Yes, it's old school and a little stuffy, but what an amazing experience for a special occasion. Don't go in expecting to have a cheap or quick meal. If you go in expecting top-notch service and delicious food, you'll be happy. Honestly, I am so used to be rushed in and out of restaurants it did seem like there was a lot of time in between everything, but I kept having to remember.. this is a special occassion. I am enjoying my husband's company. What a nice date we are on for our 5th wedding anniversary. Deep breath and I stopped with the impatience! We splurged and got the 8-course tasting menu. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it, and it's not because of the price ($130 actually is reasonable for what you get) but because it's an inordinate amount of food to try to eat in one sitting. And it's not the kid of place where you ask for a doggy bag. Highlights of the meal were the fois gras - pairing it with cherries is brilliant, the Basque seafood soup (my personal favorite course), tableside caesar salad (I am a sucker for anything prepared tableside) and the bananas foster, also prepared tableside. The bison that is part of the Rossini was melt in your mouth delicious as well. As I mentioned the service was top-notch. Really, service should be like this everywhere. Lots of people always there to bring you whatver you need, refill your water, answer questions. I probably won't go back anytime soon but it's a must try for any special occasion!
(5)
Jared K.
Unbelievably rude. We spent nearly 1.5 hours waiting for our entrees. When I politely indicated that we were ready for the food to be served the staff notified me that the location was a "fine dining" establishment. I'm well accustomed to paying over $1,000 for a meal, but not accustomed to second tier service combined with first tier snobbery. Only go here if you are interested in a 17th century British dining experience that takes a full three hours to have a full meal.
(1)
Justine M.
Hands-down the best restaurant in Denver, and by far the best meal I've ever had anywhere. Yes, it's really expensive -- but for the first time ever, the entire experience was well worth it. Upon being seated and given a brief but informative history of the restaurant, the host brought us two glasses of Dom Perignon -- definitely a nice way start the night off right! We then enjoyed some delicious bread from an impressive selection and shared the crab cake, which came with a lemongrass-infused sauce and was fantastic. I also ordered a glass of a Super Tuscan (wish I could remember the name!) and enjoyed the description offered by the friendly sommelier -- they have an extensive wine list, and I was very happy with the choice I made! However, the bison steak that I ordered for an entree was the true star of the show. Oh. My. God. It was so amazing, I literally dreamed about it that night. I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but my boyfriend's lamb was delicious as well and he was very satisfied. We finished the meal with their signature Bananas Foster, which definitely didn't disappoint -- and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, our wonderful waiter brought out a dessert wine that paired perfectly with the bananas. Palace Arms defines the true meaning of a 5-star restaurant in every aspect of the term: impeccable service, stunning ambiance, and most importantly, incredible food. Looking forward to going back for the next special occasion!
(5)
Mo R.
The filet mignon is just amazing and the service here is top notch !!! Just love this place over and over again !!!!
(5)
Monica A.
It was an experience I won't repeat or recommend. If my bill was closer to $150 I would say it was good, not great. It definitely was not $600 good. The service was very friendly and attentive, but it does not make up for how marginal many of the courses and wine pairings were through the evening.
(2)
Terri B.
The Palace Arms is in Downtown Denver. We all started off with the artichoke soup. The wait can be a little long but its worth it. The Filet Mignons were excellent. They also prepare your Caesar Salad right at the table. It was the 5 star experience I was hoping for.
(5)
Mary S.
Just immaculate and outstanding!! My husband and I did some research on "top-notch" restuarants around Denver, since it will be our first time there and found this place. After reading lots of reviews, we thought we'd try this restaurant. This restaurant is worth every penny on food and service!! If you're looking for something simple, this is not the place, but if you're leaning toward a memorable evening, you should definitely go here. We were very impressed with the gentleman who seated us laying our napkins on our laps and moving the table side to side for seating access. The waiter handed us a novel of wine lists which was a little overwhelming but they covered each and every wine on this planet. However, thank goodness for Eric (sommelier), who was super knowledgeable on the wine list and was able to dial in our palates on what we wanted and then suggested wines we wouldn't even have thought about and ended up loving and drinking instead. We had the 8 course meal, due to celebration of our wedding anniversary and MBA graduation of my husband. It started off with a fresh and crisp lobster salad and ended with a table-side preparation of cherries jubilee-and since it was a special occasion, Eric stepped in again and suggested a great full-flavored Port that matched it perfectly. Everything was great about the restaurant and servers! The only disappointment was the deconstructed keylime pie, which was super tart and the sorbet hidden in the middle didn't match our taste well at all. I also have to commend the Chef who came out and said "hi" to us. It is very nice to meet who is cooking for you instead of always hiding behind the scenes. Overall it was a great experience! However, the next time we come back, we'll do the 5 course meal instead due to we checked in at 5:30 pm and didn't leave until 9:00 pm due to the long meal, but it was still worth every penny and experience!!!
(5)
Tatyana M.
We visit Denver every year and after reading so many raving reviews finally went for dinner to this "legendary" place. It wasn't just a disappointment, It was a WOW disappointment!!! AMBIANCE: lot's of "glitter" and kind of "class" but bathroom does not have hand towels, so first time in my life in the hotel/restaurant of this caliber I had to dry my hands with toilet tissues. The dining room was dark and uninviting, so if it's called "old school dining" ambiance then I belong to the" new school" one. SERVICE: stuffy, but definitely not really professional. FOOD: not tasty at all, in some dishes over salted, in the case of fish overcooked, bland and all together BORING. Not even one dish hit the spot. VALUE: and that is the most disappointing factor. If this experience would happen in the regular restaurant with the regular prices of $50 to $60 p/p I would say OK, not a big deal and loss of money and time. BUT when you dare to charge $65 for a steak, when dinner for two cost is $200+ without drinks and you deliver nothing but disappointment, that's when I say it's not OK, it's a false and pretentious place, and I feel that I should warn people about it. Unless you are too wealthy and don't care about quality of the experience you are getting for your money I would say stay away from Palace Arm.
The food is great, not the best I've ever had, but very close. Service is above and beyond anything I've ever experienced. Highlight: bananas foster prepared tableside Lowlight: the bill (expensive, but not unexpectedly so) Overall I'd say totally worth it. I will probably go back for a special occasion at some point.
(4)
Megan E.
This was honestly the best full meal I've ever eaten. That said, here's the details: We went for my 28th birthday - on 11/11/11. My DH had the reservation, then canceled it, since I told him we had spent too much, then re-booked it when I changed my mind (love that guy) - the restaurant was accommodating for all that changing. We decided to have the 5 course meal. Plus bread, plus amuse buche, plus intermezzo, plus little cookie and little chocolate at the check... We didn't know about all those extras but they were great. I started with the fois gras and my DH had the octopus - they did mix up at first and bring us both octopus but pointing that out was ok and the replacement was AMAZING! The next course was soup - DH had artichoke and I had tomato. My DH does NOT like soup - and he finished all but one small bite (my trial) very fast and loved it. The soup was rich and creamy and cheesy and great. My tomato soup was very cool - it had iced horseradish and tabasco mini balls and a clear consume.... at least I think that's what those things were ;-) The third course was salad - DH special ordered an arugula salad and they were able to get him something he really enjoyed. I had the beet salad - the flavors matched perfectly and I really enjoyed it. The fourth course, I had abalone and DH had bison steak - both were great and rich and hearty. I couldn't talk much, I was too busy enjoying my food - and by this point I was very full so I ate slower but it still was warm and great the whole time! The fifth course was dessert - I had the key lime "pie" and DH had the chocolate cake. The "pie" was AMAZING!!! I couldn't talk at all for the first few bites - just "mmmmm" and *big smiles* - I highly recommend trying this one! DH, who doesn't like key lime pie, also thought this was a fantastic dish. He also loved his cake - I had a bite and it was creamy and rich and chocolaty - great presentation too. We did not try wine or coffee - the reason we went was for the food. The bread options were all very good, I think the flatbread was my favorite - it was cheesy and crisp. Give yourself several hours (I think we took just over 2) and enjoy! If you want to mark a special occasion, tell them in advance. They were very quick with water, I ended up drinking a ton since they filled it up so fast I had no idea how much I'd had - the bathroom is near the front of the hotel, they will show you where it is the first time (if you go through the revolving doors, it's on your left right before the Tavern entrance)... I loved their little molecular gastronomy additions, the old world charm of the room, and the perfect merging of flavors - do yourself a favor and try this place out!
(5)
gary w.
This was one of the finest dining experiences I have ever had. We ordered the 8 course tasting menu which was balanced and well prepared. The Caesar salad prepared table side, band bananas foster at the end were a real treat. Portion size was a bit big for a tasting menu, and we left 3 hours later completely stuffed, but the experience was fabulous.
(5)
Emma C.
If you've got an evening where, for what ever reason, you want really great food, wine and service, where everything will be perfect and you're willing to pay for it, this is the place in Denver. I moved here via California from London and a few other places, and had a very dear Californian, former New Yorker, friend in town. We wanted to have a nice meal and a proper catch up. As I say, we're both Californian girls who when you offer us Russian River or French wine will chant Russian River before you've finished the sentence. Likewise $100 a head for two outstanding courses and great wine to us, while not cheap, is good value. Food and wine was great, indulgent and perfectly prepared and presented. But the standout was the service - brilliantly timed, charming, attentive. We had plenty of time to catch up, never felt we were interrupted and everything flowed effortlessly, which as we all know, takes enormous effort from the wait staff. The photographs don't really do it justice, the rooms have high ceilings and the decor, while clubby, is not overdone and it is very quiet. It was easy to hear my friend, and all I could hear of the other diners was a background murmur and the odd clink of cutlery. The booths add to an intimate feel and it's just a very easy space to be in.
(5)
Sam G.
What a waste of money (and time). With a reservation we were seated. eventually a drink order was taken. 20 minutes later my martini arrived 1/2 spilled from the glass. The waiter was very uninterested in our 2 top. After two hours waiting for our $70 apiece filet wellingtons they finally arrive. I asked the manager if he was aware of our wait. Yes. "let me pour you a glass of B.V. Cab". I think BV Cab is about $13 bucks a bottle. No apology - no nothing. I'll never go back to this place again! Save your money and time and enjoy a good meal with good service somewhere else!!!!!!
It was the five star experience I was hoping for. We arrived early, having done a little window shopping on the 16th street mall. We arrive about an hour before our reservation, so we sat in the hotel's foyer and admired the decor and holiday decorations. They had a very entertaining 3 man band, a pianist, drummer and cello player playing guests requests ranging from blues to jazz. We had a soda and ice tea and complimentary almonds while waiting, the drinks were a modest $7 but for the experience, was well spent. The staff was superb. Our waiter was incredibly nice, taking the time to cover the high-lights of many of the dishes and explaining the wine list to us. He checked on our progress the entire meal. We enjoyed the breads they served and a server brought over the tray several times prior to the main course. We never felt rushed and as my guest and I completed each course, the plates and utensils were replaced promptly for the next. Our waters were topped off, my friend even noted our glasses never were more than half empty before another top off. And we knew this was no tap water! Each dish was as visually exciting as they tasted. It was sheer joy to enjoy each bite and after that meal, you understand the concept of 'layers of flavors' within the meal itself. My friend and I ordered separate courses, we shared a crab cake appetizer, then he had the bisque while I had the Wild Mushroom soup. For the main courses, he had the fish (can't remember the name) and I had the Bison Filet (7 oz of pure nirvana). We each had a glass of wine with the main course. By the end of the meal we were full and as much as we liked, we didn't have room for the Banana's Foster but the couple seated next to us did, so we got to see the presentation. While the price was high, between the two of us, 1 appetizer, 2 soups, two entrees and two glasses of wine came to about $200 and with tip (25%) it was about the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, it was well worth the price. Our waiter even asked us if we needed to have our Valet Parking validated (we did) and offered to called ahead so our car was waiting outside the hotel when we left. If you're looking for the Five Star restaurant experience to check off your own personnel bucket list, this would be the place to go.
(5)
Brian K.
I have been here twice and twice have had my socks totally blown off. Easily one of my favorite restaurants ever. Decor The place looks like a high end British pub exploded inside. Coats of arms, crowns, British painting, oh my! It's totally out of control, yet still elegant - I love it. Service Top notch. Just fantastic. See food for some more commentary. Food My wife and I are vegetarians and both times (once alone, once together) asked if they could do something special. I felt like a judge on Iron Chef with the unique creations they created. Let me be more specific - their Executive Sous Chef - Thanawat - is THE MAN. He told us to call ahead next time and give him 2-3 days notice. He would then make us an 8 course meal to whatever our needs (vegan/gf/etc) using ingrediants they would go out and purchase. What?! How amazing is this. I have never had a restaurant tell me this. Value You're getting Alex at the Wynn ($300/person) for well under $100. I don't think Denver has any idea how lucky they are!
(5)
Bobby T.
I had low expectations for Palace Arms during restaurant week (It's a pretty limited menu), but was BLOWN AWAY by the service, atmosphere, and the food. Yes, we visited for RW 2010, and before we left I glanced at their menu online. You have a choice of 1 appetizer - Caesar Salad for 2 prepared tableside, 2 entrees - Salmon or Beef, and 2 desserts - Chocolate soup or macaroons. (In the case of the dessert there is really only 1 choice, because I'm not going to go to Palace Arms and just have cookies for dessert. It's just not happening.) Basically, I felt like I was going to a wedding, and I had to choose my main course - beef or fish? I had very low expectations because of the very few choices, and seeing as it was rated at 5 stars on Yelp, I had much cognitive dissonance going on in my head. I was also expecting the restaurant to be dead, being Tuesday night and all. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how busy the restaurant and lobby of The Brown Palace was. It was buzzing! We were seated and had to wait a few minutes before I could order my drink, but besides that wait we received very attentive service throughout the night. The Caesar salad for 2 prepared tableside was a little bit of show, and a lotta bit of delicious. I almost licked my plate, but then remembered where I was. Both me and my wife had the Beef offering for our main course. It was basically a deconstructed Beef Wellington, and it was out of this world! Topped with foie gras that had been pan seared to keep its shape and a beautifully flavorful demi-glace, the beef was cooked perfectly to my asking and juicy and tender to boot. Everything about this dish screamed luxury. It was plush. Finally, for dessert, Chocolate Soup! Oh, what a treat this was. I was intrigued when I saw it on the menu, and it totally delivered. You know the scene in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (The Gene Wilder one, not the Tim Burton one, although it had this scene too) when the winners first enter the factory and see the chocolate river? Ever since I first saw that when I was a kid I wanted to drink from that river, and Chocolate Soup finally let me live out that dream. Rich, velvety chocolate washed over my tongue in an explosion of perfect sweetness and chocolate. I had to peer into the kitchen to see if they had the chocolate river flowing through it, and if they did, I was planning to dive in. All in all, we had a wonderful evening at Palace Arms, and highly recommend them, especially for Restaurant Week.
(5)
Melissa T.
So, unless it's so awful that I know I won't be back, I try to get to a place at least twice before reviewing. In this case, that means it's taken a year for me to have two trips to base a review on, because the Palace Arms is a fancy, special occasion place. I have been twice, both times on our anniversary. The first year everything was outstanding! The food was amazing, the service was impeccable. The second year was just a shade less impressive. The servers seemed hurried, and it was a bit of a let down from the year before, though the food was just as incredible. But overall it's still an outstanding experience and it's just fun to go somewhere super fancy to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)
David T.
Well, just to state the obvious, this is a world class splurge, not a place to catch a weeknight bite. Arguably, it is the most elegant dining destination in Colorado. Some might prefer the Broadmoor or the Flagstaff House, but the Palace Arms is really in a class by itself, IMO. The history of the hotel and the Palace Arms is long an interesting and the list of former guests is formidable indeed. I think it is one of the loveliest formal dining room I've ever been in. Some may find it excessively formal though and may not be comfortable here. Until quite recently men were required to wear a coat and tie, and, I certainly still do. Waiters in tuxes, flawless formal service (some table side - Caesar salad, steak tartare, bananas foster, etc.). This is fine dining at it's most luxurious and professional. It has been an educational institution for decades, in the sense that many young people received valuable lessons about how to negotiate the intricacies of the high end dining experience without making total rubes of themselves. On our last visit, they were at the top of their game. It was a magical evening. Totally gracious staff and exquisite food and wine. From the first bite of their homemade Melba toast (created here) to the last nibble of their house made macaroons. They offer a number of tasting menus with wine pairings but we ordered a la carte this time. We were four celebrating a birthday, so, I'll only mention the dishes I had since this really isn't the sort of place you pass plates around. Started with the Abalone (you never see it anymore and, when, on the rare occasions that it shows up - I'm a goner). Their preparation included green peppercorns, pistachios, artichokes and parm - totally decadent and delish, Considered sharing a Caesar as others in the group did but decided to save room for a hearty main and dessert, of course. Entree choices are fairly limited but cover all the bases - scallops, halibut, chicken pot pie (not your mom's), lamb loin, bison, and Kobe short ribs. Oh, what to do? Ended up with the very succulent lamb loin served with rye spaetzle, fennel sauerkraut and a Gruyere frico. Finished up with, what else? - the bananas foster. Can we all say oink? We did some severe damage with the wine list as well. It is huge and heavily French. Started with a terrific white bordeaux followed by two (yes, two) bottles of Rauzan-Segla Margaux. Others may have even had a cognac but I was getting fuzzy by this point. I was not too fuzzy to note that the check for this little extravagance was in excess of $1200 plus gratuities. Probably a little more than half of that was the wine though, so you don't have to take out a second mortgage. But still, not for the faint of wallet. I wasn't paying - thank god. If you really want to pull out all the stops, or if your wealthy Aunt Ethel is in town and wants to treat, by all means get all gussied up and hit the town in high style.
(5)
Dave F.
This is a rating that includes service and food quality, but not value. The service is excellent. They really make you feel special. I ordered the four-course menu: crab appetizer, bouillabaisse, ribeye with potato cake, and brownie dessert. The crab and ribeye were excellent. I could have done without the sauce on the ribeye, but it wasn't bad. The soup and brownie were fine, but not outstanding. The ability of the chef was excellent and presentation was impressive as well. The problem is I don't think the food is worth the price. The four-course menu is $85. I've had much better steak + soup dinners for about $50 or $60. So I wouldn't come back. But I had a gift certificate. And it was an enjoyable time.
(4)
JC C.
Very disappointed after all the rave reviews posted here. Went for my birthday last night. Price to Quality ratio very poor. $$$$ - Amazing Hawaiian cod, good tasting but swimming in sauce. Isn't lesson one in fine cuisine to not cover up the flavor of a wonderful piece of fish or meat but to enhance it? Same with my husbands steak - absolutely swimming in goop. He was shoving it all off to get to the meat below. Good service, if you like 5 people breathing down your neck. One guy - I guess the waiter who only serves the beer - talked incessantly about all he knows about beer. Nice guy, but please leave us alone. If the price tag had not been $170 for two people I wouldn't be as upset... but it was. I will say the beer and my wine were both excellent.
(2)
Stan L.
my wife and i came for dinner and got the degustation menu.. i had mine paired with wine.. the food was impeccable and their wine selection paired perfectly with the meal.. i've had better food at michelin star restaurants and better wines in Napa.. but their pairing of food and wine blew me away.. it is easily one of the best meals my wife and i have shared together... although i had high expectations for this restaurant.. i was still completely blown away.. service was of course excellent and well deserved of my large tip
(5)
Brittany V.
This is a very classical dining experience; by that, I mean it reminds me of an experience you may have in a traditional French restaurant or at an upscale restaurant in the 50's. They don't really do it like this anymore, which depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. Staff/Service--5 stars. Attentive, polite, and genuinely interested in making sure that you are enjoying yourself and your food. Keep in mind though, this is a dining service meant to be enjoyed over about 2 hours, so don't arrive starving and ready to chow down. It's going to be a while. Ambiance/Style--3 stars. It's an interesting room. Much smaller than I expected it to be, and I'm surprised they keep the lighting so high. I would expect the chandeliers to be dimmed for dinner. This is a very traditional room, some kind of cross between an early 1900's library or parlor room. Lots of dark wood, interesting wallpaper, and flags everywhere. It's not in any way modern, and it feels like the last thought to decor might have been in the 60's. Food--3 stars. This is a very classic dinner menu. As a vegetarian, I'm disappointed in the lack of options. Yes, it's a traditional place, but come on, this is also Denver we're talking about. I can't imagine that it would be too hard to throw in some kind of pasta dish just to keep the vegetarians satisfied. As such, my option was either to forget an entree, or have the chef "throw together" what he could in the kitchen, which sounded like it would be a veggie plate. I passed on the entree and got a soup, salad, and dessert. My soup, the parsnip, (2 stars) was on the whole okay, but the candied ginger was really really sweet and kind of threw me off. The Lyonnaise (sp?) salad (sans bacon) was surprisingly good and I wish I'd had a bit more (3 stars). For dessert, I shared the pina colada, sticky toffee pudding, and fudge brownie with my husband. The fudge brownie was very forgettable and had a strange taste (1 star). The pina colada was deconstructed (the most modern thing I saw on the menu), but not very tasty (2 stars). The sticky toffee pudding was the most promising, but didn't scream "amazing" (3 stars). This might be a place that you just have to experience once to say you've done it, depending on your tastes. As a more modern cuisine/foodie kind of girl, it wasn't my taste, style, or in my palette wheelhouse. Ultimately, I think the food is pretty hit and miss, and with prices like this, I think that's enough to keep me away.
(3)
Tre S.
Amazing. Super good. Great service. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. A definite must!
(5)
Eddy S.
A lot of buck for your bang! I don't bat an eye at pricey joints like this as long as they live up to their bill. Palace Arms does. A bit more traditional than I care for, every dish was perfectly executed and the service outstanding.
(5)
Kevin S.
We had the 4 course tasting with wine pairing. The pairing were excellent! Food was delicious, service excellent! My bouillabaisse was only lukewarm however . Other than that, a very enjoyable evening.
(4)
Kyle G.
It hard to find a true fine dining restaurant now days (dress code, proper ingredients, over the top service). So glad places like this are still around.
(5)
V B.
Wow Denver! Color me impressed! I must admit, even after reading all the glowing reviews I still had my doubts. The menu appeared uninspired and lacking any creativity, but I'm easy going ok? I went with the flow and just thought to myself that this would be just another business dinner with the hopes of helping closing one last deal for 2010. This restaurant is situated right smack in the middle of a large downtown hotel. For those of you back in San Francisco, think St. Francis. I am anti Michael Minna and am grateful he moved his flagship restaurant out of the hotel and to Aqua's old space, but now I am rambling. You get the point. In theory, a 5 star restaurant that sits inside of a hotel is typically a red flag for me but this time it delivered and exceeded my expectations. We arrived via a cramped taxi ride from our hotel and dropped off in front of the Brown Palace Hotel. We walk inside and were greeted to a beyond festive holiday decorated lobby complete with a giant tree and hanging decorations that were tastefully dangling about the room. Soothing piano player in the far right corner playing familiar holiday tunes which immediately made me forget of the high stress work day. Tucked away in the corner is the Palace Arms, greeted immediately by name and taken to our table. The champagne cart arrived soon after which offered up a complimentary glass of Billecart Salmon brut rose. An amuse bouche appeared that included a slice of salmon over a basil leaf. There was no silverware in sight so we all used our hands and inhaled one of the most amazing tasting pieces of fish I have ever tasted. The champagne was the perfect compliment and much appreciated. After a few minutes our server introduced himself and recited the menu along with a detailed description of each dish. My mouth was watering as explained each preparation and the recommended wine pairing with each course. Our potential customer at this point says loudly "I have never eaten at a place like this, can you help me". Awkward? not in the least. Our server was beyond professional and took him under his wing and started probing and asked questions about foods and drink that he likes. Turns out, he is not a wine drinker but does love his cocktails and within a few minutes crafted a five course dinner complete with 5 different cocktails that would match each of his courses. I can go on and on just how amazing this place is and I feel like I am rambling right now but you people in Denver need to realize just how truly special this place is. Everything from the service to the wine list to the food to the finishing touches. Attention to detail is practiced here to perfection. I am not a coffee drinker, but at the end of the evening I witnessed some oohhs and awes to how good the coffee was. Coffee may be for closers but port is for tall lanky dorky guys who secretly want hot cocoa.
(5)
Craig S.
I hope the Palace Arms stays just like it is forever. What a treat, and kind of like going back in time. Service is superb, food is good to great, and really have nothing to complain about. The decor, thorughs me back to what i would think the 40's was like, and is so cool. Love the red leather booths, the lighting , everything! Little details like the Martinis, poured out of the little silver pitchers, the presentation of everything is well thought out & presented with loving care. Deserts are pretty good too, but ask for one of there famous macaroons at the end of your meal, another nice throwback touch! Pricing, not cheap, but since everything is so special worth the price and really no more than a high end steakhouse. For group special occasions, they have a cool private dining area I would love to book sometime.
(5)
Kathleen M.
Wow! I was so blown away by every aspect of our experience at the Palace Arms. I had mentioned, on opentable.com , that it was our anniversary and my husband graduated with his masters degree. Upon being greeted at the entrance, the hostess congratulated us on both events. We were seated and I was given a rose. Through out the night, every staff member came to our table to congratulate us. The service was impeccable. So here is what we ordered....at the recommendation of our waiter, we ordered the smoked pheasant soup. Get this soup. It was voted one of the top 100 dishes to have in Denver. It is creamy, smokey and delicious. For our main courses, I got the scallops. They were perfectly done. Perfect portion size. Beautiful presentation. My husband got the sea bass. Perfect, again. We split their "interpretation" of cheesecake. It involved bites of cheesecake with several different types of sauce. Strawberry, chocolate, lime, etc. At the end of the meal, they also served us homemade macaroons. The whole experience far exceeded our expectations. I hope we have a reason to celebrate soon, so that we can come back! Definitely a place for special occasions.
(5)
Sam R.
To die for. I dined alone, but they made me feel like a queen. I had the best foie gras of my life, which i can only describe as grilled warm mouse with a glass of sherry. For dinner, the bison filet mignon. I couldn't finish everything. The food was intoxicating. The clientele stuffy and conservative. I did feel like I had returned to the set of Sunset boulevard, a dining room in someone's forgotten palace. Plan to pay a pretty penny, but it's worth it.
(5)
Matt D.
The food was good, but not excellent. They tend to down their food in sauces. Service started out great, but as the meal went along the service went down to the point I felt forgotten about & no they were not busy. They did have a very cool wine list.
(4)
Josh T.
Hands down the single best dining experience I've ever had. As mentioned in the other reviews it is pricey but that should be fully expected and is worth every penny IMHO. The service was professional, efficient, and pleasant. I overheard our waiter telling on of his other tables that he'd been at Palace Arms over 11 years. That is a lot table side ceaser salads and bananas foster, both of which were expertly made for us and were delicious. The Foie Gras was excellently prepared as was the Buffalo Rossini. My wife had the Wyagu Beef that was also incredible. The only thing that I didn't absolutely love was the lobster bisque, I felt it was average for lobster bisque. My wife had the Consomme and said it was fantastic. The atmosphere is impressive as they have art and other paraphernalia that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, pieces that should literally be in museums. You can't go wrong with the Palace Arms or really anywhere at the Brown Palace for any occasion.
(5)
brewgirl b.
Amazing food and service. The restaurant was not busy at all the night we went (we were the only table for the first hour), and the staff was great. They told us about the restaurant's history, and were very funny and engaging. And what a history the room has--LOTS of authentic, museum quality Napoleonic relics. The seafood was delish! Wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a plane to catch, and they sped up the service without sacrificing service. All in all, a great way to end our Denver trip!
(5)
Irina N.
My boyfriend and I went to Palace Arms on Wednesday to celebrate our anniversary. We chose the Five Course Tasting Menu and each had a drink. I had: Loch Duart Salmon appetizer, Wild Mushroom soup, Ceasar salad (made tableside), Diver Scallops and I can't remember the name of my dessert, but it was basically a chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. I also tried (off my bf's plate): cheese sandwich, chestnut bisque and sorbet. The Five Course Tasting Menu portions are rather small, but if you eat all 5 courses plus a piece of bread with butter and have a drink, then you most likely will be full. Personally, I was full by the end of the dinner and I really like to eat : ) The service was excellent. There was a number of people coming to our tables delivering food and silverware, refilling our glasses, etc. We received a lot of attention. The food was very good too. I loved everything that I ordered. My bf's cheese sandwich was good, but it's basically a grilled cheese sandwich. I did enjoy my bf's dessert better than mine though. It was one scoop of berry sorbet, one scoop of lemon sorbet and a few berries. It was the best sorbet I have ever had in my life. I "helped" my bf with eating his sorbet ; ) Overall, this place is very classy and has fancy and delicious food. It is very spendy too. Expect to spend $200 for a dinner for two. It is a special occasion type of a place. I would love to come back for another dinner. You can also have Classic Banana Foster prepared tableside for you. They flambe the dessert (set it on fire) tableside. A table next to mine ordered this dessert and it was an interesting experience. I would like to try this next time.
(5)
Subin J.
I haven't been here for the last...8 months? or so because I really don't have any girl who's special enough to go with, but I'm going to write a review anyway. This restaurant is probably in the top 5 in metro DEN area. I'm not going to specifically comment on quality of food / service because 5* usually means they were outstanding. If Michelin ever decides to publish their guide in Denver (which I kinda doubt), this restaurant might be able to get 1 star. Also, if you happen to be one of those who has either Amex Cent / Plat, you have a better chance of scoring reservations at the last minute as Palace Arms is one of the participating restaurants in DEN with Amex's Concierge, although it is not 100% guaranteed.
(5)
Laura L.
I would give 4 1/2 if it was an option...really a beautiful experience. First off, just want to say that the service, food, and presentation are all top notch. However, I am not a fan of the atmosphere...a bit too much Disney's haunted mansion if you ask me. We went for a double celebration of my parents' anniversary and my grandma's 85 birthday. We had two pescetarians (myself included) and someone who is gluten intolerant in our party. Our server was knowledgeable and quick to recommend some options and steer us away from others. The meal began with a light amuse bouche (brie with cherry tomato, olive, and balsamic reduction for me). We ordered a bottle of an incredibly beautiful pinot noir from Germany to share for the table and then the meal began. Wow...I started with the hierloom lettuce salad...all the veggies were beautifully cooked (tender but with some crunch) and the dressing was modest and light. I then had the Market Fish (Black Cod) which was tender and flaky with lovely gnocchi's perfectly seared, pine nuts, olives, crab, and blood orange. My father got the ribeye and said it was the best piece of meat he has EVER had. We finished with two deserts shared between the table (play on banana split and dark cherry chocolate cake)...no one was speaking other than the murmur of "yummmm"s across the table. It was a beautiful experience (3 hours total) with some very incredible food. Our check came out to about $470 for 5 people and totally worth it.
(4)
alison s.
The Palace Arms restaurant in the Brown Palace Hotel is perhaps the last bastion of luxury dining left in Denver. The dining room evokes the feeling of old money and the kind of civility that has long been left behind by more modern establishments. I found this grand dining room to be a treasure. The lighting is dim but not dark. On every wall there are beautiful antique flags and prints. But, don't let the antiques mislead you; this restaurant may have kept it's fin de siecle flair, but the food is very progressive. The chef is one-of-a-kind as he infuses time honored dishes like lamb medallions and crab cakes with subtle asian flavors. He even came to our table twice to chat and ask how we liked the food. It was that kind of attention that we really appreciated. Moreover, I can't remember the last time I had a caesar salad prepared tableside and it's probably the best caesar I've ever had - well balanced, subtle lemon flavor and crispy. The staff is cordial and helpful without being the least bit stuffy. And, did I mention that you do not need a jacket? If you have a very special occasion, do not hesitate to put the Palace Arms on your short-list of places to go. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Cara M.
This is one of the most amazing places I have been. First off, the service was impeccable. Very kind and knowledgeable. Ask for a tour of the State Room and you'll get a rundown of a unique, one of a kind (well two of a kind, the other is in the White House) mural, as well as information regarding the authentic Napoleonic art art and artifacts such as Josephine's and Napoleaon's dueling pistols. It is pricey though, the food isn't too bad if you stick to the starters and they have the most amazing wine collection, but my husband and I were memorializing his grandmother who had recently passed away so the price was worth it. I mean the food is absolutely worth it but don't go expecting to spend less than $50/person, although you could get a good dinner for $30 if you ordered carefully. The food is amazing and everything on the menu was was perfect, the chef has a ton of skill and is adventuresome which I like. He also accommodated my vegetarian request. My husband had the chefs choice tasting menu as did I so for me I had a unique dish when the fois gras and pate courses arrived. It was awesome, some of the best vegetarian food I have ever had. Risotto, green salads, croquet with tofu, mixed grain salads, tomato soup with this outstanding crouton, fresh baked bread, sorbet, wine jelly, every flavor was perfect. We couldn't actually finish all eight courses so I took some home and ate it the next day cold for breakfast and it was still good. Almost better :) We returned the next night to have the bananas fosters, which if you go for no other reason go for this. The experience is worth the entire $600 tab. Which is high even if you account for the two amazing bottles of wine, which we also didn't finish and took to go. Seriously, $600. I have never paid that much for anything. Ever. Although I technically didn't pay for it, it was a gift. One of the nicest things anyone has done for me. If this place ever opens for lunch and does a happy hour, go regularly. It's amazing.
Loved the ambiance, food and wine selections. Everything was to perfection. I would definitely go back!
(5)
Desiree P.
Wow. This place is amazing. We celebrated our anniversary here last night because we had our wedding here and to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at this restaurant was free. Yes people, free!! The service was great...there was one slip up and that was our appetizer was completely forgotten...but, they ended up bringing it out with an apology...not sure if this was due to the fact we were the only hispanics in a room full of white old people...but, either way, the food and overall service was so good, all was forgiven. My husband had the bison and he said it was the best piece of meat he's ever had. Ever. The chefs seem to be very creative. They brought out this brie cheese with some kind of preserves on it and a kind of pepper and beautiful spices...anyway, it was a small little piece but so delicious!! They brought out our cake topper for dessert; yes, they recreated our cake from the wedding!! This little detail made us feel very special and had us reminiscing of the greatest day. Can't wait to go back. This will definitely be our anniversary tradition from now on.
(5)
Jessica D.
This is a place to celebrate a special occasion. Be ready to splurge. The ahi tuni appetizer I had was quite possibly the best dish I have ever eaten *in my life*. It was one of those things where with every bite you are saying "This is unbelievable." Then on to the bison with foie gras . . . very rich. Finally, the chocolate soup. They brought us freshly baked macaroons to go with it (make sure you ask for those if they don't)-- another amazing experience. I'll be honest, I did feel a twinge of buyer's remorse when I saw the bill, but for two of the best dishes I've ever eaten, at a romantic dinner with a handsome man in an opulent setting, it was definitely worth it.
(5)
Samantha M.
My parents and i went here 2 years ago, it was fabulous - they did a 7 course tasting menu with wine, i did a 4 course. the buffalo that my dad got was outstanding and i got a take on a reuben with lamb that was beyond delicious!
(5)
Ken W.
Everything about this place screams expensive. From the moment you pull up to their valet service, the people are friendly and ready to satisfy your every desire. The head guy was extremely polite to me and my gf. It was her birthday and I only mentioned it in passing when I was making the reservation. He remembered right when we got there and wished my gf a happy birthday as we were walking in the door. Next, we are taken to a nice table there there is a long stem rose sitting on the plate for my beautiful date. The inside is pretty dark and almost has a gloomy atmosphere but it's brightened up by all the pleasant servers. You get a nice selection of bread. I ended up ordering the 8 course meal while my girlfriend got the 4 course one. Since there is such a huge discrepency in the amount of courses, they gave her a few free courses from my menu. That was extremely kind of them since it would have been weird for her to sit there for half the meal watching me eat. The head chef came out and helped serve our meal to us and explain how it was cooked. The presentation was also fantastic. Everything is extremely rich and tasteful. Finally, I had one of their signature desserts, the banana foster. This was prepared table side. Describing it would be a disservice. Definitely a great place to celebrate on special occasions.
(5)
Ray R.
This was a fabulous dining experience. Not for those in a hurry. Wonderful for spending time with somebody important. For our visit they hit it out of the park. Service and food were outstanding. Again, this is fine dining, which is unhurried and gives you time to spend with your companions. No 16 oz. steak, but portion size is more than adequate. We had the 5 course tasting meal it was outstanding.
(5)
Jess K.
This is a very fancy restaurant and has a lot of history. Do not go here if you want modern surroundings, but if you want an old fashioned high end atmosphere this is the place for you. I have to say I was kind of disappointed with the food. It wasn't bad, but the prices are definitely not justified. You are pretty much paying for the service and location of being in the Brown Palace hotel. One of the servers did a table-side ceasar and for dessert had also did Banana's foster. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal and the very nice gentleman knew a ton of history about the hotel and restaurant which was very cool. I had the french onion soup which I didn't care for, as it was not the traditional style I love ($12). It had good flavor but I like it prepared the traditional way so I was a little let down when it came out. The duck was good but nothing I would go out of my way to get again, and especially not for $38 (the cheapest entree on the menu). They do have an amazing wine selection that looks more like a large encyclopedia.
(4)
Terri B.
The Palace Arms is in Downtown Denver. We all started off with the artichoke soup. The wait can be a little long but its worth it. The Filet Mignons were excellent. They also prepare your Caesar Salad right at the table. It was the 5 star experience I was hoping for.
(5)
Leanna C.
Not only is this a really unique restaurant but the food is incredible! I was extremely skeptical of this restaurant because I have never heard of anyone going here. It is definitely a hidden gem. To start you absolutely MUST get the table side Caesar salad, if you can ignore the pricey $34 (for two salad) price it is well worth it. They make everything in front of you and you can truly taste a difference. This is now my favorite salad in Denver. I ordered the sea scallops and was gravely disappointed, they were far too salty but not inedible. In their defense the waitress we had did warn us of the scallops extremely salty nature. The reason this gets a 5 star is because of the filet. Without a doubt, hands down, the BEST filet I have EVER had. It was so buttery and creamy and just ultimately dreamy. If you do not get the filet when you come here you are missing out.
(5)
Shinwook P.
Hear me out, this is a fun story. So, my friend and I went on a road trip to Colorado for some backpacking in the mountains and exploring the cities. Since we were on the road for most of the time (we drove all the way from Washington state) and we were camping/backpacking most of our nights, we were eating bland food like PB&J, muffins, granola bars, etc. When we got to Denver, we wanted to treat ourselves and eat somewhere super fancy. So after some research, we chose the Palace Arms at The Brown Palace Hotel and made a reservation. We dressed up as fancy as we could in our dress shirt, pants, belt, and tie (all from H&M) and drove over to the location. Please note that we are broke college students. We walked in and when we were seated, we quickly realized that we were probably the youngest people there by a couple decades. We clearly stood out haha. But the waiters and the servers all treated us like we were Nobel winners or something. They made us feel special, and that is always good. The food was amazing too. Since we are poor college students, we had never been to a restaurant this fancy before. We probably didn't even pronounce half the items on the menu right. We admitted that to our server, and she was polite, without judgment, and gave us recommendations. We ended up sharing the House Fresh Ricotta as the appetizer. It was delicious. The toy-box tomato was so good! For entree (we skipped the salad and soup since we couldn't afford a four course meal), I got the Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast. Probably the fanciest and the best tasting food I've ever had. The portions were bigger that I imagined too! I know that most "fancy" restaurants give a small piece of meat and call it $80. But the entree I had was $39 and the portions weren't way out of range. Overall, the experience was epic. We felt special and we felt badass. So after the meal, we walked around downtown in our H&M dressy outfits and felt even more badass. Hope you enjoyed reading this review. If you go to Denver and you can afford to eat at a fancy restaurant (or be tragically epic poor college students like us), then you have to go check this place out. Fun fact: every president has stayed at The Brown Palace since its opening besides Coolidge and Obama. Come on, Barack. You still have about 2 more years to change that.
