Golden Saigon Restaurant Review

GOLDEN SAIGON

Desirability: 6 of 6 acclamations

My Opinions:  This is the best Vietnamese restaurant I have ever been to. The food is delicious!

This restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming location, so it's like a hidden gem even though they've won Aurora's Best of the Best 2010 Award. I was thrilled to find it on a hunt for a lunch spot ... now I eat here at least once a week. The seating in the restaurant is comfortable, you can order sake, beer and wine here, and the people who work at Golden Saigon are kind and efficient. 

Other reasons why I like this restaurant, is because they only use fresh ingredients, which you can notice in the quality of the dishes, they are generous with their portions, and have reasonable prices (especially for their lunch specials). Don't forget to request a 'spicy' addition to any dish for heat-seekers. 

If I could give them a suggestion: Offer a delivery service

     Try:  Curry Chicken (spicy) - Chicken with Vegetable

     Skip:  n/a

Some Food/Drink Tasted:  Shrimp with Vegetable - Chicken with Vegetable - Mongolian Beef - Curry Chicken - Sesame Chicken - Hot and Sour Soup - Crab Cheese Wonton - Fried Dumpling - Egg Flower Soup - Egg Rolls

Most Recent Visit: 12/19/2011
Amount Visited: 5+
Experiences  Lunch

Address: 2648 S. Parker Road, Unit 2, Aurora, CO 80014
Website:  GoldenSaigon.com  Phone: (303) 671-7100
Social Networking: Facebook /Golden Saigon Restaurant

NoRTH Restaurant & Bar Review

NoRTH

Desirability:  4.5 of 6 acclamations

My Opinions:  Tonight, I stopped by for drink and snack at the bar. There was a decent crowd tonight, though I've seen better on a Thursday. This is one of the more pricey Cherry Creek neighborhood gems. The atmosphere and food here is their strength. The atmosphere is chic and spacious, and their food is very tasty. Their service could use some work on being attentive and polite, and I'd still like to see them do an overhaul on their wine list (especially by the glass), but I would still come here for a bite or take-out.

To note: They have a Happy Hour menu during the week (only until 6pm), and the outside tables are a nice option that I want to try once it gets warmer.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Roasted Mushrooms, Cipollini Onions, Rosemary Pizza - Heirloom Beets, Arugula, Apple, Hazelnuts, Lemon Crème Fraiche Salad - Caprese, Mozzarella Burrata, Tomato, Arugula Pesto Salad - Tagliatelle - Short Rib “Osso Buco” - Sea Bass - Chicken Parmesan - Nutella Desert

Most Recent Visit:  12/17/2011
Amount Visited:  5+
Experiences:  Bar, Dinner

Address: 190 Clayton Lane, Denver, CO 80206-5675 (multiple locations)
Website: foxrc.com/north.html  Phone: (720) 941-7700
Social Networking: Facebook /Fox Restaurant Concepts  -  Twitter @debbieporterfrc

Previous Posts:  March 2010

Panzano Restaurant Review

PANZANO

Desirability:  5.5 of 6 acclamations

My Opinions:   This is one of my favorite restaurants to dine at in Denver. There are a lot of positive points about Panzano: they use local and organic ingredients as much as possible - their extensive gluten-free options taste great - they have a fantastic wine list - the service is formal and attentive - atmosphere is inviting and great for friends, business meetings and dates - they are conveniently located next to a parking lot - oh, and I've enjoyed almost everything I've eaten here. To be fair, one suggestion I have is to ease up on the use of olives.

I'm looking forward to trying their happy hour offered 7 days a week, 2:30-6pm in their lounge (after all, they were voted Best Happy Hour Deal in 2010). 

To Note: They have event space downstairs, but the 'wine room' is a bit contrived, the chairs and linen are outdated, and the ceilings are low. A thorough revamp should do the trick.

     Try:  Pappardelle alla Bolognese

     Skip:  Pancetta Avvolta Radicchio

Some Food/Drink Tasted:  Crespelle ai Funghi - Anatra Mousse - Pancetta Avvolta Radicchio - Zuppa di Giorno - Jewel Lattuga - Caesar - Pappardelle alla Bolognese - Carbonara a la Panzano - Patate Dolci - Risotto - Tiramisu

Most Recent Visit:  12/09/2011
Amount Visited:  3
Experiences:  Dinner

Address:  909 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202
Website:  panzano-denver.com  Phone: (303) 296-3525
Social Networking:  Facebook /Panzano