Rioja or Root Down Under

[bawc]

Special Occasion dinner, but need something relaxed, we will be jet lagged from a very early morning flight from Boston. Which has the better atmosphere and better food? We are staying downtown, but both look to be short cab rides.

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Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Root Down
1600 W. 33rd Avenue, Denver, CO 80211

[bawc]

Thanks! Rioja it is...Is it as good at lunch?

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Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

[tatamagouche]

Never been for lunch, but I assume so...I think the menu's mostly the same, and I hear brunch is great too.

[bawc]

I think we will do rioja for dinner and either H Burger or Osteria Marco for lunch, depending on our mood. Does that sound like too much food?

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Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer, Denver, CO 80202

[tatamagouche]

Well, I can't really answer that question, I don't know what you'll order or how much of it you'll eat! It all sure sounds like good food, if that helps...

[tatamagouche]

It's just "Root Down"...

Atmosphere's a toss up, though RD is funkier/younger, Rioja more elegant. For food, Rioja, hands down.

http://www.denveater.com

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Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

[Pastajohn]

For Rioja, no cab necessary if you're anywhere downtown. The free shuttle on the 16th Street Mall gets you anywhere and Rioja is a short walk from the Larimer stop.

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Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202