Stanley Marketplace, the new multi-retail complex out this way in Stapleton, is fast becoming a hub of all things good; a gourmet chocolatier (
Miette et chocolat ), a nice brewpub (Cheluna Brewing Co.), and a well-appointed liquor store (Mr. B’s Wine and Spirits). Add to this list one of my favorite places for brunch, lunch, and dinner; Annette.
Owner/Executive Chef Caroline Glover opened Annette after honing her considerable skills most recently at Acorn, The Source’s high-end eatery. This is Chef Glover’s first restaurant, though you’d never know it judging by the polish of the space, the staff (several of whom came over from Acorn to work at Annette), and the food. I’ve been twice and it’s been one delicious home run after another.
Case in point: Brunch. I wandered in on a low-key Saturday and found s seat at the bar, the best seat in the house. I got a birds-eye view of the open kitchen and could watch the crew do their thing. I also got to chat with the staff, a really friendly, relaxed bunch. I learned some of the back-story that makes Annette the place it is, and discussed the fine points of Romesco sauce with Daniel who, I think, runs the front of the house. I’ll get to their Romesco here shortly.
I went in expecting to have their grilled cheese, an amalgam of cheddar, apricot, and blackened onion, but ordered the curtido instead after the bartender’s description…kind of like sauerkraut but not as acidic What arrived went way above my expectations and made me a cutrido fan for life.
Curtido is a South American fermented cabbage dish you’ll often find serced with pupusas. Annette’s version mingles a mildly spicy and sweet house-made purple cabbage curtida with bitter arugula for some peppery bite over a bed of simple cooked black beans. Dollops of citrus crema dot the salad and a cap of shredded Manchego completes it. It really was all the flavors, one playing off the other, a little bitter with creamy lemon or some earthy black beans and zesty Manchego. The whole thing became a glorious mixture the further into the bowl I ate. The potatoes were things of beauty…crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Not pictured was a little pot of Romesco sauce which I asked for to to dip the potatoes in. Annette’s Romesco is the best I’ve had in a Denver Restaurant, perfectly balanced and addictive. I managed to save a potato to dredge up the smear of crema and cheese remaining in the bottom of the bowl. Delicioso!
I’ll be heading back to Annette soon to try more of their unique and well-crafted food. I hope you give it a try if you haven’t already, this a rare place from the front to the back of the house.
Find out more here, Annette Scratch to Table.