Deluxe at Last!

Friday was our night to be inspired! The Denver Art Museum is always an interesting place to check out on a Friday evening, and as their excellent exhibit Inspiring Impressionism is winding down, we went with a sense of urgency. If you haven't inspected this show, you have until Sunday the 25th of this month to check it out. Then it's off to Seattle. If you hesitate to go because Impressionism isn't your favorite period, you should re-look at the title: Inspiring Impressionism; in other words, it's something of a comparison between the old-masters' work and the art they inspired. In addition to wonderful pieces like Manet's "Still Life with a Salmon", (above) you'll see a good selection of earlier works by El Greco, Titian, Velazquez and Botticelli, among others. Definitely not a show to miss.

As Manet shows us, art and food often go hand-in-hand. After viewing the exhibit we were ready for a little something to eat. Initially we were thinking coffee and dessert, but Novo Coffee across from the museum was already closed. So we headed off with no location in mind. A place that has always captured our imagination, but never our business is Deluxe. Every time we drive down Broadway and see their charming sign, it reminds us that despite being at the top of our list, we never seem to remember to go there. Now, Friday night on Broadway is not the best time to drop-in to this popular, little restaurant and hope for much more than a look of disbelief when you repeat that "no, in fact, we don't have reservations." Fortunately, there was a little table in the back, just perfect for our tete-a-tete. The room is small, loud, and utterly charming. Warm, gold walls with dark-wood furniture and frames, set an inviting yet convivial mood. From where we were sitting we had a great view of the retro dining room and part of the minuscule kitchen. The two-man team was rocking-and-rolling to get the food out and feed the packed dining room. They also cook-up small plates for the companion-lounge next door Delite.

After studying the menu, we decided that we had to change our focus and try a couple of small plates and order some drinks. I had an excellent Southsider (Sapphire Bombay Gin, Lime, Mint, Soda, garnished with Lemon Grass), M had a Mint Julep, both drinks were amazing. We ordered the Monsoon Dumplings and Halibut Ceviche. The dumplings were wonderfully flavorful, stuffed with ground chicken, ginger, garlic, and a mildly-spicy sauce. The Halibut Ceviche was beautifully classic. Just fish, tomato, onion and served with tostadas. Yum, it's summer and we have to make some ceviche, soon!

We still needed our dessert and a Banana's Foster that was on the menu, then off, then back on, was what we decided on. We didn't get table side flambe, but in a place so small that was a good thing. Served with ice-cream, it was really good. Not our perfect dessert, but definitely a nice way to top-off an wonderful evening of food and art.

Deluxe
30 S. Broadway
Denver, CO 80209
303-722-1550