Blackbird Restaurant
305 S Downing St, Denver, CO, 80209
Blackbird Restaurant Menu
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Address :
305 S Downing St
Denver, CO, 80209 - Phone (303) 733-3923
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Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
- Mon : 11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Oscar S.
Went for brunch , first timer. Service was underwhelming. Restaurant was not full and food took longer than expected. Waiter kept forgetting our requests for basic stuff such as jam or refill of juice. I tried eggs w ham and duck potatoes that were hard and undercooked. Overall, Mediocre experience.
(2)Virginia D.
So so so very bummed. The menu looked so amazing, the cocktails tantalizing.... Poor service combo's with sloooooooooow ass kitchen and a management that refuses to recognize a patron giving them a chance to rectify the situation. Food took way too long, The server was.... Upon informing the manager of our crappy experience (I think sending the burnt fried chicken back after waiting nearly 1.5 hours for food to actually even arrive tipped him off) he sent a round of drinks as the check was coming out. So, the same comment as I gave the server goes for manager...I'm being polite cuz my honest reviews have been booted off of here...no one touched their "free" drinks as it was nearly 10PM and this a Tuesday, folks. Not coming back and SO super bummed cuz their pizza/wine happy hour deal (that we found out about after we have already missed it) sounds awesome and the pizza was the only thing edible.
(1)Carol L.
We went for happy hour tonite. We had the pizza (pepperoni) and bottle of house wine (red) special for $20. We also got the white wine mussels. Everything, including the bread and fries served with the mussels, was fresh and satisfying. Perhaps the best part of the meal was our waiter, Dan (from Iowa). He was very personable and helpful. He deserved special mention before, but especially after we called about our lost phone and he searched the place. My husband's review: "Really good food at a great price"!
(4)Misa L.
I was a little surprised to see that the average rating for Blackbird currently sits at three stars, Though, I can point out a couple of things that might have brought my rating down to three stars, if our waiter Dan (or Daniel ?) hadn't been so awesome. The not-so-busy bartender seemed to have a hard time getting around to our cocktails, as we ordered them, waited a few minutes, I went to the bath room, walked by the bar on the way, I overheard him tell the waiter that our cocktails were on the way, got back from the bathroom, waited another few minutes... we eventually got our cocktails. No big deal, I can be patient, I didn't have to ask again, and they eventually came. What I did have a problem with, was the management standing less than two feet from our table, for over a half of an hour, talking about their staff. It was uncomfortable, and completely unprofessional. The whole while, they could have stepped into an empty room (presumably for event rental), only two feet behind them. We showed up to use our Winter Warmer Passport, where they only presented one cocktail option, and a discounted pizza option. Ug, it was restaurant week... we thought, as we noticed on the lit ad board at the edge of the parking lot, it's going to be so busy... it wasn't. The parking lot was packed, and we waited for someone to leave their spot, as it was snowing, and no street parking is available in this area... maybe a block away, hopefully not resident permit? Anywho, we went in, and it was empty, though we were offered a secluded hi-top... the only one in the bar area. while we sat, we watched the multiple tables and booths around us never filling... while we sat at an awkward hi-top. Our BBQ pizza was awesome, and I would have liked to try the pork belly and cherry pizza, had my date been more adventurous. The one cocktail option was whisky heavy, tasty, but whisky heavy, my date was overwhelmed with it, luckily I like whisky. We were then convinced to order a dessert, they all sounded amazing, but we went with the pot de creme with beignets from a chef that came directly from New Orleans Cafe Du Monde! It was great, though, the beignets were little balls (nice attempt of the chef trying to break away from his alma maters mostly square shaped beignets), which may have been why it was hard for the center to cook completely through the center. The pot de creme was cold, and hard to dip the beignets in as instructed. Though, in the end, all was tasty, and great with a coffee. I hadn't been to any other businesses that occupied this space, but I can only imagine that they changed the interior entirely, everything looked fresh, and with a current rustic/contemporary style. Many of the walls were lined with brick face tile, painted white, and the lighting was perfect. The space was great overall, though our table was a strange "odd man out" kind of deal, and some of the decor was a bit random.
(4)Kamryn C.
A good addition to the neighborhood! The ambience is great, and I'm loving that someplace in walking distance has craft cocktails and on sundays- bottomless mimosa brunch! The menu is new American, so unique spins on classics. My friends and I had a variety of things, and the French fries and the garden pizza were clear winners. The aioli with the fries was a bit too thick and lemony for my taste, but when balanced with some ketchup, was quite tasty. The pizza had a tomato pesto and was filled with seasonal autumn veggies. There was a ton of flavor, and the portion was great for the price. I want to come back and try brunch!
(4)Ashkan A.
Excellent new spot in Denver. My wife and I are always looking for the next best place, when visiting cities away from home. After reading some great reviews on Blackbird we decided to check it out. The seamless service and menu explanations made it seem like this crew has been working as a team for far more than a mere 4 weeks. Menu for brunch was varied and we had plenty of choices - I went for my stand-by... the Eggs Benedict. Blackbird did a twist on it called a Farmer's Benedict. Served on light white cheddar biscuits with thin sliced ham and perfectly done eggs alongside flash fried swiss chard and hearty potato wedges... this is likely the very best Benedict I've had the pleasure of clearing from a plate. The whole meal was amazing from our starter of candied bacon (did you know bacon could be candied??) to the finish of homemade donuts with delicious dipping sauces. Looking forward to making a return and trying the lunch and dinner menus! This place is great and certainly deserves a try, if it were in my neighborhood I'd be a guaranteed regular.
(5)Mindy D.
This experience was a bit of a train wreck. We walked in for brunch and it smelled like a barn. Maybe it was because the inside was still new? Whatever reason, it was mostly empty for Saturday brunch and cow manure smells were not welcoming. Our waiter was a very nice guy who spoke highly of the food, but nothing went his way and I think he was embarrassed and that eventually resulted him in not visiting our table anymore. The dish I wanted to order was out, so I went for the Po Boy. There were two oysters, sweet pickles (weird), and a whole lot of bread. Really terrible. My friend got the chicken and biscuits and literally received nothing that was advertised on the menu. She got an english muffin topped in cold roasted chicken and it was very bizarre they served it at all. Later, another friend joined us and we ordered additional drinks. It took over a half hour for the drinks to get there. The poor waiter was embarrassed, stating that the bar tender had to keep going to the basement to get things. Ooook! Maybe they need some more time to get their groove? Unfortunately - I wont be back.
(1)Jason L.
After recently falling in love with Atticus, I was elated to hear that the same owners were opening Blackbird. Based on my experience at Atticus, I had pretty high expectations, and Blackbird exceeded them in every way. I was fortunate enough to dine here with a group of 6, so it allowed me to sample many of the delicious offerings. I was the clear winner with my choice of short ribs. They were phenomenal.The blistered brussels, "Paella" risotto and Cesar salad were also highlights. The cocktail program was a excellent too. I was not surprised to learn that they consulted Sean Kenyon from another one of my favorite spots, Williams and Graham, to develop it. The service and decor put the night over-the-top. Amazing evening and one of my new favorite restaurants.
(5)Paige T.
This place is cool! It's pretty pricey for the portion sizes but the taste makes up for it! I wish I would have gotten our server's name because she was AWESOME (she's from Washington if that helps anyone). She made great suggestions and was very prompt and friendly. Everyone should try the duck tacos and the graham cracker beer. They were definitely the highlights of our meal. We also got the house chips, cauliflower soup, short ribs, and s'mores dessert. Everything was great! My only complaint is that the atmosphere was strange. There were tv's but none were on, and our table was extremely dark. Our server had to bring us a candle just so we could read the menu. I also wish the menu would have been a bit larger, however I will take quality over quantity any day of the week.
(4)Jessica H.
We loved it here, we had a group of six and had a great time. The space is decorated very nicely. Food wise We all had something different and nothing was short of amazing from pizza to the short ribs. I personally loved the chef board (app) it was great for the group. I think this place will become a staple in the wash park area. Look forward to returning.