(5)
Monica A.
It was an experience I won't repeat or recommend. If my bill was closer to $150 I would say it was good, not great. It definitely was not $600 good. The service was very friendly and attentive, but it does not make up for how marginal many of the courses and wine pairings were through the evening.
(2)
Tim T.
Had dinner here last night with friends visiting from Santa Fe. Dinner was fantastic, service was wonderful, our server Kendra made the night very special. She even took the time to answer some specific question I had in regards to the history of the bldg and she showed us a few special pieces in the dining room. 3 of us had the catch which was Haddock, AMAZING! My partner had the duck breast and it look delish! If you are looking for a special dinner for a special evening, I highly recommend the Brown Palace. We already are planning our next visit.
(5)
Kelli S.
The food is great, not the best I've ever had, but very close. Service is above and beyond anything I've ever experienced. Highlight: bananas foster prepared tableside Lowlight: the bill (expensive, but not unexpectedly so) Overall I'd say totally worth it. I will probably go back for a special occasion at some point.
(4)
Lizi C.
My recent meal at the Palace arms was probably the most memorable and excellent meals that I have had in a long time. We had a small party in the private dining room (Independence Room) which was the perfect venue. It was in celebration of our wedding. The staff was so polite and really went out of their way to make it a nice evening and make us feel special. The ambiance was perfect. It feels very intimate and classic. The Brown Palace has a very rich and interesting history. You should read about it. brownpalace.com/About-th… As for dinner we had a pre-fix menu to choose from. The filet mignon was the stand out item on the menu. I tried the pork medallions which were also excellent. I didn't try the fish, but was told it was cooked to perfection. The appetizers were excellent as well. The quality of the food and overall presentation of the food was excellent. When dining at the Palace Arms, you feel like you are stepping back into a more classic time which is something that is quite unique and refreshing. We had them prepare us a wedding cake (chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache). It was absolutely splendid. I can't think of a more perfect restaurant in Denver for a special occasion. I'm so glad we decided to have our special celebration in the Palace Arms. The Brown Palace will forever be a really special place to us. The hotel is rich with Denver History and now is an important part of our own personal history. Both my husband and I are excited to come back for future anniversary dinners and special occasions. I highly recommend a meal in the Palace Arms for a very memorable, special and delicious dining experience. Thank you Brown Palace and the staff at the Palace Arms for a truly incredible evening. Our experience is something that we will always remember and is very dear to our hearts.
(5)
Tim F.
Fairly disappointed. Had dinner Christmas Eve's eve before a show at the performing arts center, we were staying at the hotel and decided to give it a go. AMBIANCE: Kind of fun, it's definitely old school. The booths were lovely and well separated. I'd give an A on this point. SERVICE: Confusing. I've eaten at many a fine dining establishment and never had this slow/inattentive service. Our waiter asked us at the start if we had plans he should keep in mind for pacing, and we told him we had to be at the show in 2 hours. He said we wouldn't be able to do the 4-course meal (we barely did 2). Now, we were the 3rd table seated and ordered right away. 2 hours for 2 courses? I mean, I like to savor my food, but this was slow by any stretch. I'm fairly sure my waiter actually made my cocktail himself, it took 15 minutes while he was doing that before we could order. Just weird. FOOD: We had squash soup followed by Branzino with a vegetable risotto, and tuna crudo followed by their specialty Bison Rossini. Both apps were quite good, the tuna in particular was super fresh and well prepared. My Rossini was great, but it was also kind of throwing every expensive ingredient at a plate, how could it not be? The branzino was...fine, the lemon butter sauce ....ok, but the vegetable risotto was visually off, and the vegetables tasted frozen. I can make better risotto. Despite of this I'd call the food "good, but boring". They're not breaking any new ground here, just preparing old specialties well (with the exception of the risotto). VALUE: Ridiculous. 2 courses, 1 cocktail, and 1 glass of wine = $199. Come on.
(3)
Sergio R.
Amazing food and service! Pasta, pork cheeks, salmon and steak were amazing and perfectly cook. They even give a rose to my girlfriend at the end of the meal. Thank u for the great evening.
(5)
Wesley S.
Me and my friend road tripped to Colorado, and after eating "road trip" food for a few days we decided we need some real food. That combined with the fact that neither of us had ever eaten very fancy, we decided to try something new and eat at the Palace Arms restaurant. After dressing up in our fanciest H&M clothes we decided to try and look like royalty and eat where not many young college students venture. So the adventure began. As soon as we walked up we knew we didn't belong here, but we decided to pull out every ounce of manners that we had ever learned from our mothers. When we sat down we instantly were treated like VIP's. We were checked on by about 5 different people throughout the night and everybody was extremely polite and made sure we were taken care of! As far as food goes, it was possibly the best thing my taste buds have ever experienced. I got the "loin of lamb" and I couldn't tell you any of the ingredients other than it had Lamb in there, mixed with a variety of extravagant combinations. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for a classy night out!
(5)
Lea B.
This update is a little behind since we were there again over the Christmas holidays so the Brown Palace had all of their holiday decorations and it was very festive. The food again was incredible. We wanted to try it again since we heard there was a chef change but everything was delish. Their signature dish the Rossini was just as we remembered it. We brought friends this time and they were equally impressed. One of them decided to go with the wine pairing and thought the sommelier was spot on with her pairings. I don't know why this place isn't mentioned anywhere but it truly is a hidden gem. And if you get over the "stuffy" atmosphere the food and service is incredible.
I went to the Palace Arms on a romantic dinner date. There is an old world sensibility to the service provided. Between entering the restaurant and leaving, there were approximately 5 people who helped us. The water glasses never went empty and the silverware was replenished after each course. To boot, they seated us away from the other tables, and managed to keep us separate from other diners, so we had a secluded meal. It really felt like we were in our own world. When I ordered beer on tap, my server didn't blink. He went to the bar in the Brown Palace to get what I asked for. After he approached us to see if we knew what we wanted, and realized we were in the midst of conversation, our server simply let us know ("Don't stop holding hands!) to place our menus in a particular place on the table so he'd know we were ready. Yes. That's how the service was the whole time. They make you feel special. We ordered the four course tasting menu. The food was delicious, and they did a commendable job finding suitable items for my boyfriend who is vegetarian. There were delicious flavors, such as Meyer lemon beurre blanc served with the yummy tofu and veggie dish. My steak was cooked as ordered and tender. At the end of the night, we finished with bananas foster, a theatrical and fun end to our meal. Our server brought me a rose, apparently a tradition that they have to give each female guest a flower at the end of the meal. The rose stayed beautiful in my house for almost two weeks. It was a great experience. I would recommend them for a very special occasion without reservation.
(5)
Catharine W.
meh... I would say they are resting on their laurels. We were taken to lunch for business. The room is old-school lovely. We were greeted with surliness when we were a bit late for the reservation (though the room was nearly empty...) Ordered a salmon-topped salad. Veggies were over cooked, fish a bit undercooked. Overall, it was underwhelming and bland. Not recommended.
(3)
Jamie W.
Since we did a trendy dinner on our first night in Denver, I wanted to go the more traditional route for dinner #2. Most of the Yelp reviews have it right. It's definitely a special occasion restaurant... it's a little old school... don't expect a quickie meal by any means. We opted NOT to do the prix fixe and instead ordered a la carte because honestly, it just sounded like so much food. I started with the artichoke soup and then had the veal saltimbocca for my entree. Both dishes were superb. I had never had saltimbocca before and am glad I gave it a try. It was a little too thick cut for my taste (for whatever reason I thought it was served pounded - my mistake) but the flavor was good. Impressive wine catalogue. We started with a California sparkling and then shared a California red. It's funny how we always tend to lean toward California wines... The real standout of the meal was when the chef came over to check on us... not once, but twice! Sometimes the chef comes to your table at other restaurants and it comes off a tad phony. Not here. Chef Thanawat Bates is a genuine guy, very friendly and the way he described the desserts to us... I'm surprised I didn't order all of them! The desserts are classics but deconstructed, if that makes any sense at all... for example, we ordered the key lime pie. It comes in a parfait dish. There is some crunch on the bottom which is warm but the filling is warm and cold at the same time. It was beyond amazing (see the picture). The service was impeccable. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. Dress up for sure! I loved the red rose I received at the end - nice touch for a special occasion (our 8th wedding anniversary). I wholeheartedly recommend Palace Arms for a special dinner... they definitely aim to please.
(5)
Jason G.
I'll cut right to the chase: the price you're going to pay isn't worth the food you're going to eat. In fact, the price was literally more than my last three Valentine Day meals COMBINED...it was totally ridiculous. The service was good and the atmosphere was cool (in a French Revolution kind of way), but the price was way too rich for my blood. To make myself feel better, I kept thinking, "Well, maybe John, Paul, George or Ringo sat here...", which I knew was bullshit since we had the corner booth by the entrance and no one wants to sit there. Save your money for a couch or a nice set of end tables.
(3)
Leanna C.
Not only is this a really unique restaurant but the food is incredible! I was extremely skeptical of this restaurant because I have never heard of anyone going here. It is definitely a hidden gem. To start you absolutely MUST get the table side Caesar salad, if you can ignore the pricey $34 (for two salad) price it is well worth it. They make everything in front of you and you can truly taste a difference. This is now my favorite salad in Denver. I ordered the sea scallops and was gravely disappointed, they were far too salty but not inedible. In their defense the waitress we had did warn us of the scallops extremely salty nature. The reason this gets a 5 star is because of the filet. Without a doubt, hands down, the BEST filet I have EVER had. It was so buttery and creamy and just ultimately dreamy. If you do not get the filet when you come here you are missing out.
(5)
Shinwook P.
Hear me out, this is a fun story. So, my friend and I went on a road trip to Colorado for some backpacking in the mountains and exploring the cities. Since we were on the road for most of the time (we drove all the way from Washington state) and we were camping/backpacking most of our nights, we were eating bland food like PB&J, muffins, granola bars, etc. When we got to Denver, we wanted to treat ourselves and eat somewhere super fancy. So after some research, we chose the Palace Arms at The Brown Palace Hotel and made a reservation. We dressed up as fancy as we could in our dress shirt, pants, belt, and tie (all from H&M) and drove over to the location. Please note that we are broke college students. We walked in and when we were seated, we quickly realized that we were probably the youngest people there by a couple decades. We clearly stood out haha. But the waiters and the servers all treated us like we were Nobel winners or something. They made us feel special, and that is always good. The food was amazing too. Since we are poor college students, we had never been to a restaurant this fancy before. We probably didn't even pronounce half the items on the menu right. We admitted that to our server, and she was polite, without judgment, and gave us recommendations. We ended up sharing the House Fresh Ricotta as the appetizer. It was delicious. The toy-box tomato was so good! For entree (we skipped the salad and soup since we couldn't afford a four course meal), I got the Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast. Probably the fanciest and the best tasting food I've ever had. The portions were bigger that I imagined too! I know that most "fancy" restaurants give a small piece of meat and call it $80. But the entree I had was $39 and the portions weren't way out of range. Overall, the experience was epic. We felt special and we felt badass. So after the meal, we walked around downtown in our H&M dressy outfits and felt even more badass. Hope you enjoyed reading this review. If you go to Denver and you can afford to eat at a fancy restaurant (or be tragically epic poor college students like us), then you have to go check this place out. Fun fact: every president has stayed at The Brown Palace since its opening besides Coolidge and Obama. Come on, Barack. You still have about 2 more years to change that.
(5)
Lizi C.
My recent meal at the Palace arms was probably the most memorable and excellent meals that I have had in a long time. We had a small party in the private dining room (Independence Room) which was the perfect venue. It was in celebration of our wedding. The staff was so polite and really went out of their way to make it a nice evening and make us feel special. The ambiance was perfect. It feels very intimate and classic. The Brown Palace has a very rich and interesting history. You should read about it. brownpalace.com/About-th… As for dinner we had a pre-fix menu to choose from. The filet mignon was the stand out item on the menu. I tried the pork medallions which were also excellent. I didn't try the fish, but was told it was cooked to perfection. The appetizers were excellent as well. The quality of the food and overall presentation of the food was excellent. When dining at the Palace Arms, you feel like you are stepping back into a more classic time which is something that is quite unique and refreshing. We had them prepare us a wedding cake (chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache). It was absolutely splendid. I can't think of a more perfect restaurant in Denver for a special occasion. I'm so glad we decided to have our special celebration in the Palace Arms. The Brown Palace will forever be a really special place to us. The hotel is rich with Denver History and now is an important part of our own personal history. Both my husband and I are excited to come back for future anniversary dinners and special occasions. I highly recommend a meal in the Palace Arms for a very memorable, special and delicious dining experience. Thank you Brown Palace and the staff at the Palace Arms for a truly incredible evening. Our experience is something that we will always remember and is very dear to our hearts.
(5)
Tim F.
Fairly disappointed. Had dinner Christmas Eve's eve before a show at the performing arts center, we were staying at the hotel and decided to give it a go. AMBIANCE: Kind of fun, it's definitely old school. The booths were lovely and well separated. I'd give an A on this point. SERVICE: Confusing. I've eaten at many a fine dining establishment and never had this slow/inattentive service. Our waiter asked us at the start if we had plans he should keep in mind for pacing, and we told him we had to be at the show in 2 hours. He said we wouldn't be able to do the 4-course meal (we barely did 2). Now, we were the 3rd table seated and ordered right away. 2 hours for 2 courses? I mean, I like to savor my food, but this was slow by any stretch. I'm fairly sure my waiter actually made my cocktail himself, it took 15 minutes while he was doing that before we could order. Just weird. FOOD: We had squash soup followed by Branzino with a vegetable risotto, and tuna crudo followed by their specialty Bison Rossini. Both apps were quite good, the tuna in particular was super fresh and well prepared. My Rossini was great, but it was also kind of throwing every expensive ingredient at a plate, how could it not be? The branzino was...fine, the lemon butter sauce ....ok, but the vegetable risotto was visually off, and the vegetables tasted frozen. I can make better risotto. Despite of this I'd call the food "good, but boring". They're not breaking any new ground here, just preparing old specialties well (with the exception of the risotto). VALUE: Ridiculous. 2 courses, 1 cocktail, and 1 glass of wine = $199. Come on.
(3)
Sergio R.
Amazing food and service! Pasta, pork cheeks, salmon and steak were amazing and perfectly cook. They even give a rose to my girlfriend at the end of the meal. Thank u for the great evening.
(5)
Wesley S.
Me and my friend road tripped to Colorado, and after eating "road trip" food for a few days we decided we need some real food. That combined with the fact that neither of us had ever eaten very fancy, we decided to try something new and eat at the Palace Arms restaurant. After dressing up in our fanciest H&M clothes we decided to try and look like royalty and eat where not many young college students venture. So the adventure began. As soon as we walked up we knew we didn't belong here, but we decided to pull out every ounce of manners that we had ever learned from our mothers. When we sat down we instantly were treated like VIP's. We were checked on by about 5 different people throughout the night and everybody was extremely polite and made sure we were taken care of! As far as food goes, it was possibly the best thing my taste buds have ever experienced. I got the "loin of lamb" and I couldn't tell you any of the ingredients other than it had Lamb in there, mixed with a variety of extravagant combinations. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for a classy night out!
(5)
Lea B.
This update is a little behind since we were there again over the Christmas holidays so the Brown Palace had all of their holiday decorations and it was very festive. The food again was incredible. We wanted to try it again since we heard there was a chef change but everything was delish. Their signature dish the Rossini was just as we remembered it. We brought friends this time and they were equally impressed. One of them decided to go with the wine pairing and thought the sommelier was spot on with her pairings. I don't know why this place isn't mentioned anywhere but it truly is a hidden gem. And if you get over the "stuffy" atmosphere the food and service is incredible.
I went to the Palace Arms on a romantic dinner date. There is an old world sensibility to the service provided. Between entering the restaurant and leaving, there were approximately 5 people who helped us. The water glasses never went empty and the silverware was replenished after each course. To boot, they seated us away from the other tables, and managed to keep us separate from other diners, so we had a secluded meal. It really felt like we were in our own world. When I ordered beer on tap, my server didn't blink. He went to the bar in the Brown Palace to get what I asked for. After he approached us to see if we knew what we wanted, and realized we were in the midst of conversation, our server simply let us know ("Don't stop holding hands!) to place our menus in a particular place on the table so he'd know we were ready. Yes. That's how the service was the whole time. They make you feel special. We ordered the four course tasting menu. The food was delicious, and they did a commendable job finding suitable items for my boyfriend who is vegetarian. There were delicious flavors, such as Meyer lemon beurre blanc served with the yummy tofu and veggie dish. My steak was cooked as ordered and tender. At the end of the night, we finished with bananas foster, a theatrical and fun end to our meal. Our server brought me a rose, apparently a tradition that they have to give each female guest a flower at the end of the meal. The rose stayed beautiful in my house for almost two weeks. It was a great experience. I would recommend them for a very special occasion without reservation.
(5)
Bethany M.
Impeccable from start to finish. The highlight of our stay. We are so impressed. The food is perfectly and beautifully created and the service incredible. A skilled sommelier that blew us away. Sue our server was wonderful.
(5)
Denise S.
It was truly fabulous from the tableside Caesar's salad to the special treats that came with the bill. Two things though. They did not supply a wine list at the beginning so we had to ask for it. Also, the food was quite delicious but I didn't think it warranted the high prices. $60 for the bison risotto was a bit much. It was delicious but really just a steak. Other than that it was wonderful and we were treated quite well for our 24th anniversary.
Do not go here for the food....beer, yes, but these idiots that think that cheap fries dipped in spices makes for the best fries ever have never been to McDonalds. I don't get it!!
(1)
David B.
Eh. I mean, it's alright. But definitely not the best I've had. Overpriced for cheaply made courses.
This place is so yummy! It's an elegant restaurant in an elegant hotel in an elegant city. My husband and I go here somewhat regularly as our escape from the day-to-day grind of Play-Doh and work. It's a special place that makes us feel like we are leaving the modern-day in favor of some old-fashioned romance and elegance. The food is as rich as the ambience and we leave filled with the decadence that can only come from The Palace Arms.
(5)
Michael C.
I could see how this place 20 or 50 years ago was the best place in town, however in a town were there is a deluge of world class restaurants. The regal palace arms melts away into the general noise of restaurants. The food reminds me of Central European. It's okay and worth coming to once. And the service is good.
(3)
Catharine W.
meh... I would say they are resting on their laurels. We were taken to lunch for business. The room is old-school lovely. We were greeted with surliness when we were a bit late for the reservation (though the room was nearly empty...) Ordered a salmon-topped salad. Veggies were over cooked, fish a bit undercooked. Overall, it was underwhelming and bland. Not recommended.
(3)
Rose L.
Such an impressive experience! As delicious and diverse as the food was, it was the extremely attentive and friendly service of our great wait staff that made our dining experience un-paralled. All of our head waiter's recommendations were spot on. We came in for a late dinner and they staff stayed with us until the bitter end, including a table side preparation of Banana's Foster, long after the next to last table had vacated the restuarant. If I lived in Denver, this would be a go to restaurant for any special occasion. As it is, I'd fly back just to go there again!
(5)
Jamie W.
Since we did a trendy dinner on our first night in Denver, I wanted to go the more traditional route for dinner #2. Most of the Yelp reviews have it right. It's definitely a special occasion restaurant... it's a little old school... don't expect a quickie meal by any means. We opted NOT to do the prix fixe and instead ordered a la carte because honestly, it just sounded like so much food. I started with the artichoke soup and then had the veal saltimbocca for my entree. Both dishes were superb. I had never had saltimbocca before and am glad I gave it a try. It was a little too thick cut for my taste (for whatever reason I thought it was served pounded - my mistake) but the flavor was good. Impressive wine catalogue. We started with a California sparkling and then shared a California red. It's funny how we always tend to lean toward California wines... The real standout of the meal was when the chef came over to check on us... not once, but twice! Sometimes the chef comes to your table at other restaurants and it comes off a tad phony. Not here. Chef Thanawat Bates is a genuine guy, very friendly and the way he described the desserts to us... I'm surprised I didn't order all of them! The desserts are classics but deconstructed, if that makes any sense at all... for example, we ordered the key lime pie. It comes in a parfait dish. There is some crunch on the bottom which is warm but the filling is warm and cold at the same time. It was beyond amazing (see the picture). The service was impeccable. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. Dress up for sure! I loved the red rose I received at the end - nice touch for a special occasion (our 8th wedding anniversary). I wholeheartedly recommend Palace Arms for a special dinner... they definitely aim to please.
(5)
Jason G.
I'll cut right to the chase: the price you're going to pay isn't worth the food you're going to eat. In fact, the price was literally more than my last three Valentine Day meals COMBINED...it was totally ridiculous. The service was good and the atmosphere was cool (in a French Revolution kind of way), but the price was way too rich for my blood. To make myself feel better, I kept thinking, "Well, maybe John, Paul, George or Ringo sat here...", which I knew was bullshit since we had the corner booth by the entrance and no one wants to sit there. Save your money for a couch or a nice set of end tables.
(3)
David B.
Eh. I mean, it's alright. But definitely not the best I've had. Overpriced for cheaply made courses.
(3)
Bethany M.
Impeccable from start to finish. The highlight of our stay. We are so impressed. The food is perfectly and beautifully created and the service incredible. A skilled sommelier that blew us away. Sue our server was wonderful.
(5)
Denise S.
It was truly fabulous from the tableside Caesar's salad to the special treats that came with the bill. Two things though. They did not supply a wine list at the beginning so we had to ask for it. Also, the food was quite delicious but I didn't think it warranted the high prices. $60 for the bison risotto was a bit much. It was delicious but really just a steak. Other than that it was wonderful and we were treated quite well for our 24th anniversary.
Do not go here for the food....beer, yes, but these idiots that think that cheap fries dipped in spices makes for the best fries ever have never been to McDonalds. I don't get it!!
This place is so yummy! It's an elegant restaurant in an elegant hotel in an elegant city. My husband and I go here somewhat regularly as our escape from the day-to-day grind of Play-Doh and work. It's a special place that makes us feel like we are leaving the modern-day in favor of some old-fashioned romance and elegance. The food is as rich as the ambience and we leave filled with the decadence that can only come from The Palace Arms.
(5)
Michael C.
I could see how this place 20 or 50 years ago was the best place in town, however in a town were there is a deluge of world class restaurants. The regal palace arms melts away into the general noise of restaurants. The food reminds me of Central European. It's okay and worth coming to once. And the service is good.
(3)
Stephanie L.
Yes, it's old school and a little stuffy, but what an amazing experience for a special occasion. Don't go in expecting to have a cheap or quick meal. If you go in expecting top-notch service and delicious food, you'll be happy. Honestly, I am so used to be rushed in and out of restaurants it did seem like there was a lot of time in between everything, but I kept having to remember.. this is a special occassion. I am enjoying my husband's company. What a nice date we are on for our 5th wedding anniversary. Deep breath and I stopped with the impatience! We splurged and got the 8-course tasting menu. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it, and it's not because of the price ($130 actually is reasonable for what you get) but because it's an inordinate amount of food to try to eat in one sitting. And it's not the kid of place where you ask for a doggy bag. Highlights of the meal were the fois gras - pairing it with cherries is brilliant, the Basque seafood soup (my personal favorite course), tableside caesar salad (I am a sucker for anything prepared tableside) and the bananas foster, also prepared tableside. The bison that is part of the Rossini was melt in your mouth delicious as well. As I mentioned the service was top-notch. Really, service should be like this everywhere. Lots of people always there to bring you whatver you need, refill your water, answer questions. I probably won't go back anytime soon but it's a must try for any special occasion!
(5)
Jared K.
Unbelievably rude. We spent nearly 1.5 hours waiting for our entrees. When I politely indicated that we were ready for the food to be served the staff notified me that the location was a "fine dining" establishment. I'm well accustomed to paying over $1,000 for a meal, but not accustomed to second tier service combined with first tier snobbery. Only go here if you are interested in a 17th century British dining experience that takes a full three hours to have a full meal.
(1)
Megan E.
This was honestly the best full meal I've ever eaten. That said, here's the details: We went for my 28th birthday - on 11/11/11. My DH had the reservation, then canceled it, since I told him we had spent too much, then re-booked it when I changed my mind (love that guy) - the restaurant was accommodating for all that changing. We decided to have the 5 course meal. Plus bread, plus amuse buche, plus intermezzo, plus little cookie and little chocolate at the check... We didn't know about all those extras but they were great. I started with the fois gras and my DH had the octopus - they did mix up at first and bring us both octopus but pointing that out was ok and the replacement was AMAZING! The next course was soup - DH had artichoke and I had tomato. My DH does NOT like soup - and he finished all but one small bite (my trial) very fast and loved it. The soup was rich and creamy and cheesy and great. My tomato soup was very cool - it had iced horseradish and tabasco mini balls and a clear consume.... at least I think that's what those things were ;-) The third course was salad - DH special ordered an arugula salad and they were able to get him something he really enjoyed. I had the beet salad - the flavors matched perfectly and I really enjoyed it. The fourth course, I had abalone and DH had bison steak - both were great and rich and hearty. I couldn't talk much, I was too busy enjoying my food - and by this point I was very full so I ate slower but it still was warm and great the whole time! The fifth course was dessert - I had the key lime "pie" and DH had the chocolate cake. The "pie" was AMAZING!!! I couldn't talk at all for the first few bites - just "mmmmm" and *big smiles* - I highly recommend trying this one! DH, who doesn't like key lime pie, also thought this was a fantastic dish. He also loved his cake - I had a bite and it was creamy and rich and chocolaty - great presentation too. We did not try wine or coffee - the reason we went was for the food. The bread options were all very good, I think the flatbread was my favorite - it was cheesy and crisp. Give yourself several hours (I think we took just over 2) and enjoy! If you want to mark a special occasion, tell them in advance. They were very quick with water, I ended up drinking a ton since they filled it up so fast I had no idea how much I'd had - the bathroom is near the front of the hotel, they will show you where it is the first time (if you go through the revolving doors, it's on your left right before the Tavern entrance)... I loved their little molecular gastronomy additions, the old world charm of the room, and the perfect merging of flavors - do yourself a favor and try this place out!
(5)
gary w.
This was one of the finest dining experiences I have ever had. We ordered the 8 course tasting menu which was balanced and well prepared. The Caesar salad prepared table side, band bananas foster at the end were a real treat. Portion size was a bit big for a tasting menu, and we left 3 hours later completely stuffed, but the experience was fabulous.
It was the five star experience I was hoping for. We arrived early, having done a little window shopping on the 16th street mall. We arrive about an hour before our reservation, so we sat in the hotel's foyer and admired the decor and holiday decorations. They had a very entertaining 3 man band, a pianist, drummer and cello player playing guests requests ranging from blues to jazz. We had a soda and ice tea and complimentary almonds while waiting, the drinks were a modest $7 but for the experience, was well spent. The staff was superb. Our waiter was incredibly nice, taking the time to cover the high-lights of many of the dishes and explaining the wine list to us. He checked on our progress the entire meal. We enjoyed the breads they served and a server brought over the tray several times prior to the main course. We never felt rushed and as my guest and I completed each course, the plates and utensils were replaced promptly for the next. Our waters were topped off, my friend even noted our glasses never were more than half empty before another top off. And we knew this was no tap water! Each dish was as visually exciting as they tasted. It was sheer joy to enjoy each bite and after that meal, you understand the concept of 'layers of flavors' within the meal itself. My friend and I ordered separate courses, we shared a crab cake appetizer, then he had the bisque while I had the Wild Mushroom soup. For the main courses, he had the fish (can't remember the name) and I had the Bison Filet (7 oz of pure nirvana). We each had a glass of wine with the main course. By the end of the meal we were full and as much as we liked, we didn't have room for the Banana's Foster but the couple seated next to us did, so we got to see the presentation. While the price was high, between the two of us, 1 appetizer, 2 soups, two entrees and two glasses of wine came to about $200 and with tip (25%) it was about the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, it was well worth the price. Our waiter even asked us if we needed to have our Valet Parking validated (we did) and offered to called ahead so our car was waiting outside the hotel when we left. If you're looking for the Five Star restaurant experience to check off your own personnel bucket list, this would be the place to go.
(5)
Brian K.
I have been here twice and twice have had my socks totally blown off. Easily one of my favorite restaurants ever. Decor The place looks like a high end British pub exploded inside. Coats of arms, crowns, British painting, oh my! It's totally out of control, yet still elegant - I love it. Service Top notch. Just fantastic. See food for some more commentary. Food My wife and I are vegetarians and both times (once alone, once together) asked if they could do something special. I felt like a judge on Iron Chef with the unique creations they created. Let me be more specific - their Executive Sous Chef - Thanawat - is THE MAN. He told us to call ahead next time and give him 2-3 days notice. He would then make us an 8 course meal to whatever our needs (vegan/gf/etc) using ingrediants they would go out and purchase. What?! How amazing is this. I have never had a restaurant tell me this. Value You're getting Alex at the Wynn ($300/person) for well under $100. I don't think Denver has any idea how lucky they are!
(5)
Bobby T.
I had low expectations for Palace Arms during restaurant week (It's a pretty limited menu), but was BLOWN AWAY by the service, atmosphere, and the food. Yes, we visited for RW 2010, and before we left I glanced at their menu online. You have a choice of 1 appetizer - Caesar Salad for 2 prepared tableside, 2 entrees - Salmon or Beef, and 2 desserts - Chocolate soup or macaroons. (In the case of the dessert there is really only 1 choice, because I'm not going to go to Palace Arms and just have cookies for dessert. It's just not happening.) Basically, I felt like I was going to a wedding, and I had to choose my main course - beef or fish? I had very low expectations because of the very few choices, and seeing as it was rated at 5 stars on Yelp, I had much cognitive dissonance going on in my head. I was also expecting the restaurant to be dead, being Tuesday night and all. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how busy the restaurant and lobby of The Brown Palace was. It was buzzing! We were seated and had to wait a few minutes before I could order my drink, but besides that wait we received very attentive service throughout the night. The Caesar salad for 2 prepared tableside was a little bit of show, and a lotta bit of delicious. I almost licked my plate, but then remembered where I was. Both me and my wife had the Beef offering for our main course. It was basically a deconstructed Beef Wellington, and it was out of this world! Topped with foie gras that had been pan seared to keep its shape and a beautifully flavorful demi-glace, the beef was cooked perfectly to my asking and juicy and tender to boot. Everything about this dish screamed luxury. It was plush. Finally, for dessert, Chocolate Soup! Oh, what a treat this was. I was intrigued when I saw it on the menu, and it totally delivered. You know the scene in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (The Gene Wilder one, not the Tim Burton one, although it had this scene too) when the winners first enter the factory and see the chocolate river? Ever since I first saw that when I was a kid I wanted to drink from that river, and Chocolate Soup finally let me live out that dream. Rich, velvety chocolate washed over my tongue in an explosion of perfect sweetness and chocolate. I had to peer into the kitchen to see if they had the chocolate river flowing through it, and if they did, I was planning to dive in. All in all, we had a wonderful evening at Palace Arms, and highly recommend them, especially for Restaurant Week.
(5)
Melissa T.
So, unless it's so awful that I know I won't be back, I try to get to a place at least twice before reviewing. In this case, that means it's taken a year for me to have two trips to base a review on, because the Palace Arms is a fancy, special occasion place. I have been twice, both times on our anniversary. The first year everything was outstanding! The food was amazing, the service was impeccable. The second year was just a shade less impressive. The servers seemed hurried, and it was a bit of a let down from the year before, though the food was just as incredible. But overall it's still an outstanding experience and it's just fun to go somewhere super fancy to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)
David T.
Well, just to state the obvious, this is a world class splurge, not a place to catch a weeknight bite. Arguably, it is the most elegant dining destination in Colorado. Some might prefer the Broadmoor or the Flagstaff House, but the Palace Arms is really in a class by itself, IMO. The history of the hotel and the Palace Arms is long an interesting and the list of former guests is formidable indeed. I think it is one of the loveliest formal dining room I've ever been in. Some may find it excessively formal though and may not be comfortable here. Until quite recently men were required to wear a coat and tie, and, I certainly still do. Waiters in tuxes, flawless formal service (some table side - Caesar salad, steak tartare, bananas foster, etc.). This is fine dining at it's most luxurious and professional. It has been an educational institution for decades, in the sense that many young people received valuable lessons about how to negotiate the intricacies of the high end dining experience without making total rubes of themselves. On our last visit, they were at the top of their game. It was a magical evening. Totally gracious staff and exquisite food and wine. From the first bite of their homemade Melba toast (created here) to the last nibble of their house made macaroons. They offer a number of tasting menus with wine pairings but we ordered a la carte this time. We were four celebrating a birthday, so, I'll only mention the dishes I had since this really isn't the sort of place you pass plates around. Started with the Abalone (you never see it anymore and, when, on the rare occasions that it shows up - I'm a goner). Their preparation included green peppercorns, pistachios, artichokes and parm - totally decadent and delish, Considered sharing a Caesar as others in the group did but decided to save room for a hearty main and dessert, of course. Entree choices are fairly limited but cover all the bases - scallops, halibut, chicken pot pie (not your mom's), lamb loin, bison, and Kobe short ribs. Oh, what to do? Ended up with the very succulent lamb loin served with rye spaetzle, fennel sauerkraut and a Gruyere frico. Finished up with, what else? - the bananas foster. Can we all say oink? We did some severe damage with the wine list as well. It is huge and heavily French. Started with a terrific white bordeaux followed by two (yes, two) bottles of Rauzan-Segla Margaux. Others may have even had a cognac but I was getting fuzzy by this point. I was not too fuzzy to note that the check for this little extravagance was in excess of $1200 plus gratuities. Probably a little more than half of that was the wine though, so you don't have to take out a second mortgage. But still, not for the faint of wallet. I wasn't paying - thank god. If you really want to pull out all the stops, or if your wealthy Aunt Ethel is in town and wants to treat, by all means get all gussied up and hit the town in high style.
(5)
Dave F.
This is a rating that includes service and food quality, but not value. The service is excellent. They really make you feel special. I ordered the four-course menu: crab appetizer, bouillabaisse, ribeye with potato cake, and brownie dessert. The crab and ribeye were excellent. I could have done without the sauce on the ribeye, but it wasn't bad. The soup and brownie were fine, but not outstanding. The ability of the chef was excellent and presentation was impressive as well. The problem is I don't think the food is worth the price. The four-course menu is $85. I've had much better steak + soup dinners for about $50 or $60. So I wouldn't come back. But I had a gift certificate. And it was an enjoyable time.
(4)
Emma C.
If you've got an evening where, for what ever reason, you want really great food, wine and service, where everything will be perfect and you're willing to pay for it, this is the place in Denver. I moved here via California from London and a few other places, and had a very dear Californian, former New Yorker, friend in town. We wanted to have a nice meal and a proper catch up. As I say, we're both Californian girls who when you offer us Russian River or French wine will chant Russian River before you've finished the sentence. Likewise $100 a head for two outstanding courses and great wine to us, while not cheap, is good value. Food and wine was great, indulgent and perfectly prepared and presented. But the standout was the service - brilliantly timed, charming, attentive. We had plenty of time to catch up, never felt we were interrupted and everything flowed effortlessly, which as we all know, takes enormous effort from the wait staff. The photographs don't really do it justice, the rooms have high ceilings and the decor, while clubby, is not overdone and it is very quiet. It was easy to hear my friend, and all I could hear of the other diners was a background murmur and the odd clink of cutlery. The booths add to an intimate feel and it's just a very easy space to be in.
(5)
Sam G.
What a waste of money (and time). With a reservation we were seated. eventually a drink order was taken. 20 minutes later my martini arrived 1/2 spilled from the glass. The waiter was very uninterested in our 2 top. After two hours waiting for our $70 apiece filet wellingtons they finally arrive. I asked the manager if he was aware of our wait. Yes. "let me pour you a glass of B.V. Cab". I think BV Cab is about $13 bucks a bottle. No apology - no nothing. I'll never go back to this place again! Save your money and time and enjoy a good meal with good service somewhere else!!!!!!
(1)
Justine M.
Hands-down the best restaurant in Denver, and by far the best meal I've ever had anywhere. Yes, it's really expensive -- but for the first time ever, the entire experience was well worth it. Upon being seated and given a brief but informative history of the restaurant, the host brought us two glasses of Dom Perignon -- definitely a nice way start the night off right! We then enjoyed some delicious bread from an impressive selection and shared the crab cake, which came with a lemongrass-infused sauce and was fantastic. I also ordered a glass of a Super Tuscan (wish I could remember the name!) and enjoyed the description offered by the friendly sommelier -- they have an extensive wine list, and I was very happy with the choice I made! However, the bison steak that I ordered for an entree was the true star of the show. Oh. My. God. It was so amazing, I literally dreamed about it that night. I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but my boyfriend's lamb was delicious as well and he was very satisfied. We finished the meal with their signature Bananas Foster, which definitely didn't disappoint -- and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, our wonderful waiter brought out a dessert wine that paired perfectly with the bananas. Palace Arms defines the true meaning of a 5-star restaurant in every aspect of the term: impeccable service, stunning ambiance, and most importantly, incredible food. Looking forward to going back for the next special occasion!
(5)
Mo R.
The filet mignon is just amazing and the service here is top notch !!! Just love this place over and over again !!!!
Very disappointed after all the rave reviews posted here. Went for my birthday last night. Price to Quality ratio very poor. $$$$ - Amazing Hawaiian cod, good tasting but swimming in sauce. Isn't lesson one in fine cuisine to not cover up the flavor of a wonderful piece of fish or meat but to enhance it? Same with my husbands steak - absolutely swimming in goop. He was shoving it all off to get to the meat below. Good service, if you like 5 people breathing down your neck. One guy - I guess the waiter who only serves the beer - talked incessantly about all he knows about beer. Nice guy, but please leave us alone. If the price tag had not been $170 for two people I wouldn't be as upset... but it was. I will say the beer and my wine were both excellent.
(2)
Stan L.
my wife and i came for dinner and got the degustation menu.. i had mine paired with wine.. the food was impeccable and their wine selection paired perfectly with the meal.. i've had better food at michelin star restaurants and better wines in Napa.. but their pairing of food and wine blew me away.. it is easily one of the best meals my wife and i have shared together... although i had high expectations for this restaurant.. i was still completely blown away.. service was of course excellent and well deserved of my large tip
(5)
Tre S.
Amazing. Super good. Great service. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. A definite must!
(5)
Eddy S.
A lot of buck for your bang! I don't bat an eye at pricey joints like this as long as they live up to their bill. Palace Arms does. A bit more traditional than I care for, every dish was perfectly executed and the service outstanding.
(5)
Kevin S.
We had the 4 course tasting with wine pairing. The pairing were excellent! Food was delicious, service excellent! My bouillabaisse was only lukewarm however . Other than that, a very enjoyable evening.
(4)
Kyle G.
It hard to find a true fine dining restaurant now days (dress code, proper ingredients, over the top service). So glad places like this are still around.
(5)
Mary S.
