I hesitate to give this two stars, but I will return once more to the Bistro and give them the benefit of the doubt. Last Sunday I went for brunch here; we had reservations for 11, and even though they had room they would not seat us until exactly 11, despite the fact we were there by 10:45. Ok, not the end of the world. The ambience is delightful, it truly feels Parisian (although it was supposed to call to mind the Vendome region). The hostess recommended a particular mimosa which sounded wonderful. The table area was a teeny tiny little round table which would have been ok except my date is a large man, and the table adjacent was probably less than 18" away, with children, who kept getting up and slamming into him the entire meal. I realize they're trying to maximize profits by maximizing seating capacity, but this has passed "intimate" and entered the realm of uncomfortable. But for me, the worst part was the server. Tall, lanky man, tattooed from foot to ear, wearing cutoff shirt, and his presence was better suited for a raucous biker bar than an intimate French restaurant. And he was a nag. He nagged us continually for the first 15 minutes while we just wanted a mimosa and a coffee. He snarked that the mimosa I wanted was not available saying "the hostess should have known that" so I opted for something else. He brings my substitute mimosa, skimpy 1/3 full, and walks away before my date could ask him where the coffee was? Tatted man comes back nagging for our order when I asked him where the coffee was. He shrugged and said he didn't hear about the coffee, and he'd be back. Sigh... Nagging us until we were compelled to order, we ordered the Benedikt and a quiche. Both adequate, but ruined by the nagging, unfriendly tatted waiter. I will return one more time,ensuring I am not seated in the tatted server's area, and update this in a few weeks, hoping for a better experience. Ambience a 4 (too crowded and noisy for a 5), food a 3, service a -1. read more

Great pre-concert romantic dinner! Lovely outdoor patio. Delicious drinks. Enthusiastic and accommodating service. Salad, steak frites and escargot were all executed beautifully. Nothing particularly imaginative about the menu, especially compared with the other "Crafted Concepts" restaurants on the block, which we are big fans of (Rioja, Euclid Hall). But if you are craving all things French, this would be the place to eat. read more

We celebrated our Anniversary at Bistro Vendome's new location. We'd been several times when they were still in Larimer square. The new location doesn't have the special, Authentic French, intimate feel that the Larimer square one did. The appetizer and entree were very good. Though, they never brought our appetizer out until our entree was ready. While other tables near us got drink refills and appetizers? Once we got it, it was delicious - stake tartare, which was light and fresh tasting. We treated ourselves to the Duck a l'orange, which was divine. Perfectly cooked with a thin layer of rich, crispy skin and fat. Unfortunately, we had to go and ruin things with dessert. We got the Girl Scout-inspired Tagalong millefeuille. Nope, nothing like what a millefeuille should be. It seemed more like a confused assortment of random leftovers that they put on a plate to serve together. The flavors did NOT go together - PB; raspberry sorbet; weird chalky chocolate-flavored crumbles; and those dry, tasteless round crackers you see served with cheese platters sometimes? We each took a bite and couldn't eat anymore. It was a very disappointing end to our dinner. But, we would - and will - go back. We just hope they get better, as this is only their first month or so being re-opened at the new location. read more

Completely different taste. Changed chef? Still OK taste, but not as good as before. Please someone let me know where previous chef went!

Disclaimer: I'm admittedly a big city snob, especially when it comes to food. My husband booked a reservation here to celebrate my birthday, and I'm most certainly glad he did. The food was absolutely outstanding. The service was a match to boot -- unpretentious and not annoying overwhelming (you know how some places can get). The menu made me all excited since I wanted to try everything, so we ordered: Crispy Veal Sweetbreads ($9.50) Escargots Perrier ($12.00) Steak Tartare ($12.50) Pan Roasted Scallops ($24.00) Steak Frites, Classique ($23.00) Wine ($11.00 glass -- can't remember which) Chocolate Pot de Creme Bread Pudding ($7.00) Total (including tax): $107 There was an amuse bouche which was outstanding as well. I would usually comment on all the dishes individually, but that's not warranted as everything was absolutely excellent and perfect. Not too bland, not too rich. Just the right amount of accompanying sauce. The Sweetbreads were the relative favorite. The only criticisms I can think of is how tiny the restaurant is (I realize this would be a plus for some) and the baseball bat toughness of the baguette (I know it's French, it's just not my thing). This is all minor -- this place is definitely now in my top 10. read more

Several of my friends have mentioned brunch at BV, and as self confessed brunch-a-holics, we had to check it out for ourselves. We made reservations and were sat at a little table outside. It was a beautiful day. If it were for atmosphere alone, I'd give it 5 stars. This is a great patio. It felt like a hidden nook in the madness of Downtown. I immediatly forgot I was on Larimer. We shared the crossiants, and they were scrumptious. They were buttery and flakey just the way they should be. They were served with a side of lavender jam which was fantastic. Anything made with lavender, I have to try. For my main entree, I chose the daily crepe. It was filled with various meats that I can't exactly remember, and fresh veggies, then topped with a tomato vinaigrette type sauce. The sauce was flavorful but made the crepe soggy on the bottom. It was very good, and just the right size after stuffing ourselves full of croissants. Bur I honestly wasn't overly impressed with the dish. My husband had the croque-madame, which was unreal. The bread was so thick, and made like french toast. The texture of the toast was light and fluffy, not what we were expecting at all. It was delicious. I think we will go back, but for dinner. read more