(4)Anisa R.
The service was great. Menu interesting, not huge, but enough options for small shareable plates and larger entrees. Larger Wines by the bottle menu than by the glass. I've been here twice. Once for happy hour and once for dinner. I would say happy hour was a better experience. I liked the bar area better than the dining room, cooler vibe. Last night for dinner we shared beet salad that had very few beets, risotto that was overcooked? Brussel sprouts that I would order again and a margarita pizza-bland and thin crust was a bit soggy. I'd go back for drinks at the bar and small plates-candied bacon is yummmm. But probably not dinner.
(3)Chelsey Q.
Phenomenal experience start to finish. Came to Blackbird on a friend's recommendation as we passed through Denver - no regrets making this our last stop on the way out of town. Coming from LA and Chicago, we have great options for top notch cuisine. Blackbird is easily on par with any of the great places in either of these cities. The service was attentive but not overbearing. Never had to ask for a refill, check-in on the meal was timely and all staff were chatty and helpful. The decor was comfortable and unique, loved the vintage doors/mirrors decorating the bar area... not to mention, my personal favorite, an old school shuffle board table. On to the food... I can't stop thinking about the blistered brussels. Holy deliciousness... Living 1,000 miles away my only option is to attempt recreating them, something I doubt I'll be able to accomplish with the same flair. These were the highlight of my meal, but the french press coffee served at the table was a great addition to our brunch as well. Love it start to finish, and can't wait to make it back. Thanks for the great meal and experience Blackbird team!
(5)Gabriella M.
Mediocre at best. By far the worst place I've been to in a long time. First and foremost, it took us 45 minutes to get our appetizer. The mussels came out cold, beet salad came out soggy. Entire looked like a 10 year old prepared it for their parents. I had the ribs; which for a whooping 4 ribs and pound of French fries costs about $20. My husband had the pasta which was cold with shrimp over cooked. Do not eat here. You're better off eating at chills or Friday's.
(1)Beth H.
I have been coming to Blackbird since they opened. I have done dinner and brunch. While this restaurant has a lot of potential and does some things very well but struggles with consistency. The mussels are consistently excellent. I'm a fan of the potted pig. The short rib is good but not life changing. I loved the char. I've been underwhelmed by their salads and desserts. My biggest issue has been with their brunch, which I understand is still a work in progress. The coffee was watery. They couldn't make a basted egg or the waitress didn't know what it was. The benedict was under salted and came with an English muffin rather than a white cheddar biscuit, overcooked egg, dry ham.... we also had the farmers premonition which was delicious. I'll still be back and the staff is generally great. This place is definitely going through growing pains but they will likely pull through.
(4)Donald F.
My wife and I met some friends for dinner here and decided to arrive a little early to grab a drink at the bar. Needless to say that was the high point. The beer selection, although small, was quality. We each got a drink, and shared the candied bacon, which was a thin slice of heaven. Dinner was mediocre. We shared an order of mussels which were pretty good. My pizza was alright, but the order of paella my wife ordered missed the mark. It was very rich, and drenched in oil. Unfortunately, the service was less than stellar as well. I would recommend this place for an appetizer and a drink, but overall I believe they need to improve upon their entree's, especially for the price.
(3)John F.
I'm not quite sure with all the bad reviews. The place is relatively new (two weeks) and they clearly are working some kinks out. I booked a 7 o'clock reservation on Open Table, arrived at seven and was promptly seated with two friends. Our waitress was either training somebody or being trained, but in any event was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable of their menu and selections. She was aware of the preparation and able to attractively describe many of the dishes (agree that the menu was slightly pretentious and difficult to understand, we had to ask for an explanation of four items). She was honest, helpful and friendly. The drinks were very good, but have to agree it took awfully long to actually get them. My glass of the house Malbec with dinner came as I was finishing. The fried chicken was recommended, and we were warned that it was entirely cook from scratch as ordered and would take about 20 minutes. It came out perfect, and it did take 20 minutes. We hadn't seen our friend in quite some time and stayed and chatted for 30 minutes after our meal. The staff refilled the water and was attentive but not bothersome and we were most definitely not rushed. For the three of us with an appetizer, drinks, entrée and no dessert we paid nearly $200. I might come back for a special occasion for dinner, but otherwise would definitely come back to meet friends, have a drink, and go out (providing the drinks came more quickly).
(4)barry l.
Have now been several times and the menu is still all over the place and worse, the food is just not flavorful. The atmosphere is great... Shame they don't have the food to keep pace. Will not eat there again.
(2)Amber C.
Oh man, I wanted this place to be great. Made reservations for Easter brunch with my parents and my boyfriends parents and sadly, was quite disappointed. I got the brussels breakfast, which is essentially two fried eggs placed atop a MASSIVE serving of overly-sweet brussels sprouts, apple, and candied walnuts. I could barely make it through the meal before my teeth felt like they were wearing tiny wool sweaters after eating that much sugary sweetness. My boyfriends father got the "hash"- which was hardly a hash. It was potatoes topped with eggs. The same potatoes any one else with potatoes in their dish got. A hash - in my eyes - is small skillet potatoes with peppers and onion, not giant cuts of potatoes cooked in oil and played off as hash. The candied bacon was delicious, but it just seems as though if you're going to become a "farm to table" neighborhood gig, you don't have to douse everything in sugar and sweetness - sometimes simple things can be made incredibly. And you most certainly should call something, something it most certainly is not. The food was subpar, but I've heard plenty of people give this place two thumbs up. The service was fine, the young girl heard our plight and tried to correct what she could. I'll give this spot another chance, but perhaps for lunch. Brunch was just...bleh. I'd rather wait an hour for Snooze.
(2)Troy P.
Great location and plenty of seating. Burger was legit, servers very nice but super slow. Plan on having a long brunch/lunch.
(3)Gene R.
Had a blue cheese burger which was great. The overall menu was a little pricey but nothing too crazy. I'd definitely give it another shot and try something other than just a burger.
(4)Linda F.
Killer deal pizza and a bottle of wine for $20.00 whaaat ? Great pizza too. We live just a few blocks away. We'll be back!
(5)Kate E.
I've given this place two attempts now - first with a group of friends back in December 2014 and again for a birthday dinner in February 2015. The first visit was underwhelming but we chalked it up to "working the kinks out" for a new restaurant. The food fell on ends of the spectrum - either too salty/greasy or incredibly bland. Service was super slow and entrees did not come out at same time. Wine list is overpriced. I live in the neighborhood and REALLY want this place to survive so we gave it another shot two months later. By this time, service and wait improved. Food was still inconsistent, the brussel sprout appetizer had good flavor but was drowning in oil. The cauliflower entree was average but my family members LOVED the French onion soup and salmon entree. Blackbird management - please listen! We're all rooting for you but you've got to step it up! This is a foodie town and expectations are high for the prices you are charging.
(2)Liz F.
Ok this is my experience: I used to stop by for beers when the place was originally Handlebar. So I was pleasantly surprised with the whole renovation of the location. It looks so great and doesn't wreak of bleach and smelly bar floor as previously mentioned. I wanted to make a reservation for NYE online, but the website appeared to be broken or not working so I called in my reservation for 6:30 PM. When we arrived they told us we didn't have a reservation but luckily had a table to seat us immediately. I almost freaked out since it was NYE. Anyway, to the food. We ordered the white tuna sashimi I believe? Superb. We also had the steak tartar. Awesome and the duck egg was a plus! For dinner I had the Paella... this was where my dissappointment was, it was wayyy too fishy for a paella, it was too small, too much sauce (but I should have guessed per the Risotto) needed more meats! My boyfriend had the Bianca Pizza and it was amazing and awesome for take out! Overall-- I can't wait to be in and try new things! I hope they perfect their menu and food because this place has great potential. I think I will be ordering a cheese plate next time they look amazing.
(4)Gina C.