Just immaculate and outstanding!! My husband and I did some research on "top-notch" restuarants around Denver, since it will be our first time there and found this place. After reading lots of reviews, we thought we'd try this restaurant. This restaurant is worth every penny on food and service!! If you're looking for something simple, this is not the place, but if you're leaning toward a memorable evening, you should definitely go here. We were very impressed with the gentleman who seated us laying our napkins on our laps and moving the table side to side for seating access. The waiter handed us a novel of wine lists which was a little overwhelming but they covered each and every wine on this planet. However, thank goodness for Eric (sommelier), who was super knowledgeable on the wine list and was able to dial in our palates on what we wanted and then suggested wines we wouldn't even have thought about and ended up loving and drinking instead. We had the 8 course meal, due to celebration of our wedding anniversary and MBA graduation of my husband. It started off with a fresh and crisp lobster salad and ended with a table-side preparation of cherries jubilee-and since it was a special occasion, Eric stepped in again and suggested a great full-flavored Port that matched it perfectly. Everything was great about the restaurant and servers! The only disappointment was the deconstructed keylime pie, which was super tart and the sorbet hidden in the middle didn't match our taste well at all. I also have to commend the Chef who came out and said "hi" to us. It is very nice to meet who is cooking for you instead of always hiding behind the scenes. Overall it was a great experience! However, the next time we come back, we'll do the 5 course meal instead due to we checked in at 5:30 pm and didn't leave until 9:00 pm due to the long meal, but it was still worth every penny and experience!!!
(5)
Tatyana M.
We visit Denver every year and after reading so many raving reviews finally went for dinner to this "legendary" place. It wasn't just a disappointment, It was a WOW disappointment!!! AMBIANCE: lot's of "glitter" and kind of "class" but bathroom does not have hand towels, so first time in my life in the hotel/restaurant of this caliber I had to dry my hands with toilet tissues. The dining room was dark and uninviting, so if it's called "old school dining" ambiance then I belong to the" new school" one. SERVICE: stuffy, but definitely not really professional. FOOD: not tasty at all, in some dishes over salted, in the case of fish overcooked, bland and all together BORING. Not even one dish hit the spot. VALUE: and that is the most disappointing factor. If this experience would happen in the regular restaurant with the regular prices of $50 to $60 p/p I would say OK, not a big deal and loss of money and time. BUT when you dare to charge $65 for a steak, when dinner for two cost is $200+ without drinks and you deliver nothing but disappointment, that's when I say it's not OK, it's a false and pretentious place, and I feel that I should warn people about it. Unless you are too wealthy and don't care about quality of the experience you are getting for your money I would say stay away from Palace Arm.
(1)
Brittany V.
This is a very classical dining experience; by that, I mean it reminds me of an experience you may have in a traditional French restaurant or at an upscale restaurant in the 50's. They don't really do it like this anymore, which depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. Staff/Service--5 stars. Attentive, polite, and genuinely interested in making sure that you are enjoying yourself and your food. Keep in mind though, this is a dining service meant to be enjoyed over about 2 hours, so don't arrive starving and ready to chow down. It's going to be a while. Ambiance/Style--3 stars. It's an interesting room. Much smaller than I expected it to be, and I'm surprised they keep the lighting so high. I would expect the chandeliers to be dimmed for dinner. This is a very traditional room, some kind of cross between an early 1900's library or parlor room. Lots of dark wood, interesting wallpaper, and flags everywhere. It's not in any way modern, and it feels like the last thought to decor might have been in the 60's. Food--3 stars. This is a very classic dinner menu. As a vegetarian, I'm disappointed in the lack of options. Yes, it's a traditional place, but come on, this is also Denver we're talking about. I can't imagine that it would be too hard to throw in some kind of pasta dish just to keep the vegetarians satisfied. As such, my option was either to forget an entree, or have the chef "throw together" what he could in the kitchen, which sounded like it would be a veggie plate. I passed on the entree and got a soup, salad, and dessert. My soup, the parsnip, (2 stars) was on the whole okay, but the candied ginger was really really sweet and kind of threw me off. The Lyonnaise (sp?) salad (sans bacon) was surprisingly good and I wish I'd had a bit more (3 stars). For dessert, I shared the pina colada, sticky toffee pudding, and fudge brownie with my husband. The fudge brownie was very forgettable and had a strange taste (1 star). The pina colada was deconstructed (the most modern thing I saw on the menu), but not very tasty (2 stars). The sticky toffee pudding was the most promising, but didn't scream "amazing" (3 stars). This might be a place that you just have to experience once to say you've done it, depending on your tastes. As a more modern cuisine/foodie kind of girl, it wasn't my taste, style, or in my palette wheelhouse. Ultimately, I think the food is pretty hit and miss, and with prices like this, I think that's enough to keep me away.
(3)
Rose L.
Such an impressive experience! As delicious and diverse as the food was, it was the extremely attentive and friendly service of our great wait staff that made our dining experience un-paralled. All of our head waiter's recommendations were spot on. We came in for a late dinner and they staff stayed with us until the bitter end, including a table side preparation of Banana's Foster, long after the next to last table had vacated the restuarant. If I lived in Denver, this would be a go to restaurant for any special occasion. As it is, I'd fly back just to go there again!
(5)
V B.
Wow Denver! Color me impressed! I must admit, even after reading all the glowing reviews I still had my doubts. The menu appeared uninspired and lacking any creativity, but I'm easy going ok? I went with the flow and just thought to myself that this would be just another business dinner with the hopes of helping closing one last deal for 2010. This restaurant is situated right smack in the middle of a large downtown hotel. For those of you back in San Francisco, think St. Francis. I am anti Michael Minna and am grateful he moved his flagship restaurant out of the hotel and to Aqua's old space, but now I am rambling. You get the point. In theory, a 5 star restaurant that sits inside of a hotel is typically a red flag for me but this time it delivered and exceeded my expectations. We arrived via a cramped taxi ride from our hotel and dropped off in front of the Brown Palace Hotel. We walk inside and were greeted to a beyond festive holiday decorated lobby complete with a giant tree and hanging decorations that were tastefully dangling about the room. Soothing piano player in the far right corner playing familiar holiday tunes which immediately made me forget of the high stress work day. Tucked away in the corner is the Palace Arms, greeted immediately by name and taken to our table. The champagne cart arrived soon after which offered up a complimentary glass of Billecart Salmon brut rose. An amuse bouche appeared that included a slice of salmon over a basil leaf. There was no silverware in sight so we all used our hands and inhaled one of the most amazing tasting pieces of fish I have ever tasted. The champagne was the perfect compliment and much appreciated. After a few minutes our server introduced himself and recited the menu along with a detailed description of each dish. My mouth was watering as explained each preparation and the recommended wine pairing with each course. Our potential customer at this point says loudly "I have never eaten at a place like this, can you help me". Awkward? not in the least. Our server was beyond professional and took him under his wing and started probing and asked questions about foods and drink that he likes. Turns out, he is not a wine drinker but does love his cocktails and within a few minutes crafted a five course dinner complete with 5 different cocktails that would match each of his courses. I can go on and on just how amazing this place is and I feel like I am rambling right now but you people in Denver need to realize just how truly special this place is. Everything from the service to the wine list to the food to the finishing touches. Attention to detail is practiced here to perfection. I am not a coffee drinker, but at the end of the evening I witnessed some oohhs and awes to how good the coffee was. Coffee may be for closers but port is for tall lanky dorky guys who secretly want hot cocoa.
(5)
Craig S.
I hope the Palace Arms stays just like it is forever. What a treat, and kind of like going back in time. Service is superb, food is good to great, and really have nothing to complain about. The decor, thorughs me back to what i would think the 40's was like, and is so cool. Love the red leather booths, the lighting , everything! Little details like the Martinis, poured out of the little silver pitchers, the presentation of everything is well thought out & presented with loving care. Deserts are pretty good too, but ask for one of there famous macaroons at the end of your meal, another nice throwback touch! Pricing, not cheap, but since everything is so special worth the price and really no more than a high end steakhouse. For group special occasions, they have a cool private dining area I would love to book sometime.
(5)
Kathleen M.
Wow! I was so blown away by every aspect of our experience at the Palace Arms. I had mentioned, on opentable.com , that it was our anniversary and my husband graduated with his masters degree. Upon being greeted at the entrance, the hostess congratulated us on both events. We were seated and I was given a rose. Through out the night, every staff member came to our table to congratulate us. The service was impeccable. So here is what we ordered....at the recommendation of our waiter, we ordered the smoked pheasant soup. Get this soup. It was voted one of the top 100 dishes to have in Denver. It is creamy, smokey and delicious. For our main courses, I got the scallops. They were perfectly done. Perfect portion size. Beautiful presentation. My husband got the sea bass. Perfect, again. We split their "interpretation" of cheesecake. It involved bites of cheesecake with several different types of sauce. Strawberry, chocolate, lime, etc. At the end of the meal, they also served us homemade macaroons. The whole experience far exceeded our expectations. I hope we have a reason to celebrate soon, so that we can come back! Definitely a place for special occasions.
(5)
Sam R.
To die for. I dined alone, but they made me feel like a queen. I had the best foie gras of my life, which i can only describe as grilled warm mouse with a glass of sherry. For dinner, the bison filet mignon. I couldn't finish everything. The food was intoxicating. The clientele stuffy and conservative. I did feel like I had returned to the set of Sunset boulevard, a dining room in someone's forgotten palace. Plan to pay a pretty penny, but it's worth it.
(5)
Matt D.
The food was good, but not excellent. They tend to down their food in sauces. Service started out great, but as the meal went along the service went down to the point I felt forgotten about & no they were not busy. They did have a very cool wine list.
(4)
Josh T.
Hands down the single best dining experience I've ever had. As mentioned in the other reviews it is pricey but that should be fully expected and is worth every penny IMHO. The service was professional, efficient, and pleasant. I overheard our waiter telling on of his other tables that he'd been at Palace Arms over 11 years. That is a lot table side ceaser salads and bananas foster, both of which were expertly made for us and were delicious. The Foie Gras was excellently prepared as was the Buffalo Rossini. My wife had the Wyagu Beef that was also incredible. The only thing that I didn't absolutely love was the lobster bisque, I felt it was average for lobster bisque. My wife had the Consomme and said it was fantastic. The atmosphere is impressive as they have art and other paraphernalia that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, pieces that should literally be in museums. You can't go wrong with the Palace Arms or really anywhere at the Brown Palace for any occasion.
(5)
brewgirl b.
Amazing food and service. The restaurant was not busy at all the night we went (we were the only table for the first hour), and the staff was great. They told us about the restaurant's history, and were very funny and engaging. And what a history the room has--LOTS of authentic, museum quality Napoleonic relics. The seafood was delish! Wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a plane to catch, and they sped up the service without sacrificing service. All in all, a great way to end our Denver trip!
(5)
Irina N.
My boyfriend and I went to Palace Arms on Wednesday to celebrate our anniversary. We chose the Five Course Tasting Menu and each had a drink. I had: Loch Duart Salmon appetizer, Wild Mushroom soup, Ceasar salad (made tableside), Diver Scallops and I can't remember the name of my dessert, but it was basically a chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. I also tried (off my bf's plate): cheese sandwich, chestnut bisque and sorbet. The Five Course Tasting Menu portions are rather small, but if you eat all 5 courses plus a piece of bread with butter and have a drink, then you most likely will be full. Personally, I was full by the end of the dinner and I really like to eat : ) The service was excellent. There was a number of people coming to our tables delivering food and silverware, refilling our glasses, etc. We received a lot of attention. The food was very good too. I loved everything that I ordered. My bf's cheese sandwich was good, but it's basically a grilled cheese sandwich. I did enjoy my bf's dessert better than mine though. It was one scoop of berry sorbet, one scoop of lemon sorbet and a few berries. It was the best sorbet I have ever had in my life. I "helped" my bf with eating his sorbet ; ) Overall, this place is very classy and has fancy and delicious food. It is very spendy too. Expect to spend $200 for a dinner for two. It is a special occasion type of a place. I would love to come back for another dinner. You can also have Classic Banana Foster prepared tableside for you. They flambe the dessert (set it on fire) tableside. A table next to mine ordered this dessert and it was an interesting experience. I would like to try this next time.
(5)
Subin J.
I haven't been here for the last...8 months? or so because I really don't have any girl who's special enough to go with, but I'm going to write a review anyway. This restaurant is probably in the top 5 in metro DEN area. I'm not going to specifically comment on quality of food / service because 5* usually means they were outstanding. If Michelin ever decides to publish their guide in Denver (which I kinda doubt), this restaurant might be able to get 1 star. Also, if you happen to be one of those who has either Amex Cent / Plat, you have a better chance of scoring reservations at the last minute as Palace Arms is one of the participating restaurants in DEN with Amex's Concierge, although it is not 100% guaranteed.
(5)
Cara M.
This is one of the most amazing places I have been. First off, the service was impeccable. Very kind and knowledgeable. Ask for a tour of the State Room and you'll get a rundown of a unique, one of a kind (well two of a kind, the other is in the White House) mural, as well as information regarding the authentic Napoleonic art art and artifacts such as Josephine's and Napoleaon's dueling pistols. It is pricey though, the food isn't too bad if you stick to the starters and they have the most amazing wine collection, but my husband and I were memorializing his grandmother who had recently passed away so the price was worth it. I mean the food is absolutely worth it but don't go expecting to spend less than $50/person, although you could get a good dinner for $30 if you ordered carefully. The food is amazing and everything on the menu was was perfect, the chef has a ton of skill and is adventuresome which I like. He also accommodated my vegetarian request. My husband had the chefs choice tasting menu as did I so for me I had a unique dish when the fois gras and pate courses arrived. It was awesome, some of the best vegetarian food I have ever had. Risotto, green salads, croquet with tofu, mixed grain salads, tomato soup with this outstanding crouton, fresh baked bread, sorbet, wine jelly, every flavor was perfect. We couldn't actually finish all eight courses so I took some home and ate it the next day cold for breakfast and it was still good. Almost better :) We returned the next night to have the bananas fosters, which if you go for no other reason go for this. The experience is worth the entire $600 tab. Which is high even if you account for the two amazing bottles of wine, which we also didn't finish and took to go. Seriously, $600. I have never paid that much for anything. Ever. Although I technically didn't pay for it, it was a gift. One of the nicest things anyone has done for me. If this place ever opens for lunch and does a happy hour, go regularly. It's amazing.
Loved the ambiance, food and wine selections. Everything was to perfection. I would definitely go back!
(5)
Desiree P.
Wow. This place is amazing. We celebrated our anniversary here last night because we had our wedding here and to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at this restaurant was free. Yes people, free!! The service was great...there was one slip up and that was our appetizer was completely forgotten...but, they ended up bringing it out with an apology...not sure if this was due to the fact we were the only hispanics in a room full of white old people...but, either way, the food and overall service was so good, all was forgiven. My husband had the bison and he said it was the best piece of meat he's ever had. Ever. The chefs seem to be very creative. They brought out this brie cheese with some kind of preserves on it and a kind of pepper and beautiful spices...anyway, it was a small little piece but so delicious!! They brought out our cake topper for dessert; yes, they recreated our cake from the wedding!! This little detail made us feel very special and had us reminiscing of the greatest day. Can't wait to go back. This will definitely be our anniversary tradition from now on.
(5)
Jessica D.
This is a place to celebrate a special occasion. Be ready to splurge. The ahi tuni appetizer I had was quite possibly the best dish I have ever eaten *in my life*. It was one of those things where with every bite you are saying "This is unbelievable." Then on to the bison with foie gras . . . very rich. Finally, the chocolate soup. They brought us freshly baked macaroons to go with it (make sure you ask for those if they don't)-- another amazing experience. I'll be honest, I did feel a twinge of buyer's remorse when I saw the bill, but for two of the best dishes I've ever eaten, at a romantic dinner with a handsome man in an opulent setting, it was definitely worth it.
(5)
Laura L.
I would give 4 1/2 if it was an option...really a beautiful experience. First off, just want to say that the service, food, and presentation are all top notch. However, I am not a fan of the atmosphere...a bit too much Disney's haunted mansion if you ask me. We went for a double celebration of my parents' anniversary and my grandma's 85 birthday. We had two pescetarians (myself included) and someone who is gluten intolerant in our party. Our server was knowledgeable and quick to recommend some options and steer us away from others. The meal began with a light amuse bouche (brie with cherry tomato, olive, and balsamic reduction for me). We ordered a bottle of an incredibly beautiful pinot noir from Germany to share for the table and then the meal began. Wow...I started with the hierloom lettuce salad...all the veggies were beautifully cooked (tender but with some crunch) and the dressing was modest and light. I then had the Market Fish (Black Cod) which was tender and flaky with lovely gnocchi's perfectly seared, pine nuts, olives, crab, and blood orange. My father got the ribeye and said it was the best piece of meat he has EVER had. We finished with two deserts shared between the table (play on banana split and dark cherry chocolate cake)...no one was speaking other than the murmur of "yummmm"s across the table. It was a beautiful experience (3 hours total) with some very incredible food. Our check came out to about $470 for 5 people and totally worth it.
(4)
alison s.
The Palace Arms restaurant in the Brown Palace Hotel is perhaps the last bastion of luxury dining left in Denver. The dining room evokes the feeling of old money and the kind of civility that has long been left behind by more modern establishments. I found this grand dining room to be a treasure. The lighting is dim but not dark. On every wall there are beautiful antique flags and prints. But, don't let the antiques mislead you; this restaurant may have kept it's fin de siecle flair, but the food is very progressive. The chef is one-of-a-kind as he infuses time honored dishes like lamb medallions and crab cakes with subtle asian flavors. He even came to our table twice to chat and ask how we liked the food. It was that kind of attention that we really appreciated. Moreover, I can't remember the last time I had a caesar salad prepared tableside and it's probably the best caesar I've ever had - well balanced, subtle lemon flavor and crispy. The staff is cordial and helpful without being the least bit stuffy. And, did I mention that you do not need a jacket? If you have a very special occasion, do not hesitate to put the Palace Arms on your short-list of places to go. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Samantha M.
My parents and i went here 2 years ago, it was fabulous - they did a 7 course tasting menu with wine, i did a 4 course. the buffalo that my dad got was outstanding and i got a take on a reuben with lamb that was beyond delicious!
(5)
Ken W.
Everything about this place screams expensive. From the moment you pull up to their valet service, the people are friendly and ready to satisfy your every desire. The head guy was extremely polite to me and my gf. It was her birthday and I only mentioned it in passing when I was making the reservation. He remembered right when we got there and wished my gf a happy birthday as we were walking in the door. Next, we are taken to a nice table there there is a long stem rose sitting on the plate for my beautiful date. The inside is pretty dark and almost has a gloomy atmosphere but it's brightened up by all the pleasant servers. You get a nice selection of bread. I ended up ordering the 8 course meal while my girlfriend got the 4 course one. Since there is such a huge discrepency in the amount of courses, they gave her a few free courses from my menu. That was extremely kind of them since it would have been weird for her to sit there for half the meal watching me eat. The head chef came out and helped serve our meal to us and explain how it was cooked. The presentation was also fantastic. Everything is extremely rich and tasteful. Finally, I had one of their signature desserts, the banana foster. This was prepared table side. Describing it would be a disservice. Definitely a great place to celebrate on special occasions.
(5)
Ray R.
This was a fabulous dining experience. Not for those in a hurry. Wonderful for spending time with somebody important. For our visit they hit it out of the park. Service and food were outstanding. Again, this is fine dining, which is unhurried and gives you time to spend with your companions. No 16 oz. steak, but portion size is more than adequate. We had the 5 course tasting meal it was outstanding.
(5)
Jess K.
This is a very fancy restaurant and has a lot of history. Do not go here if you want modern surroundings, but if you want an old fashioned high end atmosphere this is the place for you. I have to say I was kind of disappointed with the food. It wasn't bad, but the prices are definitely not justified. You are pretty much paying for the service and location of being in the Brown Palace hotel. One of the servers did a table-side ceasar and for dessert had also did Banana's foster. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal and the very nice gentleman knew a ton of history about the hotel and restaurant which was very cool. I had the french onion soup which I didn't care for, as it was not the traditional style I love ($12). It had good flavor but I like it prepared the traditional way so I was a little let down when it came out. The duck was good but nothing I would go out of my way to get again, and especially not for $38 (the cheapest entree on the menu). They do have an amazing wine selection that looks more like a large encyclopedia.
(4)
Tim T.
Had dinner here last night with friends visiting from Santa Fe. Dinner was fantastic, service was wonderful, our server Kendra made the night very special. She even took the time to answer some specific question I had in regards to the history of the bldg and she showed us a few special pieces in the dining room. 3 of us had the catch which was Haddock, AMAZING! My partner had the duck breast and it look delish! If you are looking for a special dinner for a special evening, I highly recommend the Brown Palace. We already are planning our next visit.
This place is so yummy! It's an elegant restaurant in an elegant hotel in an elegant city. My husband and I go here somewhat regularly as our escape from the day-to-day grind of Play-Doh and work. It's a special place that makes us feel like we are leaving the modern-day in favor of some old-fashioned romance and elegance. The food is as rich as the ambience and we leave filled with the decadence that can only come from The Palace Arms.
(5)
Michael C.
I could see how this place 20 or 50 years ago was the best place in town, however in a town were there is a deluge of world class restaurants. The regal palace arms melts away into the general noise of restaurants. The food reminds me of Central European. It's okay and worth coming to once. And the service is good.
(3)
Tim F.
Fairly disappointed. Had dinner Christmas Eve's eve before a show at the performing arts center, we were staying at the hotel and decided to give it a go. AMBIANCE: Kind of fun, it's definitely old school. The booths were lovely and well separated. I'd give an A on this point. SERVICE: Confusing. I've eaten at many a fine dining establishment and never had this slow/inattentive service. Our waiter asked us at the start if we had plans he should keep in mind for pacing, and we told him we had to be at the show in 2 hours. He said we wouldn't be able to do the 4-course meal (we barely did 2). Now, we were the 3rd table seated and ordered right away. 2 hours for 2 courses? I mean, I like to savor my food, but this was slow by any stretch. I'm fairly sure my waiter actually made my cocktail himself, it took 15 minutes while he was doing that before we could order. Just weird. FOOD: We had squash soup followed by Branzino with a vegetable risotto, and tuna crudo followed by their specialty Bison Rossini. Both apps were quite good, the tuna in particular was super fresh and well prepared. My Rossini was great, but it was also kind of throwing every expensive ingredient at a plate, how could it not be? The branzino was...fine, the lemon butter sauce ....ok, but the vegetable risotto was visually off, and the vegetables tasted frozen. I can make better risotto. Despite of this I'd call the food "good, but boring". They're not breaking any new ground here, just preparing old specialties well (with the exception of the risotto). VALUE: Ridiculous. 2 courses, 1 cocktail, and 1 glass of wine = $199. Come on.
(3)
Sergio R.
Amazing food and service! Pasta, pork cheeks, salmon and steak were amazing and perfectly cook. They even give a rose to my girlfriend at the end of the meal. Thank u for the great evening.
meh... I would say they are resting on their laurels. We were taken to lunch for business. The room is old-school lovely. We were greeted with surliness when we were a bit late for the reservation (though the room was nearly empty...) Ordered a salmon-topped salad. Veggies were over cooked, fish a bit undercooked. Overall, it was underwhelming and bland. Not recommended.
(3)
Lizi C.
My recent meal at the Palace arms was probably the most memorable and excellent meals that I have had in a long time. We had a small party in the private dining room (Independence Room) which was the perfect venue. It was in celebration of our wedding. The staff was so polite and really went out of their way to make it a nice evening and make us feel special. The ambiance was perfect. It feels very intimate and classic. The Brown Palace has a very rich and interesting history. You should read about it. brownpalace.com/About-th… As for dinner we had a pre-fix menu to choose from. The filet mignon was the stand out item on the menu. I tried the pork medallions which were also excellent. I didn't try the fish, but was told it was cooked to perfection. The appetizers were excellent as well. The quality of the food and overall presentation of the food was excellent. When dining at the Palace Arms, you feel like you are stepping back into a more classic time which is something that is quite unique and refreshing. We had them prepare us a wedding cake (chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache). It was absolutely splendid. I can't think of a more perfect restaurant in Denver for a special occasion. I'm so glad we decided to have our special celebration in the Palace Arms. The Brown Palace will forever be a really special place to us. The hotel is rich with Denver History and now is an important part of our own personal history. Both my husband and I are excited to come back for future anniversary dinners and special occasions. I highly recommend a meal in the Palace Arms for a very memorable, special and delicious dining experience. Thank you Brown Palace and the staff at the Palace Arms for a truly incredible evening. Our experience is something that we will always remember and is very dear to our hearts.
(5)
Wesley S.
Me and my friend road tripped to Colorado, and after eating "road trip" food for a few days we decided we need some real food. That combined with the fact that neither of us had ever eaten very fancy, we decided to try something new and eat at the Palace Arms restaurant. After dressing up in our fanciest H&M clothes we decided to try and look like royalty and eat where not many young college students venture. So the adventure began. As soon as we walked up we knew we didn't belong here, but we decided to pull out every ounce of manners that we had ever learned from our mothers. When we sat down we instantly were treated like VIP's. We were checked on by about 5 different people throughout the night and everybody was extremely polite and made sure we were taken care of! As far as food goes, it was possibly the best thing my taste buds have ever experienced. I got the "loin of lamb" and I couldn't tell you any of the ingredients other than it had Lamb in there, mixed with a variety of extravagant combinations. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for a classy night out!
(5)
Lea B.
This update is a little behind since we were there again over the Christmas holidays so the Brown Palace had all of their holiday decorations and it was very festive. The food again was incredible. We wanted to try it again since we heard there was a chef change but everything was delish. Their signature dish the Rossini was just as we remembered it. We brought friends this time and they were equally impressed. One of them decided to go with the wine pairing and thought the sommelier was spot on with her pairings. I don't know why this place isn't mentioned anywhere but it truly is a hidden gem. And if you get over the "stuffy" atmosphere the food and service is incredible.
Since we did a trendy dinner on our first night in Denver, I wanted to go the more traditional route for dinner #2. Most of the Yelp reviews have it right. It's definitely a special occasion restaurant... it's a little old school... don't expect a quickie meal by any means. We opted NOT to do the prix fixe and instead ordered a la carte because honestly, it just sounded like so much food. I started with the artichoke soup and then had the veal saltimbocca for my entree. Both dishes were superb. I had never had saltimbocca before and am glad I gave it a try. It was a little too thick cut for my taste (for whatever reason I thought it was served pounded - my mistake) but the flavor was good. Impressive wine catalogue. We started with a California sparkling and then shared a California red. It's funny how we always tend to lean toward California wines... The real standout of the meal was when the chef came over to check on us... not once, but twice! Sometimes the chef comes to your table at other restaurants and it comes off a tad phony. Not here. Chef Thanawat Bates is a genuine guy, very friendly and the way he described the desserts to us... I'm surprised I didn't order all of them! The desserts are classics but deconstructed, if that makes any sense at all... for example, we ordered the key lime pie. It comes in a parfait dish. There is some crunch on the bottom which is warm but the filling is warm and cold at the same time. It was beyond amazing (see the picture). The service was impeccable. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. Dress up for sure! I loved the red rose I received at the end - nice touch for a special occasion (our 8th wedding anniversary). I wholeheartedly recommend Palace Arms for a special dinner... they definitely aim to please.
(5)
Jason G.
I'll cut right to the chase: the price you're going to pay isn't worth the food you're going to eat. In fact, the price was literally more than my last three Valentine Day meals COMBINED...it was totally ridiculous. The service was good and the atmosphere was cool (in a French Revolution kind of way), but the price was way too rich for my blood. To make myself feel better, I kept thinking, "Well, maybe John, Paul, George or Ringo sat here...", which I knew was bullshit since we had the corner booth by the entrance and no one wants to sit there. Save your money for a couch or a nice set of end tables.
(3)
David B.
Do not go here for the food....beer, yes, but these idiots that think that cheap fries dipped in spices makes for the best fries ever have never been to McDonalds. I don't get it!!
(1)
David B.
Eh. I mean, it's alright. But definitely not the best I've had. Overpriced for cheaply made courses.
(3)
Stephanie L.
Yes, it's old school and a little stuffy, but what an amazing experience for a special occasion. Don't go in expecting to have a cheap or quick meal. If you go in expecting top-notch service and delicious food, you'll be happy. Honestly, I am so used to be rushed in and out of restaurants it did seem like there was a lot of time in between everything, but I kept having to remember.. this is a special occassion. I am enjoying my husband's company. What a nice date we are on for our 5th wedding anniversary. Deep breath and I stopped with the impatience! We splurged and got the 8-course tasting menu. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it, and it's not because of the price ($130 actually is reasonable for what you get) but because it's an inordinate amount of food to try to eat in one sitting. And it's not the kid of place where you ask for a doggy bag. Highlights of the meal were the fois gras - pairing it with cherries is brilliant, the Basque seafood soup (my personal favorite course), tableside caesar salad (I am a sucker for anything prepared tableside) and the bananas foster, also prepared tableside. The bison that is part of the Rossini was melt in your mouth delicious as well. As I mentioned the service was top-notch. Really, service should be like this everywhere. Lots of people always there to bring you whatver you need, refill your water, answer questions. I probably won't go back anytime soon but it's a must try for any special occasion!
(5)
Jared K.
Unbelievably rude. We spent nearly 1.5 hours waiting for our entrees. When I politely indicated that we were ready for the food to be served the staff notified me that the location was a "fine dining" establishment. I'm well accustomed to paying over $1,000 for a meal, but not accustomed to second tier service combined with first tier snobbery. Only go here if you are interested in a 17th century British dining experience that takes a full three hours to have a full meal.
(1)
Justine M.
Hands-down the best restaurant in Denver, and by far the best meal I've ever had anywhere. Yes, it's really expensive -- but for the first time ever, the entire experience was well worth it. Upon being seated and given a brief but informative history of the restaurant, the host brought us two glasses of Dom Perignon -- definitely a nice way start the night off right! We then enjoyed some delicious bread from an impressive selection and shared the crab cake, which came with a lemongrass-infused sauce and was fantastic. I also ordered a glass of a Super Tuscan (wish I could remember the name!) and enjoyed the description offered by the friendly sommelier -- they have an extensive wine list, and I was very happy with the choice I made! However, the bison steak that I ordered for an entree was the true star of the show. Oh. My. God. It was so amazing, I literally dreamed about it that night. I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but my boyfriend's lamb was delicious as well and he was very satisfied. We finished the meal with their signature Bananas Foster, which definitely didn't disappoint -- and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, our wonderful waiter brought out a dessert wine that paired perfectly with the bananas. Palace Arms defines the true meaning of a 5-star restaurant in every aspect of the term: impeccable service, stunning ambiance, and most importantly, incredible food. Looking forward to going back for the next special occasion!
(5)
Mo R.
The filet mignon is just amazing and the service here is top notch !!! Just love this place over and over again !!!!
The food is great, not the best I've ever had, but very close. Service is above and beyond anything I've ever experienced. Highlight: bananas foster prepared tableside Lowlight: the bill (expensive, but not unexpectedly so) Overall I'd say totally worth it. I will probably go back for a special occasion at some point.
I have been here twice and twice have had my socks totally blown off. Easily one of my favorite restaurants ever. Decor The place looks like a high end British pub exploded inside. Coats of arms, crowns, British painting, oh my! It's totally out of control, yet still elegant - I love it. Service Top notch. Just fantastic. See food for some more commentary. Food My wife and I are vegetarians and both times (once alone, once together) asked if they could do something special. I felt like a judge on Iron Chef with the unique creations they created. Let me be more specific - their Executive Sous Chef - Thanawat - is THE MAN. He told us to call ahead next time and give him 2-3 days notice. He would then make us an 8 course meal to whatever our needs (vegan/gf/etc) using ingrediants they would go out and purchase. What?! How amazing is this. I have never had a restaurant tell me this. Value You're getting Alex at the Wynn ($300/person) for well under $100. I don't think Denver has any idea how lucky they are!
(5)
Bobby T.
I had low expectations for Palace Arms during restaurant week (It's a pretty limited menu), but was BLOWN AWAY by the service, atmosphere, and the food. Yes, we visited for RW 2010, and before we left I glanced at their menu online. You have a choice of 1 appetizer - Caesar Salad for 2 prepared tableside, 2 entrees - Salmon or Beef, and 2 desserts - Chocolate soup or macaroons. (In the case of the dessert there is really only 1 choice, because I'm not going to go to Palace Arms and just have cookies for dessert. It's just not happening.) Basically, I felt like I was going to a wedding, and I had to choose my main course - beef or fish? I had very low expectations because of the very few choices, and seeing as it was rated at 5 stars on Yelp, I had much cognitive dissonance going on in my head. I was also expecting the restaurant to be dead, being Tuesday night and all. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how busy the restaurant and lobby of The Brown Palace was. It was buzzing! We were seated and had to wait a few minutes before I could order my drink, but besides that wait we received very attentive service throughout the night. The Caesar salad for 2 prepared tableside was a little bit of show, and a lotta bit of delicious. I almost licked my plate, but then remembered where I was. Both me and my wife had the Beef offering for our main course. It was basically a deconstructed Beef Wellington, and it was out of this world! Topped with foie gras that had been pan seared to keep its shape and a beautifully flavorful demi-glace, the beef was cooked perfectly to my asking and juicy and tender to boot. Everything about this dish screamed luxury. It was plush. Finally, for dessert, Chocolate Soup! Oh, what a treat this was. I was intrigued when I saw it on the menu, and it totally delivered. You know the scene in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (The Gene Wilder one, not the Tim Burton one, although it had this scene too) when the winners first enter the factory and see the chocolate river? Ever since I first saw that when I was a kid I wanted to drink from that river, and Chocolate Soup finally let me live out that dream. Rich, velvety chocolate washed over my tongue in an explosion of perfect sweetness and chocolate. I had to peer into the kitchen to see if they had the chocolate river flowing through it, and if they did, I was planning to dive in. All in all, we had a wonderful evening at Palace Arms, and highly recommend them, especially for Restaurant Week.
(5)
Melissa T.
So, unless it's so awful that I know I won't be back, I try to get to a place at least twice before reviewing. In this case, that means it's taken a year for me to have two trips to base a review on, because the Palace Arms is a fancy, special occasion place. I have been twice, both times on our anniversary. The first year everything was outstanding! The food was amazing, the service was impeccable. The second year was just a shade less impressive. The servers seemed hurried, and it was a bit of a let down from the year before, though the food was just as incredible. But overall it's still an outstanding experience and it's just fun to go somewhere super fancy to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)
David T.
Well, just to state the obvious, this is a world class splurge, not a place to catch a weeknight bite. Arguably, it is the most elegant dining destination in Colorado. Some might prefer the Broadmoor or the Flagstaff House, but the Palace Arms is really in a class by itself, IMO. The history of the hotel and the Palace Arms is long an interesting and the list of former guests is formidable indeed. I think it is one of the loveliest formal dining room I've ever been in. Some may find it excessively formal though and may not be comfortable here. Until quite recently men were required to wear a coat and tie, and, I certainly still do. Waiters in tuxes, flawless formal service (some table side - Caesar salad, steak tartare, bananas foster, etc.). This is fine dining at it's most luxurious and professional. It has been an educational institution for decades, in the sense that many young people received valuable lessons about how to negotiate the intricacies of the high end dining experience without making total rubes of themselves. On our last visit, they were at the top of their game. It was a magical evening. Totally gracious staff and exquisite food and wine. From the first bite of their homemade Melba toast (created here) to the last nibble of their house made macaroons. They offer a number of tasting menus with wine pairings but we ordered a la carte this time. We were four celebrating a birthday, so, I'll only mention the dishes I had since this really isn't the sort of place you pass plates around. Started with the Abalone (you never see it anymore and, when, on the rare occasions that it shows up - I'm a goner). Their preparation included green peppercorns, pistachios, artichokes and parm - totally decadent and delish, Considered sharing a Caesar as others in the group did but decided to save room for a hearty main and dessert, of course. Entree choices are fairly limited but cover all the bases - scallops, halibut, chicken pot pie (not your mom's), lamb loin, bison, and Kobe short ribs. Oh, what to do? Ended up with the very succulent lamb loin served with rye spaetzle, fennel sauerkraut and a Gruyere frico. Finished up with, what else? - the bananas foster. Can we all say oink? We did some severe damage with the wine list as well. It is huge and heavily French. Started with a terrific white bordeaux followed by two (yes, two) bottles of Rauzan-Segla Margaux. Others may have even had a cognac but I was getting fuzzy by this point. I was not too fuzzy to note that the check for this little extravagance was in excess of $1200 plus gratuities. Probably a little more than half of that was the wine though, so you don't have to take out a second mortgage. But still, not for the faint of wallet. I wasn't paying - thank god. If you really want to pull out all the stops, or if your wealthy Aunt Ethel is in town and wants to treat, by all means get all gussied up and hit the town in high style.
(5)
Dave F.
This is a rating that includes service and food quality, but not value. The service is excellent. They really make you feel special. I ordered the four-course menu: crab appetizer, bouillabaisse, ribeye with potato cake, and brownie dessert. The crab and ribeye were excellent. I could have done without the sauce on the ribeye, but it wasn't bad. The soup and brownie were fine, but not outstanding. The ability of the chef was excellent and presentation was impressive as well. The problem is I don't think the food is worth the price. The four-course menu is $85. I've had much better steak + soup dinners for about $50 or $60. So I wouldn't come back. But I had a gift certificate. And it was an enjoyable time.
(4)
Mary S.
Just immaculate and outstanding!! My husband and I did some research on "top-notch" restuarants around Denver, since it will be our first time there and found this place. After reading lots of reviews, we thought we'd try this restaurant. This restaurant is worth every penny on food and service!! If you're looking for something simple, this is not the place, but if you're leaning toward a memorable evening, you should definitely go here. We were very impressed with the gentleman who seated us laying our napkins on our laps and moving the table side to side for seating access. The waiter handed us a novel of wine lists which was a little overwhelming but they covered each and every wine on this planet. However, thank goodness for Eric (sommelier), who was super knowledgeable on the wine list and was able to dial in our palates on what we wanted and then suggested wines we wouldn't even have thought about and ended up loving and drinking instead. We had the 8 course meal, due to celebration of our wedding anniversary and MBA graduation of my husband. It started off with a fresh and crisp lobster salad and ended with a table-side preparation of cherries jubilee-and since it was a special occasion, Eric stepped in again and suggested a great full-flavored Port that matched it perfectly. Everything was great about the restaurant and servers! The only disappointment was the deconstructed keylime pie, which was super tart and the sorbet hidden in the middle didn't match our taste well at all. I also have to commend the Chef who came out and said "hi" to us. It is very nice to meet who is cooking for you instead of always hiding behind the scenes. Overall it was a great experience! However, the next time we come back, we'll do the 5 course meal instead due to we checked in at 5:30 pm and didn't leave until 9:00 pm due to the long meal, but it was still worth every penny and experience!!!
(5)
Tatyana M.
We visit Denver every year and after reading so many raving reviews finally went for dinner to this "legendary" place. It wasn't just a disappointment, It was a WOW disappointment!!! AMBIANCE: lot's of "glitter" and kind of "class" but bathroom does not have hand towels, so first time in my life in the hotel/restaurant of this caliber I had to dry my hands with toilet tissues. The dining room was dark and uninviting, so if it's called "old school dining" ambiance then I belong to the" new school" one. SERVICE: stuffy, but definitely not really professional. FOOD: not tasty at all, in some dishes over salted, in the case of fish overcooked, bland and all together BORING. Not even one dish hit the spot. VALUE: and that is the most disappointing factor. If this experience would happen in the regular restaurant with the regular prices of $50 to $60 p/p I would say OK, not a big deal and loss of money and time. BUT when you dare to charge $65 for a steak, when dinner for two cost is $200+ without drinks and you deliver nothing but disappointment, that's when I say it's not OK, it's a false and pretentious place, and I feel that I should warn people about it. Unless you are too wealthy and don't care about quality of the experience you are getting for your money I would say stay away from Palace Arm.
