Lodo Bites (kind of): Part 1 of 2

Neon sign at the Restaurant "Fuel", shot during Doors Open Denver last Spring....

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11 intrepid explorers... a 4 hour dining tour of downtown (LoDo) Denver... since the rest of you couldn't make it, let's break it down as the evening unfolded shall we?

Date: June 21, 2011
Event: LodoBites
Location: Downtown Denver
The Participants: TVGuy, TVGal, BeardedJeff, PregnantRobyn, WithBabySusan, EverybodyLovesRobert, WeaponsBob, TheFetchingGretchen, MarMan, JustinMac, Justin'sGirl

20 restaurants in four hours with a large group... can we do it? Let's find out.. first stop...

Restaurant #1: My Favorite Muffin
Menu: Bagel Sandwiches, tiny cakes and... of course.. Muffins.
Been Here Before?: No.
Would I Return? (1-10): 7
Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 6
Notes: Our first stop of the night... we met here because of its proximity to Union Station/Light Rail.  WeaponsBob and TheFetchingGretchen met us at stop 2 because.. well, there wasn't beer at stop one and they were having a pre-party of sorts... I'd had this chain's muffins before and thought it was a little out of place for LodoBites... TVGal did not though... actual conversation as we walked to Light Rail...

TVGuy: Our first stop is kinda weird though right? Although their muffins are pretty good...
TVGal: (immediately) Oh, they're my Favorite Muffin!
TVGuy: (pause) Um...okay, you win...well done.

The quartered bagel sandwiches were just fine and the muffins were... well, pretty damn tasty... but a weird starting point and we didn't linger...

(I suppose I should explain this to the uninitiated... you buy a very inexpensive ticket and then walk around Denver and have appetizers/beverages at up to 20 different restaurants... it's our favorite summer activity for sure and always fun even if some of the restaurants treat the evening like gum on their shoe... good conversation, great weather, and always some surprises.. let's continue...)

Restaurant #2: Wynkoop Brewery

Menu: Craft Beers / Dessert

Been Here Before?: Yes.

Would I Return? (1-10): 9

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 9

Notes: The best eateries cordon off an area so you don't bother the regular diners, and make everything run smoother... Wynkoop gets huge marks here by having an entire private room for the participants... you had a choice of light or dark craft beer and two desserts... mini strawberry shortcakes (assembled for you personally) or a Black & Tan Brownie.  I cannot resist brownies at any time and wish they were on every restaurant dessert menu instead of Pistachio-glazed-encrusted-salted-gelato-cream-pie SprinkledWithCinnamonAndEssenceOfElderberries.  Anyway, this brownie was absolutely freakin' delicious... and I just checked and it's on their regular dessert menu (with ice cream!) and if you don't like it I'll eat the rest and pay for it.... I had dreams about that brownie last night.. seriously... 

We're off to a good start but the crowd wants something savory.. our next stop should hit the spot...

Restaurant #3: Keg Steakhouse

Menu: Orange Slice Martini, Steak Bites, Key Lime Pie, Shrimp Cocktail

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 9

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 9

Notes: Our 3rd year here... TVGal was praying that the Orange Slice Martini would make a return appearance, and it did not disappoint... the Steak Bites were scrumptious and they put you in a back of the restaurant area that kept you from the other patrons... the only downside.. you had to choose 1 of 3 appetizers... always a bummer with food this good... (although EverybodyLovesRobert (Jeff's brother) had all three apps and didn't apologize for a second.. well done...)

Restaurant #4: Fado Irish Pub

Menu: Beer

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 5

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 3

Notes: Booo... no food... just a 7 ounce beer... always kinda disappointing... no need to dwell...

Restaurant #5: Tavern Downtown

Menu: Various Sliders, Mac n Cheese, Fruity Frozen Slurpee Alcoholic Shot Thingees....

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 10 (summer) 8 (winter)

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 10

Notes:  All other restaurants, take note.. this is how it's done... rooftop deck (maybe the best in Denver, other than the TVGuy Mansion's Deck), private area for LodoBites, Misters cooling down everyone, 3 different sandwiches, Mac n Cheese, Pizza (surprisingly good Margherita slices), some sort of frozen berry/orange/lime shot things that were crazy yummy... and giving away coozies, water bottles and other things... I implore you LodoBitesOrganizers.... these people should be in the Lodo Bites Hall Of Fame and forced to participate every year... 

Restaurant #6: Vesta Dipping Grill

Menu: Seafood Ceviche Shots

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 7

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 5

Note: Great place, good food when you dine here.. but they've done the seafood shot two years in a row and for people like TVGal (hates fish) a waste of time... we didn't dwell here... (although points for WeaponsBob and his FromTheBar WhiteSangria that was really really good)

I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of a sangria groupie... anyway...

Restaurant #7: Celtic Tavern

Menu: Potato Skins, Bread Pudding, Small Sandwich

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 7

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 8

Notes: Individual plates that were served briskly by attentive staff... nice pub that we need to frequent on a non LodoBites night... they get that you are not in a leisurely mood to sit and hang out.. it's LodoBites people.. we've got a schedule to keep!

Restaurant #8: H Burger

Menu: Sliders, Fried Jalapeno Slices

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 10.  (translated to English, hell yeah..)

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 8

Notes: A table was set up but in a high traffic area.. the restaurant doesn't really have a place to put a LodoBites crowd... but no matter... TVGal and I think that this place does the best burgers in town (hell, maybe ever) and their slider tonight was so yummy my toes curled... and the fried jalapeno slices.. wow, my tounge is still on fire (pleasantly so)... we love this place wholeheartedly.. if you've never been, get the Liquid Nitrogen Milkshakes and thank us in the morning... Viva La H Burger!  Wait, where was I...

Restaurant #9: ChoLon Bistro 

Menu: Wine OR appetizers

Been Here Before?: No

Would I Return? (1-10): 6 (Cool architecture inside...)

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 5

Notes: They jammed you into the bar area, and gave you a choice of wine or apps... since there was no food available we went with wine... then JustinMac informs the group that one of the best things he's ever eaten were the dumplings... we never saw those, but the potstickers that came out looked just killer... BeardedJeff gave them a 9.5 out of 10... regretting the wine over food decision, we move forward....

Restaurant #10: Rio Grande

Menu: One Shrimp, Chips & Salsa

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 7

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 3

Notes: I like Rio Grande (a chain restaurant) admittedly more than most because while they are known for their very potent margaritas (slightly overrrated in my opinion) I think their green chile is one of tastiest things I've ever put in my mouth... I could eat their shrimp enchiladas once a week for the rest of my life if that chili was served on the side... 

Anyway, they did get points for having everyone go upstairs away from the other diners.. but then you were given a single shrimp (admittedly not bad) and then pestered (by every waiter who has ever worked there seemingly) to order drinks.. they are just rounding you up and trying to get you to buy their 3 dollar "mini" margarita... it kinda sucked and it was loud and crowded and we got out of there quickly... 

Tomorrow... Restaurants 11-20...

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Marshall: Just a Burger? Robin, it's so much more than "just a burger." I mean... that first bite - oh, what heaven that first bite is. The bun, like a sesame freckled breast of an angel, resting gently on the ketchup and mustard below, flavors mingling in a seductive pas de deux. And then... a pickle! The most playful little pickle! Then a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce and a... a patty of ground beef so exquisite, swirling in your mouth, breaking apart, and combining again in a fugue of sweets and savor so delightful. This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread, Robin. This is God, speaking to us in food...
--"How I Met Your Mother" (CBS)