We enjoyed the scallops and steak frites here on a Sunday evening after a long day of travel. Service was friendly. Something happened to our food ticket that caused a short delay, but the manager stopped by and explained the wait, apologized and made sure our plates got out as quick as possible. We appreciated that care and the food was worth the wait anyway. I would say this would be a good place for date night or friends catch up. I think elevated casual describes it well. I would definitely return! read more

American Elm - Seared scallops - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

When we first arrived, Rachel helped get us settled in - she's incredible and I'd sit at the bar next time just to have her for my whole visit! So friendly and fun!! Hailey ended up being our server - also very friendly! We ordered the whipped ricotta, lamb shank and steak frites. It was all really good; if you happen to be a lamb fan, the shank is amazing!! The dessert choices were limited and didn't interest us. Cocktail fan? The paper plane is crazy good!! The restaurant, and restrooms, are extremely clean, the music is great but not overwhelming and there's a fantastic outdoor space as well. read more

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this place. Definitely foodie-worthy in my opinion. We went with friends and shared a bunch of dishes, which I'd recommend. My favorites were the carpaccio and the steak frites. The steak was especially great, really buttery and cooked well. The thick noodles with red sauce were also really good. And the dessert I posted a picture of was ridiculously good. The space itself is on the smaller side, so I'd recommend making a reservation. The servers did a solid job and the atmosphere inside is nice. Not everything blew me away (like the pea noodles and a couple other dishes), but the highlights were strong enough that I'd definitely come back. Recommended read more

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Overall loved this place. I love the garage doors for an inside outside feel when it's nice out. The drinks were fantastic and are server was so helpful. The steak frites was amazing but disappointed in the plate of arugula that came with it. No dressing or anything so was confused by that. But steak was cooked perfectly and delicious fries! I would 100% go back. read more

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This is my third time experiencing American Elm and it did not disappoint. You have to get their half chicken because it was absolutely fantastic and the polenta that came with it was creamy and so delicious. We got the special of the evening which was a large ribeye that we all shared. Definitely take the opportunity to book in one of their little greenhouses because it was so cute and very private! Ask for Carissa, she was fantastic!! read more

American Elm - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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What a fantastic restaurant! From the service to the food, everything was amazing. For a new American restaurant, I thought their pricing and portion size was more than generous. Their trout almandine was only $32 and was two massive pieces (breaded) on a bed of quinoa and carrots. Their pork chop was also very flavourful, served with spinach and mushrooms, and ginormous. The real star of the show though is their buttermilk pie. This dessert is an absolute must from the crunchy Nila wafer crust to the brown butter whipped cream to the strawberry gastrique. Our waiter Nick was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable and passionate about the menu and very friendly. We can't wait to go back! read more

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Theyre introducing a new weekend lunch menu They're one of my favorite restaurants . We visited them just this Sunday and was happily surprised to find out that they have a rockin' patio! Did you know that the big tree that shades their patio is one of the only four American Elm Tree in Northern Denver? Now on to the food. They're delicious! The Devilled Egg Toast is unique and oh so tasty! My Salmon BLT is one of the best ever! Perfectly seasoned. The Tomato Panzanella with chicken is amazing. The mussels are fresh. As far as our cocktails I'd say I love them all but my fave is the Pandan Chi chi. Service is amazing and Zack who was our guiding light is awesome! Featured: Mussels Frites PEI mussels, garlic, shallot, white wine, butter, parsley, fries Salads.13 / 18 Devilled Egg Toast grilled ciabatta, arugula, pickled mustard seed, paprika, watermelon radish, crispy garlic14 TOMATO PANZANELLA heirloom tomatoes, arugula, whipped goat cheese, mint, basil, pistachio, ciabatta croutons, champagne vinaigrette (vt)Sandwiches.17 Salmon BLT blackened salmon, roasted tomato remoulade, bacon, romaine, marinated tomatoes, fries. 20 Cocktails: Juicy J * 15 Bourbon, Pomegranate Liqueur, Orgeat, cinnamon syrup, lemon Snake Charmer * 15 Sotol, Pisco, Suze bitter, La Quintinye blanc royal vermouth Pandan Chi Chi * 15 vodka, pandan, coconut, pineapple, lime Espresso Martini I still maintain that this is a great date spot.. Cute twinkling lights on the patio, STIFF DRINKS.Or a night out with your gf's! read more

