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Argyll GastroPub - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Gastropubs Restaurants American (New) Gastropubs, American (New) [Edit]
2700 E 3rd AveDenver, CO 80206
Neighborhoods: Cherry Creek, Southeast
(720) 382-1117
Announcement
Three new Summer menus out: Brunch (Lemon Ricotta French Toast) Lunch (Salmon Filet Sanwich) Dinner (Tobasco Braised Short Rib w Quail Egg)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
162 reviews for Argyll GastroPub
Review Highlights
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"LOVED the Scotch Egg, just do it." In 28 reviews -
"The Mac and cheese is great too." In 47 reviews -
"...don't miss the potato chips with malt vinegar gastrique." In 4 reviews
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162 reviews in English
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Review from CORY D.
Denver, CO
Updated - 11/30/2011
Are they planning on re-opening anytime soon? I miss you Argyll!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/28/2010
apps are good... warm olives with melted feta... yum! pork belly had great flavors, was not the best… Read more »
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Review from Katherine N.
Englewood, CO
11/9/2011
Nothing like a british pub, so be prepared for that.
The place was relatively empty and we told the person that seated us that we were looking for an intimate corner only to be seated next to a noisy table of 10.
The food was good, but there seemed to be more attention to how it was presented rather than taste. The server was not very knowledgeable about the beer/ wine selection.
All and all, I'll try it again... Just not in any hurry to do so. -
Review from Becky R.
8/1/2011
I purchased a gift certificate ($25 for $50 kind of thing) for Argyll, and I was very excited to try a Scottish-style pub (seeing as how my husband is of Scottish heritage). We went during a weeknight, and there were not too many people in there, but it was also rainy so I won't judge them on that.
We ordered a charcuterie plate for the 3 of us, which was tasty if not a bit on the stingy side. Then we each ordered an entree. While everything was delicious, the entrees were disappointingly small. My friend's entree was so tiny, I think the veggie accompaniment consisted of something like 3 baby carrots and a pearl onion. In order to not be hungry still at the end of the meal, she ordered a side of sauteed veggies (which actually didn't exist on the menu, they just kind of whipped something up), which basically ended up being veggies dripping in butter. I don't mind small entrees, when you know that sides cost extra, but this was disappointing.
All in all, this experience was okay... everything was pretty tasty, but the portions were small and I didn't feel like the size was warranted in this atmosphere. They call themselves a pub, but it seemed like they wanted to be something fancier than that. Typical case of identity crisis I guess. Unless the overall reviews improve, I likely will not return. -
Review from Mike K.
Denver, CO
5/20/2011 2 photos
We went here after getting the lunch deal from Groupon or LivingSocial (can't remember which). Anyhow, my wife got their evil Mac and Cheese, a must have. I can't even describe how good it is. Full of cheese, mushrooms, bacon, and peas. I had the Argyll Burger which was equally as good. All the flavors on it went quite well together. We also split a Scotch Egg for an appetizer which was something neither of us had tasted prior to that. Deep fried and runny. What more could you need?
We'll be back at some point. -
Review from Erin H.
5/15/2011
Went last night for the first time. And, thankfully my fabulous friend had a gift card as the prices are a bit higher than my typical dinner place. That being said, the food was worth every penny! Between the two of us, we tried a variety so I feel completely comfortable giving 5 stars based on my first visit.
First off, the service was excellent! Our server, Molly, was delightful and knowledgeable. Since it was our first time, she was extremely helpful with recommendations on what was the best and what was just ok. I think we ended up being there for 4 hours (fun Saturday night catching up) and she was attentive the whole time and never implied in any way that we had overstayed our welcome (be honest, you've eaten in restaurants where that has happened!). The owner also came over to chat with us and it is clear that he is passionate about and proud of his restaurant.
Our selections for the evening: bottle of Malbec, glasses of 20 year port, the homemade chips with malt vinegar, selection of meats and cheeses (duck prosciutto, lamb cripenette, chicken pate, manchego, d'argental, and andalucia), crab and corn fritters, wild boar, Argyll burger with a side of mac and cheese, and the toffee/shortbread desert.
The food highlights:
The d'argental cheese was fantastic. It's similar to brie, but was a tiny bit saltier and super creamy. It was particularly yummy combined with the duck prosciutto on the little baguette slices
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The lamb cripenette. Round sausage patty that had a Lebanese flavor to it. Molly recommended and it was good!
I had the Argyll burger based on previous Yelp reviews and for a burger it was extremely tasty. I substituted mac and cheese (for a slight upcharge) for the fries. It too was tasty, but VERY rich, so I would definitely advise just getting a side order, not the full entree.
All of the above were fantastic and I'd go back for any of them, but the shining star of the night was the wild boar! Molly strongly recommended it and my friend was adventurous enough to get it (and nice enough to share with me). It is out of this world good! GO HERE AND GET IT! I will definitely be back and I will be getting the boar.
All around it was a lovely evening - service, food, and company. Just don't try to do Argyll on the cheap side because you will miss out on the full experience. It's well worth the splurge. -
Review from Jordan B.
Denver, CO
4/11/2011
I tried Argyll for happy hour last week for the first time. It was just OK. Nice patio and good service, and the shrimp mac and cheese was FAB. We also enjoyed the Moscow mules and the pub chips.
