Denver restaurant recommendation?
 

We have some out of town guests visiting Colorado at the end of the month. They'll stay with us for a few days, then we'll spend a night in Denver with them. We live in Fort Collins, but don't make it to Denver often. Looking for a nice, but not too fancy, restaurant for dinner. If it is uniquely Colorado then all the better.

We go to Boulder more often and some of our choices there are The Med, Dushanbe Teahhouse, Bacco Trattoria, Brasserie Ten Ten, or Salt Bistro. Something along those lines would fit the bill. Our hotel is at 17th and California, so walking distance from there would be perfect.

Thanks!

We had a nice dinner at the Mercantile in Union Station, great location and a short walk for you.

Not sure what is 'uniquely Colorado', but we like the Avenue Grill on 17th.
Also The Chophouse downtown is moderately priced.
Panzano is good, although more expensive. It's in the Hotel Monaco, a very short walk for you.
Steuben's on 17th is casual and good for 'comfort' food.
If you don't mind taking Lyft, Fruition on 6th is very good.

Too many choices!!

Thanks for the suggestions will check them out. We might make a trip to visit one beforehand. We're interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, so another excuse to head down.

We've not been to any of those except for Mercantile in Union Station, which was enjoyable.
Yeah, I guess "uniquely Colorado" is vague. Maybe I'd know it if I saw it. :)

The Buckhorn Exchange has always fit that uniquely Colorado label.

For sure that looks like a good example.

Yes, but is the food any good? ;o)
If you're going that route, get in the car and go to The Fort.
Agree about Fruittion and Barolo Grill is NOT colorado but it is absolutely wonderful.

Whenever we are in Denver we try to get to TOCABE RESTAURANT. Have you been there? It is American Indian cuisine. It's so different - we have not encountered an American Indian restaurant anywhere else in our travels. It's really interesting and delicious.

See ---

https://www.5280.com/packages/25-bes...s-denver-2017/

The most uniquely Colorado restaurant is the Buckhorn Exchange as mentioned above. Iconic historical Denver. Rich history for the building. The number 1 seller of Rocky Mountain oysters by a wide margin. Close to a unique Colorado dish. Holds number 1 liquor license.

Thanks again for the suggestions and the 5280 link. Fruition does look good, and that is interesting about the number 1 liquor license. I confess the oyster dish has never appealed!

I'm heading out of town tomorrow and plan to be in the Wyoming backcountry all next week, and off the grid. I'll go through the list and float some ideas to the group when I return the following week.

NJriverchick: We have not been there, but Tocabe looks good, I'll file that one away for future reference

Thanks!

If you want to be a mountain man you got to try them. Reminded me a lot of the old Howard Johnson's Friday clam strips. If you want something unique, that is it. And you can take the light rail right to the front door.

I'll put eating oysters along with skinnin' beavers as one of those mountain man experiences I can skip.

Good to know the light rail gets there. Will keep it on the list.

On my one and only trip to Denver I had dinner at the Appaloosa Grill on the 16th Street mall. The smoked trout salad was delicious. They also have bison and elk on the menu.

I can tell. You are not a native. Just another eastern import.

Someone else recommended The Fort and that is another great place. It is in the foothills and is supposedly a copy of Old Ben's Fort on the Arkansas. Great to be when the sun is setting and the lights of Denver are coming up. But it is not cheap.

Yep. But you wouldn't know it when I wear my western cowpoke hat. Provided I keep my mouth shut.
Sounds like the natives are at Tocabe. :)

I've been to Fruition, Tables and Sushi Den (and I'm not a big sushi fan) fairly recently and all were excellent. Bistro Vendome has a nice patio but It's been over a year since I've been there. The Buckhorn Exchange IS uniquely Colorado, but probably best for just a pre-dinner cocktail or beer. My sons like Tocabe but describe it as more of a casual, Chipotle-type layout.

Hmmm...I'm a native and definitely pass on RMO. My son jokes that only people who aren't from CO eat RMO as part of the tourist experience. My SIL from Illinois couldn't wait to try them. :)

I was in Denver a couple of weeks ago and had great dinners at Barolo Grill, Rioja, and Fruition. Uniquely Colorado? Probably not.

Checking in after eight days in the mountain backcountry. Getting too old for this stuff, but we hit some truly fantastic country.

I’m ditching the “uniquely Colorado” part of this question. My choices would be Rioja, Fruition, or Sushi Den. I’ll float it and see what the consensus is and will make reservations.

Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated!

I’ve only been to Sushi Den of those remaining choices. Well prepared food, nice atmosphere in certain areas of this large restaurant, very crowded the times I’ve been. The owner has family in Tokyo who purchase fish from the Tsukiji Market and fly it into Denver several times a week, so their sushi is quite good.

Uniquely Denver: No love for Casa Bonita? (I'm sure that place is reviled by locals. So Cheesy, but enjoyed visiting as a kid and then with my kids).

Really add Barolo Grill to your list.
Bonita Grill--puhleeze!!!

I floated several of the restaurants, including Barolo Grill, and Rioja came out on top for this round. But now my wife and I have options for future reference. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Tentative plans with our friends is to walk from our hotel to the Brown Palace for a cocktail, then stroll back past our hotel to Rioja for dinner. Should be good.
The "uniquely Colorado" part of the visit will be Trail Ridge Road.