Annette, the Hottest Addition to The Stanley, Opens on Saturday

Every day it seems, there are more reasons to travel to the Stanley, the market hall that continues to roll out its impressive roster of tenants, but Annette may just be the best one yet. A fifty seat restaurant brainchild of chef Caroline Glover, the modern yet quaint venue will open on Saturday, February 4, next door to Yellowbelly.

In a softly lit space that brings several different options for seating, including high tops, bar seats, and banquettes, Glover dominates quietly from a wood-fired grill that sets the tone for the menu. Meats and vegetables, seafood and bread get their turn on the grill while a modern cocktail and wine list complement the food. Highlights of the food include the charred endive with squash and pomegranate seeds, and the grilled octopus patatas bravas, the whole roasted fish with chermoula and crispy celeriac, and the sunchoke raclette gratin. Saving room for dessert is a must considering the pecan pie, a recipe that the chef borrowed from her Texas mother.

While we're on the subject of Glover's family, the name of the restaurant deserves an explanation. Annette was the chef's aunt, a novelist and storyteller who lived in a small town in Texas. It was not her love for cooking that led to this homage but rather her feistiness. Aunt Nettie taught a young Caroline to have an opinion and with that inspiration in her heart, she pursued an education at the Culinary Institute of America and achieved sous chef positions at the Spotted Pig in New York City and Acorn right here in Denver.

Annette, located at 2501 Dallas Street, will serve weekday lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch starting tomorrow but will be closed for dinner on Sundays and all day on Tuesdays. You can make reservations online.