My favorite restaurant in CO! Only one time did I have a negative experience but all the rest were incredible. Food is exceptional, service superb. They have reduced the menu choices considerably (bye-bye beef fondue) and the dessert tray is still more than enough. I love the decor since it reminds me of my great-aunt's home in Virginia. Will go back when I have a couple hundred to drop again!
(4)
Mollie D.
Mother's Day brunch Had not been there for a couple years, worst brunch ever. All 10 at the table agreed. Pastries were marginal, fruit cups were just down right ugly and no flavor. Then the meals came, ice cold entrees, cold poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, prime rib full of coagulated fat wir Th a mild green color. Shrimp had not been cleaned, filthy fat black veins running though all of the shrimp. Champagne tasted watered down. A complete waste for $320! Reid, we miss you!
(2)
David B.
TL:DR at bottom: I worked at the Briarwood Inn and ate there a few times after working there. I don't know anything about the new pricing schemes that people are complaining about, but I do think that management needs to address that, as the restaurant is quite expensive as it is. There are a few things to know about the Briarwood Inn: You are paying for the atmosphere and the experience. You will not get this anywhere else, it is expensive and it is something you should do at least once. The food is really good and is probably not worth the price (see above) DO NOT come here during the holidays. A lot of reviews that are bad about the service are during the holidays. This restaurant turns into a CRAZY turn-and-burn circus during the holidays. When I was there during the holidays the staff works 12 hours shifts with no breaks. I'm sorry for those of you that have had bad experiences during the holidays, but you cannot understand how hard this is for the people that work there... but there is good money for them doing it... but for a customer you are really missing out on the charm of the place, which I really think is doing yourself a disservice. DO come during a weekday or weekend sometime during the year. The staff will be more relaxed, attentive and really go out of their way to take care of you. MAYBE go during lunch, brunch or tea. Two things, you can get a better meal early in the day for far less money somewhere else AND the staff makes absolutely no money during these servings so they tend to care a lot less about it. In fact, it is almost like a punishment: the price that the staff pays for getting good dinner shifts... (imagine working a 3-4 hour shift for less than $20 and you get the idea.) DON'T bring your kids!!!! This is a romantic classy old-world environment that just is not friendly to kids, find a babysitter!!! Lastly, DON'T be an "amateur," what the staff calls people that: Bring there kids. Wear Jeans and a TShirt Expect hamburgers. Expect a cheap meal. TL:DR SO, wear something nice, don't bring your kids, expect to pay a hefty price for a meal, come on an off day or an off time of year, and relax and enjoy The Briarwood Inn experience!!
(4)
Don B.
The Briarwood Inn has been in continuous operation for over thirty years, and we've been occasional visitors throughout their tenure (usually when someone else is buying because they ain't cheap). We went for brunch on a Saturday a few weeks ago (someone had given me a gift card, i.e., someone else was buying) - our first visit back in a few years. I didn't know what to expect - I was surprised to see only a 3-star Yelp rating, and a number of reviews and comments that were far from stellar, because I have long considered them one of the relatively few higher end gems on the far west side. I'm pleased to report that our experience was altogether consistent with the total dining experience we have come to expect from the Briarwood. The location is special - on Clear Creek, at the foot of Lookout Mountain at the confluence of 6th Avenue and Highway 58 in Golden. What constitutes "elegance" varies from person to person, but to my tastes, the Briarwood is still elegant - dark wood, chandeliers, stained glass, china, nice glassware and cutlery, surrounded by pine trees in a lovely setting. However, bear in mind that I'm used to Corelle, so maybe I'm just easy to impress. Our service was everything you would expect and hope for in a higher end venue - helpful, pleasant and attentive but not hovering, stuffy or pretentious. At $35, the brunch isn't inexpensive, but the value was there for the total experience. Your table greets you with an assortment of fresh fruits and a multi-tiered array of pastries. The pastries were delicious and the presentation bordered on artistic - the cream puff swans are really very cool. And did I forget to mention that they lead with a glass of champagne? Or, a mimosa. Or a concoction of champagne mixed with a berry liqueur. For entrees we had Prime Benedict (prime rib and eggs benedict), Eggs Columbia (poached salmon with asparagus cream sauce, baked in pastry, topped with poached egg and dill butter), and a special centered around London Broil. All were delicious. Dinners can be ordered ala carte, but I imagine that most diners go for the $65 prix fixe option including appetizer tray, salad, entree and dessert tray. I haven't been for dinner in a while, but the last time we went, the appetizer and dessert trays were pretty memorable. Bottom line, if the Briarwood had a slump resulting in low ratings and negative comments, our experience suggests that they are back. I need to visit again for dinner to make sure that experience matches the brunch, but as I said previously (and especially at $65 a person), I prefer the Briarwood when someone else is picking up the tab. That said, I'm free any night this week if anyone wants to invite me to dinner - I promise, I will report back promptly as to how the Briarwood is doing with their dinner experience these days.
(4)
Jane S.
Service was very good last night! I felt like out waitress and other staff were very attentive throughout the whole dinner. Loved the ambience and the food was good too! My husband had the lobster bisque and I couldn't stop stealing bites because it was so delicious! We also had the prime rib and seafood au gratin. I thought the prime rib was almost perfect except that it was just a tad salty. Otherwise the dish was amazing with a really healthy portion. The seafood au gratin was rich but which is to be expected. I enjoyed every bite!! Overall, I'm glad we finally got to try this place out!
(4)
Samantha E.
The Briarwood Inn provides charming atmosphere and good food, but for the price point, it should be exceptional, and it's just not. My in-laws were nice enough to treat us to dinner here over the holidays. I was excited to try it as I'd never been. They were worried we'd have trouble finding a table, but I snagged an Open Table reservation easily, and the restaurant was less than half full, with one room completely empty. Our server was very pleasant and I would give him five stars. Nothing's wrong with the menu-- it's just that it would be inspired if it was 1990, not so much in 2015. Their "signature appetizer platter" exemplifies that, although I'll give them points for being generous with the shrimp cocktail portion. The soups (French onion and lobster bisque) were good, but not extraordinary; I've had better for cheaper elsewhere. The sauce on my filet mignon was excellent, but the steak itself was a little too charred-tasting for my liking and a little bit past my requested medium. The dessert platter was very good, and they have a nice wine list as well as a nice (but pricey) array of cocktails. The complimentary bread was very excellent, and probably my favorite part-- but it's underwhelming to have your favorite part of a five-course meal turn out to be bread. Nothing was wrong with our visit to Briarwood, but it only gets an "A-OK." If old-world atmosphere is what you're looking for, Briarwood Inn will definitely provide, but I think you could have a better and more reasonably priced meal at many places across Denver.
(3)
Jennifer H.
The first time I went here was for my brother-in-law's wedding reception. The food was fabulous and the staff was just as great. They were extremely attentive and wanted to make sure everyone was happy and satisfied. The second time I went was this past Sunday for brunch. Boy oh boy, may I say I was very pleasantly surprised? I would have been satisfied with the pastries and the free glass of champagne. But it didn't stop there. A delicious fresh bowl of fruit also came with our brunch. I ordered the seafood crepes and my sister had the prime benedict. Neither of us walked away unhappy. The food was heavenly! We also each ordered a bloody Mary that was quite delicious. The only regret was watching the table next to us not even take one bite of their 3-tiered pastries. It was all I could do not to walk by and steal a cream puff from their complimentary serving. Ha! Not only will I be back to try the dinner menu (and not just a prix fixe menu like I had at the wedding reception), but I will definitely go again for the brunch. Until then, I shall dream of puff pastries and seafood crepes!
(5)
Kelly O.
Don't even bother with the afternoon tea if you are gluten free. Their attempt at a gluten free version of high tea that normally comes with tea sandwiches, scones, cakes, soup and pastries? A fruit cup. Oh, and a salad. For $35?! I opted instead for the tough prime rib (which comes with a generous pastry basket, or in my case, an offer of an extra "mostly melons" fruit cup). Our server was inattentive and forgetful, never cleared a single plate during a four course tea, and clearly didn't know his menu. When you compare this place to the Brown Palace high tea (which, by the way, has a complete gluten free tea that is phenomenal), the Briarwood falls comically short.
(2)
Holly M.
I took my mother and my two young daughters here for an afternoon tea and it was wonderful. Made for a very special Girls' Day Out. Service was great, the dining room was beautiful, and the food was delicious. Highly recommend the Briarwood Inn.
(4)
Elizabeth P.
Okay, so I've never eaten here because it just seemed so...dated. I mean, I bring my grandmother here for tea for Christmas (which is lovely, by the way.) But, I prefer the trendier restaurants down town. Last night, while driving by my friend insisted we stop in. She had heard they got a new chef, we should try it. I am so glad we did! We ate the full 5 course meal in the bar. (No need to sit in the dining room.) Cocktails were great. Service was outstanding. (Casey, the bartender, took great care of us.) The food, well, it wasn't dated. I had a gnocchi and fois gras that was to die for and my freind's Duck Confit gave me entree envy. I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Jackie B.
Overall, the briarwood inn does a good job but for the price it's overrated. When there's an event at the restaurant, avoid it as the service and food quality suffer greatly. The gazpacho soup was an amazing appetizer as were the salads but the entrees need some creative help; they were more of what you would see and taste in the 80s. They need one or two additional items for those who don't want meat as well.
Brunch for 65 adults and 14 children this past weekend for our wedding. All our guests complimented us over and over on Briarwood. The food was excellent and the location is beautiful -- inside and out -- and charming. The staff were so friendly and the service was excellent. Highly recommend it for an event, brunch with friends, or romantic date night.
(5)
Laura F.
Anyone remember Furrs cafeteria? Yes? Now imagine they served food to tables. If you want bland food this is the spot. I was there for my birthday/Valentine's Day and I have to say that chipotle offers more flavor than this place. I had the lobster/beef/chicken entree and beef was rubbery, sauce on top was a cold gravy. Lobster was ok and chicken was also served cold. If your going to spend 200 on dinner for two I'd steer clear of this place.
(1)
Jessica J.
I went to Mother's Day Brunch this year (2013) at the Briarwood with my Mom, Grandma, Aunt & Sister. For a nice girls brunch on a special occasion I think it totally worked. Briarwood is cottage type place tucked away in Golden, close enough to the highway to make it easy to get too, but secluded enough to make it feel woodsy. Their brunch is $32 and includes a glass of Champagne, a fresh medley of seasonal fruits, and an assortment of freshly baked pastries + your choice of entree (which feature Prime Rib, Omelets, Crepes & Eggs Benedict). For the price, it is a great value. The atmosphere is very traditional and has the feel of a English Tea (perfect for Mother's Day). Our party partook in just about everything on the menu. Mother's Day was hopping and I thought the food was very good for such a busy day. The Prime Rib was a generous portion and cooked to my liking (we even had a couple people who requested well done and they managed to find them a cut they liked - which is sometimes hard to do with Prime Rib). The Eggs Benedict Briarwood (English Muffin, tomato, avocado, poached egg, hollandaise, topped with 2 jumbo shrimp) was a nice semi-lighter version of the traditional dish. I like the veggies in it, it gave it a nice flavor and I could pretend it was healthier than a normal benedict! My sister did the Monte Cristo and she loved it - although fried club sandwiches with jam never appeal to me, it was a generous portion and looked pretty on the plate! I thought the wait staff was helpful and for the most part prompt and attentive. Once the meal ended it took awhile to get the check and get out of there, but otherwise they were fine. The atmosphere is terrific and the location is beautiful. I wouldn't hesitate to to another special occasion there! A great overall value for a top notch experience.
(4)
James H.
Incredibly disappointing. My family has been going here for years for festive holiday dinners. And though they charge premium prices, they always earned it. This year they blew it on every level: bad service, bad food, bad attitude. But the pricing remains some of the highest in Denver. Seems like they've changed management. It's sad to see a restaurant in decline but that's what's happening here. Wouldn't return for any amount of money. They need to make big changes before they go under. Caveat emptor!
(1)
Rick H.
I know $16 (American Money) for a Bowl of Lobster Bisque in land locked Colorado? But think of it this way, $2 for the Bisque, $5 for the great service, $20 for the atmosphere and charm...see- you're making $11 every time you order a bowl!
(4)
Kara A.
I came here for a holiday party. I felt it was average, at best. As appetizers, we were served crackers with a number of sauces. I tried them all and was impressed by none of them. As a second course, I ordered the winter salad with a vanilla vinaigrette. It's a chopped salad, which was nice because it was easier to eat. However, I could hardly even taste the dressing and I felt it was lacking substance. Again, I was underwhelmed. I asked the waitress for a recommendation for the main course and ended up ordering the Ciopinno, which was clams, scallops, and some crab in a tomato sauce. This was your typical seafood dish. It was good and I was impressed by the quality of the seafood since Colorado is landlocked, but again, it's not something I would recommend to anyone. The tomato sauce just wasn't special. I felt like I was just eating steamed seafood. One of my coworkers ordered the prime rib cooked medium. It came out rare the first two times. She didn't get to enjoy her meal until well after the rest of us had eaten. Dessert was served on dessert trays. My favorite was the banana rolled in toasted coconut. I love it when restaurants have non-chocolate dessert options. While this option tastes good, banana rolled in toasted coconut isn't really novel and I could easily make it at home. All in all, I felt that the food was average at best. I expected more from a restaurant with such steep prices. The decor was nice. The whole place was decorated for Christmas. We were given our own room with a fireplace, which had a really festive feel to it. I have to say, though, the place has a 1950s about it. It seems like a place my grandma would describe as a 'fine, upstanding establishment.' As others have described, it feels stuffy and geared towards older generations. I enjoyed the holiday party, but I wouldn't return here on my own accord.
(3)
Chuck D.
Excellent atmosphere!! Great waiter! Food definitely not worth $65 for all the courses. My wife and I ordered prime rib and it was ridiculously salty. Like rocksalt was spilled all over it on accident. We had to send it back. We ended up getting ribeyes instead they were definitely not of prime quality more of a select quality. Something you would expect at a cheap steak place. Our daughter ordered the turkey and it was terrible and dry. They should've comped something for making the mistake on our steaks. Our bill was over $400. At those prices, things should be done right guaranteed! The appetizers and dessert were really good though. But not good enough for us to ever return.
(2)
Leslie A.
Delicious, traditional brunch. Great value for the price and the pastries were amazing! We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Abe M.
I know this place is undergoing a major facelift from the stuffy country feel, but I wish it would happen faster. Their outdoor patio is gorgeous, and would be a great place to sip a cold drink on a hot summer evening. However, on our (my wife and I) most recent visit, we were seated among the empty tables in thier dining room. There was terrible elevator music playing in the background throughout the evening, and the heavy food was better suited for a cold winter day. I'll wait a few (or more) months before I try this place again (yes...again).
(2)
Mattie N.
Food was delicious. Service was horrendous. The food runners were fantastic, helpful, and polite. Our waiter- was less than attentive. We saw him once- maybe, every half hour. He took our plates of food without offering boxes. We waited almost an hour from when we got our coffee to when desert was brought out. He told us the wrong desert items. And he did not care to offer to fill up out coffee. Finally- and this was the last straw- we wanted to get a family picture in-front of the christmas tree. We asked our waiter to if he would like to take the photo for us and his response was, "Would I like to, yes. Do I have a moment to do so, no." We were shocked. I thought he was trying to make a joke- but he quickly hurried off and we were left standing there in awe. We then went to speak to the manager to let her know about how rude our waiter was and the slow and bad service we received. She gave us the excise that "Sorry, we are busy. Can I get you your coats?" She did not care, there is no excuse of busy servers when you are in the restaurant business. Especially when you are paying the price for quality food and high level service. It was unbelievable. The restaurant wasn't even full. We wanted to start a fun family tradition for the holidays. We left with a sour feeling instead and still in shock of the reality of the situation.
(2)
Michelle A.
A lovely place for a Holiday brunch with friends. I had the salmon as I thought it would be the lightest of dishes. Not so. It had a sauce on it and puff pastry with 2 poached eggs. One hard and one soft. It also came with potatos. The whole meal starts with about 3 yummy pastries per person and a glass of Champagne, Kir or a Mimosa. The price is 35.00 plus tip. I think it is expensive but festive. There were 12 of us and I would say 1/2 had the Prime Rib which was huge but tender. They all seemed to enjoy their mear. One friend had Eggs Benedict and it looked good. Another friend had Seafood Crepes. He said they were good but very rich. The restaurant has been there a long time. I had dinner there many many years ago. Would I return? I would but it would not be my first or second choice.
(4)
Justin S.
This place was really good! I think the food was a bit overpriced for an expensive restaurant but overall the service was great and food was great. Worth a try
(4)
Megan B.
Friendly and attentive staff. Good food and drinks. We prefer to sit in the lounge and tavern area for the quite atmosphere. It's such a nice place to relax and enjoy drinks and appetizers.
(5)
Justin T.
Atmosphere: Great; Service: wonderful; Brunch food: 1. Fruit was not ripe especially the kiwi 2. Eggs Benedict were good Bearnaise sauce okay 3. Prime rib good, perfectly done, but a bit too fatty 4. Pastries good but less than in the past. 5. Cost was$29 each; not bad but a little pricey 6. No one of the 18 of us complained - good
(4)
bob b.
Went there for my first meal today - Christmas Eve day. Awesome place to put you in the spirit! We live in Golden and have lived here for less than a year and have always wanted to check it out. The soup was great - the service was great and the main courses were average/above average (around the 3 stars everyone has stated). But you come here for the atmosphere and it just makes you feel good!
(4)
April D.
I hated this! I went with me & 3 others and paid for everything. I could of went anywhere else and paid for double with 10x the quality. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!!!! this is clearly not their moto. Their appitizer tray is weird spreads and hard crackers then you get some sort of first course but nothing normal like ceaser salad. I got some soft of braised beef and it was so fatty I was grossed out. My husband got the clams and they smelt so fishy. We immediately were ready for our next course. I had ravioli and he had the steak. This was equivalent to chilis. Bland flavor and not cooked well. Finally dessert comes and theres super dark chocolate pie something, orange sponge and other weird desserts. They were all terrible! I left paying so much money for 4 almost empty stomaches, a outrageous bill, and an uncomfortable atmosphere due to the lack of people in the resturant while waiters watched over your table being so bored. Waste of money and time.
(1)
Jane P.
"Have it our way," that's their motto. When you pay this much for dinner, you should be able to have what you want. Want a baked potato with your steak? Sorry, we don't carry them. Want more crackers for their appetizer platter? That will be an extra $3.00! Extra three dollars for a few extra crackers???? Denny's doesn't even do that, for goodness sakes. The food is good, I'll give you that. For this much money, go somewhere that has good food AND appreciates your business.
