A Côté - A French Experience

If you have been around the Denver area dining scene for any amount of time....you have probably heard of Z Cuisine.  I have never been to Z Cuisine...but I have frequented A Côté the sister restaurant which is right next door.

Located on the Northeast corner of 30th Avenue and Wyandot Street, A Côté offers a casual atmosphere, with an outstanding local "Farm to Fork" menu.  Known as a Absinthe Bar, offering selections from all over the world including 2 from Colorado! 

The Green Fairy

A little history on Absinthe:

At the end of the eighteenth century, the drink was invented by one Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor who distilled wormwood and other herbs in an alcoholic base as a remedy for his patients.

At the end of the nineteenth century, absinthe was embraced by the literary bohemian crowd who gathered in European cafes and claimed the Green Fairy (La Fee Verte) as their muse and inspiration.

The end of the twentieth century brought to an end nearly 100 years of nonsensical prohibition in parts of Europe. As a result, a new fin de siecle in crowd began discovering the delights of the absinthe drink once again.

Outside Tables

Now, back to A Côté....inside, they have quite a few two seat small tables as well as a common area that can be reserved, or used as a community table...where you can dine and meet new folks. 

On this night, we started with Mouco 'Colorouge' cheese fondue with apple and fingerlings potatoes. This is a melted Colorado cheese, and bags of fresh made bread.....baked apples and small potato wedges.  For our main course....we dined on the Tartine gratinée Façon Madame...one of our favorites.  This is a slice of artisan bread, local farm ham topped with a béchamel sauce blanche (white sauce) topped with assorted imported cheeses.  This is baked perfectly and then topped with a delicately fried egg.  On the side, is a selection of greens with just the right amount of a light vinaigrette. A perfect balance of flavors.

The menu also includes, assorted Colorado and imported French cheeses, Colorado raised flatirons steak prepared roasted in oxtail and beef marrow juices with Merlot...served with roasted root vegetables,  pork belly, slow braised in French cider served with a  "mirepoix ragout" (roasted celery, carrots and onions in a pan drippings reduction) on bed of greens. There is also Mussels in a white wine sauce, Foie Gras in Muscat wine, and a terrific selection of wine to accompany every dish.

When we have out of town guests that we want have a quiet, nice meal with a great bottle of wine......we usually take them to A Côté ....and they are always impressed.

Community Table

Hours:

Tuesday: 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday-Sat: 4:30 PM - 12:00 AM

Website: http://zcuisineonline.com/a-cote/

When you visit, tell them Colorado's Hidden Treasures sent you.

Bon Appetit!!

The "Hideaway Kitchen + Bar"

If you have lived in the Denver area for any amount of time...you have probably driven I-70 West..and also stopped at the Buffalo Herd Outlook (Exit 254). Little did you you know...that just across I-70 on the south side, was delightful little restaurant, "Hideaway Kitchen + Bar" that offers a delicious dining experience not far from home.

This little gem...offers an outdoor patio with fire pits and flat panel TV's for watching Bronco games and enjoying some great drinks and tapas treats.

If  you are looking for a full meal dining experience, you will not be disappointed. Owner, Alan Zizmor and Chef Dante Tripi work very hard to bring you finest in an eclectic array of culinary options to choose from. The menu has a little bit of everything you want.  You can order a fantastic burger made from "Short Ribs, Brisket and Chuck Meats" or a Sea Bass BLT, Salmon Wellington, Pad Thai..or pasta. If you are more in a "wild game" mood...you can also order Lamb, Duck breast or something really different... Kangaroo fajitas....fantastic. The Hideaway also has a nice quaint little bar that will seat about 14 -16 people.

The dinning room has a feel like a market with shelves filled with all of the products used in the kitchen.  Their wine list has a nice selections of whites and reds....by the glass or bottle. On weekends, the Hideaway also offers a "Brunch" menu with fresh squeezed juices, several type of Eggs Benedict, Waffles, Crepes, and a Bloody Mary Shrimp cocktail (must be 21 to eat).

