must eat Denver

[docrck]

Hi

I'm a NYC chow hound who will be in Denver for four nights this November. We'll be downtown near the convention center but outstanding food is what we're looking for. Distance and cost are no object----just absolute deliciousness of all types for any and all meals.

Thanks for your suggestions!

docrck

[docrck]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful recommendations and sorry it has taken me so long to post.

We had a GREAT trip to Denver.

We loved ChoLon, Euclid Hall, Rioja and Frasca! The meals we had there and the service at all four places rivaled the best of NYC. Really amazing quality and variety. Had two super breakfasts at Snooze as well.

Osteria Marco was good, but not great. I felt like the service was off a bit and while the cheeses and chacuterie were super, the main courses left us somewhat underwhelmed.

Our most memorable experience was at MountainSun in Boulder. We stumbled upon this little brewpub while shopping and wandering before dinner at Frasca. The staff were so welcoming and we met some of the nicest folk ever. They introduced us to some great brew-mixes (try the FY ex when you are next there!) and made great pub companions. I think we spent some of the best hours of our CO trip at MountainSun!

thanks again for the great suggestions. You all nailed the best places for us to chow!

docrck

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Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer, Denver, CO 80202

Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

[Strangewine]

I finally had the chance to try Euclid Hall. Wow! Great service, a wonderful vibrant atmosphere and excellent food and drinks. Highly recommended and a new favorite for sure!

[TheSpitefulChef]

I might be the first vote for Mizuna, but I think it's one of the best in Denver. It's a Bonnano restaurant, and the lobster mac and chee is to die for. All the ingredients are carefully sourced and wonderfully thought out. Ask about the vegetarian dish, because once I had this house-made stuffed gnocchi with porcini that was just to die for. Next door-ish is another Bonnano restaurant called Luca d'Italia, and the chef's tasting menu there is phenomenal. Definitely want to get reservations for either. A fun, less serious restaurant is Vesta dipping grill. I've had hit or miss experiences there, but when it's been a hit, it's been excellent. A really fun concept. And I third or fifth or whatever the motion for Watercourse. It's got great vegetarian/vegan options for anyone who wants them, and all of the ingredients are again sourced responsibly.

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Mizuna
225 East Seventh Avenue, Denver, CO 80203

[docrck]

Thanks so much everyone! I've made reservations already at Rioja, Euclid Hall, Cholon, Osteria Marco and Frasca. Cannot wait to try them all. Will also try to make it to Biker Jims for a dog.

Is there a bakery or desert spot we must not miss?

Thanks again for your great recs!

docrck

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Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer, Denver, CO 80202

Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

[jcattles]

D Bar Desserts! Their chocolate cake is incredibly rich, get a glass of milk with it.

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D Bar Desserts
1475 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218

[monopod]

Well, the Great Sand Dunes are my personal favorite desert spot in Colorado. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

If you decide not to get dessert when you're at Frasca, wander down to the other end of the Pearl Street Mall and get dessert and cocktails at the Bitter Bar. Great food, but even better cocktails (they make their own bitters, all the juices are fresh-squeezed, etc.).

[Heatherb]

You may want to check out Watercourse as well if you have a moment. I was just there the other night with my best friend, and we had an amazing meal. I'm not a vegetarian (actually would be more of a steakarian, I guess...), but I wasn't missing the meat component of the meal at all. The black bean and sweet potato tacos are wonderful, and I loved their version of an egg roll. The dessert cupcake was tasty but too dry, but otherwise, a fabulous meal.

[keninboulder]

Heatherb:

Excellent recommendation! Watercourse has become a "must" for all of my family and friends from out of town - my daughter has made several trips from CA just to have lunch there! The atmosphere is a little "hippy-ish" which I think if very cool, and the overall place feels a little like something from a thrift store, but the food is incredible! Personal favorite is their version of a Reuban, and please, please, please DON'T MISS the milkshakes - made with coconut milk, they are hands-down the best milkshakes I have ever had anywhere, anytime, prepared by anybody, and their onion rings may be the best in Colorado! Go! Enjoy! and then GO AGAIN!

