An Elite Sampling at range

Such an awesome event.
Super gracious service, gourmet food (spicy cheese, maple bacon, buffalo sausage, mushroom baked Brie with micro greens, not too sweet phenomenal crusty chocolate ganache brownie) amazing.
Copious red and wine wine and filtered water with fruit slices.
Beautiful décor and friendly Unilocaler Elite, including lovely Frances H.
Pics of food, wine, and mingling posted.

Thursday January 8^th 2015. FIRST ELITE EVENT OF THE YEAR in 2015. Time: 18:00hrs
The Event Venue is indeed Spacious, Luxurious, Unique. Furthermore from the introduction of what I could recall it was an OLD BANK turned into a HOTEL! I so wish when the introduction is done by the Manager, I could hear what he is saying coz with that HUGE Space, it tends to be Echo-​y. Maybe next time for any event, I should stand near where the «Spoke Person» is standing, I whispered to myself.
As for the Sampling of Food that they offer though plenty, some I cannot consume because they contain PORK in it. *SIGH*
As for the Service, they are attentive, courteous and prompt though I cannot deny, when we request for some items that others ate or received, we did not get it. Oh Well.
Overall it was a successful tasting event, though it might take me a lot longer to return just to have what The Range can offer in the future. Unless I am in the neighborhood then I shall return.
Thank you Frances for the invite. Thank you THE RANGE for Hosting. Thank you.
@25/2015

Oh my … what a treat!
Hm, I don’t even know where to begin. While other fellow elites covered all the delectable creations served at the event, I would like to rave about my favorite (even though someone mentioned it was their least favorite taste). It’s been several weeks since the event, but I can still taste the New York strip with creamy kale and, I believe, citrus pickled radishes topped with red wine reduction. Personally, I thought the dish was an explosion of flavors — an earthy dry-​aged New York Strip cooked on a wood burning grill (the best smokey flavor eveeerrr!) accompanied by creamy and a touch spicy kale (not bitter at all), with citrus pickled radishes. As I write this I realize that the combo sounds a bit nonsensical, but I was completely blown away by how well all these bold flavors blended together. Luckily for me, range serves N.Y. Strip steak ALL the time! So guess where will be going soon? That’s right — range.

I absolutely LOVED this event. Forcing everyone to stand and the buffet style food made it so easy to mingle and meet new people. Plus the grub and drinks were crazy good.
I met Carolyn M and Nick S. really had such an easy time chatting the night away. The venue was beautiful and Range is totally somewhere I will be bringing my parents and family from out of town to experience some of the best of what Colorado has to offer without driving 5 hours to get there.
Frances you are a bad ass as per usual and really well done with this one!

The team at range really rolled out the red carpet for us elites! The food selection was exceptional, and everything tasted great. Presentation is obviously important to the staff at range, and they really nailed it. The moscow mules were good, although they ran out of the exclusive cream ale that I was really hoping to try. The lobby was a little bit loud for this event, but the inside of the building was beautiful and prime for people-​watching. Thanks for a great kickoff to 2015, Frances!

I had such a wonderful time at this event! I’m glad that they chose to put us in the stunning lobby. We had plenty of room to roam around and socialize, and the booths were comfortable. The lobby itself is so beautiful — the murals on the walls and the gorgeous dome were the highlights for me. The moment I walked in, I was greeted and my coat was taken. The bartender came over and immediately offered me a selection of drinks. That is service! We had an introduction to staff as well as the chef, and were off to the races to eat our hearts out. There was a buffet full of amazing things like candied jalapeño bacon, flatbreads, cheeses, meats, chips and dips, elk in a blanket, and sausage. Additionally, we were served deviled eggs with smoked trout, new York steak with kale and jus, and duck croquette with quail egg. Everything served was extremely tasty and beautiful. I can’t wait to bring my husband to the restaurant. Thank you to Frances and range for the incredible evening!

Great company, gorgeous venue, and fantastic food! My 2^nd Elite event was a success!
First off, the 100 year old Bank building that the Renaissance hotel is in, was absolutely gorgeous. I am a bit of a hotel fanatic, and I cannot wait to stay here sometime. The staff was great, the temperature was perfect and the lobby is decorated so cool!
The food setup was awesome. I was a bit concerned coming into the event that it was going to be a sit down meal, with a lot of people I did not know. Luckily, the food setup allowed for some great mingling, and allowed me to talk to several people. I liked the idea of being served smaller plates, but also being able to load up on what we want, when we wanted it. The drink service was great!
I was able to try many different dished. My favorite being the bacon. Who dosnt love bacon right? It was perfectly sweet with the great little habanero kick! I also LOVED the scallops, and I cannot wait to go back and order the full dish! The chips and dip were great (again, the dip had a good little kick to it), and the selection of cheese was delicious (and overwhelming).
I will certainly come back to the range, for a special event/​dinner! Thanks to all who made me feel comfortable, and to Frances for coordinating such a great event!

