C’est Bon! French Restaurants in Denver
In the mood for haute cuisine? The Mile High City is home to several excellent French and French-inspired eateries, with expert chefs, impeccable service and intimate atmospheres. Bon appétit!
Bistro Vendôme
1420 Larimer Square, Suite 200
303-825-3232
www.bistrovendome.com
Overview: Bringing some serious Parisian flair to the already tres chic Larimer Square, Bistro Vendôme is a Denver foodie favorite. The restaurant’s mouthwatering menu makes prodigious use of local, seasonal ingredients to create updates on classic French bistro fare, including perfectly prepared steak frites and terrine de foie gras. Located in the historic Sussex Building (built in 1880), the splendid atmosphere at Bistro Vendôme matches the delicious dishes, with a cozy interior and delightful patio.
Diner’s Tip: Be sure to browse the extensive wine list, with more than 65 selections of French wine representing all the major wine regions of France. The restaurant is also open Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., for a delectable brunch.
Critics Say: “No question about it: Bistro Vendôme is one of my favorite places in Denver to sup” – Tucker Shaw, The Denver Post.
Le Central
112 E. 8th Ave.
303-863-8094
www.lecentral.com
Overview: Since 1981, Le Central has been pleasing Denver taste buds and wallets with the notion that fine French dining doesn’t have to be stuffy, snooty or expensive. The restaurant offers a menu full of reasonably priced meals; lunch entrees range from $7-$12, while dinner entrees range from $10-$22. But just because the prices are lower than usual, doesn’t mean the quality suffers in the least. The chefs at Le Central can be counted on to put together astoundingly tasty dishes, including the impossibly rich Soupe a l’oignon and the decadent Tartiflette du Central (thinly sliced potatoes baked in to a creamy casserole with sweet onions and hickory smoked bacon, gratineed with Muenster cheese). Yum!
Diner’s Tip: Le Central offers a full mussels menu, featuring mussels steamed with a wide variety of sauces and seasonings, plus unlimited French fries, all for the low price of $9.95! For more great deals, check out the restaurant’s happy hour (Thursday through Sunday, 3-5 p.m.), with small plates starting as low as $1.50.
Critics Say: “Le Central practically cries out for you to return each afternoon for a bowl of Denver's best French onion soup, a plate of snails and a glass of wine (or three)” – Jason Sheehan, Westword.
Fruition
1313 E. 6th Ave.
303-831-1962
Overview: Fruition is the creation of Chef Alex Seidel and Maitre D’ Paul Attardi, and since this charming restaurant opened a few years back, it's gotten almost unanimous rave reviews from Denver's in-the-know foodies. With a seasonally changing menu and an eclectic wine list, each visit to Fruition is guaranteed to be different – and guaranteed to be delicious. Seidel’s sophisticated comfort food takes French-style cooking to its apex, while the intimate space will make you feel right at home.
Diner’s Tip: Save room for dessert! Fruition’s handcrafted after dinner treats, including warm sticky toffee-date cake and lemon meringue pie, are to die for.
Critics Say: “Fruition wasn’t even two months old when we named it Best New Restaurant last year, and since then, it’s only gotten better” – Jason Sheehan, Westword.
Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House
1106 14th St.
303-640-1012
www.ktrg.net
Overview: A fixture on the Denver cuisine scene for more than 20 years, Kevin Taylor has dedicated his life to creating refined French-style cuisine, with a distinctive Colorado twist. Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House is located at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, making for an excellent pre- or post-show meal – try the steak tartare, and for dessert, the amazing crème brulée. Taylor creates seasonal menus with unparalleled presentations, using the freshest ingredients available from around the world.
Diner’s Tip: The food is the main attraction, but be sure to take in the unique décor; set in the lower level of the renovated Auditorium Theatre, you’ll be surrounded by larger than life Vance Kirkland art that is like nothing else in the city.
Critics Say: “Even the most jaded of diners swoon when they first enter Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House” – John Lehndorff, Rocky Mountain News.