We asked the waiter to pull together a charcuterie selection for us, and we weren't crazy about it: we ended up with the foie gras mousse, gin cured salmon gravlox, duck proscuitto and some cheese and accoutroments to accompany. The proscuitto was good, but I wasn't crazy about the foie gras at all (which I normally like - I know not everyone does) and the salmon was just ok. I might try it for dinner at some point, but I'm not in a huge hurry to go back.
Additionally, we split the check a few ways, and so rather than leaving tips on credit cards, we left more than 20 percent in cash. Later a friend and I happened to notice that our cards had each been run for $7-10 more than our receipts noted (equating to another 15-20 percent, we thought). Thinking our waiter had tried to tap on some extra, we called to complain, and were told it was standard for them to run cards for an extra 15 percent, but that it would be removed later in the week. I found this odd, but a manager told me it was quite common for restaurants to do so. I must not be observant, because I eat out a lot, and have not noticed this before. Seemed strange and obnoxious to me.
Overall, I think there are better places in the neighborhood for happy hour. Try Ondos instead. -
Review from Michael T.
Alpharetta, GA
7/8/2011 Seated via OpenTable
I'm generally leery of "gastropubs" but Argyll was substantially better than I expected. The menu was creative without being pretentious, and the food was absolutely fantastic. All of us had burgers, and each was cooked exactly as ordered. I enjoyed mine with some bacon, cheese and a fried egg. Damn delicious. The burger came with Argyll's perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked fries.
Combine Argyll's great food with their solid cocktails, beer and wine, and you've got one super spot in Cherry Creek. -
Review from Merredith B.
Midtown East, Manhattan, NY
7/3/2011
I am writing this to update a previous (pretty negative review), which I can't seem to get to -- so:
We had a gigundous graduation party (two combined families, one of them fairly extensive) and Argyll accommodated us efficiently and without complaint.
The cocktails were FANTASTIC. Yes, yes, the food -- but the cocktails were amazing (their version of the Pimm's cup, as well as the Whiskey concoction in a mug, were huge hits, passed around and duplicated/reordered). They have a nice wine and beer selection as well.
With a party of 22, we probably had everything on the menu. Big props for the pot pie, the Scottish salmon, the fish and chips, lamb, chicken, and bangers and mash. The one complaint we heard was on the Wild Boar -- not very much meat. Think about the kind of person to whom Wild Boar would appeal: someone big and manly, usually right? So why the dainty portions? (probably not easy to catch, but... )
One of my kids is a sworn vegetarian, and even he came away happy.
We will definitely visit again. -
Review from Jessica J.
Aurora, CO
5/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I met a friend here for drinks and dinner. It was a rainy Monday and the place was a ghost town. Still, the bartender was freindly and chatty and our waitress (we decided to get a table after a bit) was a delight.
I loved the basement pub feel. OK, it is more Scottish decor than authentic Scottish pub, but who cares. Dark woods and red booths makes the space seem warm and cozy .
The homade chips that come out before the meal are crispy little coins with a drizzle of bbq sauce. I loved them as opposed to the traditional bread basket, at most places. I had the Argyll burger (a blend of beef/lamb). It was really a great tasting patty and it was so juicy I needed an extra napkin! Fries tasted fresh cut, but otherwise unremarkable. Somehow we totally forgot to get the mac and cheese - duh, but several people who came in after us were raving about it.
I would be back. I was a friendly vibe with excellent food! -
Review from Michael C.
Denver, CO
4/25/2011
Every plate we had was bad.
Imagine the glorious bland English food. Then upgrade the quality from horrid to dismal. I had the "pot pie" and I say that in quotes because it tasted and looked like something my dog threw up. Also my wife and kid love cheese and Mac and cheese. Theirs is so rich you can't have more than 5 bites before you literally start to get sick. -
Review from mary b.
Sacramento, CA
5/30/2011
3 weeks in Denver, and 2 amazing meals at Argyll. I love this place.
We went on Easter and were blown away by the service - friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and well...very easy on the eyes. The food was fabulous as well. The boar, the lamb,the roasted chicken, the salmon sandwich and the pot pie were divine. Order an appetizer of the mac and cheese - which is soooo good but too rich for one person as an entree. And the desserts - just order the elderflower pot de creme and don't look any farther. My favorite thing on the menu. The drink list is very extensive, just the way I like it! -
Review from Joshua F.
3/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
We enjoyed Argyll during Denver Restaurant Week, and it was outstanding! Even amidst the normal chaos that surrounds DRW, the service was great and attentive from the very start.
The meals were excellent. There were enough of us to try every item offered on the prix fixe, and there was ample sharing. Overall, everything was well composed and extremely good.
We will definitely be heading back! -
Review from Angela A.
Updated - 12/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
Have been back several times for brunch and once for dinner. This used to be one of my favorite brunches but alas, I think I have tried it all and really am in need of a seasonal change. The shrimp mac and cheese is super heavy and over the top. Worth a try once, but no more than that for me. The french toast is pretty good. The breakfast sandwich is a bit dull. Scotch eggs still rock and this is still my favorite bacon eva. The salmon hash is yummy too.
