Indulge Bistro & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Golden

This was our first, and most likely our last, visit to Indulge. The two big elements that detracted from the evening:

1. The food was more than disappointing;
2. Slow service on a night the place was virtually empty. The second star was earned based on how personable and accommodating our server was.

Having received a gift card from a friend, my wife and I headed there on a Monday evening to celebrate our anniversary. We were seated immediately, received water immediately, and then sat for about 20 minutes waiting for a server. There were only five tables of patrons which made us wonder why the long wait!?! Our server was very personable which took the edge off the wait. The food: Caesar salads - a small pile of wilted chopped Romain with some strips of cheese. The dressing was served in a small cup and had the consistency of jello - nothing fresh or home made about it. Grilled Brussel Sprouts - Pretty good. Enough so that we ordered a second helping after I sent my entree back to the kitchen. A fall back to something that we knew was edible. My wife ordered the Rigatoni with Italian sausage which she said was good. I ordered the Grilled Salmon - gluten free - which said it comes with a 'sweet chardonnay reduction served with long grain & wild rice and seasonal vegetables". What I received was a gas grill charred piece of fish with no sauce or seasoning on it at all, a few tough woody stalks of asparagus, and what tasted like some packaged rice mix that had the texture of mush. As to the presentation, it looked like it was literally dumped on the plate with no care or concern at all. The only flavor to the salmon was from the gas grill it was cooked on. Took one small bite of each element and sent it back, then ordered more Brussel sprouts and a hamburger, hoping that would be simple enough not to ruin. The hamburger was decent enough, but again, came simply dumped on a plate with some fries and a cup of ketchup (I guess that was the steak sauce mentioned on the menu?)

Again, our server was very professional, understanding and accommodating. The disappointment was in the lack of care in the quality and preparation of the food. This would have been a failure at any price, and given the prices at Indulge, was insulting at best - enough so to get me to write my first ever...

Indulge B&WB has a lot going for it. With a little more attention to detail, it could reach its full potential. Our server was very professional and knowledgeable, and the hosting was fine dining quality as well. The interior of Indulge is really nice, suitable for just about any event from graduation dinner to romantic rendezvous.

Let me start with my biggest peeve: I disagree vehemently with the floor management decision to cram nearly all the 2-tops into a narrow room (almost hallway) lined with banquettes. You have made sitting at the bar more attractive than sitting a table to dine. Bad move - think about it. The 2-top zone feels like a time-out room compared to the open, airy space of the main dining room. At least, put up some floral wall hangings to liven up the time-out area a bit. Dining 2-tops are the lifeblood of many restaurants. Do not penalize them, incidentally or otherwise, for being a party of two.

Now for the food. The menu balances between bar and fine dining in layout, which cheats the overall experience. Indulge deserves a fine dining menu for tabled seating, and a bar menu for the bar, and the venue will make more money in the long run. Food concepts are very solid but rather predictable. I think the chef could step the creativity up a notch or two and Indulge clientele would approve. But pursuit of higher creativity must be accompanied by more exacting kitchen standards. Our plates of food were well-conceived in flavor and presentation, but the execution of the items was not quite where it should be for the Indulge price point. Challenge the line cooks and pantry to pursue more exacting standards. They are ready for it, but someone needs...

I used to really like eating here. I will not go back. They do take reservations, which is great. We booked an early reservation on Saturday night (5:35). They were not real busy yet.

Our server came three times. Once, initially for happy hour. He brought us our order in a reasonable amount of time. I ordered the mussel and fries for the table and amazed I did not get sick. Something was done ok with these. He did not check back to take our order for dinner for more than thirty minutes at least. Finally, he came back and we ordered.

He had taken my only fork from the appetizer and never came back to check after our food was delivered. I got pizza, but there was several times when a fork would have been helpful. Another person with me did not have salt or pepper shakers. I said excuse me at least three times and tried to wave them down. I was in a booth. Another person with my party got up and asked from the bar. Really? Could you not have checked back after we were served?

Finally he came back. Removed our plates and left a bill. Of course the happy hour prices were not what was advertized either. We were charged 13 dollars for a glass of wine and not 11 as advertized. He did not once refill our water glasses. The food was so salty. We were all dry and empty water glasses on our departure. We visited for an hour with our friends and he did not check back once. Neither did the other servers.

I have a stomach ache in the middle of the night too. Another food disappointment and possibly safety too. Good luck if you go here. The food is no longer exceptional. It's pricey and mediocre. Do not waste your good health, money, or time....