Restaurant Review: Tamayo

Tamayo (4.6/5)

Tamayo is on the Larimer Square block in downtown Denver. Jeff has been dying to try this place so we decided a nice dinner out would be enjoyable. As we are early dinner eaters, we arrived 5 minutes before 5:00 and had to wait for them to open the doors. Jeez we are lame! Maybe we could hit up the early bird dinner at Denny's next time. We asked to sit on the patio even though it was hotter than heck.

The Patio

Seating in the patio lounge

Jeff's Tequila Flight, complete with a tomato palate cleanser, salt and lime (not that you need salt and lime with good tequilas)

Look at the color difference between the Anejo (left) and Blanco (right). The middle is a Reposado.

TAMAYOPOLITAN~ Pineapple infused tequila / cranberry / guava $10.

This drink was awesome! Very light, but still a great tequila flavor. It was blended together and had a VERY smooth texture. It was like a fruit-boozy-silk bomb....amazing!

 

Crispy fresh baked chips with a Yin Yang Salsa

 Queso. Not very smooth or easy to dip but very yummy

QUESO FUNDIDO melted queso gouda & oaxaca / flour tortillas / chile morita salsa 9

My dinner (which is in the appetizer section). The drizzled cream and bean pure (under the flautas) went great with the crispy shells.

FLAUTAS crispy corn tortilla / shredded chicken / three chile sauce / tomatillo salsa / crema fresca 11

Jeff ordered the special of the evening. Seared tuna on a squash puree. The puree was so smooth and the tuna was cooked great. This dish is pretty healthy....seafood and VEGGIES!

Food: 4.5/5

Gourmet Mexican food. Very fresh and unique. Priced well for quality. Queso was a little hard to dip into.

Service: 5/5

As we were the only ones there....it was great. Our server was very knowledgeable about tequila. Everything was brought out quick. He was friendly.

Atmosphere: 4.5/5

Outside balcony has a beautiful view of the city and both Coors Field and Invesco Field. Modern and colorful decor. Has a lounge on the balcony that looked like a great place to get drinks.

What is your favorite Mexican restaurant?

Guest Recipes!

Chili-Lime Meatballs - Penny (prepared at a Pampered Chef Party)


Cinnamon Crisps - Penny (prepared for a Pampered Chef Party)


Hot Fudge - Jenny


Bannana Cake - Jenny


Lasagna - Jenny (I had two large helpings!)


Quinoa, Blackbean, Cilantro Mix - Jennifer Tree (talk about healthy)


Tandori Spiced Tofu Wrap with Cilantro Yogurt (SPICY!)


Red Velvet Cake - Made by Debbie and Bob (favorite birthday dessert of Jenny)


Sante Fe Chicken - Bob and Debbie


Baked Mac and Cheese with Truffle Oil and Nutmeg - My beautiful cheese creation!


Turkey Wrap - Penny (it was too easy of a recipe for me to screw up and write about)


Oyster Crackers - 'J' Family recipe, made this day by Josh


Tequila Sunrise

Shrimp Ball, Spinach Dip, Tequila Lime Chicken, Cheddar Cheese Soup, Chocolate Mocha Trifle

Shrimp Ball, Spinach Dip, Tequila Lime Chicken, Cheddar Cheese Soup, Chocolate Mocha Trifle

I think I put too much on my plate for this night of cooking (pun intended). I am going to Ali and Rob’s house on Friday and wanted to bring them as much food as possible. Those mountain folk need some good eats after a full day of tipping cows and sitting in their overalls. But instead of getting right down to it, I went to a Happy Hour with some ladies from work. We had so much fun, good drinks and good food; but when 7:30 rolled around I was just leaving to grocery shop. I spent a long time trying to find canned shrimp and felt disgusted that canned shrimp even existed and even more disgusted that I was purchasing canned shrimp. Turns out it’s in the canned food aisle…tricky. I then picked up a package of chicken breasts which apparently was not sealed very well and I had no idea you were suppose to bag them up. GROSS! I had chicken juices all over my hand and nothing to wipe it off with. I choose my pants, and forgot about the leaky chicken in my cart. As I checked out, the poor bagger guy got the short end of the chicken stick and was covered as well in chicken juices. I apologized for forgetting to tell him but he was not amused. I got home after 8 and was discouraged by all the cooking I had to do. The Shrimp ball was from Gretchen, the Tequila Lime Chicken was from Penny and the rest were from my mom. I was cooking quick and dirty, trying to get done with the whole ordeal. I broke down and just touched the chicken. I tried not to think about it. The recipe calls for tequila as stated in the name, and my cooking frustrations got the best of me. I sloppily took a few swigs straight out of the bottle; maybe this is why the chicken cutting was easier?
In my drunken haste I used my special technique for juicing limes and oranges. I cut them in half and squeezed as much of the juice out as I could, then I bit into the rind with my teeth to help get the rest of the juice out. It really doesn’t spread my germs because I never bite all the way through the rind. It is an effective technique, but tastes like crap and something in the rind made my lips burn like crazy. I finished the limes and oranges with sore lips and took another swig of tequila to help the pain. OUCH! The alcohol just made my lips burn even more. I HATE COOKING!
I made a cheddar soup which had a heavenly cheese sauce added to it. The Spinach dip and Shrimp ball were easy enough (except for Max’s obsession with the shrimp). The Chocolate Mocha Trifle was a little bit more work but will taste amazing. I tried to buy toffee bars to crumble in this dish, but accidentally bought chocolate bars with soft toffee in the middle. At the beginning of this whole process I may have worried about it, but at this point, it will have to do. Dessert is dessert! I only made it through 5 of the 6 recipes I had planned on making but I couldn’t cook any longer. I stood defeated in the kitchen wearing sweatpants, a Lockheed Martin Pluto shirt, my apron covered in citrus juices and bright red lips. What a sight I was!