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: Parallel 17

Parallel 17 is a modern Vietnamese- french bistro located near down town Denver on 17th and Franklin. Having been born in Vietnam, chef and owner Mary Nguyen, finds an eclectic balance between traditional and modern cuisine. Her menu offers a selection of small plates, salads, soups, and entries for the adventurous eater. Pan seared pot stickers, tuna tacos, lamb shank, and northern style pho are among the many unique options offered at Parallel 17.

My friend and me shared two "small" plates, which were large enough to make up a filling meal. We enjoyed both the ginger and coconut encrusted calamari with watercress, pears, sweet chili sauce, and cilantro coulis as well as the white asparagus flat bread with pistachio, sesame and fig gastrique, mustard greens, and Manchego cheese. The menu offers a variety of vegetarian and gluten free options, fit for every eater. (I'd most definitely recommend the calamari.)     

P17's food isn't the only unique aspect; the drinks are an adventure within themselves as well. My friend had the Sake Calviltini with cucumber, champagne, basil, and basil seed caviar.

Per usual, the desert was my favorite part of the night. We split the drool-worthy chocolate and coconut bread pudding. 

Thanks Parallel 17 for such a great night!

Sweet and Sour Cauliflower

I recently tried a recipe for Sweet and Sour Cauliflower, as I've been craving something a dash exotic. I've found that Asian food is the most difficult to cook, however, this recipe was both easy and satisfyingly delicious. You can find it here at Keepin' It Kind, but if you are anything like me then you will want to substitute the 1/2 tablespoon for two tablespoons of Sriracha sauce and chili powder instead of smoked paprika.

Enjoy...