Colorado Restaurant Compendium

[alma del polvo]

Any suggestions on where's worth going?

Linger Eatuary

[smmokan]

Any suggestions on where's worth going?

Restaurant Kevin Taylor (just booked a res there)
1515
Luca D'Italia
Riojoa
Lola
Washington Park Grille
Venue

[Cruiser]

We've got reservations Friday night at Barolo. We're planning to just show up and have them feed us and give us wine. We're not even going to bother with the menu. I mean really, those folks know what we want to eat and drink better than we do anyway. Should be good. We've got about 3 hours blocked out for the event. Last time we did this we had another couple along and the kitchen prepared 4 different small plates for us for each course and we just shared everything. I think we had like 6 courses done that way. It was bliss.

WTF is up with the restaurant week menus? I feel like Ray Charles here.

[Cruiser]

I always liked this thread. Anyone else want to bring this thread back from the depths?

We've been getting out for nice meals much less frequently as a result of having a whole damned bunch of kids. But Mrs. Cruiser and I did manage to make it to Table 6 last week for dinner. Those guys nailed it. We did 4 app's one after another then each had an entree and finished off with a desert to share. Each course was timed very well and each one was better than the last. The brussels sprouts were such a hit and my braised short ribs were spot on. Nothing was heavy handed and yet the meal still had some nice comfort food elements to it. I had 2 glasses of wine and Mrs. C had 1. The total with a nice tip was <$150.

I had never eaten dinner there before but we will certainly go back sometime in the not too distant future.

[smmokan]

Good timing... Denver Restaurant Week starts on 2/22 (or around there). Lots of good looking menus this year, and the price went up to $30/pp. I've got a reservation for Q's in the Hotel Boulderado that first night.

I live in Niwot now, so I don't ever go to Denver to eat anymore... but we regularly go to restaurants in Boulder. Some of my recent favorites:

Brasserie Ten Ten- ridiculously good apps and Steak Frites
Mateo
Riff's
Cyclhops (in Longmont, started by the Oscar Blues guys)
Zucca- great Italian place in downtown Louisville

[thaar]

Fruition is arguably my favorite restaurant in Denver right now. Quaint little place with a nice atmosphere. Small menu, but everything I've had has been cooked to perfection. The pasta carbonara dish is outstanding. Pasta is made fresh, with a 6-minute egg and pork belly. I typically get the duck breast for my main course and am never disappointed.

Mizuna is up there too, but I haven't been there in quite some time.

I want to get back to Rioja to try Jennifer Jasinskis paella dish when it comes back on the menu. I wasn't blown away the first time I went there, but want to try it again after all the praise she's received, as well as being competitive on Top Chef Masters last year.

[Danno]

always wanted to get to Fruition, but it's never on restaurant week and I can't afford many fancy nights out these days.

I have a bunch of reservations for restaurant week, but may not use them all (maybe I'll offer them up here?). Really want to try the Squeaky Bean and Trillium, and have had fantastic meals at Cholon and Panzano.

[Below Zero]

My wife and I have go to many fine dining establishments (Being DINKS helps). IMHO, Table 6 is the best restaurant in Denver. It has everything: great food, excellent (non-pretentious) service, great atmosphere, great interior design, and it's just the right size with great views of the kitchen from every seat.

Fruition has great food but it is full of 60 to 70 year olds. Additionally, the interior design seems dated to me.

Mizuna is great as well, but don't get seats back in the "wine cellar".

Root Down ranks up there as well. I also like True Food Kitchen in Cherry Creek.

[rideit]

I know this is random, but are there any outstanding options in Junction? I think there must be a few. Not necessarily $$, but quality.
I am usually going through there in Mt.Biker camping/dirtbag mode, will be there this spring as a normal civilian....

[Below Zero]

^^I've been to the Rockslide Restaurant and Brewery on Main Street. It's not bad.

[rideit]

I think I have been there too. It was O.K., but basically pub grub. I guess I am thinking either a little more...esoteric, unique, or ethnic, basically.

[Danno]

these two are top rated on yelp, fwiw, and seem more upscale
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bin-707-foodbar-grand-junction
http://www.yelp.com/biz/626-on-rood-grand-junction

[MakersTeleMark]

A friend recently had some bar food at Bin 707 and said it was really good. Seems to get great reviews all around. Glad to see the junk has something other than it's namesake.

[matt]

Bin 707 is by far the best food in GJ.

[Cruiser]

Back to Denver.

Tarasco's New Latino Cuisine
470 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
I have been to Tarasco's several times over the last year or so since I found this place. It is certainly not a fancy restaurant. The location on Federal below Alameda next door to a dispensary leaves much to be desired in terms of aesthetics. The interior is basic and quaint with 4 or 5 tables and 4 or 5 booths. The small kitchen is open to the restaurant so you can see and hear what is going on. The food at Tarasco's is simple and yet very nicely executed. The ingredients strike me as being much more traditional than many of the other "mexican food" places around town. Presentations aren't fancy or layered but the flavors are spot on. The mole 7 chiles is fantastic as is the mole amarillo. I love carnitas and this place delivers. I have ordered the yellow mole with carnitas more than a couple of times and it makes me seriously happy. They have delicious fresh fruit smoothies which are not an acceptable substitute for not having a liquor license. But the lack of booze does help to keep the bill low. Prices are very reasonable with our meals for 2 adults and 3 kids rarely exceeding $50.

tl;dr version: Tarasco's is delicious, cheap, authentic Mexican food in a humble setting. Check them out soon if you're into that sort of thing.