Cafe de France – Aspen Grove Lifestyle Center

Stopped at Cafe de France in the Aspen Grove Lifestyle Center on South Santa Fe Drive for lunch. We visited a previous location in Highlands Ranch several times before that location was closed. The same friendly greeting welcomed us. The cafe is open from 7 am – 9 pm daily. I appreciate restaurants that serve all afternoon since I frequently want a meal at 3 pm. Our waitress said you can order breakfast during the entire day; helpful to know if bacon and eggs or waffles sounds good for dinner some evening.

Bob ordered the pastrami croissant. The fresh croissant was topped with lettuce a thick stack of pastrami and topped with melted Swiss cheese. The sandwich was served with crisp potato chips and chunks of watermelon. I chose the Santa Fe Quiche – a generous slice of ham and cheese quiche topped with a green chili sauce. The pastry was rich and flaky. The sauce was a disappointment, I will select a different quiche in the future. A tossed salad and watermelon accompanied the quiche. Although neither of  us ordered one today we recommend the Croissant burgers.

We are both ice tea drinkers but did not like the tea served at the previous location and quit ordering it. Bob’s tea today tasted fresh made and was up to our standards. A dessert case filled with cakes, pastries and cookies tempted mightily but we resisted.

The owner or manager – I don’t know which – likes to greet each customer and thank them as they leave. This is often done from the other end of the restaurant. He’s a lively person and communications with staff tends to be loud. I would find it more comfortable if he toned it down letting us continue our own conversations.

Food is fresh, service prompt, location convenient, comfortable interior – we’ll be back.

When You Go: Cafe de France, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, 303-347-2424.

Let’s Meet At Racines

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch or late night, “Let’s meet at Racines,” is a familiar refrain. Just south of downtown, near the intersection of Speer, Lincoln and 6th Avenue, Racines is a convenient choice from almost anywhere in the Metro Denver area. Even better, there’s free parking in their multi-storied garage.

A recent brunch visit withfamily and friends satisfied  appetites. Several of us ordered Eggs Mazatlan. The large flour tortilla stuffed withthree scrambled eggs and guacamole and topped with white cheddar cheese and green chilepleased hungry tummies without feeling heavy. Salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips – thin, crisp and warm – served on the side.

The BanditoSpecial of eggs scrambled with corn tortilla strips, white cheddar cheese and pico de gallo, accompanied with refritos, salsa and a flour tortilla, quickly disappeared from Michael’s plate. Bob opted for a tuna melt.

The restaurant was filled yet service was efficient with food arrived hot. We called ahead to put our name on the wait list, table was ready when we arrived. Consistent food quality and service combined with location keeps us saying, “Let’s meet at Racines.”

Racines, 650 Sherman, Denver, 303-595-0418. Opens at 7 am Monday-Friday, 8 am Saturday & Sunday. Full menu served until midnight Wednesday – Saturday, 11 pm Sunday – Tuesday.

Photograph from Racines

Brunch with a View

Runway Grill – Sunday a la carte brunch at Jeffco Airport, now renamed Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. The restaurant is located on the second floor overlooking the landing strips with sweeping views of the mountains. Clouds obscured the long-range view during our visit but I can imagine how great it would be on a clear day. Changing cloud and light patterns made for interesting viewing even on a less than perfect day. Helicopters, prop planes and corporate jets land and take off as you dine.

With 11:00 am reservations our party could order from both the breakfast and lunch menus. We ran the gamut from eggs Benedict and waffles to fish and chips and the Red Baron Reuben. The Piper Club looked large enough to feed an entire flight crew.

Of course, there’s an aviation theme with model planes hanging from the ceiling. Flight fans will see how many they can identify. There’s a flight deck on balmy days.

Prices are extremely reasonable, the highest price dinner item is the 747 Steak for $14.99 – 10-oz rib eye, potato, vegetables, roll and dinner salad. No charge for the view.

Runway Grill, 11705 Airport Way, Suite 200, Broomfield, CO, 720-887-1004. Open Tuesday – Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday and Monday for breakfast and lunch. Full bar.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Farro Italian Restaurant

I get excited when I hear of a new restaurant opening close to home. Anticipation builds when I hear the chef/owner is Matt Franklin. He’s built quite a reputation in the Denver area as chef for several years at 240 Union. Weeks before the restaurant opened I hear Franklin talk with Warren Byrne on The Restaurant Show, confirming he’s opening Farro, an Italian restaurant in a shopping center at County Line and Holly. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa.

A couple of weeks after opening we head to Farro for Sunday night dinner. The room is warm and comfortable, booths are roomy, tables well spaced. Staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and preparation. As the evening unfolds we’re especially impressed with how the staff works together as a team. Operating partner, John Richard, is very much in evidence – from greeting to busing tables with a smile.

But, let’s get to the food. Bob ordered the Tuscan style meatloaf, topped with porcini mushroom gravy, served on garlic mashed potatoes, accompanied by sauteed veggies. The meatloaf slice was thick and generous – enough for lunch the next day. The potatoes perfect and the gravy exceptional. I selected a pasta dish of capellini, shrimp, tomato cream and basil – heavenly. I was certain I would take some home  for Monday lunch but didn’t put my fork down until I picked up my spoon to get the last sips of sauce. We finished the evening sharing the fall fruit bread pudding with frangelico caramel  – lovely.

After tasting Bob’s  on that first visit I’ve lusted for my own serving of Tuscan meatloaf. Last night, after Bob’s art show when we wanted a comfy dinner to celebrate his Best of Show, Farro felt like the perfect place. Friday night at 7:30 they were filled but the wait was only 15 minutes. The hostess was most accommodating, giving us a choice of table or booth as they became available.

Sorely tempted to order the evening’s special of roast pork loin with butternut squash risotto, I stuck to my plan for meatloaf. It was as good as I remembered from that one bite weeks ago. I even liked the squash in the sauteed vegetables. That’s an accomplishment, Matt. Bob feasted on salmon, capers, pine nuts and pancetta with spinach risotto and veggies. His report was glowing. We shared Tiramisu in a Jar for dessert, I could have eaten the entire perfect balance of flavors all by myself. Not that I needed it. Every bite disappeared.

Farro is the kind of place you can comfortably take the kids, or grandma or meet another couple for wine, dinner and conversation. We’ll be going back to work our way through the menu of pizzas, pastas, menu entrees and specials. A restaurant well fitted to the neighborhood is a treat, when the food is this good it’s a treasure.

When You Go: Farro Italian Restaurant, 8230 S. Holly, Centennial, 303-694-5432. Open daily at 4 pm.