Holiday Nights, Velvet Bites — Denver’s Finest Dinner Menu This December

This December, as snow dusts the Mile High City and lights twinkle across downtown, The Velvet Cellar transforms into a haven of warmth and sophistication. Our Holiday Nights, Velvet Bites dinner menu invites you to savor the season with dishes crafted to celebrate winter’s bounty. Nestled in the heart of Denver, we blend local Colorado ingredients with bold, globally inspired flavors, creating an unforgettable dining journey. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones or seeking a romantic evening under soft velvet glow, our menu promises elevated comfort and festive elegance.

We’ve curated every plate to evoke the magic of the holidays—rich, soul-warming flavors paired with thoughtful presentations that sparkle like the city’s winter skyline. From intimate small plates to grand signature entrees, each bite reflects our passion for hospitality and culinary artistry. Join us in Denver this December and let The Velvet Cellar be the backdrop for your holiday memories.

Small Plates to Ignite Your Denver Holiday Evening

Kick off your night with our selection of small plates, designed for sharing and savoring. These vibrant starters capture the essence of Denver’s culinary spirit, blending local produce with inventive twists.

Starters That Spark Conversation

• Ricotta: Creamy house-made ricotta drizzled with pine nut and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, served alongside crisp focaccia. A vegetarian delight that’s gluten-free adaptable. $10.
• Chicken Lollipops: Four brined, hickory-smoked drums glazed in Jamaican jerk barbecue and finished with pickled mustard seed. Bold, smoky, and utterly addictive. $20.
• Tartare*: Finely chopped premium beef mingled with shallot, chives, garlic aioli, olive oil, and cured egg yolk, presented with focaccia. Gluten-free adaptable for a raw, refined experience. $24.
• Meatballs: A hearty blend of beef and sausage simmered in tomato consommé. Gluten-free comfort in every bite. $10.

Elevated Bites for Denver’s Discerning Palates

Our charcuterie board stands as a centerpiece for any table. Chef-curated selections of cured meats and cheeses arrive with seasonal accompaniments, vegetarian and gluten-free adaptable. $35. For a cooler note, try the Crudo*—salt-cured salmon belly topped with blueberry granita, crème fraîche, fermented blueberries, and a kick of jalapeño. Gluten-free and refreshingly bold. $24.

Seafood lovers will adore the Jumbo Lump Crabcake, perched atop escabeche with orange buerre blanc and trout roe for a burst of ocean elegance. $25. Or dive into Calamari fried to golden perfection and tossed in tamarind sweet chili sauce with spicy aioli. $9.

These small plates set the stage for a Denver holiday dinner that feels both intimate and indulgent, encouraging lingering conversations over shared flavors.

From the Garden: Fresh, Seasonal Salads and Sides in Denver

Our garden-inspired dishes highlight Colorado’s winter harvest, bringing vibrant colors and crisp textures to your holiday table. We source from local farms to ensure every leaf and root sings with freshness.

Verdant Beginnings

• Roasted Squash: Seasonal Colorado squash roasted with maple butter, finished in a squash and cream reduction, and crowned with focaccia pepita gremolata. Vegetarian and gluten-free adaptable. $sak14.
• Crudite: A colorful array of Colorado farmers market vegetables paired with roasted beet hummus, green goddess dressing, gluten-free crackers, and yuzu-pickled beets. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan. $20.
• Fall Salad: Local greens tossed with peach slices, maple-spiced walnuts, shallots, Colorado radish, and orange cardamom vinaigrette. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan. $16.
• Smoked Beet Salad: Radicchio layered with whipped goat cheese, fried capers, shallot, and herb-infused vinaigrette. Gluten-free with vegan adaptability. $18.
• Garden Farro: Hearty farro mingled with Colorado farmers market vegetables, white wine, butter, lemon, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Vegetarian with vegan adaptability. $24.

These plates offer a lighter counterpoint to richer courses, embodying Denver’s commitment to farm-fresh dining during the festive season. Each salad is a canvas of textures—crunchy, creamy, tangy—perfect for balancing your holiday feast.

Signature Plates: Hearty Entrees for Denver’s Winter Nights

As the evening deepens, our signature plates take center stage, delivering bold flavors and generous portions that warm the soul. Drawing from Colorado’s ranchlands and coastal influences, these entrees are crafted for celebration.

