It’s that time of year again: the 10-day long event celebrating the Mile-High City’s vibrant culinary scene, when all of our gastro-wishes are granted. Yes, you guessed it, it’s the 11th annual Denver Restaurant Week, February 20th-March 1st, 2015! With 250 of Denver’s top restaurants offering multi-course dinners for $30 per person, it’s guaranteed to be a scrumptious, mouth-watering, succulent, bomb, fan-FREAKIN’-tastic, [insert your favorite yummylicious word here] ode to the food gods, and our stomachs, as there ever was. But choosing where to go and what to eat can be a bit overwhelming, so to give aid, we’re sharing the locales that we’re super stoked about!
Before we start, if you would like to see the full restaurant week menus for any participating restaurants including the ones we mention, click here!
To make reservations at the restaurants we mention, visit the website by clicking on the restaurant name or give them a call at the number provided.
The 9th Door, 1808 Blake St., (303) 292-2229
The Gist: Offering tapas, of both the hot and cold variety, in a contemporary and sexy ambiance, The 9th Door is a great spot for date night as well as groups looking for a more social environment. Located near Coors Field in downtown Denver, it’s a great place to start a night out on the town.
Chow Down: To start, try the Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos -Fire roasted piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese and rosemary, next go with the Croquetas de Hongos -Risotto and mushroom croquette with truffle oil, mushroom sauce, and shaved manchego cheese, for the third course choose Callo de Hongos – Pan-seared sea scallops with truffled, mushroom
compote, and for dessert the Flan de Limon- Lemon-rosemary infused flan will be the perfect finale.
ChoLon, 1555 blake street 101, (303) 353-5223
The Gist: For modern southeast asian cuisine with a twist, go to ChoLon, one of Denver’s most popular restaurants. Plates are meant to be shared, family style, so go with a big group to get a taste of as many of the unique flavors as you can! The atmosphere is upscale, so grab your crew and dress up.
Chow Down: Since you can choose three small bites, go with the Kaya Toast, Coconut Jam, Egg Cloud, Crispy Rice and Kale Salad, Candied Pecans, Coconut, Pomegranate, Beets, and local favorite Soup Dumplings, Sweet Onion, Gruyere (fyi, you’ll probably need to order at least 2 of the soup dumplings because they are the definition of fan-FEAKIN’-tastic!). For share plates, opt for Miso Marinated Cod, Cucumber Relish, Chinese Eggplant, accompanied by the Brussels Sprouts, Ground Pork, Kaffir Lime from the Wok. For the grand finale, Spiced Doughnuts, Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream, Condensed Milk will leave the perfect taste in your mouth.
Epernay Lounge, 1080 14th St., (303) 573-5000
The Gist: This sexy little lounge serving up nouveau american cuisine is situated just off of the DCPA, and is the perfect place to grab a bite before a show or end with a nightcap.
Chow Down: To start, try the Sashimi Sampler, then go with the Braised Brisket Tacos, and Lemon Goat-Cheese Cake to finish off the meal.
Pizza Republica, 890 14th St., (303) 623-2811
The Gist: If you’re craving homemade pizza and pasta, elevated, definitely go to Pizza Republica. This is a casual spot, great for hanging out with good friends and family.
Chow Down: For Il Primo, try the Lamb Meatballs, next you have to have the staple dish “9-inch Wood-Fired Pizza*, and finish off with the Salted Caramel Budino.
Coohills, 1400 Wewatta St., (303) 623-5700
The Gist: Focussed on serving local and seasonal ingredients, this restaurant is the definition of farm-to-table. With an open kitchen design, simple but modern decor, and both community tables as well as individual tables, it’s a great place for all occasions.
Chow Down: For the adventurous, start with the Wild Burgundy Snails – roasted tomatoes, garlic butter, brioche or for those of us craving the more traditional, the Lyonnaise Salad – 62 degree egg, pancetta, garlic, Dijon vinaigrette. For the main, choose the Sweet Potato Gnocchi-toasted cauliflower, spinach, brown butter, sage, and finish with the Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta-peanut butter brittle, raspberry gel, cocoa nibs crumble.
A Few More Recommendations:
Lower48 Kitchen, Contemporary American Cuisine, 2020A Lawrence St., (303) 942-0262
Stoic & Genuine, A Modern Take On Seafood, 1701 Wynkoop St., (303) 640-3474
Tamayo, Modern Mexican, 1400 Larimer St., (720) 946-1433
Trillium, Sleek Modern Nordic-Inspired Eatery, 2134 Larimer St., (303) 379-9759
Black Crown Lounge, Cocktail and Piano Bar in an Old Victorian House, 1446 S. Broadway, (720) 353-4701
Tell us about your Denver Restaurant Week experience below or @gosirvo!