Bastiens in Denver Colorado

Bastiens

Address: 3501 E. Colfax Ave.

Cross Streets: Madison and Colfax

Phone: 303-322-0363

Price: $$$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: L-D: Mon-Fri, BR-D: Sat-Sun

Walking into Bastien's brings you back to a time when life was simpler and oh so mellow. On any given night, you can find a member of the Bastien family serving up a drink from the Cheers-like bar or a home-style meal from the kitchen. The ambience remains retro, with lots of updates that include new chairs and carpet and glittering lights everywhere. The dining rooms include an upstairs area as well as seating on the main level. The food has been updated along with the décor, and traditional dishes arrive beautifully presented with great flavor. Baskets of the best cheese and sesame sticks, along with flavored butter for dipping, greet you at the table. Start with soft, light gnocchi with pine nuts in butter-cheese sauce or rich mascarpone and Gorgonzola sauce. Grilled shrimp with garlic butter, ravioli, shrimp cocktail, hand-breaded onion rings and deep-fried mushrooms are other great starters. Dinners come with a delightful house salad with excellent dressing or homemade soup. The signature sugar steak, a 16-ounce New York strip with brown sugar and herbs pounded into the meat, is broiled on the open flame to caramelize the sugar with the natural juices of the beef. Other steak choices include a filet, T-bone, rib eye or prime rib. All steaks come in two sizes, according to your appetite, and are accompanied by fresh vegetables and potatoes. Fish lovers will savor the taste of perfectly prepared trout, catfish, tilapia or salmon--each sauced with complementary flavors and spices. Desserts are mandatory, with decadent coconut banana cream pie, chocolate brownie à la mode, pecan pie and to-die-for apple (or cherry or peach) pie served à la mode in a sizzling dish topped with brandy sauce. A patio for dining al fresco when weather permits and à la carte weekend brunches bring more excitement to the scene. With an "old school" feel and food that's sure to please, Bastien's is a true classic.