[hetook]

\\\\\\\\there is a retro diner out by Red Lion Inn,,near Tower Rd..Best food in Denver!Still thnking abt it 5 yrs later.Won an award from USA Today for best restaurant by an airport.

[ClaireWalter]

Moonlight Diner on Tower Road.

[hetook]

u r go'in.

[tobinsmith]

Buckhorn Exchange- I've had too much fun in there to not suggest it. Call for reservation. www.buckhorn.com

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Buckhorn Exchange
1000 Osage St, Denver, CO 80204

[MyNameIsTerry]

I forgot about Flagstaff House in Boulder as well. Beautiful views, great food and a killer wine list.

D Bar is owned by the guy that used to host Food Network Challenge and has some good desserts also. Little Man Ice Cream in the Highlands has some fantastic flavors and is quite tasty as well.

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Flagstaff House Restaurant
1138 Flagstaff Dr, Boulder, CO 80302

Little Man Ice Cream
2620 16th St, Denver, CO 80211

[Mimi]

D Bar Desserts has the best chocolate layer cake I've ever had. I haven't been there for a while and I know that's all I'll be thinking about all day long. Thanks for reminding me, Terry!

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D Bar Desserts
1475 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218

[jcattles]

Oh yeah better order a glass of milk with it too! Very rich! They have a regular food menu also, the avocado salad looks amazing, simple & flavorful.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Frasca is the only must-visit IMO. I believe it was and may still be the only restaurant with multiple Master Somms on staff, and the chef/owner was a JBF nominee for best chef Southwest as well as featured on Top Chef Masters.

After that, there are a number of options: ChoLon Bistro, (Asian street food with French flair from a chef that recently worked in NYC and recent JBF nomination for best new restaurant) TAG, (I guess you could call it American cuisine with a bit of an Asian touch) Rioja, (Mediterranean) Z Cuisine (French with an Absinthe bar) in the Highlands neighborhood, and Il Posto (Italian) are all excellent restaurants. The Kitchen in Boulder is also supposed to be very good, however I've not been. Fruition's (American cuisine) chef was recently voted a Best New Chef by Food and Wine. Duo and Olivea are good restaurants with the same chef and the pastry chef has been nominated multiple times by JBF as best pastry chef.

For cheaper eats, try Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza, and I'd say Biker Jim's (wild game sausages featured on No Reservations and Ludo Bites) is a must-try for lunch. Pho 95 on Federal is fantastic pho and Star Kitchen for dim sum on weekends. Brunch at Snooze is good, if you can get in. (Pineapple Upsided Down Cake Pancakes are unbelievable) There are a number of excellent taco joints (regardless of what the other posters said) on Federal or nearby as well. Los Carboncitos, El Taco Veloz and Tacos y Salsas #3. I love the buffalo burgers and atmosphere at My Brothers Bar. For an interesting visit, check out the Buckhorn Lounge - it has liquor license #1 in the state, good Rocky Mountain Oysters, and nice cocktails. Some don't like the food that much, and it is overpriced, but you can get all kinds of game in a very interesting restaurant. (you'll know what I mean when you walk in) Euclid Hall is a higher-end brew pub that makes their own sausages and has some great poutines. Sushi SaSa and Sushi Den are the joints for sushi in town, (both fly fish in daily) although I prefer SaSa. (chef/owner worked for Chef Morioto in Philly)

If you like Brazilian food, there's a joint off of 36 on Federal called Little Brazil. They only serve food on Saturdays, sometimes with live music, but their feijoada is the best I've had in the states. Fogo de Chao is also a good Brazilian churrascaria. Although they're a chain, the food is excellent and very reminiscent of what you'd get in Brazil. (trust me, my wife is Brazilian)

Kinga's Lounge on Colfax has some excellent Polish food. The perogies are incredible.

For bars, check out The Cruise Room in the Oxford Hotel, Euclid Hall, and Green Russell.

