Introduction

              Growing up in a semi-large family in Highlands Ranch, we often were in search of restaurants that the entire family would enjoy.  To help others with this search, I have evaluated five different restaurants in the Highlands Ranch area that are billed as family restaurants. Based on the things I learned from my own family, I used three different criteria in which to evaluate each restaurant, including atmosphere, food quality and variety, and service. I will also give each restaurant an overall score between 1 to 10 with one being the worst and ten the best.

Cafe Monami Review

           All of my evaluations have been lunch and dinner places, but none serve breakfast as well.  Welcome to Café Monami. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner! I’ve been there many times with family, and on a date. This is not a chain restaurant but an independently owned place.  And I’d say, as a quaint little restaurant, it isn’t too bad of a place.  It is located in a strip mall sort of place and thus is overlooked quite often, unless you know about it.

            Atmosphere is great at Café Monami. You walk into a beautiful scene of unique paintings on the walls and a greeter to welcome and seat you. You also breathe in a freash bakery.

        The variety of food here is greater than any of the other restaurants I’ve reviewed.  In addition to serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, they don’t really specialize in a specific food like pizza or burgers.  There is a huge variety of food here and I guarantee there is something for everyone!  The quality of food is also very good.  They have some unique offerings and if you’re willing to be adventurous, you might find a new favorite.  One example is a croissant French toast.  One time I was there with some extended family that were visiting and they loved it so much that we ordered another one for everyone to share for “dessert”.  Another example is their macaroni and cheese.  This is so delicious that there are many who come in on the weekends and order a family size to go so they can share it with their family.  This is my little brother’s favorite of all time.

            The service at Café Monami is excellent.  Many of the wait staff are from the same extended family and it’s a place where you always see the same faces.  This makes it a really comfortable place.  They get to know you and it’s nice to be remembered.  The owner of the restaurant is named Scott and he always stops by to say “hi” and catch up with what’s new in your life.  This isn’t always a place to go if you are in a hurry.  They have a small staff and they pride themselves on making you feel at home.  As a result, they don’t rush you and sometimes, if you are in a hurry, you might feel like things move a little slower than at the restaurant chains.  But, in my opinion, this is a nice thing and a refreshing change.

            Café Monami deserves a score of 9. Whether you’re going for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, going with family, or friends, I highly recommend this place. Everyone works hard to make their customers happy and satisfied. I know I certainly am every time I go there!

           

Niccolo's Review

 

            Whether you like New York, or Chicago style pizza, Niccolo’s is a great pizza place for the family. Although it is a small place, it is the oldest pizzeria in Highlands Ranch. Since 1994, Niccolo’s has been serving all kinds of pizza from thin crust to meat lovers, as well as salads and pastas. This place is great and meets all criteria at a high standard.

            When you walk into the building, you are a little surprised because it’s a kind of small for a restaurant. But decorations are beautiful. They have a huge mural on the back wall of a outside shop that’s very pretty, and lights around the ceiling. It really fits the mood of a casual and comfortable eatery, while the food makes you think like you are dining at little Italy!

            As you can tell, I’d say the food is pretty great! Any pizza that you choose from will be delicious! They offer many specialty pizzas that have a list of ingredients put together for a symphony of taste, or you can create your own pizza and put whatever you’d like on it! They also have pasta and salads on the menu. While that may create more variety, they are not very famous for those. In fact, they have a pretty mediocre taste. I’m not saying that they taste bad, but if you are in the mood for a good pasta or salad, they aren’t the best choice. When I said that they create more variety, I do mean it. While most pizza places just have pizza, Niccolo’s has pizza, pasta, salads, appetizers and most importantly, desserts. Although each category doesn’t have a bunch of items, they do have a good amount on there, and I am sure that you will find something of your interest on the menu!

            The service at Niccolo’s is great. I have had a few times where my server wasn’t the best they could be, but because I have been going there with my family since I was a little girl, I know that they really try to make the customer happy. The bussers are very diligent because they put warm bread and butter on your table when you sit down, and they will fill up your drink when it is low. The servers are quick and since it’s a small area, it is easy to flag them down and ask for anything additional that you need.

            I would undeniably recommend trying this place with the whole family. With a solid score of a 9, Niccolo’s is very successful in the restaurant business. This place is definitely a good bang for your buck!

           

El Meson Review

El Mesón is a Mexican style restaurant that has good people, and good prices. But when it comes to the food, it is not so good. The price range is pretty cheap which is why I suspect the food isn’t very delicious. I have gone to this restaurant only two times, and from my visits I haven’t had a pleasurable experience that you should normally get a restaurant.

            As for the atmosphere of this place, they have quality Mexican culture in and out of the building. Colorings from little children are posted on the wall which is nice, and they have Spanish music playing. There’s nothing exciting about the place, but it is quaint and it very well fits the mood for a Mexican food craving.

            I was pretty disappointed at the food like I said. Although I haven’t tried many dishes on their menu, I can say that my food was under cooked, and not very flavor filled. One of the things I had was their Quesadilla Mazatlon. The cheese was awful, because it felt like soft plastic to me. But it came with rice and beans on the side as well, and the rice was actually pretty good, but the beans were mediocre. As far as the variety on their menu goes, they do a good job at providing many choices. Because Mexican isn’t my favorite type of food, I don’t plan on trying more of the food there. But if you are one who loves Mexican, maybe they would have a dish on there that would interest you because of their wide array of food.

