Haz clic aquí para leer esto en español
By Kathleen Furore
werkcreative
Peter Newlin
Perdida Kitchen, a Baja-inspired concept from Denver-based Gastamo Group, has been serving wood-fired dishes featuring local and organic produce and fresh seafood since opening its doors in the city’s bustling Washington Park neighborhood in 2021.As the company prepares to open a second location in Westminster, Colorado later this fall, el Restaurante reached out to Chief Visionary Officer Peter Newlin to learn not only about the restaurant’s expansion but also about the Gastamo Group’s mission to build community through its Gastamo Gives program.
1 When did Perdida Kitchen open the Washignton Park location?
The Washington Park area has always held a special place for us at Gastamo Group. Our roots are deeply connected to this community, and when a prime location on Old South Gaylord opened up, we knew we had to act. Perdida Kitchen was an idea we’d nurtured for years — a concept inspired by our love for Central American culture and that feeling of “being lost” on a journey, only to find community, family, and connection along the way. This is exactly what we wanted to bring to Washington Park: a space that could transport people to a beachy, laid-back environment filled with the warmth and flavors of Baja.
2 Why did Gastamo Group decide the time was right to open a Mexican restaurant when the company’s other concepts are more focused on burgers/sandwiches/bar fare?
Opening Perdida in February 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, was definitely scary, but we saw an opportunity to bring something refreshing and unique to our neighbors during a challenging time. Rather than fitting an exist ing concept into the space, we crafted Perdida specifically to align with the neighborhood we love so deeply. To create the concept, Philippe and I traveled the coast of Baja, eating tacos along the journey and admiring the beautiful architecture, sand-blasted colors of the beach, and the amazing stories that made up the trip. [We decided to] bring the textures, flavors and vibe back to Denver.
One of our most beloved dishes at Perdida Kitchen is our Snapper Ceviche, crafted to capture the vibrant flavors of the Baja coast. This ceviche combines fresh snapper mari- nated with our house-made salsa macha for a deep, smoky kick. Bright red onions, crisp cucumber, and sweet mango provide balance, while micro cilantro ties it all together. This dish has been a guest favorite since nearly the beginning of Perdida, embodying the playful, bold flavors that define our Baja coastal approach.
3 How did you decide to add the second location and why Westminster?The decision to bring Perdida to Westminster was driven by the discovery of an exceptional location — a 12,000-square-foot building at 120th and I-25. The space was much larger than what we typically look for, but I saw a unique potential there. We wanted to create something transformative for the community, and a multi-concept destination felt like the perfect fit.
One restaurant wasn’t going to work, but perhaps two concepts would? Thus emerged the idea to pair Perdida Kitchen’s Baja coastal-inspired Mexican ambiance with the Colorado ski-lodge-themed Italian experience of Home- grown Tap & Dough, another concept in Gastamo Group’s portfolio. This combination brings two distinct dining concepts together under one roof, each offering its own unique space and atmosphere.
For us, this “ski and surf” combination became a dream project — a way to offer two com- pletely different yet complementary experiences under one roof. We’ve been working on this vision for over two years, refining every detail to bring something truly special to Westminster.
It’s an experience that I hope resonates with everyone who visits and reinforces Gastamo’s commitment to creating spaces where people can feel at home, wherever that may be. The power of hospitality and design is real. If we are able to transport a guest from reality — even for 20 minutes — that is magical.
4 How did you come up with the Gastamo Gives program? And how popular has that been? Although the name "Gastamo Gives" was introduced earlier this year, Gastamo Group has been actively hosting fundraisers and contributing to the community since they opened over two years ago. “Gastamo Gives” formalized our commitment by helping us organize and manage the numerous requests we receive to support local non-profits.
Through this program, we connect directly with our community by donating to silent auctions, hosting fundraiser nights, and sponsoring organizations. Gastamo Gives events make it easy for guests to support causes they care about: whether dining in or ordering online with a special code, 15 percent of sales go directly back to the organization.This approach has resonated with our community, and in the past three months, Gastamo Group has hosted nine fundraisers, donating over $2,500 back to local school partners.
5 What is the difference between providing support and having a partnership with an organization? And do you have an example of a non-profit near Perdida Kitchen that you’ve supported or partnered with?
When it comes to support versus partnership, support often means a one- time contribution, whereas a partner- ship implies a sustained, shared vision and commitment. For example, near Perdida, we partnered with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, donating a “Dinner Party at Perdida Kitchen” for their Dine Out Auction.
Thanks to the businesses that partnered with them for the event, the Colorado Restaurant Foundation raised over $10,000 to support their work to empower the restaurant workforce with scholarships, wellness resources, and emergency aid — efforts that align closely with our commitment to the industry and our community.