It is so nice to have a pop up from one of the kitchens from the Denver Avanti. These seafood alums from Denver Jax have made simple but quality availability of good oysters and lobster under their own brand. I do love Jax too, especially the Boulder original from way back when, but it's nice to have this occasional limited availability of just these few items elsewhere, given the limited hours. Especially like this, on a holiday weekend and outdoors on the rooftop, with fantastic views of Boulder.
The men running it today were very careful and efficient and prepped the food well. The oysters were really fresh and though well chilled, were served on a bed of ice. I only asked for the lemon slice but they have sauces too. The lobster takes a bit longer to prep so I took my order in two shifts. The lobster was also very fresh, young meat and not tough and definitely cooked just right. The roll is baked for them by a well known bakery in Denver and was just like the rolls we have had in Maine, sliced open and grilled in butter on the side with just a sprinkle of sliced green onion on top. Naked lobster is always the best. I find it offensive for lobster to be served already mixed into mayo like some shops do. What are those places trying to hide?
On the 4th of July, Avanti was hopping. It was hot outside on the roof, in fact so hot on the south side that it was mostly abandoned. Many people were inside in the AC, with food from downstairs, pizza from the upstairs New Yorkese kitchen, as the World Cup games were on all of the TVs. They are hung high enough that everyone has a view. Before I left, I ordered a small meal for later from the staff at New Yorkese. Their warm pretzel with melted Parmesan has a good kick of spice, is definitely a treat, melted to a crust down along the bottom. It comes with a good mustard sauce for dipping, too. I'll just give it a quick warm up later to top off the day.
There were specials from the bar too, but it was simply too hot for me to try one today, when on foot in the heat downtown. But the ones I saw being carried around to the tables looked very tasty.
Avanti and Shuck Brothers, if you hear me, please do this again! Maybe Labor Day? Or sooner. read more