What's my favorite dish? The salad. No, I'm not a rabbit in disguise writing this review. They have…read morea lot of great dishes to share. I'm not sure how often they rotate the menu, but my husband is still missing the mofongo. This salad, though, has me in a chokehold. I think about it more often than I should. We eat here a few times a year, not to overdo it. Drinks are really good. The bartenders do something here that most bars can't; innovate cocktails so you get a new flavor experience, and the flavors actually work together. Most places, if they have a "creative" cocktail, I'd rather pass. Typically the execution rarely matches the ambition. Not here. They get it right. The service is always good. It's the right amount of attention, never hovering, always checking in when it matters. The dishes are spaced out enough that it creates a nice rhythm, and that pacing is probably what makes the service feel just right. I do wish they'd turn down the music. But I'm old and have tinnitus from years in the Army. The walls and lighting are great. Thankfully the menu is readable. Again, I'm old. Go for the cocktails, stay for the salad.

The photo of the Choclo con Queso I am posting with this review is one of the best dishes I've ever…read moreeaten. The creativity at Lucina is out of this world. The small plates all exceeded my expectations while the one more substantial plate I got was not quite to my liking. Four stars. Service is excellent. There is a wealth of knowledge among the staff at every level. This is not an order, stuff your face, and leave situation. Lucina is an experience and you should plan to spend some time there. We stayed for an hour and a half so that we could take our time with each dish. Five stars. The restaurant is tucked into a corner of Kearney street. We sat on the patio, which was comfortable on a late summer evening. The interior is modish with artsy elements and plants to liven the space. Tables are spaced and staged comfortably. Five stars.

Food, wine, atmosphere AMAZING!! Perfect for a ladies night! Our server Brian was awesome and so…read moresweet!

We had an great experience at Barcelona in Denver. The energy of the restaurant was incredible and…read morethe the place was packed, but it never felt overcrowded. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, and the atmosphere was lively and a lot of fun. We had a reservation, but our table was delayed about 30 minutes because they had to close the patio due to the rain. The hostess recommended that we grab a drink at the bar while we waited. The bar area and the bartenders had the same great energy and we really didn't mind the delay as a result. Once we were seated, the manager, Dan, stopped by and surprised us with complimentary appetizers because of the delay. It was unexpected and it was a nice touch to welcome us to the restaurant. The food on the menu is mostly tapas-style. We were not sure what to order so we let our waitress choose for us, and she absolutely nailed it. Every dish she selected was fantastic, as were the choices in wine, and it made the whole experience even better. She was very thoughtful in asking us questions about stuff we liked and didn't like before she ordered, and also didn't try to oversell us on stuff or select the highest priced items. She genuinely wanted to make our food and drink experience great, and she did a great job of doing it. From the atmosphere and service to the food and hospitality, it was a memorable night. We had a great time and will definitely be back!

My son his fiancée and my husband took me here for Mother's Day and it was a treat!…read more We were immediately greeted and seated by friendly staff. The view is incredible and we had a corner table. Amazing!! The food was fresh, fun and presented beautifully. We tried an array of dishes and every single one was a delight. I will remember this one for celebrations and special events but even an early dinner or happy hour with this view would be amazing.

So good. Absolutely delicious! Outstanding services, bomb cocktails. Amazing view! Check your…read morebackpack when you arrive.

Excellent paellas and service. This is a great option for a nicer meal in Winter Park. It gets…read morebusy during ski season and during the summer so make a reservation!

This is a unique place. It looks like it might have been an old house. We sat outside, which was a…read morecool space with a lot of different colors, along with music playing. Great service and food. I don't like how you have to pay for the water, which is bottled. All I need is tap water. Besides that great experience .

I can't believe we've only just "discovered" this gem this year. Rioja is a fantastic place to…read morehave a good meal right before a show or concert at DCPA. Obviously, we enjoyed every dish we tried. The seared scallops were perfectly prepared. The truffle tortellini was a mouthwatering blend of savory and umami, and now my son has been asking when he can eat a truffle dish again. My husband devoured his steak and thought it was prepared exactly as he liked it. The goat cheese and fig beignets were subtly sweet and I would recommend it, even for people who normally don't reach for dessert. What stood out to me during our meal here was the superb service. Our server knew the target demographic very well. One of the first things she asked us was whether we were attending a show that evening and if so, what time. That way, she could make sure that our food would come out on time and we didn't have to stress about making it to our show on time. Thanks to her service, Rioja is at the top of our list of restaurants to pair with an evening at DCPA. Looking forward to next time!

