ISO Denver Recommendations

[HMK]

Will be in Denver for conference 10/21-10-25 and will need good food to help recover from each day's meetings. I enjoy all types of cuisine and will welcome recommendations for all price points. FYI, the meeting is based out of the Sheraton downtown. I don't mind taking a cab, but might enjoy a little walking too.

[tatamagouche]

If you do a board search for downtown Denver, you'll get a lot of the same recs ad nauseum: Osteria Marco, Rioja, drinks at the Cruise Room or Mario's Double Daughter's Salotto (owned by same folks who own Beatrice & Woodsley, which like jwcolo I highly recommend, both for drop-dead decor & one of Denver's more progressive menus, though it's not downtown). If you're not from the Southwest, you should definitely do some Mexican; again, a search for Denver Mex will turn up lots of options, though I'm personally probably most partial to Los Carboncitos save for the lack of alcohol.

Just outside of downtown is a place that doesn't get enough press IMO, b/c it's really good: Buenos Aires Grill (Argentinian, with a lovely patio if the weather's still nice). Also just beyond downtown is Pints Pub—food's decent, Scotch selection is mind-boggling.

http://www.denveater.com

[Sired]

There are great places to eat on both the 16st Mall and in Larimar Square, all should be in walking distance from your hotel. Sonada's is a sushi/Japanese restaurant at the end of the mall. Great happy hour discounts on food and drink. The Chop House is a high end steak house next to Coor's Feild. I have not eaten there, but have had drinks at the bar. Atmosphere is good, food is spendy, but it has a great reputation. I'd second Cruise Room, fun place for a martini and appetizer. Also Jax Seafood is in the same area and is a good N'Awlins feeling place. Wynkoop Brewery also good. There is an italian place on the 16th mall, in the Pavillions, that I think is called DeMarco's. Giant portions, good food.
If you get a wild hair and want to go to a good, somewhat unknown jazz club, El Chapultapec is the place. The place looks like a dump, but really smoking (and old) jazz musicians show up and bring down the house. I am not sure if there is a music schedule, but when I went there it was a Thursday evening and music started around 9pm, I think.
Have fun!

[Bill Hunt]

Though we normally do Sonada's in Aurora, their calamari appetizer is one of the best, that I have ever had. Only the long-gone Brasserie Z's "flash-fried" calamari was better.

Hunt

[jwcolo]

3 I really enjoy down in Denver are
luca D'Itlaia www.lucadenver.com and its sister Mizuna www.mizunadenver.com
also
Beatrice and Woodsley www.beatricandwoodsley.com

Jonathan
www.milehigheater.blogspot.com

[LurkerDan]

I'm not an expert, I live in Boulder, but I'll throw out some places I enjoy when out in downtown Denver. These are mostly on the lower end of the price spectrum.

The Corner Office - fun, hip place with decent food (go as much or more for funky atmosphere)
The Cruise Room (in the Oxford Hotel)- if you want drinks, martinis especially, in a very cool setting.
Wazee Supper Club - good pizzas and sandwiches, owned by the Mayor
Wynkoop Brewery - good brewpub, also owned by the Mayor
Restaurant Kevin Taylor - very fancy and expensive place, but it is darned good