Photo by Marc Fiorito
In a culturally rich city that’s home to a number of respected chefs from across the country, Denver attracts a plethora of cuisine connoisseurs to its upscale dining scene.
Known as an enterprising state full of tech start-ups, Michelin-Star restaurants, luxurious ski resorts, and a vibrant arts and music scene, Denverites are certainly living the high life. In honor of Denver’s top-notch culinary offerings, we decided to explore some of the most esteemed places to eat. Here’s a sneak peek at 5 distinct and swoon-worthy spots in the Mile High City.
GUARD AND GRACE
GUARD AND GRACE
Guest experience, exceptional service and attention to detail is imminent at Guard and Grace. With private dining rooms, an impressive walk-in, floor-to-high-ceiling glass wine cellar, seasonal dishes, and locally sourced ingredients, guests can expect VIP treatment whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth. Located in the heart of downtown Denver, this eye-catching 9,000 square-foot-restaurant will wow you from the moment you step through the door.
Open since 2014 in downtown Denver, Guard and Grace ensures upscale dining that’s sure to exceed your expectations. Many guests return for special occasions and annual celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and special nights with friends and family. With no stone left unturned on the food front, this modern-day steakhouse is also known for its elegant ambiance, curated music and lighting that complements any fine dining experience.
GUARD AND GRACE
“We put a lot of care into everything we do at Guard and Grace. We always look to source our ingredients from local purveyors and offer Colorado beef in various cuts and grades—Prime, Grass-fed and Wagyu, all oak-fired to perfection,” explains Owner and Executive Chef Troy Guard. “Our menu is one-of-a-kind in Denver with handmade gnocchi, oak-fired octopus, custom crafted cocktails, floor-to-ceiling sommelier selected wine cellar, a huge variety of house-made charcuterie and a sprawling raw bar with only the freshest seafood.”
CHEZ MAGGY
Photo by Marc Fiorito
Located in the Thompson Denver boutique hotel in LoDo (lower downtown), Chez Maggy exudes sophistication from its food to its overall mood. This relaxed yet elegant restaurant appeases anyone looking for classic French taste in more ways than one. To maintain the high-standard of French culture and cuisine, and in keeping its niche crowd satisfied, Chez Maggy is known to effectively blend a warm French brasserie with Mile High City lush living.
With a wealth of knowledge about French cuisine, Michelin-star Chef Ludo Lefebvre utilizes his French culinary skills to produce a distinct, classic approach to his menu. With that being said, his vision to create a one-of-a-kind restaurant in the Mile High City has more than surpassed expectations—with various Colorado elements and ingredients consistently incorporated into his fine dining dishes.
PhotMarc Fiorito
Ultimately, Chez Maggy is an upscale ode to Chef’s French roots and connection to culinary traditions coupled with the West’s naturally-abundant ingredients which shine through with every bite. The restaurant is named after his mother-in-law, Margaret, who lived her life serving others in Colorado.
Every visitor should try the escargot and sole meunière, Colorado Lamb Chops and Burger à la Française; as well as Chef Ludo’s omelette that is famous from his restaurant Trois Mec in Los Angeles, and The Bison Tartare, which is very French meets Colorado. “We are a French restaurant, so you have to try those authentic staples when you come to Chez Maggy,” he says.
CORINNE
CORINNE
Housed within the Le Méridien Denver Downtown, an upscale boutique hotel, Corinne is one of the city’s most memorable places to wine and dine. With an elevated, intimate vibe and many corner nooks for private parties or romantic meals, Corinne’s menu offers a wide variety of cuisine suitable for every extravagant palate. Ideally located in the downtown core of Denver, this restaurant is adored by globetrotters and locals alike, serving classic American dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. A comfortable setting with high-class taste.
To add to its opulent offerings, Corinne has a very strong partnership with Brush Creek Ranch which allows the restaurant to carry their spirits and feature a mouth-watering America Brush Creek Wagyu Burger on their lunch and dinner menus. Corinne also offers an extensive wine list and craft cocktail program with refreshing libations like our Cold Brew Martini, Allspice Daiquiri, Café Campari, Fig Time Mule and more.
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CORINNE
“We take a lot of pride in ensuring that our service goes above and beyond to elevate our guests’ experiences and make their visits memorable,” notes Hotel Executive Chef, Jose Rodriguez. “The atmosphere is equally welcoming and sophisticated, providing the perfect location for friends, family and loved ones to gather, indulge in delicious food and enjoy each other’s company.”
BISTRO LEROUX
Photo by Matt Nager
Modeled after the eloquent, old-world bistros found across Europe, Bistro LeRoux is the Denver brainchild of Co-Founder and Executive Chef Lon Symensma. Featuring a private dining room with space for 24 available upon request and a phenomenal brunch on Saturday and Sunday—you won’t be disappointed with its intimate, welcoming atmosphere. This upscale, fine dining restaurant offers an array of traditionally inspired dishes made with seasonal, local ingredients.
This Mile High City gem boasts a hand-selected menu that’s famously inspired by Chef Symensma’s travels and time spent cooking and working in Europe. “Bistro LeRoux is a tribute to my esteemed mentor at the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Xavier LeRoux. After time spent living and traveling through France, Italy and Spain, I wanted to create a restaurant that paid homage to both my roots and love for Mediterranean cuisine,” says Co-Founder and Executive Chef Lon Symensma. “We offer old-world wines and expertly crafted cocktails that we think will please any palate and make our guests feel like they’re dining across the pond.”
CHOLON RESTAURANT CONCEPTS
Bistro LeRoux also offers a series of multi-course wine dinners a few times a year. Currently plans are underway for Valentine’s Day as well as an exclusive 6-course event entitled the “Taste of Italy Wine Dinner” where Chef Symensma will share his recent culinary journey through Italy, giving guests a sneak peek of his newest Italian concept opening in 2023. “Our talented culinary team will prepare a whimsical spin on some of his beloved Italian dishes. Each course will be expertly paired with wine found across Italy’s classic wine regions and will leave you looking to book the next flight to Italy.”
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NOISETTE
NOISETTE
The food at Noisette is just as classy as the delicate dishware that it’s served on. Housing a charming old-world French elegance topped with coveted place settings and silverware, Noisette hosts an upscale dining experience unlike anything else in Denver. Like all things culturally French, Noisette provides an avant-garde yet whimsical atmosphere as soon as you walk through the door. In other words, guests receive the calming comforts of home coupled with a sense of prestige and nobility.
Along with its distinctive food presentation, this unique Mile High City eatery impresses with its aesthetically pleasing art and décor. Noisette is “an establishment that has carefully thought of every detail to make our guests’ dining experience as enjoyable as possible,” says Owner Lillian Lu. “That experience starts when they walk up to our front door and see our beautifully designed dining room.” Notably, Noisette is also a popular bakery; and is open for brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 pm.
NOISETTE
The menu, with dishes designed to be enjoyed with champagne, includes classic French items like Ouefs en Meurette with bacon, pearl onions, mushroom and red wine sauce, Salmon Beurre Blanc served with French fries, and, of course, an omelette with cheese, chives and a caviar supplement. Pair with a classic Blood Peach Bellini or a Pomme Royale. “We try to source the best ingredients possible,” adds Lu. “Our sauces and Viennoiserie take three days to make. We also have frequent wine tastings to create an elegant and interesting wine list. Our servers taste every new dish so that they are able to provide knowledge to our guests—with the hope that all of our guests depart not just feeling full but enriched.”