(1)
JC C.
Very disappointed after all the rave reviews posted here. Went for my birthday last night. Price to Quality ratio very poor. $$$$ - Amazing Hawaiian cod, good tasting but swimming in sauce. Isn't lesson one in fine cuisine to not cover up the flavor of a wonderful piece of fish or meat but to enhance it? Same with my husbands steak - absolutely swimming in goop. He was shoving it all off to get to the meat below. Good service, if you like 5 people breathing down your neck. One guy - I guess the waiter who only serves the beer - talked incessantly about all he knows about beer. Nice guy, but please leave us alone. If the price tag had not been $170 for two people I wouldn't be as upset... but it was. I will say the beer and my wine were both excellent.
(2)
Stan L.
my wife and i came for dinner and got the degustation menu.. i had mine paired with wine.. the food was impeccable and their wine selection paired perfectly with the meal.. i've had better food at michelin star restaurants and better wines in Napa.. but their pairing of food and wine blew me away.. it is easily one of the best meals my wife and i have shared together... although i had high expectations for this restaurant.. i was still completely blown away.. service was of course excellent and well deserved of my large tip
(5)
Matt D.
The food was good, but not excellent. They tend to down their food in sauces. Service started out great, but as the meal went along the service went down to the point I felt forgotten about & no they were not busy. They did have a very cool wine list.
(4)
Josh T.
Hands down the single best dining experience I've ever had. As mentioned in the other reviews it is pricey but that should be fully expected and is worth every penny IMHO. The service was professional, efficient, and pleasant. I overheard our waiter telling on of his other tables that he'd been at Palace Arms over 11 years. That is a lot table side ceaser salads and bananas foster, both of which were expertly made for us and were delicious. The Foie Gras was excellently prepared as was the Buffalo Rossini. My wife had the Wyagu Beef that was also incredible. The only thing that I didn't absolutely love was the lobster bisque, I felt it was average for lobster bisque. My wife had the Consomme and said it was fantastic. The atmosphere is impressive as they have art and other paraphernalia that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, pieces that should literally be in museums. You can't go wrong with the Palace Arms or really anywhere at the Brown Palace for any occasion.
(5)
brewgirl b.
Amazing food and service. The restaurant was not busy at all the night we went (we were the only table for the first hour), and the staff was great. They told us about the restaurant's history, and were very funny and engaging. And what a history the room has--LOTS of authentic, museum quality Napoleonic relics. The seafood was delish! Wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a plane to catch, and they sped up the service without sacrificing service. All in all, a great way to end our Denver trip!
(5)
Irina N.
My boyfriend and I went to Palace Arms on Wednesday to celebrate our anniversary. We chose the Five Course Tasting Menu and each had a drink. I had: Loch Duart Salmon appetizer, Wild Mushroom soup, Ceasar salad (made tableside), Diver Scallops and I can't remember the name of my dessert, but it was basically a chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. I also tried (off my bf's plate): cheese sandwich, chestnut bisque and sorbet. The Five Course Tasting Menu portions are rather small, but if you eat all 5 courses plus a piece of bread with butter and have a drink, then you most likely will be full. Personally, I was full by the end of the dinner and I really like to eat : ) The service was excellent. There was a number of people coming to our tables delivering food and silverware, refilling our glasses, etc. We received a lot of attention. The food was very good too. I loved everything that I ordered. My bf's cheese sandwich was good, but it's basically a grilled cheese sandwich. I did enjoy my bf's dessert better than mine though. It was one scoop of berry sorbet, one scoop of lemon sorbet and a few berries. It was the best sorbet I have ever had in my life. I "helped" my bf with eating his sorbet ; ) Overall, this place is very classy and has fancy and delicious food. It is very spendy too. Expect to spend $200 for a dinner for two. It is a special occasion type of a place. I would love to come back for another dinner. You can also have Classic Banana Foster prepared tableside for you. They flambe the dessert (set it on fire) tableside. A table next to mine ordered this dessert and it was an interesting experience. I would like to try this next time.
(5)
Subin J.
I haven't been here for the last...8 months? or so because I really don't have any girl who's special enough to go with, but I'm going to write a review anyway. This restaurant is probably in the top 5 in metro DEN area. I'm not going to specifically comment on quality of food / service because 5* usually means they were outstanding. If Michelin ever decides to publish their guide in Denver (which I kinda doubt), this restaurant might be able to get 1 star. Also, if you happen to be one of those who has either Amex Cent / Plat, you have a better chance of scoring reservations at the last minute as Palace Arms is one of the participating restaurants in DEN with Amex's Concierge, although it is not 100% guaranteed.
(5)
Eddy S.
A lot of buck for your bang! I don't bat an eye at pricey joints like this as long as they live up to their bill. Palace Arms does. A bit more traditional than I care for, every dish was perfectly executed and the service outstanding.
(5)
Kyle G.
It hard to find a true fine dining restaurant now days (dress code, proper ingredients, over the top service). So glad places like this are still around.
(5)
Rose L.
Such an impressive experience! As delicious and diverse as the food was, it was the extremely attentive and friendly service of our great wait staff that made our dining experience un-paralled. All of our head waiter's recommendations were spot on. We came in for a late dinner and they staff stayed with us until the bitter end, including a table side preparation of Banana's Foster, long after the next to last table had vacated the restuarant. If I lived in Denver, this would be a go to restaurant for any special occasion. As it is, I'd fly back just to go there again!
(5)
Cara M.
This is one of the most amazing places I have been. First off, the service was impeccable. Very kind and knowledgeable. Ask for a tour of the State Room and you'll get a rundown of a unique, one of a kind (well two of a kind, the other is in the White House) mural, as well as information regarding the authentic Napoleonic art art and artifacts such as Josephine's and Napoleaon's dueling pistols. It is pricey though, the food isn't too bad if you stick to the starters and they have the most amazing wine collection, but my husband and I were memorializing his grandmother who had recently passed away so the price was worth it. I mean the food is absolutely worth it but don't go expecting to spend less than $50/person, although you could get a good dinner for $30 if you ordered carefully. The food is amazing and everything on the menu was was perfect, the chef has a ton of skill and is adventuresome which I like. He also accommodated my vegetarian request. My husband had the chefs choice tasting menu as did I so for me I had a unique dish when the fois gras and pate courses arrived. It was awesome, some of the best vegetarian food I have ever had. Risotto, green salads, croquet with tofu, mixed grain salads, tomato soup with this outstanding crouton, fresh baked bread, sorbet, wine jelly, every flavor was perfect. We couldn't actually finish all eight courses so I took some home and ate it the next day cold for breakfast and it was still good. Almost better :) We returned the next night to have the bananas fosters, which if you go for no other reason go for this. The experience is worth the entire $600 tab. Which is high even if you account for the two amazing bottles of wine, which we also didn't finish and took to go. Seriously, $600. I have never paid that much for anything. Ever. Although I technically didn't pay for it, it was a gift. One of the nicest things anyone has done for me. If this place ever opens for lunch and does a happy hour, go regularly. It's amazing.
Loved the ambiance, food and wine selections. Everything was to perfection. I would definitely go back!
(5)
Desiree P.
Wow. This place is amazing. We celebrated our anniversary here last night because we had our wedding here and to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at this restaurant was free. Yes people, free!! The service was great...there was one slip up and that was our appetizer was completely forgotten...but, they ended up bringing it out with an apology...not sure if this was due to the fact we were the only hispanics in a room full of white old people...but, either way, the food and overall service was so good, all was forgiven. My husband had the bison and he said it was the best piece of meat he's ever had. Ever. The chefs seem to be very creative. They brought out this brie cheese with some kind of preserves on it and a kind of pepper and beautiful spices...anyway, it was a small little piece but so delicious!! They brought out our cake topper for dessert; yes, they recreated our cake from the wedding!! This little detail made us feel very special and had us reminiscing of the greatest day. Can't wait to go back. This will definitely be our anniversary tradition from now on.
(5)
Jessica D.
This is a place to celebrate a special occasion. Be ready to splurge. The ahi tuni appetizer I had was quite possibly the best dish I have ever eaten *in my life*. It was one of those things where with every bite you are saying "This is unbelievable." Then on to the bison with foie gras . . . very rich. Finally, the chocolate soup. They brought us freshly baked macaroons to go with it (make sure you ask for those if they don't)-- another amazing experience. I'll be honest, I did feel a twinge of buyer's remorse when I saw the bill, but for two of the best dishes I've ever eaten, at a romantic dinner with a handsome man in an opulent setting, it was definitely worth it.
(5)
Laura L.
I would give 4 1/2 if it was an option...really a beautiful experience. First off, just want to say that the service, food, and presentation are all top notch. However, I am not a fan of the atmosphere...a bit too much Disney's haunted mansion if you ask me. We went for a double celebration of my parents' anniversary and my grandma's 85 birthday. We had two pescetarians (myself included) and someone who is gluten intolerant in our party. Our server was knowledgeable and quick to recommend some options and steer us away from others. The meal began with a light amuse bouche (brie with cherry tomato, olive, and balsamic reduction for me). We ordered a bottle of an incredibly beautiful pinot noir from Germany to share for the table and then the meal began. Wow...I started with the hierloom lettuce salad...all the veggies were beautifully cooked (tender but with some crunch) and the dressing was modest and light. I then had the Market Fish (Black Cod) which was tender and flaky with lovely gnocchi's perfectly seared, pine nuts, olives, crab, and blood orange. My father got the ribeye and said it was the best piece of meat he has EVER had. We finished with two deserts shared between the table (play on banana split and dark cherry chocolate cake)...no one was speaking other than the murmur of "yummmm"s across the table. It was a beautiful experience (3 hours total) with some very incredible food. Our check came out to about $470 for 5 people and totally worth it.
(4)
alison s.
The Palace Arms restaurant in the Brown Palace Hotel is perhaps the last bastion of luxury dining left in Denver. The dining room evokes the feeling of old money and the kind of civility that has long been left behind by more modern establishments. I found this grand dining room to be a treasure. The lighting is dim but not dark. On every wall there are beautiful antique flags and prints. But, don't let the antiques mislead you; this restaurant may have kept it's fin de siecle flair, but the food is very progressive. The chef is one-of-a-kind as he infuses time honored dishes like lamb medallions and crab cakes with subtle asian flavors. He even came to our table twice to chat and ask how we liked the food. It was that kind of attention that we really appreciated. Moreover, I can't remember the last time I had a caesar salad prepared tableside and it's probably the best caesar I've ever had - well balanced, subtle lemon flavor and crispy. The staff is cordial and helpful without being the least bit stuffy. And, did I mention that you do not need a jacket? If you have a very special occasion, do not hesitate to put the Palace Arms on your short-list of places to go. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Samantha M.
My parents and i went here 2 years ago, it was fabulous - they did a 7 course tasting menu with wine, i did a 4 course. the buffalo that my dad got was outstanding and i got a take on a reuben with lamb that was beyond delicious!
(5)
Ken W.
Everything about this place screams expensive. From the moment you pull up to their valet service, the people are friendly and ready to satisfy your every desire. The head guy was extremely polite to me and my gf. It was her birthday and I only mentioned it in passing when I was making the reservation. He remembered right when we got there and wished my gf a happy birthday as we were walking in the door. Next, we are taken to a nice table there there is a long stem rose sitting on the plate for my beautiful date. The inside is pretty dark and almost has a gloomy atmosphere but it's brightened up by all the pleasant servers. You get a nice selection of bread. I ended up ordering the 8 course meal while my girlfriend got the 4 course one. Since there is such a huge discrepency in the amount of courses, they gave her a few free courses from my menu. That was extremely kind of them since it would have been weird for her to sit there for half the meal watching me eat. The head chef came out and helped serve our meal to us and explain how it was cooked. The presentation was also fantastic. Everything is extremely rich and tasteful. Finally, I had one of their signature desserts, the banana foster. This was prepared table side. Describing it would be a disservice. Definitely a great place to celebrate on special occasions.
(5)
Ray R.
This was a fabulous dining experience. Not for those in a hurry. Wonderful for spending time with somebody important. For our visit they hit it out of the park. Service and food were outstanding. Again, this is fine dining, which is unhurried and gives you time to spend with your companions. No 16 oz. steak, but portion size is more than adequate. We had the 5 course tasting meal it was outstanding.
(5)
Jess K.
This is a very fancy restaurant and has a lot of history. Do not go here if you want modern surroundings, but if you want an old fashioned high end atmosphere this is the place for you. I have to say I was kind of disappointed with the food. It wasn't bad, but the prices are definitely not justified. You are pretty much paying for the service and location of being in the Brown Palace hotel. One of the servers did a table-side ceasar and for dessert had also did Banana's foster. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal and the very nice gentleman knew a ton of history about the hotel and restaurant which was very cool. I had the french onion soup which I didn't care for, as it was not the traditional style I love ($12). It had good flavor but I like it prepared the traditional way so I was a little let down when it came out. The duck was good but nothing I would go out of my way to get again, and especially not for $38 (the cheapest entree on the menu). They do have an amazing wine selection that looks more like a large encyclopedia.
(4)
Terri B.
The Palace Arms is in Downtown Denver. We all started off with the artichoke soup. The wait can be a little long but its worth it. The Filet Mignons were excellent. They also prepare your Caesar Salad right at the table. It was the 5 star experience I was hoping for.
(5)
Leanna C.
Not only is this a really unique restaurant but the food is incredible! I was extremely skeptical of this restaurant because I have never heard of anyone going here. It is definitely a hidden gem. To start you absolutely MUST get the table side Caesar salad, if you can ignore the pricey $34 (for two salad) price it is well worth it. They make everything in front of you and you can truly taste a difference. This is now my favorite salad in Denver. I ordered the sea scallops and was gravely disappointed, they were far too salty but not inedible. In their defense the waitress we had did warn us of the scallops extremely salty nature. The reason this gets a 5 star is because of the filet. Without a doubt, hands down, the BEST filet I have EVER had. It was so buttery and creamy and just ultimately dreamy. If you do not get the filet when you come here you are missing out.
(5)
Shinwook P.
Hear me out, this is a fun story. So, my friend and I went on a road trip to Colorado for some backpacking in the mountains and exploring the cities. Since we were on the road for most of the time (we drove all the way from Washington state) and we were camping/backpacking most of our nights, we were eating bland food like PB&J, muffins, granola bars, etc. When we got to Denver, we wanted to treat ourselves and eat somewhere super fancy. So after some research, we chose the Palace Arms at The Brown Palace Hotel and made a reservation. We dressed up as fancy as we could in our dress shirt, pants, belt, and tie (all from H&M) and drove over to the location. Please note that we are broke college students. We walked in and when we were seated, we quickly realized that we were probably the youngest people there by a couple decades. We clearly stood out haha. But the waiters and the servers all treated us like we were Nobel winners or something. They made us feel special, and that is always good. The food was amazing too. Since we are poor college students, we had never been to a restaurant this fancy before. We probably didn't even pronounce half the items on the menu right. We admitted that to our server, and she was polite, without judgment, and gave us recommendations. We ended up sharing the House Fresh Ricotta as the appetizer. It was delicious. The toy-box tomato was so good! For entree (we skipped the salad and soup since we couldn't afford a four course meal), I got the Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast. Probably the fanciest and the best tasting food I've ever had. The portions were bigger that I imagined too! I know that most "fancy" restaurants give a small piece of meat and call it $80. But the entree I had was $39 and the portions weren't way out of range. Overall, the experience was epic. We felt special and we felt badass. So after the meal, we walked around downtown in our H&M dressy outfits and felt even more badass. Hope you enjoyed reading this review. If you go to Denver and you can afford to eat at a fancy restaurant (or be tragically epic poor college students like us), then you have to go check this place out. Fun fact: every president has stayed at The Brown Palace since its opening besides Coolidge and Obama. Come on, Barack. You still have about 2 more years to change that.
(5)
Dawn F.
I went to the Palace Arms on a romantic dinner date. There is an old world sensibility to the service provided. Between entering the restaurant and leaving, there were approximately 5 people who helped us. The water glasses never went empty and the silverware was replenished after each course. To boot, they seated us away from the other tables, and managed to keep us separate from other diners, so we had a secluded meal. It really felt like we were in our own world. When I ordered beer on tap, my server didn't blink. He went to the bar in the Brown Palace to get what I asked for. After he approached us to see if we knew what we wanted, and realized we were in the midst of conversation, our server simply let us know ("Don't stop holding hands!) to place our menus in a particular place on the table so he'd know we were ready. Yes. That's how the service was the whole time. They make you feel special. We ordered the four course tasting menu. The food was delicious, and they did a commendable job finding suitable items for my boyfriend who is vegetarian. There were delicious flavors, such as Meyer lemon beurre blanc served with the yummy tofu and veggie dish. My steak was cooked as ordered and tender. At the end of the night, we finished with bananas foster, a theatrical and fun end to our meal. Our server brought me a rose, apparently a tradition that they have to give each female guest a flower at the end of the meal. The rose stayed beautiful in my house for almost two weeks. It was a great experience. I would recommend them for a very special occasion without reservation.
(5)
Bethany M.
Impeccable from start to finish. The highlight of our stay. We are so impressed. The food is perfectly and beautifully created and the service incredible. A skilled sommelier that blew us away. Sue our server was wonderful.
(5)
Denise S.
It was truly fabulous from the tableside Caesar's salad to the special treats that came with the bill. Two things though. They did not supply a wine list at the beginning so we had to ask for it. Also, the food was quite delicious but I didn't think it warranted the high prices. $60 for the bison risotto was a bit much. It was delicious but really just a steak. Other than that it was wonderful and we were treated quite well for our 24th anniversary.
(4)
Megan E.
This was honestly the best full meal I've ever eaten. That said, here's the details: We went for my 28th birthday - on 11/11/11. My DH had the reservation, then canceled it, since I told him we had spent too much, then re-booked it when I changed my mind (love that guy) - the restaurant was accommodating for all that changing. We decided to have the 5 course meal. Plus bread, plus amuse buche, plus intermezzo, plus little cookie and little chocolate at the check... We didn't know about all those extras but they were great. I started with the fois gras and my DH had the octopus - they did mix up at first and bring us both octopus but pointing that out was ok and the replacement was AMAZING! The next course was soup - DH had artichoke and I had tomato. My DH does NOT like soup - and he finished all but one small bite (my trial) very fast and loved it. The soup was rich and creamy and cheesy and great. My tomato soup was very cool - it had iced horseradish and tabasco mini balls and a clear consume.... at least I think that's what those things were ;-) The third course was salad - DH special ordered an arugula salad and they were able to get him something he really enjoyed. I had the beet salad - the flavors matched perfectly and I really enjoyed it. The fourth course, I had abalone and DH had bison steak - both were great and rich and hearty. I couldn't talk much, I was too busy enjoying my food - and by this point I was very full so I ate slower but it still was warm and great the whole time! The fifth course was dessert - I had the key lime "pie" and DH had the chocolate cake. The "pie" was AMAZING!!! I couldn't talk at all for the first few bites - just "mmmmm" and *big smiles* - I highly recommend trying this one! DH, who doesn't like key lime pie, also thought this was a fantastic dish. He also loved his cake - I had a bite and it was creamy and rich and chocolaty - great presentation too. We did not try wine or coffee - the reason we went was for the food. The bread options were all very good, I think the flatbread was my favorite - it was cheesy and crisp. Give yourself several hours (I think we took just over 2) and enjoy! If you want to mark a special occasion, tell them in advance. They were very quick with water, I ended up drinking a ton since they filled it up so fast I had no idea how much I'd had - the bathroom is near the front of the hotel, they will show you where it is the first time (if you go through the revolving doors, it's on your left right before the Tavern entrance)... I loved their little molecular gastronomy additions, the old world charm of the room, and the perfect merging of flavors - do yourself a favor and try this place out!
(5)
gary w.
This was one of the finest dining experiences I have ever had. We ordered the 8 course tasting menu which was balanced and well prepared. The Caesar salad prepared table side, band bananas foster at the end were a real treat. Portion size was a bit big for a tasting menu, and we left 3 hours later completely stuffed, but the experience was fabulous.
(5)
Emma C.
If you've got an evening where, for what ever reason, you want really great food, wine and service, where everything will be perfect and you're willing to pay for it, this is the place in Denver. I moved here via California from London and a few other places, and had a very dear Californian, former New Yorker, friend in town. We wanted to have a nice meal and a proper catch up. As I say, we're both Californian girls who when you offer us Russian River or French wine will chant Russian River before you've finished the sentence. Likewise $100 a head for two outstanding courses and great wine to us, while not cheap, is good value. Food and wine was great, indulgent and perfectly prepared and presented. But the standout was the service - brilliantly timed, charming, attentive. We had plenty of time to catch up, never felt we were interrupted and everything flowed effortlessly, which as we all know, takes enormous effort from the wait staff. The photographs don't really do it justice, the rooms have high ceilings and the decor, while clubby, is not overdone and it is very quiet. It was easy to hear my friend, and all I could hear of the other diners was a background murmur and the odd clink of cutlery. The booths add to an intimate feel and it's just a very easy space to be in.
(5)
Sam G.
What a waste of money (and time). With a reservation we were seated. eventually a drink order was taken. 20 minutes later my martini arrived 1/2 spilled from the glass. The waiter was very uninterested in our 2 top. After two hours waiting for our $70 apiece filet wellingtons they finally arrive. I asked the manager if he was aware of our wait. Yes. "let me pour you a glass of B.V. Cab". I think BV Cab is about $13 bucks a bottle. No apology - no nothing. I'll never go back to this place again! Save your money and time and enjoy a good meal with good service somewhere else!!!!!!
(1)
Wayne S.
It was the five star experience I was hoping for. We arrived early, having done a little window shopping on the 16th street mall. We arrive about an hour before our reservation, so we sat in the hotel's foyer and admired the decor and holiday decorations. They had a very entertaining 3 man band, a pianist, drummer and cello player playing guests requests ranging from blues to jazz. We had a soda and ice tea and complimentary almonds while waiting, the drinks were a modest $7 but for the experience, was well spent. The staff was superb. Our waiter was incredibly nice, taking the time to cover the high-lights of many of the dishes and explaining the wine list to us. He checked on our progress the entire meal. We enjoyed the breads they served and a server brought over the tray several times prior to the main course. We never felt rushed and as my guest and I completed each course, the plates and utensils were replaced promptly for the next. Our waters were topped off, my friend even noted our glasses never were more than half empty before another top off. And we knew this was no tap water! Each dish was as visually exciting as they tasted. It was sheer joy to enjoy each bite and after that meal, you understand the concept of 'layers of flavors' within the meal itself. My friend and I ordered separate courses, we shared a crab cake appetizer, then he had the bisque while I had the Wild Mushroom soup. For the main courses, he had the fish (can't remember the name) and I had the Bison Filet (7 oz of pure nirvana). We each had a glass of wine with the main course. By the end of the meal we were full and as much as we liked, we didn't have room for the Banana's Foster but the couple seated next to us did, so we got to see the presentation. While the price was high, between the two of us, 1 appetizer, 2 soups, two entrees and two glasses of wine came to about $200 and with tip (25%) it was about the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, it was well worth the price. Our waiter even asked us if we needed to have our Valet Parking validated (we did) and offered to called ahead so our car was waiting outside the hotel when we left. If you're looking for the Five Star restaurant experience to check off your own personnel bucket list, this would be the place to go.
(5)
Tim T.
Had dinner here last night with friends visiting from Santa Fe. Dinner was fantastic, service was wonderful, our server Kendra made the night very special. She even took the time to answer some specific question I had in regards to the history of the bldg and she showed us a few special pieces in the dining room. 3 of us had the catch which was Haddock, AMAZING! My partner had the duck breast and it look delish! If you are looking for a special dinner for a special evening, I highly recommend the Brown Palace. We already are planning our next visit.
(5)
Tre S.
Amazing. Super good. Great service. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. A definite must!
(5)
Kathleen M.
Wow! I was so blown away by every aspect of our experience at the Palace Arms. I had mentioned, on opentable.com , that it was our anniversary and my husband graduated with his masters degree. Upon being greeted at the entrance, the hostess congratulated us on both events. We were seated and I was given a rose. Through out the night, every staff member came to our table to congratulate us. The service was impeccable. So here is what we ordered....at the recommendation of our waiter, we ordered the smoked pheasant soup. Get this soup. It was voted one of the top 100 dishes to have in Denver. It is creamy, smokey and delicious. For our main courses, I got the scallops. They were perfectly done. Perfect portion size. Beautiful presentation. My husband got the sea bass. Perfect, again. We split their "interpretation" of cheesecake. It involved bites of cheesecake with several different types of sauce. Strawberry, chocolate, lime, etc. At the end of the meal, they also served us homemade macaroons. The whole experience far exceeded our expectations. I hope we have a reason to celebrate soon, so that we can come back! Definitely a place for special occasions.
(5)
Sam R.
To die for. I dined alone, but they made me feel like a queen. I had the best foie gras of my life, which i can only describe as grilled warm mouse with a glass of sherry. For dinner, the bison filet mignon. I couldn't finish everything. The food was intoxicating. The clientele stuffy and conservative. I did feel like I had returned to the set of Sunset boulevard, a dining room in someone's forgotten palace. Plan to pay a pretty penny, but it's worth it.
(5)
Brittany V.
This is a very classical dining experience; by that, I mean it reminds me of an experience you may have in a traditional French restaurant or at an upscale restaurant in the 50's. They don't really do it like this anymore, which depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. Staff/Service--5 stars. Attentive, polite, and genuinely interested in making sure that you are enjoying yourself and your food. Keep in mind though, this is a dining service meant to be enjoyed over about 2 hours, so don't arrive starving and ready to chow down. It's going to be a while. Ambiance/Style--3 stars. It's an interesting room. Much smaller than I expected it to be, and I'm surprised they keep the lighting so high. I would expect the chandeliers to be dimmed for dinner. This is a very traditional room, some kind of cross between an early 1900's library or parlor room. Lots of dark wood, interesting wallpaper, and flags everywhere. It's not in any way modern, and it feels like the last thought to decor might have been in the 60's. Food--3 stars. This is a very classic dinner menu. As a vegetarian, I'm disappointed in the lack of options. Yes, it's a traditional place, but come on, this is also Denver we're talking about. I can't imagine that it would be too hard to throw in some kind of pasta dish just to keep the vegetarians satisfied. As such, my option was either to forget an entree, or have the chef "throw together" what he could in the kitchen, which sounded like it would be a veggie plate. I passed on the entree and got a soup, salad, and dessert. My soup, the parsnip, (2 stars) was on the whole okay, but the candied ginger was really really sweet and kind of threw me off. The Lyonnaise (sp?) salad (sans bacon) was surprisingly good and I wish I'd had a bit more (3 stars). For dessert, I shared the pina colada, sticky toffee pudding, and fudge brownie with my husband. The fudge brownie was very forgettable and had a strange taste (1 star). The pina colada was deconstructed (the most modern thing I saw on the menu), but not very tasty (2 stars). The sticky toffee pudding was the most promising, but didn't scream "amazing" (3 stars). This might be a place that you just have to experience once to say you've done it, depending on your tastes. As a more modern cuisine/foodie kind of girl, it wasn't my taste, style, or in my palette wheelhouse. Ultimately, I think the food is pretty hit and miss, and with prices like this, I think that's enough to keep me away.
(3)
V B.
Wow Denver! Color me impressed! I must admit, even after reading all the glowing reviews I still had my doubts. The menu appeared uninspired and lacking any creativity, but I'm easy going ok? I went with the flow and just thought to myself that this would be just another business dinner with the hopes of helping closing one last deal for 2010. This restaurant is situated right smack in the middle of a large downtown hotel. For those of you back in San Francisco, think St. Francis. I am anti Michael Minna and am grateful he moved his flagship restaurant out of the hotel and to Aqua's old space, but now I am rambling. You get the point. In theory, a 5 star restaurant that sits inside of a hotel is typically a red flag for me but this time it delivered and exceeded my expectations. We arrived via a cramped taxi ride from our hotel and dropped off in front of the Brown Palace Hotel. We walk inside and were greeted to a beyond festive holiday decorated lobby complete with a giant tree and hanging decorations that were tastefully dangling about the room. Soothing piano player in the far right corner playing familiar holiday tunes which immediately made me forget of the high stress work day. Tucked away in the corner is the Palace Arms, greeted immediately by name and taken to our table. The champagne cart arrived soon after which offered up a complimentary glass of Billecart Salmon brut rose. An amuse bouche appeared that included a slice of salmon over a basil leaf. There was no silverware in sight so we all used our hands and inhaled one of the most amazing tasting pieces of fish I have ever tasted. The champagne was the perfect compliment and much appreciated. After a few minutes our server introduced himself and recited the menu along with a detailed description of each dish. My mouth was watering as explained each preparation and the recommended wine pairing with each course. Our potential customer at this point says loudly "I have never eaten at a place like this, can you help me". Awkward? not in the least. Our server was beyond professional and took him under his wing and started probing and asked questions about foods and drink that he likes. Turns out, he is not a wine drinker but does love his cocktails and within a few minutes crafted a five course dinner complete with 5 different cocktails that would match each of his courses. I can go on and on just how amazing this place is and I feel like I am rambling right now but you people in Denver need to realize just how truly special this place is. Everything from the service to the wine list to the food to the finishing touches. Attention to detail is practiced here to perfection. I am not a coffee drinker, but at the end of the evening I witnessed some oohhs and awes to how good the coffee was. Coffee may be for closers but port is for tall lanky dorky guys who secretly want hot cocoa.
(5)
Craig S.
I hope the Palace Arms stays just like it is forever. What a treat, and kind of like going back in time. Service is superb, food is good to great, and really have nothing to complain about. The decor, thorughs me back to what i would think the 40's was like, and is so cool. Love the red leather booths, the lighting , everything! Little details like the Martinis, poured out of the little silver pitchers, the presentation of everything is well thought out & presented with loving care. Deserts are pretty good too, but ask for one of there famous macaroons at the end of your meal, another nice throwback touch! Pricing, not cheap, but since everything is so special worth the price and really no more than a high end steakhouse. For group special occasions, they have a cool private dining area I would love to book sometime.
(5)
Monica A.
It was an experience I won't repeat or recommend. If my bill was closer to $150 I would say it was good, not great. It definitely was not $600 good. The service was very friendly and attentive, but it does not make up for how marginal many of the courses and wine pairings were through the evening.
(2)
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Address :The Brown Palace,321 W 17th St
Denver, CO, 80202
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Stephanie L.
Yes, it's old school and a little stuffy, but what an amazing experience for a special occasion. Don't go in expecting to have a cheap or quick meal. If you go in expecting top-notch service and delicious food, you'll be happy. Honestly, I am so used to be rushed in and out of restaurants it did seem like there was a lot of time in between everything, but I kept having to remember.. this is a special occassion. I am enjoying my husband's company. What a nice date we are on for our 5th wedding anniversary. Deep breath and I stopped with the impatience! We splurged and got the 8-course tasting menu. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it, and it's not because of the price ($130 actually is reasonable for what you get) but because it's an inordinate amount of food to try to eat in one sitting. And it's not the kid of place where you ask for a doggy bag. Highlights of the meal were the fois gras - pairing it with cherries is brilliant, the Basque seafood soup (my personal favorite course), tableside caesar salad (I am a sucker for anything prepared tableside) and the bananas foster, also prepared tableside. The bison that is part of the Rossini was melt in your mouth delicious as well. As I mentioned the service was top-notch. Really, service should be like this everywhere. Lots of people always there to bring you whatver you need, refill your water, answer questions. I probably won't go back anytime soon but it's a must try for any special occasion!
(5)Jared K.
Unbelievably rude. We spent nearly 1.5 hours waiting for our entrees. When I politely indicated that we were ready for the food to be served the staff notified me that the location was a "fine dining" establishment. I'm well accustomed to paying over $1,000 for a meal, but not accustomed to second tier service combined with first tier snobbery. Only go here if you are interested in a 17th century British dining experience that takes a full three hours to have a full meal.
(1)Justine M.
Hands-down the best restaurant in Denver, and by far the best meal I've ever had anywhere. Yes, it's really expensive -- but for the first time ever, the entire experience was well worth it. Upon being seated and given a brief but informative history of the restaurant, the host brought us two glasses of Dom Perignon -- definitely a nice way start the night off right! We then enjoyed some delicious bread from an impressive selection and shared the crab cake, which came with a lemongrass-infused sauce and was fantastic. I also ordered a glass of a Super Tuscan (wish I could remember the name!) and enjoyed the description offered by the friendly sommelier -- they have an extensive wine list, and I was very happy with the choice I made! However, the bison steak that I ordered for an entree was the true star of the show. Oh. My. God. It was so amazing, I literally dreamed about it that night. I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but my boyfriend's lamb was delicious as well and he was very satisfied. We finished the meal with their signature Bananas Foster, which definitely didn't disappoint -- and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, our wonderful waiter brought out a dessert wine that paired perfectly with the bananas. Palace Arms defines the true meaning of a 5-star restaurant in every aspect of the term: impeccable service, stunning ambiance, and most importantly, incredible food. Looking forward to going back for the next special occasion!
(5)Mo R.
The filet mignon is just amazing and the service here is top notch !!! Just love this place over and over again !!!!
(5)Monica A.
It was an experience I won't repeat or recommend. If my bill was closer to $150 I would say it was good, not great. It definitely was not $600 good. The service was very friendly and attentive, but it does not make up for how marginal many of the courses and wine pairings were through the evening.
(2)Terri B.
The Palace Arms is in Downtown Denver. We all started off with the artichoke soup. The wait can be a little long but its worth it. The Filet Mignons were excellent. They also prepare your Caesar Salad right at the table. It was the 5 star experience I was hoping for.
(5)Mary S.
Just immaculate and outstanding!! My husband and I did some research on "top-notch" restuarants around Denver, since it will be our first time there and found this place. After reading lots of reviews, we thought we'd try this restaurant. This restaurant is worth every penny on food and service!! If you're looking for something simple, this is not the place, but if you're leaning toward a memorable evening, you should definitely go here. We were very impressed with the gentleman who seated us laying our napkins on our laps and moving the table side to side for seating access. The waiter handed us a novel of wine lists which was a little overwhelming but they covered each and every wine on this planet. However, thank goodness for Eric (sommelier), who was super knowledgeable on the wine list and was able to dial in our palates on what we wanted and then suggested wines we wouldn't even have thought about and ended up loving and drinking instead. We had the 8 course meal, due to celebration of our wedding anniversary and MBA graduation of my husband. It started off with a fresh and crisp lobster salad and ended with a table-side preparation of cherries jubilee-and since it was a special occasion, Eric stepped in again and suggested a great full-flavored Port that matched it perfectly. Everything was great about the restaurant and servers! The only disappointment was the deconstructed keylime pie, which was super tart and the sorbet hidden in the middle didn't match our taste well at all. I also have to commend the Chef who came out and said "hi" to us. It is very nice to meet who is cooking for you instead of always hiding behind the scenes. Overall it was a great experience! However, the next time we come back, we'll do the 5 course meal instead due to we checked in at 5:30 pm and didn't leave until 9:00 pm due to the long meal, but it was still worth every penny and experience!!!
(5)Tatyana M.
We visit Denver every year and after reading so many raving reviews finally went for dinner to this "legendary" place. It wasn't just a disappointment, It was a WOW disappointment!!! AMBIANCE: lot's of "glitter" and kind of "class" but bathroom does not have hand towels, so first time in my life in the hotel/restaurant of this caliber I had to dry my hands with toilet tissues. The dining room was dark and uninviting, so if it's called "old school dining" ambiance then I belong to the" new school" one. SERVICE: stuffy, but definitely not really professional. FOOD: not tasty at all, in some dishes over salted, in the case of fish overcooked, bland and all together BORING. Not even one dish hit the spot. VALUE: and that is the most disappointing factor. If this experience would happen in the regular restaurant with the regular prices of $50 to $60 p/p I would say OK, not a big deal and loss of money and time. BUT when you dare to charge $65 for a steak, when dinner for two cost is $200+ without drinks and you deliver nothing but disappointment, that's when I say it's not OK, it's a false and pretentious place, and I feel that I should warn people about it. Unless you are too wealthy and don't care about quality of the experience you are getting for your money I would say stay away from Palace Arm.
(1)Adam S.
I had my birthday dinner here, and I have to say that I was generally very pleased with the meal. This place is what I would describe as "old school elegant.". It has the feeling almost of another era (reminded me a bit of being in delmonicos in NYC). Service is very friendly. Love that they wear tuxedos (yep, it's that kind of place). As for the food, all of it was good and some of it was great. We opted for the 5 course tasting which basically gives you your choice of appetizer, soup, salad, entree, dessert. We had quite a few items, so for brevity's sake, I will suggest that if you dine here you should get the chestnut bisque and the filet Rossini. Both were exceptional dishes. Like I said earlier, all the dishes were good, but my least favorite of the night were the mushroom soup and the frisée salad. The prices here are expensive, but not exceptionally so. Bottom line is that you can get a high quality meal here for special occasions.
(5)Kelli S.
The food is great, not the best I've ever had, but very close. Service is above and beyond anything I've ever experienced. Highlight: bananas foster prepared tableside Lowlight: the bill (expensive, but not unexpectedly so) Overall I'd say totally worth it. I will probably go back for a special occasion at some point.
(4)Megan E.
This was honestly the best full meal I've ever eaten. That said, here's the details: We went for my 28th birthday - on 11/11/11. My DH had the reservation, then canceled it, since I told him we had spent too much, then re-booked it when I changed my mind (love that guy) - the restaurant was accommodating for all that changing. We decided to have the 5 course meal. Plus bread, plus amuse buche, plus intermezzo, plus little cookie and little chocolate at the check... We didn't know about all those extras but they were great. I started with the fois gras and my DH had the octopus - they did mix up at first and bring us both octopus but pointing that out was ok and the replacement was AMAZING! The next course was soup - DH had artichoke and I had tomato. My DH does NOT like soup - and he finished all but one small bite (my trial) very fast and loved it. The soup was rich and creamy and cheesy and great. My tomato soup was very cool - it had iced horseradish and tabasco mini balls and a clear consume.... at least I think that's what those things were ;-) The third course was salad - DH special ordered an arugula salad and they were able to get him something he really enjoyed. I had the beet salad - the flavors matched perfectly and I really enjoyed it. The fourth course, I had abalone and DH had bison steak - both were great and rich and hearty. I couldn't talk much, I was too busy enjoying my food - and by this point I was very full so I ate slower but it still was warm and great the whole time! The fifth course was dessert - I had the key lime "pie" and DH had the chocolate cake. The "pie" was AMAZING!!! I couldn't talk at all for the first few bites - just "mmmmm" and *big smiles* - I highly recommend trying this one! DH, who doesn't like key lime pie, also thought this was a fantastic dish. He also loved his cake - I had a bite and it was creamy and rich and chocolaty - great presentation too. We did not try wine or coffee - the reason we went was for the food. The bread options were all very good, I think the flatbread was my favorite - it was cheesy and crisp. Give yourself several hours (I think we took just over 2) and enjoy! If you want to mark a special occasion, tell them in advance. They were very quick with water, I ended up drinking a ton since they filled it up so fast I had no idea how much I'd had - the bathroom is near the front of the hotel, they will show you where it is the first time (if you go through the revolving doors, it's on your left right before the Tavern entrance)... I loved their little molecular gastronomy additions, the old world charm of the room, and the perfect merging of flavors - do yourself a favor and try this place out!