(2)
Greg M.
This place is just cool! The ambience is neat because it feels like you're sitting in an old mansion and the food is top notch!!! I've been here several times and when I want to impress out of town visitors I take them here and the The Fort. Totally different menus and experiences but you can't go wrong either way! Greg
(5)
Adam F.
My wife and I had our wedding and reception at the Briarwood Inn and this review is loooooong overdue. Bri was our wedding coordinator for the Briarwood and she was so helpful, calm and knowledgeable. She really helped the day run smoothly and made sure everything was set up in time and in its proper place. We even had some last minute changes and she didnt blink an eye. The prices were more than reasonable for the quality we received. On a separate note, the food here is amazing. From prime rib, to seafood, to omelettes it is all so delicious. A fun place for a special brunch or dinner, with multiple dining areas (each with its own unique style), a nice bar area, beautiful fireplace (bronze) and a patio seating area behind the restaurant. Highly recommended!
(5)
Allie R.
I joined my mom and sister here for a pre Christmas lunch get together. The restaurant was beautifully decorated all ready for Christmas. The restaurant it's self is old, and I would say a little bit dated, but still classy. We had arrived at the end of the lunch hour, so there was only one other table of patrons in our area. With that said the service was prompt and food came out fairly quick. I had ordered the French onion soup and it was very tasty. It was $8 served in a huge crock. It was a little too much soup for an appetizer. I also ordered the flatiron steak. It was very good and cooked well, but when it came out the steak was hot, mashed potatoes and vegetables were cold. My mom had the same problem and asked for new potatoes. They were happy to replace them and got new ones out quickly. All in all the briarwood is a nice restaurant, but I would not go out of my way again to spend $100 for 3 people's lunch. For that price, capital grille downtown is much better.
(3)
Mark H.
Some of the best food in Denver. Briarwood has great ambiance and service is above excellent. It has an old world feel about it. You will not leave this place hungry.
(4)
Emily V.
Beautiful location. Very fancy schmancy, no jeans allowed type of place. The food is good, nothing spectacular. The prices are relatively high, so I don't think I'll be returning... unless someone else pays. In which case, I'm sure it will be a great experience. (Long live cheap bastard-ness!) If you're looking for a wedding venue, this place would be lovely. There is a patio that has a beautiful, big fireplace, and mountain views. Other than that, what you get does not seem to be worth the high price.
(3)
Christopher L.
Great outdoor seating, solid food, and attentive staff. The prices are a tad on the high side compared to other options in Golden with views, but we still had a great time.
(4)
Bridget M.
While looking for a place to hold our wedding, I decided to pretend I did not care about my fiancees likes and check this place out. Once we walked inside, we were both blown away by the ambiance, patio, and package deal when it came to hosting the reception there. Before committing to the place, we decided to check out the food for dinner on another night, as our party likes their good food! We were NOT disappointed and cannot imagine others will be. Both our meals were fantastic... while they sounded basic in description the food came out yummy and exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Patricia b.
I went to briarwood inn for brunch, we were very impressed by the service, atmosphere and the food was delicious ! For$35.00 we got, a glass of champagne, fruit cup served in a wine glass, a complete array of pastries and ...the meal...salmon with poached eggs with asparagus and a wonderful sauce.
(5)
Trude K.
Four of us had Thanksgiving dinner at the Briarwood. We've been there a number of times over the years to celebrate various events, or to have a special treat. This was the most amount I've spent for a meal in a long while and it was not worth it! The portions were small. There was little to take home even for the individual who opted for turkey. None of our meals was exceptional, but rather merely adequate. Dessert was an assortment of several small, not very appetizing items. None of us liked one of the choices, pieces of banana rolled in coconut. If we had at least been able to select our own individual dessert, the meal would have at least ended on a positive note. We'll stay home for Christmas dinner!
(1)
Melody K.
Not worth your time or money! From the awkward wait staff to the high prices, this place was terrible! First time trying it and we were excited because of the reputation. It is just that-a good reputation with horrible food. The steak had no seasoning and was cold. The rest of the food appeared to have been prepared before and sitting in the fridge awaiting order. We asked if we could order just the shrimp cocktail, rather than the whole giant appetizer. The waiter said yes, then brought the whole appetizer that is $40 and said , "whoops." All of the food was bland and quite terrible. Then, we ordered a tall drink and got a short. Basically, that's what the experience felt like--a tall order that fell completely and utterly, pathetically short. Don't waste your time with this place!
(1)
Clary C.
The people I work with like to come here every year around Christmas. Gotta say, I'm hoping for a new tradition next year. The decorations are pretty, but not sure that makes up for the less than inspiring, and way overpriced menu. Not much available for a vegetarian - nothing for vegans if that's your diet. I sometimes eat fish, though, so I had the salmon salad. It was fine, but small and boring, and the salmon a little bit overcooked - certainly nothing to justify the $18 price tag. If someone hadn't ordered bread (no, it's not complementary - nothing here is except water) I would have still been hungry.
(2)
Susan Y.
I came here for a year-end celebration lunch with my work group, and while The Briarwood isn't the sort of place I'd choose to go on my own it was perfectly suited for the occasion -- just the right amount of formality to befit our veep's speech to thank us for our hard work and accomplishments through the year. The restaurant was bedecked with garlands and ribbons, making for a festive but not over-done holiday atmosphere. We had a selection of the appetizers, including an appetizer tray that had shrimp cocktail, crackers, and a half-dozen or so dips/spreadables -- I'm not sure what they all were, but they included a tapenade, something salmony, and a pate. Presentation did make me feel like I had taken a trip on the way-back machine, but the things I tried were tasty. We also had a pretty standard spinach-artichoke dip and calamari. The calamari was prepared well - flash fried and still tender, served with aioli and one other sauce that I didn't try. For my entree I had the bison short ribs, which were served with a fruity (cherry?) sauce along with some polenta and a vegetable medly. The veggies were my favorite part of this dish. The short ribs were sadly under-seasoned ... I almost never salt my food at the table, but had to in this case as did two of my co-workers who also ordered this dish. The polenta was kind of heavy and not very flavorful (though I do have to say, a couple of people ordered the lemon polenta vegetarian option and said it was very good). I might have been more disappointed had I paid for my meal out of my own pocket, but as a location for a work celebration I can go along with this being an A-OK venue.
(3)
Steven L.
service was very attentive, friendly, and polite. quantity was maybe too much. my wifes filet mignon may be the best steak she has ever had. i got seafood au gratin which was very good by my standards, but excellent by denver seafood standards. it was decorated very nicely for christmas which provided a great cozy atmosphere. the desert course was the weakest but we were stuffed by then anyway.
(5)
Z A.
We have been visiting this old time Denver favorite for nearly 25 years, and typically have enjoyed the atmosphere and food. Last night we've changed our collective minds. We were celebrating with another couple and chose Briarwood as, in the past, they had a very good array of appetizers and main dishes at a reasonable price. We found that, in order to enjoy the appetizers as they have offered in the past for free, it would be necessary to pony up $60 a head, which included the appetizer, soup or salad, main course, and deserts. Seemed slightly high, but decided to give it a try. Two tried the spinach and bacon salad, which had FAR too much dressing that the salad was swimming in. Two of us tried the French onion soup, which had a novel presentation, but was WAY too salty and only luke warm. As a result, the cheese had to be cut with a knife! The main dishes were good, but after the poor first courses, it didn't outweigh the experience. Then, when the deserts were presented, I know I've had better at buffets at casinos, even though these used to be very good here. Finally, we ordered coffees ($3 each) and finally had to request refills, even though the wait staff walked by several times. I'm saddened about having to provide this negative review of a restaurant that now appears tired and may be running on it's past quality. Considering these points, we'll be going to Flemming's in the future.
(1)
CALVIN S.
Like Adam F, this review is long overdue, and we also had our wedding at the Briarwood . I wish our experience would have been as smooth as his was. I agree that Bri, our wedding coordinator, was wonderful to work with. However we learned at our rehearsal dinner that she would be moving on and someone else would be overseeing most of the night of our wedding. As soon as Bri left (pretty much right after the ceremony) is when things started going wrong. The children's menus items didn't show up and we had to ask for them . They came after all the adults had eaten already (actually would've preferred to have the children set and eating before us) . Parents were feeding their children off of their own plates, thinking there wasn't any food for them! The cake table, while having previously being described to us as being a lovely table set with our flowers, ended up being a SMALL table with a plain white tablecloth with no flowers in the corner where nobody could see it. We had to ask a waiter to please have it moved so everyone could see us cutting our cake. It was so small it was that easy to move! While I must give praise for the food ( it was wonderful and exactly what we had asked for) and all of our guests raved about the service ( no glass was left unfilled) Ummmm, except for one ...THE BRIDE!? We're not sure if the servers didn't want to bother her or what they were thinking, but she had to go up to the bar herself every time she wanted a drink (not that she needed that many!!) but we are glad that all of our guests were taken care of. Do we wish we would've had her wedding somewhere else? No . The setting was absolutely lovely and all the preparations going into the day went so smoothly. Just wish that night Bri could've stayed with us and finished out what we know could've been a lovely, flawless evening.
Food was alright (except the spinach salad), service was horrible. Meal was going well until I came across a dirt clod in my salad. Fine, that happens. The disappointment is in how they handled it. Server said he would go get a manager, then disappeard until 20 minutes later when he brought the entree, asked if I wanted another salad. Eventually the hostess showed up and it was all she could do to offer to comp my meal, or do anything besides say "sorry, this happens." Both the server and hostess made a big deal about their "triple washed spinach." Whatever. Still didn't get the dirt out!! Won't return or recommend, highly overrated.
(1)
Cheryl L.
As I start to write this review I have the Toby Keith song "I ain't as good as I once was" running through my mind. However, upon reflecting on the lyrics of this song it goes on to say "But I'm as good once as I ever was". So it may not actually fit this review except if you stop at the very first part. But wouldn't be great if Toby decided to do an impromptu set there on the back patio - now that would rock.... Anyway back to the review - It has been a very long time since I have been to The Briarwood and I had very fond memories of a fabulous brunch and pastry tray. So when I saw that they were on the list for restaurant week and reviewing their menu I thought great - they are definitely offering a deal at $52.80 per couple. The prime rib dinner is normally $59 with the appetizer tray, so this is about a $30 savings per person. By the time we made our reservations we could only get 4:45 pm seating. Not too bad on a Saturday, where you can plan your day and have a late breakfast etc. But it still made me feel a little like I was arriving for the early bird special and that I had aged 20 years in a matter of moments. We were seated promptly. With the remodel they added hardwood floors to the main dining room and man did I wear the wrong shoes. Had to grab my husband's arm so I didn't fall flat on my ass. The waiter arrived at our table and smelled like stale cigarette smoke - not very appetizing if you don't smoke. The bread looked yummy - low carbing it so I didn't get to taste it and it was served with sweet potato butter. I started with the Spinach salad and it was really good. It had bacon, mushroom, mandarin oranges with a bacon dressing. It said it came with red onion but I don't remember those in the salad. Then came the entree - 13 oz prime rib (rare). I ordered it without the potatoes and asked for more veggies. The meat was cooked t rare but I didn't get a lot of flavor - so it was just okay. The veggies we cooked and they were just under okay. They didn't have a lot of flavor. It took us a while to find our waiter to ask for salt and pepper, because it wasn't on the table. We flagged down the bus boy and he provided us with decorative shakers. These were no very functional and it took a lot of shaking to actually get anything out of either the salt or pepper shakers. This is one of my restaurant pet peeves. I didn't to try dessert but the guys said it was "ok". It was a baked apple with vanilla gelato. Service is the biggest reason for the 2 stars - The waiter seemed to disappear and I don't think we got the attention that we deserved. I understand that the $52.80 was way below the standard menu prices but if this is any indication of what their service is I would be very disappointed if I had been paying full price. So perhaps sometimes are better left - bigger and brighter - in your mind and remembering them the way they were.
(2)
Bryan M.
Great food! Just terrific food. The salmon for 5280 was amazing. I took my mom here, and she thoroughly had an enjoyable time. She had the salmon, which I should have had, and I had the london broil. The salmon was the better of the two. The appetizer was outstanding. It was a shrimp bowl with good size shrimp and different kinds of sauces and spices. An all around great experience. I would recommend this restaurant any day!
(5)
Joni W.
This place is a classic example of expensive for the sake of being expensive. You can find higher quality food, more creative cuisine, and better service at literally dozens of other places throughout the Denver metro region. We attended for a holiday work party. The waiter struggled with drink orders and wasn't knowledgeable about the brands of alcohol or wine they carried. Likewise, frequently throughout the dinner, we were left with empty glasses. A few in our party mentioned if their service had been better, we'd surely have spent much more money on drinks. The appetizer spreads were mediocre. The Wisconsin Cheese spread tasted heavily processed and much like something from a can. Also, they mixed up a few of our entrees and seemed to repeatedly bring the wrong food to wrong person. Originally, I received the wrong dish and about 5 minutes after I received my hastily cooked filet. It is hard to go wrong with a filet, but the dish left something to be desired. Ultimately, the Briarwood Inn left me with the impression they care more about reputation than actually providing quality food and service.
(2)
Angela C.
This place hasn't changed for decades, nor should it. The food is amazing. I also love the way the appetizer plate and desert are included. First course, appetizer had fabulous spreads and perfect ice cold shrimp cocktail. For our second course I had the lobster bisque (amazing) and my husband had the French onion soup. He loved the unique way it was served. For our main dish, I had the Briarwood Trio (tender chicken, sweet lobster tail, and perfectly cooked fillet) and my husband had the elk medallions. Dessert consisted of a tray including coconut bananas (my favorite).
(5)
Cindy R.
Excellent dinner. We got the $35 3 course meal as part of the restaurant's 35th anniversary celebration in the month of September. The spinach salad with warm bacon dressing. Beef Wellington (melted in my mouth), and dessert tray were all delicious. Service was attentive. Another great dining experience at the Briarwood.
(5)
Regina M.
I had been to Briarwood about 10 years ago for brunch and remeber a sunny room with nice sceneryand then the food was good.. We ate there on 9/14/14 for my moms birthday and were seated in poorly lit room to the left of the front door.The room we ate in was in bad need of updating and the dull lighting made it more appropriate for dinner rather than brunch. The pastries were good but not fresh.The people that ordered the prime rib said it was good. The seafood crepes were lousy, The scallops were tiny and the fish tasted old and the crab tasted like it came out of a can.The hollandaise sause was blah. For 35$ I felt bad we had to pay so much. My guess is that the wedding party got the nice room. For that price I expected fresh baked pastries and good seafood in my crepes. The meal was way over-priced for what we got and the ambiance rather dull. I will never go back. The waitress was good. i told her what I thought about the meal though. It would have been nice to be comped on the crepes my sister in law and I barely touched
(3)
Dale Z.
This is a good example of a 3-Star Restaurant. The dining areas are nice. There is an "old world" feel to the room with all the woods and stone. I came here for my last stop on my dinners for Denver Restaurant Week 2012. It was "okay". I started with a bowl of the French Onion soup (on sale for $5.28). It was meh. Although slightly better than the French Onion Soup I had last week at Le Creperie, many places (such as Red Robin) make a consistently better bowl of French Onion Soup. The cheese was not broiled sufficiently, the bread was soggy/doughy, there were not enough onions . . . but the broth was a solid "B-". The complimentary Bread & Butter was pretty good. The bread was basic, but the butter was a "Sweet Potato Butter", and was subtle and enjoyable. I opted for the House Spinach Salad (Spinach, mushroom, red onion, bacon, mandarin oranges, hot bacon dressing). This is basically a "wilted lettuce" type salad. It was tasty . . so tasty indeed that I used the heel of bread to sop up the dressing and bacon bits on the bottom of the plate. For my entree, i went with the 13oz Prime Rib of Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Vegetables. The Prime Rib was acceptable, but nothing special. It was served rare enough for my taste, but it was a bit fattier than you might expect. It did not have a lot of "beefy" flavor. Adding Au Jus to pump up the flavor just made it salty. The horseradish sauce was bland. The vegetables were pretty, but were a bit undercooked (Not sure why most places overcook, and some serve them practically raw). The mashed potatoes were decent, but the serving size was more "garnish" than "side" sized. The dessert was a Baked Caramel Apple with vanilla Gelato. The apple was a bit mealy and pretty much just tasted of cinnamon. The Gelato was okay. So, should I be unhappy with a prime rib dinner with all the fixin's for only $26? Well . . . yes, because in the past at other places (such as nice restaurants, chains, casinos, and even truck stops) I have had much better prime rib dinners for less than $20. Sure, $26 is about 1/2 what the Briarwood Inn would normally charge for a prime rib dinner, but it just was not that great. Thus my 2012 Denver Restaurant Experience ended not with a bang, but a whimper.
(3)
Jacqueline M.
Service & food were great. Just enjoyed an afternoon tea outing with 7 to celebrate my moms birthday! Just don't be fooled by their 'celebration' package. When I was called by the restaurant to confirm my reservation, since we were celebrating they asked if I wanted a bottle of champagne, a dozen roses and 6 chocolate covered strawberries. I said great. Well, like I said, don't be fooled. It's actually a half bottle of champagne and the rose presentation was laughable. Looked like they grabbed a dozen at King Soopers this morning and plopped them in a clear vase. Horrible presentation. For $60 that was unacceptable in my book. I just called and spoke with a manger. She more or less said it was my fault for not looking at their website to confirm that it was a half bottle and she said the flowers were delivered this morning. Not at all accommodating. Just wanted me to know that no one else has ever complained. Wow, what happened to the customer is always right. I'm not asking for a refund, but at least be a bit more receptive to a complaint and constructive criticism. Sadly I don't think we will be returning after this.
(2)
Mascha F.
