MacKenzie's Chop House

Once again, we visited a favorite restaurant of ours before going to an event at the Pikes Peak Center.  This time – it was the Blue Man Group – and of course, we had to stop at MacKenzie’s Chop House for drinks and appetizers before the show. 

And – bonus – Ramsey was bartending!  She was voted Gold (first place) in the Gazette’s 2011 “Best of” bartender listing – and MacKenzie’s would be wise to pay her what she’s worth and keep her as the primary bartender! She’s friendly, remembers customers, fast behind the bar, mixes good drinks, attentive … exemplifies really good service.  Ramsey (and one of her MacKenzie’s predecessors – Sean) set the standards by which we “measure” our bartenders.  Ramsey sets that bar (forgive the pun) high!

We snagged a couple of chairs at the bar and Ramsey was right there – ready to take our drink orders.  She knows we know the menu and we have our favorite drinks, so she was not surprised by my request for Killer Kool-Aid and Mike’s Chop House Manhattan.  The drinks were there in a jiffy – icy cold and perfectly mixed.

After checking out the fresh sheet to make sure oyster were available, we asked for a dozen on the half-shell.  Then, after some discussion, we also ordered the beef and brie – which is hearty enough for a meal.  Our oysters were out in no time and we asked Ramsey to put in the beef and brie order. 

The oysters arrived and they were good – a bit small – but good.  (I think all oysters are good – but the ones we got at Hemmingway’s in Denver years ago were some of the best we’d ever had – before or since. Is Hemmingway’s still around? Alas, no.  It’s now Max Gill & Grill; but they still serve sea food.  Anybody been there?)

Just about the time we’d finished off the oysters and Ramsey gracefully swept away the dishes, here came the beef and brie.  Warmed brie (almost melted) with beef tips and dark gravy – over crusty garlic crostini.  Excellent!

As a finisher – I ordered the dates – simply to die for.  Plump dates stuffed with gorgonzola, wrapped with bacon and served with a balsamic reduction. Absolutely the perfect last bites with the last few sips of my second Killer Kool-Aid. 

So, with that – pay the check, visit with Ramsey again for just a minute (she knows how to keep us coming back!) – and off to the show. 

MacKenzie’s Chop House – Do Again? You bet.  And again, and again, and again.