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: 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"

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!