This new Wash Park restaurant has some work to do. I took my 5-year-old son to check it out, since his school is having their "dining out" night there soon. We were rushed to a table without a greeting - simply "how many?" We asked for a kid's menu - which THEY DON'T HAVE....!? A restaurant in the Wash Park neighborhood with no kid's menu? We opted for a simple cheese pizza for him and figured we could take the leftovers home. The pizza came SMOTHERED in finely chopped chives. Now maybe the chef has a 5-year-old with a well-developed palate, but I can assure you - this 5 year old almost shrieked at all the GREEN STUFF all over the pizza. There was so much and it was so fine, it couldn't be scraped off. When we told our server our dilemma, he seemed visibly peeved. He said, "what do you want? A new one?" Well yes, if it's not too much trouble! He shrugged. I had a salad that was drowned in salad dressing and I could only eat part of it. Our server didn't seem to notice the pool of dressing the wilted leaves were swimming in. The new pizza came and - as predicted - it was pretty burned. (I'm sure the chef wasn't happy with us). My son ate it, because he was STARVING by now - but the pizza is not one to go back for. Finally, the bill arrived and they charged me for both pizzas. The server was unapologetic -he said, "well, you did order two pizzas." WHAT? Then go get me another pizza to take home because the original pizza was "thrown out" - he declared. After several rounds - we got one of the pizzas removed from the bill - but not without glares from the manager and our server. I wouldn't go back -under ANY circumstances.
(1)Stephanie L.
Enjoyed dinner here! 4 meals..all were delicious. Fried chicken was very moist. Cauliflower steak was yummy, great seasoning on the kale salad, and superb lobster mac-n-cheese.
(4)Zachary T.
GET OUT OF CHERRY CREEK AND COME HERE! Tried the restaurant and it was great!! Nice atmosphere and a good menu. Had the smoked Caesar salad, cheese plate and the smore dessert. SO GOOD. Great new restaurant in a great up and coming neighborhood.
(5)Jenna L.
I was so excited to try this place out. Unfortunately...it was terrible. The food came out cold - the drinks took forever (they weren't even busy at the time), and it's not cheap! They also have and terrible gluten free options. The decor and atmosphere is cool and the drinks (when you actually get them) are good, but we won't be going back anytime soon. So many "farm-to-table" restaurants in Denver - this is nothing special.
(2)Tim V.
My wife and I came here for a drink before going out to dinner. If we didn't already have plans would have stayed to eat. We sat at the bar which has a very nice atmosphere. The bar tender was very friendly and knowledgable. He made me one of the best old fashioneds ever. My wife enjoyed her wine. The drinks were a little pricey but I think that is okay when they are quality and the atmosphere and service are top notch. We will for sure be going back. This time to eat.
(4)Paula G.
We really want to love this place and had high hopes. But after having dinner twice and several bar meals, the amateur service, indifferent bar staff, and pricey drinks, I'm afraid it may be a lost cause. I understand the pains of opening a new restaurant, but by now they should have hit stride, especially with their partner restaurants Atticus and Boones not too far away. The food is decent and the $20 happy hour pizza/bottle of house wine is appealing but waiting at the bar to place an order and then getting told off by waitstaff that we shouldn't be standing there sours the mood. Additionally, the space smeals like a sewer. It's really a shame. We need a great restaurant/bar in that space.
(2)Marc A.
Hmmm... where to start. I think the south-west corner of Alameda & Downing might be cursed. First impressions... wow! The place is bright, open, well decorated. My exact words were, "I wish my basement looked this good." I was excited to try the food for sure. Btw, went for lunch on a Saturday and sat at the bar. Agreed with some of the other reviews that the staff need a liitle more training (empty water glasses, long waits to order, etc), but, hey, its a new place so I say give them a break. However, the menu is just plain pretentious and pretty much ridiculous. We had to ask what 8 items were, and I'm not exactly a hillbilly with no foodie experience. I opted for the $12 burger, and it wasnt worth $12. Soggy fries, um, I mean "frites" (ugh) and my burger was undercooked. The pizza my friend got was soggy in the middle and a little plain tasting. Too bad... was really hoping for much better. I think the biggest issue I have with this place is it really doesnt know what it is and maybe is missing what Wash Park needs. I say, if you want to be a uppity restaurant, be it... let the food rock and live up to the menu. If you want to be a bar, be it and dumb down the menu and ditch the formal tables. I can only see Wash Park moms coming in for a glass of white wine after a half-lap around the park, and a few akward first Tinder dates. Maybe its a girls-night-out place, but doubt it, and its definitely not a guys-night-out place. I just dont know... seems like it needs to really separate itself from everything else on Alameda or it will be doomed to the curse of the Handlebar black hole. Three stars because I couldnt kick a dead horse.
(3)Brett I.
The 2 stars are for the restaurant which is friendly and relaxed. I would certainly have enjoyed sitting there having a cocktail and a chat with my wife if I had not eaten. The food however was a huge let down. I had chicken wings to start. They were rubbery, salty and flavorless and the dipping sauces were inedible. I kept asking for different sauces but each one was as bad as the other. These are the only wings in the US I have not been able to eat. I then had a piece of salmon and regret ordering it. My wife had the only vegetarian option which was a cauliflower steak and it was salty and pretty average, even for vegetarian food. My daughter ordered the margarita pizza and nearly all of it was left behind when we left soon after. They have a tremendous opportunity to iron these things out as the location is primo and the building is perfect. If they fire the chef and start all over with the menu I think this restaurant could be a super asset for the Wash Park area.
(2)RJ D.
Horrible experience. Trying to be way too hipster oriented. We went for brunch on a Thursday morning. It wasn't really that busy. The bar had about 6 people. There was one other table of 4 seated. Poor service in general. Won't be going back. 1. We ordered, it took 1 hr for food for 3 people to come out. We had to ask 3 different people about our order. I think they forgot to enter it to begin with. 2. They brought out extra food (which generally isn't a bad thing). Undercooked eggs. Tried to charge for it. 3. No salt or pepper on table. Had to ask for these along with butter, jam, ketchup, hot sauce. Basically all the things you would expect to have on hand at any brunch table. They were not there. 4. It took 20 mins to get the check. Should have just walked out. 5. The Brussels are way to salty. Too much vinegar.
(1)Tim T.
Tried Blackbird last Saturday night, we were excited for a new restaurant in the neighborhood. Waited 20 min for drinks, the owner stopped by and said the bar was backed up, not a good excuse. Tried an appetizer of Potted Pig which sounded awesome by the description, it came out bland with no flavors and served with a frozen baguette. At this point we decided to not stay for dinner and asked for the check. You would think if a table asks for a check prior to the meal, the owner would certainly follow up prior to us leaving. Sorry Blackbird, there's way too many great places in Denver.
(1)Casey K.
I am shocked by the 3 star average that they have!! This place is delicious! I'm not sure if people are just sad because it is nothing like the previous restaurant but I love it here!! The decor is really cool and inviting. The food is amazing with awesome options for Vegetarians! I would strongly recommend the fried rice...so bomb! They have a good beer selection and the manager is really nice and great! I love Blackbird and I hope this restaurant group keeps opening up new concepts!
(5)R P.
One of the worst dining experiences you can find in Denver. The menu was incredibly busy and overwhelming; too many different items and styles if cuisine, It's as though someone pinned a thousand take out menus to a wall and tossed a hundred.darts and everything that hit went onto their menu. There's no direction to it, and it shows in their food. Ordered fried c icken, and the breading was soggy and falling off, the meat was dry and tough: it literally looked, felt, and tasted like it had been chicken they'd cooked the night before, re-heated and served the next day. Everything was flavorless overall. Do yourself (and possibly your date) and look elsewhere to spend your hard earned money.
(1)Judy R.
