Denver's 25 best restaurants (Aguilar: 2014, sushi, foods)

[DenverLawGal]

Originally Posted by otterprods

Yes. And the thatched roof structure below it is Tidepools restaurant. No place like it in all the world (so far).

I hate to sound like a snob, but I've lived in Colorado for several years now and I haven't had that many great meals. Rioja's was one of the better ones, although we were just there for brunch. Amuze Bistro in Palmer Lake was excellent for continental fare but it no longer exists. (they moved to the Fine Art Museum but I haven't tried it there) Also I remember a very tasty meal in Durango but I can't remember what the place was called.

I'm from Durango!! But haven't really eaten at any new places. The old haunts are: Griego's, Francisco's, Kachina Kitchen. I must hit all three when visiting. Oh and then there's Sweeney's (Sow) up north. And the Ore House. Very good.

And you aren't a snob. We have so many restaurants in Denver, that I feel many many are just meh. I'd say my all time favorite is Elways.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by DenverLawGal

I have been dying to try Capital Grille!!!

Cuba Cuba was disappointing to me. Rice and beans should not cost over $10. I've been spoiled by traveling to surrounding countries and have had the real thing. Samba Room used to really do it right but they closed. : (

Agreed! It makes me laugh when they serve all these basic foods and charge an exorbitant price to naive customers with more money than brains.

I grew up as an Italian in New York. Years ago, I took my parents to an anniversary dinner at a upscale Italian restaurant. There on the menu was pricey Pasta e Fagioli or as my mother, growing up poor, knew as Pasta Fazool--Pasta with Beans. She laughed and laughed--she hated it because she ate it all too often. When she saw the expensive Polenta, which she knew as corn meal mush topped with tomatoes, which was sometimes the only food available--she was ready to walk out. I heard a big lecture, for months, that I was not frugal enough.

The same goes for many dishes that these pretentious restaurant try to soak up excessive profit from basic foods of the ethnic groups that ate them because the ingredients were what was inexpensively available.

What can I say? I did the same when I designed menus; cooked and served food--fancied it up; added a fancy garnish. The owners of the restaurants and hotels chuckled and laughed all the way to the bank.

Livecontent
CIA graduate many decades ago

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Meh. Some people are proud to drink Keystone light too. I'd rather have a good beer. Takes all kinds.

Same here, some people actually think Olive Garden is a high quality Italian restaurant...

[Count David]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Meh. Some people are proud to drink Keystone light too. I'd rather have a good beer. Takes all kinds.

You must be psychic.

Originally Posted by Snikt

Same here, some people actually think Olive Garden is a high quality Italian restaurant...

Meh, too fancy.

[DenverLawGal]

Originally Posted by livecontent

Agreed! It makes me laugh when they serve all these basic foods and charge an exorbitant price to naive customers with more money than brains.

I grew up as an Italian in New York. Years ago, I took my parents to an anniversary dinner at a upscale Italian restaurant. There on the menu was pricey Pasta e Fagioli or as my mother, growing up poor, knew as Pasta Fazool--Pasta with Beans. She laughed and laughed--she hated it because she ate it all too often. When she saw the expensive Polenta, which she knew as corn meal mush topped with tomatoes, which was sometimes the only food available--she was ready to walk out. I heard a big lecture, for months, that I was not frugal enough.

The same goes for many dishes that these pretentious restaurant try to soak up excessive profit from basic foods of the ethnic groups that ate them because the ingredients were what was inexpensively available.

What can I say? I did the same when I designed menus; cooked and served food--fancied it up; added a fancy garnish. The owners of the restaurants and hotels chuckled and laughed all the way to the bank.

Livecontent
CIA graduate many decades ago

I think people like a fancy place to eat at every so often. I sure do. But it's so disappointing to go to Cuba Cuba and spend $100 on the same plate of beans and rice I ate at Cafe Mallorca (PR) for $5. And don't tell me there's a huge difference between Cuban food and Puerto Rican food. Heck, the entire Caribbean and Florida is all about rice and beans!

Sometimes I eat at these places, then angrily go home and cook it myself. ha!

[wideworld]

Euclid Hall does not belong.

This did, however, light a fire under me to visit the ones I haven't been to!

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

You must be psychic.

Exactly

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

You must be psychic.





Meh, too fancy.

Ah Keystone Light. The beer of my college days.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by suzco

I've been to most of the rest on the list. . . some I was underwhelmed and would never choose to eat at again.

Originally Posted by DenverLawGal

. . .

Like????
. . .

Linger.

I like the concept; location and view were great; service was excellent; atmosphere/ambience was fun; interesting, varied wine list; people working there are friendly and enthusiastic - unfortunately, the food was dreadful - sort of weird takes on foods that didn't need to be tweaked that just didn't taste very good.

[DenverLawGal]

Suzco: Well, shoot. I'd take awesome food over location, view, service. I mean, some of the places I have eaten at had the worst service and the best food!!