Favorite Foodie Spots
I have been trying new restaurants lately all around Denver in my ever present quest to find my favorite places to eat and to try new things. Tonight I went to GB Fish & Chips with Jason after work. What can I say? I was sitting in my last history class for the day (British Isles to 1714) and the idea just popped into my head. Other places I've tried recently that are new to me include SmashBurger and Iwayama Sushi.
So I started thinking on my way home about my favorites and that part of the reason why I try new restaurants is maybe stumble across a new favorite. I thought it would be fun to write down some of my favorites around town.
If anyone has any to add or suggestions, or different styles of cuisine to ask me about, I'd be glad to read and answer!
Favorite Thai: is hands down Thai Pot on Colorado Boulevard. Which is odd, because there are a LOT of great Thai restaurants all over Denver. Overall, Thai Pot has the best curry and really REALLY spicy food, if you like it that way. My two runners up for Thai are Tuk Tuk on Union and Pad Thai on Wadsworth.
Favorite Japanese: Domo. Yes, I'm biased because Domo is owned by Homma Sensei, who also owns and is the head teacher of Nippon Kan Aikido Dojo where I used to practice Aikido. But overall, the food is hands down great. Homma Sensei does not serve soy sauce or wasabi with any of his food, because he is so good at his craft that spices and sauces are served as is, and are expected to be enjoyed that way. All across the board the food is great (and that means food past the sushi menu). My two runners up here are Kiki's on Colorado Boulevard and Yoko's in Sakura Square in Downtown Denver.
Favorite Vietnamese: Da Lat on Federal. I like Da Lat for their selection, and while it is an Americanized menu, they do serve much more than just traditional pho. My runners up here are T-Wa Inn on Federal and Pho 79...you guessed it: on Federal.
Favorite Mexican: Okay, I'm going out on a limb here and going with Tacos Junior on Sheridan for the whole all around experience. Mind you, I don't have as much experience with "true" Mexican restaurants in Denver as I do with Asian food. I love Hacienda Colorado very much, but consider that American Mexican food. Tacos Junior is fresh, inexpensive, bright, and I can practice my crappy Spanish when I order. :) My runners up here are Hacienda Colorado (multiple locations) and Taco House (on Federal, specifically) HA HA.
Favorite Italian: Used to be Vella's (on Federal) even though I worked their and the owner (my boss) was satan incarnate. But they closed, so I'm going with the pricey Il Fornaio in Greenwood Village. My favorite thing about Il Fornaio is that they are famous for their Regional Festival, which is held once a month and features a different region of Italy. The local fare is highlighted, along with their regular menu of classic favorites like Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce. The interesting thing with regional menus is the fact that you get to discover what a largely diverse country Italy is. I cannot think of runners up at this time.
Favorite "Gourmet" or "Fine Dining": Rioja in Larimer Square. I have only been to Rioja once, and for lunch, back in August, but it blew me away. Of course, I had a pasta with a black truffle oil on it and I am a sucker for truffles. I really want to return, because the atmosphere also makes the place great; it's sophisticated, smooth, and calming all at once. My runners up are Zengo at Riverside and Samba Room in Larimer Square.
Favorite Steakhouse: Brook's Steakhouse in Greenwood Village. It is probably the most expensive steakhouse in Denver, but it is a classic and I will never get over all the Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Nat King Cole played during dinner. The servers are always well mannered and polite without being unapproachable, and the filet oscar is hands down, cut with a fork, melt in your mouth exquisite. My runners up here are Capital Grille in Larimer Square and Elway's at the Ritz Carlton.
Favorite Pizza: Two way tie here, due to the fact that each place does a different style of pizza. The winners are Edgewater Inn in Edgewater (no duh), and Il Vicino (multiple locations). Edgewater Inn makes a classic pizza with cheese and pepperoni, or sausage, or you name it. Everything is home-made, the crust is amazing, and the cheese is perfect and stringy. Il Vicino is wood-fired pizza with strange or more "gourmet" ingredients, such as basil or rosemary. They also serve some pizzas with a house made spicy oil drizzled on it. If it wouldn't tear through my stomach lining, I'd drink the stuff. My runner up is Old Chicago (multiple locations), because they make one AMAZING deep dish pizza, and who can't resist the World Beer Tour?
