Denver Restaurant Review: Zengo's Summer Nights Menu

Chef Richard Sandoval's Zengo has recently launched a Summer Nights Menu. An exclusive three-course menu that is available Monday - Wednesday, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm for $35.00 per person. This deal includes your choice of a bottle of sake or wine, an appetizer to split, an entree, and a desert to share. What better way to spice up a week night, than treating yourself to some good food and wine at a reasonable price? With a variety of options to choose from and a sleek atmosphere, you can't go wrong.

The shrimp vegetable potstickers were our absolute favorite dish of the night. 

We were lucky enough to try a bite of the popular empanada appetizer as well. 

There is no better way to round off the night than with this Modern Mexican Bar. 

Small Plates & Bottomless Cocktails - Brunch at Tamayo

Tamayo has launched its new Bottomless Margarita Brunch menu just in time for summer. Enjoy the rooftop patio alongside bottomless, hand-crafted cocktails and an unlimited feast of Latin-inspired plates made to share. Tamayo's Modern-Mexican Brunch is available Saturday - Sunday, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm for $39.00 per person. The menu overflows with a variety of Soups & Salads, Tacos & Tortas, Starters, Cazuelas (traditional pots), Specials, and Brunch Plates that keep coming until you say, "when!" So if you are looking to venture away from the traditional brunch basics, and have a soft spot for sensual, Latin American flavors, Tamayo's Bottomless Brunch is your new weekend spot.

I couldn't resist starting out with a Bloody Mary, my absolute favorite drink. With flavors reminiscent of a zesty gazpacho, this BM officially made itself a home on my list of best Bloodies in Denver.

If you favor tequila over vodka, make sure to go for the Bloody Maria with its spicy rim of salt.

Nothing says summer more than the Grilled Watermelon Salad. It's a light and refreshing start to wet your pallet for the dishes ahead.

The Migas Nortenas is a recipe wrought with tradition. These savory, scrambled egg-drenched tortilla chips bring back childhood memories for Chef Oscar Padilla as this recipe comes straight out of his grandmother's kitchen. This dish is a definite "must order," my favorite of the day. 

Denver Restaurant Review: Lola

With food inspired by coastal regions of Mexico and a top rated tequila bar, Lola has remained a Denver favorite for close to a decade. Considering the onslaught of new restaurant districts and Denver's ever-changing tastes, remaining a a popular dining destination in this sink or swim climate says a lot about what Lola is whipping up. Having spent three years on South Pearl Street and an additional seven in the trendy LoHi neighborhood, it's obvious that Lola is doing something right.

Contrary to Lola's acclaim, I never had the chance to go until this past Thursday night. With such high expectations it's easy for popular restaurants like Lola to fall short, but Lola not only lived up to those standards but far surpassed them. With an extremely hospitable crew, quality flavors and coin-style margaritas, this Denver favorite found it's way into my top five restaurants in Denver.

We started out with some sweet, smokey salsa and cocktails. 

Jamey Fader, Lola's Executive Chef/Owner, suggested we try this sweet specialty drink as it was his grandmother's favorite. With fresh lime, cucumber, agave nectar, and a squeeze of orange, it's easy to see why this easy-sip drink is such a hit.

 Fader's fascination with authentic Mexican flavors spawned from having worked behind the scenes at various Denver restaurants like Jax Fish House. He partnered with Query in 2002 and began creating unique yet authentic cuisine, pulling inspiration from regions like Oaxaca, Yucatan peninsula, Baja, Veracruz and the Northern Pacific Coast. Drawing on Lola's tradition, new Chef Kevin Grossi, is rolling out some amazing items of his own.

It seems to be teamwork that makes Lola work so well. With an amazing General Manager, Patrick Kneese, runs the floor while letting Chef Kevin Grossi and Jamey Fader whip up wonderful things.

The table-side guacamole plays a large role in Lola's popularity. A rolling table full of ingredients is brought to your table where you help create your very own specialty guac. 

My favorite part of the night was the halibut and kale. There is something wonderful to be said about a seared piece of fish and perfectly cooked veggies. Lola's chefs stay within the flavor boundaries but add their own creative spin to each dish.

I couldn't have had a better night!