Enjoy Denver.

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Los Carboncitos
3757 Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211

Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Il Posto
2011 E. 17th St, Denver, CO 80206

My Brother's Bar
2376 15th St, Denver, CO 80202

Sushi Den
1487 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210

El Taco Veloz
400 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80204

Star Kitchen
2917 W Mississippi Ave, Denver, CO 80219

Kinga's Lounge
1509 Marion St, Denver, CO 80218

[jcattles]

Excellent rec's. You hit on some really great places. I've been to some but not all. I'm still waiting to eat at Euclid Hall. Hopefully I can plan a trip to Denver soon.

[monopod]

Great recs indeed. You could have a lot of fun just sticking to these places. And I'd confirm that the Kitchen in Boulder is worth the trip (but be sure to go to the Kitchen itself, not Kitchen [Next Door] which is their lower-price-point cafe; it's still good, but probably not worth a trip from Denver by itself). While you're in Boulder, stop at the Bitter Bar (if it's reopened by then) - best cocktails in the area.

[RobynS]

I finally had a chance to eat at Euclid Hall last week and highly recommend. Delicious duck poutine! My friends had lamb poutine and chicken and waffles, both of which were very good as well but I think mine was the winner.

[monopod]

I like to get the duck poutine as an appetizer. It's the perfect size to share with another person, and you get that salty-fatty-ducky hit of flavor without eating an entire plate of it (which is impossible for me not to do once it's sitting in front of me if I'm not sharing it).

Another favorite item for me was the grilled cabbage. It sounds weird, but it's insanely good, and provided a small amount of vegetable matter to offset the sausages, schnitzel, poutine and beer you'll undoubtedly be shoving in alongside.

[RobynS]

Hehe, I was running a half marathon 2 days later (we were in Denver for the race expo), I figured I didn't really care that night. And I got the apple caraway slaw to go with it so I had a little veggie too. But one thing I did like is that the portions there weren't out of control big but not so small you feel like you want more.

[Heatherb]

Interesting you note that - one of the things my co-worker and I commented on when we ate there was that they had perfectly sized portions. It was a huge selling point with us for some reason. Perhaps because it's such a novelty?

[colfaxBee]

As a Denver native living in NYC for 10+ years, I was really impressed with Root Down when I was last in Denver. A diverse and interesting menu, well executed and very much on the local, organic trend wagon. Plus good cocktail and not too far from the convention center.

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

[Heatherb]

Yeah, I was just there for brunch and it was phenomenal. Definitely seconding your rec! I had the beet salad and the lamb sliders - both were just amazing.

[keninboulder]

After re-reading several of these posts, I think I need to comment - there is NO good Mexican food served anywhere in the Denver area, so please don't bother to waste your time on it. As a native Arizonan (Tucson) who grew up on Mexican food and who has traveled extensively for many years throughout Mexico, what passes for Mexican in Denver is pseudo, liked only by people who've never had real Mexican cuisine and who like their salsa "mild!" For good Mexican, visit Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Tucson, El Paso or even (shudder!) San Diego, but forget Denver!

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El Paso Cafe
1101 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082

[jcattles]

That may be your opinion & you're certainly entitled to it, but comments like this don't help anyone. Yes Mexican food in Denver is different from Mexican food in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, & California. Just because it's not "your" way doesn't mean it's wrong; it's just different. There are plenty of people who enjoy Mexican food in Denver & we each have our favorites. You can ask 10 people which green chile they prefer & you'll get 10 different answers.

If you want to start a debate about Mexican food in Denver, please start your own thread & let the rest of us offer our recommendations to the OP.

To the OP: two more places you could try are Mezcal & El Diablo

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Mezcal
3230 E. Colfax, Denver, CO 80206

El Diablo
1429 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801

[LurkerDan]

I agree that it's just an opinion (though it is one that I somewhat share, I think the area generally lacks in good Mexican). But the OP asked for "outstanding food" and "absolute deliciousness of all types for any and all meals." keninboulder's opinion that Mexican should not be on the OP's list is absolutely relevant to this thread, even if you disagree with his opinion.

