Reviews Are In: Denver Diners Welcome Urban Farmer to LoDo

The fourth Urban Farmer concept debuted at the historic downtown Oxford hotel this past August. The LoDo location joins other Urban Farmer restaurants in Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Portland, where the restaurant originated. With the kitchen in the hands of executive chef Chris Starkus, expect fresh farm-to-table fare in the heart of the city, including vegetables sourced from the restaurant's basement. Dishes transition with the seasons, but some staples, such as the charred octopus, roasted mushrooms, and New York steak tasting trio will remain on the dinner menu. Urban Farmer also serves lunch and weekend brunch.

Here’s what Denver diners have to say about the newest Urban Farmer location:

A Responsible and Transparent Craft: Zagat raves about the restaurant’s artistic aesthetic and careful culinary preparations. Brightened by natural light from large windows during the day and illuminated by a red neon David Bowie quote at night, the interior of the Denver concept balances notes of teal, sage green, and woodsy browns. Urban Farmer made it to the top twelve hottest restaurants in the city for its chic design and delectable steak trio. The restaurant’s roasted mushrooms successfully captured the flavors of the fall season to elevate the “humble fungi” into the “star of the show.” The Farm Burger, available on the lunch menu, also caught the publication’s attention with its house-baked English muffins, which Zagat called the “pièce de résistance.” [Zagat]

Inventive Take on the Farm-To-Table Trend: Urban Farmer brought some much-needed buzz to the former McCormick’s space at the hotel, according to 5280 Magazine. The crafted simplicity of the space translates to the cocktail menu and into each dish, as well. While about half of the Denver menu borrows from other locations, the signature dishes are brightened by touches of Colorado ingredients. Honey sourced from the hotel’s rooftop beehive, mushrooms grown downstairs in a “museum-like” terrarium, and waffles topped with Palisade peaches add Colorado touches throughout. [5280 Magazine]

Bringing the Farm to the City: Facebook reviewers visiting or living in Denver enjoyed Urban Farmer’s brunch program for its generous servings and expert staff recommendations. Many diners were pleasantly surprised by the attentive staff and earthy ambiance. Touches of succulents on indoor tables and the open windows charmed visitors and helped inspire one local to dine at Urban Farmer two days in a row. Few diners had qualms about the price point, but one guest felt that the restaurant was “pric[e]y and pretentious for an OK meal.” However, most were eager to return to Urban Farmer after their first meal and helped the restaurant rack up 4.6 stars. [Facebook]

LoDo’s Culinary Playground: In an early review of Urban Farmer, 303 Magazine felt that the Denver venture “stayed true to [the restaurant’s] mission — to celebrate farmers and food purveyors with each plate they serve.” Though housed in a 125-year-old area in a historic hotel, Urban Farmer transformed the space into an “upscale, masculine farmhouse.“ The real “intrigue” peaked in the back of the house, though, where 303 appreciated Urban Farmer’s local focus and (loosely) meat-driven menu that’s packed with options from land and sea. The restaurant’s signature cocktail, the Farmer #4, proved to be the critic’s as well as a fan favorite. [303 Magazine]