El Five

El Five was exceptional ! Best paella I’ve ever had. The Chilean sea bass was delicious. We drove from the springs just for my bday and our party could not stop talking about how good it was. Make sure to get the garlic hummus and the chicken croquets

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE: Service and food was not what I was expecting from the price point that guests are expected to pay. I made reservations 2 weeks in advance with a request for a "city view." When we arrived they had tables available but it would be about 30-45 min for the patio. They sat us at the bar while waiting for a table, which is perfect to start with drinks and tapas. However, the bartender looked annoyed that we were sitting at his bar while we waited for a table. He took over 10 min to take our drink orders. I asked for a Tito's martini and of course they only offer Kettle (top shelf). Thats when I noticed that their mission is to rack up that bill. Drinks came and he didnt even offer to take a tapas or appetizer order. I had to ask him if I could get started with a couple tapas. Each tapa cost $14 - $28. Way overpriced for the flavor and portion size. Ive been to Spain many times and these were not good. After about 30 min the host comes to take us to our table and he attempted to sit us at a regular table even though we had been waiting 30 min for a patio seat. He was the original guy that sat us at the bar, so I'm not sure what the confusion was. I reminded him that we had been waiting for a patio seat and that if we wanted a regular seat we would have been seated when we first arrived because there was a regular table ready. He even questioned me if I had actually requested a patio. They are completely disorganized. He stated it would be another 30 -45 min and was walked us back to the bar and it was a little embarrassing to be honest. He miraculously found a patio table with a minute or two, so not sure what happened there. Please note, this tiny table barely fit our 2 plates, and two cocktails. It was a table meant to put flowers on, not to dine on. We sat down and waited another 15 min just for someone to get us water and greet us at the table. Every server just kept walking by without saying a word. Not even an "I'll be right with you." The server finally greeted us and took our order. We ordered the seafood paella and immediately he stated "oh, its going to be a long wait for the seafood paella." I said that was okay and placed the order. Well, here's how they get you... while you're waiting for your "entree," you will inevitably order more over priced tapas and drinks. Nonetheless, we ordered more tapas and cocktails. The portion size for the "2 person" paella was more like a regular size portion (see picture and use the size of the shrimp as a reference). The paella pan was about 8" in diameter! This is an absolutely rediculous portion size for "two people." The pan had a very thin layer of rice and safron and was very unappealing and underwhelming. I have attached some pictures for reference. The paella was over cooked and seafood undercooked. Clams and mussels were still partially closed, fish was super dry, and the smaller "salad-sized shrimp" were drenched in lemon juice. It felt like everything was cooked separately. That is not how you cook paella. All together with the valet parking, marked up drinks, flavorless tapas, and tiny entree I spent about $220 for 2 people and left hungry. Do not waste your money here... the best part of the whole experience was the view and you can get that from any rooftop in Denver. I travel to Spain annually, and this is not fine dining and this is nowhere close to being authentic Spanish cuisine. Skip this place.