The Kitchen American Bistro — Restaurant in Denver

Don’t bother coming here if you’re a couple! We were seated a little early upon arriving before our reservation. We thought it was a good sign, it was not. My girlfriend was very excited to show me her favorite restaurant and I admit, I was excited after seeing the menu. Our server arrived, didn’t introduce herself and asked if we’d like anything besides water. My girlfriend asked a question about wine by the glass and it was met with a one word response. We ordered the lamb as an app and it was amazing. What was not amazing was the 10 minutes after finishing that we sat with dirty plates in front of us and empty glasses. For dinner we decided to share the crab fried rice and the Kansas City strip. We were not asked how we’d like our steak and flagged down our server to ask how it would be prepared. Apparently that annoyed her as we were once again met with a one word response. The fried rice came out before the steak even after we expressed that we’d be sharing both dishes and would like them at the same time. We ate our fried rice and about ten minutes later our steak arrived. We were not offered clean plates or forks. The person who dropped it off basically smiled and walked away without saying a word. Our server NEVER checked on us until we were the last bite away from finishing the meal. The most annoying aspect was I got to watch our server dote on the four top next to us. She didn’t leave their side. I imagine they had a great experience. Upon receiving the check I learned our servers name; Julianna. Since Julianna nor management mentioned anything about being short handed or busier than usual I can only imagine that this is normal. It’s too bad the complete and total lack of service ruined the food the kitchen put out. We left completely disappointed and annoyed tha5 we just spent money to be ignored.

Update 6/30/23. It’s been a week and zero response from the restaurant. I filled out their after service email, gave them my personal email to respond to and I’ve received absolute crickets. I even included more details to highlight the lack of service we received. It’s pretty obvious management does not care. This is the third effort to reach them. Let’s all watch the management of “the kitchen” ignore me and pretend this review doesn’t exist.

Update 7/5/23. Still waiting for management to reach out. I’ve left a review, filled out the after service notice, but yet I’m still ignored. It’s funny, the being ignored is so “on brand” for this restaurant. I’ve decided that I’m going to tell all my customers (I average 75 paying customers per day, around 130 per day total) about my experience. Clearly management does not care. I guess I’ll tell about a thousand people per week to avoid this place.

Update 7/12/23. Still have not heard from management. I did also fill out their feedback email, providing details of their terrible service, and...

This review is a long-overdue tribute to our favorite restaurant in Denver, where we dine at least once a month. The ambiance, stellar service, delicious food, and prime location make this restaurant a top choice for a date night, professional dinner with colleagues, or catching up with old friends.

The food is always crave worthy and memorable, and they truly do amazing things with starters and vegetables, including their carrots with whipped feta and the cabbage dish (both of which converted a “veggie skeptic,” like me, and now I can’t get enough)! They also do a wonderful job with staple items across the menu (favorites include roast chicken with garlic fries – get it “deconstructed” – pork chop with rye spaetzle, strip steak with chimichurri, lobster roll, gnocchetti, tagliatelle, and the mousse dome) and delicious seasonal items (including asparagus tostada, burrata with rotating jam accompaniments, and sweet corn bhel). We tried the halibut steak a few days ago and WOW, the brown butter and cook on the fish were sensational! We also tried the new chocolate cheesecake and the flavors and textures were absolute perfection! The cocktails are consistently great, and they have new concoctions every season that are just as pleasing to the eye as they are to the taste buds. One item we are begging them to bring back is the crispy artichokes with black garlic aioli…we’ve tried to make that ourselves and it’s not the same! We really hope to see these on a future menu again!

Perhaps the most important part of dining at The Kitchen is their hospitality and attention to detail, which makes us feel like we’re getting “white tablecloth” service every time. We cannot visit this restaurant without asking to be seated in Julianna’s section – her expansive knowledge of food and wine are only surpassed by her warmth, hospitality, and top notch professionalism! Every time we are seated in her section, we know that we’re in for first-class service and her joyous attitude is truly infectious!! We’ve also been very happy with Jason and impressed by his excellent recommendations and friendliness, as well as Stephan—who convinced me to try their “Bourbon for Apples” cocktail that I can’t stop thinking about (despite not being a big Bourbon fan)! I’m not sure whether it’s a combination of hiring great people or having great training, but there’s something special in the water (still or, even better, FREE sparkling) at this place.

There are so many great places to eat in Denver, but The Kitchen truly stands out in terms of delicious eats and unparalleled service. We’ve taken many friends and colleagues here, and The Kitchen consistently knocks it out of the park on every visit. This restaurant is a gem in the Denver food scene and we can’t...

MOTHER'S DAY - - The Manager Greg/Craig to me "DON'T COME AT ME LIKE THAT, BRO"

After my wife, 7yrs old and 13yrs old had been waiting TWO HOURS to eat on Mother's Day, I finally had to find and ask to talk to the manager (after already having spoken three times with other servers). I told Greg/Craig that we had been there for nearly two hours - we ordered no appetizers - just entrées. I expressed that we just needed to know when the food would come. 'Is it five minutes, is it 30 minutes?? - my kids are breaking down?? If we need to go somewhere else that’s fine.’

His response - "DON'T COME AT ME LIKE THAT, BRO!! I’LL GO CHECK ON YOUR FOOD IN THE KITCHEN” Just like I am writing it - like he wanted to fight me. I simply said, “We’re good,” with the intention of walking out with my family to spend mother’s day at In and Out Burger as it was now nearly 4pm. Instead, I doubled back, I was so pissed off that I stood outside of the kitchen to see what he was going to do.

One minute later he appears (incapable of looking anyone in the eye) with a cold and congealed eggs benedict, a disgusting ceasar salad and a quiche that, being fair my wife enjoyed. FIVE MINUTES later, showed up with the egg sandwich for my 7yrs old. Again, no words, wouldn’t look us in the eye, wouldn’t speak.

It was clear that the staff knew how badly they had screwed things up that none on them wanted to approach us for the hour plus that we sat there.

To be clear. this was going to be a $200 meal for eggs, and flour. An “Elevated Restaurant Experience.”

And to be clear, both my wife and I spent many years waiting tables and bartending in Denver to arrive at the point of enjoying such an “Elevated Dining Experience.’

I will not take away the credit that they comp’d the largely gross meal.

However, the fact that Ignatius J Reilly - aka Greg/Craig despondent and clearly entitled millenial manager had the audacity to front on me after keeping my family waiting over two hours and ruining our Mother’s Day. All they had to do was communicate.

They were in weeds beyond belief and would prefer to ruin our special day out of greed instead of telling us that their eyes were too big for their stomach, and couldn’t help us on this very special day.

You guys ruined a $2000 mother’s day over $5 of eggs and flour. Won’t be forgotten. This was my wife’s favorite...