LBloom

Will be spending 10 days in September in Denver (6 for work, 4 to visit DD). Will be staying near the Denver Tech Center area. DD lives near Washington Park. Looking for recs for B, L, D. and stuff to do. Have been several times, seen the major stuff, looking for "off the beaten path" things.

Is Carmine on Penn any good? Was thinking of hosting business dinner for 12 co-workers there. Got good reviews on Yelp, looking for someone who has personal experience. Any other recs for large group casual dining?

We will be free one weekend and planning drive into mountains with DD. Any suggestions for "fall colors" drive in late September? Thanks!

Tabernash2

We haven't been to Carmine on Penn for a few years. We used to go there for family dining, and liked it for a good low-key place.

It's a family place, not high concept or anything. But it's good food, good value, huge menu, and especially good for groups. They are experiencd in serving large tables.

I will think of others to recommend.
Barolo Grill, on 6th Ave, is great. Expensive, upscale, usually lives up to its reputation.
Avenue Grill, on 17th Ave, is a favorite for great service and food, at a lower price point.

Denver has lots of neighborhood restaurants. What type of food do you like? There's great Mexican food here.

Gretchen

I think our kids love Carmine. Barolo is absolutely solid if it is the same.
In Wash Park go to the ice cream place near Gaylord.
do you have to stay in that area? The Highlands is so fun--Little Man Creamery. Pearl Street for eclectic shopping.
Down in the Tech Center, look around Orchard and HOlly for an Asian restaurant--I'll get the name for you. Wonderful/delicious.
Papadeaux's is down there also--a chain we knew from San Antonio, and can be interesting.
Fruition, Luce, Mizuna--all good. Pallettes at the Art Museum for lunch.

HappyTrvlr

We always go to Washington Park Grill when we're in that area.

Tabernash2

Gretchen, HAPA?

Gretchen

Back atcha==HAPA? Am I missing something?

WhereAreWe

I think she's saying the name of the Asian restaurant might be Hapa.

lor41886

I would recommend Snooze for breakfast or brunch one day. It's in Congress Park, but I believe it has a few other locations. It was FANTASTIC. I'm posting my Denver Trip Report link for more details:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...port-day-1.cfm

Enjoy!

Tabernash2

Yes, Gretchen. That's the name of an upscale and interesting 'Asian' restaurant near the DTC. DS worked there when they opened. There is one in Cherry Creek North, too. And in Boulder. Good stuff. Is that the one you meant? Cool atmosphere? Sexy names for the dishes?

Snooze is also near Cherry Creek North, at 7th & Colorado. It's fantastic, and gets long lines. Red velvet pancakes, anyone??

martym

A nice fall colors drive, somewhat off the beaten path, is over Boreas Pass. Take highway 285 south from Denver toward South Park. The color at the top of Kenosha Pass right before you descend into South Park is usually stunning. About 10 miles into South Park, turn right at Como. Follow the road through town and thence to the top of Boreas Pass then down into Breckenridge. Great views and aspen color all along the way (about 20 miles). It is a well maintained dirt road - ok for a sedan. When you get a few miles from Breckenridge, the road is paved. Suggest going in the morning and having lunch in Breckenridge and returning to Denver on I 70.

Here is a website that gives some of its history (the road was originally a rail bed of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad) http://www.parkcountyheritage.com/he...boreas-pass-1/

Gretchen

I don't think so. Am writing my kids. Pretty sure this one is in Orchard and Holly shopping center--and is quieter than that looks.
Downtown we like La Centrale for French (inexpensive and good mussels).

martym

Here's the website for the restaurant Gretchen recommended http://www.lecentral.com/

obxgirl

I was in Denver last week and made a return trip to le centrale. Great mussels. House wines are very drinkable and inexpensive. Sweet atmosphere. There was a dessert with merangue and caramel that was beautiful.

wtm003

Gretchen - Rice Bistro?

Hapa Sushi & and another Asian restaurant Jing are at the Landmark in DTC.

Tabernash2

This may not be the same place Gretchen recommends, but it is very good, and close to DTC for the OP:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/hapa-sushi-g...enwood-village

Gretchen

Yes, Rice Bistro looks right. It is really really nice. quiet, and GREAT food.

Gretchen

Some years ago when our kids were in school we went to Centrale, and managed to actually eat them out of ALL their mussels!! The poor table across from us got none.
Thanks for finding Rice for me.

Gretchen

Just had an email from DS--they ate at Rice last night!!

tarfan24

Another redo for le centrale. Good, reasonable French food. A coworker highly recommends Carmine on Penn as the only place around to get good Italian. She's from NJ originally if that says anything about her knowledge of Italian food. Panzanos downtown is also good as is Bistro Vendome though not for a large group. Linger in lower highlands is good for groups to share lots of small plates. It's in a converted mortuary so a bit different in atmosphere and not creepy.

Gretchen

Well, Barolo Grill will give you really good Italian food also. Maybe the price point is different. Just a thought.