Restaurants are listed alphabetically.
AMERICAN
Bastien’s Restaurant
3501 E. Colfax Ave., 303-322-0363
Small plates: $5.95 to $9.95. Entrees: $15.95-$22.95.
|Bastien’s Restaurant, which has been around for what seems like forever, sits on East Colfax Avenue at Madison Street, serving cold martinis and big steak dinners to a fiercely dedicated clientele. The cornerstone of Bastien’s menu is its famous New York Sugar Steak, which is coated with a brown sugar-based herb rub before it hits the grill. Here’s a fast-dying concept: Your dinner salad and side order of potatoes are included in the price of your meal.
Last reviewed June 2006.
Brook’s Steak House & Cellar
6528 Yosemite Circle, Greenwood Village, 303-770-1177 Appetizers, $8.95-$15.95. Entrees $24.95-$41.95. Sides, $7.95-
$8.95.|On good nights, Brook’s Steak House & Cellar, near the Denver Tech Center in Greenwood Village, can come tantalizingly close to perfect. The very best steak at Brook’s is the New York Strip: a generous, meaty slab, aged carefully then skillfully cooked to medium rare. Also good: the bone-in rib-eye, the escargot, the creamed spinach, the cheesecake. Epic wine list, great martinis. Last reviewed March 2006.
Capital Grille
1450 Larimer St., 303-539-2500
Small plates: $7 and up. Entrees: $18 and up.|This slick, players-club restaurant nails its share of steakhouse hallmarks, from smooth (and free) valet parking to impeccable creamed spinach to heavy-hitting wine. Frigid martinis, big shrimp cocktails, oversized booths, spotless service. And, of course, fabulous steaks. Don’t expect to stick to your budget, but do expect a killer steak dinner.
Last reviewed June 2006.
Cork House
4900 E. Colfax Ave., 303-355-4488
Small plates, $6.75-$10.95. Entrees, $14.50-$27.95. Cheese flights $8-$19.|The Cork House is rightly proud of its small but lively wine list, which offers several dozen wines from by the “glass” (or more precisely by the quartino, a one-person portion that’s been decanted into an individual vessel) or the “taste” (a half-pour). Also very good here: the cheese list, which boasts cheeses from around the world, including many from Colorado. Sit on the patio and make a meal of wine and cheese; these are the best things on the menu. Last reviewed July 2006.
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
7520 E. Progress Place, Greenwood Village 303-740-9449
Small plates, $4.95-$10.95. Large plates $12.95-$34.95|There’s nothing subtle or relaxing about Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, a lively, sprawling Gulf Coast/
Cajun emporium near the Denver Tech Center in Greenwood Village, but subtlety and relaxation are not what you come here for. You come for fried fish, cold beer, and big plates of bayou-country favorites like crawfish etouffee and catfish po’boys. Service is tight even if the crowd is loud. Live music on the patio many nights. Last reviewed May 2006.
Snooze
2262 Larimer St., 303-297-0700
Breakfast, 5-$9. Lunch, $7-10
|Sweet, dense, crispy-edged pancakes as big as your plate rule the menu at this downtown breakfast specialist. Choose the pineapple upside down version, which is packed with fresh fruit and drenched in decadent cinnamon butter. Wash it down with one of several breakfast cocktails, including four variations on the Bloody Mary. And here’s good news for club kids and the people who bartend for them: Snooze is open straight through from 1:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekends. Closed for dinner.
Last reviewed July 2006.
Vesta Dipping Grill
1822 Blake St., 303-296-1970
Small plates, $6-$15. Entrees $18-$32.| LoDo’s long road to cool started when the Vesta Dipping Grill opened in 1997. With intricate dishes accompanied by a dizzying suite of dipping sauces, Vesta earned its stripes as one of Denver’s hippest eateries. Food is expertly prepared by a crack kitchen staff and served by a competent crew, but plates are often overdressed with too many strong flavors and sweet sauces. (Best way to eat here is to ignore the sauces.) Wear fabulous clothes when you come, and don’t leave without having a supercold martini. Or two. Last reviewed May 2006.
EUROPEAN
Dolce Sicilia Bakery
3210 Wadsworth Blvd., Wheat Ridge, 303-233-3755
Cookies, $12 a pound. Calzones, $5.50. |Dolce, in Italian, means sweet, gentle, and soft. There’s no better way to describe the cookies that come out of Dolce Sicilia’s oven. More bakery than full-fledged restaurant (no table service here) Dolce Sicilia serves breakfast and lunch, but not dinner. More important, they sell addictive, beautiful Sicilian butter cookies by the pound. And cannoli. Last reviewed June 2006.
