I doubt I ever frequented 25th and Lawrence in its shabby days, but even if I had, I wouldn’t recognize it now, with its boxy new condos and hydroponic farming greenhouse, the glittering neon of downtown looming a few blocks away and getting closer.
Birthday honoree, at Uchi
Uchi perches on one of those corners, an upscale restaurant chain doing its own interpretation of Japanese cuisine. We went at five, hoping to avoid crowds in this Colorado Covid surge—our fifth, I think. Hard to keep track. Music was insistent at the entrance and we cringed, but Phil had requested quiet seating and indeed, the alcove in which we found ourselves had no speakers. Although we could certainly hear the music, it was not intolerable. We have a list of restaurants we won’t return to because of their volume.
Phil’s daughter Snow gave him an Uchi gift card for his birthday. To get this early reservation, he had to book two weeks out. But here we were at last, with a menu divided into cold and hot “tastings,” most of which were completely unfamiliar. Our waitress suggested the six tastings dinner, rescuing us from our indecision. We enjoyed each surprise selection as it came, such small and delicate dishes that it took until the fifth one to realize we had eaten quite a lot. Item six was dessert and the waitress said it was being paid for by one of my former students.
Lobster tail with miso butter cream
“Oh, how cute!” The two guys next to us exclaimed. They didn’t mean to eavesdrop, they added, apologizing.
I asked the waitress to get a name. One of our dining companions asked, “how can you remember one of the thousands you must have taught,” but that’s because he doesn’t know Denver School of the Arts.
The waitress came back. “Oh, my god, CeCe!” I exclaim. “How did you remember her,” the guys demand. “She was a great dancer,” I replied, which only confused them. Also smart. And beautiful, I might have added.
We settled the bill and Phil told the waitress, “I’ve never used so many spoons to eat at a Japanese restaurant before.” She didn’t know where to put that remark. We were leaving just in time: the place was filling up, the volume rising.
CeCe was seated in a corridor of tables beyond the sushi bar that we couldn’t see from where we sat. We stopped to visit on our way out. She’s still smart and beautiful. She bought our dessert. We went home happy, saying, “I’m stuffed.”
Love it! What fun. And Happy Birthday, Phil! (didn’t see that go by on FB). <3
Well, that’s a review they couldn’t have paid to get!!
No kidding. You think I was too nice to them?
Yum, pricey? I had an amazing tasting menu meal, farm to table, deal while in Hawaii. Portions ultra small, but all worth it without coming away uncomfortably full.
Pricy for us, Deb. $95 for the six tastings, with drinks and tip, etc. around $130. Lovely, well-paced service, but none of the dishes we think of as traditional Japanese.
Have been wondering about that restaurant… would you go back? Birthdays need to be full of surprises. Glad Phil’s had that as part of his!
Hello, Judy! We need a coffee date. A little pricey for us unless we were doing only a few dishes (small). It’ll be one of those “special night” places for us.
Sounds like a wonderful time. Even old Englewood is changing, adding many new and pricey places I haven’t visited yet.
Yay!! so happy to read this birthday dinner report!! Glad I could have a hand in providing a unique experience at a time when you may think “there is nothing new under the sun”!! Love you both!! (ps the pics are great, and lobster tail with miso butter cream??ummm???– yum!!!)
You definitely gave us a novel evening and extended your Dad’s birthday celebration for weeks! And yes, I think the various sauces we tasted were the highlights.
Happy birthday to Phil!