I happen to agree with his point, that someone coming to Denver for 4 days and looking for "must eats" should not use one of their meals on Mexican, unless they really have a craving. Yes, the Mexican food here is better than it is in NYC, but it is not as good as it is in many other places. And again, that opinion is well suited for this thread, because it is relevant to the OP's question. You are welcome, of course, to disagree with that opinion and post your mexican recommendations here as well.

[ClaireWalter]

Maybe this discussion of "Mexican food" is an example of topic drift, but Mexico abounds with regional cuisines. Just as New England seafood chowder bears minimal resemblance to San Francisco cioppino or Louisiana gumbo, low country BBQ is different from Texas BBQ and from Kansas City, etc., "Mexican" food varies tremendously. What you get depends on the origins in that dish vaires and whether yours has been gringo-ized.

[monopod]

I'm curious if you've been to Agave in Boulder. I haven't had much good Mexican in the area (and no Tex Mex that I'd call great), but I think Agave is pretty darn good, at least on a good night. The molcajete is one of my favorite things to eat in town right now. I don't know if others concur, though.

[keninboulder]

Good afternoon! Apologies for the tardy response. No, I haven't tried Agave but maybe I should. Until it closed some months ago, Juanita's on Pearl Street was about the best "authentic" Mexican cuisine around, but I rarely recommended it because it was such a dive in terms of atmosphere, many people would walk in and turn around and leave without ever trying the food - BUT it was very popular locally!

Ken

[ClaireWalter]

I like the ambiance at Agave just fine, and I've generally liked the food -- except the time my chicken breast came out lightly seared on the outside but raw inside. The waiter took it back and asked whether I wanted something else. I said, I wanted what I'd ordered but cooked. It came back cooked through -- but without its removal from the bill or an offer for a complimentary margarita or beer or dessert or anything. I found that tacky.

There are lots of little hole-in-the-wall places of great authenticity, but most of them are too authentic for the majority of gringos -- myself included.

[rlm]

Curious what you mean by "too authentic for the majority of gringos." Additionally, which places specifically are you referring to? Thanks.

[ClaireWalter]

RLM - Many people don't care for menudo, lengua and assorted organ meats. Some of us do not eat meat at all. Some of us are squeamish at the thought of eating offal. Some of us have tried and dislike the taste and/or the texture, regardless of the culinary tradition in which it's prepared. A number of little joints in strip shopping centers or former fast food places serve those little tortillas with a bit of overcooked beef, pork or occasionally chicken with salsas available at the condiment bar. I've really tried them but haven't really kept track (many in East County), and I've never found them worth remembering by name or location. Nothing wrong with the food; I just don't care for it. And I hardly ever see any non-Latinos, so I have inferred that other gringos share my taste. Perhaps its a character and/or culinary flaw on my part.

[Strangewine]

Possibly. There are wide variety of authentic Mexican restaurants that I enjoy on a regular basis without having to like organ meats, tripe, lengua, etc. I look at Mexico as one of the worlds great food cultures and enjoy finding authentic Mexican cuisine north of the border.

[keninboulder]

Although it's an 18 mile drive west to Morrison, one of the best and most interesting places to dine in the area is The Fort. An exact replica of Bent's Fort, Colorado's first settled outpost, it's been around since 1962. The specialty is buffalo (bison) and most recipes date from the 19th century. The marrow bone appetizer is incredible as are all of the game dishes. It's pricey, but the views, exceptionally courteous staff, and the food make it a great experience.

Another recommendation is Domo. Rated as one of the five best Japanese restaurants in the U.S., it's the only Japanese Country Inn in the country - totally different from any Japanese restaurant you've ever experienced. Yes, they have sushi and sashimi, but they are recent add-ons to satisfy the type of customer who thinks that's all the Japanese eat - don't bother wasting your time on things you can get in NY, go for Domo's unique offerings!

