A few weeks ago a friend and I decided to try a new restaurant, something un-Metro accessible because the red line has been a nightmare all weekend, and also because we liked trying things off the beaten path. We chose Colorado Kitchen, so called because of it’s address and it’s informal style. The place is busy, busy for a restaurant in a neighborhood where there are no other lighted storefronts!
The decor is like a diner, with kitschy salt and pepper shakers, silver diner tables with red fake leather, plastic menus, and a array of colorful sodas including a root beer du jour! But the menu, except for the plastic part, is nothing like a diner. It is Southern modern American comfort food but upscale.
We wanted to try the goat cheese fritters to start, supposedly one of the highlights of menu, but sadly they were out. Instead we had a yummy mixed green salad with great dressing. For our main course, my friend had the fish special, ray (sting?) with these puffy sweet potato fritters and a vegetable. I had the garlic encrusted pork chop with creamy polenta and carmelized onions. It was heavy food, but comforting and good for the cold evening.
Our entrees were very good, especially the ray, but the real star was our dessert. As it’s gotten to be a trendy dessert item, I have had my share of molten chocolate lava cakes, or sometimes they are just called chocolate torts. But this one beat them all, it was warm and chocolatey and accompanied by delicious cinnamon ice cream.
All in all, the service was friendly (if a bit stressed because of the busy tables) and the food was innovative and delicious. I would definitely recommend Colorado Kitchen!