My daughter used this for her wedding venue, which included Champagne Brunch. She was able to meet several times with staff to go over details, including a pre-wedding walkthrough. I can't say enough about the staff, particularly Duncan, and their flexibility and willingness to accommodate any request, and/or change of plans. Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming task, and Duncan made it so easy and convenient for the bride. From the beginning, explaining how Briarwood is so uniquely arranged for such a special event, to the absolute end after Bride and Groom were gone, and cleanup was virtually done, Duncan was on-hand to be sure everything went smoothly. We were provided with plenty of private space for the bridal party to get ready, a nice area for the men while they were waiting for the ladies, a beautiful outdoor setting with wonderful ambiance: Lovely pathway with Colorado outdoor scenery, sound of 2 water fountains in the background, grassy area where guests enjoyed refreshments before the wedding, and after the ceremony but before the brunch; the actual outdoor paved dining area was converted into a seating area in front of a nice gazebo-like terrace, where the vows were exchanged, and which later served as a dance floor. Even with a wonderful venue, the whole process can be incredibly stressful, and at every turn, we found helpful staff who saw to it that above all, this was a dream-come-true for my daughter. It was clear that their motto could have been "the bride is the most important person here." I just can't emphasize enough how well everything went, due to the diligent efforts of Duncan and his staff! And the food was exceptional as well, with one of the guests mentioning that her meal was the best she'd experienced in a long time. So don't discount the wonderful menu that is available as well, when planning a special event. I highly recommend Briarwood for any special event! We will be going back there in the future, so that we can enjoy the dining experience.
(5)
Kim M.
We have been going to Briarwood for over sixteen years and have been increasingly disappointed with every visit over the last four years. Our last and final meal there was on Christmas Eve. We showed up for our 8:00p reservation only to be told that we had no reservation. After further investigation, we were told that the reservation was at 2:00p and that it was canceled. Why would we have a reservation for 2:00p when my husbands plane did not land until 4.30p? Regardless, they did find a spot for us. It took 15 minutes for someone (a manager) to come take our drink order. The signature appetizer tray arrived warm. My prime rib, ordered medium rate, appeared to have been microwaved and arrived medium. The other three filet dinners ordered medium rare arrived medium well. We had to wave down a waiter to have our water refilled. Overall an awful $500 dinner experience. The wait staff is not the experienced wait staff that we were used to and the food has become sub par. Will not recommend Briarwood to anyone.
(1)
Meggin R.
I am rating it 4 stars in reflection of the quality of meal. It is certainly five stars compared to an average dinner place, but I just can't get it there for the type of dining it is. The service was attentive and wonderful, we were very impressed with it. Overall, this is a place that was great in the 80s and then just never changed. Wtih some updating, I think it could raise to a Cherry Creek level place. First I will review the food, it was very good. The appetizer tray is delicious, even if a bit dated. It seems like the soft spreads on crackers was once the "in" thing, and Briarwood just kept with it when it went out of style. I would like to see updating. They can still stay in the same vein, but perhaps add in a solid food or two (outside of the shrimp--which were still a little frozen in the tail). They tasted great, but I wanted something a bit more. The salads were not a disappointment. Sure, the beets could have been a bit more thoroughly roasted, and there was far too much stem of iceberg lettuce and not enough field greens in mine, but otherwise both selections were delicious. Our main courses were both very tasty. I had the medalions sampler (beef, veal, lobster). All was done perfectly and very tasty. The veal and capers was a bit salty for me, but I don't eat much salt, so I don't fault them for that. My husband's sea food au gratin was full of meat and very rich and tasty. We barely had enough room for dessert, but the raspberry chocolate cake was great. How the food could have been improved: modernize the appetizer tray. You can still keep the essence of the appetizers while updating it. Salads: use higher quality greens. I would not be surprised if they do in the summer, when they're easier to get. Entrees: instead of having a large list of set ones you always make, do a seasonal menu so that there is always something new based on what is freshest. Dessert: no complaints, except perhaps in the summer and fall a fresh fruit option would be good (they may already do that). Now, for the bigger problem I had: the atmosphere. We were easily the youngest people there alone, and we're late 20s, early 30s. All the other people in our age range were there with older relatives for a celebration. The place was not very full at all for a Friday night. I think that it's because the place has not changed in 30 years. It's lost its appeal. It now appeals to retirees or older people. Not the young foodies, like us, who are up for trying local places with something different to offer. If they could find a balance between traditional and cosy and young foodie, I think it would easily triple the business. One very simple and super cheap change that could be done is to change the music! It was awful! Saxaphone elevator music from the 80s, bleh. Just get a new CD to put in, that's all you have to do. It would drastically help the ambiance. A remodel is desperately needed. They have a great location in Golden, and a lovely terrace for summer outdoor dining. But inside hasn't changed a mite. I think that the waiters are all probably still wearing the same uniforms. The essential architecture of the building is good (with the exception of the fact that you can see the staff taking out trash and smoking outside the door as you walk in). But that wallpaper and color has to go. The old gold electrical fixtures are also screaming old lady's house. They don't need to tear out everything in the interior, but paint, wallpaper, and window dressings would do a world of good. So, the moral. This was once a great place, 30 years ago. Then they found what was good and stuck with it. That has its merits, I grant you. But only for so long. I am not saying that they need to throw it out the window and completely change everything. You can keep the essence of the place while making it attractive to the people who will really spend the big bucks and send people your way: the youngish (early 30s) foodies. I with the Briarwood the best. I don't know that we will go back unless we hear that they have modernized a bit.
(4)
Libby T.
Completely empty on a Thursday night - outside of our group, only one other couple was in the restaurant. The food was excellent. Though the menu looks pricey, it is prixe fixe, so all is included. Go!
(4)
CL S.
A group of friends and I enjoy get together for high tea about once a month, and we've been so surprised by how many restaurants in the area offer it. The Briarwood Inn had great reviews, so we were excited to visit it. The Briarwood Inn is nestled away in the foothills of Golden. From the outside, it is framed by the mountain backdrop and has a very cozy patio. Inside, the decor is decorated very traditional and elegant. There are tall ceilings, floor to sky windows, a fireplace, and etched glass windows. It was very classy! The scones were served in baskets, and it made it easy to pass the scones around. The scones were a little too crisp/crunchy for my taste. The soup de jour was a cauliflower cheddar soup which was delicious. The cauliflower tasted fresh, and cheese makes everything taste better, right? The warm tartlet was a spinach artichoke quiche, and though I normally do not like quiche, I enjoyed this quiche. (Probably because it reminded me of spinach artichoke dip!) The tea sandwiches were good, but the verdict was mixed among our group on the prosciutto wrapped fig and the shrimp salad on rye. Our server told us that we would receive sorbet, but we did not receive it. That's okay because we were pretty full! As for the other sweets, the raspberry macaron was the winner. The lemon bar was almost too sweet, and the chocolate brie cheesecake just had bad flavor. The other petit fours were good but nothing to write home about. They served Harney and Sons tea, which is good tea. They were out of a few of the flavors. Overall, the service was good. The server and host were very professional, polite, and knowledgeable. The restaurant was not very busy, so the server was very attentive. It made for a nice escape on the week end! To sum up: the ambience made for a nice afternoon for a ladies' tea. The service was very prompt and attentive. The cauliflower soup and macarons were the best part of the food!
(3)
Steve S.
So sad. Wanted the old Briarwood lost atmosphere and service of old food was mediocre at best. Missing the old Briarwood
(2)
M P.
Ordered filet at medium, was overcooked and slightly charred, rendering it tougher than desired. Topping was onions that we're undesirable. Skinny, but not fall apart crispy or fried. French onion soup was good, but a little too salty. Prices were ridiculous though atmosphere was very welcoming and nice. At least $60 per person can be expected. I'd rather head to Denver and eat at Ocean Prime or Ruth's Chris for the price.
(1)
Sara S.
We went here for restaurant week and had James for our server. For our appetizers.... 2 orders of spinach/artichoke dip...the dip was creamy, and had lots of flavor! 1 order burrata cheese polenta...came topped with buffalo mozzarella which was divine! The polenta had subtle lemon flavor that was great too. 1 order french onion soup....great! Second Course... 4 orders spinach salad/warm bacon dressing...I would maybe make the pieces of spinach a little smaller, but it was nothing I couldn't use a knife on. The bacon dressing was SO good! I think I could have eaten a salad as an entree with that dressing on it! I have never had this type of spinach before, and I hope to find this at the grocery store to have at home! 1 order arugula/watercress salad. My friend said he didn't really like the taste of the greens, so that was pretty much over for him from there. Third Course... 2 orders prime rib...medium rare(mine), mine was soooo buttery and just delicious! and well done(my step-Dad's). 2 orders buffalo short ribs, coffee rubbed. My Mom said this dish was great! I tried a bite and didn't care for it, but I am not really into coffee to begin with. 1 order spinach/mushroom ravioli....this was a really interesting dish! It came as one HUGE ravioli! I've never seen this before! My step-sister said this was great! The mashed potatoes were delicious. The veggies were very good as well, not under and over cooked, just right! Fourth Course... caramel apple with vanilla gelato...this dish was great as well. There was just enough caramel on the apple and gelato. The gelato was very creamy and had a vanilla bean flavor, well done! All in all, the food was great, but the service was kind of slow. There was an older man refilling drinks, just the water and iced tea. I think he should be refilling all drinks, not just those drinks.
(4)
Rachael K.
To preface, we came for restaurant week and I know that quality, portions, and service tend to fluctuate quite a lot during restaurant week. The girl who called to confirm the reservation was personable and fun to talk to, she made me excited to come in. The ambiance was old world romantic, there was a lot to look at. The set up is nice and it was quiet despite all of the people in the space. The waitress was sweet and accommodating to the sensibilities of the "restaurant week" crowd. She reminded us that if we were going to both have wine we would definitely save if we got the bottle and she warned my partner that the portion for the tuna was quite small. That said, when we walked by her when we were leaving she didn't say "thank you." I know that she was probably busy and we shouldn't nit pick but already being super self conscious (since their usual meal for one price is what we generally pay for both of us) this rubbed us the wrong way. The salads were delicious and really flavorful. The main course portions were small, though I don't know if that was because it was restaurant week or if they are always that small. Both were delicious (ravioli and tuna) though not necessarily any better than less expensive places that I've been to. Desert was better than I expected; I never would have picked a baked apple with gelato. That said, it seemed really simple to make so I wasn't blown away. If the restaurant week prices were the normal prices I would be more likely to give 4 stars but, while it was tasty, the food and ambiance didn't blow me away enough to want to come back and pay full price or come back for the next restaurant week..
(3)
Patrick O.
I'm Tebowing after I write this review. What Happened????????????????????????? I've been coming to The Briarwood Inn for nearly every Christmas since I was 17 years old. I'm now 30 and live out of state. But still, the tradition remains and, every Christmas Eve I still come here with my parents, well buzzed and freezing from no longer being used to the Colorado chill. This last Christmas was one where I finally pulled the trigger and told my parents that next year we'll be doing something else, granted, they did have the place decorated quaint as usual and were bustling with activity and business. So again, what happened? Well, in my honest opinion I think what's happening to The Briarwood is what happens to all restaurants who continue the same traditions over and over throughout the years. There's nothing new about it...no new flavors, no higher standards and no improvements with anything in the kitchen. The appetizer tray I once craved now tasted bland (granted the shrimp were awesome and always are) but the dips tasted store bought and lacked any real "personality", something that should be a key ingredient for a place that is so well put together cosmetically. Next was the salad - which even to this day I can honestly say I've never really cared for...the "house" salad is served basically warm, and I don't like warm salad and I'm pretty sure you don't either. The entrees followed, and again what once I craved nearly year round - The Beef Wellington - came out beyond mediocre, lacking a true pastry crust and was drowned out in an overly salty, and might I add overwhelmingly rich brown sauce, not sure if this is to "hide" the flavor of the dish. Again, it tasted like something you could get at Costco these days?? I really sure hope they take some notes from the customers and step it up a bit because at around 65-80 a person (without booze) they sadly won't last. But then again, maybe I've just turned into a Snooty California Snob. *sigh* TEBOW TIME!!
(2)
Becky S.
While the prices at the Briarwood are an issue, they do include four courses at dinner time. The lunch menu is very reasonable for an upscale establishment. It packs some signature salads as well as comfort foods, and the desserts are well thought out and melt in your mouth. I recommend the steaks and the chocolate mousse. If you're going for dinner they won't offer desserts, but instead they bring a tray of fresh fruit and brownies. The atmosphere is very comforting, and the drinks are excellent. The waitstaff is very helpful in recommendations and accomodations. Don't hesitate to ask questions, everyone is very cordial and welcoming.
(4)
Daniel T.
Really one of the great restaurants in Colorado. If you're concerned about the price, go to Denny's; if you're looking for some truly gourmet food, then come to the Briarwood. The atmosphere feels a bit like they are trying too hard for the cozy mountain town feel. But again, the food is really something.
(4)
Wallace G.
I have lived in Colorado nearly all of my life and the Briarwood is by far my favorite for "fine dining." I love the appetizer tray that is already on the table for you when your seated. The food and service are always great! It's not cheap, but you could pay more at a lot of the newer restaurants that simply don't measure up. If you haven't been there, you should go!
(5)
Jaime B.
This isn't a review for their regular dining, but for their wedding package. My wedding ceremony and reception with close to 90 guests was held outdoors on the patio at the Briarwood in early June. My now-husband and I knew we wanted an entirely outdoor wedding. We looked all over and couldn't find something we loved. I read somewhere that the Briarwood had outdoor wedding space. That surprised me because last time I was there, there was no outdoor patio area and while the indoor space is lovely for what it is, it's just not my style. We decided to check it out and loved the elegantly casual (and large!) outdoor area. There's a grassy area to one side, nicely maintained flowers, a fireplace, and a perfect pergola. We knew right away that we had found the place. From the very beginning of the planning process, Bri was nothing but helpful, organized, considerate, personable, and easy to work with. As planning went on, every question or concern was met with absolute positivity that seemed to come from a place of being genuinely invested in making our day great. Every email was promptly answered and phone calls were quickly returned to me, my now-husband, and my parents. During the actual wedding, Bri and her staff seemed nothing but calm and capable. At the wedding, I had people coming up to me all night raving about how great the staff was(so friendly and professional). The actual event was a bit of a blur for me, but looking through pictures of the wedding I can see just how beautiful Bri and her staff (with the help of my awesome florist, Ladybird Poppy) made the already lovely space. The food also got rave reviews- people are still telling me that it was SO not regular wedding food. The quality, quantity, and taste were excellent. I completely agree. Everyone says that you won't have time to eat at your own wedding.. .despite everything that was going on, there was no way I wasn't digging into my lemon polenta! My now-husband and I are so appreciative of Bri and her staff for helping us make our special day really and truly special. I felt totally comfortable leaving little details in Bri's totally capable hands. It truly made our day better knowing that the small details and bigger issues were completely under control. If you're looking for a place to hold a wedding, I really don't think you can go wrong with the Briarwood. It's not just that I have nothing to say about them, it's that I could genuinely rave for way longer than anyone is interested in reading about how excellent everything was.
(5)
David T.
I'd have to say that I guess it 's OK for what it is, but, I certainly have had much better, especially in recent years. Many years ago (and I mean MANY) this was quite the spot to go to. It was romantic, right at the base of the foothills and the canyon. Kind of a little French country inn spot with very traditional European (read heavy and rich) cuisine. Except, it wasn't really so much European as an American knock off. Any real European chef would be totally mortified to be serving this food. I used it as a first date place with much success, however. Great place to impress people who don't know any better. But, this is not how people eat anymore. The food is just too heavy and boring. I think most of their "appetizer lazy Susan" items and all of their dessert platter offerings are either Sysco or just whacked up fruit and cheese - no real cooking going on here. Plus, nobody really needs all of these courses. And, you are paying all of this money to have dinner at your grandmother's house (which could use a little dusting). If you're looking for a restaurant with a 1980's time warp vibe - by all means check it out. But, be sure you have $100+ a head to drop and about 4000 calories to spare in butter and fat in your current diet regimen. Not my cup of tea lately. If you want to take Granny out for Christmas dinner during the holidays though, they really tart the place up with every trite holiday tchotchke known to man. Granny will love you for it but she won't even begin to touch the mound of food they serve her. I say if you want to spend this kind of money you should be at Frasca, Z Cuisine, the Brown Palace, the Flagstaff House - well, you get the picture.
(2)
Ollie V.
Really liked this place, even though I'm not a big meat eater they had good options. The squash ravioli was delicious as well as was the chicken piccata. Others in my party really enjoyed the elk and we all loved the French onion soup. The place was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Loved it.
(4)
John L.
Outstanding service and food Took my mom,dad and wife for my mom's 70th birthday You go to a fine restaurant for service and food The service was excellent with Christopher and Patrick as our servers (awesome that Patrick was our server on ST Patrick's Day) The food quality was up to the usual briarwood standards My dad even quoted that the prime rib was the bet he ever had Thank you briarwood for making another celebration perfect We have been coming here since the early 1980's and they never disappoint
(5)
CJ P.
For Denver Restaurant Week, I was shocked to see that The Briarwood Inn was listed as one of the participants. I've read many positive reviews of the restaurant but always saw that it was listed as the most expensive (typically $$$$$) rating available. At $52.80 per couple during Denver Restaurant Week, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to try out the historic Briarwood Inn. Basically the only positive I can say about the Briarwood is restaurant did somehow feel romantic, despite the very strange decor (think 1970s Country Club meets The Gold Rush). The menu was less than imaginative, and the waiting staff rushed us through ordering and eating. The food itself tasted overly seasoned, and our three-course meal felt like imitation gourmet (if that makes sense). Again, at $52.80 plus drinks and tax, this was a fine dinner and experience. But having glanced at the regular menu during our meal (some dishes cost as much as $70), I can't imagine ever returning to The Briarwood Inn.
We had brunch here and I have to say it was not worth the money. Nice, quiet atmosphere and great service but the food was nothing to write home about. The pastries prior to the meal were stale and seemed to have been sitting out too long on the table. I had seafood crepes which was supposed to include shrimp, crab and scallops... The only evidence of crab was the shell I bit into, had about four small shrimp between three crepes and the smallest scallops I've seen and they were rubbery at best. It all tasted very over cooked and lacking of flavor. Sadly disappointed and not worth the price.
(2)
Mandy D.
Amazing prime rib! Romantic, cozy atmosphere and great customer service. Who could ask for more? Prices may seem high, but portions go overboard and there are more than enough for a second meal in leftovers! Relaxed pace for a four course meal, do not come if you are looking for a quick dining experience. That's not what this is about, it's a special experience.
(5)
Laura S.
There was a time when The Briarwood was THE "go to" place for special occasion and holidays; however, their time has come... and gone. My last two visits were "acceptable" -- but at this price point, I expect better than "acceptable." Unfortunately, today's experience (Easter brunch) pushed me over the edge and I will not visit this restaurant again. 2:15 reservations for four -- finally seated at 4:10. Menus and water did not arrive for almost 15 minutes. Waiter? Ten minutes later. Ordered an omelet with ham, Swiss cheese and avocado. Received an omelet with bacon, cheddar and mushrooms. When I mentioned the error, the waiter informed me that I'd probably have to wait 15 - 20 minutes for another omelet because they were "so backed up." The good news? Denver now has so many delightful places to celebrate a holiday or special occasion you don't have to go here... so don't!
