Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge – Olé and Oh Yes!

When I hear the word “Toro,” I think of elegant, bold, sexy bullfighters in the ring. Restaurateur Richard Sandoval picked the name because it means “bull” in Spanish and “tuna belly” in Japanese – perfect for a blend of Pan-Latin cuisine with influences from Central and South America, Japan and China. Put together my perceptions along with Sandoval’s intent and I can begin to paint you a vivid picture of what Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge is all about.

Standing in the entryway of the open-floorplan restaurant, it’s easy to get the lay of the land, starting with a chic Ceviche Bar to the left where a chef is working fast and furious. In front of you stretches a lounge where you can eat and drink, plus a more formal dining room in back, punctuated with one of three murals of a bull. To your right, you can amble up to a spacious bar or cozy up in a lounge area next to the Tequila Lockers. Glass doors, open during the warm weather, lead to a huge, enclosed, dreamy patio with twinkly lights and two more murals. With lots of colors, textures, and interesting decorator touches, it’s easy to immerse yourself in the full experience of food, drink, aromas, music, and people-watching at Toro. Or, better yet, each-other-watching!

I brought home lunch for my husband and I within the first few days Toro Latin Kitchen + Lounge was open. Feast your eyes on the feast we had:

Other options from the Lunch Menu’s Starter Menu include a Lobster Quesadilla ($18) and Yellow Corn Soup ($9). There are salads including the Wedge ($12) which we had with a 6-minute egg, bacon, cherry tomato and poblano blue cheese dressing (delish!). Lunch entrees include a Cubano sandwich ($15), Bison Burger ($16) and Skirt Steak ($29). The Dinner menu includes many of the same options plus a Cusco Half Chicken ($22), Mojo Grilled Prawns ($34), and Vegan Rice ($19) with almond milk, broccolini, heirloom carrots, zucchini, pumpkin seeds, and chili oil.

Richard Sandoval is famous for his Bottomless Brunches ($49 for bottomless food + drink, $30 for bottomless food only) which are an amazing deal and opportunity to try anything and everything off the menu in smaller portions.

The Happy Hour menu is another great way to sample things. It includes the Guacamole, Smoked Swordfish Dip and Sweet Corn Empanadas we had for lunch (in smaller portions). But you can also get a Shrimp Cocktail Aguachile ($8), Amarillo Ceviche ($8) or Colorado Bison Fillet Anticucho ($7). Augment them with cocktails, wine, and bottled beers.

While I was at Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge to pick up lunch and have a look around, I got to meet Executive Chef Oscar Padilla, one of the warmest chefs (and people) you’ll ever meet. His enthusiasm over the restaurant and his hospitality over providing me with a meal made me feel like I was being welcomed into his home for a family feast during which we’d wile away hours laughing, eating, drinking and telling stories. Some chefs just aren’t “people persons,” communicating best through their food. It’s really nice to meet one who can communicate through the food they prepare and through personality!

We’ve enjoyed many exceptional meals at Richard Sandoval’s Colorado restaurants over the years and have been sad to see some go, like Zengo which we absolutely loved. We’ve willingly surrendered to whatever mood and destinations Sandoval is putting forth. Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge is no exception.

Dine in (they have tables socially distanced) or get food to go. A portion of the takeout Toro To-Go Program benefits No Kid Hungry Colorado (excluding third-party delivery).

Toro is located at 150 Clayton Lane, Ste. B in Denver. 

What else is In Good Taste? Visit Toro after a day trip exploring Colorado, using recommendations from this book. While driving, stream our conversations with people doing interesting things in Colorado on our new podcast series.

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