Bittersweet Artisanal Cuisine
500 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO, 80209
Bittersweet Artisanal Cuisine Menu
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For Starters
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For Dinner
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For Starters
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For Dinner
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Address :
500 E Alameda Ave
Denver, CO, 80209 - Phone (303) 942-0320
- Website https://www.bittersweetdenver.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Cleo X.
what a lovely place. cozy, chic, boutique. delicious dishes. must i actually dig my fork into this artistically-styled cuisine?- it looks too pretty! my only 'gentle' suggestions to the restaurant: provide at least one vegetarian option in every category of your menu, including 'starters.' also, include a few 'recognizable' favorites in the (obsure) wine list. perfect place for date night if you're looking for something intimate, upscale, and enjoy an intentional european twist. 4.5
(4)Kevin M.
Presentation? Breathtakingly beautiful. As pretty as anything I've seen anywhere. Creativity? I had a duck consomme with a roasted fig, and duck prosciutto, with goat cheese. Check. Flavor? A pork cheek dinner that the pig was happy to die for. And a pumpkin dessert that I'd order again, and I don't like pumpkin. Ambience? Beautiful, simple, elegant restaurant, where you're not sitting 4 inches away from your neighbor, and won't get someone's butt in your face when he goes to the bathroom. Service? Patrick knew his stuff, and was attentive without being overbearing. . Simply put, this is one flawless restaurant. You won't care about the parking problems after you see the food. It's that good. One great date and special occasion place. If they have liver ice cream on the menu, i'm ordering it, and somehow, it'll be memorably good. Go for it.
(5)Brandon B.
What can I say about Bittersweet? I literally fell in love there that's how good the food is! No, seriously, my fiance and I had our first "fake" date here while she was in town for a work conference, and it was an amazing experience. We were able to sit outside in the garden during August - what a beautiful setting for a romantic evening...even though that wasn't the initial intention, I'd say it worked out quite well. The restaurant is small, with a relaxed atmosphere, and the food is prepared masterfully. The menu doesn't have the greatest selection, but it doesn't need it when everything on it delivers. I've now eaten there on two separate occasions, and between the parties we have had a total of 6 entrees, 2 appetizers, and 2 desserts to nothing but rave reviews. The presentation is well done, too. Sometimes it's too well done which makes it difficult to destroy the creation, but in destruction comes the creation of flavor, and that makes it all worthwhile. I'll definitely be coming back to Bittersweet. Especially when dining outside in the garden becomes a viable option again.
(5)Eva E.
If you're not the type who worries about value, bang for the buck, etc., then this restaurant is 5 stars all the way. My company paid for our dinner, so we ordered willy nilly off the menu and enjoyed every bite 10000%. Yum. This is one of the finest culinary experiences I've ever been treated to. However, I would think twice about coming here out of my own pocket, as I live my life on a budget, and that $264 should probably go to things like, oh say, my electric bill. But if you're rich or like to live like a rich person, this should seriously be your new favorite restaurant! To be fair, our bill was so high because we tried more than half the menu (yum!). Between the two of us, we had 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and every single dessert plus one that wasn't on the menu. We tried a few specialty cocktails, enjoyed the wine, some beer, and finished the evening with cappuccinos. Absolutely nothing disappointed (except maybe the portion sizes, but we were able to order more and more food since it was on my company's dime;)) We left happy and are still texting each other 2 days later about what a great experience it was. The restaurant is beautiful and our server and hostess were both really great to us. This is a very well run restaurant. I'm sure my friends and I will be back for appetizers and cocktails! Thanks for a marvelous experience, Bittersweet!
(5)Jordan B.
I went to Bittersweet a couple months ago (finally getting around to reviewing) with some friends, and had one of the best meals of my life! The food, while a bit pricey (although we ordered almost everything, so that could be expected I suppose ...) was FANTASTIC. Seriously, though, We. Tried. It. All. Three entrees, three apps and three deserts, passing them all around the table to share, and there was not a crumb left by the time we were done. You must try it!
(5)The A.
Bittersweet has a green thumb - Chris Utterback -- "I just want to eat all of it forever," she exclaimed. The "it" was the short rib at Bittersweet, and though forever may be a mighty long time, it's easy to contemplate an eternity wandering in Bittersweet's secret garden. In early 2011, Chef Olav Peterson and wife Melissa Severson made the site of a defunct gas station into their own image, a palace of seasonal cuisine with a robust French bend and a 600-square-foot garden. One can only imagine the effort that the couple underwent to turn this former auto garage on Alameda and Downing into a 60-seat paragon of fine dining--but Bittersweet's origins do show in its odd shape and tiny size. Even though Bittersweet's most enthusiastic customers hail from the dinner jacket and BMW set, the space has a raucousness that belies warmth from good food and good company. Sodden weather prevented dining on the garden-side patio, one of Bittersweet's most attractive features, but didn't dampen Peterson's still summery board. Hoping to get the heavy stuff out of the way to allow for a clean, fresh finish to the meal, orders of house-cured maple duck ($12) and a slab of pork belly perched on a crispy risotto cake ($10) were landed. Soaking in a smoked English pea consommé, the umami-packed Carbonara risotto cake and a crispy rectangle of pork didn't attempt to punch above their weight, content to let animal fat, fryer oil, and bacon do their work. The consommé tasted just as it sounds, an experiment that flirted excitingly with pretension. Short strips of duck, salty like bacon and laced with white ribbons of fat, studded with maple sugar and glanced with smoked raisin vinaigrette challenged us to fit the accompanying fruits and veggies on a single forkful. The reward was a satisfying mélange of flavor that it may take a master taster to unravel. Massive credit is due to Peterson for doing something rare in this town: giving things that we've never heard of before. You might have no damn idea what salsify is, but after a meal at Bittersweet you'll know it's a white root that's like a savory carrot, and that it is awesome. Bigger dishes innovate as well; a selection of garden vegetables in an herbed pistou ($23) is the embodiment of Bittersweet's mission, complex, earthy and fresh. But look at that price again; Bittersweet has no business charging that much for a glorified pasta dish. If you're a student living on your own, be warned there is no happy hour or cheap meal here to dull the pain of the check. Other than a steep price tag, the only honest-to-God disappointments at Bittersweet are the humdrum homemade ice creams and poorly calibrated sorbets, ($2 a scoop). But back to those shortribs ($28): pairing a practical rutabaga puree with bordelaise-slathered beef that would shame any Ruth's Chris line cook, a Brussels sprout rests at the end of each piece, completing the dish like a well-earned period at the end of a sentence. Whatever might happen after you leave Bittersweet, it's that final note of the plate that might resonate with you--if not forever, then at least a good while.
(5)Dave B.
Beautiful presentation, delicious food and excellent service. Small portions and a bit pricey. We started off with the deconstructed clam chowder and a glass of white wine from Gasgogne. The crisp acidity of the wine perfectly matched the creamy chowder. This is a beautiful dish that takes great, but has two flaws: 1. Not enough broth. The broth is poured into the large diameter bowl and immediately cools. Doubling or tripling the amount of broth would fix this problem. 2. The clam is difficult to remove from its shell. Cutting it lose in the kitchen would help. Next up was the frisée salad with smoked salmon and a poached egg. Fantastic. Of course, I love all the ingredients. Just perfect. Very reasonable at $8. Our main course was the chicken with pork and walnut purée. Four tiny legs arrayed on the bed of walnut. Just gorgeous. The taste was supreme with the rich wild board complementing the moist chicken. The weaknesses are: not enough food and over-priced at $23. $18 would be more acceptable. The pink wine for Oregon was a good complement to the chicken. Dessert was some chocolate cake thing. Factory made, but OK. The after-dinner liquors were fruity and worth the $6. Our waiter provided attentive service. Always there when needed, but unobtrusive. She also told us to order our main course early as it takes 35 minutes to create. Good advice and the pacing of the meal was spot on. Overall, a very good restaurant.
(4)Marcus H.
great food! I can't believe what they are able to do with the varied ingredients that they use. We went here for New Year's eve, and really love almost every disk. The fish, main course, was just o.k., but everything else was fabulous.
(4)Callie B.
I have lived in the neighborhood for over a year and I am sad I only wasted this time eating at other places. I went here for a date night on a Thursday. They had a 'taster' menu with 3 courses and 3 wine pairings. The waitress was fantastic. She explained each wine and the preparation of each course. Each course was better than the previous. The tuna with quail eggs was amazing. The poaching of a quail egg... something I can't even imagine but I'm glad the chef dreamed it up. The chicken at the end was the best. Lick the plate clean good. The serving sizes were just right for me. I didn't leave full to the gills but rather delightfully full. This was the best meal I've had since 2/14/12. I can't wait for the next Thursday date night and a three course adventure.
(5)Andrea P.
I have proved once again I'm not a very fancy person, I just can't do it. This place is swank, but I found the menu options limited and the prices a bit extravagant. I eat beef and chicken...and that's about all in the meat realm, which isn't normally a problem. But here the options were all weird meats and then 1 vegetarian meal that was a very non-traditional shepherd's pie. Though, everyone else loved their food, we had go service and plenty to eat. But I probably wouldn't find myself going again unless it was also being paid for again.
(3)Julia A.
I've been 'stalking' Bittersweet's menu and Yelp reviews for the past couple months and was excited to have a reservation this past Friday. Overall, it was a very OK experience. Restaurant parking is awful. There are only 5-6 spots in the lot, and most of the surrounding streets are restricted to 'resident parking only'. When we made it to the restaurant, the hostess tried to seat us at a two top table against a wall - with only 6 inches of room between the backs of each chair and the edge of the table. As fun as dragging my boobs in my dinner sounds...I think I'll pass. Grabbed another table near the back sliding door, and started to browse the menu. Server was nice, and polite - told us there was only one raviol left...which triggers my 'WE MUST ORDER IT THEN' reaction. Raviol was...boring. It was filled with parsnip puree, and accompanied by mushrooms, mushroom broth, and a sweet potato chip (I think). It was texture-less, bland, and had the consistency of baby food. The mushroom broth and chip on top saved the dish for us - even asked for more bread to sop it up. Plates were delivered to the table...the server forgot our bottle of wine. I ordered the pork cheeks, boyfriend ordered the lobster bake. The lobster bake was good, came with sausage, mussels, crisp potatoes and of course, a lobster tail. About 1/3 of the way through the lobster tail though, he stopped eating and sent the lobster back to the kitchen to be cooked longer. It was mushy and didn't have the crisp texture we expected. Pork cheeks were amazing. Tender, moist, and accompanied by an apple bacon vinaigrette. Only downside to the dish, it was paired with radicchio...which was bitter, and unappetizing. Dessert was sub par as well. Came with a ganache ice cream that was bitter, a chocolate shake which was amazing (but there was only 1.5 ounces of it), and some sort of flourless chocolate cake, and it was so rich, a bite or two went a long way. Towards the end of the meal, our server came by the table fewer and fewer times - had to make an effort to ask for the check and hand her our card. In the end, we had a fairly decent experience. I guess I expected more from such a beautifully designed restaurant. Don't think we will be returning any time soon. Also - their website still has the 'Summer Menu' up. Time to update guys!
(3)Doug H.