What a great way to start the new year! I was so impressed by their food and service. I had all kinds of cheeses before but their selection of cheeses just blew my mind. It was the best leftover I had the next day. The ambience was really elegant and warming. I wish I can spend the whole night there. Hmmm… Probably I will book myself a mini vacation at the hotel next time. Thank you Range and Unilocal for this great experience. I got to meet some cool new elite members as well as old friends.

What a fantastic kick off the 2015 Elite Unilocal year! I debated making the trek down, but am so glad I did. Coats were whisked off to check-​in as soon as we arrived, drinks were quickly made (Moscow Mule = yummm! This is one of their most popular drinks, available at HH!) and food was set out as well as brought around.
The buffet was large, with lots of great cheeses from local (ish) dairies, meats were diverse (elk, buffalo sausage, spicy bacon) and the dips were creamy and rich. My favorite of the options on the buffet was probably the artichoke flatbread. The bacon was a close second, although the heat was a tiny bit too much for me.
They also passed around wine (the white was nice) and several small plates — scallops, steak, duck and finally dessert. The scallops were quite tender and the duck was an interesting preparation I’d never tried before. The quail egg on top of it was cute. The steak was my least favorite thing, although it was the dish I’d be most likely to replicate at home. The dessert was the best «passed around» plate for sure! I’d eat like 10 of those happily.
Finally, the service for this event was amazing — everyone was friendly, informative, helpful and the «hospitality» really stood out! When I asked what their «best» drink was, they brought me a complimentary tasting even though it was not really part of the evening. Amazing — black cherry something, get it! At the end when I forgot my meter time, one of the general managers got my coat and brought it out while I babysat my car.
Oh yeah, and can’t forget the amazing setting — the «downside» to the evening was «having» to socialize instead of stare around me at the beauty. I did enjoy catching up with fellow Elites though — great people.
I am very excited to have gotten the chance to try this place and I highly recommend bringing someone by for a drink at the bar and gazing at the «lobby» before having a meal at range — I know this is on my to-​do list for sure.

What a delightful event!
The hotel is absolutely stunning. I loved that they had us out in the lobby area where we could mingle and look at all the beautiful art & architecture.
I ate more cheese in one sitting than is healthy for any one person but the food was SO GOOD. I loved the arrays of cheeses, fruit, INCREDIBLE honey comb and meats. The samples they passed around were also delightful. The steak was by far the best thing I tried though all was delightful.
I loved learning about the space itself and hearing from the chef about the food offerings, though it was kind of hard to hear in such a large space.
range is also a really cute restaurant space. I like that it is intimate with a lot of nooks and crannies. I am excited to check out range further and eat through the menu.
Thanks for hosting another fantastic event!

First elite event of 2015 — What a fabulous night!
The «newly» redone renaissance is bea-​u-​tiful!
The event was amazing! Arrival was fabulous, instant hellos, coat check and beverage in hand!
The food was amazing, and tons of it!
Staff kept us in beverages, brought us anything we needed!
The location is fabulous and the food and staff makes you want more! I’ll be back for dinner and hh!

Fantastic kick-​off event! I couldn’t really ask for more.
I’ve never actually been inside the Renaissance Hotel before, and it’s stunning. I’m glad we got a chance to spend some time in the «lobby» — which I struggle to call a «lobby» considering that it pretty much spans the whole block and has huge vaulted ceilings, greek columns, murals on the walls, an enormous crystal chandelier, chaises and lounge areas everywhere, and more.
It was great to meet some of the staff, the chef, and the manager. They definitely made us feel welcome and like special guests. It’s amazing how big of a difference that can make for an event.
As for the food… holy crap. I think they pulled out all the stops. A wide array of charcuterie and cheeses, jars of candied bacon, samplers of the restaurant’s entrees — and free-​flowing wine and cocktails to boot. It’s safe to say I left completely stuffed and liquored up.
Thank you Frances for arranging such a great event!

This was our first Elite Unilocal get together for 2015 and set the bar pretty high! For starters the restaurant is in the gorgeous Renaissance hotel. A former bank, it was stunningly beautiful.
The food selection we were given was impressive. A large spread of very good cheeses, meats, breads, dried fruit and olives. There were also pizzas, baked Brie, pates, elk sausage in a blanket and crackers. Waiters walked around with hot dishes but sadly they didn’t pass out a lot of these.
I was able to try a beef with ginger and a deviled egg with smoked trout. Both were quite tasty. We asked about the scallop dish but they must have run out.
Overall the food was all very tasty and was washed down with a very tasty Moscow Mule! The dessert was a chocolate chess pie as it was described to me. Also very good. I’m intrigued enough to want to come back and sample more menu items!