I live close by and was hoping this would be an improvement on Handlebar. It is and it isn't. The remodel is fabulous and as others have mentioned - a serious upgrade. I had lunch there and the lunch menu seemed very limited. I would love to see them serve more salads. I got the Caesar with grilled chicken. The chicken was not on the menu but they accommodated my request. It was grilled romaine. Not my fav! I would rather have uncooked lettuce - thank you very much! I am hopeful that they will improve the menu with less avante garde items- especially at lunch. I had a hard time finding anything I want to eat. But, it has potential and that is great!
(2)Aida K.
Horrible food, poor service! I was there Friday night and we were a group of 4. We wait an hour to get our food and almost the same time to get something to drink. The restaurant is nice with a warm decoration but our experience was really bad. Because the place is always full.. I think they must have a really good marketing team ... Our food was not good at all!!! I don't know why they announce a Chef in their Facebook page because it seems like the food was cooked by a not professional cooker. Very expensive for what they offer. We didn't enjoy it. For what we paid there, we could have a better dinner in a nicer restaurant.
(1)Jules P.
What a disappointment! Everything that we tried was bland and overpriced. 7 dollars for lettuce and vinaigrette is highway robbery! We won't be setting foot in the place again. It's a shame because the atmosphere was pleasing and it's right up the street.
(1)Christian C.
This place was quite disappointing...they've got the looks but not the food. Pizza- soggy, cold- nothing special. Mussels- sweet and unsavory...didn't even finish them. Brussel sprouts was the highlight...but who can't make those? Let's talk desserts...the WORST! Apple crepes tasted like potpourri smells...orange dried out cupcake with hard chocolate on top...lamest s'mores concoction you can imagine. This place better shape up quick or they should just close the doors now. Sad.
(2)Elizabeth S.
Service seems hit or miss. We have been here twice and sat at the bar both times. The first time the bartender was awesome, second time the same bartender was there but we were being taken care of by someone else. Not bad necessarily, just a little slow. Love the pizza and bottle of wine happy hour special!! $20, wine is decent, and pizza is great.
(4)Anna E.
I'm surprised to see such low ratings for Blackbird, but I wonder if it's because the restaurant is new and there were kinks that needed to be worked through...? Our experience at Blackbird was nothing short of wow! We ordered several dishes to share - the short ribs with cassoulet, hanger steak, salmon, and pepperoni pizza. The pizza was (as predicted), a pizza. Totally decent, but paled in comparison to the short ribs and hanger steak, which were just amazing! The salmon was also very good, but again, short ribs and hanger steak stole the show. For dessert, we ordered the beignets (we were told they have a new pastry chef from New Orleans), and LOVED IT! A little slice of NOLA right in Denver. Congrats, Blackbird--we will be back for certain!
(5)Zach C.
We stopped in Saturday night for drinks and some appetizers. Between the 20 minute wait for our drinks and the overpriced appetizers we left after the first round of drinks. We were really excited about this place after reading what one of the owner envisioned this place to be... "We wanted a place where families, couples, and dates would feel comfortable." We were really hoping that this would be a place to take our family regularly but.... Some of the appetizers appeared to be affordable, but after talking with the waiter, he suggested if we wanted something to share with our table of four we should go with the $50 appetizer! Entrees in the $20+ range. The food maybe fine and might be nice for a date or couples, but certainly not a place were families would be comfortable.
(2)Eric B.
I have to start by saying I live a block away and was a regular at the Handlebar. I was disappointed when they closed. I went to Blackbird about 2 weeks after they opened. It was crowded and loud and I was not happy. The appetizer was good but not perfect and the bartenders were busy so not very talkative. And damn it was loud. So, being bent out of shape, I was an ass and told them I could not see myself coming back. My girlfriend convinced me of the error of my ways and we returned late one night when it was less busy. Nate and Donny were behind the bar and are two of the best bartenders around. I like whiskey drinks and they surprised me with how complex their drinks are. All you have to do is describe what you are in the mood for and they will knock your socks off. We ordered the same appetizer that we ordered the last time and it was awesome. We talked to some other patrons at the bar and they raved about their meals. We have been in several times since and always enjoy the experience, the food, the drinks and the staff. We will be there for New Year's Eve and it should be busy and we will be able to see how they handle it. Also, they still have the same small parking lot that the Handlebar had. If the weather is nice, you can easily park a short block east on Marion Parkway. There is always parking there. And they also have a community room for events and private parties (where the pizza place once was).
(5)Kris G.
We ate here for the first and ONLY time 12/27/2014. The food was mediocre at best and overpriced. I had the cauliflower steak at 16 dollars and my husband had what they called "half a chicken" for less. He got two pieces of chicken ( maybe Blackbird) and our salads were only greens at 7.00 dollars each!! Way too much for the amount and the flavors. Atticus has this place beat!!
(2)Nick R.
Came here with my girlfriend on a Wednesday and it was nice and quiet. We were seated in the backroom which had a unique look and feel. Overall I liked the appearance of the restaurant. Our server was friendly but a little slow. He seemed more interested in the larger party nearby. Although he was great in recommending the duck confit, which was excellent. I ordered the fish sandwich which was just okay. We also got the blistered brussel sprouts which were amazing. 2/3 of our dishes were great. Service was decent. Would probably return
(3)Paul R.
Blackbird is great. I have read the other reviews and would say most of the critical ones describe the struggles of a new launch. In my two visits, I experienced delicious food, solid cocktails, and a staff trying hard to make my visit a great one.
(5)Dan A.
really great place! loved the staff super knowledgeable and accommodating. food was better than just ok. but they will find their stride i have no doubt and I will be back for sure!
(3)Chelsea D.
So food was excellent!! Service was awful. Took us 45 minutes to even order our food.
(3)Bill R.
Ok, but could be so much better.... My wife and I came here for a dinner on a Thursday evening. It was busy, but not crowded and the service was quite good. The food was a bit of a question. We were told that they were trying a new dinner menu. I ordered the bianca pizza with a side of kale, and my wife ordered a lamb burger. We were both disappointed. While it is obvious that they use fresh, quality ingredients, they fail on the seasoning. All dishes were overly salty and oily. The lamb burger was cooked rather rare, but the meat was tasty. However, bun on the burger was grilled but not prepared properly and was salty and too soggy to handle. The pizza was tangy, and a nice surprise with lemon. However, it was very oily. It seemed as though the pizza was prepared and then had oil sprinkled on top. Given that it already had a pesto topping, there was already more than enough oil. The kale was too salty period. Sans the extra salt and oil, this could have been a fantastic meal. Instead it was rather disappointing. Still the atmosphere is good, and the wine list is impressive. I would come back for a drink and bite at the bar, but the new dinner menu needs a little work.
(3)Lindsay B.
I live just down the street and have only been here for brunch. The brunch cocktails are a bit on the small side compared to other restaurants, but the food was good. Only complaint is that I was served potatoes as a side with a cauliflower hash that already has potatoes in it. Decor is amazing! Great place for a date!
(4)Jeffrey K.
Nice space, great GF pizza crust, sit on the bar side
(4)Joan G.
I was very excited to try blackbird. I had heard good things for weeks. When we walked in, the restaurant distinctly smelled like the stock show. Throughout dinner there were several gnats flying around our table and landing on our plates and food, very gross. Maybe they felt at home in the smell. We were not impressed, but decided to give it a chance. Our waiter was nice but seemed like he was trying to push every special on us and every event they were having in the next few weeks. I will admit the Brussels sprouts were delicious and came out in a timely manner. As for our dinner, it took forever. Granted there were 6 of us and 4 ordered pizzas but I don't think we should have had to wait that long. When the food finally came out, the non-pizza items were stone cold as if they had been ready for a long time. Our waiter was great about getting fresh items when we complained. My pizza took about 15 minutes longer than everyone else's but the manager comped it. I had the Italian pizza and I didn't think it was very good, felt it was not very flavorful. Waiter assured me the Italian sausage was made in house and was delicious, I did not agree. Hopefully they can iron out the issues.
(2)Katherine L.
