Guard and Grace - Denver
1801 California St, Denver
(303) 293-8500
Recent Reviews
Sort by
Atmosphere: {{ item.info.Atmosphere }}
Food: {{ item.info.Food }}
Service: {{ item.info.Service }}
Recommended dishes: {{ item.info['Recommended dishes'] }}
We had a wonderful evening celebrating my wife's Birthday. We felt valued, enjoyed our meal and the friendly service. We will definitely be back!
Our dining experience was amazing from start to finish! We did wait a little longer for a booth, but they accommodated my request with no problem. From the moment we sat down, the service was outstanding. Our server was incredibly kind, walked us through the menu, and even gave great suggestions. They started us off with a complimentary ceviche tostada, plus warm bread with the most delicious butter. For appetizers, we ordered the oak-grilled octopus super tender and packed with flavor. Dinner was just as delicious. We had the oak-grilled salmon and the filet flight with an oak-grilled lobster tail. For sides, we ordered the black truffle mac & cheese (my personal favorite!), whipped potatoes, and the foraged mushrooms. Our server suggested getting half sizes, and I'm so glad he did because we still had leftovers. For dessert, we ordered the Banana-misu banana cake, mocha mousse, lady fingers, caramelized banana, and chocolate crunchy pearls and the triple chocolate chip cookies. Both were absolutely to die for. The ambiance was great too. It was a little loud, but the music was good so we didn't mind at all. Overall, an incredible experience and we will definitely be back!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Exceptional – Guard & Grace Went Above and Beyond Guard & Grace exceeded every expectation during our Friendsgiving dinner. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel welcomed, cared for, and genuinely valued. I have several food allergies, and restaurants often make me feel like a burden—but not here. The team was incredibly accommodating, warm, and proactive. They took the time to thoroughly understand my restrictions, double-check ingredients, and ensure every dish was safe without ever making it feel inconvenient. Their kindness alone was five-star worthy. And the food? Amazing. Every plate was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The atmosphere was vibrant and upscale yet still cozy enough to enjoy meaningful conversations. But the real standout was the service—attentive, sincere, and truly thoughtful. It's rare to experience a place where every detail feels intentional. Guard & Grace helped make our Friendsgiving dinner not just special, but unforgettable. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Highly, highly recommend.
We had an absolutely incredible dining experience at this restaurant! From start to finish, everything was flawless. The service was outstanding, attentive, professional, and genuinely warm. Every single food item we received was wonderful, cooked and seasoned to absolute perfection. As my husband and I both come from the restaurant industry, we are very picky and have high standards. That said, we were completely blown away by the quality, consistency, and attention to detail here. It's rare for us to walk away this impressed, but this restaurant truly delivered an exceptional experience. The only small side note is that the music was just a touch loud, but honestly, that did not take away from what was otherwise an unforgettable evening. We can't wait to come back!
Excellent in every way. Food was exceptional and service was amazing! Atmosphere is perfectly balanced and pleasing both visually and with great music that's at just the right level to allow good conversation. It was probably the best dining experience I have had!
We got crammed into a booth that comfortably seats 4 with 7 men, none under 6 feet and 200 pounds. There was confusion on the number of guests even though Open table clearly noted we were 7 people. The mater de did her best to accommodate but said all other tables that could accommodate us were already reserved... and those tables sat empty all night. A missed opportunity by an otherwise outstanding meal food wise.
A group of me and my friends came from out of town. The service was excellent. The food was even better. Can't wait to return and enjoy this place again!
A top-notch experience from start to finish. They always make celebrations feel truly special. Thank you!
We celebrated our first anniversary at Guard and Grace, and it was absolutely perfect! The service was amazing, every staff member was so kind and attentive. The food and drinks were outstanding, and the quality was top-notch. We even received a cute card and dessert to celebrate our anniversary, which was such a thoughtful touch. Highly recommend this restaurant for any special occasion (or just because)!
What a fantastic dinner. Everything we ordered was among the best ever. Had wagyu tartare and octopus to start. Both were prepared beautifully with sauces that complimented the dishes perfectly. Then onto the 8oz wagyu New York steaks that melted in our mouths and were cooked to perfection. Add in amazing service and the dinner was one to remember.
Restaurantji Recommends
I recently visited Guard & Grace for a steak dinner and overall, it was a good experience with a few caveats.
Walking into the restaurant, I loved the atmosphere. It's nicely decorated and the staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. I sat at the bar to avoid waiting for a table, and the bartender was super helpful in recommending a beer I really enjoyed.
Now, the food presentation was impeccable—the steak looked gorgeous, the veggie sides were beautifully plated, and I particularly loved the twist of Thai basil in the broccolini, which is one of my favorite herbs. So visually, everything was spot on.
However, I did find the actual taste a bit off for my liking because everything was a little too salty. The steak was well-seasoned on its own, but when combined with the sides, which also had a lot of salt or maybe Parmesan, it just ended up being a bit overwhelming. Also, the veggies were a tad underdone for my taste—I do like a crunch, but these were just slightly too crunchy and could have been cooked a little more.
In summary, it's a beautiful spot with great service and presentation. I just wish they'd tone down the salt a bit and cook the veggies a touch more. For the price, I was hoping for slightly better balance in flavor.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Really great restaurant. We were visiting from out of town and getting a reservation was fairly easy. The staff was welcoming and full of great suggestions! I recommend the tomahawk, gnocchi, crispy tuna, filet flight, and duck fries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent meal, nice touches throughout. Great service. I only complaint would be noise if your city in the outer area I would ask to be seated in the back room if possible where the noise was much less.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently had dinner at Guard and Grace in downtown Denver and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt sophisticated yet inviting. The space is beautifully designed with an open, airy layout, warm lighting, and a lively but not overwhelming buzz. The hostess greeted us warmly and our server made us feel right at home while walking us through the menu and wine list.
The food was truly exceptional. We started with a selection of appetizers, including the charred octopus and the tuna poke, both of which were fresh, beautifully plated, and full of flavor. For the main course, I opted for the dry-aged ribeye while my guest chose the filet. Both steaks were cooked to perfection with a rich, deep flavor that shows the kitchen takes their craft seriously. The sides deserve their own mention — the truffle mac and cheese was decadent and creamy, and the roasted Brussels sprouts had just the right amount of char and seasoning. Everything tasted balanced and thoughtfully prepared rather than heavy or overdone.
The wine list is extensive but approachable, and our server gave excellent recommendations that paired perfectly with our meal. The cocktails are also worth trying; they’re creative and well balanced, offering twists on classics alongside unique house specials.
Service throughout the evening was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy guiding us through the experience. Courses were paced perfectly, water glasses stayed full, and small touches — like replacing plates between courses and checking in at just the right times — made the evening feel seamless and relaxed.
The ambiance strikes a perfect note between special-occasion dining and comfortable sophistication. You can dress up and celebrate or simply enjoy a great meal in a beautiful space. Even though the restaurant was full, it never felt noisy or rushed, which made it easy to have a conversation and savor each dish.
Overall, Guard and Grace delivers everything you would hope for in one of Denver’s top restaurants: outstanding food, a beautiful setting, and exceptional service. Whether you’re a local looking for a memorable night out or a visitor wanting to experience the best of Denver’s dining scene, this is a place I would recommend without hesitation and one I plan to return to again soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...