A 5-star neighborhood spot in West Wash Park. I was immediately taken with the husband and wife team that would have the gumption to build their first restaurant in a transitional area of Wash Park. Not many people would see the rusting hulks of old vehicles in an abandoned car shop and think, "Fine Dining." Yet that's exactly where they decided to sink their money, and a lot of it from the looks of it, as this place is all stonework, dark woods, clean contemporary lines and indoor-outdoor fireplaces. It may seem a bit pretentious for its surroundings, especially with the "artisanal cuisine" tagline of Bittersweet. The dining room design and furnishing were a bit austere with the walnut colors and stone floor; you feel a lack of warmth and substance, sort of like sitting in a Crate & Barrel showroom. I liked the ambiance well enough, especially with the dining room being about half full so the noise didn't reverberate too much in the small confines. The owners though are clearly shooting for the kind of place like Fruition or Olivea where beautiful people sit cheek by jowl yelling over the din about their latest Tuscan vacation. But this is my (humble) part of town and I would gladly welcome any place that has aspirations beyond their neighbors of feeding cheap eats like gyros (Pete's), burritos (Chipotle) and pad thai (Swing Thai). And Bittersweet lives up to its pretensions. The meal that my wife and I had there with an out of town guest was one of the best we've had this year . Bittersweet is currently on their winter menu, and it is a winner. I started with the clam chowder which has deservedly won many accolades from the professional food writers (one of Westword's top 100 dishes). It is slyly deconstructed chowder, with a razor clam tantalizingly perched over a flavorful, briny cream base. Delicious. For entrees, there isn't an overabundance of selections, but enough to keep us all happy. My companions and I had the veal cheeks, short rib, and the rockfish. Each one of us really liked our choices. My wife especially thought the rockfish was one of the best treatments of seafood she has had in Denver. (It was so good, I wasn't even offered a taste) The other entrees were also superb. One slight drawback to the veal cheeks was that they were served with a side salad that was the same as the house salad our friend had ordered as her appetizer, so she had the same thing twice. The server might have noticed this and either had the kitchen give her a different side dish or warned her not to have the salad to pair with the veal. Finally, we finished with a dessert; I think it was a tart, if I recall correctly, and it was a nice shared end to the evening. Bittersweet's menu will probably switch soon with the season, so get in while the getting's good. I'll miss these wonderful dishes, but I do look forward to sitting out on the patio sipping a drink, noshing on the Spring menu creations, and watching the cars pass by on Alameda taking their tired, envious drivers home.
(5)Allie M.
Went to Bittersweet for a special celebratory occasion and it was very nice. For apps we had the charcuterie plate and a goat cheese and onion tart, I had the Kobe Beef and for dessert banana bread pudding. Everything we ordered was truly delicious, service and atmosphere were great. As other reviewers noted the menu is limited but the freshness and quality of the food more than justify the limited selection. Given the price I probably won't be heading back frequently but would definitely consider returning for a special occasion. I'd like to go back in summer when they use fresh produce from their garden on the plot next door.
(4)Mark M.
Excellent from beginning the end. We had a really fantastic server, the wine list is full of eclectic bottles that aren't unreasonably marked up (wish I could remember the name of the rose, but it was fantastic), and the wine director is full of knowledge but not at all pretentious, which I appreciate. Even better, he really knows how to pair wine with food. The menu is small, and I imagine some people will say that there isn't enough to choose from, but I just gotta say that the food seriously blew me away. The "deconstructed" chowder with the razor clam, the rabbit sausage, the pork confit topping an amped up version of split pea soup and the duck were my favorites, but there wasn't one downer in the bunch. The decor is pretty awesome too. It's warm and rustic, but there are definitely modern accents, like the chairs, and on cold nights, the two fireplaces (there's one in both dining rooms) are super toasty. The acoustics are a little loud when it's busy, and the parking lot is small, but those are small quibbles. Definitely one of my favorite new restaurants.
(5)Laura S.
Just enjoyed my first meal at Bittersweet and I'm trying to figure out if I was dining at the same restaurant as the people who rated this place poorly... Started with the roasted beet salad and it absolutely delivered -- beautifully plated and the combination of venison, blue cheese, beets and black pepper vinaigrette was wicked good. Moved on to the duck -- prepared perfectly; tender and flavorful. I'm not a big fan of spätzle, but perhaps that's because I've never had sweet potato spätzle! Tasty, tasty, tasty! Chef Olav Peterson's "strong dedication to food" is pretty darned evident -- as is the commitment to flawless service. And yes, the parking is limited. Deal with it. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Ryan C.
Dined last night with a couple of good friends. Overall the meal and service was good. I had the Prawns with fried goat cheese starter. Prawns were perfectly cooked and very tasty. The other two had the clam chowder which was top notch. The broth could have been hotter though. I had the Monkfish with cauliflower/lobster hash. It was decent, but I thought the fish was just a little overcooked and under seasoned. The "cauliflower bisque" sauce on the plate was the saving grace for that. Really delicious... One friend had the veal cheeks, which were amazingly tender and flavorful. Same goes for the Lamb Canneloni, which was awesome. We skipped dessert, as there was drinking to be done. Presentation of all of the plates was very nice, and the service was attentive and efficient. The price was appropriate for the quality. It looks like they're building a nice patio with a fireplace, which should be great for the summer. They do have parking issues - only 5 spots and residential parking is restricted on that block - not a huge deal for me but it might hurt the restaurant a bit. I'll definitely go back to try some other offerings soon...
(4)Barb B.
Watch out Denver, I may have found my new favorite restaurant, and it is called Bittersweet. This place absolutely blew my mind on Friday. And let me tell you why. First off the space is so cool. If you didn't know it used to be a garage, you would have no idea. It is light, open, and beautifully designed. And yet very small inside so I think if I went back I'd want to make sure it was nice enough out to sit on one of the gorgeous patios. They are well-sheltered from the traffic on Alameda which was very smart. Second the service is excellent. Our waitress was prompt, knowledgeable, friendly, and yet not in your face. All the food was timed perfectly as well. Everyone who worked there just seemed happy about it. I can see why, if I got to eat that food every night I would be pretty jolly (and full-figured). Now speaking of the food. Well I absolutely loved everything I tried. I had the frisee salad to start. It had just the right amount of dressing and a poached egg makes everything better. The presentation was beautiful. The salmon was different - I thought it tasted more like proscuitto but I am ghetto so what do I know. I liked it though and all the flavors went perfectly together. I also tried the sweetbread reubens. I had never had sweetbreads before. They are quite rich and I don't think I'd order it but I did like it. I had the halibut entree and it was the best meal I've eaten in months. The halibut was cooked perfectly for me - it had a nice crust which I think halibut needs, otherwise it is too monotonous texturally for me. It was served on an heirloom tomato salad with an avocado puree underneath. Visually it looked amazing and the flavor just punched me in the head, in a good way. I could not stop talking about how great it was. My dad had it also and he liked it, and my stepmom liked her duck enough that I was not even offered a bite. RUDE! Then again they paid so I couldn't complain. I don't drink but my parents had a Spanish red bottle which they really enjoyed and thought was quite affordable. I liked the looks of the dessert menu - I'm a sucker for a s'mores dessert - but I was stuffed. I need to go back as soon as possible, save more stomach space, and try it. Well done, Bittersweet!
(5)John M.
BLT sweetbreads for app and pork belly for the entree. Could be a great dining experience
(4)Sarah H.
Delicious and exciting food! The rabbit sausage was amazing.
(4)Kate A.
I was pretty disappointed after the great ratings this place has received. I went a couple weeks ago with two dining companions on a weeknight. The ambiance and decor was nice, and were were seated promptly for our reservation. Our server was a very friendly and helpful young woman. It's the food that was disappointing. I started with a ravioli appetizer filled with parsnip puree and served in a dark broth. I think the chef likes the sweet/bitter contrast because both my appetizer and my entree had this flavor combo. The broth was super bitter and somewhat flavorless. My entree was "pork cheeks" that were braised and served with radicchio and a sweet puree with apples. Again, the sweet/bitter combo. The pork was nice and tender, but there was a green garlicky blob on the plate that didn't mesh with the other flavors. My companions sweemed to enjoy their dishes (sausage and peppers app, lobster bake), but I was surprised that none of the entrees are served with any starch. We did each get one roll to start off with, but I am accustomed to some potato, risotto, something with an entree! Maybe this chef and I just don't have the same taste, but at this price point I will happily eat several other places in town before returning to Bittersweet.
(3)Cory P.
Shared apps: Reuben, Raviol, Pork Belly Shared Drinks: Saison Dupont, Good Clean Fun, Green Buffalo, White Wine Shared Main Courses: Duck, boar, halibut, culotte Shared post-meal booze drinks: Grappa, chamomile grappa, laphroaig Shared desserts: Chocolate, vanilla, peach ice creams Party of four; foodies and imbibers . . . We had no criticisms about appetizers, drinks, main courses, after dinner drinks or desserts. Not a single criticism. Make it a priority to get inside this establishment. Finally, a place worth every cent it charges.
(5)Simonne J.
under cooked duck, over salted beats, average service, extremely small portions. the space is nice though.
(2)Stephanie W.
We've been here a few times now and we will continue to go back. We love sitting on the patio and the service is always great. I've tried a bunch of dishes but my favorites were the duck, wild boar and beef cheeks. For dessert I highly recommend the s'mores. So good! They have a nice selection of wines and Belgium beers. If you haven't been definitely put this one on your list!
(5)A D.
Unique food. Very complex and great flavors. Loved this place.
(5)Susanna A.
Saturday was my second experience at Bittersweet. The first was New Years Eve, which is my fiancé' and my anniversary date. The waitress was kind and very educated on the menu and was just pleasant. The drinks are unique, the food is also amazing. It's a relaxing, but sophisticated atmosphere. My sister and I went here for cocktails over the weekend, and had a very pleasant experience with the education of the staff and the delicious drinks. We will be taking our Husbands to enjoy the patio once it opens this summer. If you want an overall pleasant experience, this is your place.
(5)Kati B.
So, came here with three of my bffs for a good old-fashioned girls night out! We were celebrating a birthday, and Bittersweet seemed like a nice spot for some celebration! We had reservations for 6:30pm on a beautiful Saturday night, and we requested a table on the patio. The hostess seated us immediately and we got water right away, which was great. I hate waiting for 15 minutes to get some water, especially in this god-awful dry climate!! Anyway, we ordered a round of drinks to start - I had a glass of wine, and I was a tad disappointed that the selections of wines by the glass was pretty dang small. My friends had some sort of grapefruit cocktail, and seemed to enjoy that immensely. Our waiter was very friendly, and he allowed us to spend a lot of time gabbing and looking over the menu without pressuring us. For appetizers, we ordered the leek tart with smoked bleu cheese and the charcuterie plate. Although I don't eat meat, I enjoyed some of the cheese on the charcuterie plate, and the leek tart was good - the smoked bleu cheese definitely added a little something special! For dinner, my vegetarian friend and I ordered the only veggie dish on the menu - a gnocchi in some sort of creamy sauce. My other, more carnivorous friends ordered the halibut cheeks and a shrimp dish. I thought the gnocchi was decent - it pretty much just tasted like gnocchi in a basic cream sauce. There were some little flowers and other garnish on the gnocchi I couldn't identify, but that didn't do much for me. I'm not sure it was worth $21, but it definitely wasn't bad! My other friends were pleased with their entrees, and we ordered a decent bottle of wine with dinner. Dessert was a little disappointing - we ordered the banana bread pudding, which tasted essentially like banana bread. Not very exciting. Definitely wouldn't really recommend that, unless you LOVE banana bread..but if that's the case, just make it at home - that would be a lot cheaper!! We also ordered this chocolate tart with coconut - I think it was called the Samoa. THAT was good! Big improvement over the banana bread dessert. All in all, I think we spent about $60 per person, which is fair. I liked it, but the vegetarian options are too limited - I probably wouldn't return unless the veggie menu was more expansive. Also, I wouldn't take my boyfriend here - the portions are pretty small, he's a big eater, and it would piss him off! But it was a fun spot for girls' night and we definitely enjoyed it! One final thing - this is IMPORTANT!! You WILL get a ticket if you park on the street in this neighborhood because it's mostly restricted to residents! We got a $25 ticket because we were talking too much and not paying attention when we were parking. Wah wah. Much better to valet park - it will save you some money!!
(4)Christine H.
This is a great neighborhood spot! We went last night for the first time and were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the service was friendly and quick. The restaurant is within walking distance to our house and will be perfect for a Friday night low-key glass of wine. If you are in the neighborhood, its a must try. If you don't live in the neighborhood, make the drive and try it.
(4)Tom M.
