Izakaya Den
by Brenda Francis
We live in a fabulous culinary time. What was once unobtainable or rare is now fairly universal. This has allowed imaginative chefs to create menus with no boundaries. They can mix Italian ingredients with Mexican, French with Japanese. Different textures and flavors from all over the world come together to create new taste sensations that have never been experienced before. Izakaya Den embraces this philosophy by using ingredients from all types of cuisine and offers an ingenious menu.
      Izakaya Den is modeled from the sake bars in Japan, where locals go to let loose after a hard day's work. While much of the artwork and other stylistic details were imported from Japan, Izakaya Den is ultimately more sophisticated than your working stiffs' pub. Its unique atmosphere is a cross between Japanese elegance and all those building materials that make a space upscale and modern. Stone flooring and walls, bamboo partitions, soft lighting and bold colors make the dining room uber chic.  (==>from newsletter)
      But for me, atmosphere is merely a side bar to the menu. Where Izakaya Den offers a fashionable place be seen, its menu is exponentially more exciting than its stylish dining room. The menu is tapas style, the smaller portions allow you to order a few dishes, taking advantage of the exhilarating variety.

-The crispy tuna is a must. (Pictured top left.) Topped with caviar, a rice dome is gilded with spicy coating housed by ripe avocado and the most delicate, sweet raw tuna. Amazing!
-Don't miss the Izakaya Den short ribs with Korean marinade. Different than any barbeque sauce you have ever had with its sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
-The grilled Panzanella salad with jumbo lump crab, Colorado goat cheese, and pistachio and plum wine vinaigrette would make any dieter swoon with its soft, yet crispy homemade croutons.
-The gingered waffle topped with Szechuan blackened Arctic char with ruby red grapefruit-basil beurre blanc, and tamari whipped cream is inspirational. (Pictured right.) You'll find yourself dipping each bite into the tamari whipped cream.
-The ginger sashimi uses ginger blossoms instead of ginger root, a delicate touch that makes the dish unique and exceptional.
-And for those curry fans, don't miss the curried Maine lobster with an apricot-shallot veloute. Creamy and exotic, the lobster melts in your mouth while the flavors sing.

Like the traditional sake dens of Japan, Izakaya Den is a wonderful place to sit and contemplate your work day. For those who love Slow Food, Izakaya Den offers the chance to stretch out your dining experience, enjoy each bite, every carefully balanced flavor, every dribble of liquid genius, disguised as sauce.