Rioja

Not to be confused with the Spanish wine. Rioja (http://www.riojadenver.com/) was the restaurant where we had dine in Denver just off the 16th Street Mall by Larimar Street. We are having a brief stopover after receiving a week long intensive training session; this training session was the second of a 3 part series of a Conversant program iron-wife and I are taking.

Yes, back to Rioja. It was a hip happening place. When we called after we got into Denver, it was not taking reservation until after 930pm! That was after we called another restaurant. Same thing.... Friday night in Denver, it was a happening place. Food, in my opinion, so so.... But the Soup Duet was great. Tomato capacio in a tomato and a corn soup at the bottom of the bowl. Played a nice contrast. The two way cooking of lamb.... Greko's in Regina was much much better. Portion wise with at the Rioja, was just the right size. Not too big not too small. Our German friend, Stefan, who attended the same course had dinner with us. His prime rib steak, well... not that great as well. Would I go back? Nope. Something was missing with the food. Yet the place was packed. Price was not cheap either. But yet pack.... So recession? Or just business accounts?