Where to Eat before or after Broncos Gamedays

9

1515 Restaurant
8

Range
7

Randolph's Restaurant & Bar
6

Tamayo
5

Old Major
4

Rioja
3

Coohill's
2

EDGE Restaurant & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
1

Guard and Grace

Explore Denver

Rioja

Cuisine: European, Mediterranean

Price Range: $$

10Best Says

Mediterranean influences inform the menu that includes extraordinary handmade pastas by Chef Jennifer Jasinski, who is also co-owner of the restaurant. The cavatelli is served with black truffle chicken sausage, morel mushroom, peas and spring onions, while the beet gnocchi has strawberries, hon-shimeji mushrooms, walnuts, tarragon and horseradish-fromage blanc. Among the phenomenal starter offerings are a roasted beet salad and the Rioja "picnic" plate with artisan meats, warm pine-nut-crusted goat cheese, Gorgonzola, olives, fennel salad, orange confit and almonds. It was no surprise to anyone who has had the good fortune to dine at Rioja when Jasinski became the first Denver chef to win the coveted James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southwest award in 2013. Grab a seat on the patio if the weather is nice, and enjoy people-watching as you sip a glass of wine. The impressive list features selections from Rioja, the Spanish wine region.

Address:

1431 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80202
303-820-2282

Hours:

Mon-Tue: 5pm-10pm
Wed-Thu: 11:30am-2:30pm,; 5pm-10pm
Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm,; 5pm-11pm
Sat: 10am-2:30pm,; 5pm-11pm
Sun: 10am-2:30pm,; 5pm-10pm

EXPERT TIPS BY: Becca Blond
Travel Expert

Restaurants near Sports Authority Field at Mile High: "On a sunny afternoon sit outside on the patio, as this restaurant offers some of the city's best people thanks to a middle of Larimer Square address."

Best for Restaurants near Sports Authority Field at Mile High Because: Consistently picked as one of Denver's top restaurants, it's hard to go wrong ordering at Rioja. Valet parking is another perk.

Lunch
- Starters
  
  Rioja "Picnic"
  
  artisan meats, warm pine nut crusted goat cheese, gorgonzola, olives, fennel salad, orange confit, almonds ($19.50)
  
  Fresh Bacon
  
  pork belly, cardamom, curried garbanzo bean purée ($9.50)
- Soup & Salads
  
  White Gazpacho
  
  Hawaiian deep sea crab, mint compressed cucumber, toasted almond, dill ($12.00)
  
  Rioja House Salad
  
  arugula, dates, gorgonzola, almond vinaigrette ($8.00)
  
  Tuscan Kale Salad
  
  lemon anchovy dressing, Granny Smith apple, pistachio tuile, Gruyére ($8.00)
  
  Spring Panzanella Salad
  
  red, purple, daikon and watermelon radishes, asparagus, sugar snap peas, basil vinaigrette, parmesan ($13.00)
- Chef Jen's Hand Made Pastas
  Lemon Goat Cheese Gnocchi
  English and sugar snap peas, charred onion, mint gremolata
  
  $13.00
  
  $6.50
  Artichoke Tortelloni
  artichoke mousse, white truffle brodo, queso de mano, chervil
  
  $20.00
  
  $12.50
  Black and White Tagliatelle
  Manila clam, duck sausage, squid, harissa, fennel, piquillo pepper, spinach, tempura lemon confit
  
  $19.00
  
  $10.50
- Sandwiches and Entrées
  
  Colorado Lamb Burger*
  
  house made mozzarella, spicy aïoli, arugula salad ($13.50)
  
  Grilled Striped Baja Bass*
  
  chamomile beurre blanc, roasted tri-color carrots, buttered radishes. hazelnut-carrot top pesto ($22.00)
  
  Falafel Hummus Wrap
  
  red pepper hummus, spinach, artichoke hearts, cucumber, oven dried tomato, lemon garlic yogurt, curry pappadam chips ($15.00)
  
  Gabe's Chronic Chicken Sandwich
  
  focaccia, chile marinated grilled chicken, bacon, curry aïoli, radicchio, celery, red onion, candied cashews, mixed greens ($14.50)
Brunch
- Eye Openers
  
