Restaurantica

- 9 Food
- 5 Service
- 7 Other
7

There’S A Reason You Just About...
Review By Aspinfire for The Silver Grill Cafe in Fort Collins on 7/3/2008
4 diners, $0-$10 per person on Jun 29 2008
OrderSaturday Special
ReviewThere’s a reason you just about always see a line going half way around the block. The Silver Grill is located in Ft. Collins historic Old Towne & has been voted as Colorado’s best breakfast restaurant for over 5 yrs running. Even though their website says that they’ve been in business since 1933, that’s only just how long they’ve been called “The Silver Grill”. Take one look at the back of their menu to read about the restaurant’s history, you’ll learn that they’re quickly approaching nearly 100 years in operation as they’ve occupied the same location, or block I should say, since 1912. As a matter of fact, they’ve gone to great lengths to maintain much of the existing structure & beautiful, cozy historical appeal of the restaurant. However, the architecture isn’t the only thing original about them. To date, they still bake in house, all of their bread, buns, cookies & pastries. Part of the heart of The Silver Grill are their famous homemade monster cinnamon rolls. You can have one w/your meal & pick up a back to go, also. Ppl like them so much that a few years back, the owners included them to be made as french toast, on the menu. However, one of their most popular entrees is their weekend special: the steak and eggs. But if you don’t feel like breakfast, their lunch items are pretty awesome, too. Hamburgers are flame grilled to order on one of their homemade buns, along side very tasty fresh cut fries. Their meatloaf sandwich isn’t bad, either. The Silver Grill offers an array of regional favorites, such as rainbow trout & eggs, as well. Come early, people start lining up even before day break & they have an early bird special, to boot. But no matter when you arrive, there’s always fresh, self-serve coffee waiting for you; the first cup is free, or you can order one of their specialty drinks (they even have cappuccino) & a pastry to munch on, while you wait. I always enjoy my visits when I eat there, however, the service at times is quite lacking. Often we have to practically reach out & grab someone when we need a refill or if there isn’t any ketchup at our table. And on a number of occasions, we’ve also gotten stuck w/the same bad waitress who’s famous for basically as soon as you’ve got your food, that’s the last you see of her. However, on my last visit, I didn’t see her anywhere around; I’m hoping this means she was fired, we’ve complained to management about her poor service several times. Parking is also a problem, too. More or less one of the vises about visiting Old Towne. So when you visit, unless you get really lucky, plan on walking several blocks (the most we’ve ever had to is 2 ½) to get there, the exercise will do you good, as you’re going to need a head start on burning off some calories after a hearty meal.

This Review was Accepted

- 10 Food
- 10 Service
- 10 Other
10

Another great, unique Denver Metro Area dining experience
Review By Aspinfire for The Melting Pot in Littleton on 7/3/2008
10 diners, $26-$60 per person on Jun 29 2008
OrderBig Night Out (full fondue experience)
ReviewLocated in the Littleton historic downtown district, The Melting Pot is housed in a location that was once the city jail, then town library & now, the melting pot itself, since 1975. The Melting Pot offers a wonderful assortment of different fondue options & limited, but good, French cuisine, though, to their defense, no one really goes there for just your run-of-the-mill French food because it’s not called The Melting Pot for nothing. If you do happen to go there, & all you order is drinks & one of their beautifully prepared salads, you’re really missing out on everything The Melting Pot has to offer. All though my first experience there was w/a big group (more than 10 ppl) for my birthday in 2004, I highly recommend that if you’re going to do a group thing, you should limit your party to no more than 6. However, they still managed to adequately accommodate us. The elegant & fun (the restaurant is multi-level) atmosphere of The Melting Pot offers the most unique & intimate dining experience I have EVER found. Each table or seating arangement manages to create a feeling of like you’re the only 2 people in the entire restaurant & that you have the whole place to yourselves. The staff are very friendly, knowledgeable & the service is absolutely excellent. They really go out of their way to personalize your dining experience & to insure that you have the most wonderful dining experience ever. There’s a big reason why every time I drive by there I see that their parking lot is always full. And speaking of parking, they offer free valet parking, as a service. Dining there anytime of year is great, however, I highly recommend going there around Christmas time, for dinner. Not only do you get the experience of seeing downtown Littleton all decked out in lights, The Melting Pot is absolutely enchanting that time of year. If you do decide to do a night out for two, do budget for at least $125-$145. That will cover the “Big Night Out” full fondue dinner (appetizer, salad & desert are all included), drinks & tips for your server & valet. And if catching a movie is in your plans as well, then go early. Doing a full dinner from start to finish can very easily absorb 2 hrs.

