Monday, March 8, 2010

A Culinary Shangri-la


We've found it. We've been to the promised land and seen the light. Our waiter spoke the word, and the word is Ahi-tuna followed by Key Lime Pie.

Let me give you some background. I love both of these dishes, separately. En route to go see the Broadway production of Mary Poppins (which I very highly recommend!), we stopped at a little downtown Denver restaurant for dinner before the show.


It offers a relaxing and intimate atmosphere, an extensive and impressive wine list, and a waitstaff that knows no limits when it comes to kindness, service and helpful advice.
Their Reisling's are disappointing, the Pinot Grigio was sufficient, and the velvety smooth Pinot Noir that was served was one of the best I've ever enjoyed.

The sesame encrusted lightly seared Ahi tuna that was earnestly recommended to me, is just barely this~side of paradise. I'm not entirely certain that I didn't cross over in those moments of utter bliss when each bite was slowly savored in my mouth. There are no words to take you to this place of incredulity.

Believing that this zenith could not be topped, I smiled politely when we were brought the Key Lime Pie. I have been on the 'Key Lime Pie Quest' for well over a decade, and have searched high and low, the world over, for *the* Key Lime Pie. I even went to Florida for it. I had not yet found one that was deserving of the most coveted #1 top spot on my list.

And then I tasted this one, humbly offered up with little pieces of strawberry and pear on the side, and vanilla whipped cream perched politely and unassumingly atop the delicately cut ~square~ of pie.

Ladies and Gentleman, we have a winner.

I could not tell you which of these two dishes is better than the other. Is the sunrise any more beautiful than the sunset? Not at all; they are both perfect in their uniqueness.

I told our sterling waiter, Gabriel, that there were only two downsides to the event.

1. That there was a last bite to both dishes.

2. That I would never know how good everything else on the menu is, because I will always order these two things. Regularly.

If you are *ever* in Denver... ever, do not do yourself the disservice of missing the sheer ecstasy that is this experience.

9 comments:

Pawlie Kokonuts said...

Yummy. Tasty morsels of verbal pastiches.

Pawlie Kokonuts said...

the air itself looks delicious today...lambent, word of the day; must blog on that

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Lambent is one of my favorite words... I shall come see what you can find to write about that is lambent.

:D

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Unknown said...

As a pudding piggy I am slightly green that you have found the perfect Lime Pie. I have recently found a nearly perfect Banoffee Pie (made by a friends mum) but maybe a trip to Denver should be on my bucket list!!

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Minx, if you ever come to Denver, I will take you around the town and we'll have a high time.
We will hit every chocolate store and gin joint and this special Key Lime place until we can't walk another step in our pointy heels.

XOXO

heartinsanfrancisco said...

That sounds like a divine meal. All of it. I will definitely take your advice - I couldn't do otherwise as I also love both those dishes dearly.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Well, Hearts, come to Denver and we will go enjoy it together.

;D

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Elisa said...

Hi! I lived in Denver for 4 years (highlands ranch) until a year ago. I like reading about my previous state and I'm trying to think where this restaurant is Avenue Grill. somewhere downtown?..I do miss the Rockies and shopping at King Soopers but for now I will enjoy my adopted country of Croatia.

The key lime pie does sound delicious.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hello Elisa!

This is across the street from Hamburger Mary's on 17th.

SO good!!!

Good luck to you in far off places.

Scarlett & Viaggiatore