Downtown Denver restaurant recommendation, please~
 

It's been 2 years since we were in Denver. Looking for suggestions for a downtown dinner spot. Any cuisine except Mexican will do. Price can be up to $100 for 2; no wine but a beer or 2.

We do have a car, so driving outside of downtown is ok too.

This is for a Friday night, if that matters...

Hi Deb--three restaurants we have eaten at recently--all were very good.

Charcoal just south of downtown off Broadway-- Scandinavian influence--yummy apps--wonderful grilled mains (best grilled chicken breast I've ever had) http://charcoaldining.com/

Old Major--very knowledgeable waitstaff--we had the oysters on half shell fantastic--and I had the fish special--fresh halibut--one the best things I have eaten in a couple of years; DH had the roast chix also very good and the dessert had caramel and candied bacon yummm!--http://oldmajordenver.com/

Acorn in the Source--north of downtown in the RiNo neighborhood-- sister restaurant to Oak in Boulder--the same delicious food--love the kale salad (not kidding)and the shrimp and grits and the meatballs and polenta http://www.denveracorn.com/ The Source also has a brewery the Crooked Stave
http://www.crookedstave.com/

Since it's Friday--would make reservations

Thanks, Marty!

Thanks, marty!

BArolo Grill--best Italian you'll have. The owner takes the staff to Italy to see first hand how it should be done.
Fruition
If you have time for some pizza, go to Marco's Coal Fired Pizza--NOT just a pizzeria. Wings marinated in limoncello. Salads and antipasto to go with Neopolitan pizza.
Take a trip to Savory Spice while in Denver.

Deb, my oldest DD lives in Denver and she took us here for dinner in September - Le Central. They are a Bistro French restaurant and they have a terrific deal on moules et frites (mussels w/ French Fries) that is not to be beat. Their other entrees looked yummy as well. Check it out -

http://www.lecentral.com/

One caveat on Barolo Grill, it is northern Italian definitely not a lasagna, spaghetti & meatballs type of place. It is,however, very good.

Le Centrale may be our favorite place in Denver, long term. We have had occasion when we literally ate them out of their mussels supply!!
AND for a real experience, go to Domo==a country Japanese restaurant the likes of which I'm not sure is anywhere else in the US--and is delicious and an experience in dining.
And if it isn't spaghetti and meatballs, that can be a VERY good thing--for heavens' sake.

I believe I noted that.

Barolo Grill is a great restaurant. It's not downtown, but it isn't far. It's in Cherry Creek North, on 6th Ave. It's $$$$, though.

Le Centrale is a wonderful value, but best for lunch, I think. Maybe just because we've gone to it for so long that it doesn't seem 'special' to us.

Avenue Grill is very good, on 17th. Excellent service and food at ridiculously reasonable prices. I think it's our favorite. Ask for a window seat.

We also like the Chop House downtown, by Coors Field. It's a relaxed place with great food.

I am not aware of the hottest places downtown now, though. I am sure there are some new super-trendy places. Mostly, we stay around Cherry Creek North, and the restaurants east of downtown on 17th.

Have fun and welcome back to Denver!
(There's always Brio. haha)

Mizuna may be out of the price range but is wonderful. If you don't go, buy the cookbook!!

Having just gotten back from 2 weeks in Italy, we will pass on Italian. Thinking Le Centrale or Avenue grill.

Thanks all!

(I was just by Brio today,)

You were in Cherry Creek today? And Italy recently. Fun!

You might like the Capital Grill, which is on Larimer downtown. It's $$$$, though.

https://www.thecapitalgrille.com/pag...tions/?id=8018

But the Avenue Grill has never let us down.

Let us know with a little report.

Capital Grille. Doncha know.

Bistro Vendome is a nice spot downtown. Further out for Japanese, Sushi Den is very popular, they fly in their fish from Tsukiji market daily. You didn't mention breakfast but Snooze serves a good one, although try to avoid weekend mornings as it can get really crowded.

Triangled both.

Yeah, me too. What a

Deb, if you go to the Denver Art Museum, have lunch at Palette's. And of course, the museum is wonderful.
Up in the Highlands area are some wonderful little restaurants--one starts with V.
And the best cheese shop is St. Killian's--wonderful stuff.
Try Domo!! It's an experience!!

We had lunch at Palette last visit and it was very nice but we should have made reservations! It was very busy with "ladies who do lunch". Great museum, too,

I'll add another recommendation for Le Central -- it's a pilgrimage for us for moules et frites whenever we visit Denver . It's a comfy French bistro, nothing pretentious. Very reasonably priced wine list.

Last visit friends took us to Bittersweet. I admit I rolled my eyes when I saw the overdone "artisanal cuisine farm to table" thing but that place really delivered wonderful food. I still think about the smoked shrimp & scallops. And the olive oil ice cream. And the sour cherry sorbet.

I just looked at the menu at Le Central. I'd forgotten that those prices are hard to beat!

I'm not a fan of mussels, but that special for $11.95 looks awesome, with your choice of how the mussels are prepared.

It is a cozy little place.

I noticed a funny typo on the menu: "Roasted airline chicken breast". If you go, please ask what that's about!