A new discovery and great one at that! I literally ran by this place last weekend and was intrigued by the exterior - an old auto body shop had been completely redone with a sweet mix of rustic and modern looks. A patio is under construction and looks promising for the summer months. My girlfriend and I rolled the dice on it later that night, and it was well worth it. Very friendly service from both Melissa and Ami - they accommodated our reservationless selves without an issue. Wine list was nice - we enjoyed the Malbec by the glass. I ordered the clam chowder for an app. It was deconstructed, Wyli Dufresne style, with a little skyscraper of potato, mussel, greens, and pork bathed in a cream broth. Tasted even better. My girlfriend went with the rabbit sausage (after wrestling a bit about her decision to eat a cute bunny). Phenomenal choice - great balance of game and spice, and the accompanying potato gnocchi was the perfect complement. Main course for me was the duck with the sweet potato spaetzle - the duck was good, but the spaetzle was outstanding especially when mixed with the accompanying balsamic vinegar sauce. My girlfriend had the rockfish with the green beans and celery root. It was interesting that both of us loved the sides even more than the protein. A final nice touch - all dishes were warm, not hot. I've realized that keeping the temperature moderate really helps taste everything more fully - though you need to keep after it to avoid the food from getting too cold. So, great new place! The location is a bit odd (Alameda is pretty industrial), but worth the trip - we'll be back!
(5)John S.
Came for my wife's birthday and it proved to be a fantastic choice. Took a little while to get seated even with the reservation, but it was worth the wait. Thoughtful, creative, and delicious food.
(5)Heidi H.
The food was great and they had my favorite beer, blanc. But what really pushed it over the top was the phenom-om-om-nominal dessert, in the garden of good and evil. Also the waiter was very good at recommending things.
(5)Jennifer R.
I thought the place was one of the best restaurants I've been to since moving to Denver three years ago. We were able to walk right in and be seated right away. The place was a little empty but then again it was a Tuesday night. We sat outside, perfect night weather. My only hiccup about sitting outside is that it was a little to dark at our table. I had to use the flash on my phone to give light so I can read the menu. Moving on, I ordered the scallops and they were fantastic!! I enjoyed every bite and wiped my plate clean. My friend had the Wild boar, he let me have a bite and it was amazing. They give the proper portions, just enough to make you want to come back for more. Each of our dishes where paired up with side that compliment and enhance the main part of your dish. My only problem was when it was time to pay, they charged my card for the whole bill and not for my part as I had asked. Then without discussing this with me they re-rang the bill for the difference, what a headache. When I finally spoke with the owner I was finally able to clear up the matter. Had that not happened I would have given five stars for sure. Maybe next ime
(4)Dan S.
My wife and I ate at Bittersweet with two old friends last night. It was our first time there and the food, beverages and service were absolutely fantastic. The restaurant is intimate and the servers were welcoming and very low key. The quality of the food was excellent and the meal was extremely well paced. We sat outside on the patio, and it is beautiful. The desserts were incredible, especially the chocolate dessert called "midnight in the garden of good and evil". The husband and wife owners came by to talk, and they are obviously very, very committed to providing a top flight experience. As other reviewers have noted, Bittersweet isn't inexpensive, but it provides great value for your money. We eat out a lot, and this is one of the very best restaurants in Denver. We will return...
(5)Chris L.
Really good food, the drinks were not quite on par with the food, and its all a bit more expensive than it should be. For the price I'd go to Colt and Grey. Really tired to looking at a wine list and seeing all $10 wine bottles for $30.
(3)Misha M.
Still great. I love how consistent this place is! A real hidden gem in Denver.
(5)Tara B.
After arriving in Denver and starving, my sister took me to this restaurant as she has heard fantastic things about it. It did NOT disappoint. The staff was super friendly and the service was great. For starters, we ordered the the burrata (sp). It's fairly new on the menu. The tomato and fresh mozzarella with the bread was delicious. I wish I had more bread so there wasn't any tomatoes wasted. I ordered the salmon which was cooked to perfection. it was so delicious I could have licked the plate. My sister ordered the pork belly and it had this smokey flavor to it that yumm-o. Unfortunately, we were so stuffed that we didn't save room for dessert, but those looked good as well. I would HIGHLY recommend this place. It is a little pricey, but worth every penny!!!!
(5)Claire S.
Came here with the hubby and a friend of mine from college. They talked me out of order foie GRAS which is probably a good decision if I ever want to lose the baby weight. Instead for apps we shared the gravlax and the charcuterie plate. Charcuterie plate was so good, love the capicola, sausage, and cheeses. I was the only one who enjoyed the mortadella but the other two are obviously crazed nuts. Gravlax was a bagel chip with artic char, egg yolk, some kind of cream cheese, and apple slaw. It was amazing! Anyway for entrees They ordered pork cheeks and polenta, and smoked white fish. I had the rabbit and omg was it good...all three were fantastic and I'm not sure which I would order again first because they were all that delish. Tried a bite of there blueberry sorbet but didnt have room to order dessert. Food is phenomenol. Cute place for a small group or a date night. Love it. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Archer D.
Super fun menu, and a great space. The beet salad is awesome, and I really liked my pigeon.
(5)Laura D.
I've now been to Bittersweet four times, and it's officially my favorite restaurant in Denver. If you can get in there before they change the menu, the Lamb Cannelloni is TO DIE FOR!! I had this dish on Tuesday, and I came back last night because I had to enjoy it at least once more. The wait staff is so friendly, and they are very knowledgeable about the food. If you like things a little quieter, try to get a table in the front room. The back room is quite cozy and like being in someone's home, but if you have a large and noisy table next to you (which we did), it can be pretty hard to carry on a normal conversation. I can't wait for the patio to open!! The only reason I am giving four stars is due to the lack of vegetarian options. I have a friend who is also a big fan of Bittersweet, but she's a vegetarian. Her options are limited to one item on the menu, and she has to specify to not cook it in chicken stock. There is only one appetizer she can have, and even then there are still parts of it that she can't eat (thank GOD I'm not a vegetarian!!). I noticed another person commented about the Monkfish, and I do have to agree it's not my favorite dish on the menu. A bit overcooked and bland, but the bar is set pretty high when comparing it with the other amazing things on the menu. There is a great sparkling wine on the menu for $29. Don't be afraid of the wines that are low in price - the guy who selects their wine is really talented at finding low cost wines that don't sacrifice taste. If you consider yourself a foodie, then Bittersweet is a MUST for you!
(4)James O.
Can't say enough about the Alameda and Penn area of Wash Park that is blowing up...Bittersweet, La Scala, new Larkburger, Pho, etc. on top of the Lucille's, Downing St. Tavern, Thai Basil (the original) and Fontana stand-bys. Bittersweet is a cool spot worth checking out - still a kink or two on the food to work out to get to Mizuna or Luca levels, but couldn't rate it four stars just for that. Great wine list, Deconstructed Clam Chowder was solid and cool, and the Lamp Chops were some of the best (four bone) Ive had in a while. Definitely check it out - also looks like they have some cool plans for summer patios in the works!
(5)Thomas W.
My wife and I went here for New Year's Eve. Wow. It was obvious from the first bite that a lot of thought, craft and care was put into the food before us. The service was also excellent. I'm a little surprised by the people bitching about the prices. I think any diner should expect to pay the approximate menu prices that bittersweet charges for this kind of food, ambiance, and service. Bravo Bittersweet!
(5)Stefanie L.
We arrived at 645 pm June 30 and the place was practically empty. There were a few people at the bar and maybe 30% of the tables were taken. We did not have a reservation. The hostess said 'We are booked'. "Really? The place is empty." "Yea, they will all be coming in the next half hour." I have never been to a restaurant that does not accept walk-ins. I was even able to get into Rioja during restaurant week, while it was packed to the brim!!! Which restaurant doesn't take walk-ins??? Apparently this one... I would have loved to have eaten here!!! Oh well.
(1)Sarah W.
Bittersweet earns 4.5 stars, and we had a wonderful dinner here over the weekend. The food is creative and flavorful. The burrata was fantastic. The short ribs were very good. The dessert- pumpkin cake for Thanksgiving- had an amazing frosting. The service was great. I would have liked a couple more wine choices by the glass.
(4)Melissa K.
I've heard many good things about this place and have never been. I just wanted to give a shoot out to the great service I received. They did an amazing job!
(5)Kelli F.
I hate to write poor reviews but this place bites! It is way too expensive for what it is. I thought the design was cool but was disappointed with the limited menu and few choices for non red meat eaters like me. Who in their right mind puts octopus in gazpacho? 2 very different flavors that should NEVER be together! I ordered the gazpacho without the octopus but it still came with it in there. I tried to push it out but that awful taste was still there. UCK! I wondered if it was just me but asked other friends if they had been there and all said about the same thing. Trying way to hard to be hip and falling way short of the mark.
(1)KP H.
AMAZING! Atmosphere, wait staff, drinks, food all were perfect. Great place for a girl's night or a hot date! Go there now!
(5)Christy S.
Bittersweet, Denver's best restaurant! This place has it all, including an innovative chef, great atmosphere and ambiance with incredible farm to table food. I had a wonderful and memorable dining experience here and will remain a loyal fan.
(5)AJ S.
Wonderful, seasonal menu! Nice and comfortable ambiance. Very friendly and attentive servers as well!
(5)C V.
Before you book I'd recommend asking if the restaurant has booked any large parties for that same slot, as we were seated in the back room with two parties (each comprised of between 6-8 people) and the noise was incredibly bad. The waitress, who was otherwise excellent, acknowledged this but was unwilling to do anything about it. I do not consider myself sensitive to noise, but the coziness of the space and the amplifying effect of the concrete floors made the experience uncomfortable to the point that I would have stayed home and cooked for myself if I knew this was the environment in which we'd be eating. The food - I had the sausage gnocchi and lobster bake - was high quality and well presented. But I don't see myself going back.
(2)Misty M.
Loved the food, atmosphere and service!
(4)Loren S.
One of the best meals I've had in Denver. Service was outstanding. Room was somewhat crowded but not loud and nice decor. We had the fried oysters which were awesome, I had the halibut (which was amazing), and the salted caramel ice cream. My date had the hanger steak, which is the only reason I give this review 4 stars - pretty average.
(4)Jacob G.
Bittersweet exceeded my expectations! Really can a small neighborhood joint on Alameda be that good? Well, in my mind it can. The setting is very comfortable. Their patio is right on Alameda, yet you hardly feel the traffic. You are welcome to stroll through their small vegetable garden. The food is seasonal and local, but most importantly very tasty. The wine list is reasonable, yet good. The service was fantastic. Kaitlin was knowledgeable, friendly and down to earth. She was never rushed and took more time than expected to talk to us, really about everything. To sum it up, the service was local and the food was world class. What else can you ask for!
(5)Liv P.
Went out with friends and had a great time here. This is a small restaurant with maybe 10 tables and a small bar. We liked everything except the raspberry mousse, which tasted like a defrosted creamy popsicle and didn't have the shortbread component (they were out). The service was very good, and the ambience is nice. I appreciated that it was quiet and we could talk. I probably wouldn't bring my children here (because it's so quiet and intimate, the food is inventive, and my children are rowdy), but i saw a couple with a small child if that's something you are considering. Our favorites among the appetizers and desserts were the beet salad appetizer and hazelnut chocolate dome. Everyone loved their entrees -- the rabbit and potato dumplings, winter risotto, and loup de mer (sea bass). Our service was very attentive and our server was really agreeable -- the type of person you wouldn't mind hanging out with. My only complaints were that I would have loved more vegetarian entree options, the banana bread pudding tasted like banana bread (albeit with some very delicious other components) but it was still good, so I guess that's just semantics, and they didn't tell my friend that they were out of the component in her dessert that she really got the dessert for. I would certainly go again.
(4)barb b.
Bittersweet is just a pleasure anyway you look at it. A stellar neighborhood restaurant that is also a fabulous destination restaurant. The menu selection is wonderfully edited, the flavors and textures perfectly balanced and nuanced. This is food as art and craft. In addition, the service is pitch-perfect and the decor is sophisticated but relaxed and welcoming. All-in-all, one of the the most thoughtfully created restaurants in the city.
(5)alex b.