I think about the artichoke tortelloni dish often…read more I first tasted it nearly ten years ago and I retried it recently. It was just as good as I remembered. The tortelloni is filled with artichoke mousse with bits of artichoke (I think). The pasta bathes in white truffle brodo and topped with aged Manchego + chervil. The artichoke mousse is soft, creamy, and subtle, but the truffle broth really enhances the flavor without being too overpowering. It tastes like a little pasta treat. I highly recommend ordering 7 pcs ($27.00). We also ordered the grilled Niman Ranch pork chop (42.00). I think the vegetables change depending on the season, but when we had it, the dish came with sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, Persian cucumbers + cilantro. The pork chop tasted Asian-y which was a really nice surprise. Service was attentive and great. Rioja has been a mainstay on Denver's culinary radar and yes, it's just as good as they say.

As a Spanish family living far from home, finding a restaurant that tastes like the real thing is a…read morerare treat, and we found it here today. Everything we ordered was outstanding: the croquetas, the bacon-wrapped dates, the mushrooms in a sherry reduction with honey and feta, and a 'tapa de tortilla' . We finished with tarta de Santiago paired with a homemade mango sorbet, which was simply exceptional. Even the bread is baked in house, and you can tell. What truly sets this place apart is Antonio. His genuine warmth makes you feel welcome from the moment you walk in, like being received in someone's home. We can't wait to return. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Got in before kitchen was closing. No staff warned us. Food was terrible. The cod was bitter,…read moreforgot the lemon. The Spanish potato pie was old and dry. The croquettes were mislabeled fish/chicken and waiter argued that they didn't make a mistake the entire party heard. Also, what kind of Spanish tapas place doesn't have patatas bravas but does have linguini bolognese and pizza?

This was my second time here as an out-of-state visitor...I special requested to come back here!…read moreThis is one of the most adorable, creative, authentic, and delicious restaurants I've ever eaten at. This time we got to sit outside, which was beautiful and so pleasant, yet also comfortably shaded as the sun went down. I probably ordered just about half the menu, and I have no regrets!! I can't choose a favorite because they were all just that good. My only point of contention is that we were slow to get the check, but the service prior to that combined with the atmosphere and food quality negates any slight negative attribute or experience here. Next time I'm in the Springs, you best bet I'll be back and putting the kitchen into overtime! PSA: I am my friend group's notoriously picky eater and this place WONDERFUL and has a menu that caters to everyone, including those who avoid gluten!

This place is adorable! The outdoor seating and quiet patio is just perfect. Vibes are a 10/10 and…read moreI truly enjoyed sitting out there! I went by myself and read a book. This is maybe the perfect spot for that?? But also with your girlfriends too! The food is delicious. I am a big fan of Tapas. When I lived in DC, we had two incredible tapas spots. This is up there in the ranks! The Manchego stuffed peppers were my favorite. I could easily eat... maybe 20 of them. So good! The patatas bravas weren't my favorite. I feel like they were just... meh. The lamb was good, a little tough, but the sauces were incredible. The tacos were also amazing and juicy! Messy but in a good way! I wanted to try a little bit of everything, but that menu is huge. So I guess I have to come back! I also love how everything is gluten free. How cool is that! The sangria was perfect. No notes. Here's where I have some... frustrations. Service was not great. I got to Tapateria at 5:30 because I wanted happy hour. I did not get to order until 5:56 pm. Tell me why it took over 25 minutes to come over and take my drink order? Guys, it was empty. Maybe 4 tables total and three servers (that I could tell). I was worried I wouldn't even get HH! My server was just slow in general. He was nice and apologetic, but at the same time, I don't know what he was doing because he would disappear for 15 minutes at a time. He said "something is going on in the kitchen". So I hope everything is good? But at the same time, you expect good service. So maybe keep that in mind in case you're in a rush... This place is really cute and I would come back.

