Monday, August 16, 2010

Restaurant Review: Rioja

Rioja (5/5)

For my birthday boyfriend took me to Rioja in Denver...

What we ordered:

- Pomeginger: Skyy vodka, pomegranate juice, ginger, twist of lemon | 10
Excellent, the ginger added a unique flavor. Strong enough for my liking.


-hand made mozzarella: wrapped in smoked prosciutto, grilled bread, oven-dried tomatoes, arugula, green olive pistou | 9.50
Mozzarella was fresh and the prosciutto added a wonderful savory flavor. I even liked the oven-dried tomatoes and I hate tomatoes. Good portion.


-seared Big Eye tuna: eggplant “cannelloni”, olive-orange lentil vinaigrette, Valbreso crèma | 26.00
Cooked perfectly, cannelloni’s mirrored the look of a tuna, very artistic, excellent sauce

and...

-caprese gnocchi: ricotta gnocchi, house made burrata cheese, herb tomato salad, almond-basil pesto, guanciale | 18.50
Light fluffy Gnocchi, I picked up a different flavor with each bite, 5 kinds of tomatoes



-raspberry peach pie with almond icecream and a Rosa Regale toast from boyfriend
Very good with sweet and interesting flavors. Jeff said he would eat that icecream everyday if they sold it in stores


Ratings:

Food: 5/5

Good portions that make you full but not uncomfortable, fresh ingredients, excellent pairing and blending of flavors, unique dishes

Atmosphere: 5/5

Crowded and a little loud but dim and sultry, it felt very romantic to us

Service: 5/5

She was prompt and checked back after each item was brought out to be sure we were enjoying it, but wasn’t overbearing and left us alone to celebrate, had other wait staff offering bread, filling waters and taking plates

1 comment:

  1. When are you taking your mother and may I come?

    ReplyDelete