I was so surprised by my experience at Bistro Vendome. I hadn't heard a whole lot about and it was Restaurant Week. I got invited to join some friend's reservations and gladly accepted. I arrived early and sat at the bar to have a glass of french wine. I really have no idea what it was that I drank, but the bartender was able to help me select one, based on my preferences, that was really nice! The dining room is rather like dining at a bistro in France--the tables are not spaced very far apart, so you better be comfortable eating very near your neighbors. They give you bread in a paper bag to begin with--yummy. I mean, for bread, it was good. Maybe I was just starving. For appetizers I shared the Salad Compangarde and the mussels with a friend. Both were excellent, but I'd go back for the mussels alone! They were buttery and almost melted in your mouth. A second helping of bread, helped us soak up the delicious broth. My dinner was the popular choice at our table--three of the four of us ordered the pork chop. But the pork chop wasn't really the star of this dish. It was served atop grilled acorn squash rings and blue cheese mashed potatoes. But the scene stealer were the bacon wrapped dates. I mean, it was like eating tasty chewy candy wrapped in pork. Who can't love that? Dessert didn't blow me away so I won't bother to mention it. Nothing was wrong with it, but it didn't stand up to the appetizers and entrees. My friend made a comment that this food was better than a lot she had in France! The patio was gorgeous even if we could only fantasize about it since it was snowing outside. I'm going back in the summer on a Sunday, I'm sitting on the patio, sipping whatever wine it was that I had, and I'm ordered the mussels and frites for only $9. ***I can't speak French so just pretend that I'm saying "Fantastic" right here.*** read more

Great classic fresh French bistro food wonderful outdoor patio area quiet with lovely views and shade trees

I have been on the hunt for really good French food in Denver... well, anywhere in Northern Colorado, really. I've found some good French-inspired food here and there, but no great French food. I had high hopes for Bistro Vendome after reading the great reviews here, but my experience was just okay. We tried Bistro Vendome during Denver Restaurant Week, and Vendome made their normal menu available with surcharges for the pricier selections. At first I was glad to know I was experiencing their normal fare, but later I wondered if it is better to have the pared down Restaurant Week menu which the chef can use to really showcase the food. Neither here nor there for this outing. We were seated in the hallway outside of the restaurant where there were quite a few tables. There was a great deal of foot traffic rushing by us, which was too bad, and something about the hallway had a Disney World vibe to it. It looked much more romantic and peaceful within the restaurant. The bread came out quickly -- a generous and toasty warm baguette with butter. Yum! The service -- both waiter and bussers -- was very attentive throughout. Our waiter was quick and informative. The food, while good, just wasn't great. I was really looking forward to the escargots, but I found them a bit ho-hum. My husband had the Crepes Vendome as his appetizer and I think that he found them a bit more exciting. My entree was the trout -- tasty, but not mind-blowing. My husband had the venison two ways. He enjoyed it, but as he said, it did not "convert him to venisonism." One "way" of the venison "two ways" was quite rare, just as a head's up. Our dessert, the Pineapple Tarte Tatin, was the most disappointing to me. The flavors just didn't come together in the right way. I have heard good things about the brunch, so I may return to try that, but I likely will not return for dinner. read more

I've now been to Bistro Vendome on three separate occasions and under different circumstances each time. The first time was a summer evening anniversary dinner out on the beautiful patio. The second time was with a group of gals for our monthly book club meeting. The third time was with Mr. P. and a collection of friends for Restaurant Week. There are certain things I know I can count on every time I visit Bistro Vendome. First and foremost, I will have excellent service. Above and beyond service, in some instances. Second, there will be magnificent fresh baked bread served in a brown paper bag. Third, the courses will come out at a nice, relaxed pace. Even during the Restaurant Week dinner, our table of six was not rushed through the meal. So what's left? Ah, yes - le cuisine. Well, I think it would be hard to go wrong here. My steak béarnaise was spot on, the truite à l'oseille (trout with potatoes, green beans and mushrooms in a light sauce) was superb, and the selection of hors d'oeuvres and small plates I've sampled here and there were delicious, most notably the beet salad. Oh! I almost forgot about the wine! The list is quite extensive and you're sure to find something wonderful. Not sure about what to order? Your server will kindly assist. Since I haven't yet visited for brunch, it's next on the list. BV also has an interesting lineup of specials du jour, like Thursday night French classics and Sunday night mussels and frites. Bon appetit! read more

Served cold food, I was okay with it, they comped me anyway, which I appreciated. I tipped cash, but somehow they charged me more than my receipt says...I will be visiting again, no not to eat, but to inquire about their stealing my money...review may change from one star to five if they fix this issue. Food is good, for sure. Update: The Director of Operations reached out to me to explain their system and my issues with the over-charge was fixed. Definitely bringing cash next time, but definitely would go again. read more

Bistro Vendome keeps getting better and better. Last night, it kept me sane. That in itself gets five stars. Now, how can a restaurant keep one sane, you ask? Good question. I'll elaborate. I was downtown working late on a huge project when I realized that I had house guests in. Mr. Mixer was keeping them entertained, but I was in no mood for friendly chatter. So I left work for a quick bite and some quiet before I went home. Enter Bistro Vendome. Actually, I entered it, but whatever. I found a nice table in the corner, kind of out of the way. The server was so nice, she took my order for steak tartare (of course) and champagne and then just let me relax and read. And it was very cool, because the server realized that I was in need of quiet, and after checking that the tartare came out and tasted good, she just left me alone until I pushed my plate away. Realizing that I was still hungry, I ordered the onion soup. Again, the server was friendly and polite. I finished my book and my soup, and was able to go home and be friendly and polite to my guests. The wonderful service and happy atmosphere made me feel peaceful. Sane. In the membrane. I love the food at Bistro Vendome, although the onion soup was a little sweet for my tastes. But the service just puts it over the top. Bistro Vendome is definitely one of my favorite places! read more