Mains That Define the Season

• Bolognese Pappardelle: Wide ribbons of pasta enveloped in a rich ragu of beef, pork, and lamb, with bianco soffritto, sautéed greens, and a drizzle of chili oil. $30.
• Steak Frites*: An 8-ounce Colorado-grown, grass-fed hanger steak marinated in citrus, served with chipotle chimichurri and hand-cut fries. Gluten-free adaptable. $41.
• New York Strip*: A 12-ounce Colorado-grown, grass-fed strip steak topped with caramelized onions and Colorado oyster mushrooms. Naturally gluten-free. $72.
• Baby Back Ribs: Sakura pork ribs slathered in coffee barbecue, accompanied by Colorado grits and collard greens. Gluten-free. $23.
• Shrimp & Gnocchi: Plump Gulf Coast shrimp sautéed with tomato, shallot, white wine, butter, and garlic, tossed with pillowy gnocchi. $25.
• Blackened Salmon*: Perfectly seared salmon over roasted tomato couscous with seasonal vegetables and chili beet fluid gel. Gluten-free. $38.

In Denver this December, these dishes become the heart of your holiday gathering. The Steak Frites offers a nod to bistro classics with a Rocky Mountain twist, while the Baby Back Ribs bring smoky, fall-off-the-bone tenderness that pairs beautifully with our collard greens.

For the Table: Shareable Sides to Complete Your Denver Feast

No holiday meal is complete without sides that steal the show. Our “For the Table” selections are meant for passing and enjoying family-style, enhancing every entree with complementary flavors.

Sides That Bring Everyone Together

• Sourdough Focaccia: Warm, house-baked focaccia with charred onion marrow butter. Vegetarian and gluten-free adaptable. $8.
• Cast Iron Cornbread: Served piping hot with honey butter and seasonal jam. Vegetarian. $6.
• Roasted Carrots: Glazed with Beesquared honey, dolloped with crème fraîche, and finished with carrot top chimichurri and focaccia pepita gremolata. Vegetarian, gluten-free adaptable, with vegan adaptability. $14.
• Collard Greens: Slowly braised Colorado collards for deep, savory comfort. Gluten-free. $8.
• Truffle Mash: Silky potatoes infused with truffle oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and shaved truffle. Vegetarian and gluten-free. $10.
• Mac & Cheese: Macaroni shells in a creamy blend of yellow and white cheddar with pueblo jack. Vegetarian. $12.

These sides transform your table into a festive spread, encouraging second helpings and shared delight. The Truffle Mash adds luxurious depth, while the Cast Iron Cornbread brings sweet, homestyle warmth to Denver’s chilly evenings.

Off the Block: Grand Proteins for Denver’s Most Memorable Holidays

For those seeking a showstopping centerpiece, our “Off the Block” selections deliver premium cuts and whole preparations that command attention. Sourced from Colorado’s finest ranches and waters, these dishes elevate any celebration.

Impressive Entrees for the Table

• Roast Chicken: A Miller Farms Amish half chicken roasted to golden perfection, finished with lemon buerre blanc. Gluten-free. $45.
• Pork Chop*: A massive 28-ounce bone-in Sakura pork chop served with aji corn purée and pickled mustard seed. Gluten-free. $50.
• Rack of Lamb*: A full 24-ounce rack, herb-crusted and paired with crème fraîche and salsa macha. $85.
• Colorado Sea Bass: Whole roasted fish drizzled in caper scampi sauce with escabeche. Gluten-free. $55.
• Tomahawk*: A towering 24-ounce Colorado-grown, grass-fed steak accompanied by charred onion marrow butter and black garlic steak sauce. Gluten-free. $170.

The Tomahawk is a feast for the eyes and palate, perfect for sharing under Denver’s holiday lights. Carved tableside, it embodies generosity and craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the Rack of Lamb offers refined elegance with its herb crust and spicy salsa macha finish.

Denver’s Velvet Cellar: Where Holiday Nights Come Alive with Velvet Bites

As your evening unfolds, the ambiance of The Velvet Cellar wraps you in plush comfort. Deep velvet banquettes, soft candlelight, and the hum of holiday cheer create a sanctuary from Denver’s winter bustle. Our team moves with grace, ensuring every pour of wine and presentation of plate feels seamless and personal.

We believe the holidays are about connection—over food that comforts, excites, and surprises. From the first crisp bite of crudite to the final savor of truffle mash, our menu is a love letter to Denver’s vibrant food scene and the joy of the season. Local ingredients shine in every dish, from grass-fed steaks to farmers market vegetables, grounding your experience in Colorado’s rich terroir.

This December, let us host your holiday dinner. Whether it’s a cozy date night or a lively group celebration, The Velvet Cellar promises an evening where flavors linger as warmly as the memories.

Reserve Your Table for Denver’s Unforgettable Holiday Nights at The Velvet Cellar

Don’t miss the chance to experience Holiday Nights, Velvet Bites. Book your reservation today and secure your spot in Denver’s most enchanting dinner destination this December. Visit our website or call us now—tables fill quickly during the festive season. We look forward to welcoming you.