9th Door in Denver, Colorado: Restaurant Review

The 9^th Door Restaurant in Denver, Colorado received its name in remembrance of a bar in Spain the novelist James Michener, writer of The Drifters, and his friends frequented. When you enter through the doors of the 9^th Door you will find the decorator must have loved the color orange. The restaurant is decorated with all shades of orange portraying an atmosphere that suggests comfort and relaxation. In the ceiling of the restaurant you will find light reflecting off the glass chandeliers. On the windows you will notice see-through curtains flowing weightlessly to the floor. The bar was created for those that can't keep their eyes to themselves, as there are mirrors everywhere. From restaurant regulars to first time guests, you can watch the expressions of all the faces entering the restaurant by looking in the bar mirrors.

The 9^th Door is located at 1808 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado. The doors open Monday and Tuesday at 4:30 pm and dinner is served until 10:00 pm, Wednesdays from 4:30 pm until 10:30 pm, Thursdays from 4:30 pm until 11:00 pm, Fridays from 4:30 pm until 12:00 am, and on Saturdays the doors open at 5:30 and dinner is served until 12:00 am. Reservations are suggested at all times, however Monday thru Thursday the wait time is normally minimal. Fridays and Saturdays are typically the busiest days of the 9^th Door. Wait time for a family of four without a reservation can be as long as two hours. The restaurant is closed for business on Sundays. Reservations can be made by phoning the 9^th Door at 303-292-2229.

Most widely known for its authentic Spanish tapas bar and a laid back ambiance, the 9^th Door is wonderful place for a romantic dinner for two. Though they strive to please all guests, there is no specific child menu available. The cooks will do the best they can to accommodate any little finicky eaters. Meatless dishes are also available for vegetarians visiting the 9^th Door. The entire restaurant is a smoke-free environment.

Upon entering the restaurant, you will notice an enormous chalkboard outlining the dinner specials of the night. If none of the specials wet your appetite, the regular menu is always available as well. Some main dishes you may find appetizing include Calamares Fritos a la Roman which is baby squid, Albondigas or Spanish meatballs and Filete con Cabrales which is beef fillet with a blue cheese sauce. Leave plenty of room for desserts that will make your tongue hang out such as Crème Catalana, Flan de Limon and Chocolava. Each dish is served too look as good as it tastes. The plates are served picture perfect. Just imagining the tastes can make a trip to the 9^th Door worth while!

When dining at the 9^th Door, the dress attire is considered business casual. A non-alcoholic meal for one person, including appetizer, entree, dessert, tax and tip generally runs slightly less than fifty dollars. The 9^th Door accepts cash and credit cards for all drink and meal payments.

The mirrored bar is a popular feature of the restaurant as you can see all the goings ons from here. During all hours of operation, but especially after dinner, have a drink mixed to your liking or enjoy any of the specialty wines from a predominantly Mediterranean list. A wide variety of Spanish and Portuguese wines are also served by the glass or by the bottle. Specialty drinks include Tinto de Verano (Spanish red wine and Fanta orange soda), Mijita (Bacardi watermelon rum, fresh watermelon, fresh mint, fresh squeezed limes and club soda), Mojito (Bacardi rum, fresh mint, sugar, fresh squeezed limes, club soda), Caipirinha (Ypioca cachaca, fresh limes, sugar and water), Sevilla Cocktail (Spanish cava, peach schnapps, splash of orange, served up), 9^th Door Silver Margarita (Herradura silver tequila, Gran Torres liqueur, fresh squeezed lime juice, homemade simple syrup served on the rocks) and many more mouth watering favorites.

A complete list of the menu, as well as prices and wine and drink lists can be viewed by visiting the 9^th Door website www.the9thdoor.com.