Nothing but class at Bistro Vendôme. Nestled in a gorgeous, tree-enclosed, romantic, and quiet courtyard set back from the hustle and bustle of Larimer Square, Vendôme is the closest thing that Denver has to a secret portal to the French countryside. That's what I was thinking when I joined a coworker here for dinner on my final night in Denver. We had just finished up a few cocktails at Green Russell (located right downstairs) and came armed with reservations for two at 7pm on a Sunday night. Our table wasn't quite ready, so we bellied up to the bar for a glass of wine (Sauvignon blanc for me, Chardonnay for him). We were seated shortly after, and the wine tab was transferred over to our patio table. Our wonderful server, Maggie, came by shortly after with a baguette, butter, and a complementary amuse bouche of gazpacho. The baguette was excellent, but the butter was rock-hard (which was puzzling). The gazpacho had a fresh, albeit overly salty, flavor. We opted for the "split and share" route, so we each were able to taste two salads and two entrees. Here's the rundown: Salad #1 -- salade campagnarde (salad with potatoes, bacon, fried egg, and mushrooms). An excellent take on a savory salad. Few things make me happier than a nice runny yolk intermingling with mushrooms and greens. Salad #2 -- salade de betteraves (beet salad with hazelnuts and kale). Honestly, I didn't enjoy this one. There were only 4 miniscule pieces of beet. The kale was overloaded with salt. The hazelnuts tasted raw and didn't add anything. I'd skip this one if I were you. Entree #1 -- St. Jacques, pois et champignons (pan-seared scallops with mushrooms and peas). I enjoyed the mushrooms and peas, but the scallops were somewhat tough and rubbery. Entree #2 -- confit de canard, pommes de terre au foie gras (duck confit with foie gras mashed potatoes and grape salad). Hands down the best dish of the night. I love duck confit, and this one was prepared perfectly. The addition of savory foie gras to the smooth and creamy mashed potatoes was brilliant. And the sweet and sour of the thinly sliced grapes contrasted beautifully. All in all, Vendôme is a solid place for a classy meal. I'd totally go back... but hopefully the kitchen fixes its hiccups before then. read more

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I've been wanting to try this restaurant for 2 years, and finally had an opportunity when my husband and I enjoyed my birthday dinner here on Feb 8, '13. I had emailed the GM, Beth Gruitch earlier, advising we were from out of state and wanted to stop in for hors d'ouerves and wine before our event later that evening, and "would the restaurant accomodate hors d'ouerves only?". I received a very quick, warm reply from her, stating they'd be happy to have us join them. Our reservations were for 5:30 pm, and we were seated promptly several minutes before that time. The restaurant was a little chilly, but the decor was so beautiful that the ambiance was warm, overall. We were given a menu to look over and told about the special of the night. Although we told them we were ordering hors d'oueves and wine only, we were still brought an amuse bouche from the chef - at no point did I feel that the staff was looking down on us for not ordering entrees. Although... we decided to amend our later plans, and ordered entrees after experiencing the food and the service! During one panicked moment, I realized I forgot an email confirmation for our later event, and our server offered to have the email re-printed for us. This turned out to be unnecessary, but we appreciated the gesture very much. We asked for wine recommendations, which were spot on. The food presentation was absolutely gorgeous! For dinner, we had: amuse bouche: White Bean Puree with Cardamom - excellent hors d'ouerves: Foie Gras Saisie - oh-god-I've-died-and-gone-to-heaven delicious Escargots a la Moelle - the escargot were only ok, but the bruleed bone marrow it was served on was delicious - and sooo decadent entrees: Duck Breast (evening special) - perfectly medium rare, and some of the best duck I've ever eaten Blanquette de Lapin (prosciutto wrapped loin and confit of rabbit leg) - amazing The food was some of the best I've had - ever, and the service was absolutely impeccable. My husband and I will make this a must-stop any time we're in Denver! read more

I haven't visited BV for quite a while and I'm happy to say I'm as pleased as ever, especially for the people watching during weekend brunch at Le Jardin market. (Did I buy anything? No. Looks to be cash-only + pricey and I wasn't in the mood to carry stuff around all day. Beautiful bread, meat, produce, spices and more - all from local vendors but pleasing to see them set up in one charming spot.) Recently returned from a trip to France, I ordered the chocolate chaud which was delicious but served in a tall glass with whipped cream on top...not exactly what I was going for but still tasty. Our table split the croissants with house-made jam and it was as delicious as you'd expect. The braised pork benedict did not disappoint (although I would have liked more of those house-made pickles!) and after everything else I ate, I had to share half of my dish with a friend. Anyway, it always bums me out when I see negative reviews of Bistro Vendome because I enjoy the menu, ambience and I've never had bad service. Just remember to make a reservation if it's really important to you to secure a seat, and do yourself a favor by checking out the online menus ahead of time. If you can't get a seat, go to the bar, order a drink and app and wait. You shouldn't be disappointed! Until next time....à bientôt! read more

I love this cute little French bistro! I knew I'd like it right as I walked in, and as I walked up, I felt like I was strolling down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. There's cute little round tables, white linens, and French menu items written on the window that reminded me of the 'cuisine' lesson plan from my 8th grade french class. Croque Monsieur, Moules Frites, Thon au Poivre- all the classics. The staff seems to have great food and wine knowledge, which I've come to appreciate, seeing as it's so rare in Denver restaurants. The food- oh wow, the food is delicious. Their moules frites are incredible. The mussels are succulent and flavorful, and the fries? I can't even start talking about them for fear of an unplanned emergency Bistro Vendome Fry Run. We also ordered the steak tartar, which had a gorgeous presentation, and a quail egg on top! So delish. We had decided to order more modestly than usual, so we split one entree- Steak Frites Roquefort. Perfectly cooked tender steak-covered with blue cheese in a red wine sauce- and more of those incredible fries. Heaven. After two great dinners here, I can't wait to check out their brunch. Oh, and more of those fries. read more

After my night companion Amy's dalliance with the Blue Man Group (she claims it was the same Blue Man 13 times but I ain't swallowing that!) I was allowed to briefly renew my eHarmony membership to even things out. Usually I have a better chance of scoring with a chick in the parking lot of Planned Parenthood than off the dating sites but when Corinne walked in to Bistro Vendome I knew it would be different. On most occasions, the women I meet on eHarmony hold the promise of a good time but when I meet them they turn out to be chronic migraine sufferers who frown on shoplifting and finally admit over coffee to an 11 year old kid with Asberger's Syndrome. Check please! But Corinne was different. We worked our way through delicious morsels of foie gras with sauteed peaches and eating the veal with quail egg was exquisite and almost sexual, like shoving the Dalai Lama off a cliff. The room was charming and after our second bottle of bordeaux (that's wine) we went back to her place and watched stuff that is probably illegal in the Phillipines while breaking several laws still on the books in Georgia and giving each other multiple Tony Danzas. I am strictly monogamous but if Amy ever leaves me, I know right where I am going. Back to Bistro Vendome for the foie gras!! read more