  Rioja Mary
  
  Absolut peppar vodka, rioja house recipe ($10.50)
  
  Wake Up Call
  
  Ancho Reyes verde, Grey Goose "Le Vanille", Dom Benedictine, espresso ($12.50)
  
  Imosa
  
  sparkling cava, fresh squeezed orange juice ($10.50)
  
  Grapefruit Granita
  
  sparkling cava ($11.50)
  
  Drunch Punch
  
  daily selection ($10.50)
  
  Afternoon Delight
  
  Contratto, grapefruit, lemon, Casa de Valor ($12.50)
  
  Juice Spritzers
  
  fresh squeezed juice, sparkling water ($7.00)
  
  Berry Lemonade
  
  fresh squeezed lemonade, berry purée ($5.00)
- Starters
  
  Eric's Doughnuts
  
  whipped lemon mascarpone, blueberry compote ($8.00)
  
  Raspberry French Toast
  
  corn flake crusted brioche, raspberry-Chambord coulis ($14.00)
  
  House Salad
  
  arugula, dates, gorgonzola, almond vinaigrette ($8.00)
  
  Spring Panzanella Salad
  
  red, purple daikon & watermelon radishes, asparagus, sugar snap peas. basil vinaigrette, parmesan ($13.00)
  
  Fresh Bacon
  
  pork belly, cardamom, curried garbanzo bean pureé ($9.50)
  
  Rioja "Picnic"
  
  artisan meats, warm pine nut crusted goat cheese, gorgonzola, olives, fennel salad, orange confit, almonds ($19.50)
  
  White Gazpacho
  
  Hawaiian deep sea crab, mint compressed cucumber, toasted almond, dill ($12.00)
- Entrées
  The Hangover Cure
  
  braised pork belly, tater tots, scrambled eggs, cipollini onions, oyster mushrooms, avocado, Adrian's green sauce ($17.50)
  
  Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs*
  
  bavette steak, house made green chile, Brussels sprout slaw, sunny side up eggs ($18.00)
  
  Eggs in Purgatory
  
  goat cheese grits, tomato olive ragu, baked eggs*, focaccia ($10.50)
  
  Rioja Benedict
  
  goat cheese biscuit, bacon, spinach, tomato, poached eggs*, parmesan sauce ($11.50)
  
  Omelette of the Day
  
  three eggs, potato galette, fruit
  
  Crepe of the Day
  
  Chronic Breakfast Sandwich
  
  grilled jalapeño cheddar sourdough, poblano cream cheese, scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato ($14.00)
  
  Colorado Lamb Burger*
  
  house made mozzarella, spicy aïoli, arugula salad ($14.00)
  
  Artichoke Tortelloni
  artichoke mousse, white truffle brodo, queso de mano, chervil
  
  $20.00
  
  $12.50
Cocktails
- Small Bites
  
  Brie Beignets
  
  sweet & sour kumquat marmalade ($8.00)
  
  Loaded Louisiana Pommes Persillade
  
  skin-on potato, brown butter, bacon, chive purée, cheddar, sour cream ($7.00)
  
  Grilled Brazilian Beef Skewers*
  
  chimichurri, molé, red pepper coulis ($9.00)
  
  Porcini Funnel Cake
  
  apple-beet chutney, red sugar Mardi Gras dust ($9.00)
  
  Pasta alla Carbonara
  
  pancetta, cream, parmigiano reggiano, cracked pepper ($9.00)
- A Bite Bigger
  
  Venetian Pizza
  
  chile oil, fresh mozzarella. spicy N' Duja prosciutto spread. arugula pesto ($16.00)
  
  Rioja "Picnic"
  
  artisan meats, warm pine nut crusted goat cheese, Gorgonzola, olives, fennel salad, orange confit, almonds ($19.50)
- Rioja Cocktails
  
  Rosalinda 2.0
  
  Coppermuse cucumber vodka, lavender-rosemary simple syrup, cocchi vermouth, lime ($13.50)
  
  Golden Colorado
  
  Cruzan spiced gold rum, mango purée, oloroso sherry, orgeat, lime, egg white* ($15.50)
  
  Give Peas a Chance
  
  Gin Mare Mediterranean gin, spring snap-pea shrub, Lillet blanc, lemon ($14.00)
  
