Whit's End — Restaurant in Denver

Im not mad - I am just so disappointed.

I really really wanted this to be great as I love seeing new creative things pop up nearby. However in a neighbourhood of such incredible food options, to think this is actually a viable option is almost laughable.

I want to start and say that the service was wonderful. Our server was kind, attentive and checked in frequently. All issues had NOTHING to do with them and the often thankless work they do.

I dont even know where to begin. From the mismatched cheap decor (a box of Kleenex on the host stand a decor statement piece does not make!) to the sad wilted red roses, to the egregious overhead lighting - it wad just all a cacophony of stimulants. Then we got the menus which was all in an offensive font that till this point were used exclusively by confused diners, gourmet beach town restaurants and Cheesecake factory try hards. Also why was the logo blurry.

I harp on this because it made me not want to order anything but maybe the font was a warning from the beyond. As a positive the wine was not bad! Unfortunately that is the end of my praise. We ordered pretty standard items as that is what we were in the mood for, and in my mind if a place has the gaul to put Ravioli and Scampi as an appetiser, they certainly should be able to get Brussels Sprouts and a Cesar correct. Optimism got the best of me. Lets go through it…

Brussels: We got a bowl of leaves with some Hellmans mayo enhanced with pre grated garlic. What happened to the rest of the vegetable. When I asked I was told it was “impossible to make a truly crispy Brussels sprout so we just peeled the leaves and fried them so it was all crispy”. If that is true someone alert the press because Brixton up the street has done the impossible as their Sprouts are crispy every time. Cesar: This would have been a perfectly acceptable salad if I had been at the Ruby Tuesdays salad bar or if I had sourced the ingredients myself at Costco which is most certainly where that dressing and pre grated cheese had come from.

Lets move on to mains. We both ordered burgers, mine with dressed greens instead of fries which I was told was an impossible and not recommended substitution and all they could do was grilled asparagus and like sure fine (thank god I said yes tbh).

Burgers: I took one bite, put it down, gracefully folded my napkin and said this was not worth the calories, cholesterol or simple effort of chewing. The bun was blasted to a crisp that it ate stale, the mayo (yet again Hellmans with some imitation truffle essence thrown in), the beef was under seasoned, dry yet somehow also drippy, and flavourless. One look at my partners fries knew that they were from a Sysco frozen bag.

In short this was just all bad and I do know they just opened, but also we have been to many a new restaurant that has kinks to work out. This just needs a total overhaul - from start to finish.

I look forward to said overhaul, or to whatever future business occupies this space in 1-3...

Cool little neighborhood bar with a great set of windows and an interesting ceiling. Service was great, perfect for a neighborhood joint. They had two TVs nestled into the corners of the bar, so they can put the game on but it isn't the main focus.

They're still figuring things out, so have a little grace. I expect things will improve as they get into their groove.

The burger was decent, but the cooks haven't quite nailed the shaping yet. The patty was more football shaped than it should have been, requiring a bit of smashing. The bacon was cooked to a nice chewy consistency and the flavors blended well. The fries were fine, though they could have used a bit more time in the fryer to darken them up a bit.

French Onion soup was very onion forward with a full, rich flavor. The bread was well toasted, but bafflingly topped with a huge dollop of aioli that would have overwhelmed the dish had we not removed it.

Mac and cheese had a long curly cavatappi noodle and a properly cheesy sauce. The bread crumbs topping added a nice crunch.

Beer selection was a solid mix styles, all local. Cocktails were varied with some unusual liquor options.

I'm excited to see something in that space, and will check back...

Whit’s End was an amazing experience! During my recent visit to Whit's End with two friends, I was thoroughly impressed by the exceptional service and delightful ambiance. Our waitress was attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring that our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. She was super bubbly and an absolute joy to have as a waitress! The menu offers a variety of European-inspired comfort foods, and the crispy Brussels sprouts with goat cheese aioli and maple vinaigrette were a standout starter. They were super crispy and the cheese spread was an amazing pairing. The caesar salad and pork belly that we had were in close second place- super flavorful and absolutely delicious!

The happy hour at Whit's End is a must-try, featuring 20% off everything from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The crafted cocktails are both innovative and refreshing, perfectly complementing the meal. The warm and inviting dining room, along with the well-appointed bar, creates a cozy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're looking for a place to unwind after work or enjoy a leisurely dinner, Whit's End is the perfect neighborhood gem! Thank you for...