Siena at the Courtyard | Castle Rock
CLUB SELECTION: Siena’s savory Chicken Asiago Caesar club with Applewood smoked bacon and arugula.
SIENA AT THE COURTYARD The vibe at Siena at the Courtyard is right out of the Tuscan countryside, with brightly painted walls indoors and an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a large fountain area in the summer months. Brian Young opened Siena seven years ago, and he’s worked with his chef on an eclectic menu; they make their bones with fresh and seasonal Italian fare, but you can also get Asian BBQ ribs. That fun and casual approach is complemented by a 50+ bottle wine list and specialty martinis. There’s a nice touch when you sit down for dinner—a rouge, an aperitif popular throughout the Mediterranean served to stimulate the appetite and tastebuds. Check out the brick oven pizzas, especially the Spicy 3 Meat of sausage, pepperoni… and soppressata! Dinner specials are typically steak and seafood, and a range of pasta entrees are popular, but I couldn’t resist the Eggplant Rollatini, which can’t be found at many of our state’s Italian eateries. Thin slices of fresh eggplant are sauteed and covered with a mixture of cheeses and seasonings, then rolled up and baked and covered with savory marinara sauce. I’m telling you, paisan, it’s crazy good. For lighter fare, dig into the Fig and Spinach salad and be elated to find shaved prosciutto waiting on the bottom. Other lunchtime gems are the delightful Grilled Rosemary Bruschetta (with roasted garlic and cambozola, elevated with just a touch of vinagarette) and a couple of sandwiches, the Chicken Asiago Caesar Club and the Tuna Melt Panini. And, yes, I was seduced by dessert, the caramel white chocolate tiramisu. I chose it over Phyllo Fettuccini—wasn’t he the bass player for Bon Jovi?
333 Perry St. 303-688-2622; sienacr.com
