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1801 California
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 293-8500
Other reviews:
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Prices: $$$
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Location
Guard and Grace is located at the edge of “no-restaurant-land” in the far reaches of downtown Denver. That’s not a bad thing. For as good as this place is now after being open just three weeks, it’s sure to bring others in to the area shortly. Located in the base of the Century Link building, the front faces California Street with a large outdoor patio that come spring, will be a great place to hang out.
Atmosphere & Service
The entry door to Guard and Grace is just to the right of the office building door. When you walk in, there’s a “living wall” behind the receptionist area. The space is very open, the furnishings modern. There’s a combination of community tables, individual tables, as well as “mini-booths” along the glass, that actually move. The kitchen is open to the dining room and you can see the open oak fire pit where they cook the meats on offer. Towards the back are three large “fish-bowl” type party rooms. As you head to the rest room, you can play hop skotch with the diagram on the floor in the hallway.
Service was very friendly and while some dishes came out more slowly than what we would have liked, everything was great. For only being open three weeks, it was far better than most.
Food & Drink
All of the food at Guard and Grace was fantastic. The oak-grilled bone-in ribeye was TDF (To Die For). For appetizers the agnolotti was a great pasta starter, the black kale salad was one of the best kale salads ever (and not a huge fan of kale, btw). The wine list is a work-in-progress, but has a great starting list. Drinks were up-to-par, especially the Garden Grace. It’s a combination which has carrot and apple juice, gin, lemon, ginger shrub with sparkling cider. You need to try one of these.
Overall, for being new, this place is already well on it’s way to being one of the best restaurants in Denver. If you love TAG, TAG | RAW, TAG Burger Bar or any other of Troy’s projects, you’ll love this place.
Last modified: April 3, 2014