Dine & Dish: ChoLon Bistro

When entering ChoLon Bistro, a downtown dining hot spot, a friendly staff greets you with the ease and class of an long-time established restaurant. In their second year, ChoLon has carved out a particularly blissful section of the Denver dining scene - modern Asian cuisine.

ChoLon Bistro's Restaurant Week menu was served family style allowing dinners to try many dishes. We, along with my family, tasted nearly all the menu offerings.

A statement piece - a sesame crisp - served dramatically upright started off the meal. For dipping was a sauce with the strong, familiar flavors of chili powder.

Dine & Dish: Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar

Wanting to go somewhere new, we dined at Row 14 Bistro in celebration of my birthday.

After trying to decide between two starters, we ordered both. The Ahi and Salmon Rangoons were filled with a delicately smooth cream cheese center and served with a sweet chili soy sauce. Being that Dan loves this kind of appetizer, we often order rangoons. And Row 14's topped the favorites list. I especially liked that they were crispy and yet light compared to other rangoon versions.

The menu offers a small but nice cheese board selection. This was ordered as our second starter. The cheeses were very enjoyable, but my question was where's the board? Served on a ordinary bread plate, the cheese 'board' presentation was lackluster compared to the quality cheeses it carried. On another note, the pear marmalade served alongside the cheese was a delicious compliment to the dish.

For entrees, I enjoyed the Australian Barramundi served atop a potato risotto and red kuri squash puree and garnished with arugula and pistachios. While I wouldn't call it a risotto, the potatoes were creamy and flavorful. And the Barramundi was cooked nicely with a crisply seared crust. While colorful in its presentation, the squash puree would have benefited from additional seasoning.

Dan ordered the NY Strip Steak with Frites. The steak was cooked to his liking and was served with gorgonzola, tomatoes and a Worcestershire reduction. I sampled a few bites and enjoyed the reduction sauce as the highlight of the flavor profile.

In regards to ambiance, the restaurant offers a contemporary chic feel that's pleasant. I was, however, not a fan of the location. Directly across from the convention center, the location offers a less than appealing view. That being said, the location is also nearby the theater and perfect for dining before a show.

Final words on Row 14 Bistro ... flavorful dining good for a night at the theater.

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Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar

Dine & Dish: Ocean Prime

We were invited to attend the soft opening of a new restaurant on Larimer Street. We dined at Ocean Prime. And as a foodie, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sample a new place. And sample we did – many, many things.

Before diving into the food report, I will start with a note about atmosphere. This restaurant is one of the few places on Larimer that offers its diners a chance to truly appreciate the view of a bustling city street filled with people. I especially appreciated seeing the street illuminated by the canopy of lights that make the street so recognizable.

On to the food … We started off with signature cocktails – mine bubbled with vigor – and a cold seafood plate. An order of French Onion soup was shared by the table who agreed it was more flavorful than any other previously tasted. We also sampled the Tuna Tartar which was ordered for us by our server who knew his menu well. In a word: Divine. The tuna sat on top of a layer of avocado that provided a delicious creaminess to the dish. Next time, I would order this as my entrée and be entirely happy.

Next, we moved on to entrees: Filets all around. The taste bud highlight of my steak was its generous seasoning. The distinguishing factor of the steak was the accompaniment of a roasted garlic clove for smearing on each flavorful bite. As for sides, we tasted the Candied Yams, Creamed Spinach, and Black Truffle Mac & Cheese. The best was the creamy and rich Mac & Cheese. The low point was the creamed spinach as it tasted more like creamed bacon with the appearance of spinach to make you feel only slightly better about eating it.

To finish the gluttonous evening, I was pleasantly surprised when my decaf coffee was served French Press style. And our sweet treats included Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Cake, and Chocolate & Peanut Butter Pie. I highly recommend the later – in all its whipped peanut butter glory. Final word on Ocean Prime: flavorful uniqueness found at a steakhouse

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Ocean Prime Denver

High Tea

Every winter, my mom, sister and I go to high tea at the Brown Palace. It’s a cherished tradition that’s booked nearly a year in advance and is the pinnacle of the holiday season for me. Together, we visit while sipping Black Currant tea and smearing generous portions of Devonshire cream onto delicate scones. I look forward to this tradition of celebration, daintiness, and friendship all year.

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Brown Palace