Rustic and elegant, authentic farm to table, obviously done with care. Sunday bunch with my husband and 4 year old daughter. The ONLY negative thing I would say is that the service was a tad slow, but definitely not terrible I would also rate this place quite kid friendly, they gave our daughter a chalkboard and chalk, she loved it. The kids' menu was perfect and they have a "milk bar", vanilla, chocolate & cherry or try all 3, very cool. Admittedly our kid is a world traveled mini foodie, but still, French toast, fresh fruit, fresh whipped cream and candied bacon are pretty kid-friendly! She also tried and liked my eggs and potatoes. Bottomless mimosas for $18 (single for $6) and a choice of orange, cranberry or grapefruit, I tried all 3, great! 2 types of bloody mary (with or without candied bacon) using either V8 or tomato juice and spicy to your liking. My husband had the country ham benedict and it was perfect. I had the Farmer breakfast, again, perfection. Everything was cooked really well, presented deliciously and obviously fresh. For a restaurant that has only been open a few weeks I think that they are spot on with their food and selection as well as their drinks. I'm sure they will work out the service issues, although I don't consider current conditions that bad. The decor is really lovely and welcoming, rustic and charming while still being clean and with modern appointments. We will be coming back, repeatedly, for brunch and secretly hoping we don't run into a 70 minute wait such as encountered at Snooze (which honestly has decor reminiscent of McDonald's).
(5)Devon M.
As usual this chain of restaurants has disappointed me. Way overpriced food and wine with an underwhelming menu. At one point the waiter suggested a red wine that would go well with steak...there's no steak on the menu. Decor is nice and that's about all its got going on.
(1)Philip H.
Another hipster douchebag restaurant opens with the notion of improving on the classics. Just because one cooks potatoes in duck fat doesn't mean they don't need to be fully cooked. Not impressed by the candied bacon or the pork belly. The newly renovated space is fabulous but the service was a bit slow.
(2)Lucy K.
I feel terrible about only giving Blackbird one star, and gave them three chances because it's in my hood but the food is terrible. The menu has no identity which would be okay if what came out of the kitchen was outstanding but this is not the case here. Even the pizza was undercooked-- this was around 3:30pm on a weekday when the place was half empty. I also agree with the other review that talks about how weird the layout is...It would be depressing to sit down to a meal in the small, completely separate, carpeted dining room. Ugh, still can't get over the food. There is also a TERRIBlE sewage smell that permeates through the bar area-- hopefully management will read this and do something about it.
(1)George P.
Sadly, this charming new neighborhood restaurant completely missed the mark. Excellent job on the remodel (other than the commercial carpet...left over from Handle Bar?), poor selection of food offerings and quality. Not sure the market researchers knew their audience? This is the last type of food (fancy, unrecognizable, expensive) Wash Park families are searching for. Upscale bar food (think The Tavern on S. Gaylord) and family friendly is what we need! We ran into 3 families/friends dining the night we were there and all were disappointed. This location has such great potential. We're sorry to say, unless thing take a drastic turn, we're holding out. :-((
(1)Bella L.
Nice addition to the West Wash Park neighborhood in the former space of the Handlebar Tavern. Upscale casual dining. Well executed New American cuisine with charcuterie and cheese boards, shared plates/snacks, and entrees including whole Branzino, seared Artic Char, Lamb T-Bone, and Wagyu hanger steak. Excellent cocktail program designed by Sean Kenyon of Williams & Graham fame. Can't wait to make this our neighborhood spot.
(4)Kelly G.
The service at the Blackbird was excellent and he gave us solid recommendations for wine to pair with our entrees. Our group of 5 enjoyed the Blistered Brussels sprouts (portion was sufficient for sharing); it was an excellent starter. The risotto was good but the shrimp & cheesy grits was excellent. We were too full to indulge in the desserts - next trip!
(4)Karen L.
Second visit in one week- it's that good. First time, bottomless mimosas for day-after Valentine's Day brunch. Our amazing server, Bree, made us feel like we were royalty snuggled into our comfy booth- as we devoured candied bacon and savory, crispy brussel sprouts with a perfect egg on top. A divine brunch. This place is all about service. The best wait staff, friendly, knowledgeable, easy-going but professional. Even a very tired two year old didn't put them out; they put the kid's order in immediately, and the little one sailed merrily through our five course Restaurant Week meal, eating french fries and dancing to Motown sounds. The food is exquisite. What is most special is how every bite is cooked to perfection, delicious and tasty, from the juicy, mouth-watering short ribs to the world's most perfect burger. Again, the server we enjoyed the second time we visited, Dan, (dead ringer for Channing Tatum, btw), was a big part of our memorable evening. This is the place. Unpretentious, cozy, welcoming, and utterly scrumptious.
(5)Richard R.
Unfortunate dining experience. Seated promptly and orders taken promptly. Ordered two appetizers, as well as a salad and entree for main courses. One appetizer came with salad (instead of salad coming as entree). Salad was totally overdressed, i.e. soggy. Second appetizer did not come until entree came out. A second glass of wine ordered to have with main course did not arrive until main course finished. When this was pointed out to the waiter, instead of leaving the wine and comping it, he took the wine away. Manager was gracious and apologetic. Before we left, the waiter suggested that kitchen was still refining its timing, but he suggested that for our next visit we should not come during dinner hour on Friday or Saturday......really?
(2)Stephen J.
Can't find anything wrong with this place. Was in for brunch -- when it was slow -- Sunday morning. Food was good, service was great, price was reasonable.
(5)Hank G.
Very disappointed with the entire dining experience. We had a party of 6 with an 11:00 am brunch reservation coupled with high hopes because of recommendations from friends. We were one of the first tables seated and our drink order was taken along with a charcuterie plate. At this point, our experience had kept up with expectations but quickly fell off as we placed our order. A disorganized wait staff and crowded kitchen delayed our food order by over an hour accompanied by lack of attention by wait staff with scarce room temperature water and missing drink orders that were never fulfilled even after being brought to the waitresses attention. Once our food finally came, only 4 of the 6 plates were served, grossly overlooked by a heat lamp and again, lacking key elements of the dish. We had two orders of the Fried Chicken and Flapjacks with the absence of the flapjacks. After this was brought to our server's attention, we were informed that they could not serve the flapjacks they had made because of poor kitchen execution and they would not be remade. Our other plates were served cold and long after the initial entrees were served. Disorganized service, poorly executed entrees, and a lack of cooperation of staff led to an utter failure of a brunch and a waste of 2 hours where we could have eaten at a finer establishment. Even after such a poor experience our bill had only been partially discounted to account for the missing flapjacks but nothing else. Definitely wait for this restaurant to reorganize their staff and kitchen and take your business elsewhere.
(1)Ellie F.
Four of us ate dinner here last night and had a fabulous experience. We shared 5 different plates....risotto, beef short ribs, brussel sprouts, burrata, and mussels. Yum! All were amazing!! We eat out a lot in Denver so we've gotten to be spoiled foodies. At this point and it takes a bit to impress this group so when I say the food tastes amazing, I really mean, amazing! It is fresh with interesting pairings and flavorful sauces. Each bite was better than the last. Past reviews have complained about the service but our experience was excellent. Kyle was our server and knew the menu really well. We asked him about specific ingredients in quite a few of the dishes and he didn't have to go and check with the kitchen. He was personable and attentive, checking back with us often, clearing plates and bringing new ones, refilling our wine and water, etc. I think this might be my new favorite place!!
(5)Leah W.
Super excited this spot was so great. Will def. be back! -Great location near Wash Park. -Parking lot was full upon arrival, easy street parking nearby though. -Made it in time for happy hour and house white was delicious! Not sweet, tart, refreshing. Waitress said hints of grapefruit and I totally got that vibe. -Wish there was a bit more food specials for happy hour. HH food offering was limited to $1 oysters. -"The Forest" pizza was really flavorful. Could tell fresh herbs were used on/in it as it had a really amazing smell that's taking over my fridge right now (leftovers). -Loved the ambiance & soft lighting (note - turn lights down earlier please!) -Super attentive wait staff (this is a shock to the system in Denver!). They seemed pretty busy with a big party in the back but our waitress kept coming by to check on us and let us know our food would be up shortly.