Dinner was from the deep winter season, and that describes the menu perfectly. I had a bowl full of pork done several ways with sauerkraut. It was good, but pretty expensive and I don't know if it was truly worth it. The sauerkraut was a little over the top for me. My grandma and dad made home-made every year, so that's what I am used to. This was all fancied up.
My last time here, service was not that great, and we were the first one's there when it opened so it's not like it was busy. That sucks!Listed in: Brunch-a-holic!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/14/2009
I tend to turn my nose up at Cherry Creek so it took me awhile to come around to exploring this area… Read more »
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Review from Adrian H.
Parker, CO
3/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Argyll - a pattern of cloth from Scotland. Gastropub - a dining style first originated in England. You didn't seriously think you were going to get British food, did you? No? Ok - just checking.
That said, the Argyll Pub, located on Third Street just round the corner from the cherry creek mall, is worth visiting. We'll get to the markdowns later. It's not anything like a British pub, but cozy, inviting with eclectic artwork on the walls. I especially loved the picture that said "My Intellectual Property is Worth Something". I hope so.
It's restaurant week, which means $52.80 for two people having a three course meal. We didn't have reservations, but we were still sat immediately (at 6pm on a Friday night!). The restaurant filled up quickly, so I recommend reservations.
Our waiter, Patrick, was attentive throughout the meal. That was certainly nice. We didn't wait for anything really, but he wasn't pushy either.
We started with one each of the appetizers - my wife got a warm caesar salad, which used grilled lettuce leaves, a roasted tomato slice on the side and an anchovy filet on the side as well. There was too much parmesan on this dish, and the peppercorn was definitely present. I decided on the scotch broth - basically a stew with a little more broth in it. This one had a bunch of lamb in it, together with root veg that gave the dish a rich and earthy taste. Very good, but it could have used a little brightness. Without something, the dish was a little - erm - flat.
Mark down #1: My wife asked for a small amount of bread. The bread was an inch long piece of a french baguette, tasted like it was a week old, and cost $3. Are you SERIOUS? $3 for THAT? OMG - avoid that mistake!
There were six entrees to choose from. I opted for the roast chicken and my wife opted for the lamb cassoulet. The roast chicken was easily the highlight dish of the meal, with the savory bread pudding overshadowing the roast chicken. The bread pudding really reminded me of stuffing or bubble and squeak. The chicken was moist and tender and the mushroom jus complemented everything with a salty twist. The lamb cassoulet was the disappointment of the meal. It had the exact same flavor profile as the scotch broth - completely flat, and the promised spiciness (lamb sausage!) was not present. Avoid this dish - it just doesn't do the ingredients justice. The lamb cassoulet was my second mark-down.
We both opted for the orange cranberry trifle for dessert. The desserts came in small juice glasses and were perfectly layed. Unfortunately (mark-down #3), they provided soup spoons to eat it with. Inquiring, we found out those were the only spoons they had. So, why is this a problem? A trifle is meant to be eaten with a little bit of everything. If you can't reach the bottom you can only eat each layer, not a little bit of them all. I'm sure the trifle was balanced overall, but I got a little tart from the cranberry chutney, a little sweet from the chantilly cream, then a little something else from the cake, etc. Not all together. The cranberry chutney was way too tart on its own and the cream was way too sweet on its own. That was a shame.
We will be returning to check out the regular menu, but the 5280 menu was definitely average. Updates to come later in the year. -
Review from Jack p.
Denver, CO
3/7/2011
WooHoo! Food Heaven/5 star pub/amazing service/Very pricey. If I only had more money. If I only had a bigger stomach. If I only didn't drive so I could drink more..
I took my rock star girlfriend here on a second date. She is a looker and has nothing to do with writing this review other than I wanted to impress her. This place did it.
15 dollar burger. I said 15 dollars.. and It was worth 16 dollars it was that good. The spice in the lamb/beef patty, the buttery bun, the big pickle had my girl all turned on. OR maybe it was something else.. but who knows.. woman.
Anyway, it was a great night, and Argyll Gastropub was apart of it.
Thanks!
I will be back for a Murphy's Stout and a Argyll burger. Goddamn Good.Listed in: Best Burger in Denver?
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Review from Katie L.
2/10/2011
The bee-ef and I have been trying to go here for awhile now. The first time we tried to come in the summer they turned us away at 930 to close :(.
We made it in the other day after some intense shopping at BB&B. We sat on the side of the bar that had no other patrons. I thought this might result in bad service but alas we were never ignored. We both ordered draft beers. I ordered an Avery porter w/o inquiring about the prices. Mistake. It was $8. $8!!! I think that is the most I have paid for a pint of beer in Denver. Maybe it was like a million % abv and that's why but...ouch.
The food on the other hand... I have always been fascinated by the mystical scotch egg. This was the first opportunity I had to order one so we jumped on it (even though I'm not really down w eating swine). It was just OK, nothing special, the egg yolk was creamy and good but I'm pretty sure I go some shell in my mouth :(.
For my main dish I ordered fish and chips ($13). Meh. The fries were soggy and bland and the fish, even being panko coated, was also bland. I had a few bites and took the rest home only to throw most of it away. The bee-ef had a burger which was pretty OK, I had a bite and it was way better than my fishy.
I saw a menu for brunch that looked pretty good so I wouldn't discount ever coming back, maybe brunch will be the redeemer. -
Review from Adam J.
