Atmosphere & Aphrodisiacs

wordplay: Cameron Dabney

images: Marc Piscotty

 
It’s reminiscent of a night in Paris with romance in the air. You navigate your way from Larimer Square and through a small corridor you discover a hidden courtyard. Here, tucked away from the bustling city, is the quintessential French Bistro: Bistro Vendome.

ATMOSPHERE: Warm, French and intimate. Mustard colored walls, rich velvet drapes and cozy candlelit tables
APHRODISIAC: Goosepoint Oysters on the half shell with a peach-champagne topping served with a glass of St. Hilaire Blanc de Blanc bubbly.
AMORE: Foie Gras over apple beignets and petite mache salad, or sharing warm baguette with your lover and whispering French sentiments.

Imagine a cool night in Paris aimlessly wandering the bustling streets, taking in the essence of the artistic culture. You turn down a random cobblestone alley and discover a quaint little bistro. The smell of French cuisine is seeping though the walls. You enter the warm dining area and cozy up with a hot baguette and glass of burgundy.  You instantly feel comforted and the busy city fades away.

Bistro Vendome has always been a personal favorite. Nestled away from the beaten path of Larimer Square, Bistro Vendome is the quintessential French bistro. And for a romantic Valentine’s dinner, you couldn’t possible find a better spot. The small tables adorned with candles lend to intimate discussion and handholding. The service is outstanding. The wine list is completely French and the food….oooh la la!

I suggest you begin your Valentine’s meal with the classic aphrodisiac: oysters. Chef Matt Anderson serves an oyster with such class you will find yourself searching for the pearl. A Goosepoint Oyster on the half shell, topped with a peach champagne mignonette. This hors d’ourve is creamy with a hint of sweet love. Even those who fear the sea will dive in leaving a stream of bubbles (like that of the St Hilarie Blanc de Blanc-the perfect paring for this dish).

Winter foods warm the soul and the organs. Creamy sweet butternut squash bisque is topped with crisp bits of pear and walnuts to add texture. You melt away as the taste of Foie Gras over apple beignets and petite mache salad. With a follow-up sip of Sancerre, your eyelids flutter in savory ecstasy.

As I return over and over again to this hidden French gem, I find myself ordering steak frites or moules with a salad and wine. For this article, I ventured outside and may have realized a new favorite- Scallops with wilted spinach and sweet potato-caramelized onion hash. Imagine the lightness of the sea balanced by the grounding root vegetables. I also discovered a wonderful wine (by the glass!), 2003 chateau Mont-Redon Cotes du Rhone. Although medium bodied, the smell itself, is so fruity it is almost intoxicating. And a single sip makes you feel like you are ingesting the purest nutrients of brilliant autumn sunrays.

One way to romance a lady is to fly her to a foreign land complete with exotic culture and tasty delights. Or, if you don’t have the time, take her to the hidden bistro off of Larimer Square, Bistro Vendôme. Just like a night in Paris, you can romance over candlelight feeding each other decadent French delights and maybe even win a French kiss!

1420 Larimer

(303) 825.3240

BistroVendome.com