Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Salad

I decided to switch it up a bit this time, but don't worry people we have been trying many a new restaurants lately so we will soon update a bit more regularly. Maybe.

My 5 favorite salads in Denver are:

1. Thai-High Sweet and Spicy Chicken Salad with a Side of Ranch @ Elephant Bar
2. Oriental Salad with Macadamia Nut Chicken @ Kona Grill
3. Oriental Chicken Salad @ Racines
4. Pizzalad @ Brooklyn M.C.'s formerly known as M.C.'s Pizza (This item is no longer on the menu but they will make it for you if you ask for it.)
5. Asian Chopped Chicken Salad @ Pei Wei

I must like the whole Asian Salad thing or something.
Hey, I never said they were classy. But to me, they are good. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Tommy's Thai

Colfax and Cook Street

Tommy's Thai is the perfect neighborhood Thai restaurant. Right on East Colfax, it's an easy walk from our apartment in Congress Park. When you walk in, you notice the spare, contemporary design and think "Is this place too cool for us?" but the atmosphere is relaxed and the service is very friendly.

Then you look at the menu and think, "Wow, we're going to get out of here paying less than we would for some pizza shooters, shrimp poppers and xtreme fajitas at Chili's". They have all the Thai classics, plus some good Chinese dishes like Sesame Chicken. I've never had the crab cheese wontons and dipping sauce, but I've heard they're incredible. I stick with the Pad Thai.

The food isn't necessarily award-winning, but it's always satisfying and you feel good about how much you paid. But it's not a dump, so your date is still impressed with your taste. You win.

Rating: 3 star

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Fat Jack's

Colfax and Lafayette

I love, love, love this place. We don't often frequent Subway or many other submarine sandwich joints around town, but this place is our go-to for anytime sandwiches. If you have the late-night munchies and you aren't in the mood for Taco Bell, McDonald's or Burger King head on over to Fat Jack's. They are open 24 hours.

Now, if you are expecting some clean cut sandwich artist, you are in for a big surprise. The guys here are hip-punk-rock-listening-skater-dudes-who-sometimes-listen-to-oldies and are super friendly. We've been visiting this place for about the past four years and have never been let down.

Some of the subs are a bit pricey, meaning around $7.00, but many are around $5.00. My favorite is The Fax, Ryan usually gets the Giovanni but he has tried many others and has loved them all. This is not a sit down restaurant, but they do deliver. I just found out that they have two locations so there is no excuse people. Have it your way.

Rating: lllll

Monday, December 8, 2008

Tom's Home Cookin'

Five Points - Clarkson and 26th Ave.

There are some places that make it so inconvenient to get their food that you wonder if it's worth it. Wonder no more about Tom's Home Cookin'. Tom's is open on weekdays only, and even then they only serve lunch. On top of that the line can get a little long, and the dining room is tiny (most people take out). Teri, Isabel and I went when I took a day off recently.

Teri got BBQ pork for her main dish, with broccoli casserole and mac and cheese as her sides. The sides weren't the best, but the pork was incredibly flavorful and tender. Teri would have liked a bun or something to put the meat on, though. I got the fried chicken (Tom's specialty), and was not disappointed. Juicy on the inside, crispy and golden brown on the outside, it was perfect. My mashed potatoes side was okay, but when I got to my second side I almost squealed with delight, embarrassing all around me. The peach cobbler had a flaky, sugar-coated crust that was the perfect compliment to the impossibly sweet peaches. Insane.

Depending on the day, you might also find on the menu pot roast, meat loaf, pork chops, collard greens, creamed corn, and other Southern-style fare.

The standard deal at Tom's is an entree, two sides, choice of bread and a drink for $9.25. Maybe a tad pricey, but when you're in the mood to stuff your face with the creamy, starchy and meaty, this will hit the spot.

Rating: lll

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Snooze

2262 Larimer Street Denver - Close to Coors Field
From delicious upside-down pineapple pancakes (as big as your face) to mouthwatering almond coated french toast (as thick as your forearm), this is the best breakfast place, dare I say, ever. Hands down, this is my favorite. They like to change the menu so you might not be able to get the same thing twice but everything will knock your socks off, so that just doesn't matter. They have even been known to give samples, samples people, this is no Texas Roadhouse or Costco, this is real deliciousness.

There is a bar for the drinkers out there, I assume they serve up some mimosas and spiked oj. The booths are super comfy and the decor is in vogue, described as Jetsons meet Happy Days.

The only drawback is that this place is always bumpin' so you need to get there by 8:15 or you will have to wait in a crowded standing room only waiting area. Oh, and not only do they change the menu, they change the mural on the outside wall.

Prices range from 5 to 10 dollars, very affordable.

Rating: lllll

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Proto's Pizzeria

2401 Platte St. Denver (also in Boulder and northern suburbs)
Let's start by saying we eat a lot of pizza. A lot. of pizza. We've got dozens of pizza places in our little black book. Pizza is kind of like scrambled eggs: Anyone can make it, and generally it tastes okay. But it takes real talent to create a pizza that actually distinguishes itself from every other pie out there. That's why we like Proto's.

Proto's is located just down the road from the big REI downtown, right on Platte St. It's a small place, with a big hot brick oven in the back. They start you out with a hot pillowy piece of bread to share. It's looks huge, but it weighs like an ounce.

The pizza here is Neapolitan style, so the crust is pretty thin, and the sauce a little light. Teri's favorite pizza ever, the White Pie, is made with olive oil, mozzarella and oregano. That's it. They also frequently top the pizza with stuff that's "infused" with other stuff, which I'm generally not a fan of. But the results are excellent. It's a kind of pizza that you actually feel good after eating it.

The service isn't always awesome at this place, so be prepared to calculate 11% of your bill for the tip.

Rating: lllll
For delicious, unique pizza, good atmosphere, and located in a cool neighborhood.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Jack 'n Grill

2524 Federal Blvd. Denver
New Mexican food at it's finest. This family owned place serves up insanely good red and green chili (although I always prefer the green - I'm an honorary Mexican). We've taken friends and family here and they can't help but agree that it is the most delicioso New Mexican food around. For a hole-in-the-wall it is a bit pricey ($8-$11/entree), but well worth it. In the summer, you can sit on the patio and take in the Federal Boulevard action, Mexican flags waving and all.

Rating: llll
We will rank restaurants based on a five star system. Criteria include: food, environment, service, location, price, and overall how we feel when we walk the door (bloated and irritable or fat and happy).