I had really high expectations for this restaurant based on the reviews. The food was such a let down. French food is one of my favorite cuisine so my husband and I were excited to try it out at the new location. We ordered all the classics: escargot, beef tartare, streak and frites and chocolate soufflé. The first three was the worst I had tried at a French restaurant. Escargot was well cook but so bland with no classic richness flavor of what you think escargot should be. Beef tartare was salty served with salty potato chips. Salty is the only flavor you can taste. Steak was also so bland that you would think they didn't even care to try to season it. Steak came with fries that was coated with honey or sugar that had a very unusual taste that made it taste really odd because it was too sweet. I think they tried to make it different but didn't work. The soufflé was amazing and one of the best I had. We sat at the bar first because we came early and the service was ok. When we moved to our table our waitress was excellent. Sadly the food was such a letdown especially at the price point. Even if the price is half we would not go back. read more

Awww, Bistro Vendome I will heart you forever. Once upon a time I dated a scumbag in Denver, and thus spent a ton of time there. I will always love Denver. What a beautiful place. This place was my fav restaurant, and we spent so many nights here I'm surprised they didn't know us by name. First, the location is amazing. Who doesn't love Lodo, especially at night? Inside makes me feel like I'm back in Paris. Outside in the courtyard, it's always beautiful like an English garden. Regardless, it's super romantic. I've been here mostly for dinner, but once for brunch. And I gotta tell you, I always ordered the same thing: moules-frites. The mussels were always excellent: big and juicy. The broth was perfectly seasoned and I invariably drank it like soup. The frites are the best thing on the menu and the best I have ever had, anywhere in the world, period. They are finished with gastrique and herbs and are so crunchy, salty, sticky, sweet that it makes me want to cry just thinking about how phenomenal they taste. Seriously. The macaroni and cheese is also delicious. The French soda, especially the almond flavor, is a treat. Like a marzipan dessert in a glass. They used to do an amazing dessert: a napoleon of lemon cream, blueberries, and phyllo layers. It was absolutely out-of-this-world scrumptious. They also have a great wine list. We took many a delicious, half-full bottle of wine home from dinner here. And the best part is that everything on the menu is pretty cheap. So you can have an amazing French dinner here and not break the bank. I'm hoping that this place never closes because I want it to be there the next time I visit, and who knows when that will be. If you live in the Denver metro, I am jealous, and what are you waiting for??? GO! read more

This review could literally and figuratively begin and end with one very simple word . . . CHARCUTERIE There, I said it. But you know what, I can't just leave it at that ... I dined here this past Monday for a raucous and fun business dinner. I didn't know quite what to expect as my experience with Denver is quite limited - alright, pretty much non-existent. I believe we took over the entire restaurant - it's a very quaint and cozy feel, intimate on a normal night. This night it was loud and bustling, gregarious and rambunctious. Just the way I like my business dinners. We had a set menu to select from which was outstanding. Here's a little 'taste' of my night ... Charcuterie The most delectable sampling of fine meats was brought to my setting on a thick wood chopping block. Can you bring a few more, please?!... YUMMMMMMMMM! Hard salami, pate, prosciutto, green and black herb olives served with a uber spicy mustard and a garlic cream cheese ... SOO GOOD! This could have been my meal. Salade Campagnarde Seasonal greens, redskin potatoes, bacon, fried egg, mushroom duxelle, white truffle oil and Dijon vinaigrette. This wasn't my fave - my fried egg was a little runny. I know it's very French, but I don't need a fried egg on my salad. But I will take more bacon! ;) Steak Frites Au Poivre with green peppercorn sauce. Comes sliced and displayed so elegantly on the plate with a tower of the most unusual frites. They tasted as though there was a sugar glaze on top. At first this is shocking, but add a few (okay maybe more than a few, I'm a salt fiend) shakes of Salt and they grew on you. Tasty. The steak was prepared perfectly - and may I suggest having the green peppercorn sauce on the side - perfect for dipping your steak bites. As I saw some coworkers plates, it otherwise it seemed to drown the flavor of the meat. Crème Brûlée and Dark Chocolate, Orange Scented Bavarian A plate served with mini cups each of the classic vanilla Brulee and the decadent dense pudding. Chocolate curls? Port reduction? Oh god. Heaven. Take a taste. Order the Charcuterie. ;) read more

This used to be one of my "go-to" spots but hadn't been in about 1 year. Had old friends move back to Denver and we took them here. To put mildly, the place has gone WAAAAY downhill. It did occur odd to me that I could book a reservation 1 day out and noticed all times were open. Well, the service was terrible. Nice enough kid, but clueless. We ordered-up such that our 4-top would certainly have been one of the top rings for the night. They were apparently baffled by the concept of "courses". Huge wait for everything, items coming-out at the wrong time, runners showing-up with 2 apps and 2 salads and basically bumped into each other as they tries to figure-out that apps come first and we didn't want to have some odd mix of courses for each person...go figure. The food was just bad... Escargot was a few snail plopped in a copper vessel swimming in some odd off-flavor swill. The worst I have ever had...really. The Beet salads, which we had seen twice in the hands of runners at our table were lukewarm weird-ish piles....no doubt sad they had to come twice and clearly were just set back in the kitchen awaiting their doom...and timing. Entrees were very weak...but I am out of words. Really disappointing evening...and of course mildly embarrassing as we suggested it. Done...off the list...forever. read more

