serve lunch. Earlier this year, the kitchen hosted a pop-up hummus operation run by a gym member. His small Mediterranean plates were a hit with the gym’s fitness-focused community.
Commonfork also hosts Saturday trivia night in partnership with Geeks Who Drink, a nationwide trivia company.
“We’re also working on finding our specific presence and personality on social media,” Robinson says.
You can find Commonfork on Instagram @commonfork.cos and in person at 211 N. Nevada Ave., from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.