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The food and drinks were great and service delightful. We sat out on the patio for tiki drinks and inside at the bar for wine and port. The menu is small enough to be deliberate but big enough so there's "something for everyone". French dip, mushroom starter, carbonara, drinks, service all great. read more

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One of the best french dip's i've had before. Horseradish sauce is great. The outdoor patio is great too! read more

American Elm - French Dip - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Our son brought us to American Elm for an early New Year's dinner with his friends. The decor was modern and comfortable, the service was top notch and the menu was creative and sophisticated. Also their cocktails were delicious! Overall an outstanding experience and hopefully a repeater for us! read more

30SEP2025 We went for Happy Hour and then into Dinner Had a very good time. Excellent service from our waiter, Zach. Unusually, for us, we had cocktails to start. Aperol spritz, paloma, daiquiri. All quite good. I started with 2 oysters. Liked the east coast one better as it had a sweeter taste. Then we shared the Mussels and frites. Ten delicious mussels in a sweetish white wine sauce. Crispy frites. This dish is a happy hour bargain. For Dinner we began with the panzanella salad. A perfect example with ricotta, tomatoes, arugula, and toast. This shows why you go out for a meal. Bethel Height pinot noir 2021. $69. A very good example of the grape. The markup on the wine was reasonable. The roast chicken was flavorable, but way too dry. The carrots were perfectly cooked. The best description for the pepper grinder is "insipid". Too fine a grind and almost tasteless pepper. Key lime pie mousse for dessert. Perfect blend of flavors. The house amaro is amazing. I love amare and this is highly recommended. - - For the "living wage surcharge". $261.64 USD for dinner for 2 (including surcharge, tax and tip) 29DEC2019 3 stars We stopped in on a very quiet Sunday afternoon for cocktails. Our drinks were very good and the bartendress was friendly. We enjoyed our cocktails along with the crab fritters. Why only 3 stars? Because the wine prices are outrageous. Because the food prices are high. + Cloth napkins - Medium weight ABC flatware. - Cold temperature wise. - - For the "living wage surcharge". Equals smaller tip. $42.47 for 2 cocktails and appetizer (inc tax, tip) 29DEC2019 read more

Very friendly service and clean and comfort space here at American Elm! There is a nice big outdoor area and plenty of seating indoors as well and a bar too! Plenty of Drinks and NA options as well! We got the fried chicken sandwich and the French Dip both with fries. The chicken was real crispy and came with different options for the sauce on it and we got the garlic. The French dip had a delicious bread that was a perfect softness and crispy as well with plenty of ajou sauce ! I got a Mexican coke and Ryan got a margarita! It was a lovely visit and we will definitely be coming back again. read more

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tl;dr really tasty food, relatively good happy hour deals, cool ambiance, friendly service, but pricey for pretty standard things We had a pleasant time dining at American Elm. We ordered the smashburger, mussels, and chicharrónes off the happy hour menu (Mon-Fri open - 6pm) for an early dinner. The burger and mussels came with a heaping mound of delicious fries. The fries were light and crunchy, perfectly salted. The burger was delicious too. The mussels had great flavor, but were pretty small, so we finished the dish feeling like it was only a few bites. The chicharrónes were really tasty, crunchy, puffy, and lightly dusted with flavor. I had to stop myself from overindulging on those. The service was fast and friendly. All was good, but at the end of the day, the prices were higher than I thought the experience was worth. Happy hour prices made it fine, but I probably wouldn't come back without those deals which is why my rating only goes up to a 4. read more

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Great ambiance, and the service and flavors match the decor. We all loved our dinners, the half roast chicken is particularly great. Don't skip the deviled egg as an app, a delicious bite you'll want to get a second round of. read more

