Foodography: Charcoal opens in the Golden Triangle

By Lori Midson Mon., Sep. 26 2011 at 11:20 AM

Categories: Midson: Gastronaughty, Open and Shut Cases

Lori Midson

After hosting a charity dinner on Saturday night, Charcoal, a new 5,200-square-foot restaurant from Patrik Landberg, the former chef of Satchel's in Park Hill (now Pary's on 28th), opened to the public on Sunday, turning out contemporary European cuisine in an artfully choreographed setting.

The open kitchen, flanked by Colorado-designed, custom-made grills, is the dining room's focal point, and, says Landberg, the impetus for the restaurant's name. "What makes our restaurant unique is using the specially-sourced hardwood that burns at a high temperature and is virtually smokeless and odorless," he explains. The cooking technique for several of his grilled dishes, he adds, "actually comes from Asia and is referred to as 'bincho-style' cooking." It's a technique, he reveals, that cooks food more quickly than a traditional grill. "Meat is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and vegetables retain their flavor."

Charcoal is open for lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, and on Saturday and Sunday, Landberg -- a Swede -- is serving a Swedish brunch from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. In addition, the kitchen is offering a lounge menu every day between 2 and 5 p.m., and late-night dining on Friday and Saturday.

We got an early glance of what Landberg has in store, the photos of which are on the following pages.