11/8/2010
We went for brunch, accidentally. It was kind of mid-afternoon so I expected the dinner menu to be coming out. The brunch menu is pretty weak, but it at least had the Argyll burger on it, which is why I came.
Previously, we had gone to the Denver Burger Battle and for our money, the Argyll burger was the best burger there, so I wanted a whole one.
We sat outside on their nice little patio. Although the restaurant was hardly busy (maybe seven tables total were seated in the whole place), the waitress took her time in coming to see us. I ordered the Argyll burger, Tanya got a salad and the mac and cheese.
A long time later, the food was brought out. I mean like 30 minutes later. Way too long considering what we ordered. Then I took a bite of my burger, full of anticipation, and... it was weak. It was also not what I ordered. I was brought the Pub burger, which is just a hamburger. It was well well done (I ordered medium) and was just not good.
Ten minutes later the waitress came back to check on us, at which point I alerted her that I had the wrong burger. She went and got me what I ordered, which came out probably 15 minutes later. Maybe it was the fact that both of us were pretty done with this whole experience, but the burger was okay. Again, it was well done, which I don't like. But the toppings were good. Tanya's salad was a solid 5/10, mediocre salad. The mac and cheese was pretty good but overpriced, as was everything on the menu.
There were no real accommodations offered to us because of the inconvenience of having to wait so long, the wrong food being brought, etc. I did get to take the Pub burger home, which was not much of a consolation prize as I bit into it later, was reminded how much I didn't like it, and threw it away. There are so many places to get a good burger (Park Burger) or good mac and cheese (Steubens, The Hornet) in this town, that I see no reason to come back here to pay $40 to be disappointed. -
Review from Peter C.
Denver, CO
9/12/2010
Official Rating: 2.5 stars
Wow this place appears to be quite over-hyped. I had a sampler of a variety of offerings: duck hash, argyll burger, some sausage with waffles and a berry sauce (weird!)
So for the summary. Food was mediocre. Everything was quite salty and greasy. Sausage was overcooked and greasy, the berry sauce with the waffles was too sweet. The duck hash was salty and bland at the same time (how does that happen?) The burger, which some claim as one of the top burgers in Denver, had too many things on it, and was also forgettable. The fries sucked. On the plus side I like the atmosphere and patio; maybe this would be a good place to drink a lot. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Denver, CO
11/14/2010
First let me say that if I could give a another half star I would. Four and half stars would be perfect for this GastroPub. I have to leave the Five Stars for the exceedingly exceptional.
I went there last night with my Father who suggested this restaurant after reviewing Yelp and Open Table for reservations.
Being new to Denver I was surprised at the location (how fantastic) and I can't wait to go back and walk around for the day.
As we entered we were greeted promptly and were sat right away even though we were 15 minutes early for our reservation. The place was warm and inviting and made me want to stay for hours.
After reviewing the wonderful menu, I came to realize I wish they had a tasting menu so I could experience more than one main dish. I ordered the Warm Frisee Salad for my Appetizer which was fantastic. It had warm salted pork and whiskey soaked apples with sunflower seeds. I didn't leave anything on the plate. WOWZA!
My Dad had the Carrot Ginger Soup which smelled fantastic and he said was a show stopper with great flavor. He could taste the ginger and that is always important.
For an Entree I had the Pork Chop with roasted potatoes and butternut squash, a maple pumpkin puree I wish I could take home in a jar and a Rosemary Demi-Glaze. OMG - Amazing. The glaze was so yummy. The waited recommended Medium for the pork which was perfect, so juicy and tender, it melts in your mouth. Not too many potatoes to overwhelm the plate, just enough to give that contrast. The pork chop was definitely the star of the plate. Perfect grill marks to compliment the dish as well.
My Dad had the Pub Burger (Medium), Au Poivre Style (with peppercorns). When it came to the table it was gorgeous. Not too big, just big enough with a nice helping of peppercorns on top. He said it was truly great and I will probably give it a try on my next visit.
Oh - by the way the chips that come when you sit down are absolutely to die for. I could have had five baskets of those.
I definite go back to Pub. The service was great and very helpful. We were even asked at the end of our meal by who I can only assume was the Manager how the visit was, and I was speechless.
Go back, once, twice, three times.... I could go back for a week and never have the same dishes because that's how much I want to have the other dishes on the menu.
Go enjoy the best GastroPub in town. :) -
Review from Cliff T.
5/4/2011
Pretty great and unique food.
We were broke when we went so I'm sure we could have really stuffed ourselves normally, but we decided to just keep it simple. They had some really good winter vegetable plate that we liked.
It was def. homey. I liked that it was laid-back and quiet, although that might just be b/c it was a quiet winter evening. I'd like to go back soon. -
Review from Cat S.
2/10/2011 1 photo
I give 5 stars if I can answer the following question: "Will you be going back for more?"
My answer for Argyll Gastropub: "Yes, yes and a thousand times yes!"
The place is a little on the pricier side, but so worth it.
We first started out with the chips + vinegar drizzle.. So good that we had to ask for a second basket. For our appetizer, we went with the Salt Cod Fillets - crispy on outside, delicious on inside.
