19 OCTOBER 23-29, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Caesar to begin your meal to bottomless duck fat fries and our famous Bananas Foster to fi nish,” he says. “It’s something special, and guests have responded; our covers have more than doubled since introducing the new menu. It’s a celebration of classic hospitality, reimagined for today.” And then there’s the Ship Tavern, which rolled out a new menu earlier this month. Although the orange-striped tables that brought echoes of a Denny’s when it was remodeled in 2017 remain (some diners still long for the old blue-and-white-checked tablecloths), the whole place looks refreshed. “The feedback has been phenomenal. Guests love that we’ve kept beloved staples like our signature Brown Palace prime rib and fi sh & chips, while introducing new, creative dishes that refl ect the evolving Denver din- ing scene,” Perez-Vega says. At a test dinner, diners raved about the whipped smoke trout dip with bagel chips, the raw bar offerings (in a tackle box)...and that truffl e mac-and-cheese gratin! “The balance of nostalgia and innovation has really resonated,” says Perez-Vega. “Ship Tavern remains a true local favorite, just with a fresh new energy.” And a few ghosts that haunt the place. “It’s hard to describe, but there’s a spirit here like no other,” he acknowledges. “The Brown Palace isn’t just a hotel, it’s a feeling. I recently experienced an evening in the Atrium that captures it perfectly: John Kite and his jazz trio fi lled the room with sound and soul, pausing between songs to share stories of the hotel’s past. Hiwatt Gebre- mariam [that’s one of the longest-tenured tea servers] welcomed guests by name and with a radiant smile. Couples danced beneath the historic skylight, a guest sat at the piano for an impromptu performance, and our team ensured every drink and dish was impec- cable. That’s the Brown Palace — alive with history, hospitality, and heart. There is just no place like it.” The Brown Palace is offering ghost tours every afternoon through the month, but you don’t need them to sense the spirits. History happened here, and there’s more to come. Email the author at [email protected]. Cafe continued from page 18 Ship-shape at the Ship Tavern today. COURTESY THE BROWN PAL ACE
