Accolades, Railroad Tracks, Small Bites: The Early Word on Lower 48 Kitchen

Lower 48 Kitchen came on the Denver restaurant scene in early December, amid a restaurant boom that included Los Chingones, Olive & Finch and Sugarmill. Lower 48 staked its claim on an eclectic menu drawing influence from across the continental U.S., approachable prices and unique design touches. It's also recently opened an adjacent lounge, called Service Bar. But is all this enough to stand out in an ever-growing sea of dining options? Here's the early word on Lower 48 Kitchen.

The 'Best New Restaurant' News: Lower 48 landed on the "best new restaurants of 2013" list for both 5280 Magazine and Westword. 5280 food editor Amanda Faison described the restaurant overall as "intelligent and provoking," and highlighted the "Each" menu of small bites, calling them "a steal for a taste of co-owner and executive chef Alexander Figura's exquisite cooking." [5280]

The Short Pour News: An OpenTable user took issue with the beverage servings. "When we got the drinks they tasted good, but were very small. My drink was overflowing with very large ice cubes. That means I got about 1/2 of what I thought I was going to get. My husband's beer was a little small as well. We would have ordered more drinks if they had been normal size." [OpenTable]

The Twitter Talk News: Over on Twitter, local sommelier Kendra Anderson touted an "utterly delightful late night experience @Lower48Kitchen, fueled by a particularly well-mixed Negroni." And the guys behind Tom's Home Cookin' had this to share: "Great dinner @Lower48Kitchen tonight! Charred octopus, succulent cod, pink CO lamb, Gigondas, & grilled cheese! You should eat here!" [Twitter]

The Crew News: Included in a slideshow of Denver's hottest restaurants, Lower 48 impressed Ruth Tobias for Zagat Denver with its staff and service. "Remarkable talent and consummate professionalism are the simple but fundamental hallmarks of any truly great restaurant. […And] this suave contemporary American newcomer has both in spades." She also shared that "sitting at the chef's counter and interacting with an engaged crew at the top of its game is a joy." [Zagat Denver]

The Dish News: A Forkly user had this to say about some of the items he tried: "The tiny little hoecakes pack huge flavor and the chickpea fries are insane." [Forkly]

The Special Touches News: In addition to an enthusiastic review where the food is concerned, Denver Post restaurant critic William Porter also noted the "nifty touches," including railroad tracks wall-mounted on telegraph poles and drink coasters that are "cut from the center of vintage LPs, with the record labels left intact." [DP]

The Silverware Swap News: A Yelp user had a bizarre anecdote to include in her review. "Strange thing happened with the place setting. The help seemed to be adamant about having the fork on the right and knife on the left. Even after I swapped the knife back to the right side if the plate, someone came over and switched it back." [Yelp]

The Sweet News: The end of the meal didn't disappoint for Gabby Gourmet. "Desserts are amazing with an inverted caramel tart, grit custard, and the best citrus and meringues ever." [Gabby Gourmet]

— By Ashley Hughes

· The Ten Events Not To Miss In March [EDen]
· From Williams & Graham to Acorn: These Are Ten Cocktails Highlighting Tea [EDen]
· How 5280 Magazine Selects the Best New Restaurant Picks [EDen]