Chocolate Lab - Denver

In the order of the dishes we tried: - Easy Livin sparkling hibiscus lemonade - Meat lasagna - Shrimp risotto - Whiskey tobacco cake - Flaming queen One dish that I didn't get to photograph (unfortunately, the picture didn’t save) was the pork belly over polenta. My partner remarked, "Each bite is a wonder," which is quite a compliment coming from him and a perfect summary of the entire meal. Each cocktail on the menu not only features unique flavors but also offers a whole experience—whether it’s smoke, flames, or the mix of ingredients. The Whiskey had an amazing aroma, and my partner said it tasted fantastic. The drinks are generously poured and certainly pack a punch. As I don’t drink alcohol, I mentioned it to our waitress, and she immediately suggested the sparkling hibiscus lemonade, which I loved. It complemented everything on the menu and helped me power through more of the cake. The pork belly on polenta, which was an appetizer, was cooked to perfection. This restaurant truly knows how to work with the meat they use and the flavors they choose to pair it with. The polenta was incredibly creamy and melted in your mouth, making it a perfect match for the equally tender pork. I tried a bite of the meat lasagna—even though I’m not a fan of lasagna—and was pleasantly surprised. It was well-seasoned, and the chocolate marinara sauce did not overwhelm the other flavors. The house-made bread was also delightful, practically melting in your mouth. My partner thoroughly enjoyed this entree. I ordered the shrimp risotto—which is a recurring theme for me, as I’m a shrimp lover—and it was one of the best risottos I’ve ever had. The chestnut chocolate risotto allowed all the flavors to shine without being too chocolatey, and the shrimp was perfectly cooked, enhancing the dish with its crunchiness from the chestnuts. Now onto dessert: the Whiskey tobacco cake, featuring an espresso ganache thanks to the espresso caramel. Each bite was an experience in itself, and it was served with a berry compote that cut through the chocolate richness. It was quite indulgent, but in a good way! Lastly, we had the Flaming Queen dessert, which my partner deemed "extra" as he requested something spectacular, and it arrived on fire! It paired beautifully with the other dessert and had a creamy flavor that I adored. I want to mention that dinner here is about $30 per plate, with appetizers, drinks, and desserts ranging from $15 to $20 each—so it’s good to be aware of that before you go. However, the atmosphere is very laid-back. We dressed casually, and there was a nice mix of people ranging from slightly dressed-up to casual yet stylish. The space is quite cozy, so be sure to make a reservation rather than hoping to walk in. I highly recommend visiting before they close!

The flavors here are truly exceptional, with incredibly thoughtful combinations that had me craving more even after I was completely full! The scallops, pork belly, and polenta stood out as especially unforgettable. The cocktails were also fantastic—creative, well-crafted, and full of flavor. I highly recommend this restaurant, and we can’t wait to return soon!

I keep checking this page to see when they open a new location because Chocolate Lab is one of the best restaurants I've ever experienced. The ownership and staff are wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable, and the menu features a deliciously creative array of food and drinks. They also have an extensive selection of decadent chocolates, and I can confidently say that they serve the best café mocha I’ve ever had. I celebrate my birthday here every December. Please come back soon; I miss you!

In the order of the photos: we started with the Simple Living Spark Hibiscus Lemonade, followed by a meat dish, the Shrimp Whiskey Tabak Cake, and the Flaming Queen. Not pictured—because it seems I didn't save the photo—was the pork belly over polenta. My partner remarked, "Every bite is a miracle," which is a high compliment and perfectly sums up the meal. Each cocktail not only delivered a unique flavor but also enhanced the overall dining experience. The whiskey had a wonderful aroma, and my partner exclaimed how good it was. They certainly don’t skimp on the ingredients; the drinks were robust. As I don’t drink alcohol, I mentioned this to our waitress, who promptly recommended the Sparkling Hibiscus Lemonade. I was thrilled to follow her suggestion, as it paired beautifully with every dish and helped balance the richness of the cake. The pork belly served over polenta was an appetizer cooked to perfection. This restaurant truly understands the cuts of meat they use and the flavors that complement them. The polenta was creamy and melted in your mouth, perfectly paired with the tender, flavorful pork. My partner described the meat lasagna, which I only tried a single bite of since I’m not a huge lasagna fan, as well-seasoned, though I found the chocolate marinara sauce a bit overpowering. The bread was clearly homemade and also melted in the mouth. I ordered the shrimp risotto (you might notice I have a penchant for shrimp), and it turned out to be one of the best risottos I’ve ever had. The chestnut chocolate risotto allowed the flavors to shine without being overwhelmed by chocolate. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and went wonderfully with the crispy texture from the chestnuts. Now onto dessert: the Whiskey Tabak Cake. This came adorned with an espresso ganache, featuring a delicious espresso caramel. Every bite was an experience, and it was served with a berry compote to cut through the rich chocolate. It was quite decadent, and the dish was flambéed, adding a dramatic flair. I should note that this is a $30 per dish restaurant, with appetizers and drinks ranging from $15 to $20, so just be aware of that before your visit. The atmosphere here is cozy and inviting. We kept it casual; there was a nice mix of patrons—some dressed up a bit, but no formal attire was necessary, just nice shirts and casual dresses. It’s a popular spot, so it’s wise to make a reservation rather than just showing up. I highly recommend going before closing!

I can’t give enough stars for this place! The food was absolutely incredible, and the staff were fantastic. Although I couldn't enjoy the alcohol myself, my partner assured me his drink was delicious. I really hope you find a new location soon, so we can come back again!