For entrees: Roasted chicken (1/2 roasted chicken, bread pudding, some kind of carrot puree), Salmon sandwich (deliciously buttery bun, salmon, tomato/lettuce/veggies, some kind of mustard + couscous), and Argyll burger (lamb/beef burger with fries). Portions are generous and we were all stuffed.
But come what may, we looked through the dessert menu and our eyes landed on Baked Alaska. We HAD to have it once we saw 'fire' in the list of ingredients. It is a cake + chocolate chili ice cream on top, all coated with a layer of marshmallow cream that they set to fire at the table.
So regretful as I stood on my scale today and saw I had upped another 2 lbs. AH!
But so so so delicious. -
Review from claudine p.
Aurora, CO
5/17/2011
I got a gift card from my sister a year ago and finally was able to make it there. She raved about their scotch eggs and bloody marys. It was a chilly day so we decided to sit inside. I would have loved to sit outside on their cute patio and people watch.
Our server was just ok. It would have been nice if he told us about the drink specials (I guess on Sat. there are bottomless mimosas)or asked us if we had been there before. He set 2 biscuit looking things on our table and we had no idea what they were...being a trooper, I ate it.
The Scotch eggs are the best by far. They are soft boiled and delicately cooked. We had the fish and chips and a pub burger. Both were great!
The food is good, but the service could use a little improvement. Will probably go back again. -
Review from Lacey M.
8/16/2010
I wanted my 200th review to be something special. A review of a restaurant I've been dying to go to for quite awhile. So when my friend wanted to meet for brunch, I immediately thought of Argyll, and was really excited to finally go!
We sat on the patio, which was a fabulous idea with the beautiful fountain, enjoying a gorgeous Saturday morning. Their music selection was perfect: Beatles, Radiohead, etc. Our server was great, without being overly attentive. He was there when we needed him (like to fill up our mimosas), and stayed away when we wanted to sit and chat.
My girlfriend and I both decided on the bottomless Mango Mimosas. Yummy! It reminded me of the delicious fruity drinks I get while in Mexico. I must admit that the $8 bottomless mimosa was one of reasons why I decided to go...and I was not disappointed!
I had the Ham Benedict for my meal, substituting fries for hash. I decided against the hash because it had leeks in it, and I am a hater of onions. I did end up trying a bite of my friend's hash, and absolutely hated it. I'm so glad I went with the fries, because they were perfectly crispy and delicious. My Benedict was amazing, with tons of thick-cut ham, and perfectly cooked eggs. I really liked the Horseradish Hollandaise too. I tried a bite of my friend's Doughnut French Toast, and was not a fan. However, I was super pleased with my choices, and really enjoyed the meal!
We had such a great time at brunch, and I'm so glad to have finally eaten here. I look forward to going back for more drinks on that fabulous patio, and am excited to try their burger next time! -
Review from Johanna V.
Glendale, CA
5/17/2011
The service was superb! Staff were friendly. Food servings are large!
Must try: fish & chips, mango mimosas, burgers
so-so: croque madame - oily, overwhelming, after 1/4 serving you get sick of the dish rather quickly... -
Review from Christine G.
Aurora, CO
8/15/2010
Went here with a pretty big group of friends late on a Friday night. Liked the decor quite a bit - very olde pub style.
The service was okay - a little slow, but it was Friday night, so whaddaya expect?
The food was okay, too. My tomato soup was a bit lacking in flavor and a bit greasier than I would have liked it. Most diners at the table ordered the burger that was on special that night - an oversized extravaganza of beef, cheese, carmelized onion and other yummy bits.
We washed everything down with a fair quantity of beer.
Overall, not bad, but I agree with other reviewers - a bit overpriced for what you get. -
Review from David S.
11/29/2009
First off, I was on a first date with a lady and had to make a decision on-the-fly as to where to take her. It was either here, or someplace that I knew. I took a chance, and off to the Argyll we went.
To my server (and he will know who he is if he reads this review) if you spill the broth from the mussels on a customer's $2,000 suit, don't just stand there, run, RUN to get a towel. Also, if you do this, try to come up with some type of an accommodation for the customer whose suit you just despoiled with mussel broth. Dinner on the house? Not even a free drink or dessert? No offer to pay for my dry cleaning? Are you serious? I did not make a big deal about it during the meal because I was on a first date, and because I just assumed (foolishly) that you would make it right by me.
I had the duck prepared two styles and enjoyed it, though it was a little on the salty side. My date had the mac-and-cheese which she enjoyed. The mussels were very tasty, though they did not smell so good on my suit later that evening. Beer selection was decent.
All-in-all, the Argyll did not impress me as it seems to have impressed others on here. Perhaps I will need to give it another chance to see if it was the overall experience that soured my review, or the food.
EDITED ON 12/4/09
I just spoke with Robert and was quite satisfied that he understood the concerns I raised in my review. The conversation could not have been more pleasant.
I dine out almost every night, and mistakes are rare. Management that chooses to learn from those mistakes rather than become defensive and accusatory (see my review of Cake Crumbs to fully appreciate this statement), are even rarer. Robert of the Argyll has shown his strength, and I will honor his commitment with another chance.