My husband brought me here for my birthday, and it was one of my favorite meals ever! The staff was so friendly, and the restaurant itself is fancy in a cozy, but welcoming way. The cocktails were amazing! Strong, flavorful, and a great size. I LOVED my steak and fries - the steak was cooked exactly how I asked, and the fries were delicious, crispy, and salty. The steak was a quality that was easy to appreciate. The arugula salad on the side was pleasant as well. My husband loved his pasta and meatballs. The thicker noodles were perfect for the sauce, and the meatballs were deliciously cooked, large, and filling. Of course, we loved the whipped ricotta. The honey and parsley oil were perfect compliments to the cheese and buttery, well-toasted bread. We savored every bite. Last but not least, the chocolate mousse! It blew away expectations. It was thick, rich, and the berry and whipped cream went perfectly with it. Overall, I adored American Elm and was so pleased to spend my birthday there. I look forward to going back for future special occasions. read more

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Planning a birthday dinner for my wife Elm was my first thought. A year ago we stopped by for drinks and oysters, which she loves. I called to reserve a spot and to check on oysters. It was for a Thursday and they had a greenhouse available. Weather was mild so we were on. Cocktails are superb, even though she ordered a vesper IYKYK. We started with the east coast oysters, obviously and something new: bulgogi wraps. Can't recommend enough. Beef prepared in a Korean style but not too spicy. Our mains were Mussels and Frites, keeping her seafood theme, and the Elm Burger cooked perfectly. I subbed the truffle fries. A simple dinner for two made special by the service and privacy created by the small greenhouse including fairy lights and a space heater; for which we were grateful once the evening turned cool. Our server, Megan B is very knowledgeable on the food and kept us there longer by offering a dessert. The greenhouse could accommodate 4 comfortably and conducive to quiet conversation. Absolutely will go again for another memorable dinner. read more

A cozy neighborhood spot with a cool vibe and solid service. The honey ricotta and mushrooms were both good starters. The mushrooms were crunchy and flavorful, though a bit too oily for my taste. The ragu was delicious but could've used more salt, and the ribeye burger was just okay, but the fries it came with were really good. Overall, it's a nice place for a casual night out, but nothing particularly mind-blowing. read more

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American Elm is one of my new favorite restaurants in Denver! We loved everything we ordered and had a wonderful time sampling their apps, entrees, and desserts! I cannot wait to check out their happy hour menu as well. The service is wonderful and it feels like a cozy restaurant with a perfect bar. I enjoyed their pasta so much, it may be may favorite homemade pasta in Denver! Can't wait to be back soon. read more

Pretty good food. The Caesar salad was fresh, but had just a little too much dressing on it for my liking. Scallop dish was good, shrimp skillet appetizer was actually chopped up shrimp, not whole, like I was expecting. We were seated quickly, but took a while for our waiter to deliver drinks, so someone else took over. I really liked the decor & they had nice outdoor seating area. Overall pretty good, I'd stop by again, but wouldn't go out of my way. The bottom of the menu stated that they have a 5% surcharge on every bill to pay their employees. read more

See my check-in comment! This place is excellent! Worth the drive from the south suburbs! Good parking, too! read more

American Elm - Pork Belly Appetizer - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

American Elm is an excellent restaurant in the West Highlands neighborhood in Denver. It's everything you want in a neighborhood joint. They bring exceptional service, technique and quality to their food and cocktails in a laid back environment that caters to the neighborhood. What's cool about this spot is the vision behind the concept was born through the owners time living in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn. Bob Reiter found it appealing because the neighborhood was an eclectic mix of artists and professionals, imports and old school neighborhood residents that created a new vibe for an American Bistro. They do what they do well. It's elevated fare in an inviting atmosphere. You get the feeling you're their most important guest. Kudos to this joint for doing it right. My Mai Tai seen in the photo was delicious and was served in that amazingly fun tiki glass. Everything we had was great. You should check em out if you're in the area. Salute read more

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Boring menu. Mediocre food. Not worth the money. Paid ribeye prices for a tougher chewier cut of meat. I went for Mother's Day brunch and ordered the steak and eggs. The menu said ribeye I got what seemed to be a NY strip. Definitely not a ribeye. I ordered it medium it came rare. My kids both ordered burgers cooked medium and they came rare. My daughter's was raw in the middle. My wine glass smelled like dirty dish water. I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 because the wait staff was very nice and accommodating and our server comped our wines to make up for the under cooked meat. read more

