DENReview
Olive & Finch
When we heard chef Mary Nguyen (of P17 (f/k/a Parallel Seventeen)) was opening a new spot on 17th Ave., we were jacked to check out the new digs. And we’re glad we did, because Olive & Finch is quickly becoming our go-to brunch spot in Uptown. The modern cafe vibe and the gang of pastries up front make you feel almost continental...assuming you can ignore the Qdoba next door.
Olive & Finch is a great neighborhood hang that has something for everybody. Coffee and a pastry? They got that. Salad and a mimosa? Get it gurl. Pulled pork and runny eggs in a cast iron skillet? Cop that. It’s brunch (or lunch) without the bullsh*t. No long waits, no surly waiters, and no being abandoned after the check is dropped. Order and pay at the counter, sit down and dig in. Simple.
The staff is very friendly and accommodating. And the patio out front, though small, is nice and tranquil. It’s the perfect place to waste a few hours eating and drinking with friends. Luckily, you’ll be in the shade, so you won’t end up with that uniquely Denver look. We also appreciate the wall-mounted chalkboard specials and the children’s block with your initial on it (so the staff knows where to drop your food). So many places get the details wrong, but Olive & Finch gets them all right.
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Food Rundown
D.F.
What’s D.F. stand for? Distrito Federal, obviously. We can’t vouch for its autenticidad, but the D.F. is awesome, spicy and super filling. You can get this as a breakfast burrito if you like, but come on. How can you pass up a hash with sunny side up eggs in a mini cast iron skillet? You can’t. Either way, you also get a side of fruit and some bread. The only bummer is you can’t get the eggs poached.
Pastries/Baked Goods
That cinnamon roll...yup, you’ll want to get one of those. The croissants and coffee cake are damn good too. You honestly can’t go wrong, just scream “BREAD” at the counter and they’ll probably figure it out.
Sonoma
We don’t mean to blow up your spot, but this is your order when you wear workout gear all day, and never get around to the actual workout. With no meat and no cheese, the description makes you almost feel good about yourself. It’s definitely lighter than the D.F., but just as hearty and filling. The flavors are dead on and you can go hash or burrito. We won’t tell anyone you didn’t get that run in.
Sunrise
Goddamn. We highly recommend this. No...you need this. The perfect mix of savory bacon and runny eggs, with smoky, roasted tomatoes and a sweet maple aioli. It really, really works. Underneath it all, the toasted bread stays crispy somehow and is a nice texture contrast.
Jamal
Blackened tilapia with avocado, capers and coleslaw. This is a briny, creamy sandwich with homemade chips that’s a pretty decent option, but you can do better here.
City French
A hamtastic choice that is super creamy, with brie and a buttery croissant. How do the French eat this food all the time and not die? The roasted red pepper aioli kicks it up a bit and is damn tasty. Very good.