Created by the owners of Rioja, Bistro Vendome is another viable option for quality affordable french food (watch out, Le Central!). Everything already said about the quaint French cafe atmosphere and great service are absolutely true. While I wasn't blown away by our dinner selections (we also tried the marinated pork chop with those amazing bacon wrapped dates, as well as the grilled quail), brunch was spectacular (we had the pain perdu and the crepe de jour), and I had the most insane and inspiring strawberry port gelato-- it's a can't miss. Must-eats: Crepes Vendome, Bacon-wrapped dates (can they just make that into an appetizer by itself, please??), Strawberry Port Gelato, Sourdough french baguette (that comes in it's own paper bag!) read more

Okay, so I'm in Denver for a business trip. Yesterday, my compadres went off to do their own thing, so I'm stuck with the daunting task of trying to find a nice restaurant. The first day I was in town, we were strolling around the vicinity of the 16th Street Mall area, and I happened to come across this little alcove, totally out of the blue. "Where does this lead to?" I wondered. To a French restaurant, as luck would have it (I looove French food!). Now, we ended up eating somewhere else, but my interest was piqued. Having the next evening free, I decided to check it out. Bistro Vendome has the most captivating outdoor seating. It's like something out of a Pre-Raphaelite painting (minus the knights and the bosomy maidens). Taking a seat outdoors, I was promptly greeted and given a bottle of Fischer (an Alsacian beer). While everything on the menu looked yummy, I eventually opted for steak frites Roquefort (topped with Roquefort cheese in a port reduction). I was expecting hangar steak, but the cut of beef I got looked more like London broil. It tasted fantastic! Plenty of cheese, and the beef was nice and tender. A word about doneness, though: I ordered medium rare, but several slices of beef (the steak was pre-sliced) were rare on the inside. Now, I can deal with that, but if you prefer your meat more cooked, you might want to inquire with your server. The frites: they do 'em differently here. They were cooked with herbs and served with an aioli mixture. Quite good, but more like a change of pace as opposed to something I'd crave all the time. But it gave me a new twist on an old classic. While I didn't find out about it until after quaffing my first beer, they had a wine sampling the day I was there (their website says they do it every Tuesday). You get three different glasses of wine for $10, and they weren't stingy with the pours either! The verdict: I wish I had a date to take here, as this is a great place to woo your significant other. The food's delicious, and the picturesque seating doesn't hurt 'neither! read more

I had high expectations for Bistro Vendome. After all, it's the same owners at Rioja, always one of my favorite dining experiences in Denver. We arrived at Bistro Vendome last night for dinner and were promptly seated in....the hallway. What a disappointing way to start off dinner - sitting OUTSIDE the restaurant with the glaring lights of the neighboring bridal boutique in your face. ugh. We tried to forget about that and imagine that we were in a cafe in Paris (cafe, not bistro...because bistros in Paris do not have chairs as uncomfortable as these). The menu looked good, but there were upcharges for most of the appetizers/entrees on the menu. We nibbled on the delicous fresh baguette that arrived at our table - it really was fantastic. We decided to start off with the Quiche aux Truffes (black truffles, smoked ham, mushrooms) along with a spinach salad with warm bacon vinaigrette; and the Carpaccio de Betteraves (roasted red beets, cucumbers, red onions along with some greens, goat cheese croquettes, and walnut vinaigrette. Both were fantastic. The quiche's custard was silky smooth and studded with truffle (YUM). The crust was not too thick, and remained crispy. The beets were delicious, but the goat cheese croquettes really stole the show (how can you beat something that's panko-breaded and deep fried?). For our entrees, we selected the Trout Filet and the Pork Chop. The trout was a generous portion, married with bacon, brussels sprouts, carrots, creme fraiche and Dijon mustard. When they say Dijon mustard, by golly, they MEAN it. I don't think my sinuses have been cleared out like that since I put way too much wasabi in my soy sauce at Sushi Sasa. Unfortunately, trout is a mild-tasting fish and this death by mustard just overpowered the entire dish. I had the trout for restaurant week at Aix, also prepared with a mustard sauce, sans Dijon, and it was far superior. The Pork, with its gorgeous bacon-wrapped dates, squash, and potato puree was of a generous size and very good (bacon-wrapped dates!). It was supposed to come with a spiced rum reduction, which was noticeably left off the plate. It begged for a sauce the entire time. A manager stopped by out table and asked how everything was. I commented on the Dijon flavor and how overwhelming it was - she offered to bring another entree out immediately. It wasn't necessary for me, but I appreciated the offer. Between the generous Dijon and the lack of sauce on the pork, I wondered who the heck was overseeing the kitchen. Another disappointment - we had to SHARE dessert. I was under the impression that for Restaurant Week, you get three courses all to yourself. I guess that's open for interpretation at places like Bistro Vendome and Il Posto (where you have to share an entree with someone!). Fortunately for them, the Blueberry Lavender Napoleon was to die for, with its whipped lemon creme fraiche, perfectly crispy phyllo, and lovely fresh blueberry compote with a hint of lavender. The service was nicely attentive, but not over-bearing, which is key if you're trying to emulate a French bistro. Our waitress recommended a couple of nice wines that paired winningly with our entrees. They made a mistake on the bill (our total tab was just over $21). When I pointed it out to the waitress, I thought perhaps she'd take off a glass of wine or something for my honesty. No such luck. :( Would have liked to give 3.5 out of 5, but I just can't justify 4 stars with all of the mistakes during the evening. Will certainly come back at least one more time to give it another shot when (perhaps?) it's not so busy. read more

