LoHi Steak Bar, Denver (Highland)

Are you familiar with the practice of polyamory?

"Polyamory (from Greek πολύ [poly, meaning many or several] and Latin amor [love]) is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved."
- courtesy of Wikipedia

In other words, loving more than one and being okay with it.

My name is Jodie and I have a polyamorous cheeseburger relationship.

Much ado is made over finding the perfect burger. Events like The Denver Burger Battle are dedicated to the quest. I haven’t been everywhere, mind you, but am sticking cozy and content (for now) with my picks. The legendary Johnny Burger (grilled up on a true-blue flat top at My Brother's Bar, deserving of a full blog post) and The Blue Smoke served at LoHi Steak Bar.

Wrapped my jaw around one just this past weekend and the heart doesn’t forget. SteakBar serves up three specialty burgers – thick, chewy and lightly seasoned patties of fresh ground chuck. The Highlander (mushrooms, swiss and béarnaise) is a messy delight; expect and prepare for liquidity streams of heavenly butter and herb down both arms. The El Tejon, topped with a fried egg, chili and cheddar (the only burger of the trinity I’ve not tasted). And The Blue Smoke, swimming in grilled onions and velvety soft pillows of blue cheese, criss-crossed-on-top with two pieces of thick cut bacon (the four best bites happen right there, where the bacon outruns the bun). All served with a generous mound of crispy frites, seasoned with salt, pepper and parsley and ready for a swirl though the sweet and savory house ketchup.

Your belly won’t want for more, but start with the classic Caesar salad, never-had-less-than-crisp romaine lettuce, parmesan shavings, fresh toasted crouton and oily, garlicky dressing.

I go for afternoon lunch and weekend brunch. It’s a bar after all and Friday nights I’ve been to eat the scene is just that, loud and a little drunk but not entirely disorderly (no worries if you're after chow only - bar on one side, sit-down tables and booths on the other, plus an outdoor patio). Quiets down to a lazy Sunday vibe and menu that features big drinks on the cheap (bloodies, mimosas and screwdrivers) served in schooners you need two hands to lift from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also good is the Moscow Mule (Van Gogh Blue vodka mixed with ginger beer and bitters) served proper in a real copper mug. Don’t be an ass and slip out the door with one because 1) that’s called stealing and 2) it just ruins it for the rest of us. The mixology menu changes from time-to-time, but the spicy and smooth Ginger Gimlet (muddled ginger, simple syrup, fresh lime juice and Hendricks gin, shaken and served up) always seems to stick, and rightfully so.

The staff, too, is aces. Cool and urban and young, just like the revitalized and funky Highland neighborhood where the bar sits. They've never failed to remember me or the last time I'd been in, take time to chew the fat, share an iPhone photo or slow story. It's the kind of place I wish I lived closer too and could claim as my local hangout.

And where my love, one of them, awaits. The other is just blocks and a walk across Millennium Bridge away.

To be continued…