Photo by Fran Hogan on Unplash
By Mariel Ross, Focus Real Estate
It’s that time of year again – Valentine’s Day!
Here in Central Park Denver, we have a wealth of dining and entertainment options. From fast casual hot spots to amazing delivery options and award-winning, bucket list restaurants. Denver’s 80238 food scene is as robust and exciting as ever. This is great news if you’re starting to think about your Valentine’s Day plans.
As a local realtor and resident, I’m always tracking the latest and greatest culinary and date spot options for our wonderful neighborhood. This year, I decided to make a project out of it.
I sat down with my husband (a burgers and brats sort of guy, while I’m more of a locavore who loves interesting takes on seasonal veggies) and brainstormed some of our favorite Valentine’s Day options here in the neighborhood. Our mission? To come up with a list of restaurants where we’d both love to dine on this day of love.
Now, of course, this list isn’t comprehensive by any stretch of the imagination. There are dozens of amazing restaurants in Eastbridge, The Shops at Northfield, the 29th Avenue Town Center, and everywhere in between. Regardless, here’s what my husband and I ultimately agreed upon for Valentine’s Day this year.
One last quick caveat. We’re publishing this article a week prior to Valentine’s Day, and a lot of our local restaurants are still finalizing their special V-Day menus. So, be sure to check in with each restaurant to find out what special menus they might be offering for the big day!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Annette (2501 Dallas Street, #108 in the Stanley Marketplace), (720) 710-9975
I don’t need to sing Annette’s praises. From owner Caroline Glover being named a 2019 Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine, to a 2018 nomination for Best New Restaurant in the country, to a Bon Appetit nomination as one of the 50 best new restaurants, Annette is a destination Valentine’s Day experience. I especially love their gnocchi entree with deviled eggs to share, and a hand crafted soda or cocktail.
Make your reservations early!
After dining at the amazing Annette, you have drinking and entertainment options galore in The Stanley Marketplace. For example, stop by the new Stanley Arcade, which recently opened in the space formerly occupied by Infinite Monkey Theorem. The vintage-inspired arcade with skee ball, pinball, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, and a bunch of other classic games, along with some newer games including Killer Queen, which ten people can play at one time.
Next Door American Eatery, 10155 East 29th Drive, Suite 160, Denver, 80238 (720) 930-4366
Located in Central Parks’s buzzing Eastbridge Town Center, the chic, urban yet comfortable Next Door American Eatery is one of my favorite happy hour and dinner spots. It’s only natural then that Next Door would be a perfect date night and Valentine’s Day dinner spot as well.
I love the roasted veggie salad – organic arugula, roasted beets, charred cauliflower, organic tri-color quinoa, carmelized onion, roasted mushrooms, toasted almonds & house lemon vinaigrette.
As for my husband? He raves about the Pineapple Express burger, which has bacon, pineapple, swiss, arugula, and honey sriracha.
If you feel so inclined, after dinner stroll outside to Constellation, the go-to ice cream spots. What a perfect way to end Valentine’s Day!
Pizzeria Locale, 7505 E 29th PL Denver, 80238, 303-835-7465
Pizzeria Locale, a Boulder-founded fast casual pizza restaurant, recently opened in E 29th Avenue Town Center.
Featuring quick, gourmet pizzas (both red and white), salads, and of course my favorite, tasty and affordable red and white wines – Pizzeria Locale is the perfect spot for a Valentine’s Day first date. Or if you’re parents and have a limited window of time to before you need to relieve the babysitter but would love to pause and have a glass of wine, Pizzeria Locale is a great option!
Mici’s Pizza, 2373 Central Park Boulevard, Denver, 80238, 303-355-6424
A South End neighborhood mainstay, Mici’s is located on Central Park Boulevard close to the Bladium. You can dine in but, for Valentine’s Day, I know sometimes it’s easier to turn on the fireplace, pick out a movie, and order delivery – and Mici’s is a great local option with some of my favorite pizza in Central Park.
I’m partial to the Margerhita pizza, which has red sauce, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and roma tomatoes. My husband adores the Molto Carne calzone – family recipe sausage, hand rolled meatballs, nitrate free pepperoni, mozzarella, ricotta, and marinara.
With an easy and fast online system, Mici’s is a great option if going out on Valentine’s Day isn’t in the cards this year.
Dog Haus Biergarten, 8316 Northfield Blvd, Denver, 80238, 303-353-4385
Located in The Shops at Northfield, I don’t need to tell you why my husband is a Dog Haus fan. Dog Haus has some of the better – and more interesting – burgers and brats. After all, if you’re a burger fan, who can argue with burgers like The Hangover, which has white American cheese, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, haus chili, fried egg, and mayo?
As for me, I like the Impossible Burger, Impossible Slider, the Beyond Brat, and the Sooo Veggie.
Why is this a great spot for Valentine’s Day? Well, just a short stroll away is the Northfield Harkins Theater, one of the largest movie theaters in the community. So, the plan? Swing by Dog Haus, grab a beer and burger, and then off to romantic movie. Sign me up!
ChoLon
One of the newest restaurants on the dinner scene, ChoLon opened its second outpost in Eastbridge Town Center (the other location is in downtown Denver). No better time to try Central Park’s latest culinary award-winner than Valentine’s Day!
The new concept is guided by Executive Chef Becca Henry, who started as a line cook at ChoLon’s first location. Before opening in Central Park, Chef Becca and other ChoLon representatives visited Southeast Asia, and many of the dishes they encountered inspired what you’ll find at ChoLon’s Eastbridge Town Center location.
What to eat for Valentine’s Day? How do dumplings sound? You’ll find Cantonese Shrimp Dumplings, Soup Dumplings, and more at ChoLon!
So, there you have it, Central Park!
Have a wonderful – and delicious – Valentine’s Day!
Mariel Ross is a Central Park resident and realtor. You can reach her at Mariel@Focus-Realtors.com