My husband introduced me to this restaurant for a date night. We had a great experience and loved…read moreit - the food, location and staff! So much so, that I returned a few months later with a friend before watching the Harry Potter play at DPAC. And AGAIN last night with my husband, sister, mom and her dance instructor and best friend. They are visiting from Atlanta to compete in a ballroom dance competition this weekend. Our waiter was impressive and he managed us well! First drinks, then specials and a handful of tapas while our last guest arrived. Followed by a full on tapas conquest to try every single dish (without seafood). The staff brought several dishes at a time, ensuring we weren't overwhelmed with too many at one time. Perfectly timing the next round of tapas, with new dinner plates, and the next round of drinks. Our waters were consistently topped off. It was a lot! We were a handful! Our waiter (Christian S) knew exactly what to do. Exactly what drinks to recommend. Exactly which tapas and desserts to recommend. Exactly what to say to make us laugh. He rounded out the experience to ensure it was a perfect evening! Thank you Christian! These were some of the highlights: Pan with the homemade salsa verde as well as the pan de tomato The pork with manchego, pepper special was divine! As well as the chicken with garbanzos! Amazing flavor and sauces. The ham, Salchicha, chorizo, olives tray was incredible Other amazing tapas included beets, mushrooms, Spanish tortilla, patatas bravas, meatballs/albondigas, carrot salad, chicken croquetas and the salmon special Followed by churros with chocolate, flan and crema catalana for dessert. It was a delicious meal with a wonderful staff! We would highly recommend and we will definitely return! My only regret is we didn't take pictures of the food except the first one! Beets with Valencia orange and lemon (not sure on the exact name). It was so flavorful, as were all the tapas! Wow! Best meal in Denver we've had in a while! Thank you 9th Door staff, chefs, and Christian!

Upon arrival the staff is easy going professional friendly and fast, but letting you enjoy…read moreeverything. Perfect timing. The menu is ample, every single tapa I had was fantastic. Easy street paid parking or paid parking lot available. Ambiance is awesome. Great drinks too. I loved my experience here.

AWESOME. Love the burros. Great tacos too. Really good salsa. Excellent meal. Very helpful staff…read moretoo.

This duel threat of Mexican grocery store and restaurant is superb! Partner and I came in around…read moredinner time and were met with a small line to order our food. The staff are very polite and welcoming while taking your order and delivering food to your table. The laid back casual nature of the interior may not be everyone's jam but the food is stellar! Can't recommend the asada tacos enough, the rice was delicious beans were okay! Definitely a nice hidden little gem of a spot

Empanadas to go are always a treat, and this place has quickly become one of my go-to spots for…read morethem. Whether I'm grabbing a quick lunch for myself, picking up dinner on a busy evening, or bringing a batch home to share, they never disappoint. They're the kind of food just about anyone will enjoy, which makes them an easy choice when you're feeding a group with different tastes. Everything comes neatly packed in a sturdy box, which makes them easy to transport without any mess or squished pastry. They hold up well on the drive home, so they're perfect for taking to the office, a get-together, or a family movie night. It's a small detail, but it shows they've thought about what makes takeout convenient. One of the things I love most is that they're always rotating in new flavors, so there's usually something different to try each time I stop by. It keeps every visit interesting, and I've found myself looking forward to seeing what's new on the menu. This time I tried the pizza empanada, and it was hands down my favorite so far. It had all the flavor you'd want from a good slice, wrapped up in a golden, flaky crust. I'll definitely be ordering it again. The shop itself is always clean and welcoming, which I really appreciate. The staff were friendly and genuinely helpful, taking the time to walk me through the different options and answer my questions without making me feel rushed. If you're new to empanadas or just can't decide, they'll point you in the right direction. It's clear they take pride in what they make and care about their customers having a good experience.

In the area of Louisiana Avenue and S. Broadway? Stop in at Maria's empanadas! I am never going to…read moredrive by this corner without stopping by for some delicious empanadas! They are so fresh, flaky, delicious and I cannot live without them! I also grabbed a caffeine free watermelon mint juice. It is so refreshing! Indoor and outdoor seating and free parking!