My favorite restaurant spot for people watching is a table or booth adjacent to a window. It’s like a two-for-one sale – watching the people inside the restaurant (the place was packed with more than the usual viewing options!) while observing the people just beyond the window (plenty passing by on their way here and there). I can’t pass up that kind of a special.
Like mother, like daughter.
We could have (and should have) made a meal out of the appetizers alone with over two dozen to choose from, including sliders, calamari, jerk wings, lettuce wraps as well as their signature beer battered parmesan dusted tower of awesome onion rings. No wonder my single brother is a loyal Happy Hour customer. It makes for a very reasonable evening meal, not to mention all the spirited company.
Laura was perfectly satisfied with her usual chicken Caesar salad. I predicted (with accuracy, I might add) she’d never be able to finish the generous helping on her own. Jim was happy to pitch in and give her a helping hand/fork.
With that healthy perspective, skipping dessert (OMG, the pictures of their desserts had me considering going rogue) was a no brainer, although we were all apparently regretting our decision when we opted to share a chewy, gooey candied apple covered in M&M’s at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (a favorite destination and post from my Denver-Estes Park trip last summer) several blocks down from the Yard House Restaurant. After all, fruit is a healthy dessert option, right?
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Bottom Line on Yard House Restaurant:
Verdict: I’m not a big beer drinker, but I could be convinced to explore new territory at this brewery/eatery. The chef seems to be fully aware that man cannot live by bread (or beer) alone. The menu sports as many options as the beer on tap. There was never a sense of feeling rushed despite the heavy lunch crowd. In fact, we were still there enjoying our food and spirits when the last of the lunch crowd of professionals went back to their cubicles up and down the nearby streets of downtown Denver. People watching can be very time consuming.
How to Get There: The restaurant is located on the corner of Court Place and 16th Street in Denver’s 16th Street Mall in the Central Business District, just blocks from Denver’s famed E. Colfax Avenue/Highway 70. The Yard House has two other locations in the Denver area, Lakewood and Lone Tree. To get to the downtown location, from Denver’s International Airport, head north on Pena Blvd for almost 10 miles. Merge onto I-70 W/Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway and drive another 10 miles. Take the CO-265/Brighten Blvd exit, Exit 275B. urn left onto CO-265 S/Brighton Blvd and follow Brighton Blvd. Brighton Blvd. become Broadway St. Make a slight right turn onto Glenarm Pl just past 19th Street. Public parking is available throughout the area.
Insider Information: Check out their menu and beer on tap on the website before jumping in head first; you may drown in confusion otherwise. The wait staff was very knowledgeable when it came to helping Jim choose a local brew based on his preferences. Bring your credit card. The prices were a little on the high side for lunch ($$$). Of course, my lunches don't usually include alcohol.