Cherry Creek Grill — Restaurant in Denver

DINNER REVIEW

When you hear the name "X Grill", it's ambiguous to how nice the place will be. It could be a neighborhood greasy spoon with burgers and dogs or it could be an upscale steak place. Cherry Creek is way right of center between those two. Though I came to Cherry Creek while on a work trip, I would come to this place anytime. I had a phenomenal dining experience.

SERVICE: Service was impeccable. Our waiter was patient, attentive, gave great recommendations, and was just the kind of person you want to talk to (which is hard to say of most waiters). The food came out fast too, which is particularly hard for a table of 6.

INTERIOR: The interior is very nice as well...our group of 7 squeezed into a long but comfortable booth. The restaurant itself is dimly lit but each individual table is lit so you can easily see the people you are dining with. It's quite a pleasing balance.

FOOD: Here's the first thing I LOVED about this menu...it was small! Everything fits on one page. Sometimes you have steakhouses with several pages of options which is just overwhelming and leads to choice overload. The menu is, however, diverse enough to offer something for everyone from steaks to salads (I'm told their Macho Salad is the most ordered item on the menu).

As I was with a group of coworkers, we ordered all the appetizers to share:

Dip Duo - Holy queso, I am not a queso person but this was some of the best I've ever had. It was more of a firmer, spreadable cheese but it had a kick of jalapeno that kept you coming back for more (and I definitely ate more than my fair share of that app). The guac was great too...guac is guac. Would definitely recommend this.

Smoked Salmon - I was expecting locks but what we got were thick cuts of salmon, perfectly smoked, with an amazing dressing and great toast. I only wish the portion was bigger so I could eat more! I would definitely recommend this one too.

Iron Skillet Cornbread - It's a Cherry Creek Grill specialty for a reason...lather on the butter and enjoy!

Deviled eggs - this one can be skipped. Is there anyone who really genuinely craves deviled eggs?

For my entree, since I was on the company dollar, I, of course, had to go for the filet. It's just what you would expect from a place like this...perfectly cooked and perfectly tender. The mashed potatoes were great, the broccoli was okay, but dang that steak was amazing.

The menu is so appealing I think I could have ordered anything on it and been pleased (yep, looking at the menu right now and I definitely would).

We didn't save room for the dessert (too bad!) but if I am ever back in the area, I will definitely be...

I have eaten here before a few times and the food is absolutely fantastic! I am incredibly impressed with the quality of ingredients the kitchen team uses. Grilled Artichokes are delicious, meat is always tender.

What I am not impressed by is the hiring manager Brittany, and the over all clique vibe I received upon entering the establishment today when I was interviewing for a job here. I was already a bit confused about a 5 minute interview scheduled online. Normally, it is 30 minutes or longer. When I arrived, I let the host know I was there for an interview. I then waited about ten minutes in this empty building for Brittany. There was no one else here except for staff. It would have been nice to be offered water. Usually when I have an interview, they are waiting for me unless I am early.

When she finally came, she appeared disinterested in me. She asked three questions. After the interview was over, she said corporate will contact me.

I drove 20 minutes to get here, prepared myself to be my best self, dressed in all black because I knew the staff wore black and I wanted to show I was ready for work. Training that same day was not something I was opposed to. I was not expecting that kind of energy that I received from such a high class establishment.

I walked out a bit puzzled. I began thinking about what I had just experienced. It was a bit thrilling to encounter such an unusual event.

When I got home I called Cherry Creek Grill, said my name and asked for Brittany. I was left on hold for over ten minutes. After she picked up, I told her who I was, and she did not remember me. She asked if I had applied for a job there. It felt like a passive conversation. I literally called an hour past the interview. She said there were a lot of interviews today. At 5 minutes an interview, that is 12 people maximum within the hour time frame from when I called. For $50 an hour average, I would remember 12 people's names. Probably more. The job I have now, I was hired on the spot. It just does not pay as well as they advertised, so I am looking elsewhere to afford my cost of living.

Some may consider what I wrote as a complaint, I consider it as positive feedback. She...

I've been to the Cherry Creek Grill a few times and the food has always been good. Atmosphere casual and relaxed.

Tonight was a bit different. We were seated in a comfortable booth and had ordered drinks, when I was approached by a staff member and told that I needed to remove my hat. I was wearing a small fashionable drivers cap. Being follicly challenged, I find it comfortable to I wear it pretty much all the time. Even my wife tells me I look better with it on.

I was told that this their new policy. When I pointed out that there was a young man with a baseball cap a few tables over, I was told that he was already eating and they didn't want to disturb him. I then noticed that several women were wearing hats and was told that this new policy only applied to men.

I've lived in Denver over 20 years and frequented many restaurants more formal than the Cherry Creek Grill. I've never once been asked to remove my hat. I don't know if ownership is under some misguided fantasy that having men remove their hats will somehow elevate the status of their restaurant, but in my opinion, it just seems snooty.

And given the current mood and movement toward gender equality, this feels very much like a form of discrimination. I brought this up with both our waiter and the manager. They were both polite and admitted frankly that they agreed with me, but they were under strict instruction from on high. As an apology they comped me my entree, which I very much appreciated.

I do think that the restaurant should post their archaic "new" policy on their website or, at the very least, let patrons know when they make reservations. Perhaps put a sign on the front door:

BALD MEN WEARING CAPS NOT ALLOWED!

And I sincerely hope that this will not become a trend. Fortunately there numerous other fine dining establishments in the area. But until they change their hat policy, I for one, will not will not go back to the Cherry Creek Grill.

Or the maybe the next time I'll just tell them I am a woman and see what they have to say...