Where do they dine- the star athlete, the expense-account businesswoman, the politician, the occasional visiting movie star, the kid who invented some internet thing, the new economy entrepreneur? Where do they go to spend their dough on a meal? In honor of Whale Week, here's a mapped guide to where they like to drop some big bucks on luxurious food and drink or where they like to just hang out. Please note that these places are not ranked but grouped geographically.
Was your favorite spot to see those who want to be seen not listed? Weigh in via the comments, or drop suggestions and personal tales of excessive to the tipline email: denver@eater.com.
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Elway's is always hot and packed with Denver's and Cherry Creek's deepest pockets. Check out the cars outside for your first clue that the whales are here.
Not exactly a no-brainer, but Zaidy's, a staple Jewish deli in the city, attracts everyone from bankers to politicians and entrepreneurs in the morning and at lunch-time.
Dark and not particularly adventurous in its food, Cherry Creek Grill is packed packed lunch and dinner with a wide range of customers happy to enjoy the comfortable space and top-service.
Located inside a hotel, Second Home is the neighborhood place for a power breakfast, but also laced with big pockets for lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends.
A staple of fine dining on 6th Avenue, Barolo Grill, a restaurant that serves authentic northern Italian food, attracts for its good food, impeccable service, and outstanding wine list.
Sushi Den has grown in size and also in popularity. There is always a wait for dinner and it is always worth it for the wealthy or just the regular folks looking for a good meal.
From the Governor to big time movers and shakers, Frank Bonanno's flagship restaurant attracts some of Denver's most influential people who seek a superior dining experience in Capitol Hill.
In the middle of the city, Racine's is still a favorite of deep-pockets, politicians, movers and shakers in the metro area who seek a place to meet up for a casual meal.
Five star service is what the Four Seasons provides and EDGE, the restaurant located inside the downtown hotel, is no exception. Chef Simon Purvis runs one of Denver's biggest kitchens that serves some of the city's biggest whales.
One of the original power lunch restaurants in Denver, the Palm may not blow your mind with its food, but it will certainly provide a competent meal and the chance to gawk of Denver's power players.
This restaurant, located inside the Brown Palace Hotel, brings in the politicos, lawyer-types, and power brokers who gather for dinner assured of receiving top service from the attentive staff.
Off the beaten path, but only 5 minutes away from downtown, Fuel Cafe is a power lunch destination for Denver's political leadership, as well as some of the new economy business leaders from those in tech companies to land developers.
When former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan opened this steakhouse South of Denver, he gave the wealthy Greenwood Village crowds a a great alternative to downtown steakhouses.
Boulder's entrepreneurs, tech-heads, and young venture capitalists flock to this restaurant for its cool cocktail program and innovative food prepared with the aid of an attractive wood-fired oven.
On its eight year, Frasca attracts and welcomes diners of all backgrounds, but its spectacular wine program, led by master sommelier Bobby Stuckey, and events like the White Truffle dinner, a mere $765 per person, tends to make it a destination for those eager to spend their dough on fine dining.
One of Boulder's oldest fancy restaurants, Flagstaff House still attracts the wealthy with its 12,000 bottle wine cellar, classic French-American cuisine, and impeccable service.
Elway's is always hot and packed with Denver's and Cherry Creek's deepest pockets. Check out the cars outside for your first clue that the whales are here.
Not exactly a no-brainer, but Zaidy's, a staple Jewish deli in the city, attracts everyone from bankers to politicians and entrepreneurs in the morning and at lunch-time.
Dark and not particularly adventurous in its food, Cherry Creek Grill is packed packed lunch and dinner with a wide range of customers happy to enjoy the comfortable space and top-service.
Located inside a hotel, Second Home is the neighborhood place for a power breakfast, but also laced with big pockets for lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends.
A staple of fine dining on 6th Avenue, Barolo Grill, a restaurant that serves authentic northern Italian food, attracts for its good food, impeccable service, and outstanding wine list.
Sushi Den has grown in size and also in popularity. There is always a wait for dinner and it is always worth it for the wealthy or just the regular folks looking for a good meal.
From the Governor to big time movers and shakers, Frank Bonanno's flagship restaurant attracts some of Denver's most influential people who seek a superior dining experience in Capitol Hill.
In the middle of the city, Racine's is still a favorite of deep-pockets, politicians, movers and shakers in the metro area who seek a place to meet up for a casual meal.
Five star service is what the Four Seasons provides and EDGE, the restaurant located inside the downtown hotel, is no exception. Chef Simon Purvis runs one of Denver's biggest kitchens that serves some of the city's biggest whales.
One of the original power lunch restaurants in Denver, the Palm may not blow your mind with its food, but it will certainly provide a competent meal and the chance to gawk of Denver's power players.
This restaurant, located inside the Brown Palace Hotel, brings in the politicos, lawyer-types, and power brokers who gather for dinner assured of receiving top service from the attentive staff.
Off the beaten path, but only 5 minutes away from downtown, Fuel Cafe is a power lunch destination for Denver's political leadership, as well as some of the new economy business leaders from those in tech companies to land developers.
When former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan opened this steakhouse South of Denver, he gave the wealthy Greenwood Village crowds a a great alternative to downtown steakhouses.
Boulder's entrepreneurs, tech-heads, and young venture capitalists flock to this restaurant for its cool cocktail program and innovative food prepared with the aid of an attractive wood-fired oven.
On its eight year, Frasca attracts and welcomes diners of all backgrounds, but its spectacular wine program, led by master sommelier Bobby Stuckey, and events like the White Truffle dinner, a mere $765 per person, tends to make it a destination for those eager to spend their dough on fine dining.
One of Boulder's oldest fancy restaurants, Flagstaff House still attracts the wealthy with its 12,000 bottle wine cellar, classic French-American cuisine, and impeccable service.
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