[woodsyi]

So I have been to a few shows and pretty much end up eating at same places.  I want to expand my horizon and make a point to eat at new places this year.  This is what I have found so far that are within easy walking distance.




Clickable MAP

Places I have been to:

http://www.garciasmexicanrestaurants.net/
Your basic chain Mexican.  Don't look for authentic food but you get your commercial "Mexican" food.  Decent enough service and very serviceable eatery.  Price is reasonable and won't hurt your wallet.

http://www.ilfornaio.com/greenwoodvillage
Chain Italian that is a step above Olive Garden.  They have some fancy stuff food wise but wine list is mundane.  Fairly good food and will hit up your wallet some.

http://www.coolrivercafe.com/menu.php?c=1&id=5&m=10
Decent steakhouse that is not pretentious.  It's not top notch but good steaks and fair wine list.  It's a $30 steak place.  Price and quality is higher than Outback but not like Ruth Chris or Capital Grille.  They can still dent your wallet good.

http://www.shanahanssteakhouse.com/
Top notch steakhouse that is snobby for good reasons.  Great food and great wine list.  It's your $50 steak place.  It will hit your wallet hard and need reservation.  It may already be all booked for Saturday evening.  Call me if you want to go as I have a reservation.

Places I want to try:

http://www.yayasdenver.com/atmosphere.php
Looks like one of those "chic" places with eclectic food and good atmosphere.  Upscale but not wallet breaking. 

http://barasushithai.net/
Looks like a good Sushi place to get your yen for Sushi satisfied.  Price looks reasonable for dinner and high QPR for lunch.

Places of interest:

http://www.beyondmenu.com/31921/denver/fiocchi-s-pizzeria-and-bar-denver-80237.aspx
Your neighborhood non-chain pizza/Italian restaurant with delivery service.  I eminently prefer these over your Domino's and Papa John's. 

http://www.gntavern.com/
This looks to be your neighborhood bar with your basic bar fare for food.  Pretty much like the Lift Bar at the Marriott but with probably a faster service. 

http://blueoceanasian.com/menu.html
Your neighborhood multi-asian fusion place with delivery.  It ain't Chinatown authentic but will probably satisfy your "Chinese" food hankering.

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/Locations/denver-colorado/denver-colorado/eastunionave.aspx
You know what you get here.  B+/A- seafood and steaks. 

http://www.pappadeaux.com/menu/
It looks like your Red Lobster or slightly better seafood place.

http://www.darcysbistroandpub.com/modules/wfchannel/
Your Irish pub.

http://larkburger.com/menu/
Upscale burger place.  Looks to be about like Red Robin with a shade more "organic" flavor.

http://ophdenver.com/
Pancake house.  Local landmark that looks to be better than IHOP if you are wanting a big breakfast.

[url]http://www.indiatavern.com/url]
Indian.  $8.95 lunch buffet looks good.

Fastfoods around:

McDonald's
Taco Bell
Wendy's

Upscale fastfoods:

Panera Bread
Noodles and Co.
Chipotle

[Big Red Machine]

Good list Rim.  I believe I ate at the Cool River and it was very good.  The mexican's good as well for a standard fair and normal $.

[Hugh]

Thanks for the list Rim.

[DEV]

Thank you! Being my time visit, this assist allot

Are there any variety stores or grocery stores where one could pick-up a case of water for example.

[woodsyi]

There is a Circle K on the corner of E. Belleview Ave and S. Yosemite Street.  It's a bit of a walk.  I just drink water out of tap in my hotel room.  Bring an empty water bottle and use it to carry around if you need to and it will be good for the environment to avoid bottled water.

Front Range Trading Post (Starbucks) in the hotel next to the Lift Bar sells bottled water if you must.

[Tyson]

Denver actually has very good tasting water.  Rocky Mountain springs, baby!

[DEV]

That's great to know - thanks. I'm visiting from out of the country, visiting some places I have found the water can be pretty scary doing nasty things to you.

[SoCalWJS]

Garcia's for Margaritas! Wendy's for Chili if it gets cold. 

[standub]

http://larkburger.com/menu/
Upscale burger place.  Looks to be about like Red Robin with a shade more "organic" flavor.