(4)Jessica M.
We had one of those lazy Sunday mornings where we really wanted a yummy breakfast, but didn't want to have to make it ourselves. Enter Blackbird. I flipped through the Denver Dining Passbook to see which, if any, restaurant offers could be redeemed for brunch, and voila! (Side note - there are a few!) Truth be told, after reviewing their menu - I was sold on the shrimp & grits, and I didn't change my mind when it came time to order. I was definitely really happy with my choice, but the two others at the table went for the chilaquiles and felt a little underwhelmed. I sampled some bites of their dishes, and while I thought the flavors were great - the dish missed because the chips were still crunchy. I've always had chilaquiles where the chips were softer - more casserole like, and I think if that had been the case - it would have been perfect. We also had a side of candied bacon, which was spicy?? and started with the donut holes and dipping sauces. I think the caramel was my favorite. All in all, I think I'm on the fence. I loved the ambiance and the service was great, but may need to try a second visit to be sure.
(3)Lola M.
wanna wait 15 minutes for a drink? yes, the drink will be pretty good, but for 15 minutes, that gin better be hand-distilled in a red velvet-lined back room and laced subtly with unicorn tears imported from Scotland. the food will also take roughly 2x longer than it should. 30 min for appetizers. are you kidding me? it's meat and cheese on a wooden board. my dog could prepare that in less time. unless you're curing the meat on the plate as it sits pathetically in the window, 30 minutes doesn't cut it, Blackbird. believe it or not, i actually have other shit to do. like teach my dog how to prepare meat and cheese boards, because i'm sure as hell not making that mistake twice. so close to being a pretty great spot. close. not there.
(3)Rebecca B.
Love the service and the menu. Giving 4 stars because brunch could improve. Need to go back to the basics and work from there. The gluten free pizza is the absolute best I have ever had. The pizza and a bottle of wine happy hour special is the best in town!
(4)Chris H.
Blackbird opened near our home several months ago and we finally made it by there last night. It has a nice atmosphere and while the menu seemed a little limited to me, it did have pizza...so if there is pizza on the menu I am happy. I ordered a pizza and it was very good for the style of pizza that it was. Thin crust oven baked pizza. I thought they could have taken the toppings farther out towards the crust...but all of the toppings were very good.
(4)Brianna P.
I was really impressed with Blackbird. My husband and I decided to hold our rehearsal dinner here and Dave did an incredible job - he went above and beyond and surprised us by having flowers on the tables and making it look beautiful. We expected to walk in and have it look as it normally does, and he really went out of his way to make it special for us. We enjoyed the food, the ambiance is wonderful, the only feedback I have is that the breakfasts are a bit on the greasy side - or maybe it was just the brussels. Either way, we love this place, we hope they do well, thank you Dave for making a lasting impression on us!
(4)Christopher B.
I've been here only for drinks a few times and I find it a great spot to just sit back with some friends and have a nice conversation. I like that they have a different beer list than other places and a pretty good wine list. Definitely a great spot if you're looking for something nice but low key.
(4)Michael C.
I don't know man. The ambiance is great. The ribs are boiled and "ok," but I would not order them again if you are a serious BBQ rib fan. I would receive men's the pizzas. They do shine here. Try the sausage one.
(3)Josh J.
Damn! the burger..absolutely killed it! in a good way. sooo good, took one bite and my body went into pure ecstasy. plus the fries and aoli to go with, pure heaven. highly recommended.
(5)Patrick J.
Really good pizza. Great oyster selection. Buffalo wings that surprised me, yummy! We will be back. The service was excellent also.
(4)Jeff B.
Damn that burger was amazing!!! Ambience is cool, great selection of booze....I'm happy.
(5)C. K.
Great ambiance, delicious food, wonderful service... yes, it might be a little expensive for a neighborhood establishment on a busy corner but you're not going to get as good of an experience any where else for much less. The owners totally revamped the interior from the days of HandleBar, Downing Street Grill/Cafe, etc and took over some neighboring space. They put some money and time into rethinking what this restaurant could and should be. My hope is it sticks around for years to come as I know we'll be back. We had a table of 7 and everyone's meal looked delicious with one exception: the Mac and Cheese. We had some Wisconsinites with us and they know good M&C... here it's average at best. Luckily, that was the one item that didn't sing for everyone. Great place, great food. Go and enjoy.
(4)Alicyn K.
Super impressed with their customer service here! First off, excellent bloody marys - spicy enough but not burning your mouth. Then my date and I ordered a 16 in pizza and someone training in the back made us the smaller pizza size on accident. So not ONLY did they bring us 2 of the smaller sized pizzas, they also discounted our ticket. Best service I've seen in awhile. The staff was friendly and funny too.
(5)brent P.
Ate lunch here with friends. Service was good. Food OK. Great beer selection. They forgot the cheese on my hamburger. Waitress said,"New cook back there." I let it go.
(3)Rex B.
With all the mixed reviews, I really didn't know what to expect. We went on a Sunday night, and business was a little slow. The server was very helpful with selections and the food was delicious and reflected some interesting and creative selections. We had some oysters, blistered brussels sprouts, salad and the rhubarb pizza. I'm glad they are in the neighborhood. I hope they can make it work in this location.
(4)Betsy W.
I've now tried this place three times, always hoping that I just had a bad experience. After a failed third try last night, I will never be returning again. Their food is down right bad, their drinks are overpriced and their management is antisocial and not accommodating when there are problems. I would simply say to avoid this restaurant at all costs; I will be.
(1)Michelle C.
I don't write reviews often but I almost didn't try the Blackbird because of its poor ratings in the past (maybe working kinks out?) and that would have been a mistake... Went for a late dinner with my cousin and we were very happy with everything! Started with the brussel sprouts which were crispy and delicious, then we split the lamb burger and the farm salad with steak. All of it was served quickly, was well seasoned, and tasted great! Our server Brett was friendly, helpful and attentive. I'm excited to walk here for brunch and maybe oysters and cocktails another night! Very cool to have a new neighborhood spot!
(5)Steve S.
I was looking forward to a new restaurant in the neighborhood, and Blackbird certainly had a great wide open space to work with where the old bar used to sit. However, strangely. the space now just doesn't work even though it has been expanded into the old pizzeria next door. You walk into a restaurant, consisting of three distinct spaces. In the front, is the dining room. In the middle, the bar. Finally, in the old pizzeria, what they call a community space, although I'm not sure I understand what that means in relation to the space. It's just a bunch of empty space. After being place in the community area, under some sort of big box hanging of the ceiling, we struggled to read the mis-spelled menu under dim light. Happy hour specials are decent, however hard to read because of poor printing. We ordered from the happy hour menu because the pricing on the regular menu did not match the space or the perceived quality of the food. After wings, a charcuterie board, and a $10 (!!!) ceasar salad (yes, that is how it was spelled), and two drinks, we spent $40 on a terribly average meal, with additional touches like wing sauce that were just NOT good. One of the sauces tasted like feet (don't ask how I know that). The best part of the restaurant was the waitress, who was apparently in training however seemed just find on her own. Second, there is educator appreciation night on Thursday and Friday, which may have us back for a drink only on those days. This whole situation seemed to represent the restaurant perfectly, a confusing space with confusing menu items and prices that should not be offered at that high of a figure, when your view is a gas station. Spend your money elsewhere, my friends.
(2)Meredith G.
I took a friend here for a midweek lunch and it was nice and quiet. I got the lamb burger with fries and practically licked my plate clean. The friendly bartender was our server. She was on top of everything. I look forward to going here for dinner and leaving room to try their desserts.
(4)Ryan M.