(2)
Robin B.
We celebrated our son' s wedding at the Briarwood Inn in September 2013, on the garden terrace. The staff, especially Duncan, could not have been more accommodating. The setting was elegant, the food was wonderful and the service was superb. Every guest told us it was one of the prettiest receptions they had ever attended. I would highly recommend this venue for anyone looking for a place to celebrate an important event. Many, many thanks to the Briarwood Inn for making this wedding such a memorable event!
(5)
Jen H.
5280 restaurant week is the perfect time to try out Briarwood if you have not been here. There were 4 options of entrees, one can add the appetizer tray if desired (it's well worth it, especially if you have more than two people). Spinach salad is another favorite of mine, full of mandarin oranges, onions, great bacon bits and 'srooms. They also offered a flight of wines for 26/couple or 13/one. Great deal for the price to try a few different wines throughout dinner. The waiter was knowledgeable about what to drink with the meal. Briarwood tends to be on the pricey side (although the meals come with appetizer tray, salads, vegs, and dessert). Their prime rib is awesome, love the Wellington and their salmon is great too. I like that I pay one price and don't feel like I am getting nickel and dimed everytime I want to add a veg or salad or app. I wholeheartedly agree that the staff uniforms need to find a new home..far, far away from Golden. Having not been there in several years, I was actually disappointed to find that the same old uniforms are being worn. The place was packed as usual...and at first I felt a bit rushed, but then the waiter settled down and we enjoyed a leisurely meal.
(4)
Ben C.
Old and musty, dungeon like atmosphere, cranky staff, food....ehh
(1)
Dominic G.
Just finished dinner and I wish we would of dinned at home. Service was well below par for a high end price point. I and the family dinned for years at Briarwood and this year our food was mismanaged and smaller portioned with no desert added. The service is down but the price stayed the same. Unfortunately this is our last visit to Briarwood.
I have been to the Briarwood four times in the past year. I went to celebrate my in laws wedding anniversary and my father in laws birthday early in 2012 and it was fantastic. We went for brunch on Saturday each time and EVERYONE who came really seemed to like the food and enjoy the excellent service. It is often difficult to find a restaurant that works well for people with age ranges from 14 to early seventies. I told my mom how great the Briarwood was and she went for thanksgiving and also loved the food, service, and the beautiful decor. She was so happy she took the whole family for brunch the Sunday before Christmas. My sister who was in town only for the holiday and has lived and dined in the best eateries in New York, Chicago, and now Beverley Hills, was very happy with the prime rib Benedict. My son who is eighteen years old always orders and loves the seafood crepes, my daughter, who is fourteen enjoyed the omelet and ate every bite. I have tried many items on their brunch menu and think my favorite is the prime rib Benedict. My mom owns a small business and we are returning this morning with her employees for a thank you brunch. The Briarwood is a great place I feel for these types of occasions as well. I am looking forward to another great experience. I was very surprised at the three star ratings and feel I must let people know how good this place truly is. This is the 1st review I have done on line and just want to share how pleased both sides of my family have been.
(5)
Kimber S.
Frankly, I'm amazed that this place has lasted as long as it has in Golden. Between the prices and the very stuffy atmosphere, it just doesn't seem to fit the demographic of Golden's population. I've been here a total of 4 times. Twice for lunch and twice for dinner. Each time it has been at the invitation of someone else. The service was always top-notch. The food... well, it's pretty predictable and very, um... traditional? Just not my style, I guess. The atmosphere is so stodgy that I felt uncomfortable, as if I were a poser or someone from the wrong social class that had to sneak in to see how the other half lives. Maybe I'll have a better appreciation for this type of ambience when I'm in my 70's and in a much higher tax bracket.
(2)
Liz S.
Stodgy: 1. Dull, unimaginative, and commonplace. 2. Prim or pompous; stuffy: "Why is the middle-class so stodgy--so utterly without a sense of humor!" (Katherine Mansfield). See synonyms at dull. 3. Indigestible and starchy; heavy: stodgy food. If you have money to burn, a JC Penney Christmas sweater, and a hankering for Grandma-food with extra garnish, then this is your place. Old fashioned and unimaginative, the Briarwood lives off a 30 year old reputation for being the place where rich WASPs dine. Beef Wellington, Chicken Rochambeau, Lobster Thermidor--do people still even eat this stuff? I had a slab of salmon, in some boring butter sauce, with a baked potato or something. Predictable. My husband had a steak. Bo-ring. None of it was terrible, and frankly, my in-laws would love this place. But if I'm going to shell out $50+ per person, I'm driving a few extra miles to Boulder and going to The Kitchen or Frasca where I can get something innovative and spectacular. There are certain kinds of people who will probably love this place. If you're of that generation, or eat like them, you probably will too. Otherwise, save the Christmas sweater for the Christmas sweater party.
(2)
M. H.
It's hard to get much better than the Briarwood Inn, especially if you're intent on eating locally instead of driving to the city for a fancy dinner. My husband and I recently dined here for our anniversary, and weren't disappointed. I completely agree with the reviewer who said they felt sorry for the staff having to wear those uniforms -- "hideous" is an understatement. I also agree that it's meant to cater to an older crowd; the place looks as if it were furnished entirely by the estate sales of departed octogenarians. The appetizer and dessert spreads (which are included in the cost of your meal, along with a choice of salad) are stunningly generous. We brought home enough of the trays to feast on for the remainder of the week. The entrees were typical "fancy restaurant" fare -- filet mignon, rack of lamb, lobster -- but our food was delicious. I can recommend the beef wellington without reservation. I'm also a stickler for lighting when I eat in a nice restaurant, and the Briarwood Inn couldn't have hit it more perfectly. (I like it pretty dark, but light enough to still see the colors in my food.) Definitely be prepared to spend two hours and two hundred dollars there, both conservatively estimated. The staff bends over backwards to make sure you don't feel rushed (which is undoubtedly a nice change of pace from the usual restaurant experience, but I would have appreciated the menu and wine list a little sooner upon our arrival). As a side note, I was torn between several menu items (as I usually am) and asked the server for his recommendation (which I usually do). Surprisingly, he not only took the time to describe all three dishes in a little more detail for me, but committed himself to recommending a specific one -- which rarely happens -- AND it wasn't even the most expensive of the three, which is what servers are usually told to do. So big points there. Over all, big marks from this reviewer. It's too expensive to do very often, but then I guess that's the point... Maybe next anniversary.
(4)
Angelica F.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary and I've been told about the Briarwood Inn from several friends that would visit this place every year for special occasions. I partially could see why. We had made dinner reservations and we were seated very quickly. The ambiance is great and the decor is very vintage. The restaurant is elaborately decorated and we were seated next to the fire. We could also see the sunset over the mountains and it was very romantic. The food however, not as impressing as the restaurants decor. It was just mediocre. For the overprice of dinner and the quality of food, I'm not sure I will be dining at this restaurant again.
(3)
Jordan A.
I always feel sorry for the staff for having to wear those hideous uniforms. They look like the outfits Maria made out of window curtains for the Van Trapp children in the "Sounds of Music". Anyway, the restaurant tends to cater to older folks as demonstrated by their weak coffee (don't think they hesitate to charge you $3 for the crappy ass coffee, 'cause they don't) and astonishment that I would request milk instead of cream. That's about the only annoyance I have with them. But I guess that's why there is always a Starbucks around the corner. The prices seem extremely high until you realize how many meals you can make out of left-overs. The appetizer and dessert for dinner and the pastry trays for brunch are almost buffet quantities. I think it's cute that they tell you not to stuff yourself upfront, 'cause that's exactly what my MIL does to get her money's worth. They'll happily box those trays up so you can take all that food home. The main dishes are more on traditional than gourmet side, but you'll never be disappointed. Service is very upper class, though on our last visit, my milk had chunks floating in it, the Eggs Benedicts was missing advertised shrimp, and they brought us the bill for the wrong table. All was resolved, though I thought that was too many mishaps for $30/person breakfast. Overall I like the place quite a bit, even though it's not my kind of vibe.
(3)
Jelena W.
The Briarwood Inn is a Golden classic. In fact, my parents still talk about dining here on Valentine's day when I was six months old, and my impeccable aim in beaning our waiter with a gob of cocktail sauce, hurled with the force and accuracy of which only a tantrum-throwing infant is capable. They pull that story out every time I mention a fancy dinner with my guy- "Why don't you go to the Briarwood and smash sauce in the waiter's lapels again?" These days, however, I tend to prefer to generously tip the extremely courteous waiters at the Briarwood. They are among the most consistently prompt and friendly servers in Colorado. However, the prices you'll expect at the Briarwood make it a very special occasions or high-limit expense account restaurant. If you are lucky enough to have an occasion and wallet meriting a visit to the Briarwood, you'll be especially thrilled with the enormous appetizer platter- it includes all sorts of delicacies, including shrimp which some of my friends swear are the best in our landlocked state. I staunchly refuse to eat aquatic bugs, so I wouldn't know. After you chow on the appetizers- plenty even for large parties- I recommend a steak, cooked medium rare. You'll be quite full afterward, but probably not too full to sample a delectable brownie to finish your meal. Look ye not for innovation here- the menu is composed of classic and expensive dishes, and does not change seasonally. The benefit of this is that you can go, say, every Valentine's day and know that you can still order your favorite- but it would get dull to eat here often, even with deep enough pockets.
(4)
Kathleen B.
Beware, these guys not only missed the food revolution, they didn't even know there was one. We were very surprised by the 'oldness' of the place, not only the food but the atmosphere and decor, it being touted one of the better restaurants in the area. The menu is very old school, '60's style food, kind of heavy and not at all innovative, which should be expected for the price, 32.00 apiece and coffee was extra, 3.00 a cup, came weak and bland. We had brunch, we both ordered the prime rib, and were not asked how we would like it, it came well done. Who eats well done prime rib? Default should be medium at most. The potatoes were salty and greasy, and the Benedict was OK, kind of dull though, like it was a mix and had a slice of Canadian bacon direct from the package to the plate, not even heated up. The start of the meal we were served a fruit cup, the melon was cut very close to the rind, some had rind on it. The strawberries green , the raspberries and black berries were good. The kiwi wasn't peeled, didn't try it. A tier plate of pastries was served along with a champagne based drink as well. I didn't try the pastries, I don't eat gluten, my husband ate one and wasn't impressed. I don't think there was much actual 'Chefing' going on in the kitchen, more like just plating up prepackaged and ordered stuff. Also our waiter told me everything but the Monte Cristo was gluten free. WAY wrong, there were crepes and Eggs Benedict. All and all a let down.
(1)
Darlis L.
Even with reservations, were seated right next to kitchen door, so a lot of noise. Appetizer tray fantastic, salad abominable (iceberg lettuce, a few slices of ripe olive, feta cheese sprinkles-vinegar and oil dressing, heavy on the oil, couldn't finish it was so bad. Apparently they don't know vinagrette dressing can taste really good with some effort. Husbands steak pretty good, my veal oskar had two small fingers of crab on top - what was with that? Otherwise good. After bringing dessert, asked if it was a special occasion, we said no although it was. Even though not overly busy, they seemed disorganized. One thing for sure, they need to call in a serious cleaning crew for the rundown old place. Dirty carpets, dust everywhere, visible even with dim lighting. Overpriced for quality, even though it includes a lot.
(2)
Mary Jo S.
I am so torn between a 4 and a 5 for the Briarwood's Afternoon High Tea. The Briarwood Inn is very elegant and the tea is served in a 5 star manner with 5 star food. The waiters are so nice and after several champagne cocktails served pastries and tea as proper as the British. They even serve soup and sorbet with tea. So, why 4 stars? OK, let's be blunt, my first concert was the Iron Butterfly and my friend saw Michael Jackson as her first concert...do you understand our ages? So I was at least 20 years younger than most of the people in the dining room making Alison another 20 or so years younger. And most groups were mixed couples!!!! My husband would rather fish, ski, hike, or die before going to high tea (although he craves high tea leftovers). One of the ladies came up and told us how nice it was to see the youth wearing hats again. My vanity says 5 stars but my logic says 4 stars for stuffiness. I will go back in 20 years and give it a 5 star rating.
(4)
Robin R.
I went to the Briarwood this past weekend for a "Murder Mystery Theater Dinner". My fiance and I were excited because we had never done anything like this before. The atmosphere in the restaurant was pretty nice. Definitely a little more "old-world" fancy vibe going on. Some would probably appreciate that, but it felt a little stuffy to me. The main reason for the two star rating was the food. The dinner came with passed hors d'oeuvres, an appetizer, a salad, entree, and desert. Also included was a flight of wine (which was good). Only a single hors d'oeurve was passed which was a bit of a disappointment. Sadly, though, it ended up being the best tasting thing on the menu. The appetizer (lobster ravioli) was too salty. The salad was bland and presentation made it not appetizing in appearance. And the entree was a surf and turf. The steak was prepared well, but there was no seasoning at all. And the fish served was just as boring. Desert was not much more than the rest of the meal. I've been to the Briarwood for dinner previously and didn't think as poorly of it. But after spending $220 for this dinner including tax/tip I'd have to say I probably won't come here again. There are much better restaurants on the front range that won't cost you nearly that much!!!
(2)
Didi S.
My husband and I joined family at Briarwood for Christmas dinner. I would say the restaurant has it's nostalgic charms. I do see it's charms and that it has a loyal following with what appeared to be generations of families coming together for dinner there. The food was good but pricey. I had the Filet Wellington at $56.00 which of course includes the appetizers ( the shrimp cocktail was great but the rest, dried up cheeses and crackers for the most part), salad (not crazy about it) too wet, dinner (excellent) done as requested with a wonderful sauce and dessert (nothing we want really). I would rather pay $30 for the Wellington and fore go the rest that I would not want. I appreciate it's tradition for some folks but I do not need to go back for sure.
(2)
Jamie H.
best all time restaurant for probably 30 years...is that possible...all the time consistent, and good service
(5)
Debbie M.
Service was perfect....the food was very good. Crowd was a bit older, but it is nice to go to a place that people have manners and the wait staff is flawless in all of their duties! Prices were fair, with the possible exception of my husbands lobster tails which seemed a bit rich ($115)...however I am sure there is a premium for seafood prices I didn't factor in in Colorado. We were seated near the fireplace and looked out the windows at the lovely patio as the snow fell. Our mixed drinks were reasonably priced, we skipped having wine with dinner. I loved the spinich salad and the shrimp, assorted spreads & gourmet crackers. I opted for the beef welington which was oh so tender & the sauce was wonderful. My husband had the lobster tails which he enjoyed, but as he said for the price we have had better. The assorted desserts were very yummy- my husband loved the bananas rolled in coconut & I liked the fresh fruit & wonderful cheesecake....the other items were boxed up for us to enjoy back at our hotel. Pricing is a bit steep...I was hoping to be out of there for $150 without wine...but alas $200 plus tip was closer to our receipt thanks to the lobster...I can see that $200 for dinner is the standard here.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Beth D.
My favorite restaurant in CO! Only one time did I have a negative experience but all the rest were incredible. Food is exceptional, service superb. They have reduced the menu choices considerably (bye-bye beef fondue) and the dessert tray is still more than enough. I love the decor since it reminds me of my great-aunt's home in Virginia. Will go back when I have a couple hundred to drop again!
(4)Mollie D.
Mother's Day brunch Had not been there for a couple years, worst brunch ever. All 10 at the table agreed. Pastries were marginal, fruit cups were just down right ugly and no flavor. Then the meals came, ice cold entrees, cold poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, prime rib full of coagulated fat wir Th a mild green color. Shrimp had not been cleaned, filthy fat black veins running though all of the shrimp. Champagne tasted watered down. A complete waste for $320! Reid, we miss you!
(2)David B.
TL:DR at bottom: I worked at the Briarwood Inn and ate there a few times after working there. I don't know anything about the new pricing schemes that people are complaining about, but I do think that management needs to address that, as the restaurant is quite expensive as it is. There are a few things to know about the Briarwood Inn: You are paying for the atmosphere and the experience. You will not get this anywhere else, it is expensive and it is something you should do at least once. The food is really good and is probably not worth the price (see above) DO NOT come here during the holidays. A lot of reviews that are bad about the service are during the holidays. This restaurant turns into a CRAZY turn-and-burn circus during the holidays. When I was there during the holidays the staff works 12 hours shifts with no breaks. I'm sorry for those of you that have had bad experiences during the holidays, but you cannot understand how hard this is for the people that work there... but there is good money for them doing it... but for a customer you are really missing out on the charm of the place, which I really think is doing yourself a disservice. DO come during a weekday or weekend sometime during the year. The staff will be more relaxed, attentive and really go out of their way to take care of you. MAYBE go during lunch, brunch or tea. Two things, you can get a better meal early in the day for far less money somewhere else AND the staff makes absolutely no money during these servings so they tend to care a lot less about it. In fact, it is almost like a punishment: the price that the staff pays for getting good dinner shifts... (imagine working a 3-4 hour shift for less than $20 and you get the idea.) DON'T bring your kids!!!! This is a romantic classy old-world environment that just is not friendly to kids, find a babysitter!!! Lastly, DON'T be an "amateur," what the staff calls people that: Bring there kids. Wear Jeans and a TShirt Expect hamburgers. Expect a cheap meal. TL:DR SO, wear something nice, don't bring your kids, expect to pay a hefty price for a meal, come on an off day or an off time of year, and relax and enjoy The Briarwood Inn experience!!
(4)Don B.
