Manning's Steaks & Spirits

Name: Manning's Steaks & Spirits
Telephone: (303) 635-6934
Rating: 4.7

Restaurants

4.7(1221 reviews)

The take

The best steakhouse south of C-470 and one of the few DougCo restaurants where the room, the food, and the bar program all hit the same note. Old-school steakhouse execution, without pretense.

Why it's here

Manning's Steaks & Spirits is the Highlands Ranch steakhouse that quietly became the best date-night and special-occasion room in DougCo. Opened in 2014 by the Manning family (no, not those Mannings), it's been consistent enough across ten-plus years that the regular table count has outgrown the room.

The cuts are the reason you come. Prime-grade ribeye, filet, New York strip, dry-aged on premises, cooked on an infrared broiler at 1,200 degrees for the crust, rested properly before plating. Medium-rare means medium-rare. The seasoning is salt, pepper, and butter finish, not a corporate chain spice blend. Sides are classic and sharable, the creamed spinach and the twice-baked potato are the standouts.

The bar program matches the kitchen. Bourbon selection is the deepest in DougCo, around 60 labels, and the bartender will steer you toward what fits your order. Old-fashioneds and martinis are the house drinks, done correctly. A short wine list with real attention to Napa and Tuscany.

The room is dim, leather-booth, masculine without being a caricature. Service is old-school professional, same waiters for years, they remember you. Reservations fill a week out for Saturday. Budget $200-plus for two with drinks.

Know before you go

Go for

•The dry-aged ribeye, specifically the 16 oz
•An old-fashioned before the meal, they do it properly
•Weekday bar seating, full menu without the reservation pressure
•The creamed spinach side, not a throwaway

Timing

Saturday prime time is booked a week ahead. Tuesday through Thursday evenings have availability. Sunday dinner service is slower and quieter. Happy hour at the bar 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays, half-off appetizers and decent drink pricing.

Pro tip

Sit at the bar if you're two people and didn't reserve. Same menu, better pace, and the bartender is the best-informed person in the room on the bourbon program. Ask for a recommendation based on your steak choice.

Skip / heads up

Not a kid-friendly room, and not a group-of-eight-on-a-Friday room, it's an adult date or small-table experience. For a group dinner or anything with children, Angelo's Taverna is the better option. Parking: the lot is small, valet is faster on weekend nights.

By Mara Holloway