It Was Meant to Bean

The Squeaky Bean
3301 Tejon St.
Denver, CO 80211
www.thesqueakybean.net
Attendees: Ang., Katie, Jen, Marie
Katie's pick

Looooooved The Squeaky Bean!

When I glanced at the menu online, I was thinking that the selection was a little limited, but interesting, and walked into the place not knowing what else to expect.

Upon entering on our Thursday night, the place was, of course, packed. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long for our table. The atmosphere in The Squeaky Bean is laid back and simple, but interesting in an old building, European, kind of way. The tables are tight so you're kind of back-to-back but once you dive into the food, you don't even notice the others around you. (Except for the kooky girl at the bar with the tiny, tiny hat.)

We started out with the Castelvetrano Olives and the Potato and Gruyere Fonduta "small plates" to share. I was not expecting so much for "small" plates and we had plenty to go around. The olives were not at all what I anticipated. They were mixed with toasted almonds in this amazing, light, curry sauce. While the curry was light, it had enough flavor to entice me to try another one. And another one. And another one. And the fonduta... it was so good. Served with oiled (buttered?) and grilled slices of bread, the fonduta is this amazing potato cheese dip - that stayed smooth and creamy, despite the fact that it was not kept over a flame, like fondue. We even had to ask for more bread and I think I ate ten pieces. For the four of us, it was plenty and filling for a "little" starter.

I almost forgot -- Katie's salad. Katie ordered the beet salad. It came out with the small plates. We all got bites and it was amazingly tasty! There were two kinds of beets and it was drizzled in a basil dressing/sauce. It was a pretty good sized salad, too. The basil dressing added a very interesting flair to the beets that I did not expect. Coupled with the small plates, it would have been a fine meal, I'm sure.

For my "entree" I opted for the Burrata, which was labeled as a small plate, I believe. Marie ordered it too. Our waiter explained that the mozzarella cheese came from a small, special place in California and was handmade. It is two kinds of mozz, the "skin" on the outside and a creamy mozz on the inside, and butternut squash. When the plate arrived, it was not really what I expected. And my first bite was not what I expected either. It was a pretty little circle on the plate, with the cheese sitting on top of the squash. First of all, the mozzarella was cold! But ok, I took a bite and grabbed another piece or two of the squash. I cannot explain the flavor, or the texture, and I could not really figure it out myself, either, but each bite I took after that intrigued me more than the previous bite and I fell in love with the dish. The squash (and I think our waiter also mentioned bread - like croutons - are in it) was so tasty -- kind of cinnamony and crunchy - like it had been fried, but I don't think it actually was. It was super -- by the time I took my last bite, I was in love! I would order the Burrata again. A simply fascinating blend of flavor and texture!

The other girls seemed to enjoy their plates as well. Katie ordered a giant duck sandwich, Ang. ordered the tasty and interesting lasagna, and Marie, like me, the Burrata.

After we finished our dinner and wine, we took the plunge and ordered the Sticky Toffee Pudding even though I'm sure we were all pretty stuffed. How can one resist Sticky Toffee Pudding?! I thought it was great too. It was served very hot and was a tasty little cake of sweetness, with hot sticky toffee - just like the name says.

All in all, The Squeaky Bean was a prize of a find and I would absolutely go back anytime. According to their website, they also serve lunch and brunch. Combine that with an ever-changing menu and I doubt one could ever get bored eating the different flavors of The Squeaky Bean. So go! Check it out sometime -- and let us know what you think! xoxo