That's about all I can think of at this time.
So I started thinking on my way home about my favorites and that part of the reason why I try new restaurants is maybe stumble across a new favorite. I thought it would be fun to write down some of my favorites around town.
If anyone has any to add or suggestions, or different styles of cuisine to ask me about, I'd be glad to read and answer!
Favorite Thai: is hands down Thai Pot on Colorado Boulevard. Which is odd, because there are a LOT of great Thai restaurants all over Denver. Overall, Thai Pot has the best curry and really REALLY spicy food, if you like it that way. My two runners up for Thai are Tuk Tuk on Union and Pad Thai on Wadsworth.
Favorite Japanese: Domo. Yes, I'm biased because Domo is owned by Homma Sensei, who also owns and is the head teacher of Nippon Kan Aikido Dojo where I used to practice Aikido. But overall, the food is hands down great. Homma Sensei does not serve soy sauce or wasabi with any of his food, because he is so good at his craft that spices and sauces are served as is, and are expected to be enjoyed that way. All across the board the food is great (and that means food past the sushi menu). My two runners up here are Kiki's on Colorado Boulevard and Yoko's in Sakura Square in Downtown Denver.
Favorite Vietnamese: Da Lat on Federal. I like Da Lat for their selection, and while it is an Americanized menu, they do serve much more than just traditional pho. My runners up here are T-Wa Inn on Federal and Pho 79...you guessed it: on Federal.
Favorite Mexican: Okay, I'm going out on a limb here and going with Tacos Junior on Sheridan for the whole all around experience. Mind you, I don't have as much experience with "true" Mexican restaurants in Denver as I do with Asian food. I love Hacienda Colorado very much, but consider that American Mexican food. Tacos Junior is fresh, inexpensive, bright, and I can practice my crappy Spanish when I order. :) My runners up here are Hacienda Colorado (multiple locations) and Taco House (on Federal, specifically) HA HA.
Favorite Italian: Used to be Vella's (on Federal) even though I worked their and the owner (my boss) was satan incarnate. But they closed, so I'm going with the pricey Il Fornaio in Greenwood Village. My favorite thing about Il Fornaio is that they are famous for their Regional Festival, which is held once a month and features a different region of Italy. The local fare is highlighted, along with their regular menu of classic favorites like Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce. The interesting thing with regional menus is the fact that you get to discover what a largely diverse country Italy is. I cannot think of runners up at this time.
Favorite "Gourmet" or "Fine Dining": Rioja in Larimer Square. I have only been to Rioja once, and for lunch, back in August, but it blew me away. Of course, I had a pasta with a black truffle oil on it and I am a sucker for truffles. I really want to return, because the atmosphere also makes the place great; it's sophisticated, smooth, and calming all at once. My runners up are Zengo at Riverside and Samba Room in Larimer Square.
Favorite Steakhouse: Brook's Steakhouse in Greenwood Village. It is probably the most expensive steakhouse in Denver, but it is a classic and I will never get over all the Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Nat King Cole played during dinner. The servers are always well mannered and polite without being unapproachable, and the filet oscar is hands down, cut with a fork, melt in your mouth exquisite. My runners up here are Capital Grille in Larimer Square and Elway's at the Ritz Carlton.
Favorite Pizza: Two way tie here, due to the fact that each place does a different style of pizza. The winners are Edgewater Inn in Edgewater (no duh), and Il Vicino (multiple locations). Edgewater Inn makes a classic pizza with cheese and pepperoni, or sausage, or you name it. Everything is home-made, the crust is amazing, and the cheese is perfect and stringy. Il Vicino is wood-fired pizza with strange or more "gourmet" ingredients, such as basil or rosemary. They also serve some pizzas with a house made spicy oil drizzled on it. If it wouldn't tear through my stomach lining, I'd drink the stuff. My runner up is Old Chicago (multiple locations), because they make one AMAZING deep dish pizza, and who can't resist the World Beer Tour?
That's about all I can think of at this time.