I took my husband here for his birthday recently and we weren't blown away. We had very high expectations based on the reviews of other Yelpers, but I gotta say - we were dissappointed. The portions were really small - silly small. My husband ordered the pork belly appetizer and finished it in two bites. Not even big bites! He said it was delicious - but I just hate when a huge plate arrives and is only 5% food, 95% white plate. The lobster dish was also really on the skimpy side. Without dessert we both agreed we would have left still hungry. When you pay 150+ for a meal for two (that only includes two glasses of wine), you just shouldn't leave hungry.
(3)Lambie S.
I have been fortunate enough to enjoy this neighborhood establishment numerous times. Each time I have had wonderful, responsive service and enjoyed every last morsel of my meal. I can't say enough good things about this cute little restaurant - perfect addition to the neighborhood and thank you for treating us to your delicious food!!!
(5)Kathy T.
Great service! The food was good but a little overpriced or what you get. There are so many great restaurants in denver that I think i would pick something that was less expensive unless you are trying to impress someone. It kinda seemed a bit stuffed shirt. We had the halibut and salmon. The salmon was too saucy but the halibut was good but very small for the price.
(3)Christopher H.
Definitely one of the best restaurants I've been to in Denver. We had the bunny sausage and the foie gras appetizers, both good but felt the foie gras had more complexity. Main courses were the lamb canneloni and the braised short ribs both rich and excellent. Flavors and sides well paired. Parking lot is small but at least there is parking. Outdoor patio is being built. We will be back
(5)Claire C.
This is a culinary triumph as far as seasonal cuisine goes! My friend and I had a celebratory dinner here for her last week in town and we couldn't have picked a better place for the occasion since we're both foodies! Bittersweet provides such an organic dining experience from the cute garden seating, natural wood dining tables and chairs to the super fresh seasonal ingredients! Ambiance: natural, warm, inviting and intimate. The restaurant is divided into two dining rooms to mimic the feel of a large dining space inside a home complete with fireplace and buffet tables. The open kitchen and bar connect the two rooms. Food: the talented chefs use the best ingredients of the season as inspirations for the menu. The menu consists of a mixture of small sharable plates and large entrees. We ordered the cured salmon, potatoes, summer salad and farfalle to share as the portions are relatively small. Each dish is beautifully plated and what I call edible art! The freshly baked bread was absolutely delicious with whipped butter! All the wonderful flavors just exploded in my mouth every time I take a bite of the food. We were surprisingly satisfied after our meal despite the small portions. Service: our waitress was very attentive and provided excellent suggestions for each course of the meal. Parking: there is a small parking lot with 6-7 parking spots but street parking is easy to find in the area. I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves seasonal cuisine with highly inventive dishes!
(5)Jeff H.
Very forgettable. The smoked mussels were the worst mussels I've ever had and I've had a lot of mussels. The short rib was dry and tough. The garganelli (duck ragu) was fine although it was really light on duck. The potato and the farfalle were pretty good, but not enough to offset how bad the first two entrees were. Service was so-so. Server was very "checked-out" and took no initiative to remedy our complaint about the mussels other than asking if we wanted more mussels. It's a cool looking joint, though. Very inviting.
(2)Haden B.
This place is pricy. I had the charcuterie plate here and had a heart attack. That's the only reason it is not getting the fifth star. The best rye manhattan I've had in denver was at this bar. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is warm. I love this place.
(4)Sarah N.
It was the husband's birthday, so I decided to surprise him with dinner at Bittersweet on an early Thursday evening. Although the private parking lot was tiny (maybe 6 car spots?), there was only one vehicle there at 5:30PM. I hadn't wanted to take any chances, so I parked on a sidestreet... now I know for future. Very attractive little building inside and out, but because it was a nice day, we requested to sit in the garden. Sure, Alameda is humming along right there, but it was such a delight to sit amongst blooming flowers and watch all the bees foraging up-close. They never bothered us and were entertaining! Service was excellent. Both the hostess and server were professional yet kind, and our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and beverages. Everything was relaxed, timed perfectly, and discreet. The chicken sausage appetizer was very good as we really enjoyed its chive aioli. The husband's wild boar was extremely tender and the mustard gastrique was something special. He remarked favorably to the mushroom mascarpone puree with the barley. My Petaluma chicken was juicy and wonderful with small dashes of hazelnut puree, but I REALLY loved the potato croquants - fresh, warm, and round with a wonderful softness on the inside but slightly crisped on the outside. Both of our dishes were actually larger than we expected - I hoped I'd have enough room for sweets! I wanted to score the dessert Midnight In the Garden of Good & Evil, and I told our server as much. Alas, it was not on the menu that evening. However, she was able to recommend to us something that might achieve a similar aesthetic, even though it had a most unassuming name: S'Mores. When it arrived, we felt it was almost too pretty to eat. Like Midnight, S'Mores comes in a little terrarium with about a half inch base of hazelnut chocolate cream topped with cacao nibs to form a soil-like appearance. Matcha tea was sprinkled liberally upon it to form the "moss," and the effect was heightened by petals of edible flowers and bits of raspberry. A toasted blob of marshmallow cream and twizzles of white chocolate sticks were off to one side. Aside from the gorgeous presentation, this dessert was DELICIOUS. It was subtle and not cloying at all - we wanted another one! We'd love to come back. Bittersweet deserves to rank among the best in Denver.
(5)Tova M.
Wow - Bittersweet is so so good. Easily one of the best restaurants I've been to. They have a wonderful outdoor patio with string lights right next to their garden - it's the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing dinner. Now the food - I cannot express how good it was. I got the escargot and the Petaluma chicken. If you're in Denver, please come here!
(5)R K.
The food was good - but a few entrees were cold. Also, there was not too much flavor to the $34 4 oz portion of halibut. The sturgeon was delicious! While the restaurant is cozy and charming, the noise levels were very high, and it was difficult to hear people at your own table. This place should have complimentary valet to accommodate guests since there is limited parking.
(3)Heather S.
Wow. What a waste. Our service was horrible. So bad it messed up our experiences. At a lower price point, fine, but this restaurant is supposed to provide high touch service. We had four dishes (marrow, ceviche, potato, and tomato) and the only one which is special is the ceviche. The rest were average or below average. We love to eat out in Denver, but this place is totally overrated.
(3)Katie S.
Small, intimate restaurant -- great for dates or a nicer dinner out -- First of all the service was outstanding! The waitress had such a passion for the menu and was nearly giddy with joy explaining the details of the menu. Appetizers tried: charcuterie plate, octopus, and duck pasta. The humboldt cheese was delicious! All appetizers were wonderful -- portions were very small, so I recommend one per person. Main entrees: Scallops, Rabbit, Osso bucco -- these portions were much larger and could have possibly been shared. All amazing dishes -- the rabbit was my favorite. Desserts: blood orange and pineapple -- all very refreshing!! The menu does change frequently but I would imagine everything tastes great -- Looking forward to summer to sit outdoors!
(5)Amy S.
I was completely underwhelmed! The halibut was strong and fishy - it did not taste fresh. The charcuterie was okay but nothing fabulous and our bread was burnt. They do have a good wine and cocktail list but the dinner and dessert menu did not live up to my expectations. Nice patio with flower garden but the dining room was very cramped.
(2)Coby G.
My fiance and I went here to celebrate the night of our engagement. While we were still very excited and took forever to settle down and order, our waitress was extremely patient and friendly and made us feel very special. There was no pressure on us to hurry and we could just enjoy the moment. We split a bottle of red wine, which definitely helped fuel the celebration but everything we tasted was very good. We tried the lamb and the root vegetable appetizer which both were great and then had the steak and the pork entrees and really like them both as well. Follow that up with a chocolate dessert and two complimentary glasses of champagne and we felt like royalty. While we were very dressed up for the celebration, I really liked the casualness of the restaurant. The staff was very laid back and there was a large variation in how formal people were dressed from t-shirts and jeans to suits. Would definitely like to try the patio some time but on that particular night, we were perfectly content to just look out the window as the snow piled up on the bistro tables. On our next trip to Denver we will definitely try and make it back!
(5)Erin T.
Last night was my second visit and I have to say, the chef is highly creative and the dishes are unique and delightful. He or she will no doubt get some high recognition soon. Some of the items don't seem as they would go together and when eaten, they are a taste sensation. The first time I went with a girlfriend, we ate backwards, having dessert first, then the main course, then appetizers, then another dessert. Heavenly. Last night, my husband and I enjoyed a buttermilk parfait with an almond crust that was delicious. He had rhubarb and loved it. We're looking forward to the patio opening for some al fresco dining. I just discovered this spot in March and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Luz G.
Delicious food, great service and a quaint ambiance. We ordered the salmon, spring salad, strawberry fields and PB&J dessert. Wow! Everything tastes delicious and fresh. Certainly coming back again!
(5)Diana W.
Made reservations on Open Table and was seated right on time. The place is tiny but so chic and cute. The dinner menu isn't big but has enough variety of options to make you go "What am I going to get? I want 3 things!". The drink menu features their own cocktails and a variety of wine and beers. They make their sausage in house so make sure to order a dish/appetizer that contains some! Dinner: We shared the prawn dish. The prawns were huge and of course there were pieces of their house-made sausage in the dish. Delicious yet light. Dessert: Since I'm a glutton we ordered two desserts. We tried their cookies and cream icecream (sorry but TAG really does have the best icecream) and their lemon tart: the perfect blend of sweet and tart with fresh strawberries on it! Our server was amazing, the drinks kept flowing, and I had such a great time here at this intimate restaurant. It was raining, but they do offer a pretty nice outdoor dining area.
(4)Loren K.
Had to try this place since it's highly rated and only a 9-minute walk from our apartment. This is my kind of place: delicious flavors, seasonal menu changes, and sustainable food sourcing. We got seated immediately on the patio next to the beautiful garden overflowing with herbs and chard, and then proceeded to swoon over every bite of food placed in front of us. My entree hit the spot: Petaluma Chicken with grilled frisèe, potato croquant, hazelnut purée, red pepper emulsion and bacon vinaigrette. The gorgeous summer sunset was a nice touch. Definitely going back.
(5)Tiddleywink V.
Special event: birthday. Out-of-town guest. Our go-to place is closed. A recommended "hot, new" restaurant is booked solid. Time is running out. What to do, what to do?! All of the reviews for Bittersweet are stellar but there's no way we'll get a table, right? Wrong. Book through OpenTable, pick our choice of times, score a nearby parking spot. We're greeted warmly, our table is waiting, our server is on the ball, our meals (we each had app/main/dessert; all flawless) sheer perfection. I've no doubt that the chef(s) at Bittersweet, even if faced with a lowly leg of chewy mutton, could turn out an inspired dish that is a delight to consume. We left full, happy, and sure to be back.
(5)Broarquello A.
Round 2, I'm happy to come here again and say that the food this time around was more impressive. We had the halibut, wild boar, and the vegetarian entree. All were definitely delicious! Only issue - everyone was still hungry afterwards and service was slow. So, after coming here twice my overall impression is that the food together with atmosphere make it a solid 4 star restaurant.
(4)Leigh P.
A French inspired cuisine, I must say the sauces were amazing! The appetizer was gnocchi in a brown butter sauce and mushrooms and the flavor of the butter was some of the best I've had. For dinner, I had the short ribs and they were so tender, you could cut them with a spoon. The ribs sat on top of a pile of red cabbage. This meal would have been beyond delectable had the sauce not been quite so sweet. I don't like a lot of sugar in my food and would have preferred a more savory sauce. Finally, the dessert! I was too full to order it but could not refuse once it was described. The taste was amazing. See the picture for the presentation.
(4)Joe R.
