Restaurant Week in Review

Restaurant Week 2009 has come and gone and I saw a bit of action. Three reservations in one week...I did my share for the cause of culinary experimentation.

Restaurant one was Cru in Larimer Square. I'm a bit torn on this one because while the food I had (fontina crostini with tomato soup and salmon with red curry) was delicious, the experience was not the best. I would think Restaurant Week would be about putting your best foot forward to showcase your restaurant and gain repeat diners. Instead I'm guessing Cru was overbooked and going for the profit factor because we were set up on a folding card table in a crowded corner and served creme brulee that was really just chocolate custard. We were told after being served the creme brulee that they couldn't brulee because they had to make the brulee in these small plastic cups, that apparently melted when introduced to a torch. Such is mass produced food created solely to accomodate too many people.

Restaurant number two was fabulous, but I've never, ever met a chicken piccata I didn't like. Cafe Colore is downtown in Writer's Square and had a great rustic italian menu. Throw in a caprese salad, some tirimisu and good friends and there were no complaints from this girl.

And the final restaurant was Juicy Lucy's in Cherry Creek North--which I infinitely prefer over downtown. Now that I no longer work down there, I rarely have any desire to head down there unless required. On my menu was grilled artichokes, seared scallops and gratin potatoes. With a chocolate mousse dessert, it was the perfect end to Restaurant Week.