Reader: Robert Thompson has amazing talent for self-promotion...and Scotch eggs

When Robert Thompson opened Brasserie Rouge in LoDo a decade ago, it ran away with our Best New Restaurant award. And when -- after a bumpy stretch that saw Brasserie Rouge close and Thompson leave town for a while -- he returned to open Argyll in Cherry Creek, that restaurant,...

By Patricia Calhoun

June 10, 2014

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When Robert Thompson opened Brasserie Rouge in LoDo a decade ago, it ran away with our Best New Restaurant award. And when -- after a bumpy stretch that saw Brasserie Rouge close and Thompson leave town for a while -- he returned to open Argyll in Cherry Creek, that restaurant, too, won Best New Restaurant, in 2010. Thompson closed that Argyll, promising to open it in a new location more conducive to the crowds. In the meantime, though, he opened Le Grand (now closed) and Punch Bowl Social -- which is doing so well it's already opened an outlet in Portland and will soon have one in Detroit. And yesterday, Thompson unveiled the new Argyll Whisky Beer Gastropub in Uptown.

Says Denver Dave:

Hmm. Well, other than amazing talent for self-promotion, I have been less than impressed with Mr. Thompson's restaurants. Rest In peace Le Grand, the original Argyll, Brasserie Rouge and the highly dubious Punch Bowl. We shall see what he can do here. I'll be there for the Scotch eggs for sure, though.

For more on Argyll, including a reader's first-night report in response to Denver Dave, read the comments here.

What do you think of Robert Thompson's restaurants -- open or closed? Brasserie Rouge? Punch Bowl? Argyll -- old or new? Post your thoughts below.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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