Head down to Uptown

And dine at eateries such as Parallel Seventeen

Gene Davis, DDN Staff Writer

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Pictured here is Parallel Seventeen bartender Erica Brown posing with some of her eatery’s offerings. Denver Daily News photo by Tad Rickman.

Parallel Seventeen is far from being just another Vietnamese restaurant.

With menu items like braised fresh bacon and poached salmon dumplings, this Uptown spot has been pushing the boundaries of what Vietnamese food can be since 2005. And now, with Restaurant Week getting into full gear, there has never been a better time to check out what sets Parallel Seventeen apart from the competition.

Parallel Seventeen General Manager Sidney Lynn said she is excited that Restaurant Week is going on for a full two weeks this year because it gives Denverites a chance to try more restaurants. People who make it into Parallel Seventeen, 1600 E. 17th Ave., by March 5 will be treated to a set menu that features specialty items from the restaurant’s regular menu as well as some dishes created specifically for the culinary event.

“It’s just kind of the best of what we have, and then it gives us an opportunity to try new things as well,” Lynn said.

The fixed menu includes:

Ą First course of crispy spring rolls or sizzling Saigon crepe;

Ą Second course of braised fresh bacon or seared tuna nicoise;

Ą Third course of Hanoi curry, duck confit or poached salmon dumplings.

Parallel Seventeen is one of 11 Uptown restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. The Restaurant Week menu for other Uptown restaurants include:

Ą Olivea, which has a menu inspired by the cuisines of Spain, Italy and Southern France. Offerings include duck liver mousse, duck meatballs on creamy polenta and shaved pecorino, and honey almond semifreddo. Olivea is located at 719 E. 17th Ave., and more information is available at 303-861-5050.

Ą Jonsey’s EatBar, which is Denver’s first gastropub, is letting customers select any appetizer, salad, entrŽe and dessert from their delicious daily menu. The restaurant is located at 400 E. 20th Ave., and more information is available by calling 303-863-7473.

Ą The Restaurant Week menu for Strings Restaurant, which offers casual contemporary New American cuisine, includes lemongrass poached shrimp, butternut squash risotto, pan roasted salmon, and String’s crčme brulee. Strings Restaurant is located at 1700 Humboldt St., and more information is available by calling 303-831-7310.

All restaurants that are participating in the event celebrating fine dining in Denver are offering their fixed menu for two for the Mile High price of $52.80. More information is available at Denver.org/DenverRestaurant.

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