  Rhubarb Time
  
  George Dickel rye, lemonade., rhubarb thyme compote, rhubarb bitters ($15.00)
  
  Kumquat Caipirinha
  
  Ávua Brazilian cachaça rum, preserved kumquats, turbinado, lime ($14.50)
  
  Fruta de Granada
  
  Pueblo Viejo tequila, pomegranate purée, lemon juice. Angostura ($15.50)
  
  Twelfth Night
  
  Spring 44 gin, sauvignon blanc-apricot simple, crème de violette. lemon. blackberry shrub. floating micro viola ($15.50)
  
  Old Fashionista
  
  Dulce Vida reposado tequila. Los Vecinos silver mezcal, turbinado simple. Aztec chocolate molé bitters, grilled grapefruit ($16.00)
  
  Classic Red Sangria
  
  red wine, brandy, triple sec, orange juice, assorted fruit ($13.50)
  
  Sangre Passiøn White Sangria
  
  white wine, pisco Peruvian brandy, passionfruit, blood orange, ginger simple ($13.50)
Dinner
- Starters
  
  Rioja House Salad
  
  arugula, dates, gorgonzola, almond vinaigrette ($8.00)
  
  Glazed Beet Salad
  
  coconut-cocoa crumble, pickled watermelon radish, blood orange olive oil ($12.00)
  
  White Gazpacho
  
  Hawaiian deep sea crab, mint compressed cucumber, toasted almond, dill ($12.00)
  
  Kanpachi Crudo*
  
  Thai chili vinaigrette, coconut risotto croquettes, mango, wasabi tobiko ($16.00)
  
  Tuna Tartare*
  
  watermelon, blistered shishito peppers, avocado, lime panko ($17.00)
  
  Fresh Bacon
  
  pork belly, cardamom, curried garbanzo bean purée ($9.50)
  
  Spring Flatbread
  
  ramp cream, cipollini onion agro dolce, wilted pea tendrils, Cantal cheese, crispy guanciale ($15.00)
  
  Rioja "Picnic"
  
  artisan meats, warm pine nut crusted goat cheese, gorgonzola, olives, fennel salad, orange confit, almonds ($19.50)
  
  Quattro Cabra
  
  goat cheeses from Spain, Australia, California. Blackberry almond pâte de fruit, pine nut butter, pickled ramps, marbled lavash ($21.00)
- Chef Jen's Hand Made Pastas
  Lemon Goat Cheese Gnocchi
  English and sugar snap peas. charred onion, mint gremolata
  
  $13.00
  
  $6.50
  Artichoke Tortelloni
  artichoke mousse, white truffle brodo, queso de mano, chervil
  
  $20.00
  
  $12.50
  Black and White Tagliatelle
  Manila clam, duck sausage, asquid, harissa, fennel, piquillo pepper, spinach, tempura lemon confit
  
  $19.00
  
  $10.50
- Entrées
  
  Vegetarian Four Squares
  
  a tasting of four seasonal dishes ($19.50)
  
  Beef Tenderloin*
  
  pommes aligot espuma, maitake mushroom, asparagus, red wine demi glace ($32.00)
  
  Seared Duck Breast*
  
  ginger ale poached apple, watercress, apple cider reduction, smoked farro verde ($33.00)
  
  Spice Rubbed Lamb Loin*
  
  farro couscous, falafel, roasted garlic yogurt, strawberry mint compote ($34.00)
  
  Grilled Striped Baja Bass
  
  chamomile beurre blanc, roasted tri-color carrots, buttered radishes, hazelnut-carrot top pesto ($25.00)
  
  Grilled Pork Chop*
  
  cashew basil pesto orzo, morel mushrooms, pea tendrils, pepper jam ($34.00)
  
  Tuna-Octopus Duet*
  
  pickled fennel, saffron rice, heirloom tomato vianigrette, tapioca crisps ($34.00)
  
  Petaluma Chicken
  
  cauliflower gratin, frisée-herb salad, tarragon-brandy jus ($29.50)
Dessert
- Main
  
  Monte Enebro Cheese
  
  Poached pears, port gastrique, toasted walnuts, walnut butter. Suggested wine pairing: Henriques & Henriques 10- year Boal Madeira, Portugal ($12.00)

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