Came here with some co-workers for a celebration and had a lovely time. I normally don't venture to this area of Denver, so it was nice to mix it up. We dined indoors, but their patio looked lovely and I can see it being a poppin' place when the weather is favorable. Waitstaff was not exceptional, but not bad. We had to ask multiple times for more water carafes which is a big pet peeve of mine - hydrate me, dang it! Food was yummy, but expensive. We started with lettuce wraps, I ordered the salmon for my main course, and we finished with the creme brulee and chocolate mousse. No complaints with the dishes in terms of taste - just a bit too high of a pricetag for overall value. *Zero Proof Review: AmElm was the first stop on my zero proof, mocktail, n/a journey and I must say, they set the bar high! A solid selection on n/a beers, wine and "spirit free" cocktails, which is (sadly) still uncommon these days. I went for their "Supertonic" because I'm a sucker for anything passion fruit and it was heckin' delicious. A bit on the pricier side, but I'd order it again in a heart beat. On the whole, if you're feeling fancy and want a good mocktail selection, give AmElm a whirl. read more

American Elm - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I was here a few weeks ago for my birthday, and it was so good we decided to come back again for our anniversary. The patio was lovely under the tea lights. The food was just as good on the second visit,, and the service was again excellent. For a place to be this good and consistent at it, is rare. read more

American Elm has been on our list for a long time and is right off 38th. It has a great big patio that is beautiful in the summer but you can also sit inside with the big patio doors open and get the same effect. We should have sit inside due to the loud traffic the time of day we came in, on the patio. We had a wonderful appetizer of fried mushrooms that we really enjoyed and the Naked and Famous and Bangarang cocktails. The portion of the Crispy Trout could easily feed too. Our servers told us that the pasta was homemade on the property which was delicious but a bit undercooked for my taste. All in all this was a wonderful experience and we will be back for Brunch which we heard was awesome as well! read more

Came out during Winter to dine in there personal Greenhouse. It's cozy, cute, private and heated! You can also play your own music by syncing to the Bluetooth player they provide. Food was good, but a bit over priced. Portobello bulgogi was refreshing and flavorful. Loved the cocktail sauce for the shrimp. Also had their scallops which was cooked really well and quite rich! read more

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This was an absolutely stunning meal. PERFECT service, WONDERFUL and ATTENTIVE servers, OUTSTANDING drinks, and food that was UNREAL (ricotta toast: 5 stars; scallops: death row meal; lamb shank: fell off the bone). Honest to goodness, the best restaurant in Denver with good music, good people, and lovely ambience. And to top it off - our amazing server brought us prosecco AND dessert for my partner's birthday! No notes. read more

Great choice for dinner! $2 oyster happy hour until 6 with other great deals on food wine and cocktails. Jack was an amazing bartender. The chef came out and greeted everyone. Great menu and attention to detail customer service. Come for happy hour and stay for dinner. read more

This place had been on my list to try for a while and I wish I had came sooner! I went with a friend around 6:00 PM on a Friday and we were quickly seated on the patio. We didn't have a reservation but you can make them, We shared 3 appetizers and my favorite was the Deviled Eggs. The burrata appetizer was unique but not my favorite, it was more of a cheese bread ball, the pork belly was great and nicely presented. Very cute inside and outside. Only complaint was the server felt to be rushing us some, but they could have been having an off day. We'll definitely be back! read more

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We had a lovely meal on the patio at American Elm. The food was tasty, service was friendly, helpful, and attentive, and the ambiance hit the right balance of elevated casual. The burrata fritters we're yummy, and I very much enjoyed my pan seared salmon with bright broccolini. The star of the meal, however, had to be dessert. We devoured the crème brûlée and the buttermilk pie. Both were delightful! read more

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Our reservation got messed up but they were still able to get us seated in under 30 mins on Valentine's Day despite being incredibly busy! All of the food was incredible but the steak frites was a favorite. read more

