Home Sweet Home

    I've always loved the idea of having another place that I could call home. The perfect retreat for me would be somewhere warm and welcoming with an inviting log fire, where I can kick back and relax with my favorite drink in comfortable surroundings.  Sounds good to you too? 

     Welcome to Second Home Kitchen & Bar. It’s easy to feel right at home and instantly relaxed inside of this stunning venue that exudes casual elegance. With its subdued lighting and comfy furnishings, just walk through the door and exhale.

    Located in the heart of Denver’s prestigious Cherry Creek shopping and entertainment district within the upscale JW Marriott Hotel, Second Home opened in March 2008 following an impressive renovation of the space of its predecessor, Mirepoix.  Designed by award-winning architect, Andre Kikoski, Second Home’s architecture showcases the organic textures of the Rocky Mountains with unembellished dry- stack stone walls and rough-hewn wood plank ceilings. Depending on your mood you can head to the dining room with its exhibition kitchen and open-flame pizza oven, or to the generous- sized trendy bar with ample seating. You can also take a seat in the contemporary but cozy living room area with its cool graffiti-covered Danish chairs, inviting long leather couches and throw pillows—just perfect for lingering.  And then there’s the patio.  Flanked by aspen trees, the fabulous courtyard patio is defined by a 15-foot open-flame fire pit and is luxuriously appointed with couches, cushioned loungers and ottomans.

    it was one of those wonderful Colorado evenings when the calendar indicated that it should have been freezing cold. Instead it had been an unseasonably warm day and, therefore on arrival, the temperature was still very pleasant.  It was actually warm enough to sit outside, however, a bank of full-length folding glass doors in the dining room were completely open to the courtyard patio, transforming the inside space, bringing the outdoors in, so I enjoyed the best of both worlds.

    The libations menu revealed a wide-ranging assortment of micro-brewed beers, martinis and cocktails, as well as an extensive wine list. I settled on a pleasant glass of Gravity Hills Syrah. The restaurant boasts an eye-catching wine cellar, which extends along the back wall of the dining room. The wine racks are transparent, creating an intriguing illusion of floating wine bottles.

    Second Home describes its food as “American Brasserie old meets new comfort food,” and accordingly, there was an appealing collection of dishes to choose from with a great spin on timeless classics. Executive Chef Jason Rogers' passion for cooking began at a young age in his parents' kitchen in Chicago, and has continued through the years in Vail, New York City, Boston and Boulder.