Spilling drinks, not identities, at the Curtis Club

Adam Platt, restaurant critic for New York, recently decided to out himself, publishing his picture on the cover of the magazine and writing about why he decided to give up his anonymity. You won't find me doing the same thing. As anyone knows who's shared a meal with "somebody" --...

By Gretchen Kurtz

February 27, 2014

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Adam Platt, restaurant critic for New York, recently decided to out himself, publishing his picture on the cover of the magazine and writing about why he decided to give up his anonymity.

You won't find me doing the same thing. As anyone knows who's shared a meal with "somebody" -- be it a politician, musician, CEO or other notable -- things run differently when the spotlight is on. See also: The Curtis Club welcomes you to the mild, mild West

While it's true that food can't be sourced differently at the last moment and recipes can't be changed, portions can be larger, plates can be more thoughtfully arranged, and dishes can be tasted one last time before they're sent out.

And then there's service, which is the easiest part of a restaurant experience to change on a dime.

If the folks at The Curtis Club, which I review this week, had known what I looked like, I'll bet the server would have brought a towel, not to mention a free drink, after he spilled my cocktail. Instead, he walked away.

That experience wasn't fun for me, but it's good news for you. When I eat out, I'm not a "somebody." I'm just a girl out for dinner, and that means I can write a review that's much more representative of the meal you might have at the same restaurant.

Follow @CafeWestword

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Gretchen Kurtz has worked as a writer for 25 years; during that time she's stomped grapes in Napa, eaten b'stilla in Fez, and baked with Buddy Valastro, aka the Cake Boss. Her work has appeared in publications including Boulevard (Paris), Diversion, the New York Times and Westword. Our restaurant critic since 2012, she loves helping you decide where to eat and drink tonight.

Contact: Gretchen Kurtz

Follow:

Twitter: @denvrcriticeats

Instagram: @denvercritic_eats