The Briarwood Inn has been in continuous operation for over thirty years, and we've been occasional visitors throughout their tenure (usually when someone else is buying because they ain't cheap). We went for brunch on a Saturday a few weeks ago (someone had given me a gift card, i.e., someone else was buying) - our first visit back in a few years. I didn't know what to expect - I was surprised to see only a 3-star Yelp rating, and a number of reviews and comments that were far from stellar, because I have long considered them one of the relatively few higher end gems on the far west side. I'm pleased to report that our experience was altogether consistent with the total dining experience we have come to expect from the Briarwood. The location is special - on Clear Creek, at the foot of Lookout Mountain at the confluence of 6th Avenue and Highway 58 in Golden. What constitutes "elegance" varies from person to person, but to my tastes, the Briarwood is still elegant - dark wood, chandeliers, stained glass, china, nice glassware and cutlery, surrounded by pine trees in a lovely setting. However, bear in mind that I'm used to Corelle, so maybe I'm just easy to impress. Our service was everything you would expect and hope for in a higher end venue - helpful, pleasant and attentive but not hovering, stuffy or pretentious. At $35, the brunch isn't inexpensive, but the value was there for the total experience. Your table greets you with an assortment of fresh fruits and a multi-tiered array of pastries. The pastries were delicious and the presentation bordered on artistic - the cream puff swans are really very cool. And did I forget to mention that they lead with a glass of champagne? Or, a mimosa. Or a concoction of champagne mixed with a berry liqueur. For entrees we had Prime Benedict (prime rib and eggs benedict), Eggs Columbia (poached salmon with asparagus cream sauce, baked in pastry, topped with poached egg and dill butter), and a special centered around London Broil. All were delicious. Dinners can be ordered ala carte, but I imagine that most diners go for the $65 prix fixe option including appetizer tray, salad, entree and dessert tray. I haven't been for dinner in a while, but the last time we went, the appetizer and dessert trays were pretty memorable. Bottom line, if the Briarwood had a slump resulting in low ratings and negative comments, our experience suggests that they are back. I need to visit again for dinner to make sure that experience matches the brunch, but as I said previously (and especially at $65 a person), I prefer the Briarwood when someone else is picking up the tab. That said, I'm free any night this week if anyone wants to invite me to dinner - I promise, I will report back promptly as to how the Briarwood is doing with their dinner experience these days.
(4)Jane S.
Service was very good last night! I felt like out waitress and other staff were very attentive throughout the whole dinner. Loved the ambience and the food was good too! My husband had the lobster bisque and I couldn't stop stealing bites because it was so delicious! We also had the prime rib and seafood au gratin. I thought the prime rib was almost perfect except that it was just a tad salty. Otherwise the dish was amazing with a really healthy portion. The seafood au gratin was rich but which is to be expected. I enjoyed every bite!! Overall, I'm glad we finally got to try this place out!
(4)Samantha E.
The Briarwood Inn provides charming atmosphere and good food, but for the price point, it should be exceptional, and it's just not. My in-laws were nice enough to treat us to dinner here over the holidays. I was excited to try it as I'd never been. They were worried we'd have trouble finding a table, but I snagged an Open Table reservation easily, and the restaurant was less than half full, with one room completely empty. Our server was very pleasant and I would give him five stars. Nothing's wrong with the menu-- it's just that it would be inspired if it was 1990, not so much in 2015. Their "signature appetizer platter" exemplifies that, although I'll give them points for being generous with the shrimp cocktail portion. The soups (French onion and lobster bisque) were good, but not extraordinary; I've had better for cheaper elsewhere. The sauce on my filet mignon was excellent, but the steak itself was a little too charred-tasting for my liking and a little bit past my requested medium. The dessert platter was very good, and they have a nice wine list as well as a nice (but pricey) array of cocktails. The complimentary bread was very excellent, and probably my favorite part-- but it's underwhelming to have your favorite part of a five-course meal turn out to be bread. Nothing was wrong with our visit to Briarwood, but it only gets an "A-OK." If old-world atmosphere is what you're looking for, Briarwood Inn will definitely provide, but I think you could have a better and more reasonably priced meal at many places across Denver.
(3)Jennifer H.
The first time I went here was for my brother-in-law's wedding reception. The food was fabulous and the staff was just as great. They were extremely attentive and wanted to make sure everyone was happy and satisfied. The second time I went was this past Sunday for brunch. Boy oh boy, may I say I was very pleasantly surprised? I would have been satisfied with the pastries and the free glass of champagne. But it didn't stop there. A delicious fresh bowl of fruit also came with our brunch. I ordered the seafood crepes and my sister had the prime benedict. Neither of us walked away unhappy. The food was heavenly! We also each ordered a bloody Mary that was quite delicious. The only regret was watching the table next to us not even take one bite of their 3-tiered pastries. It was all I could do not to walk by and steal a cream puff from their complimentary serving. Ha! Not only will I be back to try the dinner menu (and not just a prix fixe menu like I had at the wedding reception), but I will definitely go again for the brunch. Until then, I shall dream of puff pastries and seafood crepes!
(5)Kelly O.
Don't even bother with the afternoon tea if you are gluten free. Their attempt at a gluten free version of high tea that normally comes with tea sandwiches, scones, cakes, soup and pastries? A fruit cup. Oh, and a salad. For $35?! I opted instead for the tough prime rib (which comes with a generous pastry basket, or in my case, an offer of an extra "mostly melons" fruit cup). Our server was inattentive and forgetful, never cleared a single plate during a four course tea, and clearly didn't know his menu. When you compare this place to the Brown Palace high tea (which, by the way, has a complete gluten free tea that is phenomenal), the Briarwood falls comically short.
(2)Holly M.
I took my mother and my two young daughters here for an afternoon tea and it was wonderful. Made for a very special Girls' Day Out. Service was great, the dining room was beautiful, and the food was delicious. Highly recommend the Briarwood Inn.
(4)Elizabeth P.
Okay, so I've never eaten here because it just seemed so...dated. I mean, I bring my grandmother here for tea for Christmas (which is lovely, by the way.) But, I prefer the trendier restaurants down town. Last night, while driving by my friend insisted we stop in. She had heard they got a new chef, we should try it. I am so glad we did! We ate the full 5 course meal in the bar. (No need to sit in the dining room.) Cocktails were great. Service was outstanding. (Casey, the bartender, took great care of us.) The food, well, it wasn't dated. I had a gnocchi and fois gras that was to die for and my freind's Duck Confit gave me entree envy. I can't wait to come back.
(5)Jackie B.
Overall, the briarwood inn does a good job but for the price it's overrated. When there's an event at the restaurant, avoid it as the service and food quality suffer greatly. The gazpacho soup was an amazing appetizer as were the salads but the entrees need some creative help; they were more of what you would see and taste in the 80s. They need one or two additional items for those who don't want meat as well.
(3)John S.
One of my favorite restaurant experiences was here 20 years ago. I haven't been here in 3-4 years and was disappointed that that the old signature "shrimp tower" and pâtés was not a complimentary appetizer. That was my only disappointment. Prices have come down and the "shrimp & pâté" appetizer is $39 and in my opinion well worth it and fed 4 quite nicely. Pâtés and garnishments include an excellent smoked salmon, chicken liver, olive, spinach & cheese and others. (Fixed Price menu for $65 includes it by the way, not an option in past visits). See photos of menu tonight. Prime rib, filet, elk medallions and cioppino all wonderful, I tried them all and all 5-star tonight. Napoleon potatoes have to be tried and an interesting creation based on "Au gratin" design. Salads, French onion soup both excellent and hard to find better. This is the only time I've had Onion soup made by pouring broth table side over cheese crusted bread that had been toasted and baked; Bryce told us it was a house specialty and worth ordering. Service exemplary, views spectacular if in main room, food delectable. Wine list is excellent and many good values and vintages, especially in California and NW varietals. This is still best restaurant for special occasion in Denver area that has never disappointed me in 20 years. Bryce our server was local college student and so professional. Ask for him, he is going to be well recruited in whatever he does in life after college. Great service, spectacular view in the "grand west room", and food excellent, what more do you want.
(5)Suzzie T.
Brunch for 65 adults and 14 children this past weekend for our wedding. All our guests complimented us over and over on Briarwood. The food was excellent and the location is beautiful -- inside and out -- and charming. The staff were so friendly and the service was excellent. Highly recommend it for an event, brunch with friends, or romantic date night.
(5)Laura F.
Anyone remember Furrs cafeteria? Yes? Now imagine they served food to tables. If you want bland food this is the spot. I was there for my birthday/Valentine's Day and I have to say that chipotle offers more flavor than this place. I had the lobster/beef/chicken entree and beef was rubbery, sauce on top was a cold gravy. Lobster was ok and chicken was also served cold. If your going to spend 200 on dinner for two I'd steer clear of this place.
(1)Jessica J.
I went to Mother's Day Brunch this year (2013) at the Briarwood with my Mom, Grandma, Aunt & Sister. For a nice girls brunch on a special occasion I think it totally worked. Briarwood is cottage type place tucked away in Golden, close enough to the highway to make it easy to get too, but secluded enough to make it feel woodsy. Their brunch is $32 and includes a glass of Champagne, a fresh medley of seasonal fruits, and an assortment of freshly baked pastries + your choice of entree (which feature Prime Rib, Omelets, Crepes & Eggs Benedict). For the price, it is a great value. The atmosphere is very traditional and has the feel of a English Tea (perfect for Mother's Day). Our party partook in just about everything on the menu. Mother's Day was hopping and I thought the food was very good for such a busy day. The Prime Rib was a generous portion and cooked to my liking (we even had a couple people who requested well done and they managed to find them a cut they liked - which is sometimes hard to do with Prime Rib). The Eggs Benedict Briarwood (English Muffin, tomato, avocado, poached egg, hollandaise, topped with 2 jumbo shrimp) was a nice semi-lighter version of the traditional dish. I like the veggies in it, it gave it a nice flavor and I could pretend it was healthier than a normal benedict! My sister did the Monte Cristo and she loved it - although fried club sandwiches with jam never appeal to me, it was a generous portion and looked pretty on the plate! I thought the wait staff was helpful and for the most part prompt and attentive. Once the meal ended it took awhile to get the check and get out of there, but otherwise they were fine. The atmosphere is terrific and the location is beautiful. I wouldn't hesitate to to another special occasion there! A great overall value for a top notch experience.
(4)James H.
Incredibly disappointing. My family has been going here for years for festive holiday dinners. And though they charge premium prices, they always earned it. This year they blew it on every level: bad service, bad food, bad attitude. But the pricing remains some of the highest in Denver. Seems like they've changed management. It's sad to see a restaurant in decline but that's what's happening here. Wouldn't return for any amount of money. They need to make big changes before they go under. Caveat emptor!
(1)Rick H.
I know $16 (American Money) for a Bowl of Lobster Bisque in land locked Colorado? But think of it this way, $2 for the Bisque, $5 for the great service, $20 for the atmosphere and charm...see- you're making $11 every time you order a bowl!
(4)Kara A.
I came here for a holiday party. I felt it was average, at best. As appetizers, we were served crackers with a number of sauces. I tried them all and was impressed by none of them. As a second course, I ordered the winter salad with a vanilla vinaigrette. It's a chopped salad, which was nice because it was easier to eat. However, I could hardly even taste the dressing and I felt it was lacking substance. Again, I was underwhelmed. I asked the waitress for a recommendation for the main course and ended up ordering the Ciopinno, which was clams, scallops, and some crab in a tomato sauce. This was your typical seafood dish. It was good and I was impressed by the quality of the seafood since Colorado is landlocked, but again, it's not something I would recommend to anyone. The tomato sauce just wasn't special. I felt like I was just eating steamed seafood. One of my coworkers ordered the prime rib cooked medium. It came out rare the first two times. She didn't get to enjoy her meal until well after the rest of us had eaten. Dessert was served on dessert trays. My favorite was the banana rolled in toasted coconut. I love it when restaurants have non-chocolate dessert options. While this option tastes good, banana rolled in toasted coconut isn't really novel and I could easily make it at home. All in all, I felt that the food was average at best. I expected more from a restaurant with such steep prices. The decor was nice. The whole place was decorated for Christmas. We were given our own room with a fireplace, which had a really festive feel to it. I have to say, though, the place has a 1950s about it. It seems like a place my grandma would describe as a 'fine, upstanding establishment.' As others have described, it feels stuffy and geared towards older generations. I enjoyed the holiday party, but I wouldn't return here on my own accord.
(3)Chuck D.
Excellent atmosphere!! Great waiter! Food definitely not worth $65 for all the courses. My wife and I ordered prime rib and it was ridiculously salty. Like rocksalt was spilled all over it on accident. We had to send it back. We ended up getting ribeyes instead they were definitely not of prime quality more of a select quality. Something you would expect at a cheap steak place. Our daughter ordered the turkey and it was terrible and dry. They should've comped something for making the mistake on our steaks. Our bill was over $400. At those prices, things should be done right guaranteed! The appetizers and dessert were really good though. But not good enough for us to ever return.
(2)Leslie A.
Delicious, traditional brunch. Great value for the price and the pastries were amazing! We'll definitely be back!
(4)Abe M.
I know this place is undergoing a major facelift from the stuffy country feel, but I wish it would happen faster. Their outdoor patio is gorgeous, and would be a great place to sip a cold drink on a hot summer evening. However, on our (my wife and I) most recent visit, we were seated among the empty tables in thier dining room. There was terrible elevator music playing in the background throughout the evening, and the heavy food was better suited for a cold winter day. I'll wait a few (or more) months before I try this place again (yes...again).
(2)Mattie N.
Food was delicious. Service was horrendous. The food runners were fantastic, helpful, and polite. Our waiter- was less than attentive. We saw him once- maybe, every half hour. He took our plates of food without offering boxes. We waited almost an hour from when we got our coffee to when desert was brought out. He told us the wrong desert items. And he did not care to offer to fill up out coffee. Finally- and this was the last straw- we wanted to get a family picture in-front of the christmas tree. We asked our waiter to if he would like to take the photo for us and his response was, "Would I like to, yes. Do I have a moment to do so, no." We were shocked. I thought he was trying to make a joke- but he quickly hurried off and we were left standing there in awe. We then went to speak to the manager to let her know about how rude our waiter was and the slow and bad service we received. She gave us the excise that "Sorry, we are busy. Can I get you your coats?" She did not care, there is no excuse of busy servers when you are in the restaurant business. Especially when you are paying the price for quality food and high level service. It was unbelievable. The restaurant wasn't even full. We wanted to start a fun family tradition for the holidays. We left with a sour feeling instead and still in shock of the reality of the situation.
(2)Michelle A.
A lovely place for a Holiday brunch with friends. I had the salmon as I thought it would be the lightest of dishes. Not so. It had a sauce on it and puff pastry with 2 poached eggs. One hard and one soft. It also came with potatos. The whole meal starts with about 3 yummy pastries per person and a glass of Champagne, Kir or a Mimosa. The price is 35.00 plus tip. I think it is expensive but festive. There were 12 of us and I would say 1/2 had the Prime Rib which was huge but tender. They all seemed to enjoy their mear. One friend had Eggs Benedict and it looked good. Another friend had Seafood Crepes. He said they were good but very rich. The restaurant has been there a long time. I had dinner there many many years ago. Would I return? I would but it would not be my first or second choice.
(4)Justin S.
This place was really good! I think the food was a bit overpriced for an expensive restaurant but overall the service was great and food was great. Worth a try
(4)Megan B.
Friendly and attentive staff. Good food and drinks. We prefer to sit in the lounge and tavern area for the quite atmosphere. It's such a nice place to relax and enjoy drinks and appetizers.
(5)Justin T.
Atmosphere: Great; Service: wonderful; Brunch food: 1. Fruit was not ripe especially the kiwi 2. Eggs Benedict were good Bearnaise sauce okay 3. Prime rib good, perfectly done, but a bit too fatty 4. Pastries good but less than in the past. 5. Cost was$29 each; not bad but a little pricey 6. No one of the 18 of us complained - good
(4)bob b.
Went there for my first meal today - Christmas Eve day. Awesome place to put you in the spirit! We live in Golden and have lived here for less than a year and have always wanted to check it out. The soup was great - the service was great and the main courses were average/above average (around the 3 stars everyone has stated). But you come here for the atmosphere and it just makes you feel good!
(4)April D.
I hated this! I went with me & 3 others and paid for everything. I could of went anywhere else and paid for double with 10x the quality. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!!!! this is clearly not their moto. Their appitizer tray is weird spreads and hard crackers then you get some sort of first course but nothing normal like ceaser salad. I got some soft of braised beef and it was so fatty I was grossed out. My husband got the clams and they smelt so fishy. We immediately were ready for our next course. I had ravioli and he had the steak. This was equivalent to chilis. Bland flavor and not cooked well. Finally dessert comes and theres super dark chocolate pie something, orange sponge and other weird desserts. They were all terrible! I left paying so much money for 4 almost empty stomaches, a outrageous bill, and an uncomfortable atmosphere due to the lack of people in the resturant while waiters watched over your table being so bored. Waste of money and time.
(1)Jane P.
"Have it our way," that's their motto. When you pay this much for dinner, you should be able to have what you want. Want a baked potato with your steak? Sorry, we don't carry them. Want more crackers for their appetizer platter? That will be an extra $3.00! Extra three dollars for a few extra crackers???? Denny's doesn't even do that, for goodness sakes. The food is good, I'll give you that. For this much money, go somewhere that has good food AND appreciates your business.
(2)Greg M.
This place is just cool! The ambience is neat because it feels like you're sitting in an old mansion and the food is top notch!!! I've been here several times and when I want to impress out of town visitors I take them here and the The Fort. Totally different menus and experiences but you can't go wrong either way! Greg
(5)Adam F.
My wife and I had our wedding and reception at the Briarwood Inn and this review is loooooong overdue. Bri was our wedding coordinator for the Briarwood and she was so helpful, calm and knowledgeable. She really helped the day run smoothly and made sure everything was set up in time and in its proper place. We even had some last minute changes and she didnt blink an eye. The prices were more than reasonable for the quality we received. On a separate note, the food here is amazing. From prime rib, to seafood, to omelettes it is all so delicious. A fun place for a special brunch or dinner, with multiple dining areas (each with its own unique style), a nice bar area, beautiful fireplace (bronze) and a patio seating area behind the restaurant. Highly recommended!
(5)Allie R.
I joined my mom and sister here for a pre Christmas lunch get together. The restaurant was beautifully decorated all ready for Christmas. The restaurant it's self is old, and I would say a little bit dated, but still classy. We had arrived at the end of the lunch hour, so there was only one other table of patrons in our area. With that said the service was prompt and food came out fairly quick. I had ordered the French onion soup and it was very tasty. It was $8 served in a huge crock. It was a little too much soup for an appetizer. I also ordered the flatiron steak. It was very good and cooked well, but when it came out the steak was hot, mashed potatoes and vegetables were cold. My mom had the same problem and asked for new potatoes. They were happy to replace them and got new ones out quickly. All in all the briarwood is a nice restaurant, but I would not go out of my way again to spend $100 for 3 people's lunch. For that price, capital grille downtown is much better.
(3)Mark H.
Some of the best food in Denver. Briarwood has great ambiance and service is above excellent. It has an old world feel about it. You will not leave this place hungry.
