Wash Park Grille — Restaurant in Denver

The brunch is dead.

For years, this was my favorite brunch spot. The reason? The best buffet outside of a Vegas hotel - prime rib, eggs benedict, waffle bar, cheese bar, chocolate fountain...incredible. It was expensive but worth every penny.

Then, COVID happened and the buffet stopped. I stopped going, because aside from the buffet this is merely a decent (albeit pricey) restaurant. The kind of place that's good at a few things but great at nothing - a pleasant but unremarkable experience that makes you feel like you paid too much.

But then COVID started to shrink into the background and the buffet was back! We went here for Mother's day just a few months ago and were thrilled to have our old spot back...or at least until today.

Our confused and inexperienced server seemed symptomatic of some sort of collapse. A bartender explained the buffet was too expensive, with too much food waste to justify it.

And while I might believe that (the buffet was $40/person, which buys a lot of waste), it was crystal clear every single person in the restaurant was brand new. Perhaps the old staff revolted against a cheap or boorish manager, and the current staff simply couldn't execute a buffet. I'm not sure.

My meal was fine. My server was nice enough (she was very new but whatever). But the restaurant was nearly empty this morning, as if everyone knows it's over but me.

If you don't mind the prices, I'm sure you'll have a decent meal here. But I wouldn't go out of my way if I were you, and I definitely would find another spot for...

The food was excellent and the service impeccable. I had the Italian Campanelle and my wife had the Lasagna. The overall price was about what I expected. The dinning room was tasteful and pleasing to the eye.

The biggest problem was what happened after we left the Grill. When we arrived at our car, the “City and County of Denver” had ticketed our car. Interesting since nothing stated this was a no parking area. There were signs but we were not in the no parking zone. We had parked there before. Typical behavior of a “City and County” like Denver to not consider the obvious repercussions. This “Tax” that was imposed on me for entering the “City and County of Denver” seems small, but still a significant event. I like the restaurants in the Wash Park area. We were even considering going to other restaurants like when we went to Hemingway’s in Wash Park years before. However I will not be returning to this area for this very reason. Never once has the cities of Littleton, Englewood, Golden, Evergreen, etc. taxed me for entering their city.

This is a similar reason we have not returned to the Denver 16th Mall in years. Random assaults of course are the primary reason for abandoning that region years ago. It’s clear the “City and County of Denver” is more interested in gathering taxes than protecting its citizens and...

I love neighborhood restaurants and bars. I just experienced the worst service I have ever had at Wash Park Grill. We were there for over an hour, no drink refills, completely ignored, and the only way I got our appetizer was when I asked our server about it. She was too busy flirting with the two guys at the table next to us. She gave every other table multiple drink refills and other tables who sat after us got their food. Even tables who sat after we put our food order in! Our orders, which we eventually canceled, would have been well over $100 for two people, but suddenly appeared after another 5 minutes after I asked for the check and to cancel the order. Our waitress was completely inept. The restaurant was not busy when we got there but by the time we left it had gotten busy.

Also, when a table is obviously upset, the food isn't brought out, drinks (water nor alcohol) aren't refilled, and they have asked to leave, a manger should be sent to the table. No manager ever made an appearance and no apology was offered. Just excuses by the waitress. Other tables and waitresses had no service issues, we watched to make sure we weren't being sensitive.

Btw, I normally tip 25% or more because my girlfriend is in the service industry and we know how hard it can be. Even she said it was horrible service and I shouldn't have...