Church and Union - Denver

Review summary

1. N

   Noah

   Detroit

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   First impression; style and vibe 100% - great atmosphere and eye catching decor. We were about 15 mins early, and hoped to get a drink while we waited. The bar was, understandably, full but there was absolutely no room to wait for our table - standing or otherwise. The entrance was crowded with people, and very uncomfortable. It was also quite loud, not just from diners - but the music as well. We were seated at 7:35p. When we finally were at the table, the experience shifted. The service was great, everyone was attentive, polite and welcoming. The food, was literally on another level. Absolutely delicious, beautifully plated, and perfect portion sizes. The food came from the kitchen in a wonderful rhythm and we never felt like we were waiting too long. My only constructive feed back was that the wine pairing was not in sync with the food delivery. Overall this is an amazing date night spot. 10/10 would recommend.
   

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2. K

   Krissy

   Chicago

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   We went for Valentines day and made the reservation early January. Wish we knew there would be a limited menu on the actual day. I hadn't gone out on a Valentines date in decades. We were sat at a communal table, 6 top with another couple. Not ideal as most others were able to get their privacy at a two top, it was loud and we had to kinda shout and repeat things often. Felt we really couldn't have the intimacy we wanted for the evening. We paid a good amount of money and the food was pretty good but a little underwhelming for $300. Everyone received a $50 gift card and we may come back when the regular menu is available. Great server, fun atmosphere but not for Valentine's,
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Charleston

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   I could tell what they were trying to do but the taste just wasn’t there. I think they were trying too hard to create new flavors for established dishes which made them lack what “makes” the dish. Very overpriced for what we got.
   

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4. D

   Don

   Denver

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   The food was good, the cocktails very good, the ambience interesting, and the service attentive. But -- Church & Union has the most bizarre pricing system I've ever seen. A 15% "service fee" is automatically tacked onto your bill (see the small print at the bottom of the menu). Of that, apparently 3.5% goes to the server. Another 3.5% to the bartender. The rest is divided up among the rest of the staff, those working both the front and back of the restaurant. Are you following all this? This means a good server should be tipped an ADDITIONAL 15%, at least, on top of the 15% service fee you're paying. So, now you're in for an additional 30% or more on top of what you're already paying for food & drink. I'm sorry, but their system is too freaking complicated. Can't they just pay their staff better, and add that to the price of their food, and let the customer tip "normally"? With this system, it's inevitable somebody is going to get shafted, either the underpaid server or the unaware and overcharged customer. Sigh. It's no wonder my wife and I rarely go out to dinner any more.
   

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5. V

   Vinicius

   Denver

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Awesome experience, definitely coming back sometime!
   

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6. M

   Mark

   Las Vegas

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Was there for the Valentine’s Day special menu. Got the wine pairing for $35 which ended up being a glass of pinot with the appetizer, Cabernet Sauvignon with the entree and champagne with desert. Had a 5 pm reservation and got there a little early and was seated. Had to wait about 15 minutes for the menus to arrive but after that the service was fine. Food was great-3 courses were $100 each and there was much ambience in a historic hotel building. Asked about happy hour menu for next visit but they are still working on the menu so nothing started yet. As it was a Friday evening on a special holiday the place was full. At the end they gave us a complimentary gift card for the next visit and two artisan chocolates that were delicious.
   

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7. M

   Matt

   Denver

   7 reviews

   2.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The menu was a price fix Valentine’s Day menu: The appetizer was great. Service was great. The rack of lamb (main course) was terrible, full of gristle wasn’t chewable. Our waiter could see that I was having trouble cutting up the lamb and brought a steak knife, couldn’t cut it with that. I was offered another entree which I refused, since I was so disgusted with trying to eat the rack of lamb. I was offered a credit for a cocktail, and a wine paring, however not the main entree. Also, I was charged a 15% service fee for the kitchen staff? I did tip our waiter 20% it wasn’t his fault
   

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8. Y

   Yariana

   Tampa

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   This was our first time after hearing such great things. It was my birthday dinner. We were the first customers to arrive and didn’t getting greeted by our server for about 7-8 minutes. Drinks were very slow to get to our table or even the complimentary hummus- again we were the only table present. Meatballs were delicious and so were our entrees; although needing a bit of salt. The vibe of the restaurant was lovely. My fiancé ordered some Moscow mules. Server never asked what kind of vodka. So, easy to presume it would be well vodka; unless otherwise specified. When we got our bill our server charged us for grey goose mules. We asked if grey goose was the well and he said, “no, Tito is”. When we asked why he chose to ring in grey goose which is more expensive he said, “ It was the first button he pressed on the computer” Honest server, but dangerous thinking as it was not a hospitable service. It can come off as a server trying to take advantage. We won’t be returning.
   

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9. J

   John

   VIP

   Denver

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 9, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   This is probably the most overrated and underwhelming place I've been in Denver. The food is under cooked or over cooked and over seasoned or under seasoned. Ambiance is weird also. Don't recommend.
   

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10. n

    nancy

    Denver

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2

    The food was good but for the price we expected better. The sound level (music, not other patrons) was high enough it was a little difficult to chat. Our favorite dish was the Moroccan Meatballs.
    

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