Bittersweet

Just north of Wash park on Alameda and Pennsylvannia, this former garage space has been transformed into Bittersweet, a small artisanal spot manned by Chef Olav Peterson formally of Bistro one.  The space is small with two dining rooms with a little more than a dozen total tables.  The plain grey walls and white (ikea like) furniture were uninspiring but then again, i'm not an interior decorator but rather a self proclaimed foodie.  Neither of us were very hungry so we skipped the appetizers and ordered the lamb canneloni and monkfish as our entrees.  As we waited for our entrees, we nibbled on the fresh and crusty house roll of fennel and kalamata olive.  For those of you who know me, i despise olives but i did not taste it at all, probably masked by the distinct flavor fennel seeds.  Additionally more places should have complimentary bread.

The lamb canneloni with housemade pasta and ricotta, was dressed with some microgreens and a reduced bacon lamb and mushroom sauce.  I found the sauce to be slightly salty but the shredded lamb was tender and not too gamey as it can sometimes be.  The  two pieces of pan fried monkfish were served with a roasted baby cauliflower and lobster hash and a cauliflower bisque (really more like a sauce).  I don't usually encounter monkfish here in denver, but the texture is a cross between lobster and halibut.  It was a unique dish with nice chunks of lobster but the flavor profile was a bit flat.   I think bittersweet has potential but I don't feel the need to revisit anytime soon.

Plate score: 7