Moving to Denver

[jlaurene]

Hey, my husband and I are moving to Denver next week from New York City. We are so spoiled when it comes to food...bagels, pizza, etc...WHere are some great places we Have to try?? Thanks!!

Jess

[ClaireWalter]

Well, JLaurene, you've been here for a while. What have you found that you like, don't like, miss, have discovered? I had forgotten about this thread until Foodlite25's recent post brought it up to the top of the board again.

[foodite25]

Megiac pretty much hit the nail on the head with her suggestions. A few I'd add to the list are

Zengo - On the trendy and expensive side, but very good in a cool atmosphere.
Vita - Right next to Lola in the highlands, often doesn't get the attention it deserves because of it's super-popular neighbors.
Sushi Den - IMO Freshest fish in the city.
Izakaya Den - SD's sister restaurant located kaddy-corner, tapas fusion menu as well as sushi
Strings - Been in business 20 years, and has fallen off the radar, but should be picking back up with a new chef (Aaron Whitcomb formerly of Table 6, Adega), and a new menu.

I defenitely second
Fruition
Mizuna
Luca D'Italia
and Potager

[Megiac]

I also made it to Encore for the first time last night, and would definitely add it to my prior list.

[hungrygirldenver]

Really? what would you recommend? have thought about trying it, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

[Megiac]

I had a pasta special that was large shells stuffed with some type of squash (the Japanese kind that starts with a k... I'm blanking on it right now) and topped with a mornay sauce. It was delicious and had a bit of an acidic kick that I wasn't expecting. The husband had a fish dish with crab that he really enjoyed, but I didn't taste. We shared a simple grilled artichoke and some great calamari to start. We shared a cheese plate to end our meal that was outstanding. The wine list is also really terrific -- it's both diverse and reasonably priced.

Our server was just lovely too. So professional and really understood and was passionate about the menu. If anything, she may have overexplained it to start.

And I am in love with the space. It is very comforting and modern with cool (as in the opposite of "warm") colors and an open kitchen. They have a neat little wine cellar just off the main dining room and a great space for smaller parties. We ate at one of the tall tables in the bar, and the touch that we really loved was the grand piano and piano player.

[tatamagouche]

Kuri squash?
Hmm...I'm a huge Black Pearl fan, & I was underwhelmed by Encore...food, space, service, entertainment & all (did a blog post back in Jan., address in profile). But I went in the first couple of weeks; I fully intend to give it at least one more shot. The fact that you were so pleased gives me hope.

[hungrygirldenver]

Yes, I definitely think I'll give it a try soon. Thanks for your thoughts!

[LiveCJ]

Sushi Den Rocks - Do the omakasi is you have time

[hungrygirldenver]

Agree with suggestions as noted. One more addition to the pizza suggestions - I just went to Osteria Marco (Larimer Square, Frank Bonanno) this weekend, and it's fantastic!

[ClaireWalter]

Hungrygirldenver - You were one of the first to go. It just opened.

[hungrygirldenver]

I know!! and I'll be back soon!!

[Heyteacher]

Hi there!
Here are a few more great suggestions - I moved to CO from CA more than 12 years ago and I STILL miss good Mexican food...

Sushi Banzai - fantastic little restaurant known for their rolls
Star of India / India Oven - great Indian cuisine
Sam's #3 - AWESOME dive diner style place known for their breakfast though they are open all day
Pagliacci's - great Italian food in central Denver

I'm actually going to NYC in a few weeks for a literacy conference. Any suggestions from you in either Times Square or Hell's Kitchen would be GREAT!

Welcome to Denver! :)

[Megiac]

I moved to Denver from NYC a little more than four years ago. Losing the restaurant diversity is hard, but there are some places in Denver that we've come to love. Favorites for us include:

Fruition
Z Cuisine
Aix
Potager
Mezcal
Duo
Lola
Mizuna
Luca D'Italia
Sushi Sasa
Deluxe

For more hole in the wall eats, we love Super Star Asian (for dim sum), El Tacos de Mexico (for, your guessed it, tacos), Yazoo's (BBQ), and Arada (Ethiopian)

Boulder also has more than its share of great restaurants. Frasca is at the top of that list, but there are a number of places right there with it.

Don't even try to match the NY bagel experience here. I knew I'd been living in Denver too long when Einstein's Bagels started tasting OK to me. Rather than trying to find a great locally-made bagel, you can get H&H bagels from Marczyk Fine Foods in Uptown.

Welcome to Denver!

[GroovinGourmet]

Dunno as far as pizza and bagels and other NY delicacies, but I can assure you one of the first places you should check out when you hit town is Jack N Grill. Seriously good legit NewMex Mex (you'll be living in the Southwest now), hole in the wall atmosphere and frosty cold brews.

I'm also a fan of Mezcal out on E Colfax (worth the drive in my book) for Central Mex and a late kitchen.

And assuming you are carnivores, Rodizio Grill in town is the best value of all the churrascaria chains that are so popular these days. Just don't load up on the salad bar and buffet.

[ClaireWalter]

Ditto on Virgilio's. Yuppified East Coast pizza at the several Proto's pizzerias. Best bagels, IMHO, are from Moe's in Boulder.

[ColoradoFun]

Any particular area of the city/cuisine/price range? Or are you looking for bagels and pizza?

My favorite pizza places are The Oven and Virgillios in Lakewood and Buenos Aires Pizzaria near Lower Downtown. I also like Anthonys and Abo's for take out/delivery.
http://www.bapizza.com/
http://www.virgiliospizzeria.com/
http://www.theovenpizzaevino.com/

Here is a recent threads regarding favorite metro area restauants.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/425883