Bistro Barbès — Restaurant in Denver

We went to Bistro Barbes for dinner and it was extremely good. Overall, it was a great experience from start to finish. The place is extremely cute and seems like something you would find if you looked around France and found the place that those in the know go to. We'd been there at least once many years ago and I wish I had thought to go there again sooner. It is definitely somewhere that I will go back to and a place that I will keep an eye on so that when their menu changes, I can book again.

Now for the more in-depth review. It was a four-course fixed-menu. I'd checked out the menu when booking so I knew what to expect and thought my husband would like all of it and I would like everything with the exception of dessert (however this was because I don't like chocolate so I know I am the exception here). However, it is something to note that if you don't like the menu, it is fixed in advance.

The first course was braised artichoke hearts. They were perfectly done and complemented by a nice pomegranate glaze. They were on a bed of hummus which was unique and something I hadn't seen before. Second course was shaved asparagus salad. We did ask for a substitution (my husband does not eat cheese) and they were able to accommodate it and used pine nuts as a topping rather than brie. The pine nuts were a nice touch, but I wish I had tasted one with brie for comparison. It was nice enough that I plan on incorporating them myself into future meals that I make and something I don't know I would have thought of doing before.

The main dish was braised short rib. The only compliant of the whole evening was the potatoes were really hot but once they cooled slightly, they were crispy on the outside and perfect on the inside. The short rib was tender and the peppercorn sauce brought the meal together. It was also the perfect size for me - enough to be filling, but not enough to think that you overdid it.

Dessert was a chocolate expresso cup - on the bottom was a chocolate cake with an expresso creme finished with a chocolate cap which you broke to distribute (much like a hard chocolate shell on an ice cream cone or as the owner/chef said like the top of creme brûlée). I am not a huge fan of chocolate, but even despite this I thought it was good (especially the expresso creme). My husband who does love chocolate devoured it.

I forgot to ask how often they change the menu. I like trying new things so I probably wouldn't go back for the same menu, but if their next one looks as good as this one was, I'll be back. Even if they have a chocolate...

Bistro Barbes

Summary: truly a unique, hidden gem! Who would have guessed we have a North African inspired modern French restaurant in Park Hill? And it's been here for four years!

Location/Parking: Park Hill, near Elm and 26th Street. Street parking only.

Ambiance: small and narrow; nothing too fancy; elements of North African culture.

Service: top notch! A very high-level that you would expect at the most expensive French restaurants.

Cocktails: we tried a house drink made from spiced cranberry shrub and ginger beer.  It contained the spice called fenugreek. It was very exotic. It set the tone for the evening.

Amuse-bouche: complimentary, ever-changing. Ours was tasty.

Appetizers: we selected the beef cheeks. They were extremely rich, but paired nicely with a more sweet and tangy coleslaw mix.

Salads: we split the shaved pear salad as an appetizer as well. It came over a bed of brie cream and figs, topped with a red wine-cacao gastrique.

Entrees: they were out of duck leg, so they informed us they would be substituting it for duck breast. Toni and I still ordered the duck, and it was cooked to perfection! It was set atop of saffron basmati rice, roasted brussel sprouts, and butternut squash chips. Bob ordered the hanger steak. It looked amazing! It was served with raclette over a bed of kale. I tasted some of the steak and it was really delicious.

Desserts: we had been warned that the desserts are fairly small, but we still decided just to split one dessert among the three of us. It was perfect. We ordered the chocolate hazelnut creme brulee. It was definitely a different take on this traditional dessert, as it did not come in a ramiken, but was served over a pool of rosewater-infused white chocolate with supremed orange segments, and petit meringue cookies.

All in all, this was a great experience! I highly recommend checking it out. We visited on the Thursday night before Christmas and it was very slow. Hopefully they get much more...

The food here is amazing. Service impeccable. It's a cozy set up. It's about eight total table with one high top closer to the open kitchen.

I had the Pei Mussels for appetizer. The garlic chive sausage, padron Chili's, leeks, Dijon-paprika brodo was a perfect harmony of smell and unforgettable surprise for my palette. The broth. Above average in taste. Served with fresh baked bread. Once you dip that bread you're hooked. I swear I almost didn't go beyond the appetizer. I just wanted more of that mussels. When the waiter came to clear the plate for my next dish I had to restrain myself from stopping him.

The shaved Bartlett Pears came next. My aversion to sweet entree, salad or anything else that's not desert was totally squashed here. The Marcona Almond vinaigrette, black mission figs, Brie crema , red wine-cacao gastrique all worked in perfect harmony to produce an end result that was perfectly in sync.

I chose the Hanger Steak for my entree since a couple of nights ago I had an amazing fish dinner. I'm mostly a meat eater. I know my meat. I am in awe of this entree. Super tender to start with. Perfectly cooked as requested medium. Pink and so enticing. The streak sat on top of sweet potato raclette aligot, sautéed kale, Moroccan roasted carrots, red wine-sage jus. Amen! (P.S Aligot is made from mashed potatoes blended with butter, cream, crushed garlic, and melted cheese.)

I had their old fashion to keep me a bit distracted and I went home enchanted.

And that creme brûlée....

This is an off the beaten path location that is perfect for a date night with a special someone. Keep your mind open about the location. Bear in mind you're here for the food. You...