(5)gary w.
This was one of the finest dining experiences I have ever had. We ordered the 8 course tasting menu which was balanced and well prepared. The Caesar salad prepared table side, band bananas foster at the end were a real treat. Portion size was a bit big for a tasting menu, and we left 3 hours later completely stuffed, but the experience was fabulous.
(5)Emma C.
If you've got an evening where, for what ever reason, you want really great food, wine and service, where everything will be perfect and you're willing to pay for it, this is the place in Denver. I moved here via California from London and a few other places, and had a very dear Californian, former New Yorker, friend in town. We wanted to have a nice meal and a proper catch up. As I say, we're both Californian girls who when you offer us Russian River or French wine will chant Russian River before you've finished the sentence. Likewise $100 a head for two outstanding courses and great wine to us, while not cheap, is good value. Food and wine was great, indulgent and perfectly prepared and presented. But the standout was the service - brilliantly timed, charming, attentive. We had plenty of time to catch up, never felt we were interrupted and everything flowed effortlessly, which as we all know, takes enormous effort from the wait staff. The photographs don't really do it justice, the rooms have high ceilings and the decor, while clubby, is not overdone and it is very quiet. It was easy to hear my friend, and all I could hear of the other diners was a background murmur and the odd clink of cutlery. The booths add to an intimate feel and it's just a very easy space to be in.
(5)Sam G.
What a waste of money (and time). With a reservation we were seated. eventually a drink order was taken. 20 minutes later my martini arrived 1/2 spilled from the glass. The waiter was very uninterested in our 2 top. After two hours waiting for our $70 apiece filet wellingtons they finally arrive. I asked the manager if he was aware of our wait. Yes. "let me pour you a glass of B.V. Cab". I think BV Cab is about $13 bucks a bottle. No apology - no nothing. I'll never go back to this place again! Save your money and time and enjoy a good meal with good service somewhere else!!!!!!
(1)Samantha E.
You can't live in Denver without hearing stories of the Brown Palace. I was sure it would be amazing, but thought it couldn't possibly live up to the hype. But guess what? It did. The atmosphere and service are remnisent of "the good old days," and I now know why my 85-year-old aunt laments that going out to dinner just isn't like it used to be. I discovered this before we even walked in, when the valet not only ran around to open my car door, but offered his hand to help me out. This is my first experience of this other than in the movies. The lobby of the hotel is beautiful, with excellent service from the bar and a 3-man band playing music in the background. They also give all females a long-stem rose at the end of the night-- possible the classiest thing ever-- but I'm getting ahead of myself. The restaurant itself is exquisite. Our needs were anticipated (my fiance's dad's drink was never less than 1/4 full)-- at one point we counted seven servers for the fifteen or so tables that were there. The wine list is literally a book, complete with a table of contents. Of course, the food was amazing. The amuse bouche was a lobster salad, and it only went uphill from there. The onion rolls were to die for, and I would have had more bread but I decided to save room for everything else. The mushroom soup, creamy while cream-less and topped with lump crab, was one of the most amazing soups I've ever had. My fiancé loved the chestnut soup as well. For my entree I had the fish, which was perfectly cooked: crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, topped with a delicious garnish I didn't recognize and a wonderful light sauce, served with crispy risotto. Apparently the Wagyu beef and filet were fantastic as well. If you somehow have room for dessert, they're excellent (we tried the chocolate souffle-like one as well as the gelato), plus you're given some truffles and cookies at the end of the night. It's definitely a huge splurge, but Palace Arms is definitely deserving of its five stars, and worth experiencing without a doubt.
(5)Wayne S.
It was the five star experience I was hoping for. We arrived early, having done a little window shopping on the 16th street mall. We arrive about an hour before our reservation, so we sat in the hotel's foyer and admired the decor and holiday decorations. They had a very entertaining 3 man band, a pianist, drummer and cello player playing guests requests ranging from blues to jazz. We had a soda and ice tea and complimentary almonds while waiting, the drinks were a modest $7 but for the experience, was well spent. The staff was superb. Our waiter was incredibly nice, taking the time to cover the high-lights of many of the dishes and explaining the wine list to us. He checked on our progress the entire meal. We enjoyed the breads they served and a server brought over the tray several times prior to the main course. We never felt rushed and as my guest and I completed each course, the plates and utensils were replaced promptly for the next. Our waters were topped off, my friend even noted our glasses never were more than half empty before another top off. And we knew this was no tap water! Each dish was as visually exciting as they tasted. It was sheer joy to enjoy each bite and after that meal, you understand the concept of 'layers of flavors' within the meal itself. My friend and I ordered separate courses, we shared a crab cake appetizer, then he had the bisque while I had the Wild Mushroom soup. For the main courses, he had the fish (can't remember the name) and I had the Bison Filet (7 oz of pure nirvana). We each had a glass of wine with the main course. By the end of the meal we were full and as much as we liked, we didn't have room for the Banana's Foster but the couple seated next to us did, so we got to see the presentation. While the price was high, between the two of us, 1 appetizer, 2 soups, two entrees and two glasses of wine came to about $200 and with tip (25%) it was about the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, it was well worth the price. Our waiter even asked us if we needed to have our Valet Parking validated (we did) and offered to called ahead so our car was waiting outside the hotel when we left. If you're looking for the Five Star restaurant experience to check off your own personnel bucket list, this would be the place to go.
(5)Brian K.
I have been here twice and twice have had my socks totally blown off. Easily one of my favorite restaurants ever. Decor The place looks like a high end British pub exploded inside. Coats of arms, crowns, British painting, oh my! It's totally out of control, yet still elegant - I love it. Service Top notch. Just fantastic. See food for some more commentary. Food My wife and I are vegetarians and both times (once alone, once together) asked if they could do something special. I felt like a judge on Iron Chef with the unique creations they created. Let me be more specific - their Executive Sous Chef - Thanawat - is THE MAN. He told us to call ahead next time and give him 2-3 days notice. He would then make us an 8 course meal to whatever our needs (vegan/gf/etc) using ingrediants they would go out and purchase. What?! How amazing is this. I have never had a restaurant tell me this. Value You're getting Alex at the Wynn ($300/person) for well under $100. I don't think Denver has any idea how lucky they are!
(5)Bobby T.
I had low expectations for Palace Arms during restaurant week (It's a pretty limited menu), but was BLOWN AWAY by the service, atmosphere, and the food. Yes, we visited for RW 2010, and before we left I glanced at their menu online. You have a choice of 1 appetizer - Caesar Salad for 2 prepared tableside, 2 entrees - Salmon or Beef, and 2 desserts - Chocolate soup or macaroons. (In the case of the dessert there is really only 1 choice, because I'm not going to go to Palace Arms and just have cookies for dessert. It's just not happening.) Basically, I felt like I was going to a wedding, and I had to choose my main course - beef or fish? I had very low expectations because of the very few choices, and seeing as it was rated at 5 stars on Yelp, I had much cognitive dissonance going on in my head. I was also expecting the restaurant to be dead, being Tuesday night and all. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how busy the restaurant and lobby of The Brown Palace was. It was buzzing! We were seated and had to wait a few minutes before I could order my drink, but besides that wait we received very attentive service throughout the night. The Caesar salad for 2 prepared tableside was a little bit of show, and a lotta bit of delicious. I almost licked my plate, but then remembered where I was. Both me and my wife had the Beef offering for our main course. It was basically a deconstructed Beef Wellington, and it was out of this world! Topped with foie gras that had been pan seared to keep its shape and a beautifully flavorful demi-glace, the beef was cooked perfectly to my asking and juicy and tender to boot. Everything about this dish screamed luxury. It was plush. Finally, for dessert, Chocolate Soup! Oh, what a treat this was. I was intrigued when I saw it on the menu, and it totally delivered. You know the scene in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (The Gene Wilder one, not the Tim Burton one, although it had this scene too) when the winners first enter the factory and see the chocolate river? Ever since I first saw that when I was a kid I wanted to drink from that river, and Chocolate Soup finally let me live out that dream. Rich, velvety chocolate washed over my tongue in an explosion of perfect sweetness and chocolate. I had to peer into the kitchen to see if they had the chocolate river flowing through it, and if they did, I was planning to dive in. All in all, we had a wonderful evening at Palace Arms, and highly recommend them, especially for Restaurant Week.
(5)Melissa T.
So, unless it's so awful that I know I won't be back, I try to get to a place at least twice before reviewing. In this case, that means it's taken a year for me to have two trips to base a review on, because the Palace Arms is a fancy, special occasion place. I have been twice, both times on our anniversary. The first year everything was outstanding! The food was amazing, the service was impeccable. The second year was just a shade less impressive. The servers seemed hurried, and it was a bit of a let down from the year before, though the food was just as incredible. But overall it's still an outstanding experience and it's just fun to go somewhere super fancy to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)David T.
Well, just to state the obvious, this is a world class splurge, not a place to catch a weeknight bite. Arguably, it is the most elegant dining destination in Colorado. Some might prefer the Broadmoor or the Flagstaff House, but the Palace Arms is really in a class by itself, IMO. The history of the hotel and the Palace Arms is long an interesting and the list of former guests is formidable indeed. I think it is one of the loveliest formal dining room I've ever been in. Some may find it excessively formal though and may not be comfortable here. Until quite recently men were required to wear a coat and tie, and, I certainly still do. Waiters in tuxes, flawless formal service (some table side - Caesar salad, steak tartare, bananas foster, etc.). This is fine dining at it's most luxurious and professional. It has been an educational institution for decades, in the sense that many young people received valuable lessons about how to negotiate the intricacies of the high end dining experience without making total rubes of themselves. On our last visit, they were at the top of their game. It was a magical evening. Totally gracious staff and exquisite food and wine. From the first bite of their homemade Melba toast (created here) to the last nibble of their house made macaroons. They offer a number of tasting menus with wine pairings but we ordered a la carte this time. We were four celebrating a birthday, so, I'll only mention the dishes I had since this really isn't the sort of place you pass plates around. Started with the Abalone (you never see it anymore and, when, on the rare occasions that it shows up - I'm a goner). Their preparation included green peppercorns, pistachios, artichokes and parm - totally decadent and delish, Considered sharing a Caesar as others in the group did but decided to save room for a hearty main and dessert, of course. Entree choices are fairly limited but cover all the bases - scallops, halibut, chicken pot pie (not your mom's), lamb loin, bison, and Kobe short ribs. Oh, what to do? Ended up with the very succulent lamb loin served with rye spaetzle, fennel sauerkraut and a Gruyere frico. Finished up with, what else? - the bananas foster. Can we all say oink? We did some severe damage with the wine list as well. It is huge and heavily French. Started with a terrific white bordeaux followed by two (yes, two) bottles of Rauzan-Segla Margaux. Others may have even had a cognac but I was getting fuzzy by this point. I was not too fuzzy to note that the check for this little extravagance was in excess of $1200 plus gratuities. Probably a little more than half of that was the wine though, so you don't have to take out a second mortgage. But still, not for the faint of wallet. I wasn't paying - thank god. If you really want to pull out all the stops, or if your wealthy Aunt Ethel is in town and wants to treat, by all means get all gussied up and hit the town in high style.
(5)Dave F.
This is a rating that includes service and food quality, but not value. The service is excellent. They really make you feel special. I ordered the four-course menu: crab appetizer, bouillabaisse, ribeye with potato cake, and brownie dessert. The crab and ribeye were excellent. I could have done without the sauce on the ribeye, but it wasn't bad. The soup and brownie were fine, but not outstanding. The ability of the chef was excellent and presentation was impressive as well. The problem is I don't think the food is worth the price. The four-course menu is $85. I've had much better steak + soup dinners for about $50 or $60. So I wouldn't come back. But I had a gift certificate. And it was an enjoyable time.
(4)JC C.
Very disappointed after all the rave reviews posted here. Went for my birthday last night. Price to Quality ratio very poor. $$$$ - Amazing Hawaiian cod, good tasting but swimming in sauce. Isn't lesson one in fine cuisine to not cover up the flavor of a wonderful piece of fish or meat but to enhance it? Same with my husbands steak - absolutely swimming in goop. He was shoving it all off to get to the meat below. Good service, if you like 5 people breathing down your neck. One guy - I guess the waiter who only serves the beer - talked incessantly about all he knows about beer. Nice guy, but please leave us alone. If the price tag had not been $170 for two people I wouldn't be as upset... but it was. I will say the beer and my wine were both excellent.
(2)Stan L.
my wife and i came for dinner and got the degustation menu.. i had mine paired with wine.. the food was impeccable and their wine selection paired perfectly with the meal.. i've had better food at michelin star restaurants and better wines in Napa.. but their pairing of food and wine blew me away.. it is easily one of the best meals my wife and i have shared together... although i had high expectations for this restaurant.. i was still completely blown away.. service was of course excellent and well deserved of my large tip
(5)Brittany V.
This is a very classical dining experience; by that, I mean it reminds me of an experience you may have in a traditional French restaurant or at an upscale restaurant in the 50's. They don't really do it like this anymore, which depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. Staff/Service--5 stars. Attentive, polite, and genuinely interested in making sure that you are enjoying yourself and your food. Keep in mind though, this is a dining service meant to be enjoyed over about 2 hours, so don't arrive starving and ready to chow down. It's going to be a while. Ambiance/Style--3 stars. It's an interesting room. Much smaller than I expected it to be, and I'm surprised they keep the lighting so high. I would expect the chandeliers to be dimmed for dinner. This is a very traditional room, some kind of cross between an early 1900's library or parlor room. Lots of dark wood, interesting wallpaper, and flags everywhere. It's not in any way modern, and it feels like the last thought to decor might have been in the 60's. Food--3 stars. This is a very classic dinner menu. As a vegetarian, I'm disappointed in the lack of options. Yes, it's a traditional place, but come on, this is also Denver we're talking about. I can't imagine that it would be too hard to throw in some kind of pasta dish just to keep the vegetarians satisfied. As such, my option was either to forget an entree, or have the chef "throw together" what he could in the kitchen, which sounded like it would be a veggie plate. I passed on the entree and got a soup, salad, and dessert. My soup, the parsnip, (2 stars) was on the whole okay, but the candied ginger was really really sweet and kind of threw me off. The Lyonnaise (sp?) salad (sans bacon) was surprisingly good and I wish I'd had a bit more (3 stars). For dessert, I shared the pina colada, sticky toffee pudding, and fudge brownie with my husband. The fudge brownie was very forgettable and had a strange taste (1 star). The pina colada was deconstructed (the most modern thing I saw on the menu), but not very tasty (2 stars). The sticky toffee pudding was the most promising, but didn't scream "amazing" (3 stars). This might be a place that you just have to experience once to say you've done it, depending on your tastes. As a more modern cuisine/foodie kind of girl, it wasn't my taste, style, or in my palette wheelhouse. Ultimately, I think the food is pretty hit and miss, and with prices like this, I think that's enough to keep me away.
(3)Tre S.
Amazing. Super good. Great service. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. A definite must!
(5)Eddy S.
A lot of buck for your bang! I don't bat an eye at pricey joints like this as long as they live up to their bill. Palace Arms does. A bit more traditional than I care for, every dish was perfectly executed and the service outstanding.
(5)Kevin S.
We had the 4 course tasting with wine pairing. The pairing were excellent! Food was delicious, service excellent! My bouillabaisse was only lukewarm however . Other than that, a very enjoyable evening.
(4)Kyle G.
It hard to find a true fine dining restaurant now days (dress code, proper ingredients, over the top service). So glad places like this are still around.
(5)V B.
Wow Denver! Color me impressed! I must admit, even after reading all the glowing reviews I still had my doubts. The menu appeared uninspired and lacking any creativity, but I'm easy going ok? I went with the flow and just thought to myself that this would be just another business dinner with the hopes of helping closing one last deal for 2010. This restaurant is situated right smack in the middle of a large downtown hotel. For those of you back in San Francisco, think St. Francis. I am anti Michael Minna and am grateful he moved his flagship restaurant out of the hotel and to Aqua's old space, but now I am rambling. You get the point. In theory, a 5 star restaurant that sits inside of a hotel is typically a red flag for me but this time it delivered and exceeded my expectations. We arrived via a cramped taxi ride from our hotel and dropped off in front of the Brown Palace Hotel. We walk inside and were greeted to a beyond festive holiday decorated lobby complete with a giant tree and hanging decorations that were tastefully dangling about the room. Soothing piano player in the far right corner playing familiar holiday tunes which immediately made me forget of the high stress work day. Tucked away in the corner is the Palace Arms, greeted immediately by name and taken to our table. The champagne cart arrived soon after which offered up a complimentary glass of Billecart Salmon brut rose. An amuse bouche appeared that included a slice of salmon over a basil leaf. There was no silverware in sight so we all used our hands and inhaled one of the most amazing tasting pieces of fish I have ever tasted. The champagne was the perfect compliment and much appreciated. After a few minutes our server introduced himself and recited the menu along with a detailed description of each dish. My mouth was watering as explained each preparation and the recommended wine pairing with each course. Our potential customer at this point says loudly "I have never eaten at a place like this, can you help me". Awkward? not in the least. Our server was beyond professional and took him under his wing and started probing and asked questions about foods and drink that he likes. Turns out, he is not a wine drinker but does love his cocktails and within a few minutes crafted a five course dinner complete with 5 different cocktails that would match each of his courses. I can go on and on just how amazing this place is and I feel like I am rambling right now but you people in Denver need to realize just how truly special this place is. Everything from the service to the wine list to the food to the finishing touches. Attention to detail is practiced here to perfection. I am not a coffee drinker, but at the end of the evening I witnessed some oohhs and awes to how good the coffee was. Coffee may be for closers but port is for tall lanky dorky guys who secretly want hot cocoa.
(5)Craig S.
I hope the Palace Arms stays just like it is forever. What a treat, and kind of like going back in time. Service is superb, food is good to great, and really have nothing to complain about. The decor, thorughs me back to what i would think the 40's was like, and is so cool. Love the red leather booths, the lighting , everything! Little details like the Martinis, poured out of the little silver pitchers, the presentation of everything is well thought out & presented with loving care. Deserts are pretty good too, but ask for one of there famous macaroons at the end of your meal, another nice throwback touch! Pricing, not cheap, but since everything is so special worth the price and really no more than a high end steakhouse. For group special occasions, they have a cool private dining area I would love to book sometime.
(5)Kathleen M.
Wow! I was so blown away by every aspect of our experience at the Palace Arms. I had mentioned, on opentable.com , that it was our anniversary and my husband graduated with his masters degree. Upon being greeted at the entrance, the hostess congratulated us on both events. We were seated and I was given a rose. Through out the night, every staff member came to our table to congratulate us. The service was impeccable. So here is what we ordered....at the recommendation of our waiter, we ordered the smoked pheasant soup. Get this soup. It was voted one of the top 100 dishes to have in Denver. It is creamy, smokey and delicious. For our main courses, I got the scallops. They were perfectly done. Perfect portion size. Beautiful presentation. My husband got the sea bass. Perfect, again. We split their "interpretation" of cheesecake. It involved bites of cheesecake with several different types of sauce. Strawberry, chocolate, lime, etc. At the end of the meal, they also served us homemade macaroons. The whole experience far exceeded our expectations. I hope we have a reason to celebrate soon, so that we can come back! Definitely a place for special occasions.
(5)Sam R.
To die for. I dined alone, but they made me feel like a queen. I had the best foie gras of my life, which i can only describe as grilled warm mouse with a glass of sherry. For dinner, the bison filet mignon. I couldn't finish everything. The food was intoxicating. The clientele stuffy and conservative. I did feel like I had returned to the set of Sunset boulevard, a dining room in someone's forgotten palace. Plan to pay a pretty penny, but it's worth it.
(5)Matt D.
The food was good, but not excellent. They tend to down their food in sauces. Service started out great, but as the meal went along the service went down to the point I felt forgotten about & no they were not busy. They did have a very cool wine list.
(4)Josh T.
Hands down the single best dining experience I've ever had. As mentioned in the other reviews it is pricey but that should be fully expected and is worth every penny IMHO. The service was professional, efficient, and pleasant. I overheard our waiter telling on of his other tables that he'd been at Palace Arms over 11 years. That is a lot table side ceaser salads and bananas foster, both of which were expertly made for us and were delicious. The Foie Gras was excellently prepared as was the Buffalo Rossini. My wife had the Wyagu Beef that was also incredible. The only thing that I didn't absolutely love was the lobster bisque, I felt it was average for lobster bisque. My wife had the Consomme and said it was fantastic. The atmosphere is impressive as they have art and other paraphernalia that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, pieces that should literally be in museums. You can't go wrong with the Palace Arms or really anywhere at the Brown Palace for any occasion.
(5)brewgirl b.
Amazing food and service. The restaurant was not busy at all the night we went (we were the only table for the first hour), and the staff was great. They told us about the restaurant's history, and were very funny and engaging. And what a history the room has--LOTS of authentic, museum quality Napoleonic relics. The seafood was delish! Wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a plane to catch, and they sped up the service without sacrificing service. All in all, a great way to end our Denver trip!
(5)Irina N.
My boyfriend and I went to Palace Arms on Wednesday to celebrate our anniversary. We chose the Five Course Tasting Menu and each had a drink. I had: Loch Duart Salmon appetizer, Wild Mushroom soup, Ceasar salad (made tableside), Diver Scallops and I can't remember the name of my dessert, but it was basically a chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. I also tried (off my bf's plate): cheese sandwich, chestnut bisque and sorbet. The Five Course Tasting Menu portions are rather small, but if you eat all 5 courses plus a piece of bread with butter and have a drink, then you most likely will be full. Personally, I was full by the end of the dinner and I really like to eat : ) The service was excellent. There was a number of people coming to our tables delivering food and silverware, refilling our glasses, etc. We received a lot of attention. The food was very good too. I loved everything that I ordered. My bf's cheese sandwich was good, but it's basically a grilled cheese sandwich. I did enjoy my bf's dessert better than mine though. It was one scoop of berry sorbet, one scoop of lemon sorbet and a few berries. It was the best sorbet I have ever had in my life. I "helped" my bf with eating his sorbet ; ) Overall, this place is very classy and has fancy and delicious food. It is very spendy too. Expect to spend $200 for a dinner for two. It is a special occasion type of a place. I would love to come back for another dinner. You can also have Classic Banana Foster prepared tableside for you. They flambe the dessert (set it on fire) tableside. A table next to mine ordered this dessert and it was an interesting experience. I would like to try this next time.
(5)Subin J.
I haven't been here for the last...8 months? or so because I really don't have any girl who's special enough to go with, but I'm going to write a review anyway. This restaurant is probably in the top 5 in metro DEN area. I'm not going to specifically comment on quality of food / service because 5* usually means they were outstanding. If Michelin ever decides to publish their guide in Denver (which I kinda doubt), this restaurant might be able to get 1 star. Also, if you happen to be one of those who has either Amex Cent / Plat, you have a better chance of scoring reservations at the last minute as Palace Arms is one of the participating restaurants in DEN with Amex's Concierge, although it is not 100% guaranteed.
(5)Laura L.
I would give 4 1/2 if it was an option...really a beautiful experience. First off, just want to say that the service, food, and presentation are all top notch. However, I am not a fan of the atmosphere...a bit too much Disney's haunted mansion if you ask me. We went for a double celebration of my parents' anniversary and my grandma's 85 birthday. We had two pescetarians (myself included) and someone who is gluten intolerant in our party. Our server was knowledgeable and quick to recommend some options and steer us away from others. The meal began with a light amuse bouche (brie with cherry tomato, olive, and balsamic reduction for me). We ordered a bottle of an incredibly beautiful pinot noir from Germany to share for the table and then the meal began. Wow...I started with the hierloom lettuce salad...all the veggies were beautifully cooked (tender but with some crunch) and the dressing was modest and light. I then had the Market Fish (Black Cod) which was tender and flaky with lovely gnocchi's perfectly seared, pine nuts, olives, crab, and blood orange. My father got the ribeye and said it was the best piece of meat he has EVER had. We finished with two deserts shared between the table (play on banana split and dark cherry chocolate cake)...no one was speaking other than the murmur of "yummmm"s across the table. It was a beautiful experience (3 hours total) with some very incredible food. Our check came out to about $470 for 5 people and totally worth it.
(4)alison s.
The Palace Arms restaurant in the Brown Palace Hotel is perhaps the last bastion of luxury dining left in Denver. The dining room evokes the feeling of old money and the kind of civility that has long been left behind by more modern establishments. I found this grand dining room to be a treasure. The lighting is dim but not dark. On every wall there are beautiful antique flags and prints. But, don't let the antiques mislead you; this restaurant may have kept it's fin de siecle flair, but the food is very progressive. The chef is one-of-a-kind as he infuses time honored dishes like lamb medallions and crab cakes with subtle asian flavors. He even came to our table twice to chat and ask how we liked the food. It was that kind of attention that we really appreciated. Moreover, I can't remember the last time I had a caesar salad prepared tableside and it's probably the best caesar I've ever had - well balanced, subtle lemon flavor and crispy. The staff is cordial and helpful without being the least bit stuffy. And, did I mention that you do not need a jacket? If you have a very special occasion, do not hesitate to put the Palace Arms on your short-list of places to go. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Cara M.
This is one of the most amazing places I have been. First off, the service was impeccable. Very kind and knowledgeable. Ask for a tour of the State Room and you'll get a rundown of a unique, one of a kind (well two of a kind, the other is in the White House) mural, as well as information regarding the authentic Napoleonic art art and artifacts such as Josephine's and Napoleaon's dueling pistols. It is pricey though, the food isn't too bad if you stick to the starters and they have the most amazing wine collection, but my husband and I were memorializing his grandmother who had recently passed away so the price was worth it. I mean the food is absolutely worth it but don't go expecting to spend less than $50/person, although you could get a good dinner for $30 if you ordered carefully. The food is amazing and everything on the menu was was perfect, the chef has a ton of skill and is adventuresome which I like. He also accommodated my vegetarian request. My husband had the chefs choice tasting menu as did I so for me I had a unique dish when the fois gras and pate courses arrived. It was awesome, some of the best vegetarian food I have ever had. Risotto, green salads, croquet with tofu, mixed grain salads, tomato soup with this outstanding crouton, fresh baked bread, sorbet, wine jelly, every flavor was perfect. We couldn't actually finish all eight courses so I took some home and ate it the next day cold for breakfast and it was still good. Almost better :) We returned the next night to have the bananas fosters, which if you go for no other reason go for this. The experience is worth the entire $600 tab. Which is high even if you account for the two amazing bottles of wine, which we also didn't finish and took to go. Seriously, $600. I have never paid that much for anything. Ever. Although I technically didn't pay for it, it was a gift. One of the nicest things anyone has done for me. If this place ever opens for lunch and does a happy hour, go regularly. It's amazing.
(5)Coral E.
My husband and I dined at Palace Arms last night for our first anniversary. We had dined here before selecting the Brown as our wedding venue, but last night's meal exceeded our already high expectations. We ordered the 5-course tasting menu, starting off with a shrimp and polenta amuse bouche. My husband had the short ribs appetizer and I had the steak tartare, which was prepared table side to perfection. We each had the tomato soup, which included a centerpiece of ricotta and watermelon on a crostini, and the Caesar salad also prepared table side. As entrees, he ordered the lamb and I had the bison Rossini, a filet of bison served with seared foie gras and a truffle Bernaise sauce and a Demi glacé on the bottom. Each dish we had was prepared beautifully and cooked perfectly. The service was impeccable-- my water glass was never less than 3/4 full and the sommelier was helpful, patient, and so friendly. Our waiter Roy was pleasant, accommodating, and made the dining experience enjoyable. Overall, I think this is one of the best, if not THE best, dining experiences in Denver. Be prepared to take at least 2-3 hours for dinner, as it's certainly part of the experience to enjoy the atmosphere, sip cocktails, and have multiple courses. This restaurant is the perfect dining experience for a special occasion, and I can't recommend it enough. It was a beautiful and special meal, and we will certainly back time and time again.
(5)Albert T.
Loved the ambiance, food and wine selections. Everything was to perfection. I would definitely go back!
(5)Desiree P.
Wow. This place is amazing. We celebrated our anniversary here last night because we had our wedding here and to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at this restaurant was free. Yes people, free!! The service was great...there was one slip up and that was our appetizer was completely forgotten...but, they ended up bringing it out with an apology...not sure if this was due to the fact we were the only hispanics in a room full of white old people...but, either way, the food and overall service was so good, all was forgiven. My husband had the bison and he said it was the best piece of meat he's ever had. Ever. The chefs seem to be very creative. They brought out this brie cheese with some kind of preserves on it and a kind of pepper and beautiful spices...anyway, it was a small little piece but so delicious!! They brought out our cake topper for dessert; yes, they recreated our cake from the wedding!! This little detail made us feel very special and had us reminiscing of the greatest day. Can't wait to go back. This will definitely be our anniversary tradition from now on.
(5)Jessica D.
This is a place to celebrate a special occasion. Be ready to splurge. The ahi tuni appetizer I had was quite possibly the best dish I have ever eaten *in my life*. It was one of those things where with every bite you are saying "This is unbelievable." Then on to the bison with foie gras . . . very rich. Finally, the chocolate soup. They brought us freshly baked macaroons to go with it (make sure you ask for those if they don't)-- another amazing experience. I'll be honest, I did feel a twinge of buyer's remorse when I saw the bill, but for two of the best dishes I've ever eaten, at a romantic dinner with a handsome man in an opulent setting, it was definitely worth it.
(5)Samantha M.
My parents and i went here 2 years ago, it was fabulous - they did a 7 course tasting menu with wine, i did a 4 course. the buffalo that my dad got was outstanding and i got a take on a reuben with lamb that was beyond delicious!
(5)Ken W.
Everything about this place screams expensive. From the moment you pull up to their valet service, the people are friendly and ready to satisfy your every desire. The head guy was extremely polite to me and my gf. It was her birthday and I only mentioned it in passing when I was making the reservation. He remembered right when we got there and wished my gf a happy birthday as we were walking in the door. Next, we are taken to a nice table there there is a long stem rose sitting on the plate for my beautiful date. The inside is pretty dark and almost has a gloomy atmosphere but it's brightened up by all the pleasant servers. You get a nice selection of bread. I ended up ordering the 8 course meal while my girlfriend got the 4 course one. Since there is such a huge discrepency in the amount of courses, they gave her a few free courses from my menu. That was extremely kind of them since it would have been weird for her to sit there for half the meal watching me eat. The head chef came out and helped serve our meal to us and explain how it was cooked. The presentation was also fantastic. Everything is extremely rich and tasteful. Finally, I had one of their signature desserts, the banana foster. This was prepared table side. Describing it would be a disservice. Definitely a great place to celebrate on special occasions.
(5)Ray R.
This was a fabulous dining experience. Not for those in a hurry. Wonderful for spending time with somebody important. For our visit they hit it out of the park. Service and food were outstanding. Again, this is fine dining, which is unhurried and gives you time to spend with your companions. No 16 oz. steak, but portion size is more than adequate. We had the 5 course tasting meal it was outstanding.
(5)Jess K.
This is a very fancy restaurant and has a lot of history. Do not go here if you want modern surroundings, but if you want an old fashioned high end atmosphere this is the place for you. I have to say I was kind of disappointed with the food. It wasn't bad, but the prices are definitely not justified. You are pretty much paying for the service and location of being in the Brown Palace hotel. One of the servers did a table-side ceasar and for dessert had also did Banana's foster. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal and the very nice gentleman knew a ton of history about the hotel and restaurant which was very cool. I had the french onion soup which I didn't care for, as it was not the traditional style I love ($12). It had good flavor but I like it prepared the traditional way so I was a little let down when it came out. The duck was good but nothing I would go out of my way to get again, and especially not for $38 (the cheapest entree on the menu). They do have an amazing wine selection that looks more like a large encyclopedia.
(4)Terri B.
The Palace Arms is in Downtown Denver. We all started off with the artichoke soup. The wait can be a little long but its worth it. The Filet Mignons were excellent. They also prepare your Caesar Salad right at the table. It was the 5 star experience I was hoping for.
(5)Leanna C.
Not only is this a really unique restaurant but the food is incredible! I was extremely skeptical of this restaurant because I have never heard of anyone going here. It is definitely a hidden gem. To start you absolutely MUST get the table side Caesar salad, if you can ignore the pricey $34 (for two salad) price it is well worth it. They make everything in front of you and you can truly taste a difference. This is now my favorite salad in Denver. I ordered the sea scallops and was gravely disappointed, they were far too salty but not inedible. In their defense the waitress we had did warn us of the scallops extremely salty nature. The reason this gets a 5 star is because of the filet. Without a doubt, hands down, the BEST filet I have EVER had. It was so buttery and creamy and just ultimately dreamy. If you do not get the filet when you come here you are missing out.
(5)Shinwook P.
Hear me out, this is a fun story. So, my friend and I went on a road trip to Colorado for some backpacking in the mountains and exploring the cities. Since we were on the road for most of the time (we drove all the way from Washington state) and we were camping/backpacking most of our nights, we were eating bland food like PB&J, muffins, granola bars, etc. When we got to Denver, we wanted to treat ourselves and eat somewhere super fancy. So after some research, we chose the Palace Arms at The Brown Palace Hotel and made a reservation. We dressed up as fancy as we could in our dress shirt, pants, belt, and tie (all from H&M) and drove over to the location. Please note that we are broke college students. We walked in and when we were seated, we quickly realized that we were probably the youngest people there by a couple decades. We clearly stood out haha. But the waiters and the servers all treated us like we were Nobel winners or something. They made us feel special, and that is always good. The food was amazing too. Since we are poor college students, we had never been to a restaurant this fancy before. We probably didn't even pronounce half the items on the menu right. We admitted that to our server, and she was polite, without judgment, and gave us recommendations. We ended up sharing the House Fresh Ricotta as the appetizer. It was delicious. The toy-box tomato was so good! For entree (we skipped the salad and soup since we couldn't afford a four course meal), I got the Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast. Probably the fanciest and the best tasting food I've ever had. The portions were bigger that I imagined too! I know that most "fancy" restaurants give a small piece of meat and call it $80. But the entree I had was $39 and the portions weren't way out of range. Overall, the experience was epic. We felt special and we felt badass. So after the meal, we walked around downtown in our H&M dressy outfits and felt even more badass. Hope you enjoyed reading this review. If you go to Denver and you can afford to eat at a fancy restaurant (or be tragically epic poor college students like us), then you have to go check this place out. Fun fact: every president has stayed at The Brown Palace since its opening besides Coolidge and Obama. Come on, Barack. You still have about 2 more years to change that.
(5)Monica A.
It was an experience I won't repeat or recommend. If my bill was closer to $150 I would say it was good, not great. It definitely was not $600 good. The service was very friendly and attentive, but it does not make up for how marginal many of the courses and wine pairings were through the evening.
(2)Tim T.
Had dinner here last night with friends visiting from Santa Fe. Dinner was fantastic, service was wonderful, our server Kendra made the night very special. She even took the time to answer some specific question I had in regards to the history of the bldg and she showed us a few special pieces in the dining room. 3 of us had the catch which was Haddock, AMAZING! My partner had the duck breast and it look delish! If you are looking for a special dinner for a special evening, I highly recommend the Brown Palace. We already are planning our next visit.
(5)Kelli S.
The food is great, not the best I've ever had, but very close. Service is above and beyond anything I've ever experienced. Highlight: bananas foster prepared tableside Lowlight: the bill (expensive, but not unexpectedly so) Overall I'd say totally worth it. I will probably go back for a special occasion at some point.
(4)Lizi C.
My recent meal at the Palace arms was probably the most memorable and excellent meals that I have had in a long time. We had a small party in the private dining room (Independence Room) which was the perfect venue. It was in celebration of our wedding. The staff was so polite and really went out of their way to make it a nice evening and make us feel special. The ambiance was perfect. It feels very intimate and classic. The Brown Palace has a very rich and interesting history. You should read about it. brownpalace.com/About-th… As for dinner we had a pre-fix menu to choose from. The filet mignon was the stand out item on the menu. I tried the pork medallions which were also excellent. I didn't try the fish, but was told it was cooked to perfection. The appetizers were excellent as well. The quality of the food and overall presentation of the food was excellent. When dining at the Palace Arms, you feel like you are stepping back into a more classic time which is something that is quite unique and refreshing. We had them prepare us a wedding cake (chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache). It was absolutely splendid. I can't think of a more perfect restaurant in Denver for a special occasion. I'm so glad we decided to have our special celebration in the Palace Arms. The Brown Palace will forever be a really special place to us. The hotel is rich with Denver History and now is an important part of our own personal history. Both my husband and I are excited to come back for future anniversary dinners and special occasions. I highly recommend a meal in the Palace Arms for a very memorable, special and delicious dining experience. Thank you Brown Palace and the staff at the Palace Arms for a truly incredible evening. Our experience is something that we will always remember and is very dear to our hearts.
(5)Tim F.
Fairly disappointed. Had dinner Christmas Eve's eve before a show at the performing arts center, we were staying at the hotel and decided to give it a go. AMBIANCE: Kind of fun, it's definitely old school. The booths were lovely and well separated. I'd give an A on this point. SERVICE: Confusing. I've eaten at many a fine dining establishment and never had this slow/inattentive service. Our waiter asked us at the start if we had plans he should keep in mind for pacing, and we told him we had to be at the show in 2 hours. He said we wouldn't be able to do the 4-course meal (we barely did 2). Now, we were the 3rd table seated and ordered right away. 2 hours for 2 courses? I mean, I like to savor my food, but this was slow by any stretch. I'm fairly sure my waiter actually made my cocktail himself, it took 15 minutes while he was doing that before we could order. Just weird. FOOD: We had squash soup followed by Branzino with a vegetable risotto, and tuna crudo followed by their specialty Bison Rossini. Both apps were quite good, the tuna in particular was super fresh and well prepared. My Rossini was great, but it was also kind of throwing every expensive ingredient at a plate, how could it not be? The branzino was...fine, the lemon butter sauce ....ok, but the vegetable risotto was visually off, and the vegetables tasted frozen. I can make better risotto. Despite of this I'd call the food "good, but boring". They're not breaking any new ground here, just preparing old specialties well (with the exception of the risotto). VALUE: Ridiculous. 2 courses, 1 cocktail, and 1 glass of wine = $199. Come on.
(3)Sergio R.
Amazing food and service! Pasta, pork cheeks, salmon and steak were amazing and perfectly cook. They even give a rose to my girlfriend at the end of the meal. Thank u for the great evening.
(5)Wesley S.
Me and my friend road tripped to Colorado, and after eating "road trip" food for a few days we decided we need some real food. That combined with the fact that neither of us had ever eaten very fancy, we decided to try something new and eat at the Palace Arms restaurant. After dressing up in our fanciest H&M clothes we decided to try and look like royalty and eat where not many young college students venture. So the adventure began. As soon as we walked up we knew we didn't belong here, but we decided to pull out every ounce of manners that we had ever learned from our mothers. When we sat down we instantly were treated like VIP's. We were checked on by about 5 different people throughout the night and everybody was extremely polite and made sure we were taken care of! As far as food goes, it was possibly the best thing my taste buds have ever experienced. I got the "loin of lamb" and I couldn't tell you any of the ingredients other than it had Lamb in there, mixed with a variety of extravagant combinations. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for a classy night out!
(5)Lea B.