(4)Emily V.
Beautiful location. Very fancy schmancy, no jeans allowed type of place. The food is good, nothing spectacular. The prices are relatively high, so I don't think I'll be returning... unless someone else pays. In which case, I'm sure it will be a great experience. (Long live cheap bastard-ness!) If you're looking for a wedding venue, this place would be lovely. There is a patio that has a beautiful, big fireplace, and mountain views. Other than that, what you get does not seem to be worth the high price.
(3)Christopher L.
Great outdoor seating, solid food, and attentive staff. The prices are a tad on the high side compared to other options in Golden with views, but we still had a great time.
(4)Bridget M.
While looking for a place to hold our wedding, I decided to pretend I did not care about my fiancees likes and check this place out. Once we walked inside, we were both blown away by the ambiance, patio, and package deal when it came to hosting the reception there. Before committing to the place, we decided to check out the food for dinner on another night, as our party likes their good food! We were NOT disappointed and cannot imagine others will be. Both our meals were fantastic... while they sounded basic in description the food came out yummy and exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Patricia b.
I went to briarwood inn for brunch, we were very impressed by the service, atmosphere and the food was delicious ! For$35.00 we got, a glass of champagne, fruit cup served in a wine glass, a complete array of pastries and ...the meal...salmon with poached eggs with asparagus and a wonderful sauce.
(5)Trude K.
Four of us had Thanksgiving dinner at the Briarwood. We've been there a number of times over the years to celebrate various events, or to have a special treat. This was the most amount I've spent for a meal in a long while and it was not worth it! The portions were small. There was little to take home even for the individual who opted for turkey. None of our meals was exceptional, but rather merely adequate. Dessert was an assortment of several small, not very appetizing items. None of us liked one of the choices, pieces of banana rolled in coconut. If we had at least been able to select our own individual dessert, the meal would have at least ended on a positive note. We'll stay home for Christmas dinner!
(1)Melody K.
Not worth your time or money! From the awkward wait staff to the high prices, this place was terrible! First time trying it and we were excited because of the reputation. It is just that-a good reputation with horrible food. The steak had no seasoning and was cold. The rest of the food appeared to have been prepared before and sitting in the fridge awaiting order. We asked if we could order just the shrimp cocktail, rather than the whole giant appetizer. The waiter said yes, then brought the whole appetizer that is $40 and said , "whoops." All of the food was bland and quite terrible. Then, we ordered a tall drink and got a short. Basically, that's what the experience felt like--a tall order that fell completely and utterly, pathetically short. Don't waste your time with this place!
(1)Clary C.
The people I work with like to come here every year around Christmas. Gotta say, I'm hoping for a new tradition next year. The decorations are pretty, but not sure that makes up for the less than inspiring, and way overpriced menu. Not much available for a vegetarian - nothing for vegans if that's your diet. I sometimes eat fish, though, so I had the salmon salad. It was fine, but small and boring, and the salmon a little bit overcooked - certainly nothing to justify the $18 price tag. If someone hadn't ordered bread (no, it's not complementary - nothing here is except water) I would have still been hungry.
(2)Susan Y.
I came here for a year-end celebration lunch with my work group, and while The Briarwood isn't the sort of place I'd choose to go on my own it was perfectly suited for the occasion -- just the right amount of formality to befit our veep's speech to thank us for our hard work and accomplishments through the year. The restaurant was bedecked with garlands and ribbons, making for a festive but not over-done holiday atmosphere. We had a selection of the appetizers, including an appetizer tray that had shrimp cocktail, crackers, and a half-dozen or so dips/spreadables -- I'm not sure what they all were, but they included a tapenade, something salmony, and a pate. Presentation did make me feel like I had taken a trip on the way-back machine, but the things I tried were tasty. We also had a pretty standard spinach-artichoke dip and calamari. The calamari was prepared well - flash fried and still tender, served with aioli and one other sauce that I didn't try. For my entree I had the bison short ribs, which were served with a fruity (cherry?) sauce along with some polenta and a vegetable medly. The veggies were my favorite part of this dish. The short ribs were sadly under-seasoned ... I almost never salt my food at the table, but had to in this case as did two of my co-workers who also ordered this dish. The polenta was kind of heavy and not very flavorful (though I do have to say, a couple of people ordered the lemon polenta vegetarian option and said it was very good). I might have been more disappointed had I paid for my meal out of my own pocket, but as a location for a work celebration I can go along with this being an A-OK venue.
(3)Steven L.
service was very attentive, friendly, and polite. quantity was maybe too much. my wifes filet mignon may be the best steak she has ever had. i got seafood au gratin which was very good by my standards, but excellent by denver seafood standards. it was decorated very nicely for christmas which provided a great cozy atmosphere. the desert course was the weakest but we were stuffed by then anyway.
(5)Z A.
We have been visiting this old time Denver favorite for nearly 25 years, and typically have enjoyed the atmosphere and food. Last night we've changed our collective minds. We were celebrating with another couple and chose Briarwood as, in the past, they had a very good array of appetizers and main dishes at a reasonable price. We found that, in order to enjoy the appetizers as they have offered in the past for free, it would be necessary to pony up $60 a head, which included the appetizer, soup or salad, main course, and deserts. Seemed slightly high, but decided to give it a try. Two tried the spinach and bacon salad, which had FAR too much dressing that the salad was swimming in. Two of us tried the French onion soup, which had a novel presentation, but was WAY too salty and only luke warm. As a result, the cheese had to be cut with a knife! The main dishes were good, but after the poor first courses, it didn't outweigh the experience. Then, when the deserts were presented, I know I've had better at buffets at casinos, even though these used to be very good here. Finally, we ordered coffees ($3 each) and finally had to request refills, even though the wait staff walked by several times. I'm saddened about having to provide this negative review of a restaurant that now appears tired and may be running on it's past quality. Considering these points, we'll be going to Flemming's in the future.
(1)CALVIN S.
Like Adam F, this review is long overdue, and we also had our wedding at the Briarwood . I wish our experience would have been as smooth as his was. I agree that Bri, our wedding coordinator, was wonderful to work with. However we learned at our rehearsal dinner that she would be moving on and someone else would be overseeing most of the night of our wedding. As soon as Bri left (pretty much right after the ceremony) is when things started going wrong. The children's menus items didn't show up and we had to ask for them . They came after all the adults had eaten already (actually would've preferred to have the children set and eating before us) . Parents were feeding their children off of their own plates, thinking there wasn't any food for them! The cake table, while having previously being described to us as being a lovely table set with our flowers, ended up being a SMALL table with a plain white tablecloth with no flowers in the corner where nobody could see it. We had to ask a waiter to please have it moved so everyone could see us cutting our cake. It was so small it was that easy to move! While I must give praise for the food ( it was wonderful and exactly what we had asked for) and all of our guests raved about the service ( no glass was left unfilled) Ummmm, except for one ...THE BRIDE!? We're not sure if the servers didn't want to bother her or what they were thinking, but she had to go up to the bar herself every time she wanted a drink (not that she needed that many!!) but we are glad that all of our guests were taken care of. Do we wish we would've had her wedding somewhere else? No . The setting was absolutely lovely and all the preparations going into the day went so smoothly. Just wish that night Bri could've stayed with us and finished out what we know could've been a lovely, flawless evening.
(3)Kristol T.
Worst steaks we have ever had! My now fiancé and I decided to celebrate our one year anniversary here this past Saturday and I really wish we hadn't. The service was okay but it took a while for our server to even stop by even though the restaurant wasn't crowded. The most exciting part about this date was leaving. The steaks came out at the wrong temperature. I ordered a medium and received a medium rare. There was no flavor or seasoning which made everything taste so bland. I went on to try the potatoes and was sadly disappointed that a box of instant could have tasted better than this mess. The only thing worth keeping was my martini ( because hopefully no one could mess with that). When we went to get our coats, the hostess seemed confused even though we gave her our coat numbers! This place needs a lot of help if it wants to keep the doors open and they can start with a new chef!
(1)Liz M.
Food was alright (except the spinach salad), service was horrible. Meal was going well until I came across a dirt clod in my salad. Fine, that happens. The disappointment is in how they handled it. Server said he would go get a manager, then disappeard until 20 minutes later when he brought the entree, asked if I wanted another salad. Eventually the hostess showed up and it was all she could do to offer to comp my meal, or do anything besides say "sorry, this happens." Both the server and hostess made a big deal about their "triple washed spinach." Whatever. Still didn't get the dirt out!! Won't return or recommend, highly overrated.
(1)Cheryl L.
As I start to write this review I have the Toby Keith song "I ain't as good as I once was" running through my mind. However, upon reflecting on the lyrics of this song it goes on to say "But I'm as good once as I ever was". So it may not actually fit this review except if you stop at the very first part. But wouldn't be great if Toby decided to do an impromptu set there on the back patio - now that would rock.... Anyway back to the review - It has been a very long time since I have been to The Briarwood and I had very fond memories of a fabulous brunch and pastry tray. So when I saw that they were on the list for restaurant week and reviewing their menu I thought great - they are definitely offering a deal at $52.80 per couple. The prime rib dinner is normally $59 with the appetizer tray, so this is about a $30 savings per person. By the time we made our reservations we could only get 4:45 pm seating. Not too bad on a Saturday, where you can plan your day and have a late breakfast etc. But it still made me feel a little like I was arriving for the early bird special and that I had aged 20 years in a matter of moments. We were seated promptly. With the remodel they added hardwood floors to the main dining room and man did I wear the wrong shoes. Had to grab my husband's arm so I didn't fall flat on my ass. The waiter arrived at our table and smelled like stale cigarette smoke - not very appetizing if you don't smoke. The bread looked yummy - low carbing it so I didn't get to taste it and it was served with sweet potato butter. I started with the Spinach salad and it was really good. It had bacon, mushroom, mandarin oranges with a bacon dressing. It said it came with red onion but I don't remember those in the salad. Then came the entree - 13 oz prime rib (rare). I ordered it without the potatoes and asked for more veggies. The meat was cooked t rare but I didn't get a lot of flavor - so it was just okay. The veggies we cooked and they were just under okay. They didn't have a lot of flavor. It took us a while to find our waiter to ask for salt and pepper, because it wasn't on the table. We flagged down the bus boy and he provided us with decorative shakers. These were no very functional and it took a lot of shaking to actually get anything out of either the salt or pepper shakers. This is one of my restaurant pet peeves. I didn't to try dessert but the guys said it was "ok". It was a baked apple with vanilla gelato. Service is the biggest reason for the 2 stars - The waiter seemed to disappear and I don't think we got the attention that we deserved. I understand that the $52.80 was way below the standard menu prices but if this is any indication of what their service is I would be very disappointed if I had been paying full price. So perhaps sometimes are better left - bigger and brighter - in your mind and remembering them the way they were.
(2)Bryan M.
Great food! Just terrific food. The salmon for 5280 was amazing. I took my mom here, and she thoroughly had an enjoyable time. She had the salmon, which I should have had, and I had the london broil. The salmon was the better of the two. The appetizer was outstanding. It was a shrimp bowl with good size shrimp and different kinds of sauces and spices. An all around great experience. I would recommend this restaurant any day!
(5)Joni W.
This place is a classic example of expensive for the sake of being expensive. You can find higher quality food, more creative cuisine, and better service at literally dozens of other places throughout the Denver metro region. We attended for a holiday work party. The waiter struggled with drink orders and wasn't knowledgeable about the brands of alcohol or wine they carried. Likewise, frequently throughout the dinner, we were left with empty glasses. A few in our party mentioned if their service had been better, we'd surely have spent much more money on drinks. The appetizer spreads were mediocre. The Wisconsin Cheese spread tasted heavily processed and much like something from a can. Also, they mixed up a few of our entrees and seemed to repeatedly bring the wrong food to wrong person. Originally, I received the wrong dish and about 5 minutes after I received my hastily cooked filet. It is hard to go wrong with a filet, but the dish left something to be desired. Ultimately, the Briarwood Inn left me with the impression they care more about reputation than actually providing quality food and service.
(2)Angela C.
This place hasn't changed for decades, nor should it. The food is amazing. I also love the way the appetizer plate and desert are included. First course, appetizer had fabulous spreads and perfect ice cold shrimp cocktail. For our second course I had the lobster bisque (amazing) and my husband had the French onion soup. He loved the unique way it was served. For our main dish, I had the Briarwood Trio (tender chicken, sweet lobster tail, and perfectly cooked fillet) and my husband had the elk medallions. Dessert consisted of a tray including coconut bananas (my favorite).
(5)Cindy R.
Excellent dinner. We got the $35 3 course meal as part of the restaurant's 35th anniversary celebration in the month of September. The spinach salad with warm bacon dressing. Beef Wellington (melted in my mouth), and dessert tray were all delicious. Service was attentive. Another great dining experience at the Briarwood.
(5)Regina M.
I had been to Briarwood about 10 years ago for brunch and remeber a sunny room with nice sceneryand then the food was good.. We ate there on 9/14/14 for my moms birthday and were seated in poorly lit room to the left of the front door.The room we ate in was in bad need of updating and the dull lighting made it more appropriate for dinner rather than brunch. The pastries were good but not fresh.The people that ordered the prime rib said it was good. The seafood crepes were lousy, The scallops were tiny and the fish tasted old and the crab tasted like it came out of a can.The hollandaise sause was blah. For 35$ I felt bad we had to pay so much. My guess is that the wedding party got the nice room. For that price I expected fresh baked pastries and good seafood in my crepes. The meal was way over-priced for what we got and the ambiance rather dull. I will never go back. The waitress was good. i told her what I thought about the meal though. It would have been nice to be comped on the crepes my sister in law and I barely touched
(3)Dale Z.
This is a good example of a 3-Star Restaurant. The dining areas are nice. There is an "old world" feel to the room with all the woods and stone. I came here for my last stop on my dinners for Denver Restaurant Week 2012. It was "okay". I started with a bowl of the French Onion soup (on sale for $5.28). It was meh. Although slightly better than the French Onion Soup I had last week at Le Creperie, many places (such as Red Robin) make a consistently better bowl of French Onion Soup. The cheese was not broiled sufficiently, the bread was soggy/doughy, there were not enough onions . . . but the broth was a solid "B-". The complimentary Bread & Butter was pretty good. The bread was basic, but the butter was a "Sweet Potato Butter", and was subtle and enjoyable. I opted for the House Spinach Salad (Spinach, mushroom, red onion, bacon, mandarin oranges, hot bacon dressing). This is basically a "wilted lettuce" type salad. It was tasty . . so tasty indeed that I used the heel of bread to sop up the dressing and bacon bits on the bottom of the plate. For my entree, i went with the 13oz Prime Rib of Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Vegetables. The Prime Rib was acceptable, but nothing special. It was served rare enough for my taste, but it was a bit fattier than you might expect. It did not have a lot of "beefy" flavor. Adding Au Jus to pump up the flavor just made it salty. The horseradish sauce was bland. The vegetables were pretty, but were a bit undercooked (Not sure why most places overcook, and some serve them practically raw). The mashed potatoes were decent, but the serving size was more "garnish" than "side" sized. The dessert was a Baked Caramel Apple with vanilla Gelato. The apple was a bit mealy and pretty much just tasted of cinnamon. The Gelato was okay. So, should I be unhappy with a prime rib dinner with all the fixin's for only $26? Well . . . yes, because in the past at other places (such as nice restaurants, chains, casinos, and even truck stops) I have had much better prime rib dinners for less than $20. Sure, $26 is about 1/2 what the Briarwood Inn would normally charge for a prime rib dinner, but it just was not that great. Thus my 2012 Denver Restaurant Experience ended not with a bang, but a whimper.
(3)Jacqueline M.
Service & food were great. Just enjoyed an afternoon tea outing with 7 to celebrate my moms birthday! Just don't be fooled by their 'celebration' package. When I was called by the restaurant to confirm my reservation, since we were celebrating they asked if I wanted a bottle of champagne, a dozen roses and 6 chocolate covered strawberries. I said great. Well, like I said, don't be fooled. It's actually a half bottle of champagne and the rose presentation was laughable. Looked like they grabbed a dozen at King Soopers this morning and plopped them in a clear vase. Horrible presentation. For $60 that was unacceptable in my book. I just called and spoke with a manger. She more or less said it was my fault for not looking at their website to confirm that it was a half bottle and she said the flowers were delivered this morning. Not at all accommodating. Just wanted me to know that no one else has ever complained. Wow, what happened to the customer is always right. I'm not asking for a refund, but at least be a bit more receptive to a complaint and constructive criticism. Sadly I don't think we will be returning after this.
(2)Mascha F.
My daughter used this for her wedding venue, which included Champagne Brunch. She was able to meet several times with staff to go over details, including a pre-wedding walkthrough. I can't say enough about the staff, particularly Duncan, and their flexibility and willingness to accommodate any request, and/or change of plans. Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming task, and Duncan made it so easy and convenient for the bride. From the beginning, explaining how Briarwood is so uniquely arranged for such a special event, to the absolute end after Bride and Groom were gone, and cleanup was virtually done, Duncan was on-hand to be sure everything went smoothly. We were provided with plenty of private space for the bridal party to get ready, a nice area for the men while they were waiting for the ladies, a beautiful outdoor setting with wonderful ambiance: Lovely pathway with Colorado outdoor scenery, sound of 2 water fountains in the background, grassy area where guests enjoyed refreshments before the wedding, and after the ceremony but before the brunch; the actual outdoor paved dining area was converted into a seating area in front of a nice gazebo-like terrace, where the vows were exchanged, and which later served as a dance floor. Even with a wonderful venue, the whole process can be incredibly stressful, and at every turn, we found helpful staff who saw to it that above all, this was a dream-come-true for my daughter. It was clear that their motto could have been "the bride is the most important person here." I just can't emphasize enough how well everything went, due to the diligent efforts of Duncan and his staff! And the food was exceptional as well, with one of the guests mentioning that her meal was the best she'd experienced in a long time. So don't discount the wonderful menu that is available as well, when planning a special event. I highly recommend Briarwood for any special event! We will be going back there in the future, so that we can enjoy the dining experience.
(5)Kim M.
We have been going to Briarwood for over sixteen years and have been increasingly disappointed with every visit over the last four years. Our last and final meal there was on Christmas Eve. We showed up for our 8:00p reservation only to be told that we had no reservation. After further investigation, we were told that the reservation was at 2:00p and that it was canceled. Why would we have a reservation for 2:00p when my husbands plane did not land until 4.30p? Regardless, they did find a spot for us. It took 15 minutes for someone (a manager) to come take our drink order. The signature appetizer tray arrived warm. My prime rib, ordered medium rate, appeared to have been microwaved and arrived medium. The other three filet dinners ordered medium rare arrived medium well. We had to wave down a waiter to have our water refilled. Overall an awful $500 dinner experience. The wait staff is not the experienced wait staff that we were used to and the food has become sub par. Will not recommend Briarwood to anyone.
