Toro Latin Kitchen and Lounge
Sunday brunch that didn’t happen
Brunch. The beloved combo of breakfast and lunch all neatly packaged into one, fabulous celebration of the weekend. Brunch is everything good about daytime food. One of the very best is the Bottomless Brunch at Toro Latin Kitchen and Lounge in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver, CO.
The Bottomless Brunch is a hearty sampling of 10-12 seasonal offerings by Chef Richard Sandoval’s talented team. Everything about it is excellent. The atmosphere is vibrant yet cozy, the bar stools are insanely comfortable, the staff is knowledgeable and happy to be there, and then there is the food. Each dish is prepared with flavor at the forefront and all are done incredibly well. The entire experience is memorable and leaves the guest craving more. My first introduction to Toro’s brunch was in 2021 and it left a lasting impression. So much so that Toro’s food has been the screensaver on my phone for a year. Knowing a trip to Denver is on the calendar each August, I’ve counted down the days to savor this brunch again.
With reservations early Sunday morning due to an 8+ hour drive awaiting after brunch, anticipation and excitement was plentiful. Once seated at the bar, the aforementioned excitement was quickly replaced by confusion and surprise. Bottomless Brunch did not begin service until an hour later than our reservation time. To say I was disappointed would be a massive understatement. I had looked forward to this meal for a year. An entire year.
The breakfast menu at Toro is very good. The Chilaquiles Rojos was bold, not overloaded, spicy and delicious. These chilaquiles are everything chilaquiles should be. The champagne was sharp and crisp. The bartender was well-informed, attentive and kind. The Lavazza coffee was strong and perfect. Breakfast was outstanding….it just wasn’t brunch.
I recognize and appreciate that as a seasoned traveler and eater, I should realize brunch isn’t an “early” morning meal. Toro should recognize that if offering brunch service (especially one as special as this one is), the availability should be clearly stated on the website when guests are reserving a seat. Brunch times should be stated on the menu. The serving times may be obvious for local patrons, but for those of us that have traveled across multiple states, the excitement of this meal may overshadow things we “should” just know. Although heartbroken this visit, breakfast was exceptional and I will return for Bottomless Brunch. In a year…..around noon.