The night we were there, we shared a Ahi Tuna salad, an HBK Burger and the Sea Bass BLT.  Both of these entrees used a fresh, soft brioche bun.  The Sea Bass BLT came with a honey mustard dipping sauce as well as a sauce that seemed like a mix of hoisin and sriracha sauce. Both of these complimented the mix of flavors in the BLT. Fresh cut fries as well as waffle sweet potato fries just added to the flavors we enjoyed.

To get there.....take I-70 West, exit at 254, take a left over I-70 and then a left at the T in the road. Your first right will have you going by the "Chart House" on your left...

and on your right will be a strip mall with the Hideaway Kitchen + Bar in the corner.

If you are in the mood for a great meal with some atmosphere to go along with it......give the Hideaway a try.....you will not be disappointed.

Hours - Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
             Friday  11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
             Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
             Sunday 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Happy Hour every day starting at 2:00 PM

Website: http://www.hideawaykitchen.com

When you visit, tell them Colorado's Hidden Treasures sent you.

The Hideaway Kitchen + Bar is

for business.

Bon Appetit!!

Tabernash Tavern......

Tabernash Tavern....

 

Most people who live in Colorado have been through Grand County.  Whether going to ski at Winter Park or Mary Jane, or going to Grand Lake...you have probably driven through the town of Tabernash and not given a second thought to stopping.  Well you have missed out.

Established in 2008 by Dave McKnight and Chef Alberto Sapien, the Tabernash Tavern is the "gem" of the valley.  Using reclaimed wood and 100 year old bricks during construction, the feel of this place is genuine and comfortable.

The wine list was awarded the "2014 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence".  A quick stroll through the list you will find 22 whites, 7 Sparkling, 4 Malbec, 7 Pinot Noir, 7 Cabernet, 3 Merlot, 4 Zinfandel and 22 other various red wines.  If that is not enough to boggle your pallet, they also have a "Tavern Cellar" selection list with 17 "hand selected" wines to match the quality of the prepared cuisine.

Our dining experience started with two types of bread at the table, dill parmesan and banana bread...with maybe a hint of mole sauce. For our appetizer, we ordered "Buffalo Brussels". Crispy brussel sprouts with blue cheese crumbles in buffalo sauce with glazed walnuts and roasted garlic ranch for dipping. Delicious!

We ordered our main selection from the "Specialties" section of the menu.  Here, there are foods from Spain, Italy, New Orleans, France, Mexico, California and Argentina....something for everyone.
We select the Paella (Spain) and the Buffalo Au Poivre (France).  The Paella was a bowl full of Lobster, jumbo shrimp, sea scallops, little neck clams, mussels, chorizo, king crab, duck confit, grape tomatoes, peas and artichokes served over saffron rice. The Buffalo Au Poivre was pepper crusted strip steak (cooked medium) on a bed of celeriac au gratin potatoes with speck wrapped (thinly sliced aged smoked ham) asparagus.  The steak had a dollop of brie cheese truffle butter on it, and was in an oxtail demi glaze.......outstanding if you are a fan of red meat.

After all of this, we just did not have room left for dessert, but they have a great selection...Mudslide pie, Carbomb Cheesecake and chocolate selections too.

Another item that is worthy of noting...when in season the Tavern uses locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables from Morales Farms located in Granby Colorado. They also serve Wyoming gourmet beef. There is also a great bar area, where locals seem to gather for some after work drinks...and Bronco games.


The Tabernash Tavern is located at 72287 US Hwy 40 in Tabernash Colorado. They are open 7 days a week from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  Happy hours are 4-6 Sunday - Thursday and 4-5 on Fridays and Saturdays.

If you are looking for a dining experience to celebrate a special occasion, or just a nice drive in the mountains with an exceptional meal, the Tabernash Tavern is the place to go.

Tell them Colorado's Hidden Treasures sent you!!

Happy Dining!!!