Wow, what a fun night. Went out with wife and another couple who wanted to sample all of the Top 25 restaurants in Denver. It's a very cozy place that definitely requires reservations (the odd thing was that their very small parking lot had a number of open spots--maybe because we were dining early.) I had been in the mood for Osso Bucco for the last week, so choosing that entree was easy. If there's a downside it could be that the menu selection isn't real deep, but all 4 of us had no problem picking items that turned out to be delicious. Two of us went for the Osso Bucco, and an impressive hunk of meat it is! And not just quantity--the meat was so fall-off-the-bone tender and the flavor was absolutely incredible. It had been cooked in chiles and had a deep smoldering "burn" to it. I love spicy food and I was in heaven, but those without a hot tooth might not be quite so enthused. (For spicy food lovers this is pretty subtle, but delicious.). The second incredible thing for me was the bartender. The others in my party were very happy with the beer and wine selection, but my weakness is crafted cocktails. I couldn't resist trying the Fashioned, a strange-sounding variant of an Old Fashioned that adds Lambrusco to the standard whiskey-based drink. I was skeptical but always ready to try something different--and it was delicious! Inspired by that, I asked our server if the bartender liked to "wing it" and she assured me he does. So I said that I really liked the Fashioned and invited him to whip up something that he thought I'd like. He put together a concoction of whiskey, rhubarb bitters, St. Germaine liqueur and orange liqueur (and slice of blood orange) that was even better than the Fashioned--everyone at the table had a sample and agreed. If it sounds interesting--ask for a Professor Joe (yes, he was kind enough to name it after me!). A word of warning: he serves generous portions--I was very glad that I wasn't driving. The only disappointment of the evening was dessert. I'd read all the great reviews of the desserts and was totally bummed out that Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is no longer available. Ditto for my backup--the S'Mores. Our server--who was great--was so apologetic when she explained that the menu constantly changes and those will never come back. (Really?? That seems a bit extreme.) She assured me I'd love what they did have, but not really. One dish was called "Chocolate" and was OK, but nothing special. I had the Orange, which was better, but didn't live up to the expectations I had in my mind based on the reviews of the Desserts of Yore. All in all, possibly the best dinner I've ever had--certainly the best in recent memory. We will definitely be back.
(5)Larry P.
Awesome meal. Hamachi melts in your mouth. Sturgeon was wonderful. Desserts were very tasty, especially banana with caramel. Only downside was no draft beer - although great selection of Belgian bottled ales
(5)Lydia L.
Love this place! Always fresh, creative and delicious! Great patio! I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Kristin M.
Outstanding restaurant. Creative and unique menus, from cocktails to dessert. The specialty cocktail was outstanding and they had a great selections of unique beers and wine to choose from. The server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful which made choosing the right dish fun and easy. The food was presented elegantly and the flavors were amazing. My duck was cooked to perfection and the accompaniments were perfectly paired. Gnocchi, parsnip puree, and butternut squash. The dessert was mint chocolate ice cream, it was excellent. The fresh mint definitely made this unique and now a flavor I will always remember. My only wish is that they had acknowledged my birthday (as I saw they did with other tables that night), as I put on the open table notes.
(5)Ann M.
Very limited menu, and anything you order is a minuscule portion. Some of the food was good, some was incredibly bland. Wine and drinks were delicious - not a bad choice among them. Noise level was too high for a restaurant of this kind, and the tables are really close together. Not my first choice for a $100+ meal. Pretentious waitress. There are just too many great restaurants in Denver to eat here again.
(2)Sarah W.
Bittersweet was the location of my birthday dinner this year. After all the buzz, I my expectations were high and I was not disappointed. I started the meal with the pork belly appetizer - so yummy! For dinner I had the spare rib. The menu has changed so I won't go into great detail about these dishes, but I will say this - what stands out about Bittersweet is that every person in our 14 person table was happy about their food. They were more than happy - many called it the best meal they have had in Denver. I can't wait to return to Bittersweet, hopefully in the summer so I can sit on the beautiful patio and experience their garden in full effect.
(5)Masha B.
This is quickly becoming our favorite spot. We went there for the second time this weekend. We loved it the first night, and this night was just as amazing - even though the menu was completely different (which makes this restaurant even more exciting, now I'm looking forward to see what the winter season will bring!) So, yes, the food is great. Drinks - also delicious, with seasonal options. Ambiance - love! Small, cozy, attention to detail and not stuffy (we ate once in the garden, once inside - both just lovely) Service - I wish I remembered the name of our waitress. She wasn't weirded out by our strange humor and joined in our giggles, which just made the whole night even better. If I had more stars to give, I'd add them on without any hesitation. Can't wait to go back!!!!
(5)Greg H.
I would come here for just the desserts - they have an in-house pastry chef - but the dinners are also quite good. Portions are just right. They have a nice menu that changes regularly. Parking in their lot can be a bit tight, but there's plenty of street parking. Nice location for a special occasion.
(5)David M.
Seriously stupid great dining experience. Took a friend to dinner there for her birthday last night and it was one of the best meals any of us had ever had in Denver. The service folks were as down to earth, nice and professional as could be. The food was spectacular, as in I can't believe you can have this much fun without being totally wasted spectacular. Had the carbonara and pork & beans for apps. The pasta was ridiculouusly good. Homemade puffs of tortellini stuffed with a fresh pea puree and served with an ambrosial sauce made from the sound of angels' laughter (well, that and maybe something more substantial, but it sure tasted like laughing angels to me), accompanied with melt in your mouth pork belly that wasn 't fatty at all--just perfectly prepared and wonderfully seasoned. Rarely have I had anything that tasted that good end up in my mouth. A dish I'll remember for a long long time. That good. My entree was their duck dish. Whenever I see duck on the menu that's what I order. It's some kinda Pavlovian thing I'm sure was trained into me under hypnosis at a Vegas show I can't now remember, and that I've never been able to shake. Fantastic. . . . which is also what my honey said about her prawns and sausage dish. Dessert was a totally tangy lemon tart accented beautifully with flower petals and fresh strawberry slices. 5+ stars absolutely. Expensive, yes. But worth it. Go on a nice night when you can sit out in their mini-garden patio, and you're sure to have a meal you will think about, and think about, and think about . . . Just like I'm still thinking about it today.
(5)Jaime H.
I personally believe that it is worth going to Bittersweet just for the dessert. We were just blown away! Everything else was great, our server was super sweet and knowledgable. The ambiance was awesome too. It felt like dining at a friends house, except that it's a friend with fantastic taste and lots of money. My biggest word of advice to just to save room for the dessert, or you're missing out big time.
(5)Michael H.
We came back and gave this place a second try based on all the good reviews. It was very nice for a birthday celebration. The Duroc pork rib eye was wonderful, as was the Isola di Capri appetizer. Beef short rib not on the menu last night. Seating in the garden area was nicer than our last visit in the main dining area. This is a very fine restaurant using the best seasonal ingredients, verging on 5 stars. Alanna, our waitress, was very attentive and pleasant. Parking is difficult (we drove around for 15 minutes before finding a spot 2.5 blocks away) unless you score one of the six spots available in this former gas station, now reborn as a really fine foodie spot. We plan to return for a 3rd visit and will be looking for that 5 star experience which barely eluded us last night.
(4)Amy A.
Okay. Looking back on past reviews, I admit that I have intentionally given slightly higher reviews to restaurants that might not have quite deserved them. Why? I am from the industry, and know that one snotty waitress having a bad day can completely impact the rating of an otherwise great place that deserves a chance. We shouldn't send a business that has great potential down the Yelp drainpipe, but instead honestly consider the whole experience, and offer ownership (and yelpers) insight as to what could use improvement, right? That's my goal anyway. Having ranted on that, I honestly and with full truthfulness and wholeheartedness give Bittersweet 5 stars - and they deserve every one of them! This place employs only passionate foodies who take pride in making you seriously work to keep in groans of pleasure that would be embarrassing in public - from the bartender, who is so passionate about his drinks that he that he concocts drinks that meld perfectly with the menu and season, to the wait staff and cooks (who would be better referred to as artists) and ownership/chef. Every person there is proud to serve each dish, and looks as if they truly find delight in delighting your taste buds. This restaurant is not for prom night, or those who prefer volume over value. Those who do not take time to appreciate each bite will not - and honestly do not deserve to - savor the culinary artistry that is Bittersweet. If you want to be truly "wowed" or "wow" a client or friends, take them to Bittersweet. This is true, culinary genius, artisan cuisine, without all the pretense or snootiness! Do make a reservation though! ;)
(5)Jonathan B.
Service was very slow (sat for 30 min before being asked for drinks, took about an hour for apps to come out) food was underwhelming..not the right value for the money. However, they realized their service was lacking and comped our appetizers without us asking...so that was nice which Is why I'm giving them three stars. There are so many good places worth the money and this is not one of them. Will not go back.
(3)Bailey B.
My family and I traveled to Denver for the first time last week and on our last night in town we tried Bittersweet. We sat on the patio in the beautiful Colorado sunshine and had an absolutely outstanding meal. I started with the Tempura Sweetbreads -- these were so crispy, rich, and decadent, I would've been happy ordering a second plate of them. They came with a hazelnut puree/sauce, shallots, and lime supremes. It seemed like an odd amalgam of ingredients when reading it on the menu, but everything just paired together so wonderfully. The sweetbreads were crisp from the tempura but softer inside, not chewy at all. The hazelnut puree/sauce still had decent sized pieces of hazelnut mixed throughout which added a great depth of flavor and a nice crunch. The lime supremes, though there were few on the plate, really added something by cutting through the richness of the sweetbreads and tempura. Lastly, the shallots were an amazing addition as they were not too cooked and added both a vegetable crunch and an amazing flavor. For my second course I had the Wild Boar. I was not at all excited about the set that it was to be served on, but I wanted to try boar so badly that I put my worry aside and ordered it anyway, and I am most certainly glad that I did. The boar was served over barley and greens; the barley was AMAZING, and I had expected it to be bitter or tough or...just...too "plant-y," but it was soft, and flavorful, and somehow decadent. The "greens" were just arugula tossed in some kind of light vinaigrette -- I was expecting mustard or turnip greens when reading the menu, but was actually quite pleased that the barley came with a fresh green as to make it lighter. The boar was a bit dry, but still flavorful and tasty. My boyfriend ordered the Petaluma chicken and, given the opportunity, I would order that next time. The chicken was perfectly cooked, the potato croquant crispy and light and fluffy...just delicious. Overall our entrees were outstanding and no one was disappointed. For dessert I had the s'mores. This was served in an airtight glass jar and came out looking like a terrarium. It was set on the table and when the lid was removed, out came campfire smoke -- IT WAS AMAZING. The dish featured a chocolate panna cotta on bottom, topped with ground graham crackers, pirouette cookies, and toasted marshmallow fluff. Literally, out of this world good. I would absolutely go back to Bittersweet and would also recommend it to anyone looking to have a very unique and delicious dinner experience in a beautiful setting. Oh, but if you sit on the patio, watch out for rogue slugs!
(5)Nancy E.
This is my first review on Yelp, and I'm sorry it has to be a negative one. Some friends of ours had been there and said it was great, plus I read all the reviews on this website and it sounded delicious. I also looked at the menu online, and my husband I could hardly wait to go. So we went last night, Oct 4th. Unfortunately, there was nothing on the menu that was mentioned in the Yelp reviews, and the online menu was also out of date. They had just changed to a new Fall menu. I appreciate seasonal changes, but the offerings just weren't as good as the previous ones. We wanted to share an appetizer, get two entrées and split a dessert. Well, the appetizers were too small to share. The escargot selection had only 3 snails, and our server told us the other appetizers were also small. We went with her recommendation of the Tortellini with Beef Cheeks, as she said that was the hardiest. There were only 3 of those, and there were good, but not great. Before I get to the entrees, I'd like to mention the wine list. There was a very limited choice of wines by the glass, (I believe only 2 whites) and I thought they were a bit expensive. My husband doesn't drink, and I only drink one glass before dinner; however the server kept recommending a bottle, which was also very expensive. I did have a glass of white, which was good. The entrees were a disappointment. My husband ordered the Rabbit, which we have enjoyed many times in France and elsewhere. This was a pressed confit, and quite dry. The flavor was OK, but not "delicious", as we expected. I had the new chicken dish, Coq A Vin, and it also was a pressed confit and very dry. The sauce on it was more like a heavy gravy, all thick and gooey. The little chicken leg that came with it was good, as were the roasted carrots. However, as a total dish, it just didn't sing. They hired a new Pastry Chef, and she changed all the desserts. There was nothing very enticing on the menu at all, so we didn't order dessert. I am giving this 3 stars instead of even less because the service was excellent, and the ambiance, setting, and noise level was delightful. Our server really did try to please, and she was very friendly, there when we needed her, and helpful. It's a darling little restaurant, and we really wish it had been better, as it is convenient for us. However, I doubt if we will be going back.
