Root Down

User Comment #1 by Maggie09 on January 9th, 2009 at 8:51 PM CST

With chef Ryan Leinonen from The Kitchen in Boulder, and organic fare straight from local farms, this restaurant is the wave of the future in dining out: Sustainable fish and agriculture, healthy choices designed and cooked by pros! Table water is purified by reverse osmosis and served without ice, adding a pleasant European touch. I visited just after the opening night with my food-snob husband and daughter, picky eater extraordinaire. He ordered the lamb (exquisite), she had tenderloin, (yum) and I enjoyed gnocci, which was a bit salty but delicious. We all cleaned our plates and shared bites, which is encouraged in the tapas style servings. BTW, if you aren't feeling ravenous, dishes may be ordered in half-size portions. The architecture is by local designers, and emphasizes reuse of older structures: a bowling alley is reborn as the Root Down bar, and the restaurant's wood floor was a gym in its former life. I recommend coming early (around 5) to enjoy the view and quiet atmosphere before the crowds arrive. Oh, and word to the wise: parking across the street is taboo - neighbors will have you ticketed!

With chef Ryan Leinonen from The Kitchen in Boulder, and organic fare straight from local farms, this restaurant is the wave of the future in dining out: Sustainable fish and agriculture, healthy choices designed and cooked by pros! Table water is purified by reverse osmosis and served without ice, adding a pleasant European touch. I visited just after the opening night with my food-snob husband and daughter, picky eater extraordinaire. He ordered the lamb (exquisite), she had tenderloin, (yum) and I enjoyed gnocci, which was a bit salty but delicious. We all cleaned our plates and shared bites, which is encouraged in the tapas style servings. BTW, if you aren't feeling ravenous, dishes may be ordered in half-size portions. The architecture is by local designers, and emphasizes reuse of older structures: a bowling alley is reborn as the Root Down bar, and the restaurant's wood floor was a gym in its former life. I recommend coming early (around 5) to enjoy the view and quiet atmosphere before the crowds arrive. Oh, and word to the wise: parking across the street is taboo - neighbors will have you ticketed!