Annette — Restaurant in Aurora

Our first time in! So excited to finally make the time. Service seemed pretty top notch, but...

We had a very, um, salty experience.

The tarragon salad was tossed in a manner that made it seem more like a mild, citrusy caesar. The dressing was heaped and globbed on one side of the top layer of lettuce and tasted pretty salty, while the other side was left nice and lightly coated and tastily, lightly dressed, citrusy and fun. It was also draped with a heavy cheese layer that we didn't think was the cheese on the menu, but it may have been, and so it seemed like a simple caesar. It wasn't until we scraped the bottom of the plate to find some goodies of candied nuts and pickled shallots that we were like, whoa, this place may have some potential, they should put some of those toppings on top the salad to enjoy with each bite!

We came into our next course hopeful, mussels with green garlic and a fennel broth. The garlic and fennel weren't enough to offset the saltiness of the mussels, but I think that is the oceans fault and not the restaurants. The bowl was also shaped in a way that the first half of the mussels were left dry and the toast was cold by the time we could access the broth at the bottom for the remaining mussels and bread, so it didn't seem to be presented correctly. The bread was awesome, though slightly salted, the mussels, mostly salty. The fennel was mild if non-existent in flavor, which was strange, as there seemed to be a lot in the broth. Again, not enough to set off the saltiness. This dish seemed to take awhile, but no worries, we have a curried pork chop coming our way.

Yup, worries abound. It arrived right on top of our mussels. Then the burn started. The pork was apparently brined for 6 days and then served on top of a fried baby potato that is literally caked in salt. It was crunchy. The light flavored and bright curry aioli was a soft reprise from the saltiness, but the pickled rhubarb and greens were lost to the palate. Only separate from the pork could these accoutrements be enjoyed. I hate to say this next comment as a long time bartender, server, and restaurant manager...ugh...we sent it back. We didn't see another dish that would indicate a lack of salt, so we ordered a couple desserts. To be fair on this, we are also warned earlier that any dinner entree would take up to 45 minutes, so we didn't feel comfortable taking up the seats any longer (which to be fair is also strange as it arrived during our prior course).

Having worked on both sides of the line in a restaurant, I left feeling like a bad customer. The server was mildly apologetic. They did their best to convey their apologies by offering the explanation of why the dish was too salty, but did not suggest an alternative. The restaurant had ALL the ingredients of a fantastic experience, and my wife and I did have a great time enjoying each others company and the ambiance was pretty calm and enjoyable. BUT, it's been 3, almost 4 hours, and I had desert before I left, and all I still taste is salt.

Just salt salt salt.

We so want to come back, perhaps after re-hydrating.

Best of luck Annette! Thank you for bringing attention to our fair city with your...

Very nice restaurant, good selections, very flavorful.

Went for dinner, weeknight around 5:30 p.m. had reservations, probably a must as it seems the place to go at the moment.

Very nice interior, modern, comfortable industrial chic.

The staff was amazingly friendly, and gave us the lowdown on the menu and suggestions for ordering. It is a “sharing” style menu, great to order some dishes and everybody gets a little. They have some great cocktails, but we just order a bottle of wine, and the sommelier came over to help us choose a very nice bottle of Cabernet.

For food, we started at the top of the menu with salads and worked our way down to the bottom, ordering 5 different items for 3 of us. We started with oysters (which were fresh and excellent), then the two salads from the menu. Both were very large, more than enough for the 3 of us to share. The castlefranc radicchio was excellent with the bit of anchovy giving it a wonderful umami flavor.

We moved on to the sea island red peas and cauliflower, which is similar to a red beans and rice style dish. The flavor again was excellent, but we had been warned by our server it was a small dish, and it was…slightly more than a spoonful each.

We then tried the grouper bouillabaisse with grilled bread, and again very good flavor, and enough for all of us.

Finally we finished off with the pork tenderloin, which was a very large portion, way more than we needed at this point in our meal. Another very flavorful dish, perfectly cooked and juicy, which for pork is hard to always achieve. The buckwheat spaetzle that was around the pork was outstanding, could not stop eating it!

A lot of food (because we wanted to sample as many items as we could), and with the wine, the bill came to about $100 per person (which included the tip).

Only minor complaint we would have was the portion sizes were very inconsistent, especially for a “shareable” experience. The salads were very large, one is plenty for two people, while the size of the red peas dish was (as forewarned by our server) very tiny, more of a tasting than a dish to share. Then the pork tenderloin was huge…enough for 4. We were not disappointed by the flavor and presentation, but were confused by the portion variance.

Would I go there again…yes! Would I recommend…absolutely (just don’t order all at once as the portion size is not consistent...

What an extraordinary experience! To label Annette as just a "nice restaurant" would be a severe understatement. From the captivating decor to the ingenious seasonal menu and exceptional service, Annette is an absolute must-visit dining destination.

The soulful essence of Annette is palpable, and it's no wonder they were fully booked even on a Wednesday night. Every single aspect of this establishment felt meticulously designed, and the creative minds behind this culinary haven have certainly done their homework.

In an era where high-priced restaurants often deliver lackluster food and indifferent service, I'm thrilled to report that this is far from the case here. The price point is remarkably reasonable considering the level of care and expertise evident in every aspect of our dining experience.

The cuisine itself was a knockout. Every dish my group ordered (which encompassed about 85% of the menu) exuded freshness, and it's clear that they don't take shortcuts in their preparation. A standout for me was the half-roasted chicken paired with succotash. The combination of fresh, seasonal flavors sourced from local produce left a lasting impression.

The positive culture and passionate teamwork exhibited by the Annette staff were truly remarkable. Dan, the general manager, personally attended to each table, ensuring that every guest in the bustling restaurant enjoyed the intended dining experience. His gracious act of deboning the succulent Branzino tableside for our group added a special touch for our evening.

Even the desserts, crafted entirely from scratch, were a testament to their culinary prowess. The depth of flavor in each dessert was unparalleled, providing a finale that perfectly complemented the preceding courses. Personally, I had the pleasure of savoring a delectable pecan pie matched with their delightful earl grey ice cream, an extraordinary pairing that left me utterly amazed. And to round off this exceptional experience, I indulged in an espresso martini that easily claimed the title of the best I've ever experienced (and believe me, I've had the opportunity to try quite a few).

Overall, my 7-year tenure as a fine dining server has exposed me to many establishments, but Annette stands out with its exceptional quality. If you're in Colorado, don't miss the chance to indulge in this remarkable...