root down…. It was really good!

root down dining room

I know, I know.. not the most poetic title. But sometimes I just like to say things simply so that they are clearly understood. root down is really, really GOOD!!

I have gotten very, very behind in my usual series of posts on the wonderful dining experiences that make up Denver. In fact, as I look through the series of photos on my iphone taken over the past few weeks (months?) I realize so much time has passed that I feel certain that I must go back again before writing. That’s not all bad though, so many of these restaurants were wonderful and I sure won’t mind going back. Perhaps that is best, as one friend shared with me details of a professional New York Restaurant Reviewer who will only write a review after visiting 2 or 3 times… I can’t remember which. I suppose that is truly the best way to get a fair assessment of a place as it gives them a chance to overcome the occasional “off” day that everyone must have from time to time. Ah… murphy’s law has definitely provided more than a few of those times in 2008. But I babble, let’s get on to talking about a new restaurant by the name of “root down” located in LoHi or Lower Highlands for acronymaphobes (Hey, I made up a word) at 1600 W. 33rd Ave on the corner of 33rd and Osage.

To begin with, let me tell you that the space is GREAT in so many ways. It’s cozy, comfortable, a bit quirky and fun. With recycled gym floorboards complete with their painted logos, big glass garage doors (the location used to be a auto garage I believe), an open kitchen, and great lighting it is… well…. nice. It is a little bit romantic, cozy, and fun. The bar is the same way, although I only poked my head in for a second. With a huge flat screen showing the game and a crowd of locals sharing laughter, it looked like a wonderful and warm neighborhood gathering place. The only room I wasn’t so sure about was their private dining room located directly behind the host/hostess stand. The room had some great tin lids to make a wonderful decoration for the wall, but I think the glass walls and the proximity behind the entrance might give me a feeling that I was someone’s pet trapped in a terrarium. Albeit a very nice terrarium. In general there is alot of glass, which is great for looking out the windows while dining and you can see they have one heck of a great patio when spring and summer roll around. On the flip side, I bet their heat is going to have to work on a -3 degree night. It wasn’t that cold outside when we were there Saturday night but you could tell the heaters were working and just barely keeping the chill away. My guess is that just need to turn the heat on earlier because it gradually warmed up through dinner… or was it the blood orange Mojito?

Did I not mention the Mojito yet… well their Blood Orange Mojito is just one of a number of root down’s specialty cocktails. I got to taste two of them…. delicious. You all will have to try them all and come back here and post your favorite. Or maybe your favorite should be the water. No, I’m not crazy.. root down does a full reverse osmosis process on your tap water; which comes delivered in an elegantly branded bottle, the cooking water, and I believe any drop of water that you might ingest in some way. This water principle is but one of the components of root down’s overall goal to be sustainable and seasonal in their menu offering and their business practices. This does not mean vegetarian, you can count on ample meatatarian choices from what will likely be free range, hormone and other injection free cows, chickens, lambs, or whatever the monthly menu allows for. I won’t go through the whole menu with you for two reasons. First, it would take too long. Second, root down changes their menu monthly so whatever I write here has a lifespan of something less than 30 days. But I can tell you what we ordered and how it was…

• Fire Roasted Tomato and Peanut Soup / Cilantro & Lime Yogurt …. and it was awesome, especially on a chilly night
• Goat Cheese & Fennel Panna Cotta / Arugula, Beet Caviar, Carmelized Orange, & Cumin Walnuts… will definitely do again… GREAT
• Spanish Ceasar Salad / Frozen Xerez Vinegar, White Anchovy, Gnocchi Croutons & Agend Manchego….  the vinegar was COOL in both meanings of the word.  More anchovies please!
• Smoked Protobello, Leek & Mascarpone Wontons / Soy Mint Dunk… It was good, not my favorite though.  It had an almost smokey flavor I wasn’t expecting
• Pan Seared Muscovy Duck Breast / Sweet Potato Fennel Hash, Greens, & Bourbon Cider Reduction…. YUM… the duck was perectly cooked
• Moroccan Style Fish / Lemon, Cumin & Coriander Rub; Black Olive, Spinach, & Currant Pearl Pasta…  As much as I loved the fish (snapper) I could not stop eating the sides.. delicious

I should mention that the last two items were from the Entrees section of the menu which root down offers as a full dinner or a small plate to allow sharing.  I am a sharer, usually unable to decide exactly what to try when so many options look great and this format of menu allows not only for sharing, but for a more reasonable sized dinner.  It’s kind of nice to not get served multiple pounds of food on one plate and to have a price that matches.   In this economy it’s nice to be able to go out and not break the bank for dinner and these Entrees run about $20 for full size and about $10 for a small size (which is a perfect dinner as is).

A few more comments..  The people they have recruited are wonderful… kind and helpful.  Our server in particular was spectacular, explaining every detail of our meal and expanding on the philosophy of the restaurant.  While I didn’t have any wine (crazy huh… just not in the mood for a change) I was told the list and the selections sampled were delicious.  A few times we almost had the wrong food dropped off, they work as a team delivering everything I assume to make sure everything comes out as soon as it is ready, which is pretty reasonable considering we were there pretty much day one live to the world.   But for a first week of business or the 10th year in the business it was a great experience.  Great food, nice people… two of the most important things to me for any any restaurant.

Go and try it yourself!!  I highly recommend it!

root down bar