I anticipate trying the Argyll again soon, and I look forward to writing about that second experience, and updating my rating, if warranted, at that time. Having worked in the restaurant industry for several years in San Francisco, I know that mistakes happen. The key is what you as the restaurant do to make it right by your customer and to salvage the experience. While I was rather disappointed by the lack of action that night, I am more than satisfied that Robert understood my concerns and has communicated the experience to his staff in a positive manner that will benefit future Argyll customers should something like this unfortunate accident happen to them in the future. -
Review from Kyle M.
Denver, CO
3/6/2010
A few friends and I decided to try this place for weekend brunch based on reading the positive Yelp reviews. All of us are either current or former members of the service industry, so our expectations are high, but reasonable, when we go out. After discussing our experience, we all agreed on the following:
There were smaller things that happened over the course of the meal that diminished the experience, little by little, and we likely won't return.
A few of us arrived before the others, and we were promptly greeted and sat. We were aware of the bottomless mimosa "special," but were unsure whether we wanted to participate or not until the rest of our party joined us. Our server came over and immediately offered us a beer, bloody, mimosa, etc. We said that we weren't sure yet and would wait. She came back like 3 minutes later and asked again, and I had to explicitly tell her that we wished to wait until our friends arrived. After that, I knew that she would be pushing things on us during the meal. I was in the restaurant industry long enough to know what kind of service I'm going to get.
After one our friends arrived, a couple of us decided to go ahead and get the bottomless mimosas. We waited a few minutes, and our final friend arrived. Our server promptly returned once he sat down and proceeded to do something that I've never seen before. Before he had a chance to order, she said to him "he's getting a soft drink" (pointing to one guy in our group) and then "the other two are getting the mimosa special." It was just so strange. Perhaps it wasn't her true intention, but it was if she was try to pressure him into ordering an alcoholic beverage or something. I can understand that servers want to increase their tabs, but this tactic seemed unconventional and made us a bit uncomfortable, and it was something we all noticed and agreed on.
When we were ordering our food, the server continued to try to upsell. I ordered a burger, and she immediately asked if I wanted cheese (which is extra and is made explicitly clear on the menu). I didn't want cheese, and said no thanks. Then she asked me if I wanted to make my burger "au poivre" and that "I had to have it that way because it's sooooo delicious." She did not indicate that this costs $2.50 extra. I wanted her to go away, so I just said "sure," even though I was entirely unsure if this cost extra. My friend also got a burger, and got both cheese and "au poivre" style.
When the burgers arrived, I discovered that ordering your burger "au poivre" style meant that it would be soupy mess. My french fries were soaked in the special peppercorn sauce, as was the entire bottom half of my burger. The bun was so disintegrated that I had to eat the whole thing with a fork and knife. I would far rather have had it regular style. Maybe they ought to think about giving you the sauce on the side or something, because it was so incredibly messy and spared no part of my plate.
The burgers are $9 as a base price, and getting them "au poivre" style with cheese adds $4, thus increasing the price of your burger by almost 50%. When I got home and looked at their online menu, I noticed that their regular "lunch" menu lists the "au poivre" style directly on the menu as being a $2.50 upcharge. The "weekend brunch" menu does not, and I do not believe that their physical in-house menu does either. The extra $2.50 didn't break my bank, but I would have appreciated if she would have just said "it's a little extra" instead of just foisting it on me. When I was a server, I never did that to people and would always let them know when/if they would be upcharged. Diners don't like to feel like they're being upsold, and this seems to be how the servers operate at Argyll.
One last thing: if you're going to offer "bottomless" mimosas, either do it the right way or don't do it at all. Our first two glasses were poured to the top, but on our third, she would only pour us half glasses. We were not sure why. When we asked for another after our meal was over, she again poured half glasses, which has never happened to us anywhere in Denver (I've been to a few bottomless mimosa brunches). She even spilled some on the table, and she completely saw that she did, but did not towel it up. She just left it there, and we had to use our own napkins to clean the spill. All of it was annoying. Thus, if you're looking for a true bottomless mimosa brunch (where they give you full glasses), go somewhere like Coral Room in the Highlands. Argyll is not the place to have that experience. -
Review from Valerican M.
Updated - 8/26/2009 1 Check-in Here
So I've been in here 3 times now in 3 weeks for various reasons. The food and service have been incredible every time. I had the Argyll Burger with bacon and ate an entire Scotch egg all by myself. It was wonderful.
I think that the first reason we decided to go back were the great patio and the crisps with balsamic gastrique. It was embarrassing how many of the crisps we ate but they are addictive.
Since I'm turning into a regular I think this place deserves 5 stars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/8/2009
This place occupies an excellent space on the lower level and has an extremely comfortable inviting… Read more »
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Review from Jenny S.
Denver, CO
1/25/2010
We kept trying to get into the Cherry Cricket, but again an hour wait so we turned the corner and found Argyll and I remember seeing good reviews for it.
The host asked if we had a reservation, and the place was relatively empty on a Saturday night. We were seated in the back corner in a tiny table. This totally ruined the atmosphere experience.
The server was very nice. She kept checking on us and brought us everything we needed.
We were brought crisp and malt vinegar, they were a little chewy and soggy. I ordered the prime steak special with onion rings for $26. It was a little pricey for a steak that was fatty with a bone in it. I also tried the fish and chips, they were good but nothing extraordinary. I love fish and chips and have eaten them in England, Australia and New Zealand.
This place is ok, but not any place I am in a hurry to try again. If I'm in the neighborhood and have a craving for something greasy then I might pop in. -
Review from Dave C.