(1)Meggin R.
I am rating it 4 stars in reflection of the quality of meal. It is certainly five stars compared to an average dinner place, but I just can't get it there for the type of dining it is. The service was attentive and wonderful, we were very impressed with it. Overall, this is a place that was great in the 80s and then just never changed. Wtih some updating, I think it could raise to a Cherry Creek level place. First I will review the food, it was very good. The appetizer tray is delicious, even if a bit dated. It seems like the soft spreads on crackers was once the "in" thing, and Briarwood just kept with it when it went out of style. I would like to see updating. They can still stay in the same vein, but perhaps add in a solid food or two (outside of the shrimp--which were still a little frozen in the tail). They tasted great, but I wanted something a bit more. The salads were not a disappointment. Sure, the beets could have been a bit more thoroughly roasted, and there was far too much stem of iceberg lettuce and not enough field greens in mine, but otherwise both selections were delicious. Our main courses were both very tasty. I had the medalions sampler (beef, veal, lobster). All was done perfectly and very tasty. The veal and capers was a bit salty for me, but I don't eat much salt, so I don't fault them for that. My husband's sea food au gratin was full of meat and very rich and tasty. We barely had enough room for dessert, but the raspberry chocolate cake was great. How the food could have been improved: modernize the appetizer tray. You can still keep the essence of the appetizers while updating it. Salads: use higher quality greens. I would not be surprised if they do in the summer, when they're easier to get. Entrees: instead of having a large list of set ones you always make, do a seasonal menu so that there is always something new based on what is freshest. Dessert: no complaints, except perhaps in the summer and fall a fresh fruit option would be good (they may already do that). Now, for the bigger problem I had: the atmosphere. We were easily the youngest people there alone, and we're late 20s, early 30s. All the other people in our age range were there with older relatives for a celebration. The place was not very full at all for a Friday night. I think that it's because the place has not changed in 30 years. It's lost its appeal. It now appeals to retirees or older people. Not the young foodies, like us, who are up for trying local places with something different to offer. If they could find a balance between traditional and cosy and young foodie, I think it would easily triple the business. One very simple and super cheap change that could be done is to change the music! It was awful! Saxaphone elevator music from the 80s, bleh. Just get a new CD to put in, that's all you have to do. It would drastically help the ambiance. A remodel is desperately needed. They have a great location in Golden, and a lovely terrace for summer outdoor dining. But inside hasn't changed a mite. I think that the waiters are all probably still wearing the same uniforms. The essential architecture of the building is good (with the exception of the fact that you can see the staff taking out trash and smoking outside the door as you walk in). But that wallpaper and color has to go. The old gold electrical fixtures are also screaming old lady's house. They don't need to tear out everything in the interior, but paint, wallpaper, and window dressings would do a world of good. So, the moral. This was once a great place, 30 years ago. Then they found what was good and stuck with it. That has its merits, I grant you. But only for so long. I am not saying that they need to throw it out the window and completely change everything. You can keep the essence of the place while making it attractive to the people who will really spend the big bucks and send people your way: the youngish (early 30s) foodies. I with the Briarwood the best. I don't know that we will go back unless we hear that they have modernized a bit.
(4)Libby T.
Completely empty on a Thursday night - outside of our group, only one other couple was in the restaurant. The food was excellent. Though the menu looks pricey, it is prixe fixe, so all is included. Go!
(4)CL S.
A group of friends and I enjoy get together for high tea about once a month, and we've been so surprised by how many restaurants in the area offer it. The Briarwood Inn had great reviews, so we were excited to visit it. The Briarwood Inn is nestled away in the foothills of Golden. From the outside, it is framed by the mountain backdrop and has a very cozy patio. Inside, the decor is decorated very traditional and elegant. There are tall ceilings, floor to sky windows, a fireplace, and etched glass windows. It was very classy! The scones were served in baskets, and it made it easy to pass the scones around. The scones were a little too crisp/crunchy for my taste. The soup de jour was a cauliflower cheddar soup which was delicious. The cauliflower tasted fresh, and cheese makes everything taste better, right? The warm tartlet was a spinach artichoke quiche, and though I normally do not like quiche, I enjoyed this quiche. (Probably because it reminded me of spinach artichoke dip!) The tea sandwiches were good, but the verdict was mixed among our group on the prosciutto wrapped fig and the shrimp salad on rye. Our server told us that we would receive sorbet, but we did not receive it. That's okay because we were pretty full! As for the other sweets, the raspberry macaron was the winner. The lemon bar was almost too sweet, and the chocolate brie cheesecake just had bad flavor. The other petit fours were good but nothing to write home about. They served Harney and Sons tea, which is good tea. They were out of a few of the flavors. Overall, the service was good. The server and host were very professional, polite, and knowledgeable. The restaurant was not very busy, so the server was very attentive. It made for a nice escape on the week end! To sum up: the ambience made for a nice afternoon for a ladies' tea. The service was very prompt and attentive. The cauliflower soup and macarons were the best part of the food!
(3)Steve S.
So sad. Wanted the old Briarwood lost atmosphere and service of old food was mediocre at best. Missing the old Briarwood
(2)M P.
Ordered filet at medium, was overcooked and slightly charred, rendering it tougher than desired. Topping was onions that we're undesirable. Skinny, but not fall apart crispy or fried. French onion soup was good, but a little too salty. Prices were ridiculous though atmosphere was very welcoming and nice. At least $60 per person can be expected. I'd rather head to Denver and eat at Ocean Prime or Ruth's Chris for the price.
(1)Sara S.
We went here for restaurant week and had James for our server. For our appetizers.... 2 orders of spinach/artichoke dip...the dip was creamy, and had lots of flavor! 1 order burrata cheese polenta...came topped with buffalo mozzarella which was divine! The polenta had subtle lemon flavor that was great too. 1 order french onion soup....great! Second Course... 4 orders spinach salad/warm bacon dressing...I would maybe make the pieces of spinach a little smaller, but it was nothing I couldn't use a knife on. The bacon dressing was SO good! I think I could have eaten a salad as an entree with that dressing on it! I have never had this type of spinach before, and I hope to find this at the grocery store to have at home! 1 order arugula/watercress salad. My friend said he didn't really like the taste of the greens, so that was pretty much over for him from there. Third Course... 2 orders prime rib...medium rare(mine), mine was soooo buttery and just delicious! and well done(my step-Dad's). 2 orders buffalo short ribs, coffee rubbed. My Mom said this dish was great! I tried a bite and didn't care for it, but I am not really into coffee to begin with. 1 order spinach/mushroom ravioli....this was a really interesting dish! It came as one HUGE ravioli! I've never seen this before! My step-sister said this was great! The mashed potatoes were delicious. The veggies were very good as well, not under and over cooked, just right! Fourth Course... caramel apple with vanilla gelato...this dish was great as well. There was just enough caramel on the apple and gelato. The gelato was very creamy and had a vanilla bean flavor, well done! All in all, the food was great, but the service was kind of slow. There was an older man refilling drinks, just the water and iced tea. I think he should be refilling all drinks, not just those drinks.
(4)Rachael K.
To preface, we came for restaurant week and I know that quality, portions, and service tend to fluctuate quite a lot during restaurant week. The girl who called to confirm the reservation was personable and fun to talk to, she made me excited to come in. The ambiance was old world romantic, there was a lot to look at. The set up is nice and it was quiet despite all of the people in the space. The waitress was sweet and accommodating to the sensibilities of the "restaurant week" crowd. She reminded us that if we were going to both have wine we would definitely save if we got the bottle and she warned my partner that the portion for the tuna was quite small. That said, when we walked by her when we were leaving she didn't say "thank you." I know that she was probably busy and we shouldn't nit pick but already being super self conscious (since their usual meal for one price is what we generally pay for both of us) this rubbed us the wrong way. The salads were delicious and really flavorful. The main course portions were small, though I don't know if that was because it was restaurant week or if they are always that small. Both were delicious (ravioli and tuna) though not necessarily any better than less expensive places that I've been to. Desert was better than I expected; I never would have picked a baked apple with gelato. That said, it seemed really simple to make so I wasn't blown away. If the restaurant week prices were the normal prices I would be more likely to give 4 stars but, while it was tasty, the food and ambiance didn't blow me away enough to want to come back and pay full price or come back for the next restaurant week..
(3)Patrick O.
I'm Tebowing after I write this review. What Happened????????????????????????? I've been coming to The Briarwood Inn for nearly every Christmas since I was 17 years old. I'm now 30 and live out of state. But still, the tradition remains and, every Christmas Eve I still come here with my parents, well buzzed and freezing from no longer being used to the Colorado chill. This last Christmas was one where I finally pulled the trigger and told my parents that next year we'll be doing something else, granted, they did have the place decorated quaint as usual and were bustling with activity and business. So again, what happened? Well, in my honest opinion I think what's happening to The Briarwood is what happens to all restaurants who continue the same traditions over and over throughout the years. There's nothing new about it...no new flavors, no higher standards and no improvements with anything in the kitchen. The appetizer tray I once craved now tasted bland (granted the shrimp were awesome and always are) but the dips tasted store bought and lacked any real "personality", something that should be a key ingredient for a place that is so well put together cosmetically. Next was the salad - which even to this day I can honestly say I've never really cared for...the "house" salad is served basically warm, and I don't like warm salad and I'm pretty sure you don't either. The entrees followed, and again what once I craved nearly year round - The Beef Wellington - came out beyond mediocre, lacking a true pastry crust and was drowned out in an overly salty, and might I add overwhelmingly rich brown sauce, not sure if this is to "hide" the flavor of the dish. Again, it tasted like something you could get at Costco these days?? I really sure hope they take some notes from the customers and step it up a bit because at around 65-80 a person (without booze) they sadly won't last. But then again, maybe I've just turned into a Snooty California Snob. *sigh* TEBOW TIME!!
(2)Becky S.
While the prices at the Briarwood are an issue, they do include four courses at dinner time. The lunch menu is very reasonable for an upscale establishment. It packs some signature salads as well as comfort foods, and the desserts are well thought out and melt in your mouth. I recommend the steaks and the chocolate mousse. If you're going for dinner they won't offer desserts, but instead they bring a tray of fresh fruit and brownies. The atmosphere is very comforting, and the drinks are excellent. The waitstaff is very helpful in recommendations and accomodations. Don't hesitate to ask questions, everyone is very cordial and welcoming.
(4)Daniel T.
Really one of the great restaurants in Colorado. If you're concerned about the price, go to Denny's; if you're looking for some truly gourmet food, then come to the Briarwood. The atmosphere feels a bit like they are trying too hard for the cozy mountain town feel. But again, the food is really something.
(4)Wallace G.
I have lived in Colorado nearly all of my life and the Briarwood is by far my favorite for "fine dining." I love the appetizer tray that is already on the table for you when your seated. The food and service are always great! It's not cheap, but you could pay more at a lot of the newer restaurants that simply don't measure up. If you haven't been there, you should go!
(5)Jaime B.
This isn't a review for their regular dining, but for their wedding package. My wedding ceremony and reception with close to 90 guests was held outdoors on the patio at the Briarwood in early June. My now-husband and I knew we wanted an entirely outdoor wedding. We looked all over and couldn't find something we loved. I read somewhere that the Briarwood had outdoor wedding space. That surprised me because last time I was there, there was no outdoor patio area and while the indoor space is lovely for what it is, it's just not my style. We decided to check it out and loved the elegantly casual (and large!) outdoor area. There's a grassy area to one side, nicely maintained flowers, a fireplace, and a perfect pergola. We knew right away that we had found the place. From the very beginning of the planning process, Bri was nothing but helpful, organized, considerate, personable, and easy to work with. As planning went on, every question or concern was met with absolute positivity that seemed to come from a place of being genuinely invested in making our day great. Every email was promptly answered and phone calls were quickly returned to me, my now-husband, and my parents. During the actual wedding, Bri and her staff seemed nothing but calm and capable. At the wedding, I had people coming up to me all night raving about how great the staff was(so friendly and professional). The actual event was a bit of a blur for me, but looking through pictures of the wedding I can see just how beautiful Bri and her staff (with the help of my awesome florist, Ladybird Poppy) made the already lovely space. The food also got rave reviews- people are still telling me that it was SO not regular wedding food. The quality, quantity, and taste were excellent. I completely agree. Everyone says that you won't have time to eat at your own wedding.. .despite everything that was going on, there was no way I wasn't digging into my lemon polenta! My now-husband and I are so appreciative of Bri and her staff for helping us make our special day really and truly special. I felt totally comfortable leaving little details in Bri's totally capable hands. It truly made our day better knowing that the small details and bigger issues were completely under control. If you're looking for a place to hold a wedding, I really don't think you can go wrong with the Briarwood. It's not just that I have nothing to say about them, it's that I could genuinely rave for way longer than anyone is interested in reading about how excellent everything was.
(5)David T.
I'd have to say that I guess it 's OK for what it is, but, I certainly have had much better, especially in recent years. Many years ago (and I mean MANY) this was quite the spot to go to. It was romantic, right at the base of the foothills and the canyon. Kind of a little French country inn spot with very traditional European (read heavy and rich) cuisine. Except, it wasn't really so much European as an American knock off. Any real European chef would be totally mortified to be serving this food. I used it as a first date place with much success, however. Great place to impress people who don't know any better. But, this is not how people eat anymore. The food is just too heavy and boring. I think most of their "appetizer lazy Susan" items and all of their dessert platter offerings are either Sysco or just whacked up fruit and cheese - no real cooking going on here. Plus, nobody really needs all of these courses. And, you are paying all of this money to have dinner at your grandmother's house (which could use a little dusting). If you're looking for a restaurant with a 1980's time warp vibe - by all means check it out. But, be sure you have $100+ a head to drop and about 4000 calories to spare in butter and fat in your current diet regimen. Not my cup of tea lately. If you want to take Granny out for Christmas dinner during the holidays though, they really tart the place up with every trite holiday tchotchke known to man. Granny will love you for it but she won't even begin to touch the mound of food they serve her. I say if you want to spend this kind of money you should be at Frasca, Z Cuisine, the Brown Palace, the Flagstaff House - well, you get the picture.
(2)Ollie V.
Really liked this place, even though I'm not a big meat eater they had good options. The squash ravioli was delicious as well as was the chicken piccata. Others in my party really enjoyed the elk and we all loved the French onion soup. The place was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Loved it.
(4)John L.
Outstanding service and food Took my mom,dad and wife for my mom's 70th birthday You go to a fine restaurant for service and food The service was excellent with Christopher and Patrick as our servers (awesome that Patrick was our server on ST Patrick's Day) The food quality was up to the usual briarwood standards My dad even quoted that the prime rib was the bet he ever had Thank you briarwood for making another celebration perfect We have been coming here since the early 1980's and they never disappoint
(5)CJ P.
For Denver Restaurant Week, I was shocked to see that The Briarwood Inn was listed as one of the participants. I've read many positive reviews of the restaurant but always saw that it was listed as the most expensive (typically $$$$$) rating available. At $52.80 per couple during Denver Restaurant Week, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to try out the historic Briarwood Inn. Basically the only positive I can say about the Briarwood is restaurant did somehow feel romantic, despite the very strange decor (think 1970s Country Club meets The Gold Rush). The menu was less than imaginative, and the waiting staff rushed us through ordering and eating. The food itself tasted overly seasoned, and our three-course meal felt like imitation gourmet (if that makes sense). Again, at $52.80 plus drinks and tax, this was a fine dinner and experience. But having glanced at the regular menu during our meal (some dishes cost as much as $70), I can't imagine ever returning to The Briarwood Inn.
(3)Jessica W.
Thanksgiving at Briarwood Inn came to about $110 per person. This included three courses with wine pairing, plus dessert. The wine pairings would have been excellent, had they arrived with the courses they were meant to accompany, and the menu looked delicious on paper, but the food was hit or miss. For the appetizer, I ordered the chicken liver pâté, which had a perfect texture but was disturbingly sweet, like the poor chicken had been force-fed maple syrup. My mom ordered a Wisconsin Cheddar and Port spread which she described as, "the world's most expensive aerosol cheese." The next course was an outstanding wilted spinach salad with dressing that I can only describe as "gravy vinaigrette." For an additional $12, my step-dad ordered the lobster bisque, which he sent back because it was "a lukewarm watery mess." For the main course I ordered elk medallions which were excellent, but they were served with mashed potatoes that were undoubtedly from a box. My mom and step-dad both ordered the traditional turkey dinner which included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. They both enjoyed the turkey and said it was perfectly cooked. The sweet potatoes were rustically prepared, caramelized perfectly, and way better than grandma used to make. However, they were served the same from-the-box mashed potatoes, and the cranberry sauce, while definitely not from a can, was prepared by someone who felt that clove and cinnamon were more important that sugar in its preparation. My mom actually gagged on it, then, insisted I taste it because, "there is either something wrong with it, or my palate is a dumbass". The wine with the main course, though it was served when we are almost finished with our plates, was really brilliant. The elk was served with a Barbera that tasted so expensive it more than made up for the potatoes. The turkey was served with a sparkling riesling which my gourmet step-dad literally made note of. Unfortunately, my mom had to down hers to keep from choking on her cranberry sauce. Desert was a platter that consisted of an excellent brownie-bite and a cute mini pumpkin pie, which I swear I saw at Costco earlier this week, and two of the most disturbing desserts I have ever experienced: a green banana rolled in toasted coconut, and a tart of blue cheese and raisins. The green banana was an assault to the taste buds and I suspect it was either an afterthought or an accident on the menu. I felt that putting raisins and blue cheese together was clever, but ultimately not very tasty. My step-dad (who is British, no offense) thought it was great.
(3)Stacey M.
We had brunch here and I have to say it was not worth the money. Nice, quiet atmosphere and great service but the food was nothing to write home about. The pastries prior to the meal were stale and seemed to have been sitting out too long on the table. I had seafood crepes which was supposed to include shrimp, crab and scallops... The only evidence of crab was the shell I bit into, had about four small shrimp between three crepes and the smallest scallops I've seen and they were rubbery at best. It all tasted very over cooked and lacking of flavor. Sadly disappointed and not worth the price.
(2)Mandy D.
