starters

rioja house salad  |  arugula, dates, gorgonzola, almond vinaigrette  |  9.50

squash soup di Mantova  |  brown butter squash pureé, ricotta crema, parmesan amaretti crumble, sage  |  13.00

smoked beets  |  chicory, mustard vinaigrette, pastrami spice  |  14.00

smørrebrød  | smoked trout, potato gribiche, hard-boiled egg, spruce crema, pickled chanterelles  | 23.00

fresh bacon  |  pork belly, cardamom, curried garbanzo bean purée   |  12.00

foie gras torchon  |  apple gelée, ash, fontina cookie, huckleberry jam |  24.00

rioja “picnic”  |  artisan meats and cheeses, marinated olives, house seasonal pickle, almonds, lavash crackers  |  27.00 serves 2-4 guests 

chef jen’s hand made pastas

pastas are available as an entrée or an appetizer course

squid ink tagliatelle bacalao  |  halibut, tomato, cerignola olive  |  full 32.00  /  half 16.00

artichoke tortelloni  |  artichoke mousse, white truffle brodo, aged Manchego, chervil  |  7 piece 27.00  / 3 piece 14.00

buckwheat spaetzle  |  duck confit, cauliflower purée, red wine pears, crispy kale|  |  full 32.00  /  half 16.00

pappardelle  |  mortadella braised pork, basil, pistachios  |  full 28.00  /  half 14.00

 

entrées

vegetarian four squares  |  a tasting of four seasonal dishes   |  26.00

Thai chili pork*  |  grilled Berkshire pork chop, roasted sweet potato, Persian cucumber  |  40.00

bacon-wrapped cod  | clam chowder, root vegetables, seaweed, fregola sarda  |  38.00

braised short rib  |  potato pavé, Mokum carrot purée, crispy buckwheat, tomato confit  |  39.00

seared venison  |  wild mushrooms, braised red cabbage, bitter greens, huckleberry venison jus  |  45.00

grilled octopus  |  saffron beans, grilled escarole, bravas sauce, grapes  |  36.00

Amish natural chicken  |  wild mushrooms, lardon, potato purée, paprikash  |  39.00

 

Rioja is committed to leading the hospitality industry in seafood sustainability, protecting our global seafood supply, by being ranked as a SmartCatch Leader by the James Beard Foundation – an achievement of only 100 restaurants in the country.

 

tasting menu available, please inquire with your server

 

all prices subject to change without notice

gratuity will be added to parties of seven or more 

 

*these items may be served raw or undercooked, or contain raw or undercooked ingredients.
 consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness

Denver Minimum Wage
Unlike many restaurants, all our staff, both front and back of house, share in the gratuities that you leave on top of the full Denver minimum wage which increases annually. We add a 5% Denver Minimum Wage fee to every bill to help fund a well-paid, happy team.

 

chef team – ben love, kylil henson, eric dale, ryan delozier