Strings Restaurant

Blaine and Judy took us to Strings on Saturday to celebrate Matthew's 28th birthday. The restaurant is located on 17th avenue in Denver's Uptown neighborhood. It's been a part of the local restaurant scene since 1986 and can hold it's own against a lot of other places in the city.

We started with the ahi tuna tartar, avocado, crispy wonton chips with lemon ginger vinaigrette and the sauteed crab cakes, seven fruit chutney with cranberry ketchup and curry oil. Both were delicious. The crab cakes are served with mixed greens. The ahi is served on a glass block with ginger and wasabi.

Matthew had the caesar salad, Judy had the lola rosa and Blaine and I both had the frisee with blood oranges, toasted pine nuts and warm bacon vinaigrette. I really enjoyed the frisee, it wasn't bitter as it sometimes can taste and the warm vinaigrette was a nice touch for a winter salad.

For dinner Judy and Matthew had the cashew crusted seabass with saffron couscous and vanilla bean cream. Both thought it was great, but pretty filling. I had a taste of Matthew's leftovers on Sunday and the vanilla bean cream gave really nice flavor to the couscous. Blaine had the grilled pork tenderloin with butternut squash puree, sage spaetzle and black truffle. He didn't leave a scrap on his plate. Rio, our server was kind enough to take one piece of pork back to the kitchen for Blaine when he wanted it cooked a bit more. Don't worry, it was cooked perfect by most standards, but Blaine likes his meat well DONE. I had the orecciette with braised lamb, pine nuts, sun dried tomato and curry cream. The curry cream was fantastic and the lamb was shredded, which I think kept it from being too strong.

To top off the night, Judy ordered the vanilla bean creme brulee, I had the Belgian chocolate mousse cake and Matthew and Blaine had the homemade ice cream with cookies.

It was a great dinner and a great evening. My only complaint is that the lattes are served in wine glasses and it was difficult to enjoy a hot drink in a glass without a handle.

Strings has been a part of the Denver restaurant scene for a long time and appears to have morphed over the years to keep up with all of new trendy spots popping around town.