(3)Rob G.
Excellent service, and the entrees are amazing! Cod and Pork chops are top of the line. I'm visiting from Los Angeles visiting friends but I'll be back!
(5)Phung L.
With the decor, and the confines of this place being small and cozy, you could have sworn you were having a dinner party at a friend's house. Seems as though the menu is constantly changing yet still somewhat limited. Though the food here is delicious, portion wise, it leaves your stomach still dissatisfied while leaving your wallet empty. Perhaps this constitutes as fine dining? The presentation of the dishes were incredible! Parking can be impossible because of the location. My friend in fact received a citation for parking in the neighborhood so be careful.
(4)chris w.
Service - 5 out of 5 stars Food: I like the fact that the appetizers were light creative yet flavorful The main course had a warmful wholesomeness yet light. Meat and potatoes like yet light Sadly they ran out of this most unique desert midnight something of good and evil. Coffee was delightful way to finish off the evening Guess I will have to go back!
(4)Erin M.
I'll cut to the chase. The food was good, and the atmosphere was cozy, but in the end, I can't say that I was sufficiently impressed to guarantee I would return at the current price point. I believe this sentiment is reflected in several other reviews. The menu is small. I get that when you're going for fresh, artisan cuisine, you are going to have a small menu, but it wasn't a very rounded one. Meats featured were pork, pigeon or seafood. Not a cow or a chicken nor a rabbit nor a duck in sight, at least when I went. Appetizers were similarly limited, and they were out of the lobster bisque,to the chagrin of half of our party. I had the Basil Handkerchief. It was essentially some pasta with spinach, tomatoes, garlic and brocollini. It was very good, and likely one of the larger dishes served. It had rich tomato flavor, and the brocollini and spinach were cooked just right. Nevertheless, it was not in the top 5 or even 10 dishes I have had recently. The bacon dessert was a redeemer. It was incredible. Funnel cake with bacon and maple ice cream. Yes, please. I could eat 3 and still want more! The atmosphere was cozy. Muted tones, a fireplace, gorgeous light fixtures and low lights. You feel more like you're at a dinner party at a friend's home than a restaurant. The only evidence to the contrary is the fact that the tables are so close you have to be mindful of your neighbors. A friend jokingly suggested that they scrape the garden in favor of more parking. The gardens are delightful, but the truth is that the lot is small and you have to be willing to walk a few blocks as the street parking closest by is zoned for residents only. Glad I had the experience (particularly the dessert!) but will not be hurrying back.
(3)Chris M.
The good news - Ambiance and service were excellent. Food was overpriced and really nothing special. The menu is quite limited and at 830 a lot of items were not available. A big meh.
(3)Jason R.
Haven't been here in a while and I'm glad I came back. Had a delicious and inventive gazpacho with a cucumber jalepeno broth and seared scallop...very good. Wild boar entre was also great. Server Rhea was a pro-thanks for the great service and wine selection!
(5)Erin L.
The food here is really great. The menu is limited, but it's because they really spend time and effort to make good dishes. I had the pork chop and my friend had the short rib, and they were both really good. I normally am biased against short ribs, but Bittersweet did a really good job with it. The only reason why I give it four stars, and I hate to do this, is because I thought the service was pretty bad. I don't really expect much and even like when people ask me how my dinner is doing like 5 times. But, what I do expect, is to have my wine glass filled when almost nearing the end. I mean, the restaurant has an interest in keeping my wine glass filled, as it makes a killing off alcohol sales. In any case, I'd say, PAT ATTENTION TO MY WINE! Other than that, the ambience was very cute, cozy, and warm (almost too warm, temperature-wise). It is a small space, so I would recommend reservations. Also, you have to be a lucky person to nab a good parking spot!
(4)Amy D.
Bittersweet has been on my "to-try" list for a while now. I made the reservation for our large group over a month ago and was so excited when last night finally arrived! The place definitely did not disappoint. You walk in and there's the hostess station and a lovely little bar. The bartender was super friendly and informative. There were six of us and we kind of took over the front dining area, a few tables of two came in and out, but for the most part it was just us. The back dining room had patrons as well, but I didn't see that area. Overall the vibe and décor of the place was great - light, simple, very comfortable. We started with two orders of the Burrata (potted tomatoes, focaccia, fleur de sel) and it was wonderful. Like melt-in-your-mouth-I-could-make-a-meal-of-just-Âthis wonderful. I'd never had it before, but now I'm a fan. We also had the Charcuterie Plate (three meats, two cheeses, +traditional condiments) and it was great as well. I was particularly fond of the water buffalo cheese. For an entrée I selected the Maple Leaf Duck (smoked duck breast confit, Tuscan kale, figs, shallots, golden raisin reduction) - it was fantastic. The duck was cooked really nicely and had a great smoky flavor. A little fatty in areas, but that can expected with duck. The kale was cooked perfectly - still a little tiny crunch left in it and the reduction was a perfect accompaniment. Others in our group had the cassoulet and short ribs -everyone raved. I love lavender so I for sure went with that for dessert. It consisted of lavender ricotta cheesecake, honey stewed figs, lemon curd, almond lace. Honestly, the cheesecake was SO good that I wanted to taste just that with the lemon curd - the honey stewed figs were great, but not necessary in my opinion. It was quite possibly one of the best recipes I've ever tasted that included lavender. Service was great once it got going - I felt like it was a little slow at the beginning, but we were a large and very chatty group, so I think they were just trying to give us all time to get reacquainted and settle down. Not an everyday kind of place, but I would love to go back to Bittersweet for a more special occasion and try out more on the menu.
(4)Jaime L.
Bittersweet is a farm to table restaurant that prides itself on fresh, seasonal ingredients; much of which are grown on the property. The star of the night was the first item I read on the menu and instantly had to order, the bacon, eggs and toast. Out comes lightly toasted, fresh rosemary brioche, stacked high with the richest and most tender pork belly that is then topped with a poached quail egg. When you cut your fork through the savory dish, the golden yolk descends upon the pork, draping it with flavor. One quick slide through the decadent sauce on the bottom of the plate and you are eating the most balanced and flavorful combination of flavors. My husband ordered the black cod. The fish was fresh and light, paired with spring peas, roasted brussel sprouts, a citrus sauce and sweetbreads which created a perfect syphony of flavor. The fish was the highlight but the fresh-shucked peas were tender and almost sweet which I could not quit stealing off Ryan's plate all night. I think what I loved most about Bittersweet was the warm feeling the restaurant had and how no detail was overlooked for the diner's experience. The fireplaces adoring the 2 dining rooms put off a glow and warmth that made you feel like you were dining in someones home. The decor is chic meets comfy with contemporary wood chairs, lighting with clean lines, a pewter grey paint on the walls and an ambiance that urges you to linger all night. The waitstaff was well informed, the pink salt on the tables was a nice touch and the glassware was beautiful.
(5)Michael C.
My initial feel for the restaurant is nice digs with a pretentious menu. Just so you know they serve pork and fish continental style that reminds me of Norse food. So if you have blue eyes and blond hair you might like it. I am but I hate Norse/German food, so tell Goring I don't like it. Oh yea, this is a micro restaurant with only 8 tables. Crazy, maybe they should annex the sudaeten land and get some more tables. And the table I had was rickety as a third world government. It's sad when you try two dishes and hate them both, then have to hit fast food on the way home, just to cleans your palette. I also hade the pumpkin cake for dessert and honestly it is inedable. I don't know how you screw up cake, but THEY HAVE FOUND A WAY! Oh yea and the service is extreeeeemly slooooooow.
(2)Karoline M.
Amazing to the eye and pallet! Two with drinks for hundred dollars unheard of for this quality of food! And Jesse the bartender is a aster of his craft.
(5)Ryan W.
One of the best food experiences I've had in Denver. Pork belly with roasted strawberries was quite good and although the gazpacho wasn't a big hit w/the wife (cilantro hater) I thought it was pretty good. Had pork ribeye (basically a pork chop) with shishito peppers which was very good and wife had the Halibut which I was happy to help finish. Dessert was also very good. Service was way too slow even for a relaxed meal. We ordered dessert, that would be a good time to print check. Finished dessert, stared at each other for a while, than she came over and asked if we wanted anything else. Then she goes to get check....honestly how are you not check ready at this point?? Will return hopefully soon.
(4)Rachell B.
This place is surreal. Adorable, cozy ambiance, friendly waitstaff and food that is simply exquisite and elegant. I had the smoked mussels, braised lamb shank and doussants (Bittersweet's version of the cronut). All of which was incredible. They are also very accommodating to special dietary restrictions. The girlfriend who joined me for dinner is lactose and gluten intolerant and they were happy to adjust the ingredients for the mussels appetizer and her entree (scallops) to ensure she would have no allergy issues. I highly recommend this restaurant for a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Mike W.
Still a pretty good restaurant with well thought out dishes. Unfortunately, they no longer have the pastry chef that first put this place on the map with incredible desserts. Those desserts are no longer offered. Definitely a little disappointing.
(4)CL S.
Bittersweet has a creative menu that is executed to perfection. The dishes are inspired by European classics but have an artisan flare, and the wine and cocktail menu pairs well with the menu. My friend and I recently dined here for a girls' night, and we can't wait to come back! I am so happy that this gem of a restaurant is in Wash Park. The service was great, the food was outstanding, and it was just a cool spot to visit. We started out with some freshly baked bread with whipped butter. The butter was basically as fluffy as whipped cream! The bread had a great crust and was perfectly chewy. For an appetizer, we shared the mussels with polenta frites. The mussels were cooked with chorizo and a deliciously amazing garlic broth. The server even brought extra bread...dumping the bread into that broth would be a great appetizer on its own. My friend enjoyed a mocktail, and I highly recommend the Austrian rose sparking wine. For dinner, my friend had the mahi mahi. The presentation was impressive, and she was impressed with the quality and preparation. I had the pork rib-eye which was served with a truffled pea puree and tempura spring onions, along with au jus. The pork was perfectly moist and seasoned well. The pea puree and tempura spring onions were a great compliment to the dish; with a heavier main, the lighter sides were a good balance. For dessert, my friend had a frozen coconut and hibiscus dessert known as paleta. She thought it was very different and was glad with her choice! While I wanted to try the restaurant's famous Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil dessert, I ordered the dossaints instead since the other dessert was not available. The dossaints were outstanding and came in blackberry, strawberry, and espresso flavors. What a treat! The restaurant had a fresh, cozy ambience and felt very open with the large windows letting light in. The patio looks perfect for relaxing with friends during the summer. I look forward to returning soon.
(5)Cathy B.
The only thing bittersweet about this restaurant is that I can only eat here when visiting Denver. Beautiful space. Attentive service. Innovative cuisine, presented in a very approachable manner -- both in terms of the menu and the staff training. I know a fair bit about food, but there were several words on the menu that were new to me. When I asked about them, the server was immediately able to answer those questions and not make me feel like an imbecile. (Isn't it sad that NOT being condescended to is so remarkable that it bears noting in a review?) Servers were all well trained. I found the dill rolls presented before dinner to be slightly overbaked. And the focaccia appetizer tasted great, but I would quibble with their calling the bread in that dish a true "focaccia." But that really is quibbling, just for the point of trying to find something useful to say. Really, it was a lovely, lovely evening that I will not soon forget. BIttersweet - can you open a branch location in Austin?
(5)Bayley S.
Good food, needs more vegetarian options! Almost the whole small menu is heavy meat, my food was pretty good, but really wanted more options, I don't even mind a small menu, just more variety... Good atmosphere though
(3)Aileen D.
Beautiful space....you can't tell it was an auto shop. I would defintiely ring a date here, esp. if you want to seal the deal. Our server was friendly and informative and just so nice! I had the fried oysters, pork cheeks and vanilla ice cream and sea salt caramel ice cream. All to die for. And those bread rolls! Watch out, Red Lobster! These are so much better than those cheddar bay biscuits and I love those suckers. Go if you can. It's worth the splurge. I can't wait to try out their patio when it's warmer in the evenings.