I came. I saw. I ate. and ate some more. and some more. I’m so glad my first review of 2015 is for this fantastic event hosted by our hostess with the mostess Frances (as of now) H. and the awesome staff at range.
1) As soon as I got there, someone came and checked my coat for me. YAY! I don’t have to lug around my heavy winter coat while I mingle. What a classy touch.
2) Upon entrance to this gorgeous building, you’ll be wowed by the space. Bright, tall/​vaulted ceilings with murals. Classy modern furniture that is also functional. (I’m talking about the foyer). I asked the staff, and apparently if you have a large-​ish party coming for drinks/​dinner at range, you can request to be served out in the awesome foyer space.
3) Drinks were offered quickly and served efficiently. I can highly recommend the moscow mule, which packs a punch. I had 1.5 and left really happy. Staff continuously circled (but did not hover) to clear plates, take away empty glasses, re-​fill water, and to offer additional beverages.
4) THE FOOD. Do NOT come here and NOT get the bacon. Unless you are vegetarian or vegan. Even then, this bacon is… probably the best I’ve ever had. Thick, crispy, peppered, and coated in a jalapeño glaze. Like… spicy candied bacon. Surprises like the boulder elk sausage, the elevated pigs in a blanket, flatbreads with artichoke and kale, and the huge assortments of unique cheeses (chile garlic cheese? YES PLEASE!), honeycomb honey,… I’m missing so much of what I enjoyed, but what I know is I did not regret one single bite of what I devoured that night.
5) The passed apps. Crispy trout on a deviled egg. (Yes, I shoved that whole sucker into my mouth. Don’t judge). Medium rare steak served on top of kale with a red wine sauce, and a crispy duck croquette served on a bed of brussel sprouts, all topped with a perfectly fried quail egg. Nom nom nom.
6) Dessert: I think I heard them say it was called «crack pie.» It’s chocolate-​y, but not too much so. There’s texture in the crispy crust. A great way to end the evening.
The event was supposed to be over at 730p. They continued to entertain, feed, and serve us until 830p. They even offered us take away containers!
I can not wait for them to open up their brunch. The manager said that they are rolling it out soon, but that they don’t rush into anything b/​c they want to make sure it’s done right. I can tell you that whatever they offer and do, they’re doing it right. They have it all, atmosphere, awesome service, and delicious food. I don’t usually like downtown places, but this is one restaurant that I’d deal with the parking and hassle for!

What a great way to start the Unilocal year! Excellent food and drinks, great atmosphere, and above and beyond service!
This event was filled with fancy and delicious food. My fave was the scallop dish, soo good! After that, I can’t rank the rest but I will honorably mention the spicy bacon, buffalo sausage, elk bite, steak dish, the trout deviled egg, and the duck croquette. And I will not go without mentioning the chocolate dessert and the honey, yum!
The service was excellent. My coat was checked within minutes, my drink was in my hand within 5 minutes, and they were just on top of everything. I dropped my fork about 3 times and had a new one brought pretty quickly. The whole staff was really helpful and friendly. The décor was awesome! The pink/​gray combo and the lobby felt very comfortable yet pulled off a classic look, loved! Great to see all my fellow Unilocalers and catch up after the holidays.
Thanks to the Renaissance Hotel, Range, Frances and the awesome Unilocal team for this event!

This was a neat, sweet, complete, and oh so Elite way to start off 2015. I had never before been in this beautiful lobby, nor had I sampled the delicious fare of The Range. Both of these are now on my future to do (rinse and repeat) lists.
From the speedy coat check at the beginning, until we took our leave two hours later, everything ran like clockwork. Along with some popular wines, a nice cream ale, and Moscow Mules (in the proper copper mug) were being offered continually throughout the evening. Of the served appetizers, I liked the scallop, but adored the steak. The small plate buffet was a treasure trove of wonderful meats, cheeses, and other tidbits. My plate was quickly full of candied bacon, cornichons, pâté, cured meats, and an assortment of wonderful cheeses. Ooh, how about Elk in a Blanket? Yeah, I thought as much.
Service was excellent, and rubbing elbows with the Unilocal Elite is always a good time. It was nice to see some folks who don’t get out as much as we would like them to, as well as a few new faces, and several old favorites. Thanks to Frances (still G. ???) and the folks of The Range and the Renaissance Hotel for hosting this wonderful event.