Finding a table during Denver Restaurant Week, Part I

February 3, 4:31 PMLarimer Square Restaurants ExaminerMargaret Ebeling

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The enthusiasm for Denver Restaurant Week (DRW) -- February 21 - 27, 2009 -- is growing. So is the desperation by excited patrons to lock in a reservation that guarantees the three-course meal for 2 people for a bargain $52.80. Never fear: this is the first edition of this series to help you get the coveted reservation that I have been telling my friends to get since December.

After a great article by Denver Restaurant Examiner Jacob Harkins and his clear desire to dine with strangers at Frank Bonanno's Bones, I thought I would chat up the restaurants at Larimer Square to get thescoop on who's got what available. I started with the three hottest on the block: Osteria Marco, Rioja, and The Capital Grille.

Osteria Marco is Frank Bonanno's casual Italian "bistro" and while it is more value-oriented as a general rule, the DRW menu is built the way that Italians eat - antipasti, primi and secondi. You will be very full when done and likely quite happy after downing one of their many affordable bottles of wine. Osteria Marco has availability every day during the week, except for Saturday (Feb. 21) where you need to come in before 6 pm or after 9 pm. Book online now by clicking HERE.

Rioja from chef/owner Jennifer Jasinski is taking a different approach to the week. Her staff is diligently taking names for a wait list. If someone cancels in this town where patrons can be known to book more places than they plan to eat, then you have less than 48 hours to get into Rioja for a dinner to remember at an incredible price. For those that want to go all "big city" and dine later, Rioja has reservations available 9pm and later on weekdays, 10pm or later weekends. Book online for up to 6 people by clicking HERE. More than 6 people? That is a phone call and a lot of compliments to whoever picks up on the other end.

When I saw that The Capital Grille was participating in DRW, I thought it was a practical joke. Seriously, I did. The news of what has been repeatedly heralded as the best steakhouse in Denver offering a multi-course steak dinner at a more-than-reasonable price was pleasantly surprising. My fellow Denverites apparently agree and the restaurant is pretty booked up. But do not despair as tables are availble during DRW if you can wait until 9:30pm for your table. Book online HERE. A nice steak and a swirl of bourbon? See you there.