655639 Mon Sep 28 18:38:00 -0700 2009 12 6 Southwest 0 5065470 Tatamagouche et al... Boston Hound attending a conference at end of Oct ...with clients.we are thinking Fruition, ZCuisine and Rioja ..but hope to have some time to ourselves for lunch and maybe a dinner ( 3-4 people) and when conference was in Chicage drove an hour out to Berts to have the best pizza ( it was closed for the only day that year due to funeral...damn) Anyhow hole in the walls welcomed but booze a must .Sav freaks .. No budget and no food restrictions. In Boston we go from O Ya , Prezza and Salts to Sportello and Waterfront Grille, Speeds and everything in between... Thanks . Mon Sep 28 18:38:00 -0700 2009 11784 capeanne 1 5065608 What city are you talking about, and what does "I think I know (sort of)" refer to? Mon Sep 28 19:41:04 -0700 2009 5065470 24418 crsin 2 5066135 Sorry Denver and I think I know the more formal restaurants for client dinners just dont know the less formal Tue Sep 29 04:57:11 -0700 2009 5065608 11784 capeanne 2 5066143 Referring to Denver—Hi capeanne! With clients, Rioja's a good call and you might also consider Luca d'Italia, Beatrice & Woodsley, and Panzano. All three are very good/nice but big enough to allow for some privacy; Z Cuisine and Fruition both have very small and intimate dining rooms. Domo could be a good choice too, depending on the clients. For yourselves, along with the above, other flat-out faves to consider: Bones, Osteria Marco (both same chef/owner as Luca above), Table 6, drinks at Mario's Double Daughter's Salotto, and you have to do *some* Mex, of course, as noted below. And everyone will add that if you'll drive to Boulder, you've got to go to Frasca. Places I've not yet been that you might also consider: TAG, Barolo Grill, Shazz, Twelve, Venue (actually I've been there but only for apps). You'll find full reviews to all of the ones I have been to on my blog (denveater.com). If I were to grossly oversimplify, I'd say Denver's pillar strengths are 1) the very sort of mid-range contemporary American places I was always complaining that Boston didn't have enough of (although since I've left of course Hungry Mother, Sportello etc. are all filling that void I guess), from Deluxe/Delite to a new one I just tried and like very much so far: Colt and Gray. And 2) no-nonsense Mex. A search here for Denver Mex will yield a slew of usual suspects, though *many of the best* are dry, so keep that in mind. Tue Sep 29 05:10:07 -0700 2009 5065608 11106 tatamagouche 3 5066323 Thanks so much We have plenty to go on here and very appreciative..I will report on our return ...and Tatamagouche Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz spent the day yesterday filming across from my office outside Sportello. Fort Point getting some real exposure ...think the crew enjoyed the pastries at Flour. Tue Sep 29 06:47:29 -0700 2009 5066143 11784 capeanne 4 5066934 Sigh. I miss it. Last time I was in town I did get to hit Drink, which was cramped but fun. Oh, you should also go for drinks (wine, beer, single spirits etc.—skip the mixed cocktails) to the Cruise Room, historic art deco bar in the Oxford hotel downtown. Although, I should add, as I've said many times—Denver's got some of the best dive bars in the world. Tue Sep 29 10:11:37 -0700 2009 5066323 11106 tatamagouche 5 5067932 Speaking of the Oxford Hotel and the Cruise Room, it supposedly was modled after a bar in the Titanic. IMHO, it's the best martinni bar in Colorado for just that reason. They are serious about their martinni's. Tue Sep 29 16:55:48 -0700 2009 5066934 153214 chimay5 6 5068792 I assume you mean martini in the literal, narrow sense. That may be, I haven't had one. I'd disagree that they're serious about cocktails in general. The drink list is heavy on the froufrou stuff. But it's got amazing atmosphere, no question. And the wines by the glass are all right. Wed Sep 30 05:20:24 -0700 2009 5067932 11106 tatamagouche 7 5070262 I'm a purist about martini's (gin and vermouth, olives). They make theirs in a traditional way about three to one. That and the ambiance drags me back there when ever I'm in Denver. Wed Sep 30 13:16:59 -0700 2009 5068792 153214 chimay5 8 5070734 Amen to that. Wed Sep 30 16:57:31 -0700 2009 5070262 11106 tatamagouche 9 5070974 My colleagues are Martini purists as well ( olives only thank you very much) so we will go...reminds me of a bar I knew at the top of Nob Hill in SF..just a martini and the room and I was Myrna Loy to an imaginary William Powell... Wed Sep 30 18:45:02 -0700 2009 5070734 11784 capeanne 1 5129310 We did the usual suspects and had a great time Osteria Marco for dinner ( buratta to die for and a great wine list) Rioja and Tamayo for lunch ( Rioja a winner all around and apps better than mains at Tamayo) Had one biz dinner that was pre arranged at a chain that could be Anycity USA ...appreciative of recs and disappointed that we didn't have more time to check out the local holes in the wall ...Thanks Denver Sun Oct 25 09:28:37 -0700 2009 5065470 11784 capeanne 2 5130734 Let me know next time you're in town! Sun Oct 25 21:05:05 -0700 2009 5129310 11106 tatamagouche