Linger is chef and restauranteur Justin Cucci’s second restaurant in Denver’s Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighborhood.
Sitting in Olinger’s Mortuary, the space is funky, vibrant and anything but morbid. The views are some of the best in the city, overlooking Denver’s skyline from the top of their bar space, down to the open dining area.
Cucci’s food for Linger is International Street Food. Inspired from his own International travel and the senses, flavors and aromas of food from far East you can travel around the world on the menu from the karakoram highway / Asia to shouk / Africa & Middle East to autostrada dei laghi / Europe.
Cucci states:
It’s just street food that is well suited for a restaurant environment. Not dripping gross greasy hot dogs. I like to eat simple. I don’t like fancy restaurants, and I don’t go to them. I like simple, quick food. I love it when it’s cheap, it’s vibrant and it’s delicious. And it’s filling.
Newly launched Linger rooftop deck at sunset / View from inside the open-air bar at night
Since they opened on June 6th of this year, they’ve been packed every night and serving more than 400 people a night! I’ve been on two different weeknights and was impressed with the flow of people. People love Linger. Note: they take reservations.
The ambiance is light, with open windows facing downtown Denver. There are old-school rounded booths, their bartop is made out from the floor of a boxcar train and large glass-top community tables. The place oozes with character.
There’s humor to Olinger’s Mortuary, as now Linger, pays homage. The hostess stand when you enter is made from an old church pew, there are funeral fans by the front door, above the kitchen there’s an enormous photo of Bud Cort in Harold and Maude and even special Linger tissues.
Awake your taste buds – the international cuisine we sampled:
Fresh popped popcorn awaits each table spiced differently each day
Mongolian BBQ Duck Bun / Steamed Sesame Buns, Scallions & Miso-Pickled Cucumbers
Bhel Puri / Puffed Rice, Lentil Noodles, Chickpeas, Red Onion, Cashews, Tomatoes, Cilantro, Melon Raita & Tamarind-Date Chutney
Masala Dosa / Rice & Lentil Crepe, Masala Potatoes, Peas, Black Mustard Seeds, Tamarind-Date Chutney & Coconut Chutney
Chicken B’stilla / Crispy Pastry, Almonds, Apricots, Golden Raisins, Saigon Cinnamon, Harissa & Preserved Lemon Yogurt
Goat Cheese & Melon Salad / Chile-Lime Pepitas, Shallots, Pomegranate Molasses & Aleppo Pepper
(L) Seasonal Cobbler (Apricot) / pineapple emulsion, kiwi sauce and daily sorbet. (R) Moroccan chocolate flan / spiced chocolate, mint sauce, cashews and vanilla whipped cream.
See my dimples? This is how happy Linger makes me as I overlook Denver’s skyline.
Linger is bumpin’ for a reason. The food offers the exotic blend from across the globe that isn’t outrageous, and that’s something you can’t find in Boulder or Denver. The drink list is extensive and if I were you, I would head there now, make sure you get a table overlooking the city (up top is great, by the bar), unwind, order a beverage and as many of their small plates as possible.
Find Them:
Linger: http://www.lingerdenver.com/ | 303.993.3120
Twitter: @LingerDenver
Facebook: Facebook.com/LingerDenver
Reservations: OpenTable
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday Dinner @ 5:30 PM | Tuesday-Friday Happy Hour 4-6:30 PM
Disclaimer: Thanks to Linger for hosting us and providing a delicious meal, on the house. All opinions, as always, are my own.