Heading upstairs, you are met with an immaculate presentation of tables, art, lighting, and a view of the kitchen, along with an impossibly polite staff to match.  As you sit and take it all in, you feel comfortable, warm, and at ease.  Conversations around you are at a minimal volume and not distracting from the ambiance of the restaurant.

Then the drinks arrive.  These are no ordinary drinks, but perfectly crafted, properly glassed, works of art in liquid form.  Exquisite ingredients, perfect amounts of ice, the right ratio to allow each flavor to dance on the tongue.  My drink of choice tonight was the Manhattan neat, and I left there craving another.  It was perfect, heavenly in nature, velvet on the tongue.  Smooth would not begin to describe this drink.  (It is actually the drink that inspired our latest quick fix recipe)  My fellow diners all tried other classics, from a simple vodka and lemon to an Old Fashioned, all of which were enjoyed at the perfect pace and in the same, pleasant manner.  This was the perfect start to an amazing evening.

Now, there are often a few dishes I lean towards when dining out, and lately it has been Brussels sprouts.  Having been the victim of horrible recipes in the past, it took me a long time to get passed the memories and horrible flavors to rediscover this amazing green.  OneUP has a side order of crispy Brussels sprouts, and please take it from me, you want to order these first.  Multiple plates of them.  Make these your appetizer.  The char, the bitterness, all mixed with oils and fats from the bacon and seasoning, made these heavenly.  Were they the star of the show?  I would not go that far, but to say they stole quite a bit of the spotlight would be an honest statement.  They were astounding and easily shared and enjoyed by the whole table.

The star of the show though came with the main dish, and not even mine.  Across the table, one of my fellow diners ordered the mushroom risotto, made with sauteed mushrooms, leeks, truffle oil, and Parmesan.  Simple ingredients prepared so perfectly, brought together at the right time, it was heavenly.  The risotto was cooked to perfection, the perfect texture, as the Parmesan and truffle oil did not mask, but enhanced the whole dish.  It was balanced, light, and filling.  By no means were the braised ribs I ordered anything to sell short, but this perfectly made mushroom risotto was the meal of dreams.

It’s hard to wonder how such a perfect dining experience could exist in a hotel, where food is often thought the be the afterthought of most places.  But here, within the walls of the Grand Hyatt, I sat in wonder and amazement at the ingredients I had just experienced.  The perfect balance of ambiance, modern flair, and perfectly crafted food and drink, all within a welcoming and warm setting.

The post An evening at OneUP Restaurant & Lounge appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

So we have checked out and found three boutique hotels in Denver worth you checking out for your next visit to the 5280.

Hotel Teatro is one of Denver’s most luxurious hotels. It’s also the most dramatic: The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is just across the street.  Filled with inspired the decor of the arts center, featuring masks, playbills, and wardrobes from past productions.  The hotel has a presence in the community of class, style, and fashion, all while not being too outlandish or pompous.  Think class and style is subtle from the outside, all while delivering the dramatic presence inside.  With a wide variety of rooms available at all price ranges, the Hotel Teatro provides the luxurious escape needed for any weekend, be it a visit to town for business or a weekend away with the lady.

Why do we like it?  The hotel delivers everything and more for the traveler.  It is classy and stylish at every angle, with car service and valets out front, an amazing front desk staff, and proximity to some of the most amazing and established night life in Denver.  This is not the hotel for the college crowd, and the area is filled with fine dining options, wine bars, and unique shopping experiences.  Overall, it provides a central resting spot for a busy time in town.

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa is located in the heart of downtown Denver, and is a long standing icon filled with tradition and history. A historic building from 1892, the luxury hotel has been a four-star and Four Diamond hotel since 1977.   Sitting off 17th Street, this hotel has a presence at every angle, with the brown stone climbing from the grey streets.  The classic styling  stands out among the modern surroundings.  The details are exquisite: a dramatic nine-story lobby is topped with a beautifully stained-glass ceiling.  The Victorian rooms have sophisticated wainscoting and Art Deco fixtures.  But the hotel has done an amazing job of incorporating modern amenities into the rooms to keep everyone comfortable.

So why do we love this hotel?  It’s simple; from President Eisenhower to the Beatles, this hotel has been filled with history and elegance.  While a bit of a walking distance from the central night life, it is still close enough to some of the best restaraunts in town and a quick cab ride to the stadiums, theater, or LoDo for the night life.  And with all the talk of class and style, we cannot look past the cigar room, Churchills.  Classically adorned in big leather armchairs with low light, this is the perfect hotel for a guys weekend away to catch a game, eat amazing steak, and smoke a feel stogies.

In the heart of Denver’s LoDo, The Oxford Hotel is an eclectic class of its own.   During the Victorian era this hotel was an elegant fixture on the Denver landscape, and civilized touches like complimentary shoe shines, afternoon sherry, and morning coffee remain.  The 88 rooms are all uniquely  furnished with French and English period antiques, and the Cruise Room bar re-creates an art deco ocean liner.  Walking distance to some of the hippest bars and nightlife in town, while still keeping a separate atmosphere around it, the Oxford can only be missed when walking by.  The awning with a small sign above it is the only thing that lets you know you are there, and while minimal in nature, the rest of the hotel more than makes up for it.  Walking into lobby, the fine dark woods, deep leathers, and classic lines take all the guests back.  And with McCormicks Restaurant on-site, there is access to some of the best seafood in Denver and a delicious Sunday brunch.

So what makes it worth this list?  Beyond the 88 unique rooms, it’s all about the location for this one.  The most central of the three hotels reviewed, it was 5 minutes from everything in Denver, including the newly renovated Union Station and brand new Light Rail stations.  Only a few blocks from Coors Field, home of the Rockies, and all the great bars, restaurants, and concert halls, this is the perfect hotel to escape to after a major night out, no matter the theme.

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