Though LoDo has already seen a couple big Italian restaurant openings this year — Chow Morso, Tavernetta — another one will join the neighborhood by the end of the month. Jovanina’s Broken Italian should open late next week at 1520 Blake Street. Formerly Aoba Sushi, the completely redesigned space will serve some expected regional fare, including handmade pasta, coal-roasted veggies, wood-fired pizza, half chickens, and whole fish. But it should also distinguish itself in the category. A basement wine cellar and speakeasy will help with this.

Jovanina’s is a combination of its owners, husband and wife Jake and Jennifer Linzinmeir, who are both Colorado restaurant industry veterans. She owns The Red Lion in Vail, while he ran Excelsior Café in Telluride. The two met decades back in hotel management school at Cornell and then reconnected and married two years ago. Together, they also consult on local restaurants — see the Nickel at Hotel Teatro and Telluride’s Bon Vivant.