Bistro Mariposa — Restaurant in Black Hawk

We decided to spend Easter at the Monarch and eat at the Bistro Mariposa. The staff was very friendly when we arrived. Once at the table we got water then some blue corn chips and salsas. Both the green and the red salsa were rich in flavor, but very mild with little to no heat. But the sauce was thick and stayed on the chip. We end up eating it all and asking for more. From the Tapas, we had the “ Camarones” which were very good, but not like the description on the menu. The shrimp were grilled and warm (not chilled). The sauce complement the shrimp with slices of pickled cucumber which added a great texture to the dish. Next, we got the “Posole de Pollo”. The depth of the Guajillo Chile made the dish. There was plenty of chicken but very little posole (hominy). For the entrees, we got “Chile Relleno” and “Char-broiled Carne Asada”. The fresh poblano pepper in the chile relleno started the dish off right. The exterior was crispy with melted cheese inside. A little more sauce would have been nice, but it was still good. The “Char-Broiled Carne Asada” was beautifully presented, but the meat was a little tough. The blue corn tortillas that came with the steak became stiff and hard to eat once they cool. The cocktails were good and strong but high priced. The cocktails tend to run on the sweet side. They also had a nice selection of wines by the glass. This was our first time to Bistro Mariposa, but it will not be our last. Good food, reasonably price for a casino, and...

I don't typically go to Black Hawk for fine dining. However, I have found a few places that are absolutely brilliant. I stayed at Monarch Casino and Spa simply because I could get a nice room for cheap during the week.

Monarch has a few restaurants. One of them is the Bistro Meriposa and this place is outstanding in every category. The interior is quiet, warm, and inviting. It is a large space and during the week at least not very crowded.

The wait staff is outstanding and fun. I ate there for two nights and on both nights was lucky enough to have Dercy (yes that is spelled correctly). She was knowledgeable, friendly, and fantastic.

Everything that I ate at Meriposa was plated beautifully, arrived piping hot, and was delicious. I mean really really delicious.

Even the chips and salsa were great. Chips were fantastic and you got two sauces, both very good.

The first night I was there a bunch of stuff was half off, so I got an appetizer, the REPOLLO AHUMADO. Unbelievable. The main course was Pollo Asado. I mean look at the picture below. It was a work of art in both presentation and taste.

The next night Dercy directed me to the CHAR-BROILED CARNE ASADA. Again, just look at the picture. Soooo good!

Obviously, I loved everything about Bistro Mariposa. Highly recommended and...

Overpriced food display. We had a good size party, so lots of variety and opinions. Everyone's food was OK at best, some didn't even take more than a few bites.

Tacos - First ingredient on the menu was avocado, but when the first person's tacos came out, there was none on them. Asked the waiter, and he said there were several changes to the food that had not made it to the printed menu. We bought that explanation... until the 2nd person's order came out (after everyone else was done with their meals). Of course their tacos had guacamole (not raw avocado as you'd expect), so we asked for clarification. Instead of explaining the server brought us 3 new tacos with guacamole, and a side of guacamole.

As mentioned above, we had 2 people that ordered an appetizer, and 2 meals. Ordered at the same time as the other 10 people. Their appetizer came out after everyone's main dish, and entrees came out after everyone was done with theirs.

The chile relleno was ordered by 2 people, and those were by far the worst meals. $35 enchiladas plates are way over priced for mediocre food. Served with street taco size tortillas that don't hold much of anything.

The margaritas are good.

They appear to be paying minimum wage to the cooks, and 6 figure salaries to artists to make the food...