TODD: Pete's Greek Cafe

The fact that a restaurant is "on Colfax" should not disqualify it from the relative pantheon of Denver eateries that you must try.

They have non-Greek food, too, for you losers who order a cheeseburger at Mexican places, but their house cuisine is "where it's at."

As Micah already described our dishes, I'll save myself the trouble except to say that the food was fantastic. My salad was drenched in dressing, however, and at one point I do recall making the "bitter beer face" over a mouthful of vinegary deliciousness. The pita bread with the appetizer was warm and solid and fantastic. My "lasagna" was a little bland in the past area (of which there was much because it was stacked about 4" tall) but the mixture of the flavors with the nutmeg-meat and sauce offset it beautifully.

Yes, the baklava was the absolute best. It was warm, which doubled the effect, and I did accuse Micah of wanting to lick the place (though, secretly, I would have made her fight me for it).

Definitely recommended for every night of the week, especially FRIDAY.

MICAH: Pete's Greek Café

This little gem in the heart of Congress Park has been a favorite of Denver locals for...YEARS. It's one of the many Pete's restaurants in the area and neither of us had ever been to Greek Café so it seemed appropriate that we go for date night on Friday...especially since we were at an event at Tattered Cover just 3 blocks away.

Pete's Greek is a pretty large restaurant with the front looking like a classic diner and the back, more like a traditional sit-down restaurant. Our server was really pleasant and, as it turns out, it was only her second night working at the place. She didn't know much about the menu, food or otherwise (or she would NOT have let me drink the wine that I did), but she did get her trainer who made some great recommends to Todd...

So we started with tzatziki and pita which was absolutely perfection.
For our entreés, Todd got Greek-style lasagna which looked delicious and I did not get to try any of it...but the beef was cooked with nutmeg so it smelled AMAZING. And anytime I go to a new restaurant, I go with something that is "standard". I do this because I figure if they can't get the basics right, I'm not going to try anything else. With Greek food, my standard is a gyro sandwich. And boy does Pete do it up right! It was absolutely incredible. So next time we're there, I'll probably get souvlaki or something...mmm!

But the best part of the entier night for me was dessert.

I freaking LOVE baklava and I was informed that Pete's Greek has the best in the city. So try it we did.

And OMG, it was most assuredly the best I've ever had. I kind of want to try to steal the recipe so that I can make it! It tastes like Christmas. Warm, spiced, delicious, wonderful, perfect Christmas. I damn near licked the plate clean.

So given that we went on a Friday night and there were maybe 20 other people in the place, I give this a FRIDAY NIGHT...perfect for all occassions on all evenings...

Definitely check this one out if you haven't already...