Local Recommendations

Colorado’s Gabby Gourmet Recommends…

Recommendations and phrases from Pat Miller’s Gabby Gourmet 2016 Restaurant Guide are being shared with her permission. All of these restaurants are great and are listed in order of preference. If you can swing it, try to visit at least one of these places to enjoy some interesting and tasty food along with great service.

Restaurants – Worth the Reservations, Cost, and Distance!

Mercantile Dining & Provisions
1701 Wynkoop Street (17th/Wynkoop)
Reservations for dinner / Cuisine: American with international flair
Chef/Proprietor Alex Seidel and Executive Chef Matt Vawter host a “to die for” restaurant located in the historic Denver Union Station. The menu includes options ranging from cured meats to halibut cheeks, so be ready to enjoy a mix of extraordinary choices and tastes. “The dining room is dinner only while the market opens early morning. Breakfast and lunch are available and you can grab a seat, but it is serve yourself until dinner service begins.”

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery at Union Station
1701 Wynkoop Street (17th/Wynkoop)
No reservations / Cuisine: Breakfast!
Enjoy getting served breakfast in 1970s Jetson-style booths on the other side of Union Station from the Mercantile (see above). Enjoy a variety of breakfast options, but know that the number one reason to hurry is for their pancakes!

Osteria Marco at Larimer Square
1453 Larimer Square (15th/Larimer)
Reservations / Cuisine: Italian, Pizza
Chef-proprietor Frank Bonanno provides a location for lunches, dinners, and a quick snack by hosting a salumi stand at street level and a lower level dining area. Excellent salads, paninis, sandwiches, entrees, and (of course) pizzas are offered with service that is excellent, prices that are reasonable, and an entire experience that is a treat.

Bistro Vendôme
1420 Larimer Street (16th/Larimer)
Reservations / Cuisine: French
Owners Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch charm diners with a marvelous menu that starts with a French baguette served in a paper bag and concludes with desserts that include the option of homemade ice cream or sorbet. In the middle, diners will find a mix of wonder options that include a wonderful steak tartare, duck confit, cauliflower gratin, and many other options. With great service and a warm, friendly feel, Bistro Vendôme earns kudos as a great dining spot in Denver. If you are in town Sunday morning, try their brunch.

Reunion Gastropub
1480 Arapahoe Street (15th/Arapahoe)
Reservations / Cuisine: Wine, beer, and pub fare
A fun mix of unique foods, but our Gabby Gourmet says “go there for a burger!”

Venice Restorante & Wine Bar
1700 Wynkoop Street (17th/Wynkoop)
Reservations /Cuisine: Italian
Allessandro and Sara Carollo have created a fabulous Italian restaurant in LoDo (Lower Downtown) with stunning design, food, and service. If you enjoy wine, be sure to wander through the adega. And, be ready to review the extensive choices of wine available either by the bottle or by the glass. Of the food options, both the Caesar served in a parmesan bowl and risotto are top choices.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
1539 17th Street (17th/Wazee)
Reservations / Cuisine: Seafood
Seafood in Denver?! But yes, Jax is an amazing fish house in the Mile High City. The raw bar is incredible, the cold plates range from salt cured foie gras to scallop ceviche, and hot dishes include a clam chowder that makes a visit here worth the trip. Be sure to try the house made epi bread, it is awesome. Finally, don’t forget dessert, it’s a must.

Work & Class in the RiNo District
2500 Larimer (25th/Larimer)
No reservations / Cuisine: Latin (and) American / Distance: 1.3 miles from Convention Center
Dine in or take away food from this fabulous restaurant owned by Chef Dana Rodriguez, front of house Delores Tronco, and bartender Tony Maciag. Together they make awesome “Latino” inspired food and drinks with unbelievable vision to the masses in Denver. If you can get over here, this award-winning restaurant worth the trip.

Biju’s Little Curry Shop in the RiNo District
1441 26th Street (26th/Walnut)
No reservations / Cuisine: Indian / Distance: 1.5 miles from Convention Center
A “GO TO” restaurant that nestled in Denver’s RiNo (River North) district that is worth the trip if you want divine curry and all the trimmings at the best price and with the best flavors ever. After finding the restaurant which is a bit hard to spot, head in and be ready to fill the bowl given to you with your preferences in rice, meats, veggies, curries, and toppings. From there, take a seat and enjoy your gourmet fast food experience.