Looking for a romantic date or double date night spot? American Elm's patio offers private, heated greenhouses that will have you enjoying a beautiful winter night, all the while cozy warm inside, sipping on fab cocktails & eating great food.  We arrived at American Elm and were seated in our cutie lil' greenhouse. Each greenhouse had their own space heater & speaker. Our server Drew was lovely - she was attentive and had great recommendations on the menu.  My favorite cocktail at American Elm continues to be The Pandan Chi Chi (a must order). The Pandan Chi Chi is made with Community Spirit Co. vodka, pandan, coconut, pineapple, & lime. This cocktail was visually stunning and tasted like a vanilla creamsicle with notes of pineapple & coconut. Tanya got the Metal Heard made with Uruapan Charanda & Rum Fire Jamaican rums, Clément Mahina coconut, pineapple, lime, bubbles. Smoky and Sweet - served on crushed ice in a Collins glass. The Portobello Wraps were made with bulgogi marinade, grilled portobello, bibb lettuce, carrot, sprouts, radish, cilantro, & toasted garlic chili oil. These veggie packed wraps were fresh, bright, & filled with savory portobellos. The Crispy Pork Belly was made with jalapeno creme, grilled seasonal fruit, pickled fresno chile, mustard seed, & cilantro. The pork belly was tender with a crispy outside layer. The smokiness of the pork was brightened by the seasonal fruit. The Artichoke Dip was made with three cheese blend, charred pepper, crostini, & crudites. This dip was solid - warm and cheesy with a delicate artichoke zing. The Deviled Eggs were made with smoked yolk, mustard seed, & house pork belly. The creamy, rich yolk filling was velvety texture and went well against the crunch of the pork - a mouthful of flavor. The Caesar Salad was made with romaine, roasted garlic croutons, cherry tomatoes, & parmesan crisp. American Elm makes all of their pasta in house, and you bet we were getting after it. The Duck Ragu Pappardelle was made with confit duck leg, burrata, pecorino, & basil. This was my favorite pasta of the night - the pappardelle was beautiful & generously coated in hearty rich sauce & smooth burrata. The Steak Frites were made with ribeye cap, bone marrow butter, arugula salad, & fries. The steak was cooked perfectly, and the bone marrow butter added a mouthwatering sweet, nutty flavor to the meat. The Creamy Casarecce was made with River Bear bacon, spring peas, local mushrooms, roasted garlic, & parmesan cream sauce. This savory pasta dish combined thick pasta, bacon pieces, & locally grown mushrooms which made for creamy and satisfying bites. The Lemon Maiale Rigatoni was made with sausage, spinach, heirloom tomatoes, confit garlic cloves, & parmesan. This pasta dish was characterized by creamy lemon butter sauce and a flavorful combo of Italian sausage and tender rigatoni. For dessert we had the Buttermilk Pie made with brown butter whip, nilla wafers, & strawberry gastrique and the Creme Brulee. A sweet ending to a fantastic meal! read more

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Stopped into American Elm for dinner with friends. We were in a catch-up mood so we chit chat and our server was great about giving us the freedom and space to do so. No pressure to order or to move quicker, he let us take our time and enjoy dinner. To share, we got the ricotta and pork belly. Both were tasty although they only give you a few pieces of bread with the ricotta. We asked for more bread and, note, they charge you an additional $5 for more bread. For entrees, we got the trout, chicken, and steak frites. I enjoyed the trout but man the chicken was SO salty. And that's coming from me who likes salt. Overall, it was a pretty decent dinner experience with a few dishes left to be desired. They do have a nice cocktail menu so I enjoyed some fun creations. Overall though it has a great vibe for a friends dinner, date, family dinner, whatever the occasion! read more

Extremely high priced for the portions you get. Food is good, service is good, atmosphere is good, but the portions are simply way too small for the price you pay. read more

