Denver on New Year's Eve...? [Moved from Midwest Board]
We're from the Philadelphia area and have never been to Denver. We'll be meeting some friends from New Orleans in Denver and we'll be there for New Year's Eve. I know it's probably short notice for dinner reservations, but we're hoping to find a place with good food and nice atmosphere for an unrushed dinner. We're not looking for a midnight champagne hooplah; we're hoping to find a place that Denver folks love and recommend frequently to out-of-towners. Any suggestions?
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CindyJ
Jan 1, 2009 03:28 PM
Just to follow up, we had dinner at Rioja last night, and I must say, everything -- from appetizers to desserts -- was delicious, beautifully presented, and thoroughly enjoyed. The service was wonderful, and they offered their regular menu in addition to a special prix fixe menu. Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions and input. Being out-of-towners, we're happy we decided to let CH guide our choice.
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re: CindyJ
tatamagouche
Jan 2, 2009 09:35 AM
So glad. They do a polished job over there. Any particular dishes that stood out?
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re: tatamagouche
CindyJ
Jan 2, 2009 11:22 AM
Wow -- where to begin...? We shared a couple of appetizers -- the Rioja Picnic, which was so beautifully and artistically presented. It was like little explosions of flavor, and the everything on the platter seemed to complement everything else. My favorites on the plate were the fennel salad and the pine nut crusted goat cheese. We also shared, as an appetizer, the Candied Lemon Gnocchi. It was sooooo different from any gnocchi I'd ever tasted, and so very yummy.
One person at the table had the potato soup and loved it. Those of us who had salads (I had Chef Jen's chopped salad, and there were two Rioja House Salads) enjoyed them thoroughly. My entree was the Pistachio Crusted Salmon. What can I say -- everything on the plate was delicious, and the curry-pumpkin sauce was a unique accompaniment. Others had the Hawaiian Tuna and the Grilled Lamb. What really impressed us was the accompaniments for each dish. We could really tell that care was given to the tastes, textures and complementary flavors of every entree.
Four of us shared three desserts... a Chocolate and Espresso Cashew Tart with little dollops of caramel with sea salt, a pineapple bread pudding, and a flight of sheep milk cheeses.
There's nothing we wouldn't order again. The toughest part was deciding from all of the wonderful selections offered. An especially nice touch was when Chef Jen visited our table while we were having our dessert. I must say, our NY Eve dinner was worth the 1,800 miles we traveled to have it. We'll definitely return to Rioja next time we're in Denver.
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re: CindyJ
tatamagouche
Jan 3, 2009 01:53 PM
Candied lemon gnocchi—wow. Hope that stays on the menu for awhile!
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Jason Sheehan wrote a little blurb about Aaron Whitcomb and Strings a few weeks back, mentioned they should be doing a prix fixe menu on New Years, dabbling with the 'molecular gastronomy' techniques if that's up your alley. It is a little off downtown and should keep you clear of the party atmosphere. They also have a new manager on the floor who's doubling as a somelier. Worth a thought.
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If you like unusual Japanese food (i.e., no sushi) Domo is open from 5:00 pm until midnight on New Year's Eve. Domo specializes the the country fare of northern Japan. It's an interesting place w/ interesting food. Service is iffy under the best of circumstances, but IMO, the dishes are worth the haphazard service. See www.domorestaurant.com
It's a short walk from downtown, and it's along the lightrail line.
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re: ClaireWalter
avgolemona
Jan 6, 2009 03:22 PM
I wouldn't say Domo has "no" sushi. They have what I'd call "deconstructed" sushi in the form of donburi bowls: sashimi, sprouts, ginger, etc. are served on top of a small bowl of sushi rice. You can see photos at the menu pdfs found at the link above. With every entree you get seven Japanese country style side dishes, plus miso.
It's a delightful place and it's worthwhile to visit the adjoining museum and garden - the garden is of course better in the summer.
If you're getting there by light rail get off at the Auraria campus station and cross Colfax.
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CindyJ
Dec 10, 2008 06:02 AM
I'm finding that, not surprisingly, many of the restaurants in Denver are offering special Prix Fixe menus for NYE. That's really not a problem as long as the quality and service don't suffer.
So now our choices are down to three -- Luca, Mizuna and Rioja. Between those, which should we choose? (I know nothing about where they're located. We'll be staying at the Renaissance on Quebec St., but we'll have a car available.)
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re: Pastajohn
tatamagouche
Dec 11, 2008 09:13 AM
Agreed. Rioja's downtown and Luca/Mizuna aren't too far therefrom.
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re: CindyJ
My vote would be for Mizuna over Luca. I haven't tried Rioja, though. I just know that I've really, really enjoyed Mizuna both times I've been there. It seems cliched and over done, but the lobster mac & cheese really is to die for. Yum. Any of the choices will be pretty easy to get to from Stapleton (where the Renaissance is), but Mizuna/Luca (they're next door to each other) will be slightly easier since you don't actually have to do any downtown navigation.
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tatamagouche
Dec 4, 2008 05:03 PM
Can you define "nice"? NYE's such a shitshow, restaurants are rarely at their best (and I don't just mean in Denver, I mean everywhere)—and the more upscale the place, the more likely you've got to deal with prix fixes and seating times and etc.
Depending on your answer, though, I'd probably add Beatrice & Woodsley, Osteria Marco, Luca d'Italia, and Panzano to chowmix's list (and I'd personally remove Tamayo, which I don't find all that inspired). As long as you're going to mention Sushi Den, you might also mention Izakaya Den in the same neighborhood, which isn't downtown, and Sushi Sasa, which is. Although Sushi Den would probably be the most fun; after all, it's *always* mobbed, so NYE wouldn't be such a hectic departure from any other night.
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re: chowmix
tatamagouche
Dec 11, 2008 09:16 AM
Heh. I wish I were a smoother tequila drinker so I could try Tamayo (or Zengo, for that matter, which I also find hit-or-miss) your way!
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re: tatamagouche
CindyJ
Dec 5, 2008 05:05 AM
I know that dining out on NYE is often more about the party atmosphere than the food. That said, we'd like our dining experience to be totally about the food; I don't want a party hat or noisemaker at my seat, and I don't want a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight.
What do I mean by "nice"? I'm looking for a place where you'd take your out-of-town guests to acquaint them with Denver's culinary gems. That doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive spot in town, but it does mean a place where attention is paid to food preparation, presentation and creativity.
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Some of this depends on where you will be staying and how brave you want to be driving on New Year's Eve! Due to the economy, it *might* be easier to book late reservations. Here are suggestions for a few of my favorite restaurants but be warned, I do not go out on New Year's Eve! Well, except for a time or two in Santa Fe.
The Fort. Unique to Denver. Dynamite buffalo steaks and game. It's in Morrison on the far west side of the city.
Mizzuna. My current fave in Denver.
Rioja.
Tamayo
Sushi Den. Sushi for New Year's? Why not?›1 Reply-
re: chowmix
Open Table just sent out an E-mail about New Years Eve in metro Denver and the moountains. Perhas you can find what you want at http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?p...
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