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.

Sweet Potato Fries – Oh My!

The sign says, “Mosaic, Unique Cuisine.” The menu says, “American cuisine with global influences.” I say, “Delightful” – especially the sweet potato fries. Lunch at Mosaic restaurant offers a new twist to a favorite side dish. The rich orange fries glisten with a coating of  “secret” glaze. Our waitress could tell us there was honey, cinnamon and red pepper involved but said they kept the rest of the recipe a secret. I’m guessing there’s some citrus involved, perhaps juice of an orange. Even with honey the fries are not overly sweet. Skip the sandwich just bring me the fries. If you have an aversion to sweet potatoes there is a choice of regular fries.

 I selected the Wild Prawn Po-Boy enhanced with Cajun mango mayo, butter lettuce & grilled Roma tomato on focaccia bread. The Cajun mango mayo added just the right amount of zip. Bob started with a bowl of tomato basil soup with wasabi cream before the Peppered Turkey and Bacon Panini served with basil avocado pesto and melted Gouda cheese on focaccia bread. Attention to detail is evident in the presentation of all dishes. For my next luncheon visit I want to try the Shrimp Lollipop and Eastern Style Lobster Roll.

I’m certainly enticed by the Chipolte Lobster Macaroni and Cheese on the dinner menu described as, “Orange scented lobster tail sauteed with cavatappi pasta & lobster meat, topped with parsley infused oil & lobster chipotle cheese sauce.” The listing of Small Plates also tempts with unique preparations from flat bread to scallops. An extensive wine list ensures a good match with your chosen entrees.

Mosaic is a stand alone building on the southeast corner of Lincoln Avenue and South Oswego, three stoplights east of I-25. The interior pleases with an unusual gas fireplace, nicely spaced tables and colorful place settings. A see-through aquarium separates the bar and dining room. Service was attentive and friendly without being in your face.

Try Mosaic’s sweet potato fries, if you find better anywhere else let me know. I’ll be glad to put them to the test.

When You Go: Mosaic is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday. Call 720-308-0994 for reservations. Directions, online reservations, menus and additional information on their website.

New York Deli News – Denver

New York Deli News has become our “Go To” restaurant, the place we go when we want a sandwich piled high with hot pastrimi or good, reasonably priced comfort food. We know what to expect and the consistency is amazing. Denver diners have chowed down at NYDN for twenty years.

Chicken pot pie stars on Thursday nights. Generous chunks of chicken and vegetables encased in rich pastry  served steaming hot – the best I’ve had in Denver. I once finished an entire pie but usually enough goes home with me for two lunches. Other nightly specials include corned beef and cabbage on Sundays and Saturday night lasagna. Friday is prime rib night, 12-ounces – $12.95, 16-ounces – $16.95 for complete dinners.

The economically minded watch for coupons in Friday papers or take advantage of the Early Bird specials between 3:30-5:30 pm when $6.95 buys one of ten entrees. The complete dinner comes with potato, vegetable and a choice of soup, salad or cole slaw. All accompanied by slices of light rye bread, of course.

We ate at NYDN many years before ever ordering a hamburger. What a mistake! It’s a thick patty cooked to order and served hot off the grill. I’m not much of a fry person but the ones here are hard to resist.

The ambiance is a bit worn, however, we always receive attentive, efficient service. I’m not from New York and wouldn’t debate the authenticity of Denver’s New York Deli News. But, what I do know is that much like a favorite pair of shoes or comfy sweater NYDN fits well as our dependable “Go To” eatery.

When You Go: New York Deli News is located at 7105 E. Hampden Ave., 303-759-4741. Opens daily at 7:00 am, closes 10:00 pm Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Downtown Littleton’s New Hot Spot

The transition from Merle’s Alignment to Merle’s Restaurant is complete. After opening in November the eatery quickly became the new hot spot in downtown Littleton. We made our first visit today for lunch. With lots of buzz about the burgers we couldn’t resist. Bob ordered the Mountain Burger with mushrooms, smoked peppered bacon and Swiss cheese. I chose Mark’s Burger with Anaheim chilies, guacamole and Monterey Jack cheese. Both were worthy of the buzz. Meat for burgers is ground fresh daily, bun was fresh and an appropriate size. A pet peeve of mine is a bun that overwhelms the meat or one too small to cover the patty.

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