CRÚ Wine Bar and Bistro — Restaurant in Denver

Located in the Denver Airport...travelers take a moment.....Cru is just a happening place. Great wine, bartenders introduce customers to each other...makes it a really, different watering hole.

Sam at CHEERS had nothing on this guy. So if you are traveling and have a layover, check this place out. I think that you will find it one of the best watering holes that you will ever find in your travels.

There is something special about CRU Food and Wine Bar located in the Denver airport. The food and drink that I ordered was exceptional.

But what made this stop on route to my next destination was a very charismatic and fun bartender Eric. Unfortunately on this leg of my journey when I stopped at Cru, Eric was no longer there.

Normally it is the usual that you belly up to the bar and order a drink and you are asked whether or not you would like a "double". The BT takes your money with a smile in anticipation of the larger tip he/she will receive for the extra 3 bucks they took from you.

Not the case with Eric. I sat down at the very clean bar and the first thing he asked was "what's your name"? Then "where are you headed". I thought this was pretty good interaction. I preferred the Malbec that was fruitful, and gracefully teased my palate. It was served fresh (not a bottle that had been open the previous night.).

Another traveler sat next to me and again the same two questions...what caught me by surprise was his next interaction: He introduced me to the travel and told her my name and destination and the like of her.

In my half hour at the CRU, I saw Eric interact with customers with humor, fantastic service, and the ability to make one feel so very comfortable.

Sam at CHEERS had nothing on this guy. So if you are traveling and have a layover, check this place out. I think that you will find it one of the best watering holes that you will ever find in your travels.

Oh and when you do visit say "Hi" to...

What a delight -- yes, there are still great restaurants in Denver!

Emily and Travis were amazing, attentive hosts tonight (both waited on us at the bar). My friend and I were going to see a play, and stopped in to have a glass and some light fare beforehand. We let them know (always let the staff know if you're in a hurry AT THE START), and they made sure we were served with enough time to enjoy ourselves, even though the room was full.

Now, quick side note -- we'd left an hour to have a glass of wine and appetizers, which is reasonable -- Don't show up half an hour before your event expecting to be served in time. That's not fair.

Once the food was served, Emily came by to check on us and IMMEDIATELY noticed that the honey was missing from our cheese board (we hadn't noticed ourselves), and brought some out right away. Now THAT is an attentive, invested server! She knew the menu well enough and actually cared to scan the plate and make sure everything was in order, not just the cursory glance some servers give (if even that)! Both she and Travis came over to see we were happy, and had the check ready at the end.

We were both very grateful to have enjoyed delicious food, excellent wines by the glass and impeccable service from two professionals who were equally charming and skilled. We had ample time to walk to the theatre and had a great night.

It wasn't our first time at CRÚ and most certainly won't be our last. A real treat.

Thank you, Emily and Travis for starting a magical evening on the best possible...

I don't think I would ever rate a restaurant in an airport, much like I wouldn't rate a McDonalds. But some things I wish I knew before going in. I'm going to ignore the fact that the staff doesn't like to smile (unless they're talking to themselves), or that I was ID'ed to order just a salad ("everyone must have a valid ID").

The salad was great AFTER I learned the dressing was underneath the lettuce. After eating the first half, I stumbled upon the dressing and wished I had dug earlier! It really tasted good after that.

Now for some bad. All the prices were wrong on the menu, and she didn't tell me til I got the check. I asked for a water to go, and she genuinely looked bothered. "Oh, I don't think we have any to go cups." (They literally have a sign out front that says, "Alcohol to go sold here.") "I can sell you a Fiji water for $3.50." LOL. "No, I just want a little water while I'm waiting for the flight." "Well, all we have our ones that say "alcohol" on them." "I don't care if it says alcohol," and she finally gave me one. "Well, I don't have any lids." The WIFI doesn't work in there! This was the worst part, because I was trying to work and everything was taking forever. I went to download an audio book and it said 2 hours remaining! I walked outside, literally right outside the doors, and it went from 2 hours to 50 seconds. It was completely downloaded before I even got back to the gate.

I didn't give it 3 stars because the atmosphere is great and the salmon salad really was good AFTER I found the...