Ship Tavern @ Denver

An institution in Denver, we went to Brown Palace Hotel for dinner at the revered Ship Tavern.

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection in downtown Denver, has been synonymous with extraordinary service since its opening more than a century ago, in 1892.

Right at one end of the beautiful entrance is The Palace Arms, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. The walls in The Palace Arms are decorated with prints and antiques from the time of Napoleon, which were collected in France after World War II at the request of Claude “C.K.” Boettcher, the hotel’s second owner. Mr. Boettcher had a great admiration for Napoleon, and he adorned the new restaurant, which opened on April 13, 1950, in the style of the Emperor’s opulence.

As the table as not ready, we proceeded to the Churchill Bar for a pre-dinner drink. For over a century, The Brown Palace’s smoking lounges and bars uphold the legacy of Colorado’s “Little Capital”. These were where politicians and business tycoons frequent after meetings to continue the conversations that shape Colorado. Since opening its doors in 1996, Churchill Bar is no different.

Palace Arms Manhattan

Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Carpano Antica Formula, Bitters

We had to order the signature Manhattan, made with an American bourbon and Italian vermouth. Carpano Antica Formula stands out from all the other vermouths thanks to its unique bouquet and its unmistakable vanilla notes.

Ship Tavern opened in 1934 after the repeal of prohibition making it the oldest restaurant in the hotel. The décor includes a complete mast and crow’s nest, an old ship’s clock, Jamaican rum barrels, and a collection of sailing ship models former hotel owner, Claude K. Boettcher, acquired on a visit to Cape Cod.

Because Mrs Boettcher thought that these ship models did not match the decor of the house, they were never allowed to be place at home. So Mr Boettcher place them in the Brown Palace, which the family acquitted in 1922 as part of their Colorado business empire.

1892 Old Fashioned

Whistle Pig 6 Year PiggyBack Rye, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Bitters

One of my colleague from Denver told me that I had to get an Old Fashioned from here, as they make the best Old Fashion in town. 1892 Old Fashioned was made with a very strong rye whiskey, which burned as it went down the throat.

The Chopped Wedge

Iceberg, Bacon, Tomato, Red Onion, Blue Cheese Crumbles

First up, a simple chopped wedge salad. The flavours came in the form of crumbled blue cheese bits in the salad that did not overwhelmed too much for those did not like the stinky dairy.

Crab Cake

Lump Crab, Rémoulade Sauce

Crab cakes are a hit-or-miss affair most of the times, and yet I try this culinary roulette all the time because of my lover for crabs. This crab cake was ordinary, and I wished they left the remoulade sauce in a sauce boat instead of placing it under cakes which turned the crust soggy.

Ship Tavern’s Famous Prime Rib

Au Jus, Horseradish Cream, Baked Potato, Seasonal Vegetables

A Denver mainstay, the Ship Tavern still strikes notes of nostalgia, corralling locals and tourists alike with its piano bar and lionised prime rib; fatty and tender slabs of slow-roasted meat paired with whipped potatoes, vegetables, grilled tomatoes, au jus and horseradish, this was definitely the highlight of the evening, if not the trip.

We ended the enjoyable with a salted caramel pecan pie to share among the table. I ordered a side of vanilla ice cream to top onto the warm pie. Sweetness overload!

You know that feeling when you go somewhere and it feels like you have arrived? Like you instantaneously know you are guaranteed to have an extraordinary time and make new memories? The Ship Tavern and Brown Palace Hotel are such a place, with its art decor and industrial feel that brought you back to when USA was mighty and upbeat. The food was ok, the service was seasoned. But it was the atmosphere that blew us away.

Ship Tavern at The Brown Palace Hotel
321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202, United States
Tel : +1 303-312-8943

Visited Oct 2023

@brownpalace #shiptavern #brownpalace