(5)April C.
For the same price you could have an exceptional meal at Mizuna. I was looking forward to Bittersweet, but it turned out to be a real mixed bag for me. The Good: * Really groovy cocktail list. In fact the bar seemed packed with all types of beverages worth a try. Try the Norwegian Wood. It was exceptional. * Fantastic beef tenderloin & beet appetizer. * Food is good and portions are perfectly sized. * Wait staff was great. The Bad: * The threatening phone call a week before our reservation. Seriously....I'm an adult. I know how to make, keep & cancel reservations. Do not call and threaten me a week before saying you'll charge me if we miss the reservation which would be the greatest trick ever because you never took my credit card number in the first place. Do not treat people like this. It's just not a professional thing to do. * The bartender did not even acknowledge us when we sat down. I understand when things are busy and do not mind waiting, but at least smile, say you'll be with me soon, or give me a nod so I know you got my back. We just went to our table. * Other than the appetizer the food did not impress me. Flavors were fine but nothing that really knocked my socks off. So, Bittersweet, I'm not sure I will return. I tried. I really did.
(3)Desiree S.
Had a great dinner here. Food was quality and service was fantastic. We started with the tortellini w. beef cheeks and bone marrow sauce - rich beefy flavor. I had the duck and my boyfriend had the pork. Lovely presentation and mix of flavors. Our server Rachel mastered the perfect balance of being attentive and informative, while allowing us to have a quiet intimate dinner. Will definitely go back!
(4)Tim V.
Celebrated my wife's birthday here last night. The atmosphere was really nice, with the perfect amount of lighting and space. The food was really good. Though I thought it was weird there were no salads to start with. It did not end up mattering. The steak I ordered was amazing. The cauliflower hash was killer. The pork belly appetizer was really good as well. The only complaint I would make is that the service was a bit slow and pretentious. Other then that it was a great evening.
(4)Greg G.
While the service and ambience at Bittersweet were lovely, the food is disappointingly mediocre. We booked this restaurant for our anniversary after reading about it in 5280. I would never eat here again or recommend it simply because the food was not good. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the wine list and menu. Our wine was very good and very reasonably priced. The appetizers were both terrible. The salmon tartare was not fresh and left such a bad taste that I could only eat 1 bite ( my husband tried to eat more but we left more than half on our plate). They kindly removed it from our bill (since we hardly touched it). The spring tart was boring and bland. The chicken was very dry and salty. My pork was good, but not enough to redeem the meal. We didn't even want to try dessert after the meal which is basically unheard of for us. I've never been disappointed in a 5280 recommendation before and was shocked this place made the list.
(2)Adam S.
This place is great. Seriously, I was really impressed with my meal here. Had the charcuterie plate and "Gravlax" which is basically kind of a play on a bagel with cream cheese and lox. The charcuterie plate had gabbagool, mortadella and some kind of spicy sausage along with brie. The gravlax had cured artic char, an egg yolk, an apple slaw, a cream cheese sauce, and bagel chips. The charcuterie was all quite good. Didn't love the mortadella, but everything else I did love. The gravlax was really wonderful. It was just a very nicely conceived, well balanced dish. I would definitely recommend giving it a try. For my entree I had the smoked white fish with potato and hollandaise. All I can say is wow. This was an absolutely phenomenal dish. Perfectly cooked fish. The hollandaise was quite probably the best I've had. It worked so nicely with the fish and gave the dish a savory, lobster-like flavor. Big thumbs up here. I also tried the pork cheeks and the rabbit dish. Both were quite good as well, but nowhere close to the white fish. The stunning part of this meal was the price. $120 for 2 apps, 3 entrees, and a dessert is shockingly low for the quality of food here. I was expecting it to be much more expensive. This is the best place I have found in Denver so far. Will definitely return..
(5)Shannon W.
I liked Bittersweet, I really did. However, the thing that did it in for me was the lack of options on the menu. We often go to restaurants with smaller, very specific menus, but (even with my picky eating) I have never had trouble finding something that I wanted to eat. Usually, when I'm out to eat at a restaurant with a similar price point to Bittersweet, I find something on the menu that EXCITES me! This time it was just a-ok. There seemed to be a lot of beef and pork on the menu with fewer fish or vegetarian options. What I ended up having was quite good--just not "Ohmygodsosuperawesome." That said, I did have the most amazing drink there. I can't remember the name, but they burned the simple syrup or something and it smelled like drinking a campfire and had such a refreshing taste! I would definitely go back again just to have this drink!
(3)Emlchach C.
Amazing. Great service, elegant food. A little pricey, but definitely worth every penny!
(5)Peter P.
Food and service was wonderful. But. The noise is unbelievable. My girlfriend and I had to lean over the table to hear each other. There are ways to control this so customers have a culinary experience. I would not go back until noise reduction was taken care of.
(2)Delta P.
Simply put - the best restaurant in the Denver area !!!!!...hands down!!!! - Above and beyond consistency across all layers of the menu, including dessert - many different savory options that will force you to order too much. But you will not regret it. Even if you can't finish a portion, you will say that you tried it....and the flavors and combinations that the chef puts together will warrant a full review on each item. A knowledgeable and personable staff rounds out a perfect night. PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE ....don't change a thing !!!!!!...
(5)Lauren T.
Wow I was super impressed. We enjoyed a relaxing meal on the deck. Started with a delicious cocktail and fresh appetizers. I ordered the Halibut and I was shocked how well they mixed the flavors of bacon, mustard and potatoes to create the perfect side for a perfectly cooked Halibut filet. The dessert topped it off to keep me full and satisfied.
(5)Lisa O.
Just ok. For the price, I wanted to be blown away but it was really just...ok. The charcuterie board & smoked chicken were good, the cronuts were really yummy. Service was slow & I was there about an hour longer than I wanted to be. Really cold by the back door even though a lovely fire was burning in the fireplace. May check back in late spring/summer when garden in bloom.
(3)Tiffany N.
Perhaps my expectations were too high? Perhaps they were having an off night? Maybe my taste buds are wacky? I don't know what happened, but I was very excited to try Bittersweet and I left with a meal so unremarkable I can't say it was bad or good, more so that it just was. Because I'm willing, or maybe hoping is a better word, that I just had an off experience let's start with the good... Our server Dustin was hands down the best server I've had in recent memory, quite possible ever. He had a wonderful personality and a professionalism that topped other experiences in pricier establishments or bigger cities. If I managed this spot I would do whatever I could to keep him around. The setting is beautiful. We sat outside on the patio surrounded by warm summer night air, fragrant and beautiful flowers, and lovely furniture. The wild boar plate that my husband ordered made me green with envy in just one bite. Luckily for him I took it toward the end of my meal or I would have tried cajoling him into trading with me. But, at the end of the day I had my own dinner, the halibut to be exact and I shared the chorizo and charcuterie appetizers with my fellow dinners. While nothing I ate was bad by any stretch of the imagination it was fairly bland. And when I factor in the fact of what it cost here to eat (over $200 for 3 people) I really, really wanted to be wowed with one of my dishes. I can think of dozens of meals I've eaten in Denver that easily surpassed this one (Fruition, Potager, Table 6, Duo, Olivea, Tag are just a few that pop into mind) and most of them were equal to or less costly than this one. For the details of the meal: The chorizo starter was three sort of balls of chorizo in a black bean puree with salsa verde and queso fresco. The charcuterie is a board with three meats and two cheese - After my husband's wild boar this was actually my second favorite dish and had some interesting combinations such as strawberries diced with one of the meats. The Halibut - This tasted the most bland out of all the dishes I had. Again not bad, just not like anything other than halibut. It was served with an heirloom tomato salad that just tasted like salted tomatoes. After reading everyone else's wonderful reviews, knowing the story of how the restaurant came to be and seeing their commitment of growing so much of their own produce I'm sad to have had such a lackluster experience here. Perhaps I will have to try again with a different dish and see if I can't have a better experience more in-line with what others have had.
(3)Scott L.
I was really impressed here. Innovative, affordable, yet approachable menu. Great neighborhood find, close to wash park. Service was great too! I'll for sure be back.
(4)Robert S.
I have read lots of positive reviews about this place but these must have been written by people who mostly eat at fast food joints. While the presentation was at times interesting, but not elegant. The menu is very small but even that seemed large in comparison to the portions. My $12 sweetbreads appetizer had exactly 2 1/2 very small bites. It seemed more ridiculous given the large plates. Everyone at our table was still hungry when we left after spending $60/person. The wine list borders on the bizarre and it seemed as though it is a more beer oriented place, with a reasonable selection of Belgian style beers. You cannot fool all of the time and as far as I am concerned, when assessing this place, "the king just has no clothes".
(2)David T.
Bittersweet has been on my short list for awhile now since I can walk there from my house. I've just been lying low until I had an "occasion" worthy of a visit because, after reviewing their menu on-line, I knew it would be spendy for a little neighborhood "bistro". I was correct about that but it was worth every penny. Friend, and lover of all things food and wine, in from Napa and I wanted to show off the Denver food scene. We went to Bittersweet last night, braving the usual downpour and lousy parking (be careful - you'd think you could park on the street, nope) with his sister and brother-in-law from Littleton. They think the Melting Pot is the shizz. Suffice it so say that Chef Olav blew their minds. Luckily, they are adventurous and an adventure we had. First, a couple of words about hospitality and service. I changed the number in our party and the time at least three times - no problemo. Our server Dustin was totally on top our service despite a big crowd. Rain forced everyone inside so it was standing room only. Yet, we were seated immediately and graciously. Be warned that the lovely, if some what austere, space is tight and if you don't like to be near other diners, you may find it uncomfortable. We're pretty convivial after a couple of cocktails, so, no issue for us. The menu is short and to the point. 7 starters - 7 entrees - so we were able to taste more than half the menu. All sampled got raves. Started with fresh chorizo, black bean puree, salsa verde and queso fresco $10. It's worth noting that the portion size of all the starters would have been adequate for an entree - certainly two starters would make an ample meal. Also sampled - gazpacho with octopus served in half an avocado with a tomato jus and lemon oil $12 - sweetbread reuben mounted on caraway brioche, pickled tomato, and Jarlsberg fondue $9 - pork belly accompanied by summer shrooms, potato gnocchi adrift in natural jus $11. A couple of more notes. The gazpacho isn't - it's more of an octopus cocktail in an avocado. So, if you're thinking soup, wrong. I'm pretty much over pork belly but I have to say it was the star of the show - get it if you go. The best bite of food I've put in my mouth this year. Entrees run the gamut - salmon, a veggie ratatouille, wild boar, halibut, scallops, duck and the mandatory beef culotte. They run $22 for the veggie option to $29 for the scallops. So, not cheap but not Mizuna prices either. Everyone loved their selections (salmon for the sister, wild boar for the brother-in-law, ratatouille (I wish I could get the "rat" out of my head but that movie was so damn funny), and I had the truly sublime scallops with caviar lentils, swiss chard, pork sausage in a mustard broth. But, of course, I tasted everything - perfection all around. We skipped dessert because I'm on a quest to master lemon meringue pie and there was one waiting at home. So, more than ample food, cocktails and a bottle of Pinot netted out at around $300 plus tip. You could certainly do it for less but we were throwing caution to the wind. A couple of notes to a fine chef and restaurant: 1) Red wine served too warm. Dustin took it back a chilled it a bit. 2) Think about valet parking. With only six spaces in the lot and no on- street allowed, it's rough. The parking ticket we got was $25 - valet would be cheaper and not leave a bad taste in your customer's mouth at the end of an otherwise lovely meal. 3) The food, while delicious, is all pretty rich going. Might want to offer a simple, refreshing soup or salad on your starter roster if you ever want anyone to make it to dessert. Congrats Chef Olav - you've really outdone yourself this time - superb.
(5)Leslie O.
