Chad's Grill offers vegetarian diners pasta and polish

There's a thin line between comfortable and casual, and it's one that Chad's Grill walks easily. Although the prices are reasonable and the vibe is laid-back, the extra touches of a polished interior and a surprise or two on what could have been an ordinary bar menu take Chad's to...

By Amber Taufen

March 19, 2013

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There's a thin line between comfortable and casual, and it's one that Chad's Grill walks easily. Although the prices are reasonable and the vibe is laid-back, the extra touches of a polished interior and a surprise or two on what could have been an ordinary bar menu take Chad's to the next level. And that's a level you can experience as a vegetarian diner, too.

The grown-up mac-and-cheese features penne coated with smoked gouda cheese, mixed with asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes, and topped with a parmesan crust. The veggies and smoked gouda add a grown-up touch: In fact, there's nothing childish about this creamy bowl of decadence with al dente pasta and a lovely balance of ingredients.

Another pasta entree, the penne basil pasta, tosses penne with tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Romano cheese, white wine and basil pesto. The pesto contains cheese, so this dish can't be made vegan, either -- but it's a delicious option for a vegetarian. When we stopped in, the daily special was roasted Brussels sprouts served with a tangy aioli sauce. With veggies that were crispy-sweet and tender all at once, this was a special that deserved the term.

Chad's is at 275 Union Boulevard in Lakewood; call 303-988-5666 or visit http://chadsgrill.com.

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Amber Taufen has been writing about people, places and things in Denver since 2005. She works as an editor, writer, and production and process guru out of her home office in the foothills.

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