Guard and Grace in Denver, Colorado, is a celebrated modern American steakhouse that has earned a reputation for its vibrant atmosphere, progressive menu, and commitment to an elegant yet inviting dining experience.
Here is a comprehensive look at the restaurant, covering its unique features, history, customer feedback, menu highlights, and contact information.
What Makes Guard and Grace Unique
Guard and Grace, named after Chef/Owner Troy Guard’s daughter, redefines the traditional steakhouse. Instead of a dark, stuffy environment, it embraces a light, airy, and modern design with high ceilings and an open, exhibition-style kitchen.
- Design and Vibe: The restaurant’s design is award-winning, bringing the “outside in” and featuring dramatic touches like copper rods dangling from the high ceiling, which reportedly represent Denver’s 5,280-foot elevation. The dress code is described as “casual elegance.”
- The Menu: The menu is highly progressive for a steakhouse, offering much more than just beef. It showcases Chef Guard’s Hawaiian roots and culinary journey by featuring a plethora of seafood and diverse small plates, alongside its premium cuts of steak.
History
Guard and Grace was the first of Chef Troy Guard’s upscale concepts and has been a fixture in the Denver dining scene. It opened in 2014 and has since been consistently ranked as one of the best steakhouses in the city. Its success led to the opening of a second location in Houston.
Customer Feedback Highlights
Guard and Grace is a MICHELIN Guide restaurant known for its exceptional food and service, though, like any high-end restaurant, it has received varied feedback, particularly concerning value and consistency.
- Praise:
- The Steaks: Guests frequently praise the quality of the beef, noting that the Specialty Filet Flight (a tasting of prime, wagyu, and grass-fed filet mignon) is a must-try experience. The cuts are often described as phenomenal, buttery, and cooked to perfection on the oak-fired grill, which imparts a subtle, smoky flavor.
- Unique Dishes: The Crispy Tuna Sushi and Oak Grilled Octopus are often singled out as “phenomenal” and among the best of their kind in Colorado.
- Sides and Dessert: The Handmade Gnocchi (often with truffle), Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and Whipped Potatoes are very popular. For dessert, the Warm Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies (made with Troy’s secret recipe) and the Sticky Toffee Cake are highly recommended.
- Service: Many reviews commend the servers for being polished, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and preparation methods.
- Constructive Feedback: Some reviewers, particularly from the early days, occasionally mentioned inconsistent service or dishes that were hit or miss. The high prices have led some to conclude that the value did not always match their high expectations.
Highlighted Menu Items
The menu is divided into an extensive Raw Bar, Appetizers, and different categories of steaks and main entrees.
| Category | Dish | Description/Praise |
| Steaks | Filet Flight | A highly-praised sampler of 4oz Prime, Wagyu, and Grass-Fed Filet Mignon. Customers often favor the decadent, melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu. |
| Seafood | Crispy Tuna Sushi | Tuna, avocado, serrano pepper, yuzu kabayaki, and spicy aioli. Described as the “best crispy tuna” in Colorado. |
| Seafood | Oak Grilled Octopus | Served with white bean & celery salad, Spanish chorizo, sherry vinaigrette, and red pepper sauce. Cooked four different ways to ensure soft, meaty bites. |
| Sides | Handmade Gnocchi | Tender pillows, lightly kissed with truffle and chive, considered some of the best gnocchi by customers. |
| Entrees | Alaskan Black Cod | Often cited as one of the best fish dishes on the menu, served with charred broccolini and sweet soy butter. |
| Dessert | Warm Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies | Troy’s secret recipe—crispy on the outside, chewy and gooey on the inside. Available by the half dozen. |
Significant Events
While a comprehensive list of all events is not available, Guard and Grace frequently hosts significant and exclusive culinary events:
- Wine Dinners: The restaurant regularly features exclusive wine dinners, such as the Palmaz Vineyards Wine Dinner, Dakota Shy Wine Dinner, and Hundred Acre Wine Dinner, where expertly curated dishes are paired with fine wines.
- Collaboration Dinners: They host special collaboration events with other celebrated chefs, such as the “Guard and Grazie! With Chef Avner” dinner featuring Chef Avner Levi of Cento Pasta Bar.
- Charity Events: Guard and Grace also hosts “Dine for a Cause” events, like the one with Chef Robert Irvine, with proceeds benefiting foundations supporting veterans and first responders.
- Annual Parties: They hold popular annual events, such as the Rosé Party, a festive gathering that includes cocktails and support for a wine education scholarship.
Contact and Location Information
Guard and Grace is conveniently located in Downtown Denver.
Address:
1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
Phone Number:
(303) 293-8500
Website and Social Media Links:
| Item | Link |
| Website | Guard and Grace Website |
| Menu | Denver Menu |
| Reservations | Reservations |
| Guard and Grace Denver on Facebook (Search result suggests this social link) | |
| Guard and Grace Denver on Instagram (Search result suggests this social link) | |
| Directions | Directions to Guard and Grace |