Finally, I agree totally that Frasca is a MUST - IF you can get reservations! Typically, they are booked two months out, the maximum advanced reservation you can get. Next door, Frasca opened Pizzeria Locale several months ago, offering genuine pizza like you will get in Naples, and NO, it is NOT Pizza Hut Grande, the food is extraordinary and completely unique. For example, the typical pizza oven cooks at around 550-degrees and your pie will bake for 8 to 10 minutes, at Pizzeria Locale the oven is at about 1000-degrees and your pie will bake for 70 seconds! Think about how that changes the composition of the filling; and you will be given a knife and fork with which to eat the pizza, hands are considered gauche for eating real pizza. . .

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Domo
1365 Osage St, Denver, CO 80204

Country Inn
1415 8th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631

[jcattles]

Frasca does set aside a certain number of tables each night for walk ins. If your flexible you could get on the waiting list in case of cancellations.

[jcattles]

If you have a few minutes, search this board as there are many similar threads.

Rioja
Panzano
Frasca (Boulder)
Solera
Fruition
Restaurant Kevin Taylor
Green Russell (Drinks)
Osteria Marco
Snooze
Marco's Coal Fired Pizza
Biker Jim's (personally not a fan but maybe just ate there on an off night)
Elway's
Bones

Denver has many great Mexican places from sit down to small takeout, everyone has their favorites,I like El Tejado, Santiagos (cheap, good breakfast burritos) & few others. I do not like Jack & Grille but that's my preference.

There are also many Pho places that do a bang up job. Again everyone has their favorites.

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Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer, Denver, CO 80202

Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Restaurant Kevin Taylor
1106 Fourteenth Street, Denver, CO 80202

Elway's Restaurant
2500 E 1st Ave Ste B101, Denver, CO 80206

El Tejado
2651 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210

Panzano
909 17th St., Denver, CO 80202

[GroovinGourmet]

I cannot imagine a visit to Denver without hitting Jack N Grill on Federal. Killer NewMex Mex, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[Strangewine]

I've said it before and will say it again, in my opinion, Jack N Grill is the most overrated pseudo-mexican in Denver with food that tastes like it's been shoveled out of the back of a Sysco truck.

There are so many great options in that same area it would be a shame to waste time, money and energy at JnG.

[Mimi]

+1

[caviar_and_chitlins]

+2

[ClaireWalter]

For a historic, antique-filled and iconic location with fine food, consider the Palace Arms in the Brown Palace Hotel. It has one of the city's best pedigrees, and the kitchen is captained by an interesting young chef.

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Brown Palace Hotel
321 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202

[SouthBayRon]

twelve restaurant 21 and Larimer across the street from Biker jims

jims for lunch dinner at twelve. no lunch service at twelve.

[monopod]

5280 Magazine just released their list of the top 25 Denver restaurants, available here: http://www.5280.com/magazine/2011/10/...

I'm sure people will quibble over the rankings, but it's a pretty good guide of notable higher-end spots in Denver, Boulder and surrounding. It's not going to list the less expensive places, though.

As far as spots that didn't make the list, Euclid Hall is pretty awesome for housemade poutine, schnitzel, and wurst. And Pizzeria Locale in Boulder is some of the best neopolitan style pizza in the country.

[Heatherb]

For casual lunch, check out Biker Jim's. Yummy hot dogs of all varieties.

For an interesting evening, definitely check out Euclid Hall.

[LurkerDan]

This is a good thread for Boulder ideas: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/679036 Frasca is certainly a place that should be on your list, even if no others in Boulder interest you. But you could spend all 4 days eating your way through just Boulder and be very happy.

There's a similar comprehensive type thread for Denver: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/670760 I have less experience in Denver, but Rioja is fantastic, Restaurant Kevin Taylor is classically fancy and excellent, and I have heard fantastic things about and want to try Fruition.

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Rioja
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Restaurant Kevin Taylor
1106 Fourteenth Street, Denver, CO 80202