Denver, CO
3/12/2011
I've only been there for brunch so I can't comment on dinner at the Argyll but if dinner is anywhere near as good as brunch, then it has to be amazing. I've been here many times for brunch and it has become one of my favorite Denver brunch spots.
I don't recommend the fish and chips, but only because it is nothing out of the ordinary and there are so many other amazing things to have instead. I also don't personally care for the hash, but that's only my personal preference.
The bottomless mimosas are always a treat. They have regular as well as mango. My favorite is to get them mixed together.
I've never had anything less than stellar service at the Argyll. The wait staff is always friendly and attentive.
My two favorite things on the menu are the Mac and Cheese and the Pub Burger.
The Pub Burger is delicious and always cooked just to my liking. It's a huge burger so bring your appetite.
The Mac and Cheese is $17. On my first visit to Argyll I saw the price of and said to myself, "You have GOT to be kidding! $17 for mac and cheese??" A couple of visits later a friend ordered it and I tried a sample. OH MY GOSH it is unbelievable. It is made with 5 different cheeses and also has shrimp and bacon in it. It is worth every single penny of that $17. I've since had it multiple times and it is my all time favorite thing on the menu. It's a huge portion and I always end up taking some home for later.
My favorite appetizer is the Scotch Egg. Again, on my first visit there I balked at the $6 price for a single egg until I tasted it. It is worth every penny! It is a soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage, rolled in light bread crumbs and deep fried. It is out of this world delicious.
I absolutely love the Argyll Pub. -
Review from Carly B.
5/10/2010
I think I might give this place one more chance for dinner, but that's all it gets. Just one.
I've actually only been here once, but it was for brunch so I can't fully judge. The first time I became familar with their food was at the Taste of Colorado. I sampled fish and chips and while I can't remember them, I do remember the ticket-taker being extremely offputting and getting mad at me when I asked what comprised a scotch egg but didn't order one.
Brunch started out pretty great. I picked it due to the promise of bottomless mimosas (we did find a bottom, every now and then). I ordered my stand-by brunch: tomato avocado benedict. I went for the cheddar diijon hollandaise to be "crazy and different."
It was kind of gross. Partly my fault, mixing things up, but if the hollandaise didn't taste good mixed with the eggs, what does it taste good with? Even with regular hollandaise, I feel this would have been a very adequate dish. The eggs were very hard cooked as well. The boxties (potato cakes) that came alongside also had an odd taste....I descriped it as "horses" meaning kind of like hay/barn smell. I'm no boxtie expert, but I've enjoyed them in the past and they seemed flatter and crispier. And less horsier.
That said, I can't fully judge a place JUST by its brunch, but until I make it back two stars will stand. I probably won't put Argyll into the brunch rotation.Listed in: Heavenly Hollandaise
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Review from Candice L.
Denver, CO
7/5/2009
As my boyfriend and I wandered through the art vendors of the Cherry Creek Art Festival this last weekend.
We went in for a quick pint and shot of whiskey to push on through vendors and soggy Ireland reminiscent weather.
We could have put a down payment on a cottage in Brigadoon for the price we paid for a couple pints and shots of whiskey. I was too broke to order any food!!!
Times are tough! And Mama needs some new shoes to get drunk and fall in!!
*****I know the beers are a tad bigger and the shots too. I'm just simple girl with simple needs and the Argyll isn't the place for me, I guess.Comment from Robert T. of Argyll GastroPub 7/7/2009
We really appreciate you stopping in recently. I wanted to… More » -
Review from Dustin F.
Denver, CO
11/21/2010
This was definitely a top-notch experience and far surpassed the 3.5 star overall rating for this place on Yelp.
Argyll's wins on:
Service - top notch. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and friendly, wanting to ensure we had an incredible eating experience.
Drinks - I ordered a Pimm's Cup and a Rye Manhattan. You know when you get a drink and you can tell the bartender actually cares - this is that place.
Food - Excellent. If you try only one thing, make sure it's the mussels. We all know that its not the mussels that taste good, but the sauce. This is bowl licking, don't care if people look, laugh, and stare, good! We also had a side of the mac n'cheese (so indulgent and tasty - don't order a full dish!), and the Argyll burger. I wouldn't say this is the best burger in Denver, but in the top 3 for sure.
Despite being STUFFED, we had the Pumpkin bread pudding. WOW! A must-have. The chef makes his own chai ice cream to put on top - this was awesome. A great way to end the meal.
Random, but I was in the bathroom and they had a brunch menu in there. It looks amazing - will have to try soon....
A must try!Comment from Robert T. of Argyll GastroPub 11/23/2010
Thanks for this generous review. We remember seeing these… More » -
Review from Jen A.
Chicago, IL
5/17/2009
I work in Cherry Creek so was very much looking forward to trying Argyll and having a new place in the neighborhood. Sad to say, I was not impressed...at all.
I went with two girlfriends on a Sunday afternoon and we were promptly seated outside on the patio. We ordered drinks from their happy hour menu and then waited for a good 5 minutes for a glass of house wine and a mojito. Now, I can understand 5 minutes on a busy Saturday night, however a busy Saturday night this was not. Additionally, I don't know what took so long since my mojito was not a mashed up concoction of mint, sugar, and lime, but a crystal clear drink with two intact mint leaves sitting on the bottom of the glass. There was a sugar taste in there however, I think it was in liquid form. Not impressed.