Denver Restaurant Review: Tamayo

July 1st through September 30th marks Tamayo's annual Guacamole Festival here in Denver. Come taste Chef Richard Sandoval's guacamole creations inspired by the diverse regions of Mexico. Flavors from Yucatan, Baja, Sur, Norteno, and Pacifico work to create this unique series of guacamole tasters that are only around for a limited time.

Last night, I was lucky enough to help kick off this year's Guacamole Festival (see menu here). Both a guest and myself were treated to a platter of guacamole samplers including: The Baja, Sur, Pacifico, Traditional, Bacon, Tuna Tartare, and the Spicy Crab. The samplers came on mini tostadas, piled high with each guacamole flavor alongside habanero and tomatillo salsas.

The Sur featured cotija cheese, cilantro, lime, tomatillo, onion and GRASSHOPPERS! I consider myself to be a fairly adventurous eater, but I wouldn't last a week on Survivor. I'm not about to eat any bugs. However, those who ate it said it was surprisingly delicious. 

My two favorites were the Baja featuring kiwi, strawberry, mango and mint and the Pacifico with grilled beats, walnuts, orange and lime.

Tamayo has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Denver and it's always fun to try something new. Make sure you venture down to Tamayo this summer for some one of a kind guacamole or at least a margarita or two!

Denver Restaurant Review: Zengo

With the arrival of Spring, Zengo has introduced its seventh Test Kitchen series. Every few months Zengo and Chef Richard Sandoval work together to develop new Test Kitchen cocktails and plates that are influenced by flavors from Latin and Asian cuisines. Located on Riverfront park, Zengo blends Latin-Asian flavors to create a truly unique dining experience. (See full menu here) 

This month's Test Kitchen series features an array of dishes including: 

• Mojo Grilled Pork Chop with Massaman Curry, Boniato Puree and avocado-tomato salad. 
• Curry Bacalao-Shrimp Spring Rolls with potato and sweet chili mojo
• The Daiquiri Kaffir is full of flavor with bacardi castillo, kaffir lime simple syrup and fresh lime juice
• Chilled Lemongrass coconut soup for dessert - This includes water-chestnuts, mango, litchi and passion fruit granite

Both a guest and I were lucky enough to try a few items off of the Test Kitchen menu this past Tuesday night and were more than impressed by this ever evolving trendy hub.

Curry Bacalao-Shrimp Spring Rolls with potato and sweet chili mojo

Thai Style Snapper "Escabeche" with chili, onion, citrus, pineapple, and thai fish sauce

The featured cocktails included a Spicy Siam with Thai Chili and a Daiquiri Kaffir

For dessert we had the Modern Mexican Bar Peanut Nougat and salted Caramel ice cream

Chilled Lemongrass Coconut Soup with Water-Chestnuts and Mango

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"

Sessions Kitchen Denver: Restaurant Review

This past Tuesday I was invited to attend a Mavericks and Mavins happy hour to celebrate the opening of Session Kitchen on Pearl Street. Reinventing the tapas fad, this trendy restaurant features "sessions" or plates meant for sharing. The small plates are globally inspired yet locally sourced, creating a casual and eclectic environment. With eighteen taps of crafted cocktails and a diverse menu, Sessions Kitchen is bound to become a hot destination for after work drinks and gourmet dining. Food and drink aren't the only draw, the environment is one-of-a-kind as well. Sessions Kitchen features street art throughout the three areas. Similar to that of a street art gallery, Sessions is the perfect place to gather with friends.

Via Denver Post

Grab your crew and head down to Sessions Kitchen!

Denver Restaurant Review: Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar

My family loves French food, especially my dad. So last night we decided to try Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar in down town Denver. Le Grand features traditional brasserie food such as onion soup, steak tartar, and of course, oysters. The bistro, located near the preforming arts center, offers an array of french wines, micro brews, and imports.

www.legranddenver.com

The menu offers a verity of small plates, cheese plates, seafood, and traditional entrees. I ordered the wild mushroom ravioli with chantrelle essence. Both my dad and brother had the bistro steaks with pommes frites au poivre sauce. My mother ordered the french onion soup and seasonal salad. To start we all shared a cheese plate, which was my favorite dish of the night. With figs, honey, and almonds, came three different cheeses.

Overall I loved Le Grand and I'd most definitely return.