This update is a little behind since we were there again over the Christmas holidays so the Brown Palace had all of their holiday decorations and it was very festive. The food again was incredible. We wanted to try it again since we heard there was a chef change but everything was delish. Their signature dish the Rossini was just as we remembered it. We brought friends this time and they were equally impressed. One of them decided to go with the wine pairing and thought the sommelier was spot on with her pairings. I don't know why this place isn't mentioned anywhere but it truly is a hidden gem. And if you get over the "stuffy" atmosphere the food and service is incredible.
(5)Jonathan H.
The palace arms feels like the kind of restaurant your grandfather saved paycheck for so that he could propose to your grandmother. It has a unique old school atmosphere that is complimented with fabulously rich and heavy flavors. Inside the stylishly old Brown Palace hotel is the Palace Arms, that has a 19th century European motif that gives it a special charm, setting it apart from the typical high end Denver restaurant. I had the tasting menu that started with pressed pork, followed by the table side Caesar salad, entree of Rossini and dessert of Creme Brûlée. The pressed pork was so so, prepared a lot like pressed duck it is pan fried crispy pork belly. It didn't do anything special for me and I've had much better pork belly elsewhere. Table side Caesar was well done with a perfect consistency and flavor, aside from the cheesy jokes by the server. The Rossini was absolutely perfect! Served with rapinni (spellcheck) and Demi glaze, topped with a piece of foie gras. I have to say that the foie was a bit over the top and didn't add anything new to the dish but I mean it's foie gras on a steak so I can't really complain. The meal was excellently crafted and I could taste the slightest of details, like the Demi glaze's rich stocky flavor, or the rich fatty egg yolk in the salad. The Palace Arms is an amazing experience that takes old flavors and stylized atmosphere to a new level.
(5)Dawn F.
I went to the Palace Arms on a romantic dinner date. There is an old world sensibility to the service provided. Between entering the restaurant and leaving, there were approximately 5 people who helped us. The water glasses never went empty and the silverware was replenished after each course. To boot, they seated us away from the other tables, and managed to keep us separate from other diners, so we had a secluded meal. It really felt like we were in our own world. When I ordered beer on tap, my server didn't blink. He went to the bar in the Brown Palace to get what I asked for. After he approached us to see if we knew what we wanted, and realized we were in the midst of conversation, our server simply let us know ("Don't stop holding hands!) to place our menus in a particular place on the table so he'd know we were ready. Yes. That's how the service was the whole time. They make you feel special. We ordered the four course tasting menu. The food was delicious, and they did a commendable job finding suitable items for my boyfriend who is vegetarian. There were delicious flavors, such as Meyer lemon beurre blanc served with the yummy tofu and veggie dish. My steak was cooked as ordered and tender. At the end of the night, we finished with bananas foster, a theatrical and fun end to our meal. Our server brought me a rose, apparently a tradition that they have to give each female guest a flower at the end of the meal. The rose stayed beautiful in my house for almost two weeks. It was a great experience. I would recommend them for a very special occasion without reservation.
(5)Catharine W.
meh... I would say they are resting on their laurels. We were taken to lunch for business. The room is old-school lovely. We were greeted with surliness when we were a bit late for the reservation (though the room was nearly empty...) Ordered a salmon-topped salad. Veggies were over cooked, fish a bit undercooked. Overall, it was underwhelming and bland. Not recommended.
(3)Jamie W.
Since we did a trendy dinner on our first night in Denver, I wanted to go the more traditional route for dinner #2. Most of the Yelp reviews have it right. It's definitely a special occasion restaurant... it's a little old school... don't expect a quickie meal by any means. We opted NOT to do the prix fixe and instead ordered a la carte because honestly, it just sounded like so much food. I started with the artichoke soup and then had the veal saltimbocca for my entree. Both dishes were superb. I had never had saltimbocca before and am glad I gave it a try. It was a little too thick cut for my taste (for whatever reason I thought it was served pounded - my mistake) but the flavor was good. Impressive wine catalogue. We started with a California sparkling and then shared a California red. It's funny how we always tend to lean toward California wines... The real standout of the meal was when the chef came over to check on us... not once, but twice! Sometimes the chef comes to your table at other restaurants and it comes off a tad phony. Not here. Chef Thanawat Bates is a genuine guy, very friendly and the way he described the desserts to us... I'm surprised I didn't order all of them! The desserts are classics but deconstructed, if that makes any sense at all... for example, we ordered the key lime pie. It comes in a parfait dish. There is some crunch on the bottom which is warm but the filling is warm and cold at the same time. It was beyond amazing (see the picture). The service was impeccable. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. Dress up for sure! I loved the red rose I received at the end - nice touch for a special occasion (our 8th wedding anniversary). I wholeheartedly recommend Palace Arms for a special dinner... they definitely aim to please.
(5)Jason G.
I'll cut right to the chase: the price you're going to pay isn't worth the food you're going to eat. In fact, the price was literally more than my last three Valentine Day meals COMBINED...it was totally ridiculous. The service was good and the atmosphere was cool (in a French Revolution kind of way), but the price was way too rich for my blood. To make myself feel better, I kept thinking, "Well, maybe John, Paul, George or Ringo sat here...", which I knew was bullshit since we had the corner booth by the entrance and no one wants to sit there. Save your money for a couch or a nice set of end tables.
(3)Leanna C.
Not only is this a really unique restaurant but the food is incredible! I was extremely skeptical of this restaurant because I have never heard of anyone going here. It is definitely a hidden gem. To start you absolutely MUST get the table side Caesar salad, if you can ignore the pricey $34 (for two salad) price it is well worth it. They make everything in front of you and you can truly taste a difference. This is now my favorite salad in Denver. I ordered the sea scallops and was gravely disappointed, they were far too salty but not inedible. In their defense the waitress we had did warn us of the scallops extremely salty nature. The reason this gets a 5 star is because of the filet. Without a doubt, hands down, the BEST filet I have EVER had. It was so buttery and creamy and just ultimately dreamy. If you do not get the filet when you come here you are missing out.
(5)Shinwook P.
Hear me out, this is a fun story. So, my friend and I went on a road trip to Colorado for some backpacking in the mountains and exploring the cities. Since we were on the road for most of the time (we drove all the way from Washington state) and we were camping/backpacking most of our nights, we were eating bland food like PB&J, muffins, granola bars, etc. When we got to Denver, we wanted to treat ourselves and eat somewhere super fancy. So after some research, we chose the Palace Arms at The Brown Palace Hotel and made a reservation. We dressed up as fancy as we could in our dress shirt, pants, belt, and tie (all from H&M) and drove over to the location. Please note that we are broke college students. We walked in and when we were seated, we quickly realized that we were probably the youngest people there by a couple decades. We clearly stood out haha. But the waiters and the servers all treated us like we were Nobel winners or something. They made us feel special, and that is always good. The food was amazing too. Since we are poor college students, we had never been to a restaurant this fancy before. We probably didn't even pronounce half the items on the menu right. We admitted that to our server, and she was polite, without judgment, and gave us recommendations. We ended up sharing the House Fresh Ricotta as the appetizer. It was delicious. The toy-box tomato was so good! For entree (we skipped the salad and soup since we couldn't afford a four course meal), I got the Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast. Probably the fanciest and the best tasting food I've ever had. The portions were bigger that I imagined too! I know that most "fancy" restaurants give a small piece of meat and call it $80. But the entree I had was $39 and the portions weren't way out of range. Overall, the experience was epic. We felt special and we felt badass. So after the meal, we walked around downtown in our H&M dressy outfits and felt even more badass. Hope you enjoyed reading this review. If you go to Denver and you can afford to eat at a fancy restaurant (or be tragically epic poor college students like us), then you have to go check this place out. Fun fact: every president has stayed at The Brown Palace since its opening besides Coolidge and Obama. Come on, Barack. You still have about 2 more years to change that.
(5)Lizi C.
My recent meal at the Palace arms was probably the most memorable and excellent meals that I have had in a long time. We had a small party in the private dining room (Independence Room) which was the perfect venue. It was in celebration of our wedding. The staff was so polite and really went out of their way to make it a nice evening and make us feel special. The ambiance was perfect. It feels very intimate and classic. The Brown Palace has a very rich and interesting history. You should read about it. brownpalace.com/About-th… As for dinner we had a pre-fix menu to choose from. The filet mignon was the stand out item on the menu. I tried the pork medallions which were also excellent. I didn't try the fish, but was told it was cooked to perfection. The appetizers were excellent as well. The quality of the food and overall presentation of the food was excellent. When dining at the Palace Arms, you feel like you are stepping back into a more classic time which is something that is quite unique and refreshing. We had them prepare us a wedding cake (chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache). It was absolutely splendid. I can't think of a more perfect restaurant in Denver for a special occasion. I'm so glad we decided to have our special celebration in the Palace Arms. The Brown Palace will forever be a really special place to us. The hotel is rich with Denver History and now is an important part of our own personal history. Both my husband and I are excited to come back for future anniversary dinners and special occasions. I highly recommend a meal in the Palace Arms for a very memorable, special and delicious dining experience. Thank you Brown Palace and the staff at the Palace Arms for a truly incredible evening. Our experience is something that we will always remember and is very dear to our hearts.
(5)Tim F.
Fairly disappointed. Had dinner Christmas Eve's eve before a show at the performing arts center, we were staying at the hotel and decided to give it a go. AMBIANCE: Kind of fun, it's definitely old school. The booths were lovely and well separated. I'd give an A on this point. SERVICE: Confusing. I've eaten at many a fine dining establishment and never had this slow/inattentive service. Our waiter asked us at the start if we had plans he should keep in mind for pacing, and we told him we had to be at the show in 2 hours. He said we wouldn't be able to do the 4-course meal (we barely did 2). Now, we were the 3rd table seated and ordered right away. 2 hours for 2 courses? I mean, I like to savor my food, but this was slow by any stretch. I'm fairly sure my waiter actually made my cocktail himself, it took 15 minutes while he was doing that before we could order. Just weird. FOOD: We had squash soup followed by Branzino with a vegetable risotto, and tuna crudo followed by their specialty Bison Rossini. Both apps were quite good, the tuna in particular was super fresh and well prepared. My Rossini was great, but it was also kind of throwing every expensive ingredient at a plate, how could it not be? The branzino was...fine, the lemon butter sauce ....ok, but the vegetable risotto was visually off, and the vegetables tasted frozen. I can make better risotto. Despite of this I'd call the food "good, but boring". They're not breaking any new ground here, just preparing old specialties well (with the exception of the risotto). VALUE: Ridiculous. 2 courses, 1 cocktail, and 1 glass of wine = $199. Come on.
(3)Sergio R.
Amazing food and service! Pasta, pork cheeks, salmon and steak were amazing and perfectly cook. They even give a rose to my girlfriend at the end of the meal. Thank u for the great evening.
(5)Wesley S.
Me and my friend road tripped to Colorado, and after eating "road trip" food for a few days we decided we need some real food. That combined with the fact that neither of us had ever eaten very fancy, we decided to try something new and eat at the Palace Arms restaurant. After dressing up in our fanciest H&M clothes we decided to try and look like royalty and eat where not many young college students venture. So the adventure began. As soon as we walked up we knew we didn't belong here, but we decided to pull out every ounce of manners that we had ever learned from our mothers. When we sat down we instantly were treated like VIP's. We were checked on by about 5 different people throughout the night and everybody was extremely polite and made sure we were taken care of! As far as food goes, it was possibly the best thing my taste buds have ever experienced. I got the "loin of lamb" and I couldn't tell you any of the ingredients other than it had Lamb in there, mixed with a variety of extravagant combinations. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for a classy night out!
(5)Lea B.
This update is a little behind since we were there again over the Christmas holidays so the Brown Palace had all of their holiday decorations and it was very festive. The food again was incredible. We wanted to try it again since we heard there was a chef change but everything was delish. Their signature dish the Rossini was just as we remembered it. We brought friends this time and they were equally impressed. One of them decided to go with the wine pairing and thought the sommelier was spot on with her pairings. I don't know why this place isn't mentioned anywhere but it truly is a hidden gem. And if you get over the "stuffy" atmosphere the food and service is incredible.
(5)Jonathan H.
The palace arms feels like the kind of restaurant your grandfather saved paycheck for so that he could propose to your grandmother. It has a unique old school atmosphere that is complimented with fabulously rich and heavy flavors. Inside the stylishly old Brown Palace hotel is the Palace Arms, that has a 19th century European motif that gives it a special charm, setting it apart from the typical high end Denver restaurant. I had the tasting menu that started with pressed pork, followed by the table side Caesar salad, entree of Rossini and dessert of Creme Brûlée. The pressed pork was so so, prepared a lot like pressed duck it is pan fried crispy pork belly. It didn't do anything special for me and I've had much better pork belly elsewhere. Table side Caesar was well done with a perfect consistency and flavor, aside from the cheesy jokes by the server. The Rossini was absolutely perfect! Served with rapinni (spellcheck) and Demi glaze, topped with a piece of foie gras. I have to say that the foie was a bit over the top and didn't add anything new to the dish but I mean it's foie gras on a steak so I can't really complain. The meal was excellently crafted and I could taste the slightest of details, like the Demi glaze's rich stocky flavor, or the rich fatty egg yolk in the salad. The Palace Arms is an amazing experience that takes old flavors and stylized atmosphere to a new level.
(5)Dawn F.
I went to the Palace Arms on a romantic dinner date. There is an old world sensibility to the service provided. Between entering the restaurant and leaving, there were approximately 5 people who helped us. The water glasses never went empty and the silverware was replenished after each course. To boot, they seated us away from the other tables, and managed to keep us separate from other diners, so we had a secluded meal. It really felt like we were in our own world. When I ordered beer on tap, my server didn't blink. He went to the bar in the Brown Palace to get what I asked for. After he approached us to see if we knew what we wanted, and realized we were in the midst of conversation, our server simply let us know ("Don't stop holding hands!) to place our menus in a particular place on the table so he'd know we were ready. Yes. That's how the service was the whole time. They make you feel special. We ordered the four course tasting menu. The food was delicious, and they did a commendable job finding suitable items for my boyfriend who is vegetarian. There were delicious flavors, such as Meyer lemon beurre blanc served with the yummy tofu and veggie dish. My steak was cooked as ordered and tender. At the end of the night, we finished with bananas foster, a theatrical and fun end to our meal. Our server brought me a rose, apparently a tradition that they have to give each female guest a flower at the end of the meal. The rose stayed beautiful in my house for almost two weeks. It was a great experience. I would recommend them for a very special occasion without reservation.
(5)Bethany M.
Impeccable from start to finish. The highlight of our stay. We are so impressed. The food is perfectly and beautifully created and the service incredible. A skilled sommelier that blew us away. Sue our server was wonderful.
(5)Denise S.
It was truly fabulous from the tableside Caesar's salad to the special treats that came with the bill. Two things though. They did not supply a wine list at the beginning so we had to ask for it. Also, the food was quite delicious but I didn't think it warranted the high prices. $60 for the bison risotto was a bit much. It was delicious but really just a steak. Other than that it was wonderful and we were treated quite well for our 24th anniversary.
(4)Liz S.
We had dinner here this weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The food is amazing, but the service is top notch. We went off the server's recommendations for appetizer (crab cakes), salad (their table side Caesar salad is the best salad I have ever had), and entrée (my husband had the duck, I had the scallops- Both were 'lick your plate good'). Definitely an expensive meal, but definitely worth it for special occasions.
(5)David B.
Do not go here for the food....beer, yes, but these idiots that think that cheap fries dipped in spices makes for the best fries ever have never been to McDonalds. I don't get it!!
(1)David B.
Eh. I mean, it's alright. But definitely not the best I've had. Overpriced for cheaply made courses.
(3)Julie S.
We came to the hotel for a one night getaway and made reservations at the Palace Arms dining room. The dining room has a Royalty theme with flags and pictures of military leaders on the walls. Very classy ambiance to go with the classy meal. The manager came over and offered his recommendation for a bottle of wine. I was pleasantly surprised with his choice because it wasn't too expensive and fit my taste to a T. We started with the crab cake which my husband liked more than I did. We both thought the Caesar salad for 2 was out of this world. Our server prepared it right in front of us. I got the Bison and my husband got the Lamb for dinner, both were delicious! We ended the meal with the lemon poppyseed Creme Brûlée, rich with a beautiful texture. Pricey place for sure, but we loved it for a special occasion splurge. Would recommend the cigar bar across the way too if you want to continue the evening after dinner!
(5)Jenna M.
This place is so yummy! It's an elegant restaurant in an elegant hotel in an elegant city. My husband and I go here somewhat regularly as our escape from the day-to-day grind of Play-Doh and work. It's a special place that makes us feel like we are leaving the modern-day in favor of some old-fashioned romance and elegance. The food is as rich as the ambience and we leave filled with the decadence that can only come from The Palace Arms.
(5)Michael C.
I could see how this place 20 or 50 years ago was the best place in town, however in a town were there is a deluge of world class restaurants. The regal palace arms melts away into the general noise of restaurants. The food reminds me of Central European. It's okay and worth coming to once. And the service is good.
(3)Catharine W.
meh... I would say they are resting on their laurels. We were taken to lunch for business. The room is old-school lovely. We were greeted with surliness when we were a bit late for the reservation (though the room was nearly empty...) Ordered a salmon-topped salad. Veggies were over cooked, fish a bit undercooked. Overall, it was underwhelming and bland. Not recommended.
(3)Rose L.
Such an impressive experience! As delicious and diverse as the food was, it was the extremely attentive and friendly service of our great wait staff that made our dining experience un-paralled. All of our head waiter's recommendations were spot on. We came in for a late dinner and they staff stayed with us until the bitter end, including a table side preparation of Banana's Foster, long after the next to last table had vacated the restuarant. If I lived in Denver, this would be a go to restaurant for any special occasion. As it is, I'd fly back just to go there again!
(5)Jamie W.
Since we did a trendy dinner on our first night in Denver, I wanted to go the more traditional route for dinner #2. Most of the Yelp reviews have it right. It's definitely a special occasion restaurant... it's a little old school... don't expect a quickie meal by any means. We opted NOT to do the prix fixe and instead ordered a la carte because honestly, it just sounded like so much food. I started with the artichoke soup and then had the veal saltimbocca for my entree. Both dishes were superb. I had never had saltimbocca before and am glad I gave it a try. It was a little too thick cut for my taste (for whatever reason I thought it was served pounded - my mistake) but the flavor was good. Impressive wine catalogue. We started with a California sparkling and then shared a California red. It's funny how we always tend to lean toward California wines... The real standout of the meal was when the chef came over to check on us... not once, but twice! Sometimes the chef comes to your table at other restaurants and it comes off a tad phony. Not here. Chef Thanawat Bates is a genuine guy, very friendly and the way he described the desserts to us... I'm surprised I didn't order all of them! The desserts are classics but deconstructed, if that makes any sense at all... for example, we ordered the key lime pie. It comes in a parfait dish. There is some crunch on the bottom which is warm but the filling is warm and cold at the same time. It was beyond amazing (see the picture). The service was impeccable. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. Dress up for sure! I loved the red rose I received at the end - nice touch for a special occasion (our 8th wedding anniversary). I wholeheartedly recommend Palace Arms for a special dinner... they definitely aim to please.
(5)Jason G.
I'll cut right to the chase: the price you're going to pay isn't worth the food you're going to eat. In fact, the price was literally more than my last three Valentine Day meals COMBINED...it was totally ridiculous. The service was good and the atmosphere was cool (in a French Revolution kind of way), but the price was way too rich for my blood. To make myself feel better, I kept thinking, "Well, maybe John, Paul, George or Ringo sat here...", which I knew was bullshit since we had the corner booth by the entrance and no one wants to sit there. Save your money for a couch or a nice set of end tables.
(3)David B.
Eh. I mean, it's alright. But definitely not the best I've had. Overpriced for cheaply made courses.
(3)Bethany M.
Impeccable from start to finish. The highlight of our stay. We are so impressed. The food is perfectly and beautifully created and the service incredible. A skilled sommelier that blew us away. Sue our server was wonderful.
(5)Denise S.
It was truly fabulous from the tableside Caesar's salad to the special treats that came with the bill. Two things though. They did not supply a wine list at the beginning so we had to ask for it. Also, the food was quite delicious but I didn't think it warranted the high prices. $60 for the bison risotto was a bit much. It was delicious but really just a steak. Other than that it was wonderful and we were treated quite well for our 24th anniversary.
(4)Liz S.
We had dinner here this weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The food is amazing, but the service is top notch. We went off the server's recommendations for appetizer (crab cakes), salad (their table side Caesar salad is the best salad I have ever had), and entrée (my husband had the duck, I had the scallops- Both were 'lick your plate good'). Definitely an expensive meal, but definitely worth it for special occasions.
(5)David B.
Do not go here for the food....beer, yes, but these idiots that think that cheap fries dipped in spices makes for the best fries ever have never been to McDonalds. I don't get it!!
(1)Julie S.
We came to the hotel for a one night getaway and made reservations at the Palace Arms dining room. The dining room has a Royalty theme with flags and pictures of military leaders on the walls. Very classy ambiance to go with the classy meal. The manager came over and offered his recommendation for a bottle of wine. I was pleasantly surprised with his choice because it wasn't too expensive and fit my taste to a T. We started with the crab cake which my husband liked more than I did. We both thought the Caesar salad for 2 was out of this world. Our server prepared it right in front of us. I got the Bison and my husband got the Lamb for dinner, both were delicious! We ended the meal with the lemon poppyseed Creme Brûlée, rich with a beautiful texture. Pricey place for sure, but we loved it for a special occasion splurge. Would recommend the cigar bar across the way too if you want to continue the evening after dinner!
(5)Jenna M.
This place is so yummy! It's an elegant restaurant in an elegant hotel in an elegant city. My husband and I go here somewhat regularly as our escape from the day-to-day grind of Play-Doh and work. It's a special place that makes us feel like we are leaving the modern-day in favor of some old-fashioned romance and elegance. The food is as rich as the ambience and we leave filled with the decadence that can only come from The Palace Arms.
(5)Michael C.
I could see how this place 20 or 50 years ago was the best place in town, however in a town were there is a deluge of world class restaurants. The regal palace arms melts away into the general noise of restaurants. The food reminds me of Central European. It's okay and worth coming to once. And the service is good.
(3)Stephanie L.
Yes, it's old school and a little stuffy, but what an amazing experience for a special occasion. Don't go in expecting to have a cheap or quick meal. If you go in expecting top-notch service and delicious food, you'll be happy. Honestly, I am so used to be rushed in and out of restaurants it did seem like there was a lot of time in between everything, but I kept having to remember.. this is a special occassion. I am enjoying my husband's company. What a nice date we are on for our 5th wedding anniversary. Deep breath and I stopped with the impatience! We splurged and got the 8-course tasting menu. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it, and it's not because of the price ($130 actually is reasonable for what you get) but because it's an inordinate amount of food to try to eat in one sitting. And it's not the kid of place where you ask for a doggy bag. Highlights of the meal were the fois gras - pairing it with cherries is brilliant, the Basque seafood soup (my personal favorite course), tableside caesar salad (I am a sucker for anything prepared tableside) and the bananas foster, also prepared tableside. The bison that is part of the Rossini was melt in your mouth delicious as well. As I mentioned the service was top-notch. Really, service should be like this everywhere. Lots of people always there to bring you whatver you need, refill your water, answer questions. I probably won't go back anytime soon but it's a must try for any special occasion!
(5)Jared K.
Unbelievably rude. We spent nearly 1.5 hours waiting for our entrees. When I politely indicated that we were ready for the food to be served the staff notified me that the location was a "fine dining" establishment. I'm well accustomed to paying over $1,000 for a meal, but not accustomed to second tier service combined with first tier snobbery. Only go here if you are interested in a 17th century British dining experience that takes a full three hours to have a full meal.
(1)Megan E.
This was honestly the best full meal I've ever eaten. That said, here's the details: We went for my 28th birthday - on 11/11/11. My DH had the reservation, then canceled it, since I told him we had spent too much, then re-booked it when I changed my mind (love that guy) - the restaurant was accommodating for all that changing. We decided to have the 5 course meal. Plus bread, plus amuse buche, plus intermezzo, plus little cookie and little chocolate at the check... We didn't know about all those extras but they were great. I started with the fois gras and my DH had the octopus - they did mix up at first and bring us both octopus but pointing that out was ok and the replacement was AMAZING! The next course was soup - DH had artichoke and I had tomato. My DH does NOT like soup - and he finished all but one small bite (my trial) very fast and loved it. The soup was rich and creamy and cheesy and great. My tomato soup was very cool - it had iced horseradish and tabasco mini balls and a clear consume.... at least I think that's what those things were ;-) The third course was salad - DH special ordered an arugula salad and they were able to get him something he really enjoyed. I had the beet salad - the flavors matched perfectly and I really enjoyed it. The fourth course, I had abalone and DH had bison steak - both were great and rich and hearty. I couldn't talk much, I was too busy enjoying my food - and by this point I was very full so I ate slower but it still was warm and great the whole time! The fifth course was dessert - I had the key lime "pie" and DH had the chocolate cake. The "pie" was AMAZING!!! I couldn't talk at all for the first few bites - just "mmmmm" and *big smiles* - I highly recommend trying this one! DH, who doesn't like key lime pie, also thought this was a fantastic dish. He also loved his cake - I had a bite and it was creamy and rich and chocolaty - great presentation too. We did not try wine or coffee - the reason we went was for the food. The bread options were all very good, I think the flatbread was my favorite - it was cheesy and crisp. Give yourself several hours (I think we took just over 2) and enjoy! If you want to mark a special occasion, tell them in advance. They were very quick with water, I ended up drinking a ton since they filled it up so fast I had no idea how much I'd had - the bathroom is near the front of the hotel, they will show you where it is the first time (if you go through the revolving doors, it's on your left right before the Tavern entrance)... I loved their little molecular gastronomy additions, the old world charm of the room, and the perfect merging of flavors - do yourself a favor and try this place out!
(5)gary w.
This was one of the finest dining experiences I have ever had. We ordered the 8 course tasting menu which was balanced and well prepared. The Caesar salad prepared table side, band bananas foster at the end were a real treat. Portion size was a bit big for a tasting menu, and we left 3 hours later completely stuffed, but the experience was fabulous.
(5)Samantha E.
You can't live in Denver without hearing stories of the Brown Palace. I was sure it would be amazing, but thought it couldn't possibly live up to the hype. But guess what? It did. The atmosphere and service are remnisent of "the good old days," and I now know why my 85-year-old aunt laments that going out to dinner just isn't like it used to be. I discovered this before we even walked in, when the valet not only ran around to open my car door, but offered his hand to help me out. This is my first experience of this other than in the movies. The lobby of the hotel is beautiful, with excellent service from the bar and a 3-man band playing music in the background. They also give all females a long-stem rose at the end of the night-- possible the classiest thing ever-- but I'm getting ahead of myself. The restaurant itself is exquisite. Our needs were anticipated (my fiance's dad's drink was never less than 1/4 full)-- at one point we counted seven servers for the fifteen or so tables that were there. The wine list is literally a book, complete with a table of contents. Of course, the food was amazing. The amuse bouche was a lobster salad, and it only went uphill from there. The onion rolls were to die for, and I would have had more bread but I decided to save room for everything else. The mushroom soup, creamy while cream-less and topped with lump crab, was one of the most amazing soups I've ever had. My fiancé loved the chestnut soup as well. For my entree I had the fish, which was perfectly cooked: crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, topped with a delicious garnish I didn't recognize and a wonderful light sauce, served with crispy risotto. Apparently the Wagyu beef and filet were fantastic as well. If you somehow have room for dessert, they're excellent (we tried the chocolate souffle-like one as well as the gelato), plus you're given some truffles and cookies at the end of the night. It's definitely a huge splurge, but Palace Arms is definitely deserving of its five stars, and worth experiencing without a doubt.
(5)Wayne S.
It was the five star experience I was hoping for. We arrived early, having done a little window shopping on the 16th street mall. We arrive about an hour before our reservation, so we sat in the hotel's foyer and admired the decor and holiday decorations. They had a very entertaining 3 man band, a pianist, drummer and cello player playing guests requests ranging from blues to jazz. We had a soda and ice tea and complimentary almonds while waiting, the drinks were a modest $7 but for the experience, was well spent. The staff was superb. Our waiter was incredibly nice, taking the time to cover the high-lights of many of the dishes and explaining the wine list to us. He checked on our progress the entire meal. We enjoyed the breads they served and a server brought over the tray several times prior to the main course. We never felt rushed and as my guest and I completed each course, the plates and utensils were replaced promptly for the next. Our waters were topped off, my friend even noted our glasses never were more than half empty before another top off. And we knew this was no tap water! Each dish was as visually exciting as they tasted. It was sheer joy to enjoy each bite and after that meal, you understand the concept of 'layers of flavors' within the meal itself. My friend and I ordered separate courses, we shared a crab cake appetizer, then he had the bisque while I had the Wild Mushroom soup. For the main courses, he had the fish (can't remember the name) and I had the Bison Filet (7 oz of pure nirvana). We each had a glass of wine with the main course. By the end of the meal we were full and as much as we liked, we didn't have room for the Banana's Foster but the couple seated next to us did, so we got to see the presentation. While the price was high, between the two of us, 1 appetizer, 2 soups, two entrees and two glasses of wine came to about $200 and with tip (25%) it was about the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, it was well worth the price. Our waiter even asked us if we needed to have our Valet Parking validated (we did) and offered to called ahead so our car was waiting outside the hotel when we left. If you're looking for the Five Star restaurant experience to check off your own personnel bucket list, this would be the place to go.
(5)Brian K.
I have been here twice and twice have had my socks totally blown off. Easily one of my favorite restaurants ever. Decor The place looks like a high end British pub exploded inside. Coats of arms, crowns, British painting, oh my! It's totally out of control, yet still elegant - I love it. Service Top notch. Just fantastic. See food for some more commentary. Food My wife and I are vegetarians and both times (once alone, once together) asked if they could do something special. I felt like a judge on Iron Chef with the unique creations they created. Let me be more specific - their Executive Sous Chef - Thanawat - is THE MAN. He told us to call ahead next time and give him 2-3 days notice. He would then make us an 8 course meal to whatever our needs (vegan/gf/etc) using ingrediants they would go out and purchase. What?! How amazing is this. I have never had a restaurant tell me this. Value You're getting Alex at the Wynn ($300/person) for well under $100. I don't think Denver has any idea how lucky they are!
(5)Bobby T.
I had low expectations for Palace Arms during restaurant week (It's a pretty limited menu), but was BLOWN AWAY by the service, atmosphere, and the food. Yes, we visited for RW 2010, and before we left I glanced at their menu online. You have a choice of 1 appetizer - Caesar Salad for 2 prepared tableside, 2 entrees - Salmon or Beef, and 2 desserts - Chocolate soup or macaroons. (In the case of the dessert there is really only 1 choice, because I'm not going to go to Palace Arms and just have cookies for dessert. It's just not happening.) Basically, I felt like I was going to a wedding, and I had to choose my main course - beef or fish? I had very low expectations because of the very few choices, and seeing as it was rated at 5 stars on Yelp, I had much cognitive dissonance going on in my head. I was also expecting the restaurant to be dead, being Tuesday night and all. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how busy the restaurant and lobby of The Brown Palace was. It was buzzing! We were seated and had to wait a few minutes before I could order my drink, but besides that wait we received very attentive service throughout the night. The Caesar salad for 2 prepared tableside was a little bit of show, and a lotta bit of delicious. I almost licked my plate, but then remembered where I was. Both me and my wife had the Beef offering for our main course. It was basically a deconstructed Beef Wellington, and it was out of this world! Topped with foie gras that had been pan seared to keep its shape and a beautifully flavorful demi-glace, the beef was cooked perfectly to my asking and juicy and tender to boot. Everything about this dish screamed luxury. It was plush. Finally, for dessert, Chocolate Soup! Oh, what a treat this was. I was intrigued when I saw it on the menu, and it totally delivered. You know the scene in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (The Gene Wilder one, not the Tim Burton one, although it had this scene too) when the winners first enter the factory and see the chocolate river? Ever since I first saw that when I was a kid I wanted to drink from that river, and Chocolate Soup finally let me live out that dream. Rich, velvety chocolate washed over my tongue in an explosion of perfect sweetness and chocolate. I had to peer into the kitchen to see if they had the chocolate river flowing through it, and if they did, I was planning to dive in. All in all, we had a wonderful evening at Palace Arms, and highly recommend them, especially for Restaurant Week.
(5)Melissa T.
So, unless it's so awful that I know I won't be back, I try to get to a place at least twice before reviewing. In this case, that means it's taken a year for me to have two trips to base a review on, because the Palace Arms is a fancy, special occasion place. I have been twice, both times on our anniversary. The first year everything was outstanding! The food was amazing, the service was impeccable. The second year was just a shade less impressive. The servers seemed hurried, and it was a bit of a let down from the year before, though the food was just as incredible. But overall it's still an outstanding experience and it's just fun to go somewhere super fancy to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)David T.
Well, just to state the obvious, this is a world class splurge, not a place to catch a weeknight bite. Arguably, it is the most elegant dining destination in Colorado. Some might prefer the Broadmoor or the Flagstaff House, but the Palace Arms is really in a class by itself, IMO. The history of the hotel and the Palace Arms is long an interesting and the list of former guests is formidable indeed. I think it is one of the loveliest formal dining room I've ever been in. Some may find it excessively formal though and may not be comfortable here. Until quite recently men were required to wear a coat and tie, and, I certainly still do. Waiters in tuxes, flawless formal service (some table side - Caesar salad, steak tartare, bananas foster, etc.). This is fine dining at it's most luxurious and professional. It has been an educational institution for decades, in the sense that many young people received valuable lessons about how to negotiate the intricacies of the high end dining experience without making total rubes of themselves. On our last visit, they were at the top of their game. It was a magical evening. Totally gracious staff and exquisite food and wine. From the first bite of their homemade Melba toast (created here) to the last nibble of their house made macaroons. They offer a number of tasting menus with wine pairings but we ordered a la carte this time. We were four celebrating a birthday, so, I'll only mention the dishes I had since this really isn't the sort of place you pass plates around. Started with the Abalone (you never see it anymore and, when, on the rare occasions that it shows up - I'm a goner). Their preparation included green peppercorns, pistachios, artichokes and parm - totally decadent and delish, Considered sharing a Caesar as others in the group did but decided to save room for a hearty main and dessert, of course. Entree choices are fairly limited but cover all the bases - scallops, halibut, chicken pot pie (not your mom's), lamb loin, bison, and Kobe short ribs. Oh, what to do? Ended up with the very succulent lamb loin served with rye spaetzle, fennel sauerkraut and a Gruyere frico. Finished up with, what else? - the bananas foster. Can we all say oink? We did some severe damage with the wine list as well. It is huge and heavily French. Started with a terrific white bordeaux followed by two (yes, two) bottles of Rauzan-Segla Margaux. Others may have even had a cognac but I was getting fuzzy by this point. I was not too fuzzy to note that the check for this little extravagance was in excess of $1200 plus gratuities. Probably a little more than half of that was the wine though, so you don't have to take out a second mortgage. But still, not for the faint of wallet. I wasn't paying - thank god. If you really want to pull out all the stops, or if your wealthy Aunt Ethel is in town and wants to treat, by all means get all gussied up and hit the town in high style.
(5)Dave F.
This is a rating that includes service and food quality, but not value. The service is excellent. They really make you feel special. I ordered the four-course menu: crab appetizer, bouillabaisse, ribeye with potato cake, and brownie dessert. The crab and ribeye were excellent. I could have done without the sauce on the ribeye, but it wasn't bad. The soup and brownie were fine, but not outstanding. The ability of the chef was excellent and presentation was impressive as well. The problem is I don't think the food is worth the price. The four-course menu is $85. I've had much better steak + soup dinners for about $50 or $60. So I wouldn't come back. But I had a gift certificate. And it was an enjoyable time.
(4)Emma C.
If you've got an evening where, for what ever reason, you want really great food, wine and service, where everything will be perfect and you're willing to pay for it, this is the place in Denver. I moved here via California from London and a few other places, and had a very dear Californian, former New Yorker, friend in town. We wanted to have a nice meal and a proper catch up. As I say, we're both Californian girls who when you offer us Russian River or French wine will chant Russian River before you've finished the sentence. Likewise $100 a head for two outstanding courses and great wine to us, while not cheap, is good value. Food and wine was great, indulgent and perfectly prepared and presented. But the standout was the service - brilliantly timed, charming, attentive. We had plenty of time to catch up, never felt we were interrupted and everything flowed effortlessly, which as we all know, takes enormous effort from the wait staff. The photographs don't really do it justice, the rooms have high ceilings and the decor, while clubby, is not overdone and it is very quiet. It was easy to hear my friend, and all I could hear of the other diners was a background murmur and the odd clink of cutlery. The booths add to an intimate feel and it's just a very easy space to be in.
(5)Sam G.
What a waste of money (and time). With a reservation we were seated. eventually a drink order was taken. 20 minutes later my martini arrived 1/2 spilled from the glass. The waiter was very uninterested in our 2 top. After two hours waiting for our $70 apiece filet wellingtons they finally arrive. I asked the manager if he was aware of our wait. Yes. "let me pour you a glass of B.V. Cab". I think BV Cab is about $13 bucks a bottle. No apology - no nothing. I'll never go back to this place again! Save your money and time and enjoy a good meal with good service somewhere else!!!!!!
(1)Justine M.
Hands-down the best restaurant in Denver, and by far the best meal I've ever had anywhere. Yes, it's really expensive -- but for the first time ever, the entire experience was well worth it. Upon being seated and given a brief but informative history of the restaurant, the host brought us two glasses of Dom Perignon -- definitely a nice way start the night off right! We then enjoyed some delicious bread from an impressive selection and shared the crab cake, which came with a lemongrass-infused sauce and was fantastic. I also ordered a glass of a Super Tuscan (wish I could remember the name!) and enjoyed the description offered by the friendly sommelier -- they have an extensive wine list, and I was very happy with the choice I made! However, the bison steak that I ordered for an entree was the true star of the show. Oh. My. God. It was so amazing, I literally dreamed about it that night. I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but my boyfriend's lamb was delicious as well and he was very satisfied. We finished the meal with their signature Bananas Foster, which definitely didn't disappoint -- and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, our wonderful waiter brought out a dessert wine that paired perfectly with the bananas. Palace Arms defines the true meaning of a 5-star restaurant in every aspect of the term: impeccable service, stunning ambiance, and most importantly, incredible food. Looking forward to going back for the next special occasion!
(5)Mo R.
The filet mignon is just amazing and the service here is top notch !!! Just love this place over and over again !!!!
(5)Adam S.
I had my birthday dinner here, and I have to say that I was generally very pleased with the meal. This place is what I would describe as "old school elegant.". It has the feeling almost of another era (reminded me a bit of being in delmonicos in NYC). Service is very friendly. Love that they wear tuxedos (yep, it's that kind of place). As for the food, all of it was good and some of it was great. We opted for the 5 course tasting which basically gives you your choice of appetizer, soup, salad, entree, dessert. We had quite a few items, so for brevity's sake, I will suggest that if you dine here you should get the chestnut bisque and the filet Rossini. Both were exceptional dishes. Like I said earlier, all the dishes were good, but my least favorite of the night were the mushroom soup and the frisée salad. The prices here are expensive, but not exceptionally so. Bottom line is that you can get a high quality meal here for special occasions.
(5)JC C.
