The Weber
Buffalo Moon
The Oven Pizza E Vino
El Noa Noa
Jewel of India
Yard House
Shipwreck Landing North
Strings
Modis
Bagali’s
Mary’s Lake Lodge
Cinzzetti’s
Jing

Famous Dave’s

Sushi Matsuri

Small bites

Products We Love:

Sol Azul Teqiula
Seth Ellis Chocolatier

Strings: Saints & Sinners

I like Strings restaurant, located at 1700 Humboldt St. in Denver, for a lot of reasons. At the top of the list is because they have sauces so sensuous, so seductively satisfying they must have been created by sinners. But I also like that owner, Noel Cunningham, is a Saint determined to make this world a better place.

On second thought, anyone that can make sauces as good as they do at Strings must be embraced the Almighty -- or at least talks to Him once in a while, so maybe they’re just saints.

My guest and I started with Strings’ Beef Carpaccio ($10) and PEI Mussels ($9). The carpaccio was prepared and served beautifully on a glass block. Strings’ version adds a needed saltiness with the addition of grated fresh parmesan. I’m told this is a favorite of Coors CEO Leo Kiley. I liked the twist Strings put on their mussels. They add a nut brown ale, with a touch of maple syrup and bacon that make a nice changeup for Autumn.

There are five green salads on the menu that I’m looking forward to trying in the future: one with a champagne vinaigrette, another with sherry-bacon vinaigrette and one with a blue cheese cucumber dressings. Based on everything else I tried I’m certain I’ll enjoy these dishes as well. Salad prices range between $6.50 and $8.50.

Strings’ name comes from their finesse with pasta, so naturally we had to try some. This is where I started thinking romantic thoughts about the sous chef. Audible moans of delight escaped as I tried a half serving of Lobster Ravioli ($10/18.50 full). A Grand Marnier cream sauce was the perfect compliment.

The Cashew Crusted Sea Bass ($35), possibly the most tender fish I’ve ever tasted, was a standout, but the vanilla bean cream sauce served with it was beyond good, it was stunning! I suggested they send a vat home with me, which my server rudely rejected. The sauce was a beautiful accent. Most of the other entrees were priced in the low $20’s or less.

Strings changes their menu, with the seasons, four times a year. I tried two of their autumn offerings, a Seasonal Bread Pudding, served warm and a Pumpkin Pie Roulade served with Nutmeg Cream Anglaise; both were $7. Both were expertly prepared. Or consider ending your meal with a desert wine. I had a small glass of Semillon. Jennifer Rosen, Rocky Mountain News wine critic, says “Semillon is a grape from Bordeaux, France, where….it becomes one of the world’s great dessert wines,” and is also called Sauternes when the grape is grown in Australia.

In addition to serving a phenomenal meal, the restaurant serves another purpose. The Cunninghamfoundation.org has raised over $400,000.00 to benefit the children in Ethiopia. Through money raised from sales of heart pendants and glass bead bracelets, all made by the Ethiopian children helped, as well as the foundation’s Quarters for Kids program, breakfast, lunch and an education has been supplied to children in need. Please log on to the foundation website to see the power of a few quarters in the life of another.

Whether you’re craving a great meal or a way to improve your world, Strings likely has the recipe to satisfy it. I think you’ll enjoy the physical space and the contribution of the tasteful art. They’re open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. They can be reached for reservations or catering at 303/831-7310. More information is available at Stringsrestaurant.com.