The look: Jersey Street Bar and Grill is a bright spot in a small strip mall that has had its ups and downs recently. The bar is tight and cozy with a few tall tables. The dining room is more expansive, but welcoming with its burgundy tablecloths and neat servers. It’s nice, though not dressy; jeans for sure, but maybe not a T-shirt.
On the menu: Whatever you are in the mood for, and then some. Want casual? How about the Jersey Street Burger with bacon and pepper jack, a gyro, or the crispy chile rellenos? All $8.50. Take it up a notch with a pasta (like the comfy chicken Parm) or a grilled Cajun chicken breast ($10.50). There’s a full lineup of pizzas and calzones, too. This place will even bring out a flaming saganaki cheese if you have the spirit. Cocktails and draft beers round it out.
The vibe: Every neighborhood needs a place to call its own, and this one is a good fit for casual Mayfair, the east Denver district where people actually know the other people on their block. This new eatery is like that, friendly and unpretentious. It’s an upscale diner really, but it feels fancier. Over time, you could see the owners editing the menu (can a place really do quesadillas and steaks well?), dimming the lights (it’s bright), fine-tuning the wine list (already interesting) and building up loyal regulars (though, that might have happened in less than a month).
The service: Fast, friendly and improving. Jersey Street caught on more quickly than anyone imagined, and they’ve kept up.
When to visit: Dinner. This restaurant is just waiting to serve you a glass of wine and a bowl of onion soup on those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking. It’s a quality, affordable stop. 900 Jersey St., 720-524-8953. 11 a.m. to (around) 10 p.m., 7 days. Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post
