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In the Mile High City, sports bars and steakhouses are going farm-to-table.
This sleekly designed destination in the neighborhood of Stapleton brings a worldly approach to local ingredients by way of the culinary minds of chefs Lon Symensma and Luke Bergman, who worked together in New York before teaming up again out West.
Website: concoursedenver.com
Address: 10195 East 29th Dr.
Phone number: 720-550-6934
Number of seats: 90 in the dining room, 60 on the patio
Entrée price range: $11-$26
Popular dishes: Roasted beet salad with arugula sorbet and shallot dressing; Duroc pork loin with black Venetian rice, celery root fondue and Pueblo chili powder; free form lasagna with butternut squash, ricotta, cashew brittle and sage
What others say: “Situated next to the old Stapleton Airport, Concourse's wavy wooden interior feels like a hangar reserved for only the swankiest of private jets. Fortunately the food matched expectations set by the décor.” — comment on Yelp
The bar
Grilled half chicken
Chef Elise Wiggins, revered for her longtime stint at Panzano, brings animated Italian cuisine to bear at this home for wood-fired fare and energy to go alongside (the named translates as “naughty girl”).
Website: cattivelladenver.com
Address: 10195 E. 29th Dr., Suite 110
Phone number: 303-645-3779
Number of seats: 86 inside, 96 outside
Entrée price range: $19-$28
Popular dishes: Lamb ragù, pappardelle and boschetto al tartufo cheese; casoncelli pasta with taleggio, crispy sweetbreads, agro dolce raisins and pine nuts; 16-18oz rib eye with Tuscan rosemary potato and arugula
What others say: “The kitchen was strong on other nights, too, putting out dishes that were deep-throated and lusty, at times playful, always confident. In hindsight, I can see moments when time again began to swirl in flow’s eddy, when I was absorbed in the warmth of oil-cured olives, salty as the sea, lined in a serving dish carved like a dugout canoe.” — Gretchen Kurtz, Westword
The dining area
A pizza in the wood-fired oven
Big views of wide mountain-studded skies are among the offerings this large, lively expansion of a popular Denver bar-restaurant enterprise into nearby Historic Downtown Littleton.
Website: viewhouse.com
Address: 2680 West Main St., Littleton, Colo.
Phone number: 303-797-4829
Number of seats: 320
Entrée price range: $11-$30
Popular dishes: Stranahan’s whiskey slow-roasted brisket with brandy peppercorn demi-glace, herbed butter, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables and onion rings; blue crab enchiladas with blackened shrimp, avocado, red onions, green apple, julienne carrots, cilantro, tortilla strips, green chile, sour cream and cilantro-lime vinaigrette; Nuts And Berries Salad with arugula, strawberries, goat cheese, blueberries, Medjool dates, sun-dried cherries, black mission figs, candied pecans and strawberry vinaigrette
What others say: “‘This really adds to the 'cool factor' of downtown,’ said City of Littleton spokeswoman Kelli Narde. ‘It's another indication of how wonderful Littleton Main Street is. This just builds on the charm, character and fun.’” — David Gilbert, Littleton Independent
The interior of ViewHouse Littleton
Stranahan’s whiskey slow-roasted brisket
Transplanted from Portland, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, this steakhouse and farm-to-table concept has been bringing mindful diners to the historic Oxford Hotel in the neighborhood of LoDo.
Website: urbanfarmerdenver.com
Address: 1659 Wazee St.
Phone number: 303-262-6070
Number of seats: 220 inside, 60 outside
Entrée price range: $27-$74
Popular dishes: Field greens with blueberry, shaved vegetables, crisp quinoa and honey vinaigrette; The Farm Burger with white cheddar and aïoli on a house-made English muffin; day boat scallops with pork belly, butternut squash and cumin
What others say: “Window shelves hold micro-greens from Mountain Man Micro Farms. Edible nasturtium and borage flowers thrive in patio pots. Whole cows — many of which are sourced locally — are butchered and dry-aged in house. Downstairs, Hazel Dell mushrooms grow in an impressive, museum-like glass terrarium.” — Callie Sumlin, 5280
The dining room
A fish entrée
A sports bar with a restaurant ethos or a restaurant with sports on the side? It could go either way at Element, a big and stylish gathering place with a mindful menu and plenty of screens to watch too.
Website: element-kitchen.com
Address: 1134 Broadway
Phone number: 303-353-1172
Number of seats: 145
Entrée price range: $17-$34
Popular dishes: Element Pub Burger with Gold Canyon sirloin, sharp cheddar, tomato, tender belly bacon and English muffin; shrimp po' boy with bakery baguette, fried shrimp, tomato and Cajun tartar sauce; fried chicken & waffles with Red Bird free range chicken, yeast waffle and maple syrup
What others say: “This first Denver restaurant from Element Hospitality, a team of individuals behind the successful Beer Park and Fizz Champagne Lounge in Las Vegas, among others, aims to be a ‘farm to table sports bar.’
The ownership team partnered with chef John Tesar, a four-time James Beard nominee and two-time Bravo Top Chef contestant, who is helping with both the menu and all back-of-house operations.” — Andra Zeppelin, Eater Denver
The interior
Shrimp po' boy