Amazing prime rib! Romantic, cozy atmosphere and great customer service. Who could ask for more? Prices may seem high, but portions go overboard and there are more than enough for a second meal in leftovers! Relaxed pace for a four course meal, do not come if you are looking for a quick dining experience. That's not what this is about, it's a special experience.
(5)Laura S.
There was a time when The Briarwood was THE "go to" place for special occasion and holidays; however, their time has come... and gone. My last two visits were "acceptable" -- but at this price point, I expect better than "acceptable." Unfortunately, today's experience (Easter brunch) pushed me over the edge and I will not visit this restaurant again. 2:15 reservations for four -- finally seated at 4:10. Menus and water did not arrive for almost 15 minutes. Waiter? Ten minutes later. Ordered an omelet with ham, Swiss cheese and avocado. Received an omelet with bacon, cheddar and mushrooms. When I mentioned the error, the waiter informed me that I'd probably have to wait 15 - 20 minutes for another omelet because they were "so backed up." The good news? Denver now has so many delightful places to celebrate a holiday or special occasion you don't have to go here... so don't!
(2)Robin B.
We celebrated our son' s wedding at the Briarwood Inn in September 2013, on the garden terrace. The staff, especially Duncan, could not have been more accommodating. The setting was elegant, the food was wonderful and the service was superb. Every guest told us it was one of the prettiest receptions they had ever attended. I would highly recommend this venue for anyone looking for a place to celebrate an important event. Many, many thanks to the Briarwood Inn for making this wedding such a memorable event!
(5)Jen H.
5280 restaurant week is the perfect time to try out Briarwood if you have not been here. There were 4 options of entrees, one can add the appetizer tray if desired (it's well worth it, especially if you have more than two people). Spinach salad is another favorite of mine, full of mandarin oranges, onions, great bacon bits and 'srooms. They also offered a flight of wines for 26/couple or 13/one. Great deal for the price to try a few different wines throughout dinner. The waiter was knowledgeable about what to drink with the meal. Briarwood tends to be on the pricey side (although the meals come with appetizer tray, salads, vegs, and dessert). Their prime rib is awesome, love the Wellington and their salmon is great too. I like that I pay one price and don't feel like I am getting nickel and dimed everytime I want to add a veg or salad or app. I wholeheartedly agree that the staff uniforms need to find a new home..far, far away from Golden. Having not been there in several years, I was actually disappointed to find that the same old uniforms are being worn. The place was packed as usual...and at first I felt a bit rushed, but then the waiter settled down and we enjoyed a leisurely meal.
(4)Ben C.
Old and musty, dungeon like atmosphere, cranky staff, food....ehh
(1)Dominic G.
Just finished dinner and I wish we would of dinned at home. Service was well below par for a high end price point. I and the family dinned for years at Briarwood and this year our food was mismanaged and smaller portioned with no desert added. The service is down but the price stayed the same. Unfortunately this is our last visit to Briarwood.
(2)Roger M.
We've been going to the Briarwood for over a decade. It's an "institution" in my book and this is the first time in all those years I have left wondering if I will ever go back. We saw the 3 star average reviews on Yelp and were surprised - thinking this can't be right because they are fabulous. So we made our New Year's reservations without even reading those bad reviews. Now I wish we had! Lisa - are you listening? The appetizer course was fantastic as always. While enjoying that, we ordered wine - a 2002 Chateau Montelena. The waitress returned with a 2009 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay! Now we have some fault in this because we didn't specify Cabernet Sauvignon, but how many places have 9 year old Chardonnay on the menu? She returned with a 2008 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, as they were out of the 2002. I was shocked that they didn't have any vintages in the 6 years between and we decided rather than drinking a very young Cab from a founding winery in Napa, we'd go with the 2007 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, which they had - very tasty. When the spinach salads came out, they seemed "thrown on the plate" rather than placed there with care as they were when they use to be served table side. To be clear, what I am saying is the mandarin oranges were in clumps on the plate rather than distributed throughout the salad and the "hot" bacon dressing was not hot. That said, the salads were still tasty, but the preparation was a sign of things to come. For the main course, I ordered the prime rib and my wife ordered the bone in ribeye - both medium rare. My prime rib was served medium and cold. My wife's ribeye was cooked perfectly, but the salt seasoning was distributed unevenly. Some bites we way over salted and some had none at all. Mine was sent back - something I rarely do, but it was stone cold. A new one was brought out within 5 minutes and was grey on the top but I was asked to cut into it for doneness. It was still medium, but at least hot so I kept it. My mistake. I guess it was reheated in the microwave or something because 1/3 of the way through it and it had continued to cook and was well done. Luckily my wife's was cooked to the right temperature and I ate some of that rather than accepting a third prime rib. To the waitress' credit, she did take my prime rib off the check, which is what kept this review at 2 stars rather than 1. On to dessert. The old dessert plate of years ago was no longer there as we knew, but we always wish it would come back. Simple and delicious. I wish I could say the same about what we had tonight. I ordered the peanut butter cheesecake with a glass of black muscat and my wife due to food allergies and the current limited selection of dessert, was offered some lemon sorbet and had that with the orange muscat. The sorbet was excellent as were the muscats, but the cheesecake was dry and tasted like it came from the grocery freezer or worse. On a prior visit, Lisa said after she took over she had to make some changes as the restaurant was not very profitable under her dad's management in the later years. Change isn't always a bad thing. Case in point - the updated décor was done very well - classy, clean and elegant. But if it means bad food at a historic restaurant, it also means we won't be back until we see the reviews changing and showing the Briarwood has returned to its former glory.
(2)Deb H.
I have been to the Briarwood four times in the past year. I went to celebrate my in laws wedding anniversary and my father in laws birthday early in 2012 and it was fantastic. We went for brunch on Saturday each time and EVERYONE who came really seemed to like the food and enjoy the excellent service. It is often difficult to find a restaurant that works well for people with age ranges from 14 to early seventies. I told my mom how great the Briarwood was and she went for thanksgiving and also loved the food, service, and the beautiful decor. She was so happy she took the whole family for brunch the Sunday before Christmas. My sister who was in town only for the holiday and has lived and dined in the best eateries in New York, Chicago, and now Beverley Hills, was very happy with the prime rib Benedict. My son who is eighteen years old always orders and loves the seafood crepes, my daughter, who is fourteen enjoyed the omelet and ate every bite. I have tried many items on their brunch menu and think my favorite is the prime rib Benedict. My mom owns a small business and we are returning this morning with her employees for a thank you brunch. The Briarwood is a great place I feel for these types of occasions as well. I am looking forward to another great experience. I was very surprised at the three star ratings and feel I must let people know how good this place truly is. This is the 1st review I have done on line and just want to share how pleased both sides of my family have been.
(5)Kimber S.
Frankly, I'm amazed that this place has lasted as long as it has in Golden. Between the prices and the very stuffy atmosphere, it just doesn't seem to fit the demographic of Golden's population. I've been here a total of 4 times. Twice for lunch and twice for dinner. Each time it has been at the invitation of someone else. The service was always top-notch. The food... well, it's pretty predictable and very, um... traditional? Just not my style, I guess. The atmosphere is so stodgy that I felt uncomfortable, as if I were a poser or someone from the wrong social class that had to sneak in to see how the other half lives. Maybe I'll have a better appreciation for this type of ambience when I'm in my 70's and in a much higher tax bracket.
(2)Liz S.
Stodgy: 1. Dull, unimaginative, and commonplace. 2. Prim or pompous; stuffy: "Why is the middle-class so stodgy--so utterly without a sense of humor!" (Katherine Mansfield). See synonyms at dull. 3. Indigestible and starchy; heavy: stodgy food. If you have money to burn, a JC Penney Christmas sweater, and a hankering for Grandma-food with extra garnish, then this is your place. Old fashioned and unimaginative, the Briarwood lives off a 30 year old reputation for being the place where rich WASPs dine. Beef Wellington, Chicken Rochambeau, Lobster Thermidor--do people still even eat this stuff? I had a slab of salmon, in some boring butter sauce, with a baked potato or something. Predictable. My husband had a steak. Bo-ring. None of it was terrible, and frankly, my in-laws would love this place. But if I'm going to shell out $50+ per person, I'm driving a few extra miles to Boulder and going to The Kitchen or Frasca where I can get something innovative and spectacular. There are certain kinds of people who will probably love this place. If you're of that generation, or eat like them, you probably will too. Otherwise, save the Christmas sweater for the Christmas sweater party.
(2)M. H.
It's hard to get much better than the Briarwood Inn, especially if you're intent on eating locally instead of driving to the city for a fancy dinner. My husband and I recently dined here for our anniversary, and weren't disappointed. I completely agree with the reviewer who said they felt sorry for the staff having to wear those uniforms -- "hideous" is an understatement. I also agree that it's meant to cater to an older crowd; the place looks as if it were furnished entirely by the estate sales of departed octogenarians. The appetizer and dessert spreads (which are included in the cost of your meal, along with a choice of salad) are stunningly generous. We brought home enough of the trays to feast on for the remainder of the week. The entrees were typical "fancy restaurant" fare -- filet mignon, rack of lamb, lobster -- but our food was delicious. I can recommend the beef wellington without reservation. I'm also a stickler for lighting when I eat in a nice restaurant, and the Briarwood Inn couldn't have hit it more perfectly. (I like it pretty dark, but light enough to still see the colors in my food.) Definitely be prepared to spend two hours and two hundred dollars there, both conservatively estimated. The staff bends over backwards to make sure you don't feel rushed (which is undoubtedly a nice change of pace from the usual restaurant experience, but I would have appreciated the menu and wine list a little sooner upon our arrival). As a side note, I was torn between several menu items (as I usually am) and asked the server for his recommendation (which I usually do). Surprisingly, he not only took the time to describe all three dishes in a little more detail for me, but committed himself to recommending a specific one -- which rarely happens -- AND it wasn't even the most expensive of the three, which is what servers are usually told to do. So big points there. Over all, big marks from this reviewer. It's too expensive to do very often, but then I guess that's the point... Maybe next anniversary.
(4)Angelica F.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary and I've been told about the Briarwood Inn from several friends that would visit this place every year for special occasions. I partially could see why. We had made dinner reservations and we were seated very quickly. The ambiance is great and the decor is very vintage. The restaurant is elaborately decorated and we were seated next to the fire. We could also see the sunset over the mountains and it was very romantic. The food however, not as impressing as the restaurants decor. It was just mediocre. For the overprice of dinner and the quality of food, I'm not sure I will be dining at this restaurant again.
(3)Jordan A.
I always feel sorry for the staff for having to wear those hideous uniforms. They look like the outfits Maria made out of window curtains for the Van Trapp children in the "Sounds of Music". Anyway, the restaurant tends to cater to older folks as demonstrated by their weak coffee (don't think they hesitate to charge you $3 for the crappy ass coffee, 'cause they don't) and astonishment that I would request milk instead of cream. That's about the only annoyance I have with them. But I guess that's why there is always a Starbucks around the corner. The prices seem extremely high until you realize how many meals you can make out of left-overs. The appetizer and dessert for dinner and the pastry trays for brunch are almost buffet quantities. I think it's cute that they tell you not to stuff yourself upfront, 'cause that's exactly what my MIL does to get her money's worth. They'll happily box those trays up so you can take all that food home. The main dishes are more on traditional than gourmet side, but you'll never be disappointed. Service is very upper class, though on our last visit, my milk had chunks floating in it, the Eggs Benedicts was missing advertised shrimp, and they brought us the bill for the wrong table. All was resolved, though I thought that was too many mishaps for $30/person breakfast. Overall I like the place quite a bit, even though it's not my kind of vibe.
(3)Jelena W.
The Briarwood Inn is a Golden classic. In fact, my parents still talk about dining here on Valentine's day when I was six months old, and my impeccable aim in beaning our waiter with a gob of cocktail sauce, hurled with the force and accuracy of which only a tantrum-throwing infant is capable. They pull that story out every time I mention a fancy dinner with my guy- "Why don't you go to the Briarwood and smash sauce in the waiter's lapels again?" These days, however, I tend to prefer to generously tip the extremely courteous waiters at the Briarwood. They are among the most consistently prompt and friendly servers in Colorado. However, the prices you'll expect at the Briarwood make it a very special occasions or high-limit expense account restaurant. If you are lucky enough to have an occasion and wallet meriting a visit to the Briarwood, you'll be especially thrilled with the enormous appetizer platter- it includes all sorts of delicacies, including shrimp which some of my friends swear are the best in our landlocked state. I staunchly refuse to eat aquatic bugs, so I wouldn't know. After you chow on the appetizers- plenty even for large parties- I recommend a steak, cooked medium rare. You'll be quite full afterward, but probably not too full to sample a delectable brownie to finish your meal. Look ye not for innovation here- the menu is composed of classic and expensive dishes, and does not change seasonally. The benefit of this is that you can go, say, every Valentine's day and know that you can still order your favorite- but it would get dull to eat here often, even with deep enough pockets.
(4)Kathleen B.
Beware, these guys not only missed the food revolution, they didn't even know there was one. We were very surprised by the 'oldness' of the place, not only the food but the atmosphere and decor, it being touted one of the better restaurants in the area. The menu is very old school, '60's style food, kind of heavy and not at all innovative, which should be expected for the price, 32.00 apiece and coffee was extra, 3.00 a cup, came weak and bland. We had brunch, we both ordered the prime rib, and were not asked how we would like it, it came well done. Who eats well done prime rib? Default should be medium at most. The potatoes were salty and greasy, and the Benedict was OK, kind of dull though, like it was a mix and had a slice of Canadian bacon direct from the package to the plate, not even heated up. The start of the meal we were served a fruit cup, the melon was cut very close to the rind, some had rind on it. The strawberries green , the raspberries and black berries were good. The kiwi wasn't peeled, didn't try it. A tier plate of pastries was served along with a champagne based drink as well. I didn't try the pastries, I don't eat gluten, my husband ate one and wasn't impressed. I don't think there was much actual 'Chefing' going on in the kitchen, more like just plating up prepackaged and ordered stuff. Also our waiter told me everything but the Monte Cristo was gluten free. WAY wrong, there were crepes and Eggs Benedict. All and all a let down.
(1)Darlis L.
Even with reservations, were seated right next to kitchen door, so a lot of noise. Appetizer tray fantastic, salad abominable (iceberg lettuce, a few slices of ripe olive, feta cheese sprinkles-vinegar and oil dressing, heavy on the oil, couldn't finish it was so bad. Apparently they don't know vinagrette dressing can taste really good with some effort. Husbands steak pretty good, my veal oskar had two small fingers of crab on top - what was with that? Otherwise good. After bringing dessert, asked if it was a special occasion, we said no although it was. Even though not overly busy, they seemed disorganized. One thing for sure, they need to call in a serious cleaning crew for the rundown old place. Dirty carpets, dust everywhere, visible even with dim lighting. Overpriced for quality, even though it includes a lot.
(2)Mary Jo S.
I am so torn between a 4 and a 5 for the Briarwood's Afternoon High Tea. The Briarwood Inn is very elegant and the tea is served in a 5 star manner with 5 star food. The waiters are so nice and after several champagne cocktails served pastries and tea as proper as the British. They even serve soup and sorbet with tea. So, why 4 stars? OK, let's be blunt, my first concert was the Iron Butterfly and my friend saw Michael Jackson as her first concert...do you understand our ages? So I was at least 20 years younger than most of the people in the dining room making Alison another 20 or so years younger. And most groups were mixed couples!!!! My husband would rather fish, ski, hike, or die before going to high tea (although he craves high tea leftovers). One of the ladies came up and told us how nice it was to see the youth wearing hats again. My vanity says 5 stars but my logic says 4 stars for stuffiness. I will go back in 20 years and give it a 5 star rating.
(4)Robin R.
I went to the Briarwood this past weekend for a "Murder Mystery Theater Dinner". My fiance and I were excited because we had never done anything like this before. The atmosphere in the restaurant was pretty nice. Definitely a little more "old-world" fancy vibe going on. Some would probably appreciate that, but it felt a little stuffy to me. The main reason for the two star rating was the food. The dinner came with passed hors d'oeuvres, an appetizer, a salad, entree, and desert. Also included was a flight of wine (which was good). Only a single hors d'oeurve was passed which was a bit of a disappointment. Sadly, though, it ended up being the best tasting thing on the menu. The appetizer (lobster ravioli) was too salty. The salad was bland and presentation made it not appetizing in appearance. And the entree was a surf and turf. The steak was prepared well, but there was no seasoning at all. And the fish served was just as boring. Desert was not much more than the rest of the meal. I've been to the Briarwood for dinner previously and didn't think as poorly of it. But after spending $220 for this dinner including tax/tip I'd have to say I probably won't come here again. There are much better restaurants on the front range that won't cost you nearly that much!!!
(2)Didi S.
My husband and I joined family at Briarwood for Christmas dinner. I would say the restaurant has it's nostalgic charms. I do see it's charms and that it has a loyal following with what appeared to be generations of families coming together for dinner there. The food was good but pricey. I had the Filet Wellington at $56.00 which of course includes the appetizers ( the shrimp cocktail was great but the rest, dried up cheeses and crackers for the most part), salad (not crazy about it) too wet, dinner (excellent) done as requested with a wonderful sauce and dessert (nothing we want really). I would rather pay $30 for the Wellington and fore go the rest that I would not want. I appreciate it's tradition for some folks but I do not need to go back for sure.
(2)Jamie H.
best all time restaurant for probably 30 years...is that possible...all the time consistent, and good service
(5)Debbie M.
Service was perfect....the food was very good. Crowd was a bit older, but it is nice to go to a place that people have manners and the wait staff is flawless in all of their duties! Prices were fair, with the possible exception of my husbands lobster tails which seemed a bit rich ($115)...however I am sure there is a premium for seafood prices I didn't factor in in Colorado. We were seated near the fireplace and looked out the windows at the lovely patio as the snow fell. Our mixed drinks were reasonably priced, we skipped having wine with dinner. I loved the spinich salad and the shrimp, assorted spreads & gourmet crackers. I opted for the beef welington which was oh so tender & the sauce was wonderful. My husband had the lobster tails which he enjoyed, but as he said for the price we have had better. The assorted desserts were very yummy- my husband loved the bananas rolled in coconut & I liked the fresh fruit & wonderful cheesecake....the other items were boxed up for us to enjoy back at our hotel. Pricing is a bit steep...I was hoping to be out of there for $150 without wine...but alas $200 plus tip was closer to our receipt thanks to the lobster...I can see that $200 for dinner is the standard here.
(4)