My boyfriend and I just moved to Denver and our anniversary is coming up. We want to do a fancy dinner to celebrate, definitely a romantic spot that you’d want to get dressed up for and get reservations. But also at the same time, he and I aren’t impressed by those overly fancy places. I guess the best way I can sum this up is we’re down for the dinner for the two of us to be $150 (or a little more) and we want to dress up, but when you start getting into the Michelin places that get really adventurous with the meal and such small portions is where you start to lose me. With that being said, any recommendations? Open to anything, but steakhouses and Italian are always favorites
Potager is one of the OG farm-to-table restaurants. They consistently deliver and impress with their food and wine pairings. I love that place!
Spuntino! Great place, great people, inventive Italian food, and pretty much your exact price point including drinks. Love that place.
Yeah, spuntino was my first thought! Nice but not over the top fancy. Delicious food that ranges from traditional high end Italian to creative gastronomy
Guard and Grace and Tavernetta - can definitely dress up for both. Check the menus to see if you can do it at $150 - might be tough with alcohol. Check also the menus for Jacques, La Foret and El Five which are fancy and would be romantic, too and the price point might be lower.
If you're feeling like those prices will have you feeling squeezed -- try Point Easy or The Greenich might work. I like Gusto for Italian, it's just very small - but delicious. Price point should work out. These will feel less fancy.
This advice is... suspect. It would be really difficult to eat at Guard and Grace or Point Easy for $150 or less as a couple if you're drinking. Two appetizers, two entrees, two desserts, and two drinks would put you well over that amount at either place.
Yeah guard and grace is rather overpriced (even for a steakhouse), and in my opinion pretty overrated
"Check the menus to see if you can do it at $150 - might be tough with alcohol." - it literally says to check the prices. OP deserves to go some place nice and I'm sure they are fine doing 5 minutes of research. Not everyone needs 2 appetizers and 2 desserts. I've been to Point Easy a dozen times under $150
Definitely don’t need 2 appetizers! We usually do a glass of wine each, both of our entree and maybe an app
I'd narrow these suggestions down by food types you like and then look at their google for reviews and photos of interiors to see if you get the fancy vibe you want. Have fun!
Cattivella
This is the answer. If you go for happy hour you can spend even less. The food here is Michelin quality.
Venice Italian
Bistro Vendome does a nice job of splitting the difference between fancy and cozy
Panzano would be a great choice since you’re newer to Denver! All these new fru-fru places are cool but they’re expensive for a gamble of an experience IMO.
It’s been here for 20+ years and has a cozy but lively vibe. They recognize special events like an anniversary and the servers are solid.
Second Panzano. We just went on a date night, got all dressed up and it was a blast and absolutely delicious.
Swing by the cruise room for a pre-dinner drink! A prohibition era styled place, really cool!
Restaurant Olivia. You won’t be able to sample the entire menu on your budget, but you’ll have a solid two or three course with that price range. You’ll definitely want to come back and try some of the stuff you missed out on.
The Trattoria Stella in the highlands is not quite a fancy spot but small and fun. It can get a little loud since it is so small so just a disclaimer there.
Safta, Alma Fonda Fina
Alma Fonda Fina might be the top restaurant for me west of i-25. That place is clever, delicious, and has great service!
Safta or Sap Sua. You can get dressed and have crazy delicious food in your budget. Also, both environments are warm and welcoming, not stuffy at all.
Sap Sua is one of the best new restaurants in denver. Their fish egg dish is to die for.
Hop Alley is totally fun…and I think that you could stay within your price point.
Narrative
Denver doesn't have to be fancy to be crazy expensive. There are some good suggestions here, but process mean different things to different wallets
El Five is a great place for dates. View, ambiance, great food.
Glo noodle house
Do you like sushi? Look at Matsuhisa.
Wildflower.
Kumoya.
Kumoya is fantastic.
I recommend Luca. Classic Italian place and thought the food and drinks were great. Fancy enough to feel special but won’t break the bank. Our meal was like $170 after tax and tip/service fee.
Bar Dough or The Woods.
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Potager!