I will start out by saying that the restaurant is absolutely beautiful, and the service is pretty stellar. That being said, I thought the food was just ok. We got the Brie Hot Pot as an appetizer. We asked if we could add vegetables instead of all bread. He had to go back and asked, and told us it would be extra. We said 'ok'. When the brie came out, we had 3 carrots and 3 pieces of broccoli. No bread. We had to ask for bread, then it came out (4 small slices). The brie itself was pretty decent. I had the mussels. They were a bit dry, and did not come with a side (usually when I get mussels they come with fries). My partner had the burger. He said it was difficult to eat because the burger was so thick, and the bread was incredibly dense (he ate it without the bread). He did say the fries were good, and the candied bacon was fantastic. Our friend got the fried chicken. The fried skin was really thick, which I liked, but it hardly had any flavor. The chicken itself was cooked very good. Overall, it was decent, but I do think it was overpriced.
(3)Jeremiah B.
Poor service, overcooked food, shrimp and grits which should have been labeled grease and grits soup and an un organized staff. Went here because there was so wait for Sunday brunch. I'll spend my time waiting at a good spot next weekend.
(1)Amanda D.
one star, here is why 1. asked for no cheese, and sure enough I got cheese 2. asked for eggs well done, got runny yolk 3. cup of coffee with grounds 4. took about a half an hour for the entree to come 5. simple salad is too expensive to be tasteless... the worst I have ever had 6. took another 15 minutes to run through my card after the bill comes 7. asked for hot sauce didn't get it until half way through the meal here is why it still deserves one star than zero 1. liked the "grits" made from cauliflower 2. Duck eggs available, no matter what the up charge was 3. Marlin sashimi available, but not available today during my visit :( 4. a HIPSTER neighborhood restaurant indeed, everyone lives a couple of blocks away. After living in Los Angeles for 5 years, I couldn't wait to get away from pretentiousness to simply just some good food, fair prices and effortless attentive service, none of which I could find in Blackbird.
(1)Laura M.
Place has very friendly staff, I sat at the bar for beer and pizza both of which were delicious! The pizza was a great deal at $9 for a small, also seemed like a cool place to hang out given the atmosphere. I'll go back for sure!
(4)Sarah H.
One of my best friends came into town from San Diego so we wanted to take her to a new hot restaurants in Denver. We were able to make reservations for a large group, which was extremely convenient. When we arrived we were waiting to others to get there so we ordered a drink at the bar. They have a nice selection of specialty cocktails that are very tasty! We started with a variety of appetizers and my hands down favorite was the blistered Brussels! Our server suggested some delicious cheese and meat options as well. If you like a Cesar salad you need to try theirs. It is not cut up romaine lettuce, however a full piece, that is crunchy and good. I ordered the paella and was very happy with my selection, however was a little envious of my boyfriends short ribs. They were cooked to perfection and so yummy. Of course I didn't have any room for dessert so I didn't get a chance to try anything but am sure they would follow suit of high quality! I hear that the pizzas are very popular so I can't wait to go back and have one; as well as try their brunch. I work in the Wash Park area and am so happy to have a new and fabulous restaurant in the neighborhood.
(5)R H.
Overall, it was pretty good. I would eat here again. Boyfriend and I tried to start with stuff on the app menu, as it appeared the entrees may be somewhat overpriced. We ordered the Frisée salad, the wild marlin sashimi, the mussels and the candied bacon. The mussels were delicious, albeit small (being landlocked can suck). The broth was creamy and a little sweet, with shaved red pepper in it. We enjoyed taking the provided French bread and sopping up all the yumminess that was to be had. I would have ordered a bowl of that broth alone if I could have. Frisée salad was delicious. Not bitter and all the components worked well together. I loved the pears in it (a form of drunken pear) and think they should top with candied bacon instead of regular bacon. I kept eating them together and it was an incredible mash up. As for the candied bacon itself, it's tasty, but doesn't much stand on it's own as a side. I'm not sure I have a suggestion, but it came tied together and was a bit overdone. It's got red pepper flakes, so it's spicy as well as sweet. We make a similar one at home. (Not pictured) Wild Marlin Sashimi it was delightful. I'd never had marlin before and it was surprisingly mild. It came with persimmon mustard (tasted basically like stone ground mustard) and was well seasoned. I enjoyed dipping it in the provided Sriracha dots. Again, overall a good experience. We had no wait and the waiter was a bit slow for there being no one there, but I think he was trying not to bug us since we were on a date.
(4)Lianne N.
The interior is beautiful, the staff is friendly, and the food is delicious. It's a bit pricey but the food was top notch so it felt worth it. We tried the duck tacos, the lamb burger, and the short ribs. At first I regretted not getting the pizza that I'm sure is amazing but every thing we had was amazing! The duck tacos were so good, I'm drooling thinking about them. I will definitely be back. Definitely hit this place up for happy hour, I think that's 3-6 on weekdays. The charcuterie board is $4 cheaper. They also have the crazy $20 bottle of wine and a pizza special.
(4)Rebecca M.
Updating my review to 4 stars instead of 3...they are really stepping up their food game and the atmosphere : I love the blistered Brussels and all of the pizzas I have tried. The buffalo pizza is SO hot! And so good. The mussels are consistently delicious. Service needs to be a little more attentive, but we Keep coming back ;)
(4)Jessica D.
I've been here once before and I loved it. I recently moved here and had to get a Colorado temporary license. I showed that and my picture ID the second time I came and was denied. The manager wouldn't even come tell me himself and told his employee to explain they do not accept temporary licenses. I have been using this form of a license everywhere else in Colorado and no one had denied me for following the law except for Blackbird. I even had friends with me who had never been and I just got done telling them how great the food was. The bartender was great and polite but I don't agree with the policy of not accepting a Colorado issued ID in a Colorado establishment.
(1)Sarah H.
Amazing cauliflower steak... Would leave anyone satisfied great service and within walking to Washington Park
(5)Heather C.
I am giving 3 stars instead of 2 for the following reason: I ordered the margarita pizza, and it was not the greatest. But, as the quote goes - "pizza is like sex - even when it's bad, it's still pretty good." That being said, their pizza doesn't even hold a flame to a plethora of other places in Denver to grab a great slice. The dough was undercooked, and it made the whole pizza soggy. The cheese would fall off the slice, and just end up in a big gloppy mess. This makes for a messy and hard to eat, albeit still kinda tasty, piece of pizza. My friend ordered one of their benedicts and everything was terribly under salted. Our waiter was friendly enough and they bring out a complimentary plate of fruit to every table, which is unique. I might come back to try another breakfast dish, but definitely not the pizza.
(3)Nick C.
Blackbird did a great job hosting our office holiday party. Their backroom catered perfectly for our group of 20. The interior is a drastic change for the better since the Handlebar days. The bar posed itself perfect for a happy hour or even an informal date night. The establishment is segmented off which is rather nice depending on whether you want a formal dinner, an informal happy hour, or the back room to watch sports or play shuffle puck. Although I haven't dined there for a formal dinner, I would certainly suggest Blackbird for a large gathering or party based on our experience. The venue serves itself great for large parties as with ours. More importantly the service was friendly, the food was inventive, eclectic, and affordable, and the drink selection was more than adequate. From the large selection on the charcuterie board, the unique sauces for the wings and ribs, to the selection of artisan pizzas, everyone was satisfied. The owners did an incredible job from day one assisting and catering to us in regards to the planning and budgeting for the party. The chef and management did an exceptional job on executing and provided our office one of the best office holiday parties we've had. I'm looking forward to heading back for a happy hour.
(4)Mickele B.
We tried Blackbird twice. I think the menu concepts are good, but execution of the food just doesn't cut it. The service was fair, with the exception of our brunch waitress. The first time was for brunch. I ordered the chilaquiles and asked if I could make sure the egg whites were cooked. The waitress told us that they only cook eggs 1 way (?). The egg white was so runny, it was like soup. I pushed the whole egg to the side and didn't touch it. The waitress did not acknowledge the obvious problem. My second time at Blackbird was with a group. We thought it was a nice touch to have a welcome sign on our reserved table. The pickled pepper strips on the olives were innovative, bright, tangy and would be an excellent taste counterpoint to olives. But the olives were cold, like straight out of the refer cold (here's a tip: Olives are creamier and have less bite when they are served at room temperature or even gently warmed). I'm a big salad eater, so I will always order a new twist on salad, especially beets. But I was disappointed by the wheat berry component. Wheat berries should be cooked until they split. The wheat berries on this salad were too hard. The desirable location makes this convenient to meet up for all types of reasons However, we probably won't go to Blackbird again unless it's just for a cocktail.
