Michelin starred Chef Ludovic Lefebvre opens a much needed modern French Bistro in Denver's new Thompson Hotel at 1616 Market St. - MileHighDish Must-Dine
Nestled in the lobby of the brand new Thompson hotel is a restaurant Denver has been waiting for. The vibe delivers on a modern brasserie that you would find in Paris and has the perfect lighting, design and, of course, fantastic cuisine. The menu features highlights including classic French Onion Soup, Beef Tartare, Escargot, Trout Almandine, Beef Bourguignon, Duck a L'Orange, Steak Frites and table-side Dover Sole. The best part about Chez Maggy is that Michelin starred Chef Ludo has found a way to tweak each of these French classics with a modern twist, while not jeopardizing the soul of the preparation.
The Food and Drink
We started our meal with the best French Onion Soup I have ever had. Overflowing with crunchy gruyere, it featured the perfect blend of onion, soaked bread, crunchy and stretchy cheese with the perfect broth (seen below).
Next came shared plates that really hit the mark on every level. Bone Marrow, with parsley and onion jam, served on buttery brioche bread, was well cooked and seasoned, and left us scraping the bone. The Foie Gras Beignet had an almost pretzel crust and was packed with flavor. It delivered the perfect mix of salt, fat and crunch to start the meal. Mussels prepared with a curry broth had a bright flavor and were excellent. Pro tip - soak your fries in the broth for an extra kick.
Bone Marrow, Foie Gras Beignet and Curry Mussels
@Chezmaggy_Denver Escargot is a menu highlight. The Escargot is prepared with fresh herbs and, of course, plenty of garlic. It's paired with a crunchy Baguette, perfect to soak up the leftover juice, and served piping hot and with all the tools you need.
For our entree course we shared a Ribeye Steak Frites and Duck a L'Orange. The Duck was delicate and perfectly executed. The Orange sauce was just right and paired wonderfully with apples, foie gras, orange supremes and the perfectly medium-rare prepared duck.
Chef Ludo's Steak Frites Ribeye is packed with flavor, seared perfectly with a crispy crust, topped with crunchy finishing salt and served with a classic Bernaise sauce. The cut of beef is one of the best I've had in Denver and served with crispy French fries that are prepared with garlic and parsley. You won't be disappointed with either large plate.
Do not skip dessert! The Pastries at Chez Maggy were outstanding. We shared 1) Chef Ludo's famous Vanilla Napoleon, bursting with flavor and flaky pastry crust, 2) Paris Brest, a hazelnut butter creme pastry topped with powdered sugar, and 3) the Citrus Crepes, covered in butter and Grand Marnier. We cleaned the plates and couldn't get enough of how elegant and delicious each preparation tasted.
Vanilla Napoleon, Citrus Crepes and Paris Brest
The restaurant features a small cocktail list with a limited selection of beer, wine and house cocktails that we were all very happy with, and the service team is happy to help you pair the perfect glass for your meal. The oval bar is a great place to meet ahead of dinner or to catch a nice cocktail if you're in the area.
Overall, @Chezmaggy_Denver is a Must Dine. The space is warm, well decorated and features high ceilings. The music is trendy, yet not too loud, and the restaurant is well lit, yet not too bright. The food clearly stands out as some of the best cuisine in Denver, and I can't wait to go back soon. Michelin starred @chefLudo does not disappoint. Chez Maggy is truly is Where French Brasserie meets Mile High Style.
Reservations are available on the resy platform, they are open for breakfast and dinner with a break during lunchtime.
(I attended a soft opening on February 4th and the full opening coming in February.)