Denver Restaurant Review: Olive and Finch

Olive and Finch is a European inspired eatery, bakery and market located in the heart of Uptown. With a focus on local, hand-crafted, and convenient eats, Chef Mary Nguyen serves up fast yet healthy dishes. You can expect to see everything from fresh baked pastries and all-natural sandwiches to fresh-pressed juices and restaurant style entrees. With first class food and a community-style environment Olive and Finch successfully brings together quality food within a casual atmosphere. Food can either be taken to-go, bought at the market, or enjoyed in the restaurant alongside a good book, computer or friend. The informal environment and big community table for twelve, make Olive and Finch the perfect neighborhood destination. Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and Olive and Finch will surely blow your mind (see full menu here).

We started out with some wine. Each table is given a letter on an Olive and Finch block so that your order can find it's way to your table.

The market is full of local and international products. Nguyen plans for Olive and Finch to become a market destination for the neighborhood and those who are a bit further away. 

Looking for a gift? Check out the gift baskets that can be put together for every taste and every budget (check it out here)

Olive and Fitch makes their baked goods fresh each morning. With an offering of Tarts, Cakes, Pumpkin Loafs, Banana Walnut Loafs, Alfajores, Cookies and more everyone can find something to satisfy their sweet tooth. 

Looking for the perfect desert for you and your guests? Call 48 hours in advance to order your custom 

pastry, cake, or cookie. 

With phenomenal food, great service, and a coffee-shop-type atmosphere Olive and Finch is a Denver must try.

Make sure to sign up for Olive and Finch's loyalty program (here)

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!

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!

Media Tasting - Jax Fish House Glendale

I was exclusively invited to a media tasting for the opening of Jax Fish House in Glendale. I was treated to an extensively decadent lunch that consisted of multiple courses and great company. Writers from WestWord and 5280 joined me in reviewing this up-and-coming hotspot. Glendale's Jax not only features fresh "dock-to-door" seafood that is sent from Florida and Maine daily, but also has a rooftop bar with beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains. Jax is known for its fine and fresh foods and Glendale's chef De Cuisine, Duane Walker, upholds this tradition. The service was impeccable and the food even better.

Ahi Tuna Poke- sticky rice, avocado, salted cucumber, watermelon, fennel

Grilled Heart of Romaine - garlic crouton, grana, anchovy gribiche

*The croutons are to die for!

Creme Fraiche Roasted Bristol Bay Salmon - beet braised kohlrabi, rosted fennel, crispy kale, agrumato oil

Lobster Ravioli - ricotta, grana broth, arugula pesto

Shrimp Remoulade- fried green tomatoes, corn fava beans, smoked ham

Flowerless Chocolate Cake- orange chantilly, chocolate sauce

Jax Banana Split- vanilla bean ice cream, brownie bites, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, whipped cream

Sweet Corn Fritters- caramel popcorn, bourbon toffee sauce

Monkey Bread- Stranahan's whiskey brickle ice cream, toffee sauce

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.