(1)Ethan C.
I have been to Blackbird a couple of times and really want it to work. I live around the corner (Elway in his prime could easily throw a football over my roof from the parking lot). I frequented the original Handle Bar and Grill back in the old days. My previous visits were either for drinks or pizza. Pizza was good, despite some reviews of people complaining. My most recent visit was for the "cook out" they were advertising for on Sunday. As a side note, I am in the military. In the Army a concept (or operation) is put to planning and then execution. There can be a great concept that has poor planning and poor execution (bad day); poor planning and great execution (good people save the day), good planning and poor execution (ouch); or ideally great planning and great execution (what we all want). With the Blackbird, they have many great concepts (i.e. the cook out) but are hampered by either poor planning, poor execution, or both. When I walked up, I saw the grill in the parking lot but nothing was grillin'. Still, I asked the bartender if there would be BBQ chicken, per the menu. He checked and said it was almost ready. I've grilled chicken in the bone and it takes at least 30 to 40 min. This made me suspicious, but I proceeded to order the BBQ chicken ($9) and potato salad ($4). My potato salad came literally 4 min later. My chicken came 25 min later. Poor execution. It was two itty-bitty chicken pieces (thigh and leg) that looked darn near from a Cornish game hen. Although the chicken was fully cooked, it was only warm. Clearly cooked earlier in the day and perhaps warmed up on the grill for a couple of minutes, or not. I did see burger patties being slapped on the grill. I should have went that route. Blackbird, you're killing me.
(2)Brian B.
I have watched this location go through many changes and while at times I enjoyed the previous sports bar, the Blackbird is finally a concept that will last. I have been here for dinner and for happy hour about 5 or 6 times now...I live across the street. This is my favorite place for happy hour when you want to eat with your drinks. Their pizza is amazing, I have tried every kind. At HH they serve a pizza (enough to feed a hungry man) and a bottle of wine (pinot or merlot) for just $20!! That still blows my mind, especially since the pizza is so delicious. As far as dinner goes, I looove their short ribs and really enjoy the lamb burger. My wife said I must mention that their smoked ceasar fell short and so did their french onion soup. But on the plus side, their candied bacon is must! Their drink menu is decent, I think they tried to get a little to fancy and charge a couple dollars more than most for their cocktails though. Overall, their fantastic HH pizza and wine combo and a couple of their specialty dinner plates and relaxed atmosphere will keep me coming back.
(4)Hannah W.
"It was going to happen eventually..." My boyfriend and I said in sync as we walked home from Blackbird. This place is close enough that we were excited to try it as a new place close to home. I wanted this place to be good. I am a fan of wine and pizza. The wine list was fairly generic, and had wines that retail for $12 at a liquor store, none that were unique. We ordered margarita pizza, thinking it was simple yet classic. It was more sauce than cheese or basil. Nothing to write home about, but something to mourn on Yelp.
(2)Erin R.
What to say about Blackbird that hasn't already been said? My boyfriend and I took out another couple that was visiting from out of state. They passed Blackbird and suggested we try it out, despite reading some pretty bad (but dead on) reviews, we gave it a go anyway. When we showed up, the place smelled strongly of what I thought was paint, but the rest of my group thought smelled like cow s&!@, but after moving past the hostess stand the smell dissipated a little, so we let it go... Then we got seated. Our waiter was friendly, but didn't seem to know the menu very well. I know that this is a fairly new place but a few months should be enough time to learn what the place serves, I would think? They were also out of almost every single drink we tried to order and before we even looked at the food menu, we were warned that they were out of several items on there, as well. We got our (3rd choice) drinks and were planning to eat dinner there, but our waiter seemed to forget we were there and never came by to take our order or even see how the drinks were, which we thought was odd. Because of the bad service, we unanimously decided to find somewhere else to eat and left after we each finished our drink. I have to say the reviews for this place are pretty spot on, although I didn't have the food here, I don't think I will be coming back to give that a try. The only 1 star-worthy part of Blackbird was the place LOOKED awesome. Whoever designed the space, this star is for you, my friend. It is very open and the bar area (where we sat) looked like an good place to grab a drink, but unfortunately, they will be out of the first 5 things you ask for and you'll forget how cool the place looks because you're so damn thirsty. It's unfortunate.
(1)Jeff H.
What a great location. What a wonderful remodeling. What a group of underachievers. On a Tuesday evening this very attractively designed setting is virtually deserted. This in the heart of the Wash Park neighborhood. This customer ate at the bar had the Brussel sprouts and later the Italian sausage pizza. The pizza was great but didn't come out for 25 minutes. The Brussels were cooked so hard that one was eating the leaves. After sitting there watching the Rockies ( I know --- pathetic ) and eating and drinking for 3 hours, this customer had the temerity to mention the above observations and others to a bartender -- a manager did not seem to be around. The observations which were rendered in a spirit of assistance were were totally rejected by the defensively argumentative and arrogant bartender, who comported himself as if he was in the cast of " the Great Gatsby "( although he most certainly would not recognize the reference.) It appears that this place with all its potential is being undermined by choices involving the selection of employees.
(2)Ashley W.
Bummer. When I received my lamb ragu the pasta was all stuck together in the center of the dish and mostly inedible. I'm not a world class chef with a super sophisticated palate but I know how to make pasta and mine would have been better than this $16 dish.
(2)Jim S.
A Contrast of Elements--Confused About This Place Five stars for the food, two stars (or fewer) for the ambiance, two stars for the service, two stars for the (less than adequate) wine list. The food at Blackbird is fantastic, some of the best I've had in a long time. The presentation is very good also. No complaints at all about the product--the kitchen does a superb job. If you go just for the food, you will be very, very happy. If you go for an overall dining experience, prepare to be dissatisfied. The ambiance of the restaurant can best be described as 'Uninspired Spartan'. There is just no comfort here at all, no appeal. It's really strange. The designer got it wrong and should refund the money that the owners paid for this...design (using the word loosely). Sterile, unimaginative, and boring. Needs a lot of work. The service was not commendable, and this is really a training issue. A lot of questions about preparation, ingredients, and methodology were not answered satisfactorily. I will never understand why many servers fail to memorize the menu and to ask questions of the management/kitchen about the product so that they might sell it better. It's ludicrous that our server, in a restaurant which wishes to be somewhat upscale, didn't know more about the menu. Frustrating. The wine list is very disappointing. The marketing buzz for the bar offerings say that they are 'curated'. This is an inappropriate use of the word in addition to being entirely wrong. One mediocre Chardonnay for $32, the next bottle is priced at $52, two Rieslings at the same price point, and some oddballs thrown about in what I suppose is a 'curated' fashion. It is entirely possible to have a great wine list with a lot of offerings for well under $45. I know, because it happens all the time in Denver restaurants. The wine special of the night was priced at $110, which price the server didn't know and had to go check. Really? $110 for the wine special? Crazy. The owners need to fix this place. Keep the food, but repair the rest.
(2)jess l.
Yikes! Sooooo....if you like to wait a long time and get things yourself this is the place for you. Food is ok but pretty salty. Everything is expensive but does not live up to the fancy decor. While some staff seemed very attentive our waiter was not. He said the computer system crashed three different times so our order was not put in. With all of the new trendy, delicious places to eat at in Denver this place is not worth a try. Go to urban roadhouse or anywhere else. Have the staff meet with the staff at urban roadhouse and then copy them.....Or maybe just the one waiter that brings me all down. We will not be back.
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