Bistro Vendome's "Pommes Frites" were listed as one of the top 100 must eats in Denver, so I gave it a shot: Rating: 6.5 (out of 10) Price: $4 The Skinny: About mid-way through dinner, I look around and try to determine if I like the fact that I'm seated outside of the restaurant, in a glorified hallway. On one hand, it feels kinda like I'm outside a café, with chit-chat all around, and fake trees to make the scene. On the other hand, I'm in a goddamn hallway - with windows next to me of a dark, closed dress store. I decide to make the most of it and order a small feast for the table, the highly acclaimed Pommes Frites as piece de resistance. 6.5 is where I'd put them. Better than good, but not quite great. I don't know what this odd trend is of putting sugar on French fries, but Vendome and TAG better cut it the hell out. On top of the crispy, herb-seasoned fries was a sugary sweet syrup. It deflated the crunch out of the fry and stuck to my hands after every bite. Taste-wise, it was fine at first, but got tiresome towards the end - the novelty of the sweet flavor wearing out its welcome. In general, I did really enjoy the herbs de provence, and thought the crust on the fry was great before it was done in by the hummingbird nectar. **My rating of the restaurant is based on the overall food we got that night. None of it was any good, and the escargot, a french staple, was downright bad. I've got a picture of the fries on the blog in my profile jko read more

This place, along with its relative restaurants Rioja and Euclid Hall, always do Restaurant Week the best way-They use the regular menus and serve normal portions! With a few up-charges here and there that are totally worth it and understandable. With reservations we were seated right away and drink orders were in the making! Soon after came a delicious amuse bouche of cucumber slice topped with bleu cheese mousse and caviar (wish I had 4 of these right now!) I ordered the Chicken Crepe for my starter and my dining companion ordered the Steak Tartare. The crepe itself could have been an entree! Filled with tender chicken, tomatoes, green olives, and topped with a perfectly fried egg and a bearnaise to kill for. Oh that Steak Tartare, decadent creamy raw beef with perfect seasonings-I wish I could eat this everyday. I was on my way to being full so I opted for one of the lighter entrees, the Seared Scallops. Wonderful choice, they were cooked perfectly and the slaw/salad that accompanied was great. My companion ordered the Lamb Loin, OMG this meat was gorgeous! And the heaping portion of risotto and salad that accompanied were very appreciated. We were so stuffed by the end that we got what we thought to be the smallest dessert, Creme brulee. It turned out not so small, but just the right size and very good. The service was good considering it was a 52.80 weekend evening and they were pretty busy. I've had brunch here before but never dinner, and now I am wondering why! read more

If you are looking for fine french dining, Bistro Vendome is not the place to go. This is really what it is: "A bistro is a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods they serve. Slow-cooked foods like braised meats are typical. Bistro patrons do not necessarily expect professional service or printed menus," (Stolen from wikipedia) Well then, this will be just the place for you. Now, you must further consider that you are dining in Denver, Colorado...and not in Paris, so temper your expectations accordingly. For those of you who have been to Paris, you'll be amazed that Bistro Vendome has recreated the amazing atmosphere genesis that allows you to dine in packed dining rooms, but feel as if you are still in an intimate setting with your other guests. The food is quite tasty...for $10 we had a delicious mounding bowl of buttery mussels. The escargot was served in the french style with a little twist of individual puff pastries over each little bowl of flavorful snail. The various entrees of the evening were all tasty, two of us choosing scallops and one choosing veal. The dessert list was adequate, and we selected the blueberry lavender napoleon...freshly rapturous. Not your best choice if your favorite dessert is molten chocolate cake, this is more light, airy, and fruity in the European manner. The only negatives were the bread (sourdough, a bit doughy) when I was hoping for a true baguette. I believe I may be the only person on the planet who really doesn't like sourdough. It's a very busy restaurant, so if you're going on Friday or Saturday make certain you make reservations. To top our evening off, our service was attentive and unobtrusive. I'm loath to give yet another 4-star since that's all I've been giving lately...but it really was a wonderful dining experience. Bon Apetit! read more

Went here for my fiancé's 30th birthday while in town from Georgia after a two week western road trip. Absolutely delicious! We had the escargot, mussels, and a cheese platter for appetizers. The escargot was so good that I think it turned me into an escargot lover! Our bottle of Chardonnay was great as well, as were the steak frites and the duck. The frites had a sweet/salty taste with the herbs and champagne sauce and were so good I could've licked the plate! It was honestly one of the best meals we've had in a long time, and I would definitely recommend the outdoor seating as it was so romantic while also being laid back and unpretentious. Our waitress, Barbara, was so sweet and attentive as well. Overall, it was an amazing birthday dinner. We left stuffed and happy - no complaints! We will definitely be back next time we are out in Colorado! read more

Everything here is pretty much just OK. I would recommend sitting outside rather than inside because of the available space (or lack thereof) inside. If it's a windy day, though, the trash bin lids from next door will fly open and crash into Bistro Vendome's patio wall multiple times. The loud noise is unpleasantly surprising, and then a strong unpleasant garbage odor will keep wafting through the area. It was Sunday at dinner when we ordered mussels and frites to split. We were happy to find out later that on Sunday, frites come free with an order of mussels. Here's what I tried: * Moules: mussels, garlic, herbs, white wine, grilled sourdough baguette $10 - mussels that were lightly seasoned served in a soupy seasoning, topped with two small slices of toasted baguette * Pommes Frites $4 - probably my favorite menu item - thinly cut fries that were cooked perfectly in some sort of delicious fat, salted and seasoned well * Confit de Canard (per server recommendation): duck confit, wild mushroom risotto, Gruyère, truffle beurre blanc, mushroom-sugar snap pea salad $21 - good flavor, but heavy dish * St. Jacques Poêlées et Purée (per server recommendation): pan seared scallops, Peruvian potato purée, royal trumpet mushrooms, ramps, truffle vinaigrette $24 - the three scallops were tasty, but very oily; the potato puree was served room temperature, mostly dried and stuck on the plate (I imagined it sitting under a heat lamp for a while); the mushrooms were a welcomed touch Service was OK. Parking was difficult on a Sunday night, likely due to the Chalk Art Fest in the area. We parked in a paid lot down the street, which was only $5 for the night. Maybe my expectations were too high. Nothing here was terrible, though nothing was outstanding. The fries were probably the best part of this experience, other than the good company. read more

