Best Restaurants for Birthdays in Downtown / LoDo

This place is well worth the hefty price tag. If you’re looking for a place to treat yourself, this is the spot. Everything was amazing!

Nicolette was an angel when we first walked in and took us to a table but my lil sis wanted to sit next to the window. Nicolette was very kind and understanding and gave us a high top in the bar to wait and have a cocktail. 20 minutes later she sat us at the window!! We had Sam for a waiter who was excellent!! He showed up when we needed him, checked on us after the food was served and described and delivered all of food hot and tasty. We had the east coast oysters to start, chop chop salad for the ladies and lobster bisque for the men. Lamb chops, the seafood special a Chilean sea bass with all kind of things with it, scallops and the grouper. Everyone loved their meal, apps and the in between. We love Ocean Prime and my lil sis from California does too.

Christmas Dinner with my son at Venice Ristorante in Denver. Great view across from a decorated Union Station. Reservations at 6pm, sat at 6:15. Bread service was an ample amount for two with leftovers. Worth the price as far as volume but not overwhelmingly amazing. Appetizer: fried zucchini and calamari. Zucchini was amazing! Calamari needed salt but well cooked. Spicy marina dipping sauce, very mild, zero heat. Enough for 3 people. Entrees: Gnocchi with Burrata was incredible and a large portion. We took half home. Excellent texture and taste. Highly recommend. Piccata: well cooked, could cut with a fork, mash potatoes silky, veggies average. Three huge pieces, easy dish to split, if desired. Pics of of not great due to lighting. Huge shout out to the manager and hostess. There was an elderly gentleman that missed the stairs and fell face first on the floor, resulting in a bloody facial lacaration and injuries. They did great with a packed restaurant on Christmas, handling the situation. Holiday dining note: our server was great, I ashed him about his night and he seemed reserved. I said I hoped he was making some good holiday money with nice customers. And he his face dropped. He was so sweet and said not really, no one’s tipping or really nice. We did our best to change that and basically left half our check amount as a tip. But a small reminder that a bit of kindness even a compliment or smile goes a long way, especially on the service industry, on a holiday.

High Tea in the Atrium was the best. Great atmosphere and Christmas decor, wonderful piano music and even better strolling carolers followed by the jazz combo playing Christmas tunes. Price was high but the experience could not be duplicated. That said, I miss the smartly uniformed doormen and found it took quite a while to get a drink and we were seated at least 30 minutes late. Also, the newly renovated Ellington's is disappointing with such poor acoustics and "all white" decor. Sorry to say that the hotel as a whole is no longer the best in Denver.

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve lunch. The fillet was perfect, as usual, and the crab salad is a must. Our server, Stephanie, was on point and a true delight. Overall, our family had a wonderful afternoon. Capital Grill never disappoints.