Denver's Best Kept Secrets/ food writing

Friday, May 20, 2011

Happy Teriyaki

Denver’s Best Kept Secrets

Happy Teriyaki

By: Amy Green

Happy Teriyaki may not be the most mainstream Japanese restaurant but they pack a lot of punch into their restaurant. With its fresh and light Japanese menu this restaurant is to have any item you could possibly want. Located on the corner of Havana and Parker Road, directly across the street from Stampede, this restaurant may not be in plain sight but is worth trying to find.

The red light up sign shows you the way to this run down strip mall. The window decals tell you how they do

and the type of restaurant it is. As you walk into the dining room you see paintings and prints of Japanese women, and traditional Japanese light fixtures. While there are tables and chairs, this is not a typical sit down restaurant. There is ordering window with pictures of different menu items, as well as the full menu that is set directly in front of the open kitchen. The service is excellent and everyone is very knowledgeable of the menu and cuisine. All meals are served in to go boxes but everyone is more than welcome to sit and eat there.

With many different options such as beef short ribs plate with steamed rice and a choice of stir fried vegetables or their house salad ($9.75). These beef short ribs are the house specialty; they are marinated and then grilled to perfection and topped with their tangy house made sauce. Another option is there Hot and spicy chicken also served with steamed rice and a choice of stir fried vegetables or their house salad ($6.55).

The chicken is first marinated and then grilled and topped with their house made sweet and hot chili sauce.

If you can’t make up your mind, they offer combination plates as well. I suggest the Teriyaki Chicken & Beef ($7.45). The chicken and beef are first marinated, then the chicken is grilled and beef is cooked in a wok. Both are topped with their house made teriyaki sauce, and all of this sits on top of a bed of steamed rice. They do their rice different from everyone else; this rice has a touch of sweetness to it that I would never expect. The vegetables are stir fried perfectly, not over cooked but not crunchy either. They also include daily lunch specials, Monday –Friday 10 am to 2:30 pm ($5.75).

While they offer side items like Miso Soup ($1.45), and Egg rolls ($2.00), I suggest spending a little bit more money and trying out sushi options. They offer multiple different rolls including a Tuna roll ($5.10), and a Dragon Roll, pieces of eel with cucumber and avocado around the outside ($8.50). If raw fish scares you don’t worry they also offer a Vegetable Roll ($4.45), a Shrimp tempura Roll, the shrimp is first fried and then wrapped with rice into the roll ($6.15), and a California Roll, which has avocado, crab, dried seaweed and served with soy sauce and wasabi ($4.60).

If you’re not in the mood for a whole roll they offer Sashimi, which is rice that is topped with a single slice of seafood ($2.00 for 2 pieces). With options of Tuna, Salmon, Squid, Octopus, Red Snapper, Unagi, or Tamago (egg), this is an excellent way to taste the sushi without buying more than you can eat. Each piece starts with a small mound of rice and topped with a small amount of wasabi and lastly a thin slice of your choice of seafood. The freshness of the fish, with the sweetness of the rice and the bite of the wasabi create a firework in your mouth.

This little family owned Japanese restaurant may not be the easiest to find, or the busiest in town, but if you ask anyone how the food is, they all say excellent. With large portions, fresh ingredients, and in some way a light touch on all the meals, Happy Teriyaki is a perfect lunch spot with friends.

Happy Teriyaki

Japanese Cuisine

Pho 75

Denver’s Best Kept Secrets

Pho 75

By: Amy Green

Everyone grows up with that one food that makes you feel better after a bad day, my comfort food happens to be soup. The Vietnamese culture seems to have been doing it right for years. Pho 75 has been bringing this classic authentic soup to the Havana’s Asian strip.

This hidden jem is in the middle of a shopping center located on Havana and evens. This establishment is very small but does not lack in choices of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. With many different choices for pho, there is bound to be something for everyone in your group.

The rare steak pho is a very comforting choice. As I took in the first spoon full of the light colored broth, rich in flavor, I am brought back to child hood, sitting at the kitchen table on cold winter day after a bad day at school. The hearty slices of meat cooked perfect in the broth like the comforting feeling of being safe and warm. The bean sprouts like the heavy white snow falling outside my window. The bite from the Thai basil like the bitter sweet feeling of that snowy day. The bite from the sliced onions like the sharp cold wind. The noodles still slightly tender, the comforting feeling of childhood all in one bowl.

This restaurant offers a large variety of traditional Vietnamese appetizers including a variety of different spring roll like the barbeques pork spring roll, pork slowly roasted, slathered in barbeque sauce, mixed with vegetables and all rolled up in a tight little package of goodness ($4.50).

Pho 75 offers a wide variety of pho from rare steak to seafood and chicken (Large $7.25, medium $6.75, small $6.00). They also offer Com- Rice plates, try the com Bo Nurong, marinated grilled beef , on top of a bed of steamed rice, served with lettuce, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato and pickled carrot, sided by their special house made sauce ($8.95).

The Vermicelli Noodle bowls are an excellent choice for those who want more a more Americanized dish. Try the vermicelli with grilled pork, noodles cooked perfect topped with marinated grilled pork and finished with crushed peanuts, served with lettuce, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato and accompanied by a special house made sauce ($6.95).

Not only does Pho 75 offer great food, but they also offer an abundance of different drinks, everything from espresso to fresh squeezed lemonade ($3.00). They also offer different flavors of smoothies such as Avocado, Coconut, Jackfruit, Sour sop, Strawberry, and Durian ( this one is very much an acquired taste) ($3.50).