This Review was Accepted

- 10 Food
- 7 Service
- 9 Other
8.7

Excellent fine dining with out the stuffiness
Review By Aspinfire for Rodizio Grill in Denver on 7/2/2008
3 diners, $26-$60 per person on Jun 29 2008
OrderFull Rodizio, drinks, cocoanut flan
ReviewThe Rodizio grill is my favorite restaurant for so many reasons. Being an architecture buff, the fact that it's located in the historic Lodo district is a real plus. It just happens to be directly located next to the historic Union Station (still in use today) that has a magnificent cathedral ceiling. Rodizio itself is in the historic Denver Ice House; you can still see enough remaining history to get a good idea of what went on there in the building over a century ago. The whole location creates all the drama, elegance & ambience you'll ever need for a terrific, anything-but-boring night out; I'm constantly recommending Rodizio to friends (& even strangers) as a great first date/birthday/anniversary or to impress out-of-town guests, restaurant. Rodizio means "rotation" in Portuguese. Rodizio's are a type of Brazilian steak house. If you go to the Rodizio grill, DON'T SKIMP. It's completely worth getting the full, complete rodizio, which means not only do you get everything in their wonderful & unique, elegantly stocked buffet, you also get samplings of all of the menu''s meats that are on rotation. Appitizers are always free, by the way, no matter which you order. The meats are all served on long roasting swords, carved off at table side, served usually by Latin hotties, otherwise known as "Gauchos", in traditional Brazilian garb. If you are doing a dinner for 2 w/all the works (drinks, dinner, desert) plan on bringing no less than $100. For about $100, it'll cover full dinner, a round of drinks, desert & parking. However, if you want to shave a few bucks off parking, go on a Sunday, parking down town is free that day. And to save even more money, go before 4pm, Monday-Friday for lunch. However, the downside to lunch is not everything that is offered at dinner is available, though, it's still a wonderful, fulfilling meal & a fun experience, none the less. Don't let the price scare you, a night out at Rodizio is worth every penny. You are getting A LOT more than just food & fun. A meal at the Rodizio Grill is more than just dining out- it's fun, elegent, hip, dining for all ages (& even great for families), educational, almost like a mini vacation & over all, really exceptional. Enjoy!

This Review was Accepted

- 9 Food
- 9 Service
- 7 Other
8.3

homemade chips, homemade salsa, shrimp fajitas, flan traditional
Review By Aspinfire for Los Portales in Englewood on 7/2/2008
2 diners, $0-$10 per person on Jun 29 2008
OrderChimichanga con Camarones & Shrimp Fajitas
ReviewLos Portales is not exactly your run-of-the-mill hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. Without killing your wallet, you can get filling, fresh, authentic, well prepared entrees. Everything from savory Carne Asada to Cevichi Mexicana. Los Portales is family owned & run. The family hails from the beautiful costal town of Colima, located in the south western part of Mexico. Many of their menu items reflect the costal tastes & flair of that region. So if you're looking for genuin, authentic Mexican that isn't your ordinary, average Mexican, but something a little different, definately give Los Portales a try. Go during lunch time, especially. They have daily specials for under $7. Good food, good prices, open & airy restaurant, nice atmosphere, family & budget friendly & clean. And as always, free homemade chips & salsa.

This Review was Accepted

Aspinfire's profile

Aspinfire's 4 Restaurant Reviews