Everyone loves to enjoy an impeccable meal in a great restaurant, but with so many options in Denver today, it can be difficult even deciding which restaurant to visit tonight and exactly what to order.
If you want to leave the dinner cruising to someone else, look for chef's tasting menus or omakase(literally, "I'll leave it to you") in Japanese and sit back and savor whatever comes your way. Frequently featured with an optional wine pairing, tasting menus are as diverse in content as they are similar in style: offerings can vary location to location, day to day, and table to table. One thing's guaranteed: these chefs put forward their best plates in order to showcase both their capabilities and the restaurant's style and essence all in one unforgettable meal.
Having secured a spot on Eater National's Top Omasake Menus back in 2012, there is no doubt that Sushi Den is top-notch. Five to six courses of sushi paired with more raw and cooked dishes including sashimi, soba and udon, and vegetables from the Den's own garden, this meal will not leave anything to be desired. True to style, each experience is unique and chefs can cater to guests' specific restrictions and preferences, with a $100 per person base price.
This chef-driven River North restaurant's food is designed with the intent to "excite and challenge diners." Chef Jonathan Power's seven-course tasting menu is designed with the whole table's participation in mind. The cost is $75 for two with an optional $20-per wine pairing.
At this Frank Bonanno classic restaurant (and named for his older son), find the comfort food side of fine, yet simple Italian dining. Infusing wood-fired elements and plates meant for sharing, executive chef Eric Cimino offers a six-course tasting menu for $85 per person, with the optional addition of a $40 wine pairing.
Inspired and brought to life by executive chef Stephen McCary and sommelier Kelly Wooldridge, the $95 ($170 with wine) tasting menu showcases a broad range of quality ingredients and techniques.
Sometimes we can't help but to indulge in a night of well-deserved decadence. Diners looking to enjoy the finer side can head to the classic Brown Palace, where the restaurant Palace Arms has consistently been highlighted as one of the state's top restaurants. Chef William Telesco offers four courses with wine pairings to his guests.
As of today, you should hold your horses on going to Rioja as it is undergoing a three week renovation. But, when it reopens, try the five- or seven-course chef's tasting menu inspired by chef Jennifer Jasinski's simple and balanced ingredient philosophy. The five-course experience costs $60 per person with a $20 wine pairing and the seven-course is $80 with a $35 wine pairing.
Chemistry meets cuisine in the creations of chef Jonas Halstead at 1515 Restaurant, where classic techniques as well as modern ones like sous vide cooking are used. The private treatment is available any night in six or eight courses here, with six costing $65 or $110 with wine and eight courses at $85 or $140.
Vegetarians and omnivores alike can delight at this Cherry Creek spot's tasting options. Both offer five courses and $30 wine pairings. The French-style "Vegetable Tasting" runs $69 per person. For $10 more, experience the "Kitchen Tasting," complete with strip loin.
Another omakase-style menu is available at TAG, with a very flexible offering available nightly, though 24 hour notice is highly recommended. Designed to take diners on a culinary journey through TAG's offerings, a tasting menu can be arranged at a $55, $75 and $95 price point- and beyond.
A Richard Sandoval creation, Zengo has been bringing Latin-Asian fusion food to Denver for over a decade. In true sharing style, Sandoval and chef de cuisine Andrew Robitaille have designed a $65 chef's choice sushi and ceviche tasting menu, available seven nights a week.
Undeniably the top restaurant in Colorado, Frasca features two tasting menu options. The first is the Friulano Tradizionale Menu, boasting six to seven courses that highlight the best of food as discovered during travel in the Northern Italian region. For a more lighter option, go for the Quattro Piatti, a four-course experience, with the focus remaining on the Northern Italian dining experience.
Just opened in the up-and-coming Jefferson Park, Sarto's energy-filled atmosphere comes together with the unique Cicchetti bar, highlighting the talents of chef Brian Laird, who has spent much of his life dedicated to true Italian cooking. It's almost too simple and too good to be true: simply reserve a spot at the bar and chat with the chef about your preferences. Up to eight courses for around $55 will show up without you having to think about it. Beer, wine, and cocktails are available for pairing.
Having secured a spot on Eater National's Top Omasake Menus back in 2012, there is no doubt that Sushi Den is top-notch. Five to six courses of sushi paired with more raw and cooked dishes including sashimi, soba and udon, and vegetables from the Den's own garden, this meal will not leave anything to be desired. True to style, each experience is unique and chefs can cater to guests' specific restrictions and preferences, with a $100 per person base price.
This chef-driven River North restaurant's food is designed with the intent to "excite and challenge diners." Chef Jonathan Power's seven-course tasting menu is designed with the whole table's participation in mind. The cost is $75 for two with an optional $20-per wine pairing.
At this Frank Bonanno classic restaurant (and named for his older son), find the comfort food side of fine, yet simple Italian dining. Infusing wood-fired elements and plates meant for sharing, executive chef Eric Cimino offers a six-course tasting menu for $85 per person, with the optional addition of a $40 wine pairing.
Inspired and brought to life by executive chef Stephen McCary and sommelier Kelly Wooldridge, the $95 ($170 with wine) tasting menu showcases a broad range of quality ingredients and techniques.
Sometimes we can't help but to indulge in a night of well-deserved decadence. Diners looking to enjoy the finer side can head to the classic Brown Palace, where the restaurant Palace Arms has consistently been highlighted as one of the state's top restaurants. Chef William Telesco offers four courses with wine pairings to his guests.
As of today, you should hold your horses on going to Rioja as it is undergoing a three week renovation. But, when it reopens, try the five- or seven-course chef's tasting menu inspired by chef Jennifer Jasinski's simple and balanced ingredient philosophy. The five-course experience costs $60 per person with a $20 wine pairing and the seven-course is $80 with a $35 wine pairing.
Chemistry meets cuisine in the creations of chef Jonas Halstead at 1515 Restaurant, where classic techniques as well as modern ones like sous vide cooking are used. The private treatment is available any night in six or eight courses here, with six costing $65 or $110 with wine and eight courses at $85 or $140.
Vegetarians and omnivores alike can delight at this Cherry Creek spot's tasting options. Both offer five courses and $30 wine pairings. The French-style "Vegetable Tasting" runs $69 per person. For $10 more, experience the "Kitchen Tasting," complete with strip loin.
Another omakase-style menu is available at TAG, with a very flexible offering available nightly, though 24 hour notice is highly recommended. Designed to take diners on a culinary journey through TAG's offerings, a tasting menu can be arranged at a $55, $75 and $95 price point- and beyond.
A Richard Sandoval creation, Zengo has been bringing Latin-Asian fusion food to Denver for over a decade. In true sharing style, Sandoval and chef de cuisine Andrew Robitaille have designed a $65 chef's choice sushi and ceviche tasting menu, available seven nights a week.
Undeniably the top restaurant in Colorado, Frasca features two tasting menu options. The first is the Friulano Tradizionale Menu, boasting six to seven courses that highlight the best of food as discovered during travel in the Northern Italian region. For a more lighter option, go for the Quattro Piatti, a four-course experience, with the focus remaining on the Northern Italian dining experience.
Just opened in the up-and-coming Jefferson Park, Sarto's energy-filled atmosphere comes together with the unique Cicchetti bar, highlighting the talents of chef Brian Laird, who has spent much of his life dedicated to true Italian cooking. It's almost too simple and too good to be true: simply reserve a spot at the bar and chat with the chef about your preferences. Up to eight courses for around $55 will show up without you having to think about it. Beer, wine, and cocktails are available for pairing.
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