Restaurant Fourteen Seventy Two, located at 1472 S. Pearl St., opened in early September and has intrigued the Denver community with their unique and mind-blowing “low country” cooking since.
A perfect option for DU students looking for an elegant date night experience or a delicious dinner when the parents are in town, Fourteen Seventy Two boasts an array of southern comfort favorites as well as some unique takes on classic recipes.
The three owners, Scott Bergin, Dave Chmura and Rob Young spent the last two years renovating a classic 19th century house into a restaurant that could hold its own against the stiff competition running up and down legendary Pearl St.
The relaxed atmosphere, dimly lit setting and elegant wood flooring make customers feel right at home. New Orleans-style jazz music plays in the background. The restaurant offers numerous seating options including a rooftop patio, a main dining room featuring a cozy fireplace and a heated, enclosed patio space perfect for watching the endless hustle and bustle of Pearl St. This seating area is also equipped with a full bar.
However, it is their distinctive and flavorful cuisine that sets Fourteen Seventy Two apart from the rest of the eclectic eats lining old South Pearl. According to Young, among their most popular dishes are the corn and crab beignets, chicken and waffles and the rich dark chocolate brownie.
Priced at $10, this appetizer features sweet lump crab that is finished with a stone-ground corn crust. These beignets are cooked to perfection; crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, they make the perfect start to any meal.
The classic chicken and waffles, priced at $16, take on a new twist at Fourteen Seventy Two. This one-of-a-kind dish includes the unique blend of maple-pulled chicken, light buttermilk waffles and crispy smoked bacon topped with a maple cream sauce.
The restaurant took a risk by replacing the traditional fried chicken and replacing it with pulled chicken in this meal.
“Some people were disappointed with the pulled chicken,” said Young. “Others were pleasantly surprised with the incredible taste.”
Other dinner options include the veggie burger, priced at $11 and dressed with avocado green goddess dressing. This vegetarian option boasts roasted red peppers and feta cheese on a brioche bun. For the carnivorous among you, a small yet mouthwatering portion of chipotle maple dressed boar spare ribs cost $14, while a large portion is $24.
The menu also offers a wide range of salads, including the Fourteen Seventy-Two dinner or side salad, priced at $7, which features frisee with spring mix, pickled carrot, red onion, green tomato and gruyere cheese served with a warm tasso vinaigrette and ciabatta dressing.
And finally, priced at $18, the shrimp and grits are the traditional low country meal featuring large gulf shrimp, low country pepper sauce and served over cheddar onion grit cakes.
This is all before the decadent desserts; the deliciously rich dark chocolate brownie, priced at $6, is the ideal dessert and perfect way to end your evening. This warm and chewy brownie is topped with a bacon bourbon caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.
On a Thursday night, the restaurant was not overly crowded but had a steady flow of customers. Friday and Saturday nights have consistently been the busiest, filled with customers ready to start their weekends with a relaxing and delicious dinner.
“Our hours are not set in stone,” said Young. “If a customer wants to have a late meal, we will not turn them away.”
Generally the restaurant is open Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
While these prices may be out of reach for some college students, the large portions are perfect for sharing between friends and create an affordable alternative.
The mouthwatering food, friendly staff and unique environment will leave you wanting more. Fourteen Seventy Two is sure to give popular Pearl St. restaurants a run for their money.
