I'm Such a Fool for You

You know I'm such a foooool for youuuuuuuu.

You've got me wrapped around your fing-er-er-er-er-er-er....

Do you have to?  Do you have to?

Do you have to let it Linger?*

A few of us met this weekend at one of Denver's culinary hot spots, Linger (a former mortuary, Colinger, did you know?).  It has a rooftop bar, an upstairs (indoor) bar, a main seating area, and a lower, pseudo-private seating area.  I'm not sure what it's like during the week, but it's a madhouse on the weekends; we had to make our Saturday night reservations a few months in advance.

Caveat:  Linger offers excellent cocktails but this post concentrates only on the food.  What's that?  We should do a cocktail post as well?  TWIST MY ARM.

We started off with drinks at the upstairs (indoor) bar, served alongside their fresh popcorn of the day, Coconut Caramel flavored.

All pics taken by us, edited via Instagram

Although there is no denying the crowd, the bar had huge windows, almost the size of an entire wall.  These windows were open, letting in the spring breeze and providing a stunning view from our perch on the hillside.

Dinner is served family-style, so the idea is to order a few plates to share.  Um, no problemo.  Some hits of the evening include:


Mongolian BBQ Duck Bun / Scallions & Miso-Pickled Cucumbers
Pork Belly Bun / Grilled Pineapple Jam, Sambal, Plum Sauce & Scallions

Our Verdict:  Delish.  The buns were fresh and soft as a baby's...well...you get it.  The meat was seasoned well and tender.  The garnishes were just the right flavor and amount.  I can't speak for my fellow foodies, but I would go back and just throw down a few cocktails and a few of these.

Chicken B’stilla / Crispy Pastry, Almonds, Apricots, Golden Raisins, Saigon Cinnamon,
Harissa, Preserved Lemon Yogurt & Tabbouleh Salad

Our Verdict:  Good.  This South African-inspired dish tastes sort of like a cross between a pot pie and savory baklava.  I should be specific about the sauces served alongside: suffice it to say one was yogurt based (creamy, mild, cool flavor) and one was spicy (yet flavorful - won't melt your face off).  This dish is a nice "taste your way around the world" choice.

Sesame BBQ Tacos / Kobe Short Rib, Napa Slaw, Radish, Avocado & Lime

Our Verdict:  Mixed.  Suffice it to say if you aren't in love with corn tortillas, this is not the dish for you.  If you love 'em like crazy, try this.  Nice mixture of flavor and texture.  A few bits of Tex Mex yumminess (especially if you happen to be downing your second or third Sangria).

Peanut Butter Bar / Crunchy Chocolate Crust, Banana Marshmallow, Cilantro & Chile Strands

Our Verdict:   Delish.  When we told the waiter we wanted this, he said "Oh yes you do."  He was right.  Crunchy crust, smooth peanut butter inside a coating of chocolate.  Topped with bananas and a butter finger mousse.  The cilantro?  Meh.  But the dish overall?  We highly recommend it.

Salted Butterscotch Pudding / Toasted Sesame Seed Crunch, Lemongrass Cotton Candy, & Passion Fruit Coulis

Our Verdict:  Delish.  Where they got the idea to make Lemongrass flavored cotton candy, we'll never know.  I wouldn't say the pairing made sense, but we'll give them points for creativity.  The pudding itself was a smooth and tasty butterscotch - not too sweet, which was nice.  The sesame seed topping helped to cut the sweetness and add a unique flavor.

Turkish Delight Crepes / Apple Rhubarb, Goat Cheese Whipped Cream & Pistachios

Our Verdict:  Meh.  The crepes were well-done but the flavor was just...apple.  With some nuts sprinkled on top.  This one missed the mark.

We would recommend Linger for a girls' night out; a happy hour after work (or, heck, any time!); a romantic dinner; or a chance to get together with friends and...linger over a great meal.

Happy Eats, Denver!

*Thanks, Cranberries, for getting that song stuck in our heads forever.