I recently decided it would be a brilliant idea to travel to the east coast on a Friday night, get very little sleep, and then wake up at 5 am on Sunday to fly to Oakland, and then back home to LA on Sunday evening. For anyone considering this, it is a terrible plan. Do not do it. Alas, hindsight is 20/20, and life goes on. There, was however, one astounding epicurean discovery I made in the Denver Airport.

An airport, you say? Has the sleep deprivation and multiple time-zone shifts gone to her head? Quite possibly. However, I would counter that if you ever find yourself in the Denver Airport with say, roughly a 2 hour layover in Concourse C, you may just have to see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Because I had an absolutely delightful meal at Root Down Restaurant – a sneaky local treasure sandwiched in between the X-press Spa and a cell-phone accessories kiosk.

From the moment I walked up to the host stand, service was friendly, engaging, and attentive. The host pleasantly asked how many in my party (I’m a party! .. a party of one), and how long I had until my next flight, and proceeded to lead me to the cutest, smartest “table for one” I’ve ever experienced.

Kathleen, my lovely server, brought me piping hot coffee and introduced to me what can only be the most ridiculous array of coffee sweeteners I’ve seen. And I live in LA.

Having sorted out my coffee, I was torn between the tofu scramble, the pancakes, the eggs benedict… okay. Fine. I wanted everything. It’s cold out and brunch is my favorite meal.

The ever-helpful Kathleen recommended I try the steel cut oats – it’s her favorite. That sounded delicious, but I was skeptical, as I’ve had some seriously sub-par oatmeal in restaurants. I find there are a few breakfast staples that, while simple, really give you an idea of the quality of restaurant you’re patronizing. Oatmeal is definitely one of those staples. I shouldn’t have worried. Just a few minutes later, out came my delicious steel cut oats with brown sugar, vanilla-coconut milk, and an almond-mango compote. Warm in my belly, and exactly what I needed on a cold morning layover in the Denver Airport, having risen at a some ridiculous predawn hour.

The meal was simple, warm, delicious; in short it was everything I’d wanted, and exactly what I’d needed. Aside for the luggage and multiple single-diners, this could have just as easily been a delightful local meal. It was instead, one of the best airport restaurants where I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. Absolutely above and beyond, on every level. Root Down is a must if you find yourself a bit peckish in the Denver Airport.

I suppose I should note that apparently I’m not the first one to discover this hidden diamond in the rough- Root Down has apparently won numerous awards and commendations for being delicious, as well as being noted in a number of blogs (and now, one more!) I don’t care- I’m still taking full credit for my discovery. And spreading the word!