Rioja

Rioja is the home of chef/owner, Jen Jasinski, a multiple winner of James Beard awards. Her menu is based on the food of the Mediterranean. If you have not been to Larimer street recently, take a visit. The street is closed to traffic and the restaurants and shops are operating outdoors. The street is even painted like a blue ocean. Mile High Dining enjoyed another takeaway meal, number 16.

We choose two entrees, risotto and gnoochi, and two side dishes, cauliflower, and bean salad. An extra plate of cured meats, olives, and cheese was added.

The cauliflower and smoked goat cheese is baked in a small aluminum serving dish. The presentation isn’t great but the taste is very good. The English pea & fava bean salad had a very good green healthy look but not much flavor. The cured meats tray tasted great! You could easily sip a glass of wine and enjoy these items. A secret little container of candied orange peels was a hidden surprise. Delicious!

The entree of the corn risotto has camaroli rice with corn and goat cheese covered with colorful thinly sliced root vegetables (radishes and corn) that gave it a great presentation. The risotto needed some extra flavoring according to one diner but the others enjoyed it.

The other entree of the Calabrian chili gnocchi included cherry tomatoes, grilled corn, peas, peppers, and garlic was the best dish of the evening. The gnocchi was orange-colored that not only looked good but tasted great!

My ratings are: It’s OK, Good, Very Good, and Excellent.

The verdict ⚖️ for Rioja is Very Good!