            I’m not sure what to say about the service that El Mesón provides. The first time I visited, I had a terrible waitress who was not very friendly, and had forgot our drinks. Because it was my first time, I had questions about the menu. As I asked her my questions, she said she wasn’t sure, and had to ask another person, and it seemed like she was just guessing about things. But when I surprisingly went my second time, I had a waiter that was inviting, and prompt. He cleared our empty plates as we finished and asked us if we needed him to get anything. So I guess I need to visit more often to decide on an accurate evaluation of their service. You might get a server who is great, or you might get one who is not so great.

 

            Would I recommend you visiting El Mesón? I think it would be your last option. While it may not be that great of a restaurant, I don’t think it’s an awful one. But it is definitely a last resort. I give this restaurant a 4, because of their inconsistence of good service, and the bad food. Hopefully if you are brave enough to try it yourself, maybe you’ll have a better experience than I did.

Red Robin Review

If you are looking for a restaurant that the whole family will really love and that won’t break your bank, Red Robin is your answer. This all American style restaurant is both delicious and a lot of fun! Since 1969, Red Robin has had yummy food like whiskey river burgers, and mint cookie milkshakes. They also have service that will make your experience like you’ve never had before!

            The surroundings of Red Robin make all the difference. Fun and excitement are all around you from Robin statues, to groups of employees singing happy birthday to young kids. They have neon signs, televisions, funny posters, and cool light fixtures everywhere. This is why it’s a great place for the family because kids love it!

            For the variety, they have several choices for burgers, but that would be the main option. They do have some simple salads or wraps, but because Red Robin is the burger and bar type, there’s not much else. However, you can also choose from many appetizers and desserts- if you save room that is! The food is very delicious, although it is very filling! It is wise to pace yourself as you eat here because you fill up fast! Every time I eat there, I leave with my stomach fuller than I can imagine. You might just need a box to take home since you wouldn’t want to miss out on any of their scrumptious food.

            Service can be a big factor in your experience at a restaurant. For the countless times I’ve been there, I’d say the service meets expectations. I can get my food in good time, and the servers know the menu fairly well. I wouldn’t say that they have amazing servers, but the managers however, are great. I’ve had numerous times where managers are helping out, and walking around to make sure customers are satisfied. And although I have had several great waiters and waitresses, not all are like that. But like I said, I think the service absolutely meets expectation.

            I would give Red Robin a score of 8. Overall, it is a great restaurant, but because of the few times of not so good service and not having a huge variety is why they are not the best. I will say that kids will love it, and I would definitely recommend trying them, if you haven’t already.

Olive Garden Review

 

           I believe that when it comes to the best service, atmosphere and especially food, Olive Garden exceeds expectations in all categories.  This family oriented restaurant has been around for 30 years, and is still thriving with a constant flow of happy customers.  I have been there countless of times with my family. I mostly go for dinner, but Olive Garden is also a great lunch place.  Every time I visit, I always leave with a full stomach and a big smile!

One quality that is involved in a restaurant is the atmosphere. Considering the Italian theme, they have beautiful décor from the entrance, to the place where you sit. The walls are painted with vines on them, and the lighting is perfect enough to see, and not be blinding. The plates and silverware are very nice, not to mention the food that goes onto it!

            The food quality is probably the most important when it comes to a restaurant. And let me say that it is exquisite! One reason why Olive Garden is still going strong is because of their amazing culinary recipes and techniques. More than 1,200 of their chefs and managers come from their own Culinary Institute of Tuscany where they indulge in their passion of Italian cooking. This shows that those chefs in the kitchen really know what they are doing when they create a masterpiece of Italian perfection! The Fettuccine Alfredo for example, is so creamy and delicious, it’s perfect! You also have the choice to put shrimp or chicken on it. There are many choices of dishes to choose from but it would be my favorite! What’s also important is the variety of their food. There is plenty variety in all categories of their menu. Appetizers, soups and salads, entrées, and desserts all have something that will interest you no matter what you do or don’t like. Even as a vegetarian, I can always find something that I’m in the mood for.

            Last but not least is the service quality. Since everyone is different, I can’t say that it has been perfect every time, but I can say that I go there fairly often and most times I have great service. The hosts are accurate at how long the wait is, and kindly bring you to your seat while asking how you’re doing. The servers are very knowledgeable with the menu, and the restaurant. They bring the food in a timely manner, clear empty plates, and often check on you to see if you need anything. Sometimes the managers will walk around and ask people how everything is going, which is very nice to know that they are taking time to make sure their customers are happy.

            From a 1 to 10 scale, 10 being outstanding, I would certainly give it a 10. This place is great weather you’re with family, or out on a nice date. For all nice things, sometimes you have to pay a price. But luckily, you won’t have to spend a fortune on your meal at this place. You can see how many times I’ve left Olive Garden very satisfied! If they can make me, as well as millions of other people happy, they will make you happy too!