For questions about…

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellations, requests for refunds, and/or changes will be accepted until February 26, 2016, and are subject to a $30 handling fee. Refunds will be processed after April 25, 2016. According to PLA policy, all meal events require preregistration. The above cancellation/change information also applies to all preconferences, meal events, and tours.

The PLA 2016 Conference is offered on a cost-recovery basis. PLA reserves the right to cancel all or any part of this event if there is insufficient registration or for other reasons. Neither ALA nor PLA is responsible for cancellation charges assessed by the airlines or travel agencies, or other losses incurred due to the cancellation of the workshops. All information listed on this website is subject to change.

Accessibility

PLA has put in place features to ensure the conference is accessible to all.

Advertising

Special print and electronic advertising opportunities are available to reach PLA members and attendees both before and during the conference.

Appropriate Conduct

All participants are expected to observe the rules and behaviors described in the Statement of Appropriate Conduct in all conference venues, including online venues, and conference social events.

Attire

There is no formal dress code at the PLA Conference. What’s most important is to dress for comfort.

Conference Logo

The custom logos of the PLA 2016 Conference are the property of PLA. Anyone wishing to use the logos in their communications and promotional materials must: 1) Seek permission from PLA; and 2) Submit communication/artwork incorporating the logo to PLA for final approval. The logo may not be modified and must be reproduced in its entirety (i.e., no outlines, cropping). To request the use of the logo, companies should contact Carly DiVito at Corcoran Expositions at 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com; all others should contact PLA at 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org.

Exhibits

Contact Carly DiVito, Corcoran Expositions, 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com.

Firearms

No carrying of firearms allowed in the Colorado Convention Center unless you’re on-duty law enforcement or off-duty and on payroll of the show or SMG (convention center management).

Hashtag

The official conference hashtag is #PLA2016.

Media

Contact Heather Cho, ALA Media Relations Specialist, 312-280-4020 or hcho@ala.org. Please review our conference media policy.

Membership

ALA and PLA membership is managed by the ALA Membership & Customer Service (MACS) unit. To join, renew, rejoin, or add to your membership, fill out a secure form online; or print and fill out a membership form and fax or mail it in; or call 800-545-2433 and press 5. Direct your membership questions to MACS at customerservice@ala.org or 800-545-2433 and press 5. MACS representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Central.

Mobile App

Attendees can access full event schedule, evaluate sessions, customize their own agenda, and compete in the Extraordinary Exhibits photo challenge game on the PLA 2016 mobile app. To request assistance with the mobile app, please e-mail pla2016app@ala.org.

PLA Office

The PLA Office is located in A Mezzanine in the Colorado Convention Center. You can access the A Mezzanine from any of the lobbies using Elevator A, across from registration, and press the MZ button to get to the Mezzanine. You can also access A Mezzanine from Exhibit Hall A using Stairwell 30. The office phone numbers are 303-228-8450 and 303-228-8451. Onsite office hours are Monday, April 4–Friday, April 8, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Saturday, April 9, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM.

Registration & Housing

Onsite registration hours are Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 AM–5:00 PM; Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 AM–6:30 PM; Thursday, April 7, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM; Friday, April 8, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM; and Saturday, April 9, 8:00–10:00 AM. Conference registration and housing is managed by Experient. Call or e-mail your questions, 800-424-5249 (U.S. and Canada), 847-996-5829 (all other countries), or pla@experient-inc.com. Experient representatives are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Eastern. PLA Conference is a professional event. It is not open to the public.

Sponsorships

Contact Corcoran Expositions, Mary Michalik at 312-265-9650, mary@corcexpo.com; or Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655, matt@corcexpo.com.

Thank you PLA Conference Sponsors!

Venues

Most conference events—including all preconferences and concurrent program sessions—will take place in the Colorado Convention Center (CCC), 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202. Additional events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th Street, Denver, CO 80202, and other venues as indicated.