A Couple of Fine Dining thoughts from our Denver Cocktails Tour!

Well nothing like starting at the top! I was lucky enough to be invited to lead our Cocktails and Bites tour throughout LoDo Denver. So I HAD to go along on our tour to learn the script as well as sample our offerings, all in the name of work, of course!

As luck would have it, my very first stop was at Tavernetta downtown, a James Beard Award finalist in 2022 and a sister restaurant to their Michelin Star (1 star ) rated Frasca https://www.frascafoodandwine.com in Boulder. I’ve been needing some things to go my way recently, and if this is any indication, I like my chances! The restaurant itself is rather unassuming from the exterior, with simple sleek lines that blend right in with the modern decor of the train platforms of Union Station just a few steps away. A fancy patio wraps around the front of this spot (that adorned the cover of the 2017 Zagat-Denver Guide) that gives a hip vibe to the passengers wandering by (save for the poor homeless person who was entangled with an Italian Cypress that provides some privacy to the patio and gives passers by a hint of the fun contained inside…thankfully he was being assisted by some RTD law enforcement).

We were seated at what feels like the primo table in the heart of the bar area, next to the fireplace that in the winter would make for an even a better seat. It felt as if we were VIPs as the staff swiftly but covertly furnished our bare table with all the preparations for our light appetizers and a quick aperitif. We were offered a choice of tap or sparkling water and all glasses were filled with your choice and kept replenished without a notice throughout our time. Our first drink of the evening was presented quickly behind, an authentic Aperol Spritz, and their appearance was the perfect way to start off on a hot summer evening.

Our light meal arrived shortly after and was a perfect charcuterie accompaniment to our light refreshing drink. The house made focaccia bread (that arrived right after my photo) was the highlight of the bunch. Quite possibly the best slice of bread I have ever tasted (I know, a bit dramatic, but it was that good)! Their focaccia with rosemary accents is set in a heavy slick of olive oil before baking, resulting in a crispy, fried like texture and flavorful bottom crust that melts in your mouth. Served with fresh roasted garlic cloves in an EVOO bath, it went perfectly with the Castelvetrano olives, the Sicilian delicacies with a buttery sweet and crisp meaty texture.

Not to be outdone by the focaccia was the generous serving of Prosciutto de Parma. This Italian unsmoked, dry cured delight; just ham and salt aged for 17-20 months, is made in the same manner it has been for over 500 years, was so light and delicious! I’m a sucker for a slice of deli meat (I get this from my dad, thanks Ken!) and this was as good at it gets, especially on that wonderful bread!

Combined with the bougie and relaxing ambience in the lounge, I quickly relaxed and decided to be present and enjoy the fantastic company of our tour guide Rob and our patrons from all over the US…It made for as much fun as I can imagine in a little less than an hour and was a perfect way to start an evening in LoDo, be it mine or yours, prior to a nice dinner at the array of eateries downtown, the theatre, or even a Rockies game. I even got to meet Bobby Stuckey, the sommelier and owner, whose story is worthy of its own blog post, hopefully to come in the near future.

Do yourself and an important person in your life a favor, and plan to spend an hour or an evening here soon. I know I can’t wait to bring my wife! Cheers! Barry

P.S. I hope you enjoyed my very first blog post ever! I wasn’t sure about the whole thing, but it was easier than I thought, so I hope to add my second stop, Urban Farmer, soon! Who knows, this thing my actually happen, and if it does I hope come along for the ride and we’ll have some fun along the way… Maybe we can even get together and do a little blog post on an experience we have together!!