We ordered appetizers off of the happy hour menu even though it said we had to be inside at the bar - accommodating to their guests...much appreciated. Sadly, the food left much to be desired. The artichoke was tough and had no meat on it whatsoever. Additionally, it dripped water or some sort of liquid down my arm every time I bit into a new piece which was weird, gross, and kind of annoying. Not sure what the sauce that it was served with was, but that wasn't that amazing either. The crisps (chips) were nicely seasoned with a sea salt and vinegar flavor and served in a cone with butcher paper. Awesome, that keeps them crisp, right? Wrong. They were all soggy save the first few on the top of the pile.
The service was fair, nothing to knock my socks off but not horrible, just...meh.
The patio and the happy hour drink prices for a beer or a glass of house wine are the only redeeming qualities at Argyll. Considering they have about 8 tables on the patio and have cheap happy hour prices in Cherry Creek, I don't see them lasting that long. -
Review from Veronica W.
Denver, CO
8/16/2009
I don't like Cherry Creek. I don't like driving there, parking there, or to be honest shopping there. I am going to now have to go to Cherry Creek.
Their mac & cheese is wonderful! The other apps that they served at the Yelp event were also super tasty, but dayum. That mac and cheese is going to pull me back. It's not a far bike ride so I might forgo trying to drive, avoid the pedestrians and the p.i.t.a. parking. Besides, I'll need to burn some calories. -
Review from Evan A.
6/23/2010
Came here for lunch today after reading the good reviews.
Looked over the menu and it was smaller than I thought. Not a whole lot of choices but I got the burger. It was good. Burger is a burger unless you really mess it up. My friend got the fish and chips, which was more the chips and sauces with not a lot of fish.
Pretty much your run of the mill place. Nothing I'd go back to in a rush. -
Review from Andrea K.
1/24/2011
The husband and I went here for brunch yesterday and it was great. First off, the house made scones they give you upon sitting down are way too small. They are so yummy. I could have eaten many, many more.
We both ordered bloody mary's (mine extra spicy) and the server (she was great) even returned to make sure it was spicy enough (it wasn't). So she brought me over a condiment bowl of fresh horseradish. That did the trick! It was great after I doctored it a bit more.
I had the Duck Egg Breakfast. The egg is bigger than a normal egg and was so delicious and creamy. The bacon is tasty! The potatoes/parsnips/hash that is served on the side is pretty good. Nothing too special. The bread is also a bit flimsy and tasteless.
John had the corned beef hash and really enjoyed it. I of course had a couple bites and agreed!
All in all, it was a tasty meal and I left full. I would compare the food style to Colt & Gray which we visited for brunch last year and I'd definitely give Colt & Gray the edge. It might be more expensive though- the menu prices aren't posted online so I can't remember!! The bloody mary is better at Argyll...which goes a long way with me...but not long enough!
We really enjoyed it here though and would come back to try the Scotch Egg and the Mac and Cheese I've ready so much about! -
Review from Nicholas N.
Denver, CO
8/26/2009
I went back to Argyll last night with Dan W. and Demetrius A. for some drinks and dinner and I had a blast.
Sitting on the patio at Argyll and enjoying a nice scotch, chatting it up with awesome people and enjoy the crisps can't be beat. The staff was freaking awesome and the ambience is rad.
The food here is what I WANTED english food to taste like when I went to the UK last year. It's magical and delicious. I had a corned beef sandwich that was to die for.
Anyway, do yourself a favor and go here for dinner and gorge yourself on the gastrique crisps. You won't regret it. I know Dan W. sure didn't. -
Review from emily p.
Camarillo, CA
6/6/2010
Food: 5 stars. Service: 2-3 stars. The food here is fantastic, innovative, and delicious. I highly recommend the mac n' cheese, roast chicken and burgers. The patio is wonderful on a warm evening, and the prices are decent for the high quality of food.
The service is a problem. The waitstaff is, first of all, obviously too cool. Beyond that, both times I've dined there, it has taken 10 minutes to get mustard after the food has arrived. Mustard should be automatic when someone orders a burger anyway, but apparently it takes them an extra 10 minutes to squeeze mustard into a pretentious little ramekin, by which time your burger is getting cold. I've also noticed that the waitstaff have an amazing knack for not making eye contact when you need something--you'll see three or four different people come out to the patio, but when you try to get their attention, they've turned back inside, heads down. Irritating. -
Review from Demetrius A.
Denver, CO
8/27/2009
Alright, Nick beat me to it, but I am still writing about this place again! In the first addition of my review of this spot, I told you about the crisps. Well, in the 2nd Edition, I am going to tell you about the crisps again. Between the 3 of us (Nick N, Dan W., and myself) I am most certain we had 10 baskets of crisps... They are not good, they are GREAT!
I then decided to embark up on the salmon burger. People, let me tell you something... That is the best damn salmon burger I have ever had.... I can tell you what to expect besides, be prepared to enjoy a nice piece of well seasoned salmon on a bun.. GREAT!!!
The selection of scotch is nice and I enjoyed that. Thanks to Dan W. and Nick N. for joining me!!!
