Chocolate Lab

What an incredible experience at the Chocholate lab. Thank you Owner/Chef Phil. The highlight without out a doubt on a whole other level was the chocholate cherry martini (most amazing decadent drink ever) and the pork belly with chocolate gravy and homemade andouille sausage with fried polenta. Let's not forget the desert which was a whiskey, tobacco, Pueblo chili, cake! Woah! Both the pork belly and cake were featured on the Food Channel. A hidden gem here for any Denver peeps I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Also all chocholate made in house including take home goodies. Check the menus included here and read the ingredients over the top deliciousness 😋 Vanessa, Dougy, Fanky all rock stars.

If you’re a chocolate connoisseur like myself, then Chocolate Lab is the place for you! First off our server Frankie was so fabulous! He recommended the perfect drinks for me to try. This was my first espresso martini (which was my fav) and the balance of chocolate with the alcohol was perfection! Please please pleaaaase try the shrimp with chocolate risotto! It was giving chai tea/butternut squash soup vibes. It felt like a home cooked meal and was honestly so delicious! We had the cast iron brownie for dessert and I swear it was the purest chocolate I’ve ever tasted with a hint of spice. Perfect balance with the vanilla ice cream on top! All of the staff were so amazing, the chef even asked us how the meal was at one point. Perfect date night! Make sure you also check out all the sweet treats they have as you checkout. Overall, I’m going home satisfied and can’t wait to eat my chocolate truffles and salted caramels! Thank you to the staff for being so awesome!

This establishment is a true hidden gem in Denver. First location was nuzzled in between Twist & Shout and Chipotle on Colfax, and if not for the intoxicating savory aromas coming from what I assumed was a bakery just walking by, I probably would have never stopped in. Phil Simonson has created a one of a kind dining experience with his unequivocally unique dishes and cocktails that leaves you floating in chocolate euphoria. It takes a creative palate, and perhaps a touch of madness, to curate such a variety of chocolate courses that are neither too much or too little on the chocolate. Every dish is Goldilocks (especially the pork belly over polenta). My only suggestion is to incorporate more gluten free options on the menu, I think all the dessert options had some form of gluten involved. I was elated to learn they reopened in a new, bigger location and it's business as usual. A must stop for adventurous eaters living on the edge of their plate.

We went to the Chocolate Lab as it's been on my to-try list for a while and they're closing (temporarily, I hope) on the 19th. The draw here is that all meals are made with chocolate so it's a very unique experience. It is also a very rich experience so I suggest pairing it with one of their many citrus drink options to cut through the chocolate. In order of pictures: Easy livin Sparkling hibiscus lemonade Meat lasagna Shrimp & risotto Whiskey tobacco cake Flaming queen Not pictured because apparently it didn't save: pork belly over polenta My partner said: each bite is a wonder Which is 1) a lot coming from him and 2) a very good summary of this whole meal Each of the cocktails comes not only with unique flavor but also a whole experience, whether that's smoke, fire, or what's inside it. The Whiskey smelled amazing and he said it was really good. They don't skimp on the pours, the drinks were strong. I don't drink and when I mentioned that the waitress immediately suggested the sparkling hibiscus lemonade and I was so glad she did. It paired well with everything on the menu and helped me get through more of the cake. The pork belly over polenta was an appetizer and it was cooked to perfection. This is a restaurant that knows what it's doing with the meat it uses and the flavors they choose to pair them with. The polenta was melt in your mouth creamy, a perfect pairing to the equally melt in your mouth pork. The meat lasagna I only had a bite of as I'm not a lasagna fan in general, was well seasoned and the chocolate marinara sauce didn't overpower the seasonings at all - I was really impressed! The bread was obviously made in house and it was also fall apart in your mouth good. My partner really enjoyed this entree. I got the shrimp & risotto (you'll notice a theme for me, I love shrimp) and it was one of the best risottos I've had. It was a chestnut chocolate risotto that, again, allowed the flavors to shine without the chocolate being overpowering. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and paired very well with the crunchy (from the chestnuts) risotto. Onto dessert: the Whiskey tobacco cake. It's got an espresso ganache because of the espresso caramel. It was an experience every bite and they pair it with a berry compote to cut through all the chocolate. It's a lot but a good a lot. Finally, the Flaming queen. This was appropriately extra as per my partners request and came out on fire. It paired incredibly well with the dessert and had a creamy flavor. I do want to note that this is a $30 per plate dinner with appetizers, drinks, and dessert sitting between $15 and $20 per just so no one goes in with incorrect expectations. That being said, the atmosphere of the restaurant is really laid back. We dressed pretty casually and there was a good mix of people dressed up a bit (no ball gowns here) and people wearing dressier t-shirts. It is a tight spot so make sure to make a reservation instead of just popping by. I definitely recommend going before they close up!

Oh my gosh. This was such a lovely experience. The last time I visited Chocolate Lab was pre-pandemic. I have missed this place so much. Their cocktails are some of the best in Denver. Their cheese board was incredible. (They pair cheese & chocolate) My spouse and I had the best time. They ordered the nachos and again - some of the best in the city!

Delicious. Delectable. Popped in here for dessert after dinner elsewhere. This was my best decision of the past decade. Cool ambiance with Moby playing, minimalist white decor. The angel food cake is the owner's grandmother's recipe. I had low expectations. It's angel food cake - who cares, right? W-R-O-N-G! This should be a national treasure. It was so wonderful, I fought tears with each bite because I knew I was 1 bite closer to the end. And that...is when... THE BROWNIE IN THE SKILLET CAME OUT! I cried with each bite. I laughed, too. I savored every moment, every morsel. And the presentation on everything - including the coffee was so fun. There's a bookstore and a record store next door, too. The Chocolate Lab as the meaning of life.

Truly world class flavors, extremely thoughtful flavor combinations that left my mouth watering even after I couldn’t eat another bite! The scallops, and pork belly and polenta were particularly memorable. Cocktails were fantastic too. Extremely thoughtful, creative, and well made. Would highly recommend! And we’ll be back soon.