Horrible service. The hostess said they were full for the day but we could find a seat in the bar area. We sat there for 20 minutes. Every server walked by and just looked at us. We even asked the hostess if we need to actually go to the bar to order and she said she would send someone over. That never happened. We ended up just leaving. It's a shame because I have been here before and everything was phenomenal. read more

This place is very nice. Right in the heart of downtown Denver, this little French bistro is classy and delicious. We had a group of 7 here for brunch and ended up being accommodated at the small bar near the entrance. The bar seating worked out really well because it was a small half circle, so everyone was able to talk easily without craning around each other. The bartender was stellar, very knowledgeable about the food and drink options and made some great recommendations. I had the Oeufs Bénédicte, which were done perfectly, and the duck confit was a tasty addition to the classic Benedict. The Croque Vendome was also a great choice for a heavier type of brunch meal. My bloody Mary was good, spiced to order, and their whiskey drinks were also done really well. Everyone loved their dishes, and it was great to have our larger group be able to sit a little outside of the normal dining room and feel like we were having a cozy meal. Nice for both a brunch date or special brunch with friends. read more

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Rich French Goodness. We had the mussels to start and paired with the warm French bread which was served promptly with the water when we were seated, it was a terrific start to a great meal. The mussels were in a garlic, buttery saucebowl and super tasty. We ordered the Vegetarian Assiette, which was the flakiest (in a good way) pastry served with an assortment of vegetables, including asparagus and tomatoes; and heavy on the garlic. There was melty cheese within the pastry, but only a small hint; not over-cheesed. We also had the Scallops which were served over a potato and carrot stack with the most succulent spinach sandwiched between the vegetable bottom and the scallop top. More buttery, garlic goodness. Note: the presentation was beautiful. The location is prime, and the atmosphere is very mature yet not stuffy. The service was good, not over-solicitous, but available. The prices were very reasonable for the amount of food and quality of restaurant. They even had a $5 house wine. Granted, it was Le coq rouge, but ...I mean...come on! It was a top choice for my pre-valentine/ anti valentine dinner. The only downside was the bar area. TOO SMALL. If you are meeting more than 3 friends, go downstairs to LIME. I liked the indoor/ outdoor seating arrangement, but when it's winter, and you can't sit outside, don't be fooled into thinking this is a good place to grab a drink. read more

SO CUTE!! Whether you are on a date or with a friend, this place is just an adorable find. It has that manhattan west village / European feel, so it definitely depends on your mood. It's quiet and slightly hidden. The entrance is not directly on the street but instead tucked away a little giving it a cozy feel. It's like being in a backyard almost. I didn't get a chance to eat dinner here. I had a bottle of wine with bread and butter and ordered fried muscles. Wine was really good but I loved the atmosphere. read more

The Bernaise is laterally the best and most authentic I have ever had in the states. The cauliflower is immaculate and divine. I even love the crowded Persian tables. While is is not houty touty French, it is authentic, immaculate, and astounding. Also note, the macaroons will make you shutter with delight. If you have never one, give it a try they are unbelievable. Don't miss this hidden gem! read more

I can't actually believe I am leaving this review. Rarely do I get home and immediately review a place but our experience tonight was awful. We arrived feeling great. We had a free hotel night and decided on a "staycation" downtown. As part of our special night, we stopped by Green Russell for a drink and made a reservation at Bistro Vendome for their first available, 9pm. We got there on time but there wasn't a table for us so we waited at their small bar. My husband got a great drink (large for the price and well made). It took a while to be seated and when we finally were, it was right next to a large-ish party of super loud people. We couldn't hear each other speak. It was annoying but they finally left halfway through our meal which made the ambiance much better. Frankly, one loud party wrecked the sound in the whole room. Now to the meal. This meal ranks in the top three worst meals I have ever had in a restaurant. I can't even remember a worse meal off the top of my head. The menu looks incredible online and we were excited for the evening. We got bread for our table in a cute paper bag, very nice presentation... However the baguette was so crusty that it cut my mouth when I tried to chew and the butter was extremely over salted. This should have been our first clue. We ordered: Foie gras salad with duck confit Chicken pate mousse Gnocchi Half chicken dish We love pate/foie gras. This foie gras salad was so salty I thought I must have gotten a chunk of salt or something in the first bite. But every subsequent bite was just as terribly salty. The foie gras was mediocre and the confit wasn't tender leaving the duck a bit tough. The greens were warm and there were three radish slices on the salad. In addition to being akin to licking a salt lick, it was just a weird construction... The liver mousse was also awfully salty. It was whipped incredibly light but the salt was overpowering. The slices of bread were burnt around the edges and there were only three slices. We ate maybe half the mousse and then couldn't continue. My husband never leaves food on the table but he just couldn't do it. We both started chugging water because we felt pickled. The main courses arrived and we were thankful for the opportunity to get some protein in us. MORE. SALT. The chicken was unbearably salty. It seemed like a decent presentation but my husband could barely eat one of the pieces. Again, this man doesn't leave food on the table. Ever. The gnocchi was tasty but again... Salty. (Are you noticing a theme?) I could clearly see the pieces coated with salt. Evidently they salted during the cooking and then finished with salt. And maybe tossed some salt in for good measure. I got maybe half of it down before we just looked at each other with pained expressions and decided it was time to go home. So much for our once a year ish fancy dinner out in Denver date... The meal left us both feeling sick, salty and we went back to the hotel to chug water. We finished two and a half of the wine bottles of water they put on our table. This evening was so promising. We dressed up, we took a cab, we went out for a fancy dinner but in the end... Dinner left us both feeling pretty sick and gross and we jetted back to the hotel to recover. We couldn't even look at a dessert menu. Pros: the service was fine and people were friendly. read more

Vendome, how I miss you. You weren't completely unaffordable. You had a nice patio. You had Guillermo the waiter. You had patently unhealthy steak tartare and those lovely frites. That one time, you had venison and while I felt so bad for bambi, she tasted so good. Take your friends, tell stories, and drink more wine. Take your partner and whisper sweet nothings over coffee and dessert. Take me the next time I'm in town. read more

