Dining at Populus: Pasque, Stellar Jay and Little Owl Coffee
Populus offers three on-site dining venues: Pasque (ground-floor, seasonal Mountain West–influenced American menu, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), Stellar Jay (rooftop live-fire dinner and bar), and Little Owl Coffee (two-floor lobby café for espresso and pastries). Reservations are recommended for Pasque and Stellar Jay; the hotel's $25 daily Destination Amenity fee includes a $15 Pasque F&B credit.
In this guide
Where the restaurants sit in the hotel
Pasque is on the ground floor of Populus, directly across from Civic Center Park and open to both hotel guests and the public. It handles breakfast, lunch, lounge service, and dinner.
Stellar Jay occupies the rooftop (Level 13) and operates as a live-fire dinner restaurant and bar with a public terrace and skyline/Mountain views. Little Owl Coffee is the two-floor lobby café for espresso drinks and pastries.
- Pasque — ground floor; Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Stellar Jay — rooftop (Level 13); Dinner and bar service, public terrace
- Little Owl Coffee — lobby café across two floors; espresso and pastries
| Venue | Primary Service | Hours (official) |
|---|---|---|
| Pasque | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (seasonal American) | 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily (hotel listing) |
| Stellar Jay | Rooftop live-fire dinner and bar | Dinner 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Bar to 11:00 p.m. |
| Little Owl Coffee | Espresso, creative lattes, pastries | 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Pasque — what to expect and when to go
Pasque is Populus’s ground-floor seasonal American restaurant that highlights Mountain West ingredients with plant-forward options alongside meat and seafood plates. It runs all-day service with specific hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Reservations are recommended; Pasque welcomes hotel guests and the public and maintains a casual dress code. The hotel’s destination amenity fee includes a $15 daily credit that applies at Pasque.
- Typical service: Breakfast 7–11 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Lounge 2–4:30 p.m. (Mon–Fri); Brunch Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–2 p.m.; Dinner nightly 4:30–9 p.m.
- Menu focus: seasonal, Mountain West ingredients and plant-forward preparations
- Dress code: Casual; reservations recommended
| Good for | Typical visit |
|---|---|
| Quick morning coffee + pastry | Early breakfast or grab-and-go at Little Owl Coffee |
| Full sit-down meal | Dinner at Pasque or rooftop at Stellar Jay |
| Casual midday meeting | Pasque Lounge or Pasque lunch service |
Stellar Jay — rooftop live-fire dining and views
Stellar Jay is the rooftop restaurant and bar on Level 13 that serves fire-roasted shared plates and harvest-inspired cocktails. The venue is open to the public; reservations can be made through OpenTable or by calling the restaurant.
The rooftop also functions as event space — it can be reserved for private dining, semi-private lounge events, or full buyouts for larger celebrations. The bar remains open later than dinner service for cocktails.
- Dinner service daily 4:30–10:00 p.m.; bar open 4:30–11:00 p.m.
- Menu features rotating, fire-roasted shared plates and seasonal cocktails
- Reservations available via OpenTable or by phone; public terrace seating available
| Event option | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Full rooftop buyout | Panoramic skyline and Rocky Mountain views; custom menus |
| Private Dining Room / Lounge | Smaller, more intimate gatherings on Level 13 |
| Daytime Stellar Jay Lounge access | Included as an amenity during specified hours for registered guests |
Little Owl Coffee — lobby café for morning and breaks
Little Owl Coffee occupies Populus’s lobby across two floors and serves espresso drinks, creative lattes (examples on file include specialty house syrups), and pastries. It’s the easiest spot for a morning caffeine stop without leaving the hotel.
The cafe’s hours align with hotel dining hours and make it convenient for guests heading to nearby museums or Civic Center Park. Expect standard café seating and quick counter service rather than formal table service.
- Open roughly 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Menu highlights: espresso, creative lattes, pastries; specialty seasonal offerings may rotate
- Two-floor lobby setup — convenient for arrivals and departures
| Best for | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Grab-and-go mornings | Quick espresso and a pastry before walking to Civic Center Park or museums |
| Casual coffee breaks | Comfortable lobby seating and accessible location |
| Light afternoon snack | Pastries and small café plates |
Practical tips: reservations, payments, dress and the amenity fee
Reservations are recommended for Pasque and Stellar Jay, especially for dinner and weekend brunch. Stellar Jay also accepts OpenTable reservations and walk-ins when space allows.
Populus does not include meals with room rates; the daily Destination Amenity fee of $25 includes unlimited Wi‑Fi, a $15 Pasque food & beverage credit per night, fitness-center access, and other small guest perks. Check your booking for any waived fees (groups or packages may include a waiver).
- Payment: the hotel accepts major credit cards; cash is not accepted at check-in (guests must present photo ID and credit card).
- Dress: Pasque lists Casual Dress; Stellar Jay is suitable for relaxed rooftop dining and drinks.
- If you plan rooftop dining, make reservations early for clear-sky evenings that highlight mountain views.
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Is breakfast included? | No — breakfast is not complimentary; Pasque and Little Owl Coffee are separate charges (the amenity fee provides a $15 Pasque credit). |
| Does the amenity credit apply to Stellar Jay? | The hotel states the $15 daily credit applies at Pasque. |
| Are non-guests allowed? | Yes — Pasque, Stellar Jay and Little Owl Coffee are open to the public. |
Dining for events and private meals
Pasque and Stellar Jay both offer private dining and event options. Pasque can host private or semi-private dining on the ground floor for smaller receptions, while Stellar Jay provides rooftop buyouts and private dining rooms for larger gatherings.
Populus also lists a number of meeting and event rooms on Level 2 (Grove, Commons, Overlook, Enclave) and Level 13 spaces (Pando Suite, Stellar Jay Private Dining Room) that can be combined or tailored with custom menus through the hotel’s events team.
- Pasque private dining: options for up to 30 in a semi-private lounge (hotel listing)
- Stellar Jay rooftop buyout: available for larger celebrations; private dining room and lounge options on Level 13
- Contact the hotel events team for menus, capacities, and availability
| Space | Typical capacity / use |
|---|---|
| Pasque Lounge | Semi-private dining and small receptions (about 30) |
| Stellar Jay (Full Buyout) | Rooftop receptions and large events (hotel lists full buyout capacity) |
| Pando Suite | Bridal prep, small meetings or dinners (private 876 sq ft suite) |
