My family lives in Denver now so I make it out occasionally. They claim the culinary scene is pretty weak, but there are some interesting things to be had.

Maybe the best tortas I have ever eaten are from Las Tortugas. Huge, cheap and with a bewildering array of choices to stuff into your bread.

Queen of Sheba is very good Ethiopian as far as I can tell in my limited experience with the cuisine. It's a one woman operation where you are almost eating in her living room.

Carmine Lonardo's does great italian-style subs, better than anything I have eaten in Chicago.

El Tacos de Mexico - known for their green chile sauce. I enjoyed it, but there are like a billion mexican joints in Denver so I am not sure it is worth going out of your way.

I will petition my family for more when I get the chance.

jimswside wrote:nice report and photos, thanks for sharing.

Ill be in Denver shortly - mostly gonna be chasing food trucks, green chili's, & revisiting spots from last time(Mexico City Lounge(also got another deep fried taco spot), Asian Cajun, Yabby Hut, etc.

One of the new ones on my list is: The Source - billed as an artesian market - its in an old brick foundry from the 1800's - looks to have 15 merchants, - some restaurants - some cocktail bars.

http://www.thesourcedenver.com/

still kind of needing to find a spot out in the Golden / Red Rocks area for before a concert @ Redrocks -

I've heard good things about Crooked Stave brewery, in the source.

Never get around to as much as I would like on my trips - all good - had fun for the 4 or so days we were out west in Denver. Had a couple reasons to drive out

Reason # 2 was Widespread Panic @ Red Rocks - just saw the Sunday show - hot - but not one of my favorites over the years.

the terrain around RR is beautiful:







the white wizard getting Down:





Hit a few food spots - some repeasts -

Cherry Cricket was good for a late night burger after the concert



burger was better this visit - went with a basic over easy egg, and avocado cheeseburger.

After Cherry Cricket went to a late night pizza joint - Two Fisted Marios - NY style slices - also a pretty cool bar next door:



Had a few cheap drafts and a slice togo - still a pretty solid piece by the time I got back to the hotel:

Two Fisted Marios
1626 Market
Denver, CO.

http://twofistedmarios.com/Two-fisted_Marios_Pizza.html

Had to hit Asian Cajun again - went for a nice lunch -

did up some snow crabs as well as some blue crabs Rangy style -



snow crabs were meaty and good - the blue crab rangy style was great - messy and finger licking good but great:



also had to do some bugs - big ones - top notch:



Another repeat - Mexico City lounge - cant resist a well executed deep fried taco - this place is what it is - and I like it -



this visit I had steak vs beef - comes with a slice of avocado:



also a chicken enchilada - smothered in green chili sauce - and a fried egg for grins:





Cold beers and cheap tequila made for a great visit.

Im a sucker for a sloppy corned beef sandwich - especially for breakfast- so one thing I search out in any town is a deli - found 1 - Zaidys Deli



really enjoyed a # 7 for breakfast - warm corned beef, slaw, Russian dressing on Rye -





Zaidy's Deli
121 Adams
Denver

http://www.zaidysdeli.com/

We did roll into The Source on 2 occasions - having drinks at RiNo Yacht Club both times - $2 High Lifes cant be beat - cocktail I had was made wrong the 1st time - but corrected

The Source - RiNo Yacht Club
3350 Brighton Blvd.
Denver

http://www.thesourcedenver.com/yacht-club

Some random pics around Golden - an easy cruise from Denver - so is Boulder:










Might try to get back to Denver again still this year - but as other states are wising up there are more travel options up my sleeve.

I also highly recommend the 3 following spots: - 1) Wellspring 2) Oasis 3) Sweet Leaf

Steve,

We were in Denver and and Boulder last weekend and upon your recommendation we dined at Blackbelly and Mercantile and loved them both. Thanks.

We had another birthday weekend with my mom(99-yikes) and of course ate very well. We stayed close to her retirement home(not assisted living) in Louisville and ate at 740 Front in a charming, historic building. Food was not fancy but very good, including grilled artichoke with lemon aioli, tasty caesar salad, and a great bone-ribeye for 2 with a very flavorful mop. Mom had clam chowder and crown royal. That's how you make it to 99!

Lunch the next day was at Post Brewing Company in Lafayette. Besides good craft beer, the menu has a southern bent. We enjoyed everything including deviled eggs with pork cheek, cheddar bisquit, creamy grits, fried catfish sandwich, and ultracrispy Nashville hot chicken.

Dinner was at Oak on 14th in Boulder, the sister restaurant to Acorn in Denver. Everything is cooked with wood either on a flaming grill or wood-burning oven. The cuisine is inventive. Every dish was terrific-Spring pea & burrata cheese toast with mint, chili, Iberico chorizo, Crispy fried and white wine braised artichokes with shaved fennel, pickled fresno, queso fresco, charred lemon puree, Grilled octopus with house Italian sausage, leeks, fennel pollen, fingerling potatoes, and Grilled and fried pork belly with pineapple and other stuff I don't remember.

