Founder and Co-owner Born and raised in the heady surroundings of Hong Kong’s opulent hospitality industry, Tang’s parents ran a hotel famous for above-and-beyond customer service. Tang’s hotelier parents early imprinted two important standards on their son: treat guests as royalty and offer them unparalleled service. Seeking a better life for their family, the Tangs emigrated to Chicago with the coming of Chinese rule to Hong Kong, and Tang attended the prestigious University of Chicago Lab School (the same school the Obama children attended). Gene Tang’s elder brothers were educated at prep schools in England and Gene moved to Denver to attend the private University of Denver, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Hotel and Restaurant. He fell in love with the city and Colorado’s casual, friendly vibe early on. Staying in Colorado, Tang built a series of successful restaurants during a stellar career. Successful enough to consider retirement, he was lured back into the business with an offer to purchase the property at 1515 Market, and he could see the possibilities. Tang opened the restaurant, featuring a wine selection of 450 different vintages, music and a national-quality chef, in 1998; he has been continually improving – if that’s possible – since. Focusing always on the customer service message, Tang looks always for ways to exceed diners’ expectations. Tang has also achieved the first level of Master Court Sommelier; Tang serves as the restaurant’s sommelier. Tang is also always on hand to recommend a wine pairing for his guests. He is continually researching and finding new wines and seeking great wine value, including those from Colorado and other lesser-known wineries (not vintage but smaller, boutique wineries), that will compliment Executive Chef Chuck James’ eclectic menu and provide new tastes and aroma combinations for his guests to enjoy. He insists on Riedel glasses for wine service in the dining room. Because Tang believes strongly in the family atmosphere of a restaurant, and because he enjoys learning new things, he and James regularly introduce new menu items and instruct the entire staff on process as they do. Guests at 1515 can always learn more about the food and wine from any member of the staff, who are all trained to cater to every guest with the service they would give a treasured family member. The team also participates in challenges to tweak their creative skills: they created an entire menu around beer choices recently for New Belgium beer; they’ve also offered a five course chocolate menu for Valentines’ Day. It’s all fun, and all designed to intrigue their loyal patrons who always know there’s going to be something new and intriguing at 1515, and all of it will be delicious. Tang opened his first restaurant at age 27, with a $25,000 bank loan and a focused dedication to success that could not be denied. Five years later he sold that successful venture and opened the next one. By the 1990’s Tang was running three successful restaurants in the Denver metro area. He decided to retire in 1998 and sold his properties, but a year later was persuaded to check out 1515 Market Street and was immediately struck by the potential in the historic Lower Downtown location. The building, constructed in 1860 and listed in Colorado’s historic register, features a long, antique cherry-wood bar on the first floor and room on the second floor for two dining rooms. Within 90 days, Tang owned it. Tang, with an extensive personal background in European travel and cuisine, insisted that his chef have a continental background and training. In February 2009 he brought on executive chef Chuck James. In James, Tang has found an ideal partner in creating unique culinary art; pairing James’ eclectic and experimental New American cuisine with his own extensive knowledge of wines has allowed the two to create “chef’s choice” menus that are unparalleled in the Denver market. James’ insistence on no shortcuts with technique even as he experiments with new fresh ingredients ties in perfectly with Tang’s philosophy of perfect service coupled with continual flexibility. Tang’s dedication has paid off in recognition and awards, including the prestigious Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” four times. Tang remains completely hands-on with 1515, even 10 years after it opened its doors. He personally greets diners and brings a complimentary port wine at the conclusion of their meals to ensure every diner received the level of service he insists everyone who walks through his doors deserves.