Denver Restaurant Review: Zengo

Every few months, chef Richard Sandoval and his renown culinary team explore new flavors and techniques in their "Test Kitchen." From now through March 31st, Zengo is featuring cuisine from Mexico and Korea. Rather than fusing the two regions as he has done in the past, Sandoval and his team have created separate dishes that highlight the flavors and ingredients from each region. The result is a tasty verity of small plates and cocktails that range from Achiote Mahi Mahi Tostadas to Kimchee & Tofu Soup.
Located in lower downtown, Zengo offers a hip atmosphere alongside small plates with big flavors. The service is extremely knowledgeable and the unique cocktails never disappoint. Make sure to visit Zengo before March 31st to experience Sandoval's newest Test Kitchen items. (See full menu here.)

The other Test Kitchen cocktail:

Watermelon Soju Margarita

Agave Reposado / Korean Charm Soju

Watermelon / Serrano pepper

Test Kitchen Soup Option:

Kimchee & Tofu Soup

Pozole / Cabbage / Guajillo Broth / Tortilla Strips

 

Denver Restaurant Review: Guard and Grace

Last night marked the official opening of Guard and Grace, Denver's newest contemporary kitchen. Along with a handful of writers, I was exclusively invited to a "preview-party" to see what this modern American steakhouse was all about. Guard and Grace, named after the chef and his young daughter, is located in the heart of downtown Denver. With 9,000 square feet of private indoor and outdoor dining areas, an exceptional raw bar, and 4,000 bottle wine room, Guard and Grace aims to please. Weather you're looking to unwind with friends with a drink after work or hunker down for a true dining experience, Guard and Grace is your new place.

The flat bread was to die for. Full of fresh ingredients and soulful spices. People raved about the sliders, the asparagus, however, was my favorite. Roasted to perfection with a unique, almost asian flavor. 

Per usual, the dessert was my favorite part; an array of small tasters. A lemon curd tart, banana cream pie, and a peanut butter chocolate bite had me at hello.

Guard and Grace is the new "must taste"

Denver Restaurant Review: Humboldt Farm.Fish.Wine

It's restaurant week here in Denver. If you are new to this awesome phenomenon, then here is the breakdown. A handful of restaurants throughout the Denver area create a three-course dinner menu for $52.80 (as the Mile High City, the price is based on the 5280 feet that make up a mile) per couple. It's a great way to find amazing new restaurants, or see what some of your favorite restaurants can whip up.

Last night we kicked off restaurant week at a new place in town, Humboldt Farm. Fish. Wine. It stands where Strings once stood, and offers a menu full of fresh local ingredients. Executive Chef DJ Nagle and Chef de Cuisine Kollin Gately, take American classics and give them a unique twist. Humboldt Farm. Fish. Wine. quickly made it's way to the top f my list.

We started out with the house favorite- Crispy Broccoli with Grana Padano and pepperoncini aioli 

And the Crispy Brussels Sprouts with a spicy truffle chili glaze. (They were to die for!)

The second corse was a choice of salmon, steak, chicken, or risotto. I chose the Scottish Salmon with Delicata squash, cauliflower puree, and a pomegranate reduction.

For desert, I chose the Humboldt Bread Pudding with vanilla gelato. Yummers.

Denver Restaurant Review: Beatrice and Woodsley

For my birthday dinner, I chose to try Beatrice and Woodsley. 

Nestled among Broadway hangout-outs, Beatrice and Woodsley brings Colorado's wilderness to the city. With elements of a rustic cabin and modern flare, Beatrice and Woodsley dishes out some of the best plates in Denver. The unexpected woodsy flavors and detailed atmosphere put this restaurant at the top of my list. 

(see menu here)

The wine came with tags in case you wanted to buy some of your own....

My mom and I split four small plates, the Pimento Cheese Cheesecake 

The Sweet Pea-Spinach Cakes with mushrooms and radish pickles.

The Crawfish Beignets filled with a spicy red pepper aioli - these were by far my favorite part of the night! 

Minus Meat Pastry with winter vegetables, walnuts, and dried fruit.

Both Albert and my dad went for the mushroom risotto with cranberry relish. 

No meal is complete without desert so we all shared Banana Cream 'Pie'

and the Black Velvet Cake.

Even the bathrooms were interesting....

The coolest part were the sinks, water came from the ceiling and fell from these metal chains.  

Needless to say, I loved it!

Denver Restaurant Review: Trillium

Last night we went to Trillium, an American and Scandinavian bistro located in Denver's Ballpark district. I was dying to try Trillium after stumbling upon an article about the restaurant in Colorado's 5280 last summer. My family traveled to Denmark many years ago, so I was excited to try their Scandinavian flare. The food was creative and fresh with outstanding service. They have a great variety, with smorgasbord plates for sharing or a tapas like feast.

I'd highly recommend it!

We had to try the hand-crafted Trillium cocktail and the wine from small wine producers. For an appetizer they brought us a cucumber, strawberry, and ginger salmon. YUM   

The beat salad with frozen goat cheese was my favorite. (yes, that ice cream on top is actually goat cheese!)

We cleansed our pallets with a prosecco pear sherbet. 

My second plate was smoked salmon with an amazing sauce and grilled rye bread.

Even their interior was great!

For desert (the most important part of every meal) we had a dark chocolate bread pudding and a cinnamon toast panna cotta.