Teller’s Taproom and Kitchen | Golden
Teller’s self-described goal is to be your “third place”—that is, where you want to go when you’re not at the other two places (where you live and where you work). It’s the type of spot that you’d expect in, say, Highlands instead of Applewood, and it gives the area a heretofore unseen level of hipness. The space, a converted 7-Eleven, could find Guy Fieri showing up any day now. The open kitchen makes for a nice and noisy environment as the fantastic bar food comes out, all sourced from local food and beverage vendors.
The menu ranges from sizable burgers—the fabulous Whiskey Burger, topped with a tasty steak sauce made with Leopold Bros. Small Batch Whiskey—to dinners like Bacon- Wrapped Meatloaf. Of the Taproom Favorites, you have to experience the Melted Monk—imported Chimay cheese (washed with Trappist beer), Granny Smith apples and onions caramelized in Colorado honey, oozing out of grilled cranberry raisin walnut bread with a cup of tomato basil bisque on the side.
There’s a wondrous list of craft beer options on tap—among them Alaskan Brewing’s Hopothermia Double IPA—and the Starters are sublime. I recommend the Fried Brussels Sprouts (with a bacon aioli; I may never eat them any other way.) and the Oysters on the half shell, sided with a zesty jalapeño “wash.”
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with fare ranging from the comforting Fried Chicken & Waffle to some inventive Benedicts such as the smoked Pulled Pork served on cornbread. The Bananas Foster Waffle—a Belgian waffle topped with whipped cream and bananas caramelized in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon… and dark rum—would be better known as the “Bananas Foster Brooks,” especially after a few trips to the $3 Bloody Mary Bar, which features every conceivable garnish, mix and spice-infused vodka.
Your “third place”? Teller’s to win, not show.
1990 Youngfield Street, Lakewood; 303-237-1002;
tellerstaproom.com
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