Students looking to satisfy their taste buds can treat themselves to dinner during Denver’s Restaurant Week. Metropolitan Denver is developing into a foodie’s paradise and the number of hip new restaurants, in addition to Mile High classics, can even be overwhelming. Denver Restaurant Week, also known as 5280 Week, is a great excuse for students to sample a new palate, explore different areas of town and treat themselves to a night feasting on a variety of incredible cuisine.
The event, which is organized by Visit Denver, has undergone a few minor tweaks for its 10th anniversary. Visit Denver is the official travel and visitor bureau for the city. Restaurant Week will now be featured in both the winter and summer, with the winter week happening Feb. 22-28. The price, which used to be $52.80 for two people, has increased to $30 a person.
Although college students are often on a tight budget and a nice dinner out isn’t a common luxury, with the deal including three to five courses, it’s still a great bang for your buck. With hundreds of restaurants currently listed, and more being added daily, there is undeniably a restaurant for everyone’s taste. The restaurants are categorized by the type of cuisine they serve and also by their location. The locations are organized into 15 different neighborhoods. Ranging from downtown, to Cherry Creek, to the Highlands, the neighborhoods span a sizeable area. Restaurant Week is a great excuse for a fun date night or a night on the town with friends.
Euclid Hall– 1317 14th Street
Nestled directly around the corner from Larimer Street, Euclid Hall is in a great, high-energy location. The restaurant has a vast array of artisan beers in addition to a casual menu with a gourmet flare. The prix-fixe menu, which features everything from chicken and waffles to an oyster po’boy, has a home-style feel while incorporating eccentric ingredients. There are four courses, including a 22-ounce bomber beer to share to start, an appetizer, an entree and a dessert. The unique building built in 1883 provides a downtown feel with a charming tavern vibe.
Zengo – 1610 Little Raven Street
For interesting cultural cuisine, Zengo is a great choice. The restaurant is owned by chef Richard Sandoval, a TV personality and renowned restaurateur, has a lively atmosphere with food to match. The Zengo menu is a combination of Latin and Asian fusion. The restaurant, which is located close to the Denver Millennium Bridge and 16th Street Mall, features complimentary valet parking and is also easily accessible by lightrail. For both sushi and Latin lovers alike, Zengo is a great find. Zengo’s Restaurant Week menu includes three courses.
La Fondue – 1040 15th Street
For a hands-on experience, La Fondue is an entertaining choice. With the opportunity to cook your own food at the table alongside a choice of three different cheese fondues, it’s tough to go wrong. The four-course choice offered on the regular menu can be up to $42 a person. This restaurant would be a great choice for restaurant goers who have never tried fondue, or those who are looking for an amusing, richly catered night.
True Food Kitchen – 2800 E. 2nd Ave
True Food Kitchen is a great pick for vegetarians, vegans and general foodies alike. The restaurant is based around Doctor Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet and will make you feel like you ran a marathon, while instead eating spaghetti squash casserole. True Food is genuinely true to its name. The restaurant features prep tables in the middle of the restaurant with everything, including ingredients, in plain sight. Even the ambiance of the restaurant is fresh. With many offerings for carnivores as well, the restaurant is difficult to dislike. For Restaurant Week, True Food will feature a four-course menu, one course being a choice of their signature natural refreshments. The “Hangover RX” includes coconut water, pineapple, vanilla and orange juice. The restaurant is located in Cherry Creek North, which is closer to campus than downtown, near the Cherry Creek Mall.
Although there are countless restaurants featured, reservations go quickly. Nearly every restaurant on the list allows for reservations to be made via Open Table, which allows you to make, cancel and change reservations quickly online. Grab a friend or a date and explore the unparalleled culinary works Denver has to offer. For more information, check out the Denver Restaurant Week website at Denver Restaurant.