As a Coloradan I maybe bias but Lark is much better than Red Robin.  It did start in Boulder(which is how I know about it) so there is a "hippy"ish vibe to it.   They also sell Boulder Ice Cream, which is awesome.

[standub]

Denver actually has very good tasting water.  Rocky Mountain springs, baby!

And those visiting from sea level drink more water than usual or the fun headaches may come on.

[tonyptony]

Two years ago I got food poisoning - or close to it - from eating dinner at Il Fornaio. Was fine before I got to Denver, ate dinner Thursday night at Il Fornaio, by Friday morning into the afternoon I spent more time sitting in the hotel bathrooms than in listening room chairs. I was lucky that year I was in the Hampton; I hobbled back to my room and slept the entire rest of the day and night with occasional interruptions. I was able to get back to the show on Saturday, but that was only because there was nothing left in my system.

I've also been to that Irish pub. It's so-so. Decent burger.

[woodsyi]

Two years ago I got food poisoning - or close to it - from eating dinner at Il Fornaio. Was fine before I got to Denver, ate dinner Thursday night at Il Fornaio, by Friday morning into the afternoon I spent more time sitting in the hotel bathrooms than in listening room chairs. I was lucky that year I was in the Hampton; I hobbled back to my room and slept the entire rest of the day and night with occasional interruptions. I was able to get back to the show on Saturday, but that was only because there was nothing left in my system.

I've also been to that Irish pub. It's so-so. Decent burger.

I am sorry to hear about your experience.  That just sucks. 

To be fair, I have to report that I have eaten there twice and I did not get poisoned.  Restaurant was clean,  service was good and food was decent -- good but not exceptional.  I would go again if I was in the mood for a certain mainstream American-Italian food that is a little on the bland side.

[Jonathon Janusz]

When you get to the Mariott, hit up the front desk.  They have a map of all the local places within a few blocks walking distance.  Will fill in some holes in the google search with the real mom-and-pop kind of places.

The Lift, in the hotel, actually serves a pretty good breakfast/lunch if you haven't tried it yet.  Breakfast is a little spendy if you're not eating off the buffet, but lunch is about par for the rest of the places outside.  Got a great story to tell the first time I told them to make me a burger and put a fried egg on it. 

Fiocchi's Pizzaria has (had, as sadly I won't be making it this year) been my absolute go-to food place.  Prices are reasonable for both lunch and dinner, and although they have been steady busy during show weekend the last few years, I've never had to wait for a table at lunch; I think they are just far enough out that they miss the mob of folks that don't venture further than about half a block.

[tonyptony]

I am sorry to hear about your experience.  That just sucks. 

To be fair, I have to report that I have eaten there twice and I did not get poisoned.  Restaurant was clean,  service was good and food was decent -- good but not exceptional.  I would go again if I was in the mood for a certain mainstream American-Italian food that is a little on the bland side.

My dining partner friend had no problems at the same dinner, and my meal tasted fine. I'm guessing there was maybe something about how my meal was handled (we had different entrees). My family's business is the food business; if you're not absolutely on top of things it can happen that food is mishandled. I can't prove it, so I could certainly be off base, but it was a little too cause and effect for me. I will agree that otherwise it seemed like a nice place to eat, if a little pricey for generic Italian.

[audioferret]

The Original Pancake House is more than excellent.  Think of a high-end Denny's and reasonably priced!  I live about two miles north and work about three miles south so I have been there a number of times.

[WGH]

A couple of years ago was my last time a RMAF, the Hilton had the best breakfast buffet for very reasonable prices.

Wayne

[Mr. Don]

I stayed at the Hilton across the street last year and thought the breakfast was great. I don't remember it being particularly inexpensive, but a good way to start the morning.

[DEV]

Hilton will be home while attending, checked with them and their breakfast appears to be okay. Hopefully their pool will be warm enough to do some laps  Have read a few reviews saying it was too cold to swim in.

Is there anywhere close where I can pick-up some, now don't laugh too hard    - apples - bananas - soft drinks

[Vapor Audio]

We had dinner one night last year at India Tavern directly across the street and it was fantastic, and great prices.  I plan on returning this year. 

[woodsyi]

We had dinner one night last year at India Tavern directly across the street and it was fantastic, and great prices.  I plan on returning this year.

Added.  $8.95 lunch buffet looks to be a deal.