Ambrosial Brunch: Rioja

Mr. Monkey and I met one of his best friends at Rioja for Saturday brunch.




The pleasant but generic decor didn't impress, but everything else about our brunch did!

(1) Rioja Mary -- Absolut Pepper Vodka, special house recipe ($7).
(2) Berry Lemonade -- fresh-squeezed lemonade, berry purée ($4).
(3) Mochakick -- espresso, Leopold Brothers French Press Coffee Liqueur, steamed milk, chocolate ($10).

Great drinks for both alcohol lovers and teetotalers! I really loved my Mochakick!

Complimentary goat cheese biscuits and mini olive baguette.


All of this bread was awesome. Fantastic way to start!

Eric's housemade doughnuts, lemon curd mascarpone, blueberry compote ($6).

Fresh, hot, and filled with a creamy mild tartness! Fabulous!

Apple basil soup, cheddar crostini, pickled Fuji apple, micro opal basil ($7).

Beautiful blend of flavors! A little salty! A little sweet! A lot of love!

Rioja benedict -- goat cheese biscuit, bacon, spinach, tomato, poached eggs, Parmesan sauce ($10.50).

Our friend let me have a bite, and it was wonderful. So rich and so incredible on top of the goat cheese biscuits!

Duck confit hash -- slow-cooked duck sauteed with Yukon Gold potatoes, pickled red onion, herb crème fraîche, two eggs ($14.50).

Shredded duck in the morning! A savory mountain of joy! Few things in life are better than this!

Lobster crepes -- Maine lobster, roasted pumpkin and Shiitake mushrooms, vanilla brown butter walnut cream, spinach-treviso salad ($16.50).

Lobster in the morning! Ok, this rivaled the duck. Big, generous chunks of lobster in a warm dough blanket? Served with nutty sauce? Please and thank you!

The three of us enjoyed every sip and every bite of this Denver brunch. Cheers!