Parker Garage — Restaurant in Parker

This review is specific to the Austin Hope wine pairing dinner.

First understand some facts about this event. This was both a wine tasting / pairing presentation and a prefix 5 course dinner. It was priced at $120 plus tax and tip. The bill included $85 per person in food cost, $35 per person in wine cost, and a. 22% service fee. After tax the cost per person for this event was right around $150. They sat us in a separate space from the rest of the restaurant. All of the parties had their own tables. It was catering style service. We had water and wine waiting for us when they sat us.

The wine portion. The presenter was nice, lively and had a lot of stories about the winery and the wine. I'm not a wine guy. I like wine, but I wasn't there for all that. I get a lot of people where however. So while my wife and I didn't like all the talking during what I thought was going to just be a nice coursed dinner with some good wine I get that a lot of people where there for just that. So I can't fault either the restaurant or the wine presenter for that. Thats my fault for not knowing what I was getting into. The wine was good, it was 5 normal glasses each. For $35, it was good value. They sold bottles for what they said was a discounted rate at the end of the night. I wouldn't know, I don't buy much wine and when I do it's from the bottom shelf.

What I was here for was the food. I wanted to sit down to a nice dinner with my wife with some coursed out bites. To be clear, we did get that. But I don't feel like it was worth $170.

The first course was as Amuse-Bouche Crostini. I liked the cream cheese paired with the apple. It was an awkward service however. They brought it out on a large tray and had you take a piece cocktail party style. We had no plates, so you basically had to either hold onto it or scarf it down right there. This is a relatively minor complaint I know but it set a mood for the service that just never went away.

The second course was a single Seared U-8 Scallop. It was a nice presentation on the plate. It came with a coconut ginger cream source, cilantro oil, pea shoot & preserved lemon salad. I loved every part of this dish. The Scallop was cooked perfectly. The sauce was great, this dish carried the whole meal for me. A+. If the whole meal was like this dish, I'd be raving about this place. But sadly it wasn't.

The third course was Beef Tenderloin Tartare on a Baguette spear. Basically another crostini course. I don't have much to compliment or complain about this course. At least it was on a plate. The tartare tasted fine, it was just a couple of bites and over pretty quick.

The fourth course was the main. Roasted Elk Rack. Coffee rubbed, with roasted sweet potato puree, forbidden rice, blackberry-vanilla gastrique. To be frank, this was a huge disappointment. It was tough (in some parts), and flavorless. It looked like it was cooked correctly at least. I didn't taste much of the rub. Most of it was edible on my plate. My wife's cut was a lot tougher. She couldn't eat most of it. The gatrique was the only real flavor I got out of the whole dish.

The last course was desert. Chocolate Mousse with a chocolate shell, berries, mint and cream. It was ok, the shell was very hard to break, way too thick basically. I pretty much had to smash it to get to the mousse. The whole desert was just kind of mediocre flavor wise and awkward to eat until you smashed through the thick chocolate shell.

The service was not great for a prefix coursed meal. It was a catering style service where they had 3-4 wait staff bringing out the wine and food to the whole room full of tables. Since there was a forced 22% service fee on the meal I assumed it was for them. I didn't tip any extra. I hope the wait staff got that service fee as their tip. They where hustling. But there was NO personal service for this meal. It was basically a catered meal.

I did leave drunk and not hungry, so 3 stars for that I guess. I did feel disappointed when I left, like my $300 dollars would have been better spent on a nice dinner...

Short review: It was great for a lot of reasons.

Extended review edition: Having climbed from food runner to general manager, and being a human who eats at restaurants, I’ve had quite a few experiences within “the restaurant.” Parker Garage exceeded many categories and expectations and I’d like to tell you about them.

Firstly, the person who sat us immediately set a tone. Although later to arrival, the restaurant’s overall smaller size and their busy-ness allowed for this brief wait to be seated understandable. Not skipping a beat, her warm personality settled any “wait anxiety” and allowed for a measured arrival of each subsequent employee to come. A host can set a tone by making a situation that’s more chaotic or stressful (a busy restaurant for example) into a “no problem right this way” feel. She accomplished this.

Second, we had the pleasure of having two different gentlemen serve us our meal and drinks. This is a big second because passing the torch between the two of them didn’t come off as a competition or a “I’m too busy” for this table kind of vibe. Instead, it felt like the restaurant ran as a team and we got that much more service, conversation, and care throughout the evening. A big second because both of them, as different and individual as they are, brought a similar authentic care, compassion, knowledge, conversation, and work ethic to our table. It’s hard to check all these boxes, serve other tables, tend bar, and do your side work. I was just so awestruck by this ability that all I could do was be so content in my cozy booth, drinking each subsequent, fantastic cocktail—living in my little moment with my partner on a Saturday evening. To these gentlemen, you are great souls—thank you for giving a great evening when we don’t often feel seen or have the time to do so.

Finally, the food, although there is always room for improvement was well flavored, executed, and timely in its arrival. Yes, Americans sort of expect a trough of food—something you can find in some plates on the menu; however; that shouldn’t necessarily be the point of going out to eat. Sometimes, and especially here, it’s to have an experience and maybe bring that experience home with you or try to find/see that experience in other places—sort of… setting the bar of expectation in other places and hoping they follow suit. To generalize and summarily wrap up, sit back and enjoy the experience, go a la carte, take measured doses, wind down, and attempt to see what is trying to be accomplished here.

If the above makes you roll your eyes, no problem to me. Just felt inspired to gush about a great experience. Even if there are things to criticize, who am I to attack people giving great service, giving a part of their lives to my good times? And further, everyone will have varying experiences even if you receive the same service. It’s all about your personal head space sometimes. So ya, I enjoyed it because I was prepared to have an enjoyable...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Parker Garage Restaurant in Parker, Colorado, and I must say, the overall experience was delightful. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the charming atmosphere that the restaurant exudes. The rustic yet elegant decor, coupled with the warm lighting and cozy seating, created a welcoming and comfortable ambiance that made me feel right at home.

The service at Parker Garage was truly exceptional. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, ensuring that every need was met and that my dining experience was top-notch. The waitstaff was prompt in taking my order and providing recommendations, making me feel valued as a customer. Their professionalism and genuine hospitality added an extra layer of enjoyment to the evening.

However, I did encounter a minor issue with my order. I had requested my steak to be cooked to medium, but unfortunately, it arrived at my table raw. While the server promptly offered to have it put back on the grill to achieve the desired level of doneness, I decided against it. Personally, I didn't find it necessary to put the server through the hassle of having the steak recooked, as I believed it might compromise the overall sanitation practices of the kitchen.

Despite this hiccup, I must emphasize that the rest of my meal at Parker Garage was outstanding. The flavors and presentation of the other dishes I ordered were impeccable, showcasing the chef's culinary expertise. From the appetizers to the dessert, each dish was crafted with care and featured fresh, high-quality ingredients. The diverse menu offered a range of options, catering to various palates and dietary preferences.

Furthermore, the attention to detail in the overall dining experience was commendable. The plating of the dishes was visually appealing, and the flavors were well-balanced and satisfying. The chef's creativity shone through in the unique combinations and thoughtful execution of each dish.

In conclusion, Parker Garage Restaurant offers a wonderful dining experience with its inviting atmosphere and exceptional service. While there was a slight issue with the steak not being cooked to my desired level of doneness, the overall experience and quality of the other dishes surpassed my expectations. I would highly recommend Parker Garage Restaurant to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience in...