I first went to Bittersweet in May of 2012 and remember it being a great meal, so we decided to check it out again last week. My how things have changed! The Bad- The services was slow. It seemed like they may have been down a waiter as we had a hard time getting our waitress' attention because she was serving so many tables. I had the chicken with risotto and while the chicken was fair to good, my risotto was room temperature. There was also a problem with our bill as we ordered two single scoops of icecream and they charged us for one doubel scoop (which was slightly more expensive). The parking lot is very, very small (maybe 8-10 spots) and street parking is difficult as one side of road is permit-only. The Good: My drink (Norwegian Wood) was so unique and tasty. The drink smells like a campfire but tasts like a well ballanced cocktail with a hint of smoke. The bartender told me that they smoke the grenedine in-house which gives it th smokey nose. Our waitress was really great about fixing my risotto and actually brough out a plate of fresh risotto afer offering to eithe take my plate back, or to bring out some more. She was also very responsive when I told her I thought that the taste and experience had declined since I was there. Had the pork belly appetizer which was really quite good.
(3)James S.
When you are treated to flavors like this, it makes for a very special evening. Starting with the Burrata, a must order for me at any restaurant, Bittersweet's addition of a potted tomato took it over the top. The delicate flavor of the tomatoes and warm focaccia was outstanding. Combined with a great selection of meats and cheeses on the Charcuterie plate, everyone agreed that we were off to a great start. For dinner I ordered the cassoulet and was delighted when it was served as a deconstruction with four small towers of bean puree, pork cheek, smoked sausage and duck prosciutto. Rather than a heavy casserole, it provided just the right amount of food while really allowing you to taste every flavor of the ingredients. I finished with the incredibly decedent Chocolate torte with coffee marshmallow, hazelnuts and candied blood orange. The chocolate torte was made of a sweet, hazelnut chocolate that left me wanting more. Fantastic! I will definitely be back soon to see what new creations are added to the menu!
(5)Erica A.
The restaurant is beautiful. The service was really good. The table setting elegant. The food, well...average. Overall prices are expensive for average. Their answering machine message was still from Thanksgiving. They seem to miss some of the details.
(3)indigo s.
From the starter menu I tasted the Duck Tasso, the Braht, & the Charcuterie Plate. They were all fabulous. The chef served up a healthy amount of meat with these dishes, which can often be sparse with fancy appetizers. The duck dish had a surprising bit of kick, which went excellent with the sweetness of watermelon and cherry. The Charcuterie plate included a Swiss Gruyere subtler than I usually find Swiss cheese to be and an utterly delicious Prosciutto. For a main course I had the Hanger Steak, which did not have a single ingredient out of place. The rosemary goat cheese polenta was amazing. Often rosemary is overdone, and there was just enough to wake up my palate. The half peach served with this dish was popping with flavor. The steak itself was succulent and tender. Our desserts were the creatively done "S'more" and the "Black Forest" cherries and mousse, which was a bit heavy on cherries and light on the mousse. Overall we enjoyed Bittersweet's simple, naturalistic ambiance. Our meal displayed the wisdom of a chef who knows how to bring forth the natural flavors in his dishes so they resonate. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, though definitely on the slow side. If you don't want to linger over a long meal, this is not the place for you.
(4)Jenna M.
This place is decent. The food is good, especially considering it's mostly seafood in a landlocked state. But nothing really stands out as exceptional, unfortunatley. Also, their sommelier is horrible, at least when I went. They've got what I like to call a "nerdy" wine list- nothing standard on the list, all mostly random, unusual varietals. I suggested something to my date and the sommelier instantly rebuked my idea, saying it was... I kid you not... "passe to choose a European wine to pair with salmon." What? Someone's watched Sideways too many times. That being said, the cocktails are good, the food is solid, and the location deserves a good restaurant like this.
(3)Heidi S.
Wow. We have watched it grow into the neighborhood. The owner and his wife were pregnant when it opened and now we see them walking through the lot with a big kid on the mom's hip...nice. The entire neighborhood watched with anticipation and we are better for it. Awesome! Our meals were fantastic - that is all - you will not be sad. Holy-sweet-thank-you-for-relocating-that-ugly-car-Âshop and bringing some props to WWP. Service, great. The fireplace...a little too intense and the acoustics were rough and loud. It is however, pricey, we haven't returned and it most def a very special occasion place, not just a drop by and grab a bite place. Oh, and parking is a bitch if you don't live the hood and can just walk over.
(4)Stephanie B.
Amazing! Everything about this spot is great. Great wine list and menu choices and with the menu constantly changing, there's always something new to check out. The patio is beautiful and the restaurant itself is very clean. Finally a great new american restaurant pops up in Wash Park.
(5)Cassie T.
I kept hearing that this place was pricey but I am a gal that doesn't mind throwing down for some quality food. I actually think the pricing is on par with what I have paid/seen at other similar establishments. I watched this space through it's development and was excited to finally try it and it did not disappoint. The cocktails were wonderful, the decor is great and the patio area is lovely. I also really enjoy how they showcase local ingredients and flavors without being obnoxious about it. I did not like the chairs and find the tables slightly too small for 2 people but that's just personal preferences I suppose. I'll leave you with these last two words: halibut cheeks.
(4)Rachael B.
After hearing some good things about Bittersweet, we chose it to celebrate Hot Mike's birthday. There were three of us on a Friday night around 8. My only complaint about the physical space was the noise level - because it was a concrete (or something similar) floor, everything was very loud (especially the schwasty couple behind us). I ordered the Conley cocktail which was grapefruit/vodka with a Himalayan Pink salt rim and it was outstanding. We ordered the Snails, the Alscasiene Tart and the Andouille appetizers. The snails were really well cooked but they were a little shy on seasoning for me personally, my two boys loved them though. The Tart was absolutely incredible, hot, flaky, bacon, yum. The Andouille really stood out - the sausage had that awesome SNAP to it and the fried okra was killer. Entrees: Halibut Cheeks, Degustation of Berkshire Pork and Kobe Beef. All three were outstanding - my Kobe Beef was perfectly cooked and the cheddar potato torchon was fabulous. The plating was deceptive - I was all cranky because I didn't think I'd have enough food but it was actually a generous portion (most was hiding under the potato torchon!). We ordered the "Lemon" dessert which was a tart with some homemade marshmallow and a thyme sorbet which was outstanding. Service was prompt and attentive, always full glasses, really knowledgable and clearly enthusiastic about the food. Great experience, will need to return for consistencies sake!
(4)Tracie B.
Beautiful restaurant with a very modern feel. I loved the Frisee Salad with Salmon and Poached Egg - this was just as delicious as it was beautifully presented. A bit pricy but worth it.
(4)M C.
We had such a wonderful meal here- the dishes are so creative and the drinks were fun too! We have eaten at a lot of good restaurants in Denver and were really happy with our full experience here- the service was awesome and...definitely DO NOT miss dessert! We had "Midnight in the garden of good and evil". I won't spoil it but the description does not do it justice! I hope it stays on the menu!
(5)Paige N.
This was the WORST experience I have ever had at a restaurant. The owners were rude. The staff was horrible, rude, abrupt and only out for $$$$. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone. THEY GET ZERO STARS!!!!!
(1)Jennifer D.
Loved the Ambiance, service and the midnight garden dessert..very creative. The lamb and the duck were to die for.
(4)Lindy L.
I'd been wanting to try this place for awhile, and the meal there turned out to be my favorite in Denver so far. Everything was so delicious. My friend laughed because I did a happy food dance in my chair. I had the steak with grilled peaches and arugula; I'm not normally a steak person, but I was intrigued by the grilled peaches. The flavor combination was so good, and the dish was also very pretty. My friend had the grouper, which was also delicious. We also tried the white asparagus and a chocolate dessert bomb. The dessert was one of the best I've had. We sat outside, which was so nice. The service was really great, and we got lucky and even got a parking space in the very small lot; it helped that it was 6:00 p.m. on a Tuesday.
(5)Amy R.
I have to saw we were disappointed by Bittersweet. Our night started out well, with the comforting environment of the fire welcoming us in from the snow outside. The servers were all friendly. But then we went to order drinks. All I wanted was a glass of Chardonnay, but they only have 3 glasses of white and 3 glasses of red available by the glass, and not one was a plan-Jane chardonnay Not a lot of choice for a nice restaurant. After this disappointment, the theme turned into "big plates, small portions." We got the mussels appetizer which was delicious, but curiously served without a spoon. We chose this appetizer because the waitress said all the rest were really too small to split. This was followed by the scallops and lamb, also recommended by our waitress. The lamb fell off the bone, but the flavors were nothing special. The accompanying broth was pretty good, but it was served with a cauliflower puree that was pretty much just butter and garlic with some cauliflower bits. The scallops were served on a the largest plate I have every seen outside of a family style meal at an Ethiopian restaurant. The "meal" was 3 scallops on a 1/3 cup buttery risotto with corn puree (aka yellow cream) poured on top, and some accompanying "emulsion" which was "green cream." Despite the small portion it was too rich for us to finish. I tried to fill up on the mediocre sourdough bread instead. Someone at the table next to us had the pork ribeye, and that portion looked much better and the plate much less creamy, so maybe we just made poor choices, however nothing was enjoyable enough to make us want to go back to try it. We didn't feel like ordering a fancy dessert to have a bite sized portion, and none of the choices sounded too great, so we opted for homemade ice cream. This by far was the highlight of the meal. Cardamom ice cream is delicious! If we ever go back, it will be to sit by the fire and have homemade ice cream. I'd say sit by the fire and have a glass of wine, but I'd probably have to buy a bottle to get something good. . .
(2)Sean P.
I took my fiance to this restaurant as that is what she wanted and had heard good things about. So I got reservations for 7:00 on a Wednesday night. We were sat immediately they do have what looks like nice outdoor seating but as it was cold my girl decided she wanted to stay inside. Upon looking at their menu online we had a good idea of what looked good already. However when we showed up to dinner and recieved a totally different updated menu it kind of put a damper on our expectations...as there were somethings on the previous menu we came here for. So with the new menu we started out with an appetizer of Andouille sausage and it was just ok but good flavor. For the main dish my girl picked out the Halibut Cheeks and I selected the kobe beef. The actual tastes of my kobe beef with the lime chive sauce and cheddar potatoes was amazing. The girlfriends meal was good but didn't pack the punch of flavor mine had (so was understandable she wanted to steal mine). However in general this might be just me but...I understand that presentation is a lot of the dining experience in a fancy restaurant but this does not mean that the portions of the meal has to exponentially decrease with the fancier presentation. Needless to say that after the appetizer and main dishes I was still hungry. So onto dessert, which was the best part in my mind. I ordered the chocolate mousse with stout ice cream and the littel lady the got bread pudding. These did not let me/us down in anyway they where abosultely delicious and they almost seemed to be larger servings. To Sum Up: As this is a higher end restaurant you can expect to pay $125-150 for appetizer, two main dishes, wine and dessert. Make sure that you are not bassing your food selection on the menu online as they change menu frequently but do not change it online so might not be up to date. If you are a big guy like me do not expect a large meal with the large pricetag. However the tastes of the meals/cuisine are delicious but look like they can vary from menu to menu as they again change often. The dessert here I have had were not just good but great! However, in my mind this is only a special occasion type of place and not a regular place to visit (maybe once a year...if that).
(4)Michael C.
We have been to Bittersweet five times now. Some things are consistent: it is a pretty place, with competent and accommodating staff. The decibel level is annoyingly high when the house is full, and the wine list is obscure and the staff has little knowledge of the selections. On our last visit I ordered "cassoulet." The name comes from the French word cassole which is a clay cooking pot used to prepare a mix of lamb, white beans, duck, and sausage. It is usually served in the clay pot. Bittersweet stretches the definition to absurd levels. The menu describes the dish as duck prosciutto, sausage, pork cheeks, and white beans. What was served was three small delicate piles on the plate composed of a tablespoon smear of white bean purée, three leafy greens, a piece of pork cheek the size of a quarter, a piece of sausage that was less than one small bite, and on two of the three piles a piece of duck prosciutto the size of a finger nail. For this Bittersweet charges $29. Raw ingredient cost? Maybe two bucks. I am one who criticizes plates one often finds with large amounts of food. But this was not a cassoulet. It was not an entree size portion. It was a disappointment.
(2)