Caroline Glover founded Annette in the fall of 2016. Her great aunt Netsie, a novelist and short story writer who lived in a small town in Texas, didn’t teach Caroline to cook. Still, she taught Caroline to have a strong opinion, and that confidence in her own good taste has carried Caroline through 15 years in the hospitality industry. Caroline won the “Best Chef: Mountain” James Beard Foundation Award in 2022, was nominated for the same in 2020, and got semi-finalist nominations in 2018 and 2019. Anette was a semi-finalist in the “Best New Restaurant” category in 2018.

Among the first outdoor dining rooms to appear in Denver are 12 little polycarbonate structures at Annette in Aurora. Area rugs and wool blankets (washed in between uses), oscillating space heaters, QR-code menus, and convenient server call buttons attached to lights are all present and accounted for (like on an airplane). The supper, served in the midst of snow and bitter cold, was rather enjoyable, with the space heaters humming, blankets draped over our legs, a hot French press, and warm pastries on the table.

Annette’s non-alcoholic selections include Seedlip Grove 94 mocktail, Untitled Art Italian Pils N/A, and lemon-rose housemade soda. You can also try their spritz and house cocktails. Pair these refreshing drinks with shared plates consisting of Grilled Beef Tongue and Marrow Toast, The Annette Burger and Fries, and Honeycrisp Apples and Parsley Salad.