Before heading to the airport we decided to check out "Chinatown" in Denver. I hadn't seen the post by jmswside otherwise we would've checked out Asian Cajun. However, Empress Seafood Restaurant was the real deal. They have a large selection of dim sum, although only a few of the items were offered on rolling carts. Otherwise, you order off the menu. The offerings we sampled were respectable and I would certainly return to try their regular menu which had the basics such as clams and black bean sauce, big tanks with some good looking fish and lobster, and hanging ducks, chicken, and pork.

http://www.740front.com/
http://www.postbrewing.com/
http://oakatfourteenth.com/
http://www.empressrestaurantdenver.com/

I'll be in Denver for a few days later this week and am looking for any new recommendations. I'll be near the Capitol Hill and Congress Park neighborhoods with no car. I've started a list after reading the Denver threads.

On my last trip to Denver, I only dined in the city a couple of nights. Jim mentioned Mexico City Lounge upthread and I'll recommend it too . . . a bit of a throwback and I really enjoyed the fried tacos, red chili enchiladas, sopapillas & margaritas. . . . other than the margaritas, things I really don't find in Chicago.

I thought the food at the considerably more upscale Mercantile Dining & Provisions was very good. Service was a little lacking but that may have been an issue only the night we were there.

I can second the rec for Barolo Grill.
I spent a lot of time in Denver about 2 years ago on a research project
and had an amazing meal there.
I reviewed it on tripadvisor here- (same username)
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRev ... ml#REVIEWS

I also really enjoyed dinners at Bastiens for the "sugar steak"
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_ ... orado.html

and the Bull& Bush Pub and Brewery which was tons of fun, plus wonderful food!
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_ ... orado.html

Had a great brunch in Capitol Hill at Jelly. Cute place on 13th and Pearl street. Similar vibe to Flying Saucer in Chicago. Very inventive breakfasts and brunch dishes. Entire sections of the menu devoted to several different french toasts, pancakes, hash, scrambles, omelets, biscuits and gravy and breakfast "sliders". Not your run of the mill diner versions of these but very unique updated twists on the classics. Good strong coffee and fill your own donut holes come with three sauces. Highly recommended.
http://www.eatmorejelly.com/

Heading out in 10 days. Any additional suggestions?

So two threads?

I am heading out in about 9 days and would love some intel.--TIA

pairs4life wrote:So two threads?

I am heading out in about 9 days and would love some intel.--TIA

No longer. They're now merged. Carry on.

=R=
for the Moderators

pairs4life wrote:So two threads?

I am heading out in about 9 days and would love some intel.--TIA

We moved here 2 years ago. What are you interested in?


Fancy?
See and be seen?
Cocktail program?
Beer place?

Union station is a pretty good jumping off place, stop in for a drink and hang out then walk to many great places in the neighborhood.


We've been happy trying stuff off the Eater list
http://denver.eater.com/maps/best-denver-restaurants-38

Was recently at Mercantile Dining & Provision and it was very good.
Love Acorn at The Source and the whole family really likes The Kitchen
Great beer list at Falling Rock Tap House but the food is pretty simple burgers etc...

mhill95149 wrote:

pairs4life wrote:So two threads?

I am heading out in about 9 days and would love some intel.--TIA

We moved here 2 years ago. What are you interested in?


Fancy?
See and be seen?
Cocktail program?
Beer place?

Union station is a pretty good jumping off place, stop in for a drink and hang out then walk to many great places in the neighborhood.


We've been happy trying stuff off the Eater list
http://denver.eater.com/maps/best-denver-restaurants-38

Was recently at Mercantile Dining & Provision and it was very good.
Love Acorn at The Source and the whole family really likes The Kitchen
Great beer list at Falling Rock Tap House but the food is pretty simple burgers etc...

Awesome food first and foremost. My dining companion tends to be anti- "see & be seen".

Find these guys Ava . . . fantastic ice cream.

BR wrote:Find these guys Ava . . . fantastic ice cream.

Perfect!

Reviving this post a bit. Anyone have any recommendations on amazing places for a group of 4 in Denver to go and have an amazing meal? A schwa like vibe in Denver would be awesome. Thanks for the help!

Not sure when you are coming but see if https://www.beckon-denver.com can fit you in?

I had a great French Dip (the Alameda classic with a side of crispy potatoes) at Pony Up before I walked to Coors Field to see the Cubs play the Rockies in June. All they do are high quality French Dips 7 days a week and open until 2AM.

Pony Up
1808 Blake St
Denver CO
720-710-8144
https://www.ponyupdenver.com/

This is literally the menu:

French Dips

The Alameda Street Classic: sea salt, rosemary, mayonnaise and beef jus
The Saigon: Lemongrass pork, cilantro, basil, jalapeños on a ciabatta roll, with a swath of spicy mayo and pho broth
The Smoked Mushroom: smoked mushroom, Swiss, and porcini broth
The Frenchie: roast beef, gruyere,thyme, crispy onions and French Onion soup dip
Chicago Italian Beef: roast beef, giardiniera, Italian herbs and garlic, beef jus

Sides and snacks

The Strips: freshly cooked tortilla strips, served with housemade salsa, sharp cheddar cheese and guacamole
Country KarAage: Crispy chicken , marinated in garlic, ginger and soy, served with lemon and spicy mayonnaise
SHISHITO Peppers: Roasted SHISHITOS, with yuzu salt
Crispy Potatoes: Twice cooked crispy russet potatoes, tossed with EVOO, salt and pepper. Finished with Parmesan.
Classic Chicken Wings: with blue cheese

Salads

Kale Caesar: Lacinato kale, dressed with roasted Garlic Caesar dressing and 8 minute crouton

From the net:


The Frenchie