We've been meaning to come here for YEARS! And finally made it last night. Chanced it by not making reservations for 4 people at 5pm on a Saturday. We were able to sit inside right where one of 2 garage doors were open, so it was the best of both indoor and patio worlds. Service was great, drinks and food were de-licious! We enjoyed the following: cherry bomb (my favorite of the evening!), old fashioned, highland heat (my 2nd favorite of the evening), reserve old fashioned, holy diver (little weird - almost egg nog like), and espresso martini made with rum (tied for my favorite). For nourishment, we started with crispy pork belly (yum!) and artichoke dip (super yum, with very fresh veggies!). Mains were mainly pasta: cacio e pepe (very peppery), carbonara (VERY tasty!), creamy casarecce (incredibly delicious but SO rich! I had to take half home), and steak frites. Couldn't leave without dessert: buttermilk pie. So decadent! We were treated, so I can't speak to value but I wouldn't hesitate to return. We all left very satisfied! read more

American Elm - Cherry Bomb, Under the Elm, and Highland Heat with Crispy Pork Belly and Artichoke Dip. Fabulous. - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I am really happy that I decided to check this place out. I lived in the neighborhood for almost two years and never stopped in. I feel that I missed out on some good food. I had a reservation for 4:30 on a Friday, however didn't need it, as I was the only person in the restaurant. For an appetizer I started off with the crispy pork belly 5.5/10. The pork belly had a bit of fat and was just alright, it would not be my first choice if I went back. The next appetizer I got was the corn fritters, which were excellent 8/10. I feel that these were a little different than other fritters that I have had, more doughy, but I enjoyed them. I also sampled both an east and west coast oysters, which were both wonderful 10/10. For my entrée I had the crispy trout almondine, which was excellent 9.5/10. The fish was well coated, had great flavor and paired well with the sides. For an additional side dish I tried the brown butter carrots 7/10, pretty good. For dessert I tried the special banana buttermilk pie, this was really special 10/10. I am happy that I came here. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy. All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. I look forward to finding an occasion to come back for... hopefully in the near future. read more

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I love this place. It just doesn't get better when it comes to Denver patios. Theirs is huge and open and they have a gorgeous old tree in the center, strung with white lights to set the mood. Plus, they have a ton of raised beds with herbs and flowers throughout so you feel like you are dining in someone's backyard garden. I love it. The food slaps of course. They have staples that have been on there for quite some time including the burrata fritters, which are a personal fave. These are like crispy friend cheese bread balls with spicy aioli you can use for dipping. I also love their steak. which is always cooked perfectly and served with the best "smashed" potatoes. Their salads are amazing and their cocktails are divine. They have quite the cocktail list, organized by the flavors your feeling (light and crisp, dark and stormy). Their staff is also so kind and is asking questions and willing to help you in your decisions. They want you to be happy with your meal, drinks and experience and it shows. I absolutely love this spot and will continue to visit anytime I need a zen evening under the stars. read more

There are not a ton of restaurants in Denver that consistently get the trifecta of food/cocktails, service, and ambience right for an affordable price. This is one of those restaurants that nailed it. First, the indoor/outdoor seating felt comfortable and upscale without being overdone. The patio had couch seating and tables while inside offered a combo of high tops and low tops plus bar seating. At a recent dinner, our server was fast, knowledgeable, and friendly, and she had plenty of help with serving and bussing. The cocktails were inventive, delicious, and reasonably priced (which is good when you want to try more than one.) We ordered the country-fried mushrooms and the whipped ricotta with parsley oil and honey to start. Both excellent (and I don't even love mushrooms). The four of us ordered a variety of mains (salmon, pasta, mussels, and steak), all of which were solid to superior. The dessert was a chocolate and marshmallow fluff thing that lasted all of 2 minutes - delicious! All in all, a very enjoyable evening. We will be back for Happy Hour too. read more

I'm a savage. I destroyed this roasted half chicken like a fox in the coop. Discovered a buttery mound of spaetzle (like teardrops made of pasta dough) lurking beneath, so I polished that off too. Extra points for being the best Denver restaurant named after a tree and the best use of "American" as an adjective without getting all, you know, American about it. Top notch wine and cocktail menu, too. read more

American Elm - Half chicken with spaetzle - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

American Elm has been a neighborhood staple for years, and despite living nearby, I never took the time to stop in. Finally, I decided to check it out for happy hour, and to my pleasant surprise, this place is fantastic. I've only heard good things about American Elm, and now I understand why. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere was inviting, and Jen at the bar was incredibly friendly. I'll definitely be back, and I highly recommend everyone to give it a try! read more

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