The staff here is very attentive and can answer any questions you may have. The restaurant while small in size can fit many people at once with many tables lined up in long rows, like a dining hall. This kind of set up brings back the family feeling like everyone sitting around the table for a family gathering and the thoughts of family tradition are felt through out the restaurant. They do not focus on décor at all with plain white walls that line the restaurant; they would rather have the food be the reason for customers coming in.

With great service, a family like atmosphere Pho 75 is a perfect spot to get a good comforting bowl of soup, one that brings you back in time to childhood.

Pho 75

Vietnamese

Casa Vallarta Restaurant and Tequila Bar

Denver’s Best Kept Secrets

Casa Vallarta Restaurant and Tequila Bar

By: Amy Green

If you are looking for good authentic Mexican food, then I have the perfect place for you. Casa Vallarta is a small family owned Mexican restaurant that has been serving the Denver area great ethnic food for 7 years. With large portions, great margaritas and daily specials, everyone will have an excellent time.

Casa Vallarta is located on Parker road, just past Cherry Creek state park and right before Quincy Avenue. A fenced in patio and large red overhang makes this establishment stand out from the rest the strip mall. As you walk in, you feel as if you have just left Colorado and landed in the heart of Mexico.

The restaurant and bar are completely separate; the restaurant has more of a family atmosphere and the bar is more for the older crowd. This is specifically labeled “Tequila Bar”, with 120 different tequilas. They also carry many American and Mexican curvezas as well. The bar and restaurant have the same menus but the kitchen closes at 10 pm daily.

With a menu sure to please any appetite, Casa Vallarta’s large portions will send you home full and satisfied. To start try the chili con queso, this melted cheese is tossed with tomatoes, chili and onions and served with house made tortilla chips ($5.75). The carne azada is excellent, tender skirt steak marinated and grilled, then served with tortillas, rice and beans and guacamole ($12.25). The tender steak with a nice crust and a perfect medium middle, piled on a tortilla with a flavorful guacamole, compliments the entire dish. Try one of their flavorful burritos, the Fajita burrito is warm soft flour tortilla piled with marinated and grilled chicken or steak, sautéed bell peppers and onions, rolled up into a large package and topped with a tasty chili sauce and cheese. Sided by tomatoes, onions, guacamole and sour cream ($10, 75), this exciting dish is sure to tantalize anyone’s taste buds.

If you can’t make up your mind try one of their combination plates, which are all served with beans and rice and a choice of chicken, shredded beef or ground beef. I suggest the enchilada, taco and chili relleano combination. A hard or soft shell taco with your choice of meat, and finished with lettuce and tomatoes. Also included is a soft flour tortilla filled with choice of meat and cheese, and then topped with a zesty red chili sauce. Last the chili relleno, a roasted chili peeled and seeded then stuffed with cheese, wrapped with wonton paper and deep fried to a crispy golden brown, topped with a green chili sauce and cheese melted to perfection ($9.75).

To finish your meal off write I suggest their Churros for dessert, this sweet culinary confection is a straight doughnut deep fried to a dark brown, then dusted with cinnamon and topped with honey and whipped cream ($2.75). They also serve their house made Flan, rich custard cooked and cooled and topped with whipped cream ($2.75).

So if you have a craving for good homey Mexican food, stop by this little family owned spot to enjoy a great meal , margaritas in a fun and outgoing atmosphere.

Casa Vallarta Restaurant and Tequila Bar

Mexican cuisine

Racine's restaurant review

Denver’s Best Kept Secrets

Racine’s

By: Amy Green

While Racine’s has been around since 1983, there is nothing old about this local hang out. Whether you need a break from shopping or want a fun time with friends, this is the perfect spot to slow down and relax.

Racine’s is one of the little hidden secrets set in the middle of everything. It is perfectly placed in-between the Cherry Creek shopping area and down town Denver, across the street from the 7 News station, lit up with different colored Christmas lights on all the trees. You can’t miss it! They have their own parking garage and on busy nights; free valet.

The warm homey feeling comes from the cozy booths; dark red walls filled with local artists works, focused on the feeling of community. With a great upbeat and helpful staff that makes you feel right at home.

The bar lies in the middle of the restaurant and has a large wine list ranging from whites to reds, California to Italy. They also have their signature cocktails including their house made strawberry daiquiris, margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) and coffee drinks.

A menu that is sure to have many options for any picky eater to someone who wants a great sandwich. Appetizers including loaded potato skins topped with cheese, bacon, scallions and diced tomatoes ($7.99), or the Sonora egg rolls, with a southwest flair, this egg roll contains chicken, black beans, and white cheddar cheese and served with a sweet ponzu sauce ($8.99).

The menu also has a great sandwich selection like the Monte Cristo, the best I have ever had. This sandwich is three layers of bread with ham, Swiss and turkey, dipped in a sweet cinnamon egg mixture and seared to a golden brown crust topped with powder sugar and served with raspberry preserves ($9.99).

They have an extensive dessert selection including Crème Brulee and peach cobbler ($4.99) and all desserts are made in house. Not only do they taste good but they can turn your mood from bad to amazing.

Racine’s is a secret hang out in the heart of Denver. So grab your friends for a great local meal, a good drink and some excellent service.

Racine’s

American cuisine

650 Sherman St. Denver, Co. 80203; (303)595-0418; $4.99- $16.99 for entrees; Hours: 7am- 11pm Monday- Wednesday; 7am-12am Friday; 8am- midnight on Saturday; 8am-11pm Sundays; all major credit cards; parking garage/ free valet