Domo Restaurant in Denver Colorado

Domo Restaurant

Address: 1365 Osage St.

Cross Streets: 13th and Osage

Phone: 303-595-3666

Price: $$$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: L-D:Mon-Sat

The informal Japanese word for thanks is "domo," and most patrons owe a big "domo" after feasting on this restaurant's outstanding Japanese cuisine. Located in the Japan House Culture Center, Domo will make you feel as if you've been transported to the countryside of Japan. The beautiful garden provides the perfect locale for dining under the stars, while walls covered in Japanese fabrics, rock-slab tables and seats made of padded logs all work to create a striking atmosphere inside. Wander through the museum and interesting areas within the building and learn a bit about Japanese culture. Then settle down for the exciting dining experience. The food is Japanese country-style and starts with seven different small bowls that are served with all meals--spicy chicken with onions, salmon with broccoli, green beans, spinach, eggplant and cauliflower, crab with slaw, and pork with veggies. All are flavorful and full of interesting tastes. Entrées include light and smoky chicken, salmon teriyaki, nabemono (stewed meats with seaweed and vegetables), and sake kasunabe (salmon and vegetables in miso broth). The grilled fish with rice, udon noodle bowls and amazing presentation of sushi make choices difficult. The sushi preparation is quite different, as the very fresh fish is served atop sticky rice in small bowls--no rolls here. As in Japan, soy sauce is not a main ingredient; each dish has the perfect blending of spices, so soy is not offered. The very fresh ginger is sweet; the wasabi chopped fresh for each order. Twenty different kinds of sake are offered either by the glass or by the bottle. Dining at Domo affords an extraordinary opportunity to experience the amazing food and charm of Japanese culture. As this is very traditional, requests for special sauces, soy sauce and such are not filled. Go for the "country fare" as it is presented and enjoy every moment.