Limey

Have you been to Lime? It's a Mexican restaurant with four locations in Denver. They have a killer cocktail menu and some pretty good food, but I must say, I think I'm too old to eat there.

I have had the (unfortunate?) luck to visit lime on 'Taco Tuesdays' both times I've eaten there. The crowd is what you would expect on a night when they offer $1 tacos. The tacos are good, by the way, I'm just not into the crowd that specifically visits a place so they can have dinner and a drink and walk out for less than $10.

We've been to the Larimer and Landmark locations. Both are good spaces, and the Larimer patio is especially excellent. The patio is the ONLY place you should consider sitting on 'Taco Tuesday' (and possibly other nights of the week - I'm not sure), otherwise, if you're over 24 years old, you will be totally unable to hear your dining companion under the best of circumstances.

The service has been decent at both locations and the food decent or better than decent as well. Their hand cut tortilla chips and salsa are delicious and will shut you up while you wait for a drink during the taco chaos. After that, we tried the ceviche, which was quite good, if a bit unimaginative. A very generous portion of shrimp and unidentified whitefish in a low slung glass with tortilla chips and slightly underripe avocado was a crowd pleaser despite some minimal shortcomings.

I had the shrimp fajitas (despite the fact that whenever I (very infrequently) order fajitas, I feel like I must be in a freaking Applebee's or something). The portion was VERY generous and really quite tasty. Lots of shrimp mixed with lots of onions and a few other token veggies such as zucchini and peppers. A stingy portion of guac and sour cream (where's the fat, people?) and some nicely spiced rice and black beans rounded out the dish. A nice feature is that you can mix corn and flour tortillas, pleasing everyone. I mention that because you should SHARE this dish - it's too much for one person!!

My companion had tostadas, which were good- but remind you after you start to eat them that everything you've eaten and snacked on thus far is just another version of a tostada. Veggies, crispy tortillas, guac, etc. It's sort of redundant. But well executed.

So the net is, good food, good, hip vibe, really loud and pretty fun - but if you're over, say, 31 or so, it will make you feel old to be there. Maybe I should try Sunday or Wednesday next time...

www.eatatlime.com

Tired but full

So, Osteria Marco is a gem. I shouldn't even tell you because it will just become overly popular and will be impossible to get in.

We started the evening at Cru in Larimer Square to have a glass of wine before dinner. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful, but not everyone wase satisfied with his recommendations. Oh, well...it was only one drink. We were in the lounge downstairs, which is a very cool space. Now, I have to point out, I didn't realize this was a chain until today. Worse yet, it's a chain based in Texas. I try not to eat or drink at chains with any frequency (exception sometime being Colorado based eatries). Ah well. Now I know.

We headed across the street to a pleasantly crowded Osteria Marco in the basement. Our server was knowledgable and attentive...and patient as it took us ages to order and get through our food. The prices are very reasonable. We started with a bunch of appetizers. We did the chefs selection of house made cheeses. They were served with grilled bread and each one was excellent. There was a ricotta, a gorgonzola, a triple cream and a mozzarella. The ricotta was mild and creamy; it had a wonderfully light texture and spread on bread like soft butter. The mozzarella was soft and had just the right amount of salt. The triple cream was decadent and wonderfully flavorful. Last and maybe least (but still very good), the gorgonzola was really quite mild for a blue; very tasty.

We also got some marinated olives, proscuitto (parma) and the ciccioli (braised pulled pork...I believe it was braised in duck fat). Okay, I realize this is excessive for three people for starters, but it was really hard to decide. The proscuitto was devine. Salty and creamy and simply presented folded on a plate. I have to mention that 5 pieces or so for $8 seemed a bit steep, but it was very good nonetheless. The olive marinade was a bit strong for my taste, but my sister in law ate them with gusto, so it's just my palate that didn't agree. The pork had been recommended by our waiter and maybe pork isn't our thing, but it was just too rich for me. A bite was enough. If you're a pork fan though, I'd jump on it if I were you.

On to dinner...we had so much to start with we ended up ordering two pizzas and a salad. The salad was a bit diminuitive, but utterly delicious. Arugula perfectly dressed and sprinkled with golden raisins and pine nuts lightly mounded on a small plate. Then (yes, more proscuitto) a proscuitto and fresh mozzarella pizza topped with arugula. Utterly delicious (and a LOT of proscuitto). And finally a wild mushroom and robiola pizza. I am a devout lover of all things mushroom and this pizza did not disappoint (though a few of the mushrooms left something to be desired texturally). My mushroom pizza was so popular, there was only one slice left upon departure.

Somehow we were talked into dessert. I blame my sister in law. So we had a molten chocolate cake with chocolate gelato. Perfect in every way, except that in her gusto to dig in, my sister in law burned the roof of her mouth. Probably why it's 'molten'. Oh, well.

Wine selection is extensive and wonderful. Our server steered us towards a very moderately priced red that was perfect with our food.

All in all it was a wonderful meal. Hell, there's a chance we may go back to Osteria Marco within the week.

Happy eating.

Italian...and local

So I've read two books set on Italy in the past week and I have a hankering for a bit of Italy in my tummy (since I won't be there any time soon). Tonight we're going to try the quietly touted Osteria Marco in Larimer Square. I'm really looking forward to it and to quenching the Italian craving that's been eating at me. Looks like they're fairly casual, which is what I'm in the mood for tonight. They make many of their cheeses in house and they also locally (and where possible organically) source many of their ingredients. Well...except for the imported Italian meats (YUM - guilty pleasure!).

I'm always more willing to give a business my hard earned cash when they in turn support local farmers and food artisans. Not to mention I think that it shows a deep appreciation for food and very often a deep commitment to the environment. I'm ahead of myself on Osteria Marco, but certainly there are a lot of restaurants in Denver that are making the extra effort. Two I think of immediately are Black Pearl and Gaia over in Platt Park. Black Pearl does it's best to buy sustainably raised meats and fish and also buy locally when possible. Gaia goes even further and grows many of their vegetables and herbs in their back yard, bakes their own bread (well, one of the owners also owns Pajama Baking Co which provides their bread), gets eggs from a smaller producer in Boulder and they're even taking a stab at growing grapes to make wine. Can't wait to see how that turns out.

Want more local food in your life? Check out these websites to learn more or find a farm in your area:

http://localharvest.org/

http://monroefarm.com/ (this is the CSA I belong to. Great eggs and great veggies!)

http://100milediet.org/


Another website I *have* to mention is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. My brother introduced me to it back when we actually had an aquarium in Denver. Remember Ocean Journey? And now a restaurant chain owns it...well anyway. This website can help you to make sustainable seafood choices when you eat, which is more important than you might realize. More on that later - that's a subject best explored on its own.

http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp

Will report back on Osteria Marco soon.