Very disappointed after all the rave reviews posted here. Went for my birthday last night. Price to Quality ratio very poor. $$$$ - Amazing Hawaiian cod, good tasting but swimming in sauce. Isn't lesson one in fine cuisine to not cover up the flavor of a wonderful piece of fish or meat but to enhance it? Same with my husbands steak - absolutely swimming in goop. He was shoving it all off to get to the meat below. Good service, if you like 5 people breathing down your neck. One guy - I guess the waiter who only serves the beer - talked incessantly about all he knows about beer. Nice guy, but please leave us alone. If the price tag had not been $170 for two people I wouldn't be as upset... but it was. I will say the beer and my wine were both excellent.
(2)Stan L.
my wife and i came for dinner and got the degustation menu.. i had mine paired with wine.. the food was impeccable and their wine selection paired perfectly with the meal.. i've had better food at michelin star restaurants and better wines in Napa.. but their pairing of food and wine blew me away.. it is easily one of the best meals my wife and i have shared together... although i had high expectations for this restaurant.. i was still completely blown away.. service was of course excellent and well deserved of my large tip
(5)Tre S.
Amazing. Super good. Great service. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. A definite must!
(5)Eddy S.
A lot of buck for your bang! I don't bat an eye at pricey joints like this as long as they live up to their bill. Palace Arms does. A bit more traditional than I care for, every dish was perfectly executed and the service outstanding.
(5)Kevin S.
We had the 4 course tasting with wine pairing. The pairing were excellent! Food was delicious, service excellent! My bouillabaisse was only lukewarm however . Other than that, a very enjoyable evening.
(4)Kyle G.
It hard to find a true fine dining restaurant now days (dress code, proper ingredients, over the top service). So glad places like this are still around.
(5)Mary S.
Just immaculate and outstanding!! My husband and I did some research on "top-notch" restuarants around Denver, since it will be our first time there and found this place. After reading lots of reviews, we thought we'd try this restaurant. This restaurant is worth every penny on food and service!! If you're looking for something simple, this is not the place, but if you're leaning toward a memorable evening, you should definitely go here. We were very impressed with the gentleman who seated us laying our napkins on our laps and moving the table side to side for seating access. The waiter handed us a novel of wine lists which was a little overwhelming but they covered each and every wine on this planet. However, thank goodness for Eric (sommelier), who was super knowledgeable on the wine list and was able to dial in our palates on what we wanted and then suggested wines we wouldn't even have thought about and ended up loving and drinking instead. We had the 8 course meal, due to celebration of our wedding anniversary and MBA graduation of my husband. It started off with a fresh and crisp lobster salad and ended with a table-side preparation of cherries jubilee-and since it was a special occasion, Eric stepped in again and suggested a great full-flavored Port that matched it perfectly. Everything was great about the restaurant and servers! The only disappointment was the deconstructed keylime pie, which was super tart and the sorbet hidden in the middle didn't match our taste well at all. I also have to commend the Chef who came out and said "hi" to us. It is very nice to meet who is cooking for you instead of always hiding behind the scenes. Overall it was a great experience! However, the next time we come back, we'll do the 5 course meal instead due to we checked in at 5:30 pm and didn't leave until 9:00 pm due to the long meal, but it was still worth every penny and experience!!!
(5)Tatyana M.
We visit Denver every year and after reading so many raving reviews finally went for dinner to this "legendary" place. It wasn't just a disappointment, It was a WOW disappointment!!! AMBIANCE: lot's of "glitter" and kind of "class" but bathroom does not have hand towels, so first time in my life in the hotel/restaurant of this caliber I had to dry my hands with toilet tissues. The dining room was dark and uninviting, so if it's called "old school dining" ambiance then I belong to the" new school" one. SERVICE: stuffy, but definitely not really professional. FOOD: not tasty at all, in some dishes over salted, in the case of fish overcooked, bland and all together BORING. Not even one dish hit the spot. VALUE: and that is the most disappointing factor. If this experience would happen in the regular restaurant with the regular prices of $50 to $60 p/p I would say OK, not a big deal and loss of money and time. BUT when you dare to charge $65 for a steak, when dinner for two cost is $200+ without drinks and you deliver nothing but disappointment, that's when I say it's not OK, it's a false and pretentious place, and I feel that I should warn people about it. Unless you are too wealthy and don't care about quality of the experience you are getting for your money I would say stay away from Palace Arm.
(1)Brittany V.
This is a very classical dining experience; by that, I mean it reminds me of an experience you may have in a traditional French restaurant or at an upscale restaurant in the 50's. They don't really do it like this anymore, which depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. Staff/Service--5 stars. Attentive, polite, and genuinely interested in making sure that you are enjoying yourself and your food. Keep in mind though, this is a dining service meant to be enjoyed over about 2 hours, so don't arrive starving and ready to chow down. It's going to be a while. Ambiance/Style--3 stars. It's an interesting room. Much smaller than I expected it to be, and I'm surprised they keep the lighting so high. I would expect the chandeliers to be dimmed for dinner. This is a very traditional room, some kind of cross between an early 1900's library or parlor room. Lots of dark wood, interesting wallpaper, and flags everywhere. It's not in any way modern, and it feels like the last thought to decor might have been in the 60's. Food--3 stars. This is a very classic dinner menu. As a vegetarian, I'm disappointed in the lack of options. Yes, it's a traditional place, but come on, this is also Denver we're talking about. I can't imagine that it would be too hard to throw in some kind of pasta dish just to keep the vegetarians satisfied. As such, my option was either to forget an entree, or have the chef "throw together" what he could in the kitchen, which sounded like it would be a veggie plate. I passed on the entree and got a soup, salad, and dessert. My soup, the parsnip, (2 stars) was on the whole okay, but the candied ginger was really really sweet and kind of threw me off. The Lyonnaise (sp?) salad (sans bacon) was surprisingly good and I wish I'd had a bit more (3 stars). For dessert, I shared the pina colada, sticky toffee pudding, and fudge brownie with my husband. The fudge brownie was very forgettable and had a strange taste (1 star). The pina colada was deconstructed (the most modern thing I saw on the menu), but not very tasty (2 stars). The sticky toffee pudding was the most promising, but didn't scream "amazing" (3 stars). This might be a place that you just have to experience once to say you've done it, depending on your tastes. As a more modern cuisine/foodie kind of girl, it wasn't my taste, style, or in my palette wheelhouse. Ultimately, I think the food is pretty hit and miss, and with prices like this, I think that's enough to keep me away.
(3)Rose L.
Such an impressive experience! As delicious and diverse as the food was, it was the extremely attentive and friendly service of our great wait staff that made our dining experience un-paralled. All of our head waiter's recommendations were spot on. We came in for a late dinner and they staff stayed with us until the bitter end, including a table side preparation of Banana's Foster, long after the next to last table had vacated the restuarant. If I lived in Denver, this would be a go to restaurant for any special occasion. As it is, I'd fly back just to go there again!
(5)V B.
Wow Denver! Color me impressed! I must admit, even after reading all the glowing reviews I still had my doubts. The menu appeared uninspired and lacking any creativity, but I'm easy going ok? I went with the flow and just thought to myself that this would be just another business dinner with the hopes of helping closing one last deal for 2010. This restaurant is situated right smack in the middle of a large downtown hotel. For those of you back in San Francisco, think St. Francis. I am anti Michael Minna and am grateful he moved his flagship restaurant out of the hotel and to Aqua's old space, but now I am rambling. You get the point. In theory, a 5 star restaurant that sits inside of a hotel is typically a red flag for me but this time it delivered and exceeded my expectations. We arrived via a cramped taxi ride from our hotel and dropped off in front of the Brown Palace Hotel. We walk inside and were greeted to a beyond festive holiday decorated lobby complete with a giant tree and hanging decorations that were tastefully dangling about the room. Soothing piano player in the far right corner playing familiar holiday tunes which immediately made me forget of the high stress work day. Tucked away in the corner is the Palace Arms, greeted immediately by name and taken to our table. The champagne cart arrived soon after which offered up a complimentary glass of Billecart Salmon brut rose. An amuse bouche appeared that included a slice of salmon over a basil leaf. There was no silverware in sight so we all used our hands and inhaled one of the most amazing tasting pieces of fish I have ever tasted. The champagne was the perfect compliment and much appreciated. After a few minutes our server introduced himself and recited the menu along with a detailed description of each dish. My mouth was watering as explained each preparation and the recommended wine pairing with each course. Our potential customer at this point says loudly "I have never eaten at a place like this, can you help me". Awkward? not in the least. Our server was beyond professional and took him under his wing and started probing and asked questions about foods and drink that he likes. Turns out, he is not a wine drinker but does love his cocktails and within a few minutes crafted a five course dinner complete with 5 different cocktails that would match each of his courses. I can go on and on just how amazing this place is and I feel like I am rambling right now but you people in Denver need to realize just how truly special this place is. Everything from the service to the wine list to the food to the finishing touches. Attention to detail is practiced here to perfection. I am not a coffee drinker, but at the end of the evening I witnessed some oohhs and awes to how good the coffee was. Coffee may be for closers but port is for tall lanky dorky guys who secretly want hot cocoa.
(5)Craig S.
I hope the Palace Arms stays just like it is forever. What a treat, and kind of like going back in time. Service is superb, food is good to great, and really have nothing to complain about. The decor, thorughs me back to what i would think the 40's was like, and is so cool. Love the red leather booths, the lighting , everything! Little details like the Martinis, poured out of the little silver pitchers, the presentation of everything is well thought out & presented with loving care. Deserts are pretty good too, but ask for one of there famous macaroons at the end of your meal, another nice throwback touch! Pricing, not cheap, but since everything is so special worth the price and really no more than a high end steakhouse. For group special occasions, they have a cool private dining area I would love to book sometime.
(5)Kathleen M.
Wow! I was so blown away by every aspect of our experience at the Palace Arms. I had mentioned, on opentable.com , that it was our anniversary and my husband graduated with his masters degree. Upon being greeted at the entrance, the hostess congratulated us on both events. We were seated and I was given a rose. Through out the night, every staff member came to our table to congratulate us. The service was impeccable. So here is what we ordered....at the recommendation of our waiter, we ordered the smoked pheasant soup. Get this soup. It was voted one of the top 100 dishes to have in Denver. It is creamy, smokey and delicious. For our main courses, I got the scallops. They were perfectly done. Perfect portion size. Beautiful presentation. My husband got the sea bass. Perfect, again. We split their "interpretation" of cheesecake. It involved bites of cheesecake with several different types of sauce. Strawberry, chocolate, lime, etc. At the end of the meal, they also served us homemade macaroons. The whole experience far exceeded our expectations. I hope we have a reason to celebrate soon, so that we can come back! Definitely a place for special occasions.
(5)Sam R.
To die for. I dined alone, but they made me feel like a queen. I had the best foie gras of my life, which i can only describe as grilled warm mouse with a glass of sherry. For dinner, the bison filet mignon. I couldn't finish everything. The food was intoxicating. The clientele stuffy and conservative. I did feel like I had returned to the set of Sunset boulevard, a dining room in someone's forgotten palace. Plan to pay a pretty penny, but it's worth it.
(5)Matt D.
The food was good, but not excellent. They tend to down their food in sauces. Service started out great, but as the meal went along the service went down to the point I felt forgotten about & no they were not busy. They did have a very cool wine list.
(4)Josh T.
Hands down the single best dining experience I've ever had. As mentioned in the other reviews it is pricey but that should be fully expected and is worth every penny IMHO. The service was professional, efficient, and pleasant. I overheard our waiter telling on of his other tables that he'd been at Palace Arms over 11 years. That is a lot table side ceaser salads and bananas foster, both of which were expertly made for us and were delicious. The Foie Gras was excellently prepared as was the Buffalo Rossini. My wife had the Wyagu Beef that was also incredible. The only thing that I didn't absolutely love was the lobster bisque, I felt it was average for lobster bisque. My wife had the Consomme and said it was fantastic. The atmosphere is impressive as they have art and other paraphernalia that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, pieces that should literally be in museums. You can't go wrong with the Palace Arms or really anywhere at the Brown Palace for any occasion.
(5)brewgirl b.
Amazing food and service. The restaurant was not busy at all the night we went (we were the only table for the first hour), and the staff was great. They told us about the restaurant's history, and were very funny and engaging. And what a history the room has--LOTS of authentic, museum quality Napoleonic relics. The seafood was delish! Wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a plane to catch, and they sped up the service without sacrificing service. All in all, a great way to end our Denver trip!
(5)Irina N.
My boyfriend and I went to Palace Arms on Wednesday to celebrate our anniversary. We chose the Five Course Tasting Menu and each had a drink. I had: Loch Duart Salmon appetizer, Wild Mushroom soup, Ceasar salad (made tableside), Diver Scallops and I can't remember the name of my dessert, but it was basically a chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. I also tried (off my bf's plate): cheese sandwich, chestnut bisque and sorbet. The Five Course Tasting Menu portions are rather small, but if you eat all 5 courses plus a piece of bread with butter and have a drink, then you most likely will be full. Personally, I was full by the end of the dinner and I really like to eat : ) The service was excellent. There was a number of people coming to our tables delivering food and silverware, refilling our glasses, etc. We received a lot of attention. The food was very good too. I loved everything that I ordered. My bf's cheese sandwich was good, but it's basically a grilled cheese sandwich. I did enjoy my bf's dessert better than mine though. It was one scoop of berry sorbet, one scoop of lemon sorbet and a few berries. It was the best sorbet I have ever had in my life. I "helped" my bf with eating his sorbet ; ) Overall, this place is very classy and has fancy and delicious food. It is very spendy too. Expect to spend $200 for a dinner for two. It is a special occasion type of a place. I would love to come back for another dinner. You can also have Classic Banana Foster prepared tableside for you. They flambe the dessert (set it on fire) tableside. A table next to mine ordered this dessert and it was an interesting experience. I would like to try this next time.
(5)Subin J.
I haven't been here for the last...8 months? or so because I really don't have any girl who's special enough to go with, but I'm going to write a review anyway. This restaurant is probably in the top 5 in metro DEN area. I'm not going to specifically comment on quality of food / service because 5* usually means they were outstanding. If Michelin ever decides to publish their guide in Denver (which I kinda doubt), this restaurant might be able to get 1 star. Also, if you happen to be one of those who has either Amex Cent / Plat, you have a better chance of scoring reservations at the last minute as Palace Arms is one of the participating restaurants in DEN with Amex's Concierge, although it is not 100% guaranteed.
(5)Cara M.
This is one of the most amazing places I have been. First off, the service was impeccable. Very kind and knowledgeable. Ask for a tour of the State Room and you'll get a rundown of a unique, one of a kind (well two of a kind, the other is in the White House) mural, as well as information regarding the authentic Napoleonic art art and artifacts such as Josephine's and Napoleaon's dueling pistols. It is pricey though, the food isn't too bad if you stick to the starters and they have the most amazing wine collection, but my husband and I were memorializing his grandmother who had recently passed away so the price was worth it. I mean the food is absolutely worth it but don't go expecting to spend less than $50/person, although you could get a good dinner for $30 if you ordered carefully. The food is amazing and everything on the menu was was perfect, the chef has a ton of skill and is adventuresome which I like. He also accommodated my vegetarian request. My husband had the chefs choice tasting menu as did I so for me I had a unique dish when the fois gras and pate courses arrived. It was awesome, some of the best vegetarian food I have ever had. Risotto, green salads, croquet with tofu, mixed grain salads, tomato soup with this outstanding crouton, fresh baked bread, sorbet, wine jelly, every flavor was perfect. We couldn't actually finish all eight courses so I took some home and ate it the next day cold for breakfast and it was still good. Almost better :) We returned the next night to have the bananas fosters, which if you go for no other reason go for this. The experience is worth the entire $600 tab. Which is high even if you account for the two amazing bottles of wine, which we also didn't finish and took to go. Seriously, $600. I have never paid that much for anything. Ever. Although I technically didn't pay for it, it was a gift. One of the nicest things anyone has done for me. If this place ever opens for lunch and does a happy hour, go regularly. It's amazing.
(5)Coral E.
My husband and I dined at Palace Arms last night for our first anniversary. We had dined here before selecting the Brown as our wedding venue, but last night's meal exceeded our already high expectations. We ordered the 5-course tasting menu, starting off with a shrimp and polenta amuse bouche. My husband had the short ribs appetizer and I had the steak tartare, which was prepared table side to perfection. We each had the tomato soup, which included a centerpiece of ricotta and watermelon on a crostini, and the Caesar salad also prepared table side. As entrees, he ordered the lamb and I had the bison Rossini, a filet of bison served with seared foie gras and a truffle Bernaise sauce and a Demi glacé on the bottom. Each dish we had was prepared beautifully and cooked perfectly. The service was impeccable-- my water glass was never less than 3/4 full and the sommelier was helpful, patient, and so friendly. Our waiter Roy was pleasant, accommodating, and made the dining experience enjoyable. Overall, I think this is one of the best, if not THE best, dining experiences in Denver. Be prepared to take at least 2-3 hours for dinner, as it's certainly part of the experience to enjoy the atmosphere, sip cocktails, and have multiple courses. This restaurant is the perfect dining experience for a special occasion, and I can't recommend it enough. It was a beautiful and special meal, and we will certainly back time and time again.
(5)Albert T.
Loved the ambiance, food and wine selections. Everything was to perfection. I would definitely go back!
(5)Desiree P.
Wow. This place is amazing. We celebrated our anniversary here last night because we had our wedding here and to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at this restaurant was free. Yes people, free!! The service was great...there was one slip up and that was our appetizer was completely forgotten...but, they ended up bringing it out with an apology...not sure if this was due to the fact we were the only hispanics in a room full of white old people...but, either way, the food and overall service was so good, all was forgiven. My husband had the bison and he said it was the best piece of meat he's ever had. Ever. The chefs seem to be very creative. They brought out this brie cheese with some kind of preserves on it and a kind of pepper and beautiful spices...anyway, it was a small little piece but so delicious!! They brought out our cake topper for dessert; yes, they recreated our cake from the wedding!! This little detail made us feel very special and had us reminiscing of the greatest day. Can't wait to go back. This will definitely be our anniversary tradition from now on.
(5)Jessica D.
This is a place to celebrate a special occasion. Be ready to splurge. The ahi tuni appetizer I had was quite possibly the best dish I have ever eaten *in my life*. It was one of those things where with every bite you are saying "This is unbelievable." Then on to the bison with foie gras . . . very rich. Finally, the chocolate soup. They brought us freshly baked macaroons to go with it (make sure you ask for those if they don't)-- another amazing experience. I'll be honest, I did feel a twinge of buyer's remorse when I saw the bill, but for two of the best dishes I've ever eaten, at a romantic dinner with a handsome man in an opulent setting, it was definitely worth it.
(5)Laura L.
I would give 4 1/2 if it was an option...really a beautiful experience. First off, just want to say that the service, food, and presentation are all top notch. However, I am not a fan of the atmosphere...a bit too much Disney's haunted mansion if you ask me. We went for a double celebration of my parents' anniversary and my grandma's 85 birthday. We had two pescetarians (myself included) and someone who is gluten intolerant in our party. Our server was knowledgeable and quick to recommend some options and steer us away from others. The meal began with a light amuse bouche (brie with cherry tomato, olive, and balsamic reduction for me). We ordered a bottle of an incredibly beautiful pinot noir from Germany to share for the table and then the meal began. Wow...I started with the hierloom lettuce salad...all the veggies were beautifully cooked (tender but with some crunch) and the dressing was modest and light. I then had the Market Fish (Black Cod) which was tender and flaky with lovely gnocchi's perfectly seared, pine nuts, olives, crab, and blood orange. My father got the ribeye and said it was the best piece of meat he has EVER had. We finished with two deserts shared between the table (play on banana split and dark cherry chocolate cake)...no one was speaking other than the murmur of "yummmm"s across the table. It was a beautiful experience (3 hours total) with some very incredible food. Our check came out to about $470 for 5 people and totally worth it.
(4)alison s.
The Palace Arms restaurant in the Brown Palace Hotel is perhaps the last bastion of luxury dining left in Denver. The dining room evokes the feeling of old money and the kind of civility that has long been left behind by more modern establishments. I found this grand dining room to be a treasure. The lighting is dim but not dark. On every wall there are beautiful antique flags and prints. But, don't let the antiques mislead you; this restaurant may have kept it's fin de siecle flair, but the food is very progressive. The chef is one-of-a-kind as he infuses time honored dishes like lamb medallions and crab cakes with subtle asian flavors. He even came to our table twice to chat and ask how we liked the food. It was that kind of attention that we really appreciated. Moreover, I can't remember the last time I had a caesar salad prepared tableside and it's probably the best caesar I've ever had - well balanced, subtle lemon flavor and crispy. The staff is cordial and helpful without being the least bit stuffy. And, did I mention that you do not need a jacket? If you have a very special occasion, do not hesitate to put the Palace Arms on your short-list of places to go. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Samantha M.
My parents and i went here 2 years ago, it was fabulous - they did a 7 course tasting menu with wine, i did a 4 course. the buffalo that my dad got was outstanding and i got a take on a reuben with lamb that was beyond delicious!
(5)Ken W.
Everything about this place screams expensive. From the moment you pull up to their valet service, the people are friendly and ready to satisfy your every desire. The head guy was extremely polite to me and my gf. It was her birthday and I only mentioned it in passing when I was making the reservation. He remembered right when we got there and wished my gf a happy birthday as we were walking in the door. Next, we are taken to a nice table there there is a long stem rose sitting on the plate for my beautiful date. The inside is pretty dark and almost has a gloomy atmosphere but it's brightened up by all the pleasant servers. You get a nice selection of bread. I ended up ordering the 8 course meal while my girlfriend got the 4 course one. Since there is such a huge discrepency in the amount of courses, they gave her a few free courses from my menu. That was extremely kind of them since it would have been weird for her to sit there for half the meal watching me eat. The head chef came out and helped serve our meal to us and explain how it was cooked. The presentation was also fantastic. Everything is extremely rich and tasteful. Finally, I had one of their signature desserts, the banana foster. This was prepared table side. Describing it would be a disservice. Definitely a great place to celebrate on special occasions.
(5)Ray R.
This was a fabulous dining experience. Not for those in a hurry. Wonderful for spending time with somebody important. For our visit they hit it out of the park. Service and food were outstanding. Again, this is fine dining, which is unhurried and gives you time to spend with your companions. No 16 oz. steak, but portion size is more than adequate. We had the 5 course tasting meal it was outstanding.
(5)Jess K.
This is a very fancy restaurant and has a lot of history. Do not go here if you want modern surroundings, but if you want an old fashioned high end atmosphere this is the place for you. I have to say I was kind of disappointed with the food. It wasn't bad, but the prices are definitely not justified. You are pretty much paying for the service and location of being in the Brown Palace hotel. One of the servers did a table-side ceasar and for dessert had also did Banana's foster. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal and the very nice gentleman knew a ton of history about the hotel and restaurant which was very cool. I had the french onion soup which I didn't care for, as it was not the traditional style I love ($12). It had good flavor but I like it prepared the traditional way so I was a little let down when it came out. The duck was good but nothing I would go out of my way to get again, and especially not for $38 (the cheapest entree on the menu). They do have an amazing wine selection that looks more like a large encyclopedia.
(4)Tim T.
Had dinner here last night with friends visiting from Santa Fe. Dinner was fantastic, service was wonderful, our server Kendra made the night very special. She even took the time to answer some specific question I had in regards to the history of the bldg and she showed us a few special pieces in the dining room. 3 of us had the catch which was Haddock, AMAZING! My partner had the duck breast and it look delish! If you are looking for a special dinner for a special evening, I highly recommend the Brown Palace. We already are planning our next visit.
(5)Julie S.
We came to the hotel for a one night getaway and made reservations at the Palace Arms dining room. The dining room has a Royalty theme with flags and pictures of military leaders on the walls. Very classy ambiance to go with the classy meal. The manager came over and offered his recommendation for a bottle of wine. I was pleasantly surprised with his choice because it wasn't too expensive and fit my taste to a T. We started with the crab cake which my husband liked more than I did. We both thought the Caesar salad for 2 was out of this world. Our server prepared it right in front of us. I got the Bison and my husband got the Lamb for dinner, both were delicious! We ended the meal with the lemon poppyseed Creme Brûlée, rich with a beautiful texture. Pricey place for sure, but we loved it for a special occasion splurge. Would recommend the cigar bar across the way too if you want to continue the evening after dinner!
(5)Jenna M.
This place is so yummy! It's an elegant restaurant in an elegant hotel in an elegant city. My husband and I go here somewhat regularly as our escape from the day-to-day grind of Play-Doh and work. It's a special place that makes us feel like we are leaving the modern-day in favor of some old-fashioned romance and elegance. The food is as rich as the ambience and we leave filled with the decadence that can only come from The Palace Arms.
(5)Michael C.
I could see how this place 20 or 50 years ago was the best place in town, however in a town were there is a deluge of world class restaurants. The regal palace arms melts away into the general noise of restaurants. The food reminds me of Central European. It's okay and worth coming to once. And the service is good.
(3)Tim F.
Fairly disappointed. Had dinner Christmas Eve's eve before a show at the performing arts center, we were staying at the hotel and decided to give it a go. AMBIANCE: Kind of fun, it's definitely old school. The booths were lovely and well separated. I'd give an A on this point. SERVICE: Confusing. I've eaten at many a fine dining establishment and never had this slow/inattentive service. Our waiter asked us at the start if we had plans he should keep in mind for pacing, and we told him we had to be at the show in 2 hours. He said we wouldn't be able to do the 4-course meal (we barely did 2). Now, we were the 3rd table seated and ordered right away. 2 hours for 2 courses? I mean, I like to savor my food, but this was slow by any stretch. I'm fairly sure my waiter actually made my cocktail himself, it took 15 minutes while he was doing that before we could order. Just weird. FOOD: We had squash soup followed by Branzino with a vegetable risotto, and tuna crudo followed by their specialty Bison Rossini. Both apps were quite good, the tuna in particular was super fresh and well prepared. My Rossini was great, but it was also kind of throwing every expensive ingredient at a plate, how could it not be? The branzino was...fine, the lemon butter sauce ....ok, but the vegetable risotto was visually off, and the vegetables tasted frozen. I can make better risotto. Despite of this I'd call the food "good, but boring". They're not breaking any new ground here, just preparing old specialties well (with the exception of the risotto). VALUE: Ridiculous. 2 courses, 1 cocktail, and 1 glass of wine = $199. Come on.
(3)Sergio R.
Amazing food and service! Pasta, pork cheeks, salmon and steak were amazing and perfectly cook. They even give a rose to my girlfriend at the end of the meal. Thank u for the great evening.
(5)Liz S.
We had dinner here this weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The food is amazing, but the service is top notch. We went off the server's recommendations for appetizer (crab cakes), salad (their table side Caesar salad is the best salad I have ever had), and entrée (my husband had the duck, I had the scallops- Both were 'lick your plate good'). Definitely an expensive meal, but definitely worth it for special occasions.
(5)Catharine W.
meh... I would say they are resting on their laurels. We were taken to lunch for business. The room is old-school lovely. We were greeted with surliness when we were a bit late for the reservation (though the room was nearly empty...) Ordered a salmon-topped salad. Veggies were over cooked, fish a bit undercooked. Overall, it was underwhelming and bland. Not recommended.
(3)Lizi C.
My recent meal at the Palace arms was probably the most memorable and excellent meals that I have had in a long time. We had a small party in the private dining room (Independence Room) which was the perfect venue. It was in celebration of our wedding. The staff was so polite and really went out of their way to make it a nice evening and make us feel special. The ambiance was perfect. It feels very intimate and classic. The Brown Palace has a very rich and interesting history. You should read about it. brownpalace.com/About-th… As for dinner we had a pre-fix menu to choose from. The filet mignon was the stand out item on the menu. I tried the pork medallions which were also excellent. I didn't try the fish, but was told it was cooked to perfection. The appetizers were excellent as well. The quality of the food and overall presentation of the food was excellent. When dining at the Palace Arms, you feel like you are stepping back into a more classic time which is something that is quite unique and refreshing. We had them prepare us a wedding cake (chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache). It was absolutely splendid. I can't think of a more perfect restaurant in Denver for a special occasion. I'm so glad we decided to have our special celebration in the Palace Arms. The Brown Palace will forever be a really special place to us. The hotel is rich with Denver History and now is an important part of our own personal history. Both my husband and I are excited to come back for future anniversary dinners and special occasions. I highly recommend a meal in the Palace Arms for a very memorable, special and delicious dining experience. Thank you Brown Palace and the staff at the Palace Arms for a truly incredible evening. Our experience is something that we will always remember and is very dear to our hearts.
(5)Wesley S.
Me and my friend road tripped to Colorado, and after eating "road trip" food for a few days we decided we need some real food. That combined with the fact that neither of us had ever eaten very fancy, we decided to try something new and eat at the Palace Arms restaurant. After dressing up in our fanciest H&M clothes we decided to try and look like royalty and eat where not many young college students venture. So the adventure began. As soon as we walked up we knew we didn't belong here, but we decided to pull out every ounce of manners that we had ever learned from our mothers. When we sat down we instantly were treated like VIP's. We were checked on by about 5 different people throughout the night and everybody was extremely polite and made sure we were taken care of! As far as food goes, it was possibly the best thing my taste buds have ever experienced. I got the "loin of lamb" and I couldn't tell you any of the ingredients other than it had Lamb in there, mixed with a variety of extravagant combinations. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for a classy night out!
(5)Lea B.
This update is a little behind since we were there again over the Christmas holidays so the Brown Palace had all of their holiday decorations and it was very festive. The food again was incredible. We wanted to try it again since we heard there was a chef change but everything was delish. Their signature dish the Rossini was just as we remembered it. We brought friends this time and they were equally impressed. One of them decided to go with the wine pairing and thought the sommelier was spot on with her pairings. I don't know why this place isn't mentioned anywhere but it truly is a hidden gem. And if you get over the "stuffy" atmosphere the food and service is incredible.
(5)Jonathan H.
The palace arms feels like the kind of restaurant your grandfather saved paycheck for so that he could propose to your grandmother. It has a unique old school atmosphere that is complimented with fabulously rich and heavy flavors. Inside the stylishly old Brown Palace hotel is the Palace Arms, that has a 19th century European motif that gives it a special charm, setting it apart from the typical high end Denver restaurant. I had the tasting menu that started with pressed pork, followed by the table side Caesar salad, entree of Rossini and dessert of Creme Brûlée. The pressed pork was so so, prepared a lot like pressed duck it is pan fried crispy pork belly. It didn't do anything special for me and I've had much better pork belly elsewhere. Table side Caesar was well done with a perfect consistency and flavor, aside from the cheesy jokes by the server. The Rossini was absolutely perfect! Served with rapinni (spellcheck) and Demi glaze, topped with a piece of foie gras. I have to say that the foie was a bit over the top and didn't add anything new to the dish but I mean it's foie gras on a steak so I can't really complain. The meal was excellently crafted and I could taste the slightest of details, like the Demi glaze's rich stocky flavor, or the rich fatty egg yolk in the salad. The Palace Arms is an amazing experience that takes old flavors and stylized atmosphere to a new level.
(5)Jamie W.
Since we did a trendy dinner on our first night in Denver, I wanted to go the more traditional route for dinner #2. Most of the Yelp reviews have it right. It's definitely a special occasion restaurant... it's a little old school... don't expect a quickie meal by any means. We opted NOT to do the prix fixe and instead ordered a la carte because honestly, it just sounded like so much food. I started with the artichoke soup and then had the veal saltimbocca for my entree. Both dishes were superb. I had never had saltimbocca before and am glad I gave it a try. It was a little too thick cut for my taste (for whatever reason I thought it was served pounded - my mistake) but the flavor was good. Impressive wine catalogue. We started with a California sparkling and then shared a California red. It's funny how we always tend to lean toward California wines... The real standout of the meal was when the chef came over to check on us... not once, but twice! Sometimes the chef comes to your table at other restaurants and it comes off a tad phony. Not here. Chef Thanawat Bates is a genuine guy, very friendly and the way he described the desserts to us... I'm surprised I didn't order all of them! The desserts are classics but deconstructed, if that makes any sense at all... for example, we ordered the key lime pie. It comes in a parfait dish. There is some crunch on the bottom which is warm but the filling is warm and cold at the same time. It was beyond amazing (see the picture). The service was impeccable. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. Dress up for sure! I loved the red rose I received at the end - nice touch for a special occasion (our 8th wedding anniversary). I wholeheartedly recommend Palace Arms for a special dinner... they definitely aim to please.
(5)Jason G.
I'll cut right to the chase: the price you're going to pay isn't worth the food you're going to eat. In fact, the price was literally more than my last three Valentine Day meals COMBINED...it was totally ridiculous. The service was good and the atmosphere was cool (in a French Revolution kind of way), but the price was way too rich for my blood. To make myself feel better, I kept thinking, "Well, maybe John, Paul, George or Ringo sat here...", which I knew was bullshit since we had the corner booth by the entrance and no one wants to sit there. Save your money for a couch or a nice set of end tables.
(3)David B.
Do not go here for the food....beer, yes, but these idiots that think that cheap fries dipped in spices makes for the best fries ever have never been to McDonalds. I don't get it!!
(1)David B.
Eh. I mean, it's alright. But definitely not the best I've had. Overpriced for cheaply made courses.
(3)Stephanie L.
Yes, it's old school and a little stuffy, but what an amazing experience for a special occasion. Don't go in expecting to have a cheap or quick meal. If you go in expecting top-notch service and delicious food, you'll be happy. Honestly, I am so used to be rushed in and out of restaurants it did seem like there was a lot of time in between everything, but I kept having to remember.. this is a special occassion. I am enjoying my husband's company. What a nice date we are on for our 5th wedding anniversary. Deep breath and I stopped with the impatience! We splurged and got the 8-course tasting menu. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it, and it's not because of the price ($130 actually is reasonable for what you get) but because it's an inordinate amount of food to try to eat in one sitting. And it's not the kid of place where you ask for a doggy bag. Highlights of the meal were the fois gras - pairing it with cherries is brilliant, the Basque seafood soup (my personal favorite course), tableside caesar salad (I am a sucker for anything prepared tableside) and the bananas foster, also prepared tableside. The bison that is part of the Rossini was melt in your mouth delicious as well. As I mentioned the service was top-notch. Really, service should be like this everywhere. Lots of people always there to bring you whatver you need, refill your water, answer questions. I probably won't go back anytime soon but it's a must try for any special occasion!
(5)Jared K.
Unbelievably rude. We spent nearly 1.5 hours waiting for our entrees. When I politely indicated that we were ready for the food to be served the staff notified me that the location was a "fine dining" establishment. I'm well accustomed to paying over $1,000 for a meal, but not accustomed to second tier service combined with first tier snobbery. Only go here if you are interested in a 17th century British dining experience that takes a full three hours to have a full meal.
(1)Justine M.
Hands-down the best restaurant in Denver, and by far the best meal I've ever had anywhere. Yes, it's really expensive -- but for the first time ever, the entire experience was well worth it. Upon being seated and given a brief but informative history of the restaurant, the host brought us two glasses of Dom Perignon -- definitely a nice way start the night off right! We then enjoyed some delicious bread from an impressive selection and shared the crab cake, which came with a lemongrass-infused sauce and was fantastic. I also ordered a glass of a Super Tuscan (wish I could remember the name!) and enjoyed the description offered by the friendly sommelier -- they have an extensive wine list, and I was very happy with the choice I made! However, the bison steak that I ordered for an entree was the true star of the show. Oh. My. God. It was so amazing, I literally dreamed about it that night. I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but my boyfriend's lamb was delicious as well and he was very satisfied. We finished the meal with their signature Bananas Foster, which definitely didn't disappoint -- and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, our wonderful waiter brought out a dessert wine that paired perfectly with the bananas. Palace Arms defines the true meaning of a 5-star restaurant in every aspect of the term: impeccable service, stunning ambiance, and most importantly, incredible food. Looking forward to going back for the next special occasion!
(5)Mo R.
The filet mignon is just amazing and the service here is top notch !!! Just love this place over and over again !!!!
(5)Adam S.
I had my birthday dinner here, and I have to say that I was generally very pleased with the meal. This place is what I would describe as "old school elegant.". It has the feeling almost of another era (reminded me a bit of being in delmonicos in NYC). Service is very friendly. Love that they wear tuxedos (yep, it's that kind of place). As for the food, all of it was good and some of it was great. We opted for the 5 course tasting which basically gives you your choice of appetizer, soup, salad, entree, dessert. We had quite a few items, so for brevity's sake, I will suggest that if you dine here you should get the chestnut bisque and the filet Rossini. Both were exceptional dishes. Like I said earlier, all the dishes were good, but my least favorite of the night were the mushroom soup and the frisée salad. The prices here are expensive, but not exceptionally so. Bottom line is that you can get a high quality meal here for special occasions.
(5)Kelli S.
The food is great, not the best I've ever had, but very close. Service is above and beyond anything I've ever experienced. Highlight: bananas foster prepared tableside Lowlight: the bill (expensive, but not unexpectedly so) Overall I'd say totally worth it. I will probably go back for a special occasion at some point.
(4)Samantha E.
You can't live in Denver without hearing stories of the Brown Palace. I was sure it would be amazing, but thought it couldn't possibly live up to the hype. But guess what? It did. The atmosphere and service are remnisent of "the good old days," and I now know why my 85-year-old aunt laments that going out to dinner just isn't like it used to be. I discovered this before we even walked in, when the valet not only ran around to open my car door, but offered his hand to help me out. This is my first experience of this other than in the movies. The lobby of the hotel is beautiful, with excellent service from the bar and a 3-man band playing music in the background. They also give all females a long-stem rose at the end of the night-- possible the classiest thing ever-- but I'm getting ahead of myself. The restaurant itself is exquisite. Our needs were anticipated (my fiance's dad's drink was never less than 1/4 full)-- at one point we counted seven servers for the fifteen or so tables that were there. The wine list is literally a book, complete with a table of contents. Of course, the food was amazing. The amuse bouche was a lobster salad, and it only went uphill from there. The onion rolls were to die for, and I would have had more bread but I decided to save room for everything else. The mushroom soup, creamy while cream-less and topped with lump crab, was one of the most amazing soups I've ever had. My fiancé loved the chestnut soup as well. For my entree I had the fish, which was perfectly cooked: crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, topped with a delicious garnish I didn't recognize and a wonderful light sauce, served with crispy risotto. Apparently the Wagyu beef and filet were fantastic as well. If you somehow have room for dessert, they're excellent (we tried the chocolate souffle-like one as well as the gelato), plus you're given some truffles and cookies at the end of the night. It's definitely a huge splurge, but Palace Arms is definitely deserving of its five stars, and worth experiencing without a doubt.
(5)Brian K.
I have been here twice and twice have had my socks totally blown off. Easily one of my favorite restaurants ever. Decor The place looks like a high end British pub exploded inside. Coats of arms, crowns, British painting, oh my! It's totally out of control, yet still elegant - I love it. Service Top notch. Just fantastic. See food for some more commentary. Food My wife and I are vegetarians and both times (once alone, once together) asked if they could do something special. I felt like a judge on Iron Chef with the unique creations they created. Let me be more specific - their Executive Sous Chef - Thanawat - is THE MAN. He told us to call ahead next time and give him 2-3 days notice. He would then make us an 8 course meal to whatever our needs (vegan/gf/etc) using ingrediants they would go out and purchase. What?! How amazing is this. I have never had a restaurant tell me this. Value You're getting Alex at the Wynn ($300/person) for well under $100. I don't think Denver has any idea how lucky they are!