I so wanted to love this place. I am a confirmed Francophile and have counted Rioja as one of the best meals I ever had had while visiting Denver. Alas, Bistro Vendome did not give me much to love except a beautiful space in a nice courtyard in Larimer Square. I think part of the problem is that I love "traditional" French Bistro dishes - especially homemade charcuterie and the staple dish of steak frites. I ordered both and unfortunately, neither did much for me. The Charcuterie Plate had a pork rillette, some sort of prosciutto-like slices and another unmemorable sausage. The prosciutto was overly dry and chewy and seemed very salty. I don't remember much about the sausage so I can't comment on it. The rillette looked the most promising, but the surprise, overwhelming orange flavored liquid on top of the rillette crock (grand marnier or cointreau is my guess) ruined the complex subtlety of what is usually one of my favorite dishes. There were also just a few plain old martini olives grabbed from the bar as a garnish instead of the traditional cornichons or dijon mustard. All in all, the whole plate seemed kind of uninspired. My Steak Frites with Bearnaise also seemed a bit uninspired. The steak (I think it may have been a hanger steak, but nowhere on the menu does it mention what kind of steak it is, nor did anyone tell me) was cooked the way I asked at Medium Rare, but it was still somehow very tough and chewy on the outside. The Bearnaise was in a tiny little thimble on the side and reminded me of those awful bottles in the grocery store. I did not finish either. Now on to the most basic staple of any French Bistro menu - the frites. Yes, they are just fries, but when done correctly they are the most amazing thing on the planet. The shame here is that the fries were actually cooked wonderfully - they had the right texture and taste - except for whatever the heck was poured all over the top of them. It was something sweet - very sweet - almost like honey, and it, too completely ruined what could have been great frites. Why? What is the point of pouring a super sweet topping on crunchy, salty fries? French Bistro food is good because it is mad of tried and true dishes that are delicious and comforting when you use the correct ingredients and the freshest ingredients. It is not fancy or crazy - just good. I'm all for a chef trying to put a flair on traditional food - if it makes the dish better somehow. But, to add weird ingredients and flavors just to be "different" and when it doesn't work - well, then it is not a good meal in my opinion. read more

Having eaten at LoDo's Rioja a while back, and liking it quite a bit, trying out its companion restaurant, Bistro Vendôme, was a no-brainer. To be honest, we literally stumbled upon this restaurant when we were wandering through LoDo. One minute, we're walking through Larimer Square, and noticing a weird alcove in the side of a building, and the next, we're standing in a secluded courtyard that is tucked away from the noise and commotion of Downtown Denver. All of the hype about Vendôme's idyllic setting is true - the restaurant may be 100 yards from the LoDo bars, but its prime tree-lined terrace and antiquated parlour-like interior made me feel like I'd been transported to France. The maitre d' was very courteous, and we were luckily able to snag a table in the corner of the terrace. The inside looked a little dark and cramped - too many tables in too small of a room. For the most part of our dining experience, we couldn't get over how romantic the setting was - a tranquil courtyard with plenty of trees, little patio tables, and good old string lights everywhere. Honestly, a string quartet wouldn't have looked out of place. Also, every table gets an old bottle of wine filled with water and a little paper bag with a freshly-baked baguette inside. Bistro Vendôme is definitely going for the jugular with the charm, here. In true Rioja fashion, someone from the kitchen comes out with a little teaser to start off the meal. We got a little spoon each with some cucumber salad on it. To begin with, we tried the Crêpes Vendôme ($7.5) (furthering your trip to Paris - half of the menu is in French). It's basically a crêpe stuffed with roasted chicken, lots of olives, and tomatoes. Oh - and it's topped with a fried egg. Honestly, this was the highlight of the food; it was very flavorful, the pancake was buttery and rich, and it was large enough to split into two big portions. For the main course, we had the Culotte d'Agneau ($22) and the Steak - Classique ($21). The Culotte d'Agneau is grilled Colorado lamb sirloin, pre-cut and accompanied by three chèvre-stuffed roma tomatoes. The lamb was passable - nothing to call home about - a little dry, but a huge portion. The tomatoes were mushy to the cut, and filled to the brim with lukewarm goat cheese. These were bland and largely forgettable. The Steak - Classique is one of Vendôme's three "Steak Frites" meals, which is a steak that comes with french fries. The steak, like the lamb, came pre-cut, and like the lamb, it was generally not flavorful and was forgettable. Maybe I should have shelled out the extra $1 or $2 and gotten the steaks that come with green peppercorn sauce or the port reduction. However, the meal did come with a mountain of french fries. There must have been about 100 individual and five-potatoes' worth of french fries on my plate. Comparing the fries to some of my favorite fast-food chains, I would say that they had the exact size and consistency of McDonald's fries, yet were glazed so thoroughly that they tasted kind of like sweet potato fries. Also, my fries came with a condiment cup filled with what tasted like mayonnaise with mustard seed in it. There is no physical way to finish all of the fries in one sitting. All-in-all, we came to the realization that we were paying mainly for the setting and trip-to-Paris-feel, which is fine, since Vendôme has those nailed down. With the exception of the crêpe and mountain of fries, the food was pretty unmemorable. Hopefully we will be able to return in the near future, because I'm dying to try the Plat Végétarien (mushroom crêpe) and the dessert menu. And of course, the atmosphere is always worth another visit. read more

It's in the best location in Denver... Brilliant appetizers... Large, extensive contemporary french menu... Nice wine selection.... Excellent service.... Private room available... Easy drunk walk back to conference hotels... Thank God for corporate wining and dining. How else could we live like this? read more

This place is so overrated. Yes, it is cute, and French cafe style. But our service was terrible and my food was just ok. The mussel appetizer was quite good but my risotto with shrimp wasn't all that. Prices weren't too bad. There are so many other cool places in Larmier Square, why would anyone go here? read more