Boston hound needs Denver recommendations

[shoeshopper]

Hi - I'm from Boston but in Denver staying with friends who have two kids under the age of two (in other words no social life whatsoever.) They just moved here in March and haven't gone out at all, so haven't been able to provide recs.The Mountain State board doesn't seem very active, so I thought I'd have better luck posting here. I'm looking for a place where it's not too awkward to eat at the bar alone - something along the lines of Craigie, Neptune, Butcher Shop etc where you see often solo diners and people are friendly. Food style not terribly important although I don't want brew pub food which seems to be rampant here. Also looking for a good cocktail or wine bar - same deal. Kinda low key enough to be solo at the bar (no dance clubs/college bars). Any ideas?

[DrakeRemoray]

Add TAG restaurant to that list, either sit at the bar to watch the Cocktail magic or sit at the kitchen bar to watch the kitchen.

Also Osteria Marco, very causal with a great bar and excellent casual italian fare.

Both are in Larimer Square near some of the other excellent reccomendations.

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Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer, Denver, CO 80202

Tag Restaurant
1441 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

[Littleman]

What's The Capital Grille bar scene like. Thanks.

[tatamagouche]

Second Osteria Marco for sure; embarrassingly slipped my mind. *Great* place for a solo diner, huge bar, nice bartenders. Try the homemade liqueurs.

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Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer, Denver, CO 80202

[tatamagouche]

Hi, shoeshopper—I'm a former Bostonian so I know the places of which you speak well (Neptune remains my favorite place in just about the whole wide world; every time I visit I go at least twice).

Personally, I don't think it's awkward to eat alone at any bar. Denverites are very friendly. But places I'd consider along those lines (since you don't mention location):

Rioja
Colt & Gray
Panzano
Beatrice & Woodsley
Sketch (wine bar with a very interesting list)

I haven't been inside Euclid Hall yet, but I got to go a press meal before it opened at Rioja (same owners) and the food was wonderful. I can't imagine it doesn't have a good bar area.

For what it's worth, there are a lot of brewpubs because it's a beer capital, but the food scene is really on the ascendancy and has been for awhile—in fact I was just talking to my old friend MC Slim JB, whose name I assume you know as a Boston hound, and he said it sounds like Denver's hipper than Boston. (Except for Neptune.) :)

http://www.denveater.com

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Beatrice & Woodsley
38 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Panzano
909 17th St., Denver, CO 80202

Colt & Gray
1553 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202

[e_bone]

TTMG- sat at the bar overlooking the line at Deluxe a few months ago... fun to watch the action- would be a great spot for a solo diner if they were not noise aversive.

Personally could never cook in a setting like that- we'd need a BIG swear jar to keep me from dropping the SOAB! and MF! commonly heard in hot, fast kitchens. Or maybe just put an "R" rating around the bar.

[tatamagouche]

I haven't been to Deluxe in forever...yes, another good one.

[Littleman]

Bistro Vendome and Cru Wine Bar have outdoor dining. That might be fun. Panzano has a nice bar and lounge area. The Palm in The Westin Hotel has a nice bar.

Bistro Vendome @ 1420 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 303 - 825 - 3232.
http://bistrovendome.com/

Cru Wine Bar @ 1442 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 281 - 465 - 9463.
http://www.cruawinebar.com/

Panzano Restaurant @ 909 17th Street, Denver, CO 303 - 296 - 3525.
http://www.panzano-denver.com/

The Palm Restaurant @ 1672 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 303 - 825 - 7256.
http://www.thepalm.com/Denver

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Bistro Vendome
1420 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Panzano
909 17th St., Denver, CO 80202

[treb]

Del Frisco's Steakhouse is excellent and great bar service.