(5)Bobby T.
I had low expectations for Palace Arms during restaurant week (It's a pretty limited menu), but was BLOWN AWAY by the service, atmosphere, and the food. Yes, we visited for RW 2010, and before we left I glanced at their menu online. You have a choice of 1 appetizer - Caesar Salad for 2 prepared tableside, 2 entrees - Salmon or Beef, and 2 desserts - Chocolate soup or macaroons. (In the case of the dessert there is really only 1 choice, because I'm not going to go to Palace Arms and just have cookies for dessert. It's just not happening.) Basically, I felt like I was going to a wedding, and I had to choose my main course - beef or fish? I had very low expectations because of the very few choices, and seeing as it was rated at 5 stars on Yelp, I had much cognitive dissonance going on in my head. I was also expecting the restaurant to be dead, being Tuesday night and all. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how busy the restaurant and lobby of The Brown Palace was. It was buzzing! We were seated and had to wait a few minutes before I could order my drink, but besides that wait we received very attentive service throughout the night. The Caesar salad for 2 prepared tableside was a little bit of show, and a lotta bit of delicious. I almost licked my plate, but then remembered where I was. Both me and my wife had the Beef offering for our main course. It was basically a deconstructed Beef Wellington, and it was out of this world! Topped with foie gras that had been pan seared to keep its shape and a beautifully flavorful demi-glace, the beef was cooked perfectly to my asking and juicy and tender to boot. Everything about this dish screamed luxury. It was plush. Finally, for dessert, Chocolate Soup! Oh, what a treat this was. I was intrigued when I saw it on the menu, and it totally delivered. You know the scene in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (The Gene Wilder one, not the Tim Burton one, although it had this scene too) when the winners first enter the factory and see the chocolate river? Ever since I first saw that when I was a kid I wanted to drink from that river, and Chocolate Soup finally let me live out that dream. Rich, velvety chocolate washed over my tongue in an explosion of perfect sweetness and chocolate. I had to peer into the kitchen to see if they had the chocolate river flowing through it, and if they did, I was planning to dive in. All in all, we had a wonderful evening at Palace Arms, and highly recommend them, especially for Restaurant Week.
(5)Melissa T.
So, unless it's so awful that I know I won't be back, I try to get to a place at least twice before reviewing. In this case, that means it's taken a year for me to have two trips to base a review on, because the Palace Arms is a fancy, special occasion place. I have been twice, both times on our anniversary. The first year everything was outstanding! The food was amazing, the service was impeccable. The second year was just a shade less impressive. The servers seemed hurried, and it was a bit of a let down from the year before, though the food was just as incredible. But overall it's still an outstanding experience and it's just fun to go somewhere super fancy to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)David T.
Well, just to state the obvious, this is a world class splurge, not a place to catch a weeknight bite. Arguably, it is the most elegant dining destination in Colorado. Some might prefer the Broadmoor or the Flagstaff House, but the Palace Arms is really in a class by itself, IMO. The history of the hotel and the Palace Arms is long an interesting and the list of former guests is formidable indeed. I think it is one of the loveliest formal dining room I've ever been in. Some may find it excessively formal though and may not be comfortable here. Until quite recently men were required to wear a coat and tie, and, I certainly still do. Waiters in tuxes, flawless formal service (some table side - Caesar salad, steak tartare, bananas foster, etc.). This is fine dining at it's most luxurious and professional. It has been an educational institution for decades, in the sense that many young people received valuable lessons about how to negotiate the intricacies of the high end dining experience without making total rubes of themselves. On our last visit, they were at the top of their game. It was a magical evening. Totally gracious staff and exquisite food and wine. From the first bite of their homemade Melba toast (created here) to the last nibble of their house made macaroons. They offer a number of tasting menus with wine pairings but we ordered a la carte this time. We were four celebrating a birthday, so, I'll only mention the dishes I had since this really isn't the sort of place you pass plates around. Started with the Abalone (you never see it anymore and, when, on the rare occasions that it shows up - I'm a goner). Their preparation included green peppercorns, pistachios, artichokes and parm - totally decadent and delish, Considered sharing a Caesar as others in the group did but decided to save room for a hearty main and dessert, of course. Entree choices are fairly limited but cover all the bases - scallops, halibut, chicken pot pie (not your mom's), lamb loin, bison, and Kobe short ribs. Oh, what to do? Ended up with the very succulent lamb loin served with rye spaetzle, fennel sauerkraut and a Gruyere frico. Finished up with, what else? - the bananas foster. Can we all say oink? We did some severe damage with the wine list as well. It is huge and heavily French. Started with a terrific white bordeaux followed by two (yes, two) bottles of Rauzan-Segla Margaux. Others may have even had a cognac but I was getting fuzzy by this point. I was not too fuzzy to note that the check for this little extravagance was in excess of $1200 plus gratuities. Probably a little more than half of that was the wine though, so you don't have to take out a second mortgage. But still, not for the faint of wallet. I wasn't paying - thank god. If you really want to pull out all the stops, or if your wealthy Aunt Ethel is in town and wants to treat, by all means get all gussied up and hit the town in high style.
(5)Dave F.
This is a rating that includes service and food quality, but not value. The service is excellent. They really make you feel special. I ordered the four-course menu: crab appetizer, bouillabaisse, ribeye with potato cake, and brownie dessert. The crab and ribeye were excellent. I could have done without the sauce on the ribeye, but it wasn't bad. The soup and brownie were fine, but not outstanding. The ability of the chef was excellent and presentation was impressive as well. The problem is I don't think the food is worth the price. The four-course menu is $85. I've had much better steak + soup dinners for about $50 or $60. So I wouldn't come back. But I had a gift certificate. And it was an enjoyable time.
(4)Mary S.
Just immaculate and outstanding!! My husband and I did some research on "top-notch" restuarants around Denver, since it will be our first time there and found this place. After reading lots of reviews, we thought we'd try this restaurant. This restaurant is worth every penny on food and service!! If you're looking for something simple, this is not the place, but if you're leaning toward a memorable evening, you should definitely go here. We were very impressed with the gentleman who seated us laying our napkins on our laps and moving the table side to side for seating access. The waiter handed us a novel of wine lists which was a little overwhelming but they covered each and every wine on this planet. However, thank goodness for Eric (sommelier), who was super knowledgeable on the wine list and was able to dial in our palates on what we wanted and then suggested wines we wouldn't even have thought about and ended up loving and drinking instead. We had the 8 course meal, due to celebration of our wedding anniversary and MBA graduation of my husband. It started off with a fresh and crisp lobster salad and ended with a table-side preparation of cherries jubilee-and since it was a special occasion, Eric stepped in again and suggested a great full-flavored Port that matched it perfectly. Everything was great about the restaurant and servers! The only disappointment was the deconstructed keylime pie, which was super tart and the sorbet hidden in the middle didn't match our taste well at all. I also have to commend the Chef who came out and said "hi" to us. It is very nice to meet who is cooking for you instead of always hiding behind the scenes. Overall it was a great experience! However, the next time we come back, we'll do the 5 course meal instead due to we checked in at 5:30 pm and didn't leave until 9:00 pm due to the long meal, but it was still worth every penny and experience!!!
(5)Tatyana M.
We visit Denver every year and after reading so many raving reviews finally went for dinner to this "legendary" place. It wasn't just a disappointment, It was a WOW disappointment!!! AMBIANCE: lot's of "glitter" and kind of "class" but bathroom does not have hand towels, so first time in my life in the hotel/restaurant of this caliber I had to dry my hands with toilet tissues. The dining room was dark and uninviting, so if it's called "old school dining" ambiance then I belong to the" new school" one. SERVICE: stuffy, but definitely not really professional. FOOD: not tasty at all, in some dishes over salted, in the case of fish overcooked, bland and all together BORING. Not even one dish hit the spot. VALUE: and that is the most disappointing factor. If this experience would happen in the regular restaurant with the regular prices of $50 to $60 p/p I would say OK, not a big deal and loss of money and time. BUT when you dare to charge $65 for a steak, when dinner for two cost is $200+ without drinks and you deliver nothing but disappointment, that's when I say it's not OK, it's a false and pretentious place, and I feel that I should warn people about it. Unless you are too wealthy and don't care about quality of the experience you are getting for your money I would say stay away from Palace Arm.
(1)JC C.
Very disappointed after all the rave reviews posted here. Went for my birthday last night. Price to Quality ratio very poor. $$$$ - Amazing Hawaiian cod, good tasting but swimming in sauce. Isn't lesson one in fine cuisine to not cover up the flavor of a wonderful piece of fish or meat but to enhance it? Same with my husbands steak - absolutely swimming in goop. He was shoving it all off to get to the meat below. Good service, if you like 5 people breathing down your neck. One guy - I guess the waiter who only serves the beer - talked incessantly about all he knows about beer. Nice guy, but please leave us alone. If the price tag had not been $170 for two people I wouldn't be as upset... but it was. I will say the beer and my wine were both excellent.
(2)Stan L.
my wife and i came for dinner and got the degustation menu.. i had mine paired with wine.. the food was impeccable and their wine selection paired perfectly with the meal.. i've had better food at michelin star restaurants and better wines in Napa.. but their pairing of food and wine blew me away.. it is easily one of the best meals my wife and i have shared together... although i had high expectations for this restaurant.. i was still completely blown away.. service was of course excellent and well deserved of my large tip
(5)Matt D.
The food was good, but not excellent. They tend to down their food in sauces. Service started out great, but as the meal went along the service went down to the point I felt forgotten about & no they were not busy. They did have a very cool wine list.
(4)Josh T.
Hands down the single best dining experience I've ever had. As mentioned in the other reviews it is pricey but that should be fully expected and is worth every penny IMHO. The service was professional, efficient, and pleasant. I overheard our waiter telling on of his other tables that he'd been at Palace Arms over 11 years. That is a lot table side ceaser salads and bananas foster, both of which were expertly made for us and were delicious. The Foie Gras was excellently prepared as was the Buffalo Rossini. My wife had the Wyagu Beef that was also incredible. The only thing that I didn't absolutely love was the lobster bisque, I felt it was average for lobster bisque. My wife had the Consomme and said it was fantastic. The atmosphere is impressive as they have art and other paraphernalia that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, pieces that should literally be in museums. You can't go wrong with the Palace Arms or really anywhere at the Brown Palace for any occasion.
(5)brewgirl b.
Amazing food and service. The restaurant was not busy at all the night we went (we were the only table for the first hour), and the staff was great. They told us about the restaurant's history, and were very funny and engaging. And what a history the room has--LOTS of authentic, museum quality Napoleonic relics. The seafood was delish! Wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a plane to catch, and they sped up the service without sacrificing service. All in all, a great way to end our Denver trip!
(5)Irina N.
My boyfriend and I went to Palace Arms on Wednesday to celebrate our anniversary. We chose the Five Course Tasting Menu and each had a drink. I had: Loch Duart Salmon appetizer, Wild Mushroom soup, Ceasar salad (made tableside), Diver Scallops and I can't remember the name of my dessert, but it was basically a chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. I also tried (off my bf's plate): cheese sandwich, chestnut bisque and sorbet. The Five Course Tasting Menu portions are rather small, but if you eat all 5 courses plus a piece of bread with butter and have a drink, then you most likely will be full. Personally, I was full by the end of the dinner and I really like to eat : ) The service was excellent. There was a number of people coming to our tables delivering food and silverware, refilling our glasses, etc. We received a lot of attention. The food was very good too. I loved everything that I ordered. My bf's cheese sandwich was good, but it's basically a grilled cheese sandwich. I did enjoy my bf's dessert better than mine though. It was one scoop of berry sorbet, one scoop of lemon sorbet and a few berries. It was the best sorbet I have ever had in my life. I "helped" my bf with eating his sorbet ; ) Overall, this place is very classy and has fancy and delicious food. It is very spendy too. Expect to spend $200 for a dinner for two. It is a special occasion type of a place. I would love to come back for another dinner. You can also have Classic Banana Foster prepared tableside for you. They flambe the dessert (set it on fire) tableside. A table next to mine ordered this dessert and it was an interesting experience. I would like to try this next time.
(5)Subin J.
I haven't been here for the last...8 months? or so because I really don't have any girl who's special enough to go with, but I'm going to write a review anyway. This restaurant is probably in the top 5 in metro DEN area. I'm not going to specifically comment on quality of food / service because 5* usually means they were outstanding. If Michelin ever decides to publish their guide in Denver (which I kinda doubt), this restaurant might be able to get 1 star. Also, if you happen to be one of those who has either Amex Cent / Plat, you have a better chance of scoring reservations at the last minute as Palace Arms is one of the participating restaurants in DEN with Amex's Concierge, although it is not 100% guaranteed.
(5)Eddy S.
A lot of buck for your bang! I don't bat an eye at pricey joints like this as long as they live up to their bill. Palace Arms does. A bit more traditional than I care for, every dish was perfectly executed and the service outstanding.
(5)Kyle G.
It hard to find a true fine dining restaurant now days (dress code, proper ingredients, over the top service). So glad places like this are still around.
(5)Rose L.
Such an impressive experience! As delicious and diverse as the food was, it was the extremely attentive and friendly service of our great wait staff that made our dining experience un-paralled. All of our head waiter's recommendations were spot on. We came in for a late dinner and they staff stayed with us until the bitter end, including a table side preparation of Banana's Foster, long after the next to last table had vacated the restuarant. If I lived in Denver, this would be a go to restaurant for any special occasion. As it is, I'd fly back just to go there again!
(5)Cara M.
This is one of the most amazing places I have been. First off, the service was impeccable. Very kind and knowledgeable. Ask for a tour of the State Room and you'll get a rundown of a unique, one of a kind (well two of a kind, the other is in the White House) mural, as well as information regarding the authentic Napoleonic art art and artifacts such as Josephine's and Napoleaon's dueling pistols. It is pricey though, the food isn't too bad if you stick to the starters and they have the most amazing wine collection, but my husband and I were memorializing his grandmother who had recently passed away so the price was worth it. I mean the food is absolutely worth it but don't go expecting to spend less than $50/person, although you could get a good dinner for $30 if you ordered carefully. The food is amazing and everything on the menu was was perfect, the chef has a ton of skill and is adventuresome which I like. He also accommodated my vegetarian request. My husband had the chefs choice tasting menu as did I so for me I had a unique dish when the fois gras and pate courses arrived. It was awesome, some of the best vegetarian food I have ever had. Risotto, green salads, croquet with tofu, mixed grain salads, tomato soup with this outstanding crouton, fresh baked bread, sorbet, wine jelly, every flavor was perfect. We couldn't actually finish all eight courses so I took some home and ate it the next day cold for breakfast and it was still good. Almost better :) We returned the next night to have the bananas fosters, which if you go for no other reason go for this. The experience is worth the entire $600 tab. Which is high even if you account for the two amazing bottles of wine, which we also didn't finish and took to go. Seriously, $600. I have never paid that much for anything. Ever. Although I technically didn't pay for it, it was a gift. One of the nicest things anyone has done for me. If this place ever opens for lunch and does a happy hour, go regularly. It's amazing.
(5)Coral E.
My husband and I dined at Palace Arms last night for our first anniversary. We had dined here before selecting the Brown as our wedding venue, but last night's meal exceeded our already high expectations. We ordered the 5-course tasting menu, starting off with a shrimp and polenta amuse bouche. My husband had the short ribs appetizer and I had the steak tartare, which was prepared table side to perfection. We each had the tomato soup, which included a centerpiece of ricotta and watermelon on a crostini, and the Caesar salad also prepared table side. As entrees, he ordered the lamb and I had the bison Rossini, a filet of bison served with seared foie gras and a truffle Bernaise sauce and a Demi glacé on the bottom. Each dish we had was prepared beautifully and cooked perfectly. The service was impeccable-- my water glass was never less than 3/4 full and the sommelier was helpful, patient, and so friendly. Our waiter Roy was pleasant, accommodating, and made the dining experience enjoyable. Overall, I think this is one of the best, if not THE best, dining experiences in Denver. Be prepared to take at least 2-3 hours for dinner, as it's certainly part of the experience to enjoy the atmosphere, sip cocktails, and have multiple courses. This restaurant is the perfect dining experience for a special occasion, and I can't recommend it enough. It was a beautiful and special meal, and we will certainly back time and time again.
(5)Albert T.
Loved the ambiance, food and wine selections. Everything was to perfection. I would definitely go back!
(5)Desiree P.
Wow. This place is amazing. We celebrated our anniversary here last night because we had our wedding here and to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at this restaurant was free. Yes people, free!! The service was great...there was one slip up and that was our appetizer was completely forgotten...but, they ended up bringing it out with an apology...not sure if this was due to the fact we were the only hispanics in a room full of white old people...but, either way, the food and overall service was so good, all was forgiven. My husband had the bison and he said it was the best piece of meat he's ever had. Ever. The chefs seem to be very creative. They brought out this brie cheese with some kind of preserves on it and a kind of pepper and beautiful spices...anyway, it was a small little piece but so delicious!! They brought out our cake topper for dessert; yes, they recreated our cake from the wedding!! This little detail made us feel very special and had us reminiscing of the greatest day. Can't wait to go back. This will definitely be our anniversary tradition from now on.
(5)Jessica D.
This is a place to celebrate a special occasion. Be ready to splurge. The ahi tuni appetizer I had was quite possibly the best dish I have ever eaten *in my life*. It was one of those things where with every bite you are saying "This is unbelievable." Then on to the bison with foie gras . . . very rich. Finally, the chocolate soup. They brought us freshly baked macaroons to go with it (make sure you ask for those if they don't)-- another amazing experience. I'll be honest, I did feel a twinge of buyer's remorse when I saw the bill, but for two of the best dishes I've ever eaten, at a romantic dinner with a handsome man in an opulent setting, it was definitely worth it.
(5)Laura L.
I would give 4 1/2 if it was an option...really a beautiful experience. First off, just want to say that the service, food, and presentation are all top notch. However, I am not a fan of the atmosphere...a bit too much Disney's haunted mansion if you ask me. We went for a double celebration of my parents' anniversary and my grandma's 85 birthday. We had two pescetarians (myself included) and someone who is gluten intolerant in our party. Our server was knowledgeable and quick to recommend some options and steer us away from others. The meal began with a light amuse bouche (brie with cherry tomato, olive, and balsamic reduction for me). We ordered a bottle of an incredibly beautiful pinot noir from Germany to share for the table and then the meal began. Wow...I started with the hierloom lettuce salad...all the veggies were beautifully cooked (tender but with some crunch) and the dressing was modest and light. I then had the Market Fish (Black Cod) which was tender and flaky with lovely gnocchi's perfectly seared, pine nuts, olives, crab, and blood orange. My father got the ribeye and said it was the best piece of meat he has EVER had. We finished with two deserts shared between the table (play on banana split and dark cherry chocolate cake)...no one was speaking other than the murmur of "yummmm"s across the table. It was a beautiful experience (3 hours total) with some very incredible food. Our check came out to about $470 for 5 people and totally worth it.
(4)alison s.
The Palace Arms restaurant in the Brown Palace Hotel is perhaps the last bastion of luxury dining left in Denver. The dining room evokes the feeling of old money and the kind of civility that has long been left behind by more modern establishments. I found this grand dining room to be a treasure. The lighting is dim but not dark. On every wall there are beautiful antique flags and prints. But, don't let the antiques mislead you; this restaurant may have kept it's fin de siecle flair, but the food is very progressive. The chef is one-of-a-kind as he infuses time honored dishes like lamb medallions and crab cakes with subtle asian flavors. He even came to our table twice to chat and ask how we liked the food. It was that kind of attention that we really appreciated. Moreover, I can't remember the last time I had a caesar salad prepared tableside and it's probably the best caesar I've ever had - well balanced, subtle lemon flavor and crispy. The staff is cordial and helpful without being the least bit stuffy. And, did I mention that you do not need a jacket? If you have a very special occasion, do not hesitate to put the Palace Arms on your short-list of places to go. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Samantha M.
My parents and i went here 2 years ago, it was fabulous - they did a 7 course tasting menu with wine, i did a 4 course. the buffalo that my dad got was outstanding and i got a take on a reuben with lamb that was beyond delicious!
(5)Ken W.
Everything about this place screams expensive. From the moment you pull up to their valet service, the people are friendly and ready to satisfy your every desire. The head guy was extremely polite to me and my gf. It was her birthday and I only mentioned it in passing when I was making the reservation. He remembered right when we got there and wished my gf a happy birthday as we were walking in the door. Next, we are taken to a nice table there there is a long stem rose sitting on the plate for my beautiful date. The inside is pretty dark and almost has a gloomy atmosphere but it's brightened up by all the pleasant servers. You get a nice selection of bread. I ended up ordering the 8 course meal while my girlfriend got the 4 course one. Since there is such a huge discrepency in the amount of courses, they gave her a few free courses from my menu. That was extremely kind of them since it would have been weird for her to sit there for half the meal watching me eat. The head chef came out and helped serve our meal to us and explain how it was cooked. The presentation was also fantastic. Everything is extremely rich and tasteful. Finally, I had one of their signature desserts, the banana foster. This was prepared table side. Describing it would be a disservice. Definitely a great place to celebrate on special occasions.
(5)Ray R.
This was a fabulous dining experience. Not for those in a hurry. Wonderful for spending time with somebody important. For our visit they hit it out of the park. Service and food were outstanding. Again, this is fine dining, which is unhurried and gives you time to spend with your companions. No 16 oz. steak, but portion size is more than adequate. We had the 5 course tasting meal it was outstanding.
(5)Jess K.
This is a very fancy restaurant and has a lot of history. Do not go here if you want modern surroundings, but if you want an old fashioned high end atmosphere this is the place for you. I have to say I was kind of disappointed with the food. It wasn't bad, but the prices are definitely not justified. You are pretty much paying for the service and location of being in the Brown Palace hotel. One of the servers did a table-side ceasar and for dessert had also did Banana's foster. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal and the very nice gentleman knew a ton of history about the hotel and restaurant which was very cool. I had the french onion soup which I didn't care for, as it was not the traditional style I love ($12). It had good flavor but I like it prepared the traditional way so I was a little let down when it came out. The duck was good but nothing I would go out of my way to get again, and especially not for $38 (the cheapest entree on the menu). They do have an amazing wine selection that looks more like a large encyclopedia.
(4)Terri B.
The Palace Arms is in Downtown Denver. We all started off with the artichoke soup. The wait can be a little long but its worth it. The Filet Mignons were excellent. They also prepare your Caesar Salad right at the table. It was the 5 star experience I was hoping for.
(5)Leanna C.
Not only is this a really unique restaurant but the food is incredible! I was extremely skeptical of this restaurant because I have never heard of anyone going here. It is definitely a hidden gem. To start you absolutely MUST get the table side Caesar salad, if you can ignore the pricey $34 (for two salad) price it is well worth it. They make everything in front of you and you can truly taste a difference. This is now my favorite salad in Denver. I ordered the sea scallops and was gravely disappointed, they were far too salty but not inedible. In their defense the waitress we had did warn us of the scallops extremely salty nature. The reason this gets a 5 star is because of the filet. Without a doubt, hands down, the BEST filet I have EVER had. It was so buttery and creamy and just ultimately dreamy. If you do not get the filet when you come here you are missing out.
(5)Shinwook P.
Hear me out, this is a fun story. So, my friend and I went on a road trip to Colorado for some backpacking in the mountains and exploring the cities. Since we were on the road for most of the time (we drove all the way from Washington state) and we were camping/backpacking most of our nights, we were eating bland food like PB&J, muffins, granola bars, etc. When we got to Denver, we wanted to treat ourselves and eat somewhere super fancy. So after some research, we chose the Palace Arms at The Brown Palace Hotel and made a reservation. We dressed up as fancy as we could in our dress shirt, pants, belt, and tie (all from H&M) and drove over to the location. Please note that we are broke college students. We walked in and when we were seated, we quickly realized that we were probably the youngest people there by a couple decades. We clearly stood out haha. But the waiters and the servers all treated us like we were Nobel winners or something. They made us feel special, and that is always good. The food was amazing too. Since we are poor college students, we had never been to a restaurant this fancy before. We probably didn't even pronounce half the items on the menu right. We admitted that to our server, and she was polite, without judgment, and gave us recommendations. We ended up sharing the House Fresh Ricotta as the appetizer. It was delicious. The toy-box tomato was so good! For entree (we skipped the salad and soup since we couldn't afford a four course meal), I got the Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast. Probably the fanciest and the best tasting food I've ever had. The portions were bigger that I imagined too! I know that most "fancy" restaurants give a small piece of meat and call it $80. But the entree I had was $39 and the portions weren't way out of range. Overall, the experience was epic. We felt special and we felt badass. So after the meal, we walked around downtown in our H&M dressy outfits and felt even more badass. Hope you enjoyed reading this review. If you go to Denver and you can afford to eat at a fancy restaurant (or be tragically epic poor college students like us), then you have to go check this place out. Fun fact: every president has stayed at The Brown Palace since its opening besides Coolidge and Obama. Come on, Barack. You still have about 2 more years to change that.
(5)Dawn F.
I went to the Palace Arms on a romantic dinner date. There is an old world sensibility to the service provided. Between entering the restaurant and leaving, there were approximately 5 people who helped us. The water glasses never went empty and the silverware was replenished after each course. To boot, they seated us away from the other tables, and managed to keep us separate from other diners, so we had a secluded meal. It really felt like we were in our own world. When I ordered beer on tap, my server didn't blink. He went to the bar in the Brown Palace to get what I asked for. After he approached us to see if we knew what we wanted, and realized we were in the midst of conversation, our server simply let us know ("Don't stop holding hands!) to place our menus in a particular place on the table so he'd know we were ready. Yes. That's how the service was the whole time. They make you feel special. We ordered the four course tasting menu. The food was delicious, and they did a commendable job finding suitable items for my boyfriend who is vegetarian. There were delicious flavors, such as Meyer lemon beurre blanc served with the yummy tofu and veggie dish. My steak was cooked as ordered and tender. At the end of the night, we finished with bananas foster, a theatrical and fun end to our meal. Our server brought me a rose, apparently a tradition that they have to give each female guest a flower at the end of the meal. The rose stayed beautiful in my house for almost two weeks. It was a great experience. I would recommend them for a very special occasion without reservation.
(5)Bethany M.
Impeccable from start to finish. The highlight of our stay. We are so impressed. The food is perfectly and beautifully created and the service incredible. A skilled sommelier that blew us away. Sue our server was wonderful.
(5)Denise S.
It was truly fabulous from the tableside Caesar's salad to the special treats that came with the bill. Two things though. They did not supply a wine list at the beginning so we had to ask for it. Also, the food was quite delicious but I didn't think it warranted the high prices. $60 for the bison risotto was a bit much. It was delicious but really just a steak. Other than that it was wonderful and we were treated quite well for our 24th anniversary.
(4)Megan E.
This was honestly the best full meal I've ever eaten. That said, here's the details: We went for my 28th birthday - on 11/11/11. My DH had the reservation, then canceled it, since I told him we had spent too much, then re-booked it when I changed my mind (love that guy) - the restaurant was accommodating for all that changing. We decided to have the 5 course meal. Plus bread, plus amuse buche, plus intermezzo, plus little cookie and little chocolate at the check... We didn't know about all those extras but they were great. I started with the fois gras and my DH had the octopus - they did mix up at first and bring us both octopus but pointing that out was ok and the replacement was AMAZING! The next course was soup - DH had artichoke and I had tomato. My DH does NOT like soup - and he finished all but one small bite (my trial) very fast and loved it. The soup was rich and creamy and cheesy and great. My tomato soup was very cool - it had iced horseradish and tabasco mini balls and a clear consume.... at least I think that's what those things were ;-) The third course was salad - DH special ordered an arugula salad and they were able to get him something he really enjoyed. I had the beet salad - the flavors matched perfectly and I really enjoyed it. The fourth course, I had abalone and DH had bison steak - both were great and rich and hearty. I couldn't talk much, I was too busy enjoying my food - and by this point I was very full so I ate slower but it still was warm and great the whole time! The fifth course was dessert - I had the key lime "pie" and DH had the chocolate cake. The "pie" was AMAZING!!! I couldn't talk at all for the first few bites - just "mmmmm" and *big smiles* - I highly recommend trying this one! DH, who doesn't like key lime pie, also thought this was a fantastic dish. He also loved his cake - I had a bite and it was creamy and rich and chocolaty - great presentation too. We did not try wine or coffee - the reason we went was for the food. The bread options were all very good, I think the flatbread was my favorite - it was cheesy and crisp. Give yourself several hours (I think we took just over 2) and enjoy! If you want to mark a special occasion, tell them in advance. They were very quick with water, I ended up drinking a ton since they filled it up so fast I had no idea how much I'd had - the bathroom is near the front of the hotel, they will show you where it is the first time (if you go through the revolving doors, it's on your left right before the Tavern entrance)... I loved their little molecular gastronomy additions, the old world charm of the room, and the perfect merging of flavors - do yourself a favor and try this place out!
(5)gary w.
This was one of the finest dining experiences I have ever had. We ordered the 8 course tasting menu which was balanced and well prepared. The Caesar salad prepared table side, band bananas foster at the end were a real treat. Portion size was a bit big for a tasting menu, and we left 3 hours later completely stuffed, but the experience was fabulous.
(5)Emma C.
If you've got an evening where, for what ever reason, you want really great food, wine and service, where everything will be perfect and you're willing to pay for it, this is the place in Denver. I moved here via California from London and a few other places, and had a very dear Californian, former New Yorker, friend in town. We wanted to have a nice meal and a proper catch up. As I say, we're both Californian girls who when you offer us Russian River or French wine will chant Russian River before you've finished the sentence. Likewise $100 a head for two outstanding courses and great wine to us, while not cheap, is good value. Food and wine was great, indulgent and perfectly prepared and presented. But the standout was the service - brilliantly timed, charming, attentive. We had plenty of time to catch up, never felt we were interrupted and everything flowed effortlessly, which as we all know, takes enormous effort from the wait staff. The photographs don't really do it justice, the rooms have high ceilings and the decor, while clubby, is not overdone and it is very quiet. It was easy to hear my friend, and all I could hear of the other diners was a background murmur and the odd clink of cutlery. The booths add to an intimate feel and it's just a very easy space to be in.
(5)Sam G.
What a waste of money (and time). With a reservation we were seated. eventually a drink order was taken. 20 minutes later my martini arrived 1/2 spilled from the glass. The waiter was very uninterested in our 2 top. After two hours waiting for our $70 apiece filet wellingtons they finally arrive. I asked the manager if he was aware of our wait. Yes. "let me pour you a glass of B.V. Cab". I think BV Cab is about $13 bucks a bottle. No apology - no nothing. I'll never go back to this place again! Save your money and time and enjoy a good meal with good service somewhere else!!!!!!
(1)Wayne S.
It was the five star experience I was hoping for. We arrived early, having done a little window shopping on the 16th street mall. We arrive about an hour before our reservation, so we sat in the hotel's foyer and admired the decor and holiday decorations. They had a very entertaining 3 man band, a pianist, drummer and cello player playing guests requests ranging from blues to jazz. We had a soda and ice tea and complimentary almonds while waiting, the drinks were a modest $7 but for the experience, was well spent. The staff was superb. Our waiter was incredibly nice, taking the time to cover the high-lights of many of the dishes and explaining the wine list to us. He checked on our progress the entire meal. We enjoyed the breads they served and a server brought over the tray several times prior to the main course. We never felt rushed and as my guest and I completed each course, the plates and utensils were replaced promptly for the next. Our waters were topped off, my friend even noted our glasses never were more than half empty before another top off. And we knew this was no tap water! Each dish was as visually exciting as they tasted. It was sheer joy to enjoy each bite and after that meal, you understand the concept of 'layers of flavors' within the meal itself. My friend and I ordered separate courses, we shared a crab cake appetizer, then he had the bisque while I had the Wild Mushroom soup. For the main courses, he had the fish (can't remember the name) and I had the Bison Filet (7 oz of pure nirvana). We each had a glass of wine with the main course. By the end of the meal we were full and as much as we liked, we didn't have room for the Banana's Foster but the couple seated next to us did, so we got to see the presentation. While the price was high, between the two of us, 1 appetizer, 2 soups, two entrees and two glasses of wine came to about $200 and with tip (25%) it was about the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, it was well worth the price. Our waiter even asked us if we needed to have our Valet Parking validated (we did) and offered to called ahead so our car was waiting outside the hotel when we left. If you're looking for the Five Star restaurant experience to check off your own personnel bucket list, this would be the place to go.
(5)Tim T.
Had dinner here last night with friends visiting from Santa Fe. Dinner was fantastic, service was wonderful, our server Kendra made the night very special. She even took the time to answer some specific question I had in regards to the history of the bldg and she showed us a few special pieces in the dining room. 3 of us had the catch which was Haddock, AMAZING! My partner had the duck breast and it look delish! If you are looking for a special dinner for a special evening, I highly recommend the Brown Palace. We already are planning our next visit.
(5)Tre S.
Amazing. Super good. Great service. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. A definite must!
(5)Kathleen M.
Wow! I was so blown away by every aspect of our experience at the Palace Arms. I had mentioned, on opentable.com , that it was our anniversary and my husband graduated with his masters degree. Upon being greeted at the entrance, the hostess congratulated us on both events. We were seated and I was given a rose. Through out the night, every staff member came to our table to congratulate us. The service was impeccable. So here is what we ordered....at the recommendation of our waiter, we ordered the smoked pheasant soup. Get this soup. It was voted one of the top 100 dishes to have in Denver. It is creamy, smokey and delicious. For our main courses, I got the scallops. They were perfectly done. Perfect portion size. Beautiful presentation. My husband got the sea bass. Perfect, again. We split their "interpretation" of cheesecake. It involved bites of cheesecake with several different types of sauce. Strawberry, chocolate, lime, etc. At the end of the meal, they also served us homemade macaroons. The whole experience far exceeded our expectations. I hope we have a reason to celebrate soon, so that we can come back! Definitely a place for special occasions.
(5)Sam R.
To die for. I dined alone, but they made me feel like a queen. I had the best foie gras of my life, which i can only describe as grilled warm mouse with a glass of sherry. For dinner, the bison filet mignon. I couldn't finish everything. The food was intoxicating. The clientele stuffy and conservative. I did feel like I had returned to the set of Sunset boulevard, a dining room in someone's forgotten palace. Plan to pay a pretty penny, but it's worth it.
(5)Brittany V.
This is a very classical dining experience; by that, I mean it reminds me of an experience you may have in a traditional French restaurant or at an upscale restaurant in the 50's. They don't really do it like this anymore, which depending on your tastes, may be a good or a bad thing. Staff/Service--5 stars. Attentive, polite, and genuinely interested in making sure that you are enjoying yourself and your food. Keep in mind though, this is a dining service meant to be enjoyed over about 2 hours, so don't arrive starving and ready to chow down. It's going to be a while. Ambiance/Style--3 stars. It's an interesting room. Much smaller than I expected it to be, and I'm surprised they keep the lighting so high. I would expect the chandeliers to be dimmed for dinner. This is a very traditional room, some kind of cross between an early 1900's library or parlor room. Lots of dark wood, interesting wallpaper, and flags everywhere. It's not in any way modern, and it feels like the last thought to decor might have been in the 60's. Food--3 stars. This is a very classic dinner menu. As a vegetarian, I'm disappointed in the lack of options. Yes, it's a traditional place, but come on, this is also Denver we're talking about. I can't imagine that it would be too hard to throw in some kind of pasta dish just to keep the vegetarians satisfied. As such, my option was either to forget an entree, or have the chef "throw together" what he could in the kitchen, which sounded like it would be a veggie plate. I passed on the entree and got a soup, salad, and dessert. My soup, the parsnip, (2 stars) was on the whole okay, but the candied ginger was really really sweet and kind of threw me off. The Lyonnaise (sp?) salad (sans bacon) was surprisingly good and I wish I'd had a bit more (3 stars). For dessert, I shared the pina colada, sticky toffee pudding, and fudge brownie with my husband. The fudge brownie was very forgettable and had a strange taste (1 star). The pina colada was deconstructed (the most modern thing I saw on the menu), but not very tasty (2 stars). The sticky toffee pudding was the most promising, but didn't scream "amazing" (3 stars). This might be a place that you just have to experience once to say you've done it, depending on your tastes. As a more modern cuisine/foodie kind of girl, it wasn't my taste, style, or in my palette wheelhouse. Ultimately, I think the food is pretty hit and miss, and with prices like this, I think that's enough to keep me away.
(3)V B.
Wow Denver! Color me impressed! I must admit, even after reading all the glowing reviews I still had my doubts. The menu appeared uninspired and lacking any creativity, but I'm easy going ok? I went with the flow and just thought to myself that this would be just another business dinner with the hopes of helping closing one last deal for 2010. This restaurant is situated right smack in the middle of a large downtown hotel. For those of you back in San Francisco, think St. Francis. I am anti Michael Minna and am grateful he moved his flagship restaurant out of the hotel and to Aqua's old space, but now I am rambling. You get the point. In theory, a 5 star restaurant that sits inside of a hotel is typically a red flag for me but this time it delivered and exceeded my expectations. We arrived via a cramped taxi ride from our hotel and dropped off in front of the Brown Palace Hotel. We walk inside and were greeted to a beyond festive holiday decorated lobby complete with a giant tree and hanging decorations that were tastefully dangling about the room. Soothing piano player in the far right corner playing familiar holiday tunes which immediately made me forget of the high stress work day. Tucked away in the corner is the Palace Arms, greeted immediately by name and taken to our table. The champagne cart arrived soon after which offered up a complimentary glass of Billecart Salmon brut rose. An amuse bouche appeared that included a slice of salmon over a basil leaf. There was no silverware in sight so we all used our hands and inhaled one of the most amazing tasting pieces of fish I have ever tasted. The champagne was the perfect compliment and much appreciated. After a few minutes our server introduced himself and recited the menu along with a detailed description of each dish. My mouth was watering as explained each preparation and the recommended wine pairing with each course. Our potential customer at this point says loudly "I have never eaten at a place like this, can you help me". Awkward? not in the least. Our server was beyond professional and took him under his wing and started probing and asked questions about foods and drink that he likes. Turns out, he is not a wine drinker but does love his cocktails and within a few minutes crafted a five course dinner complete with 5 different cocktails that would match each of his courses. I can go on and on just how amazing this place is and I feel like I am rambling right now but you people in Denver need to realize just how truly special this place is. Everything from the service to the wine list to the food to the finishing touches. Attention to detail is practiced here to perfection. I am not a coffee drinker, but at the end of the evening I witnessed some oohhs and awes to how good the coffee was. Coffee may be for closers but port is for tall lanky dorky guys who secretly want hot cocoa.
(5)Craig S.
I hope the Palace Arms stays just like it is forever. What a treat, and kind of like going back in time. Service is superb, food is good to great, and really have nothing to complain about. The decor, thorughs me back to what i would think the 40's was like, and is so cool. Love the red leather booths, the lighting , everything! Little details like the Martinis, poured out of the little silver pitchers, the presentation of everything is well thought out & presented with loving care. Deserts are pretty good too, but ask for one of there famous macaroons at the end of your meal, another nice throwback touch! Pricing, not cheap, but since everything is so special worth the price and really no more than a high end steakhouse. For group special occasions, they have a cool private dining area I would love to book sometime.
(5)Monica A.
It was an experience I won't repeat or recommend. If my bill was closer to $150 I would say it was good, not great. It definitely was not $600 good. The service was very friendly and attentive, but it does not make up for how marginal many of the courses and wine pairings were through the evening.
(2)