One of Denver’s longest standing fine-dining establishments is closing its doors – at least for the time being.
The Palace Arms, located inside The Brown Palace and originally opened in 1950, will stop serving food this weekend.
“Palace Arms last dinner service will be May 4th, 2024 until further notice,” an announcement read on the Brown Palace website.
Representatives of the Brown Palace emphasized that this is not a permanent closure, but in their words, a "decision to temporarily suspend operations".
"Our mission is to protect the integrity of our guest experiences to continue to deliver the exceptional service we pride ourselves on, including 'making diners feel like royalty,'" said General Manager Jana Smith in a statement to the Denver Gazette.
The restaurant previously shuttered for 15 months during the COVID-19 pandemic while renovations were made, before re-opening in May 2021.
The restaurant prides itself in an ambiance where diners can “dine amongst Napoleonic artifacts and elevated décor.”
The dishes are likewise advertised as featuring farm fresh and locally sourced ingredients and the wine list has been recognized multiple times by Wine Spectator magazine.
The restaurant has been headed by Executive Chef Kim Moyle, who has run the operation since November 2020 with previous stints at Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort and Sheraton Music City in Nashville.
Highlights from the menu include openers of sherry roasted beets ($22), beef carpaccio ($22) and crab croquette and caviar ($28). Entrees include a Chilean Sea Bass ($64), Elk Chop ($68) and a New York Strip ($74).
The Brown Palace is one of Denver’s longest standing institutions. The flatiron-style building has stood on a parcel bordered by Broadway, and 17th and Tremont streets since 1892. As reported by the Colorado Real Estate Journal, the iconic hotel was sold for $125.35 million back in 2018 and is now part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.
Crescent Real Estate LLC, the current ownership group of the Brown Palace Hotel and Space, issued the following statement regarding the suspension of operations of the Palace Arms.
“Specific to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, we’re focusing efforts on weaving in fresh and modern offerings, alongside upholding many of the time-honored traditions that the iconic hotel is known for. As we continue to evolve to best meet the interests of guests and locals alike, the proactive decision was made to temporarily suspend operations of Palace Arms while the restaurant undergoes a reimagination to better reflect the experiences diners are currently seeking. Our goal is to ensure that we can make changes to continue to offer the memorable service and quality that has made the restaurant beloved for generations, and that the guest experience is not compromised during the process. We expect to resume operations by May 18, with a community wide open house, inviting locals and guests alike to experience a sampling of the new menu items and reimagination,” the company said.
According to the Brown Palace, other dining options, which include Ellyngton's, Ship Tavern, and the Churchill cigar bar, will continue to operate as normal.
(1) comment
Well that's too bad but oh my! $74 for a strip steak? Not a whole lot of folks can afford that type of price. Maybe when they re-open they'll have some offerings more people like me can afford.
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