Euro
231 Milwaukee St., 303-333-1811
Small Plates, $6-$9. Large Plates $14-22. |Many restaurants have occupied this storied address deep in the belly of Cherry Creek North. The latest is Euro, a stylish, clear-thinking bistro dedicated to basics-with-a-twist. Best dishes include the fried egg sandwich on brioche and the lamb T-bone. Also good is the homemade s’more, with a toasted marshmallow cap. Watch the menu closely – things change frequently. The wine list, also a work-in-progress, holds a few gems. Last reviewed May 2006.
Mateo Restaurant Provençal
1837 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-443-7766
Small plates, $4-$12. Entrees $15-$27.| This trendy bistro on Pearl Street in Boulder (just a few blocks east of the pedestrian mall) registers a lovely first impression with flattering lights, soothing music, classy décor and a lively crowd. And its small plates, at least, live up to the expectation – especially the duck rillette. Get the charcuterie plate, even if you come late; there’s a bar menu served 10 p.m.-midnight most nights for post-show noshing. Very nice wine list. Last reviewed March 2006.
Venice Ristorante
1700 Wynkoop St., 303-534-2222
Pastas, around $13-18. Other entrees, around $18-$24.|The sprawling menu at sleek, slick Venice can be overwhelming; by the time you’ve read through it you’re likely to be more confused than clear about what to order. Stick to the velvety, al dente house-made pastas, especially the raviolis. Also good are the gnocchi, which are lighter than you might expect. Come at lunch when it’s less crowded and service foibles are less frequent. Good private dining tables for large groups. Adequate wine list.
Last reviewed July 2006.
Z Cuisine Bistro & Creperie
2239 W. 30th Ave, 303-477-1111
Plates $12-$19.50|Z Cuisine, an impossibly small yellow-walled bistro in the Highland neighborhood, flows seamlessly from dining area to bar to kitchen. Lively French music bounces through the air, and irresistible French delicacies occupy your plate. The menu changes daily, but the house specialty, cassoulet, is almost always on the chalkboard and always worth having. Also spectacular: the assiette campagnarde, an assembled plate of olives, pates, cured meats, and cheeses. Great wine list, too. No reservations accepted, so arrive early or late. Last reviewed April 2006.
ASIAN
Banzai Sushi
6655 Leetsdale Drive, 303-329-3366
Plates: A la carte sushi $3 and up. Rolls $5 and up. Appetizers $4.25-$12.50. Entrees $10.95-$23.95.|Neighborhood standby Banzai Sushi has one of the most ebullient, friendly, competent, caring staffs in all of Denver restaurant-dom. The wait crew, mostly motherly women with welcoming smiles and gracious concern for your stomach, serve up surprisingly good sushi, sashimi, soups, hibachi- grilled steak, and 100 different rolls made with everything from fish to plum sauce to cream cheese. Come early for a seat at the bar, and enjoy a cold sake. Last reviewed May 2006.
Jewel of India
10343 Federal Blvd., Westminster, 303-469-7779
Small plates, $1.95-$6.95. Entrees $11.95-$22.95.|Jewel of India, a modest but proud Punjabi spot in a King Soopers-anchored strip mall, is a lavishly decorated eatery which features exceptional curries and tasty hot naan (flatbread). Come early on weekends or you might have to wait a few minutes for a table. Vegetarians will find much to make them happy on the kaleidoscopic menu. Last reviewed February 2006.
Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro
10667 Westminster Blvd. in The Westminster Promenade, Westminster, 303-988-5885.
Small plates, $4-$10. Entrees, $9-$14.|
Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro might not serve the most authentic Thai cuisine in town (check out Aurora’s Yummy Yummy Tasty Thai for the real stuff), but the food is delicious. Try the pineapple and shrimp fried rice and pad Thai on your first visit, then move on to the beef curry and whiskey beef. Kids love the healthier-than-fast-food fare; shrimp, peanut and rice are always crowd-pleasers. Lots of vegetarian options plus Sushi. Last reviewed April 2006.
Yoisho
7236 E. Colfax Ave., 303-322-6265
Nothing over $10| If yakisoba noodles (pan-fried and tossed with chicken, pork, or tofu) and yakiniku beef ribs (served on a sizzling cast-iron skillet with plenty of rice) sound like comfort foods to you, then Yoisho, a tiny Japanese restaurant on the corner of Quebec and East Colfax is your place. Fried Gyoza dumplings stuffed with pork and hot noodle bowls round out the small, impossibly inexpensive menu. Everything is prepared fresh to order by the skeleton crew, so be patient. The wait is worth it. Last reviewed August 2006.
MEXICAN/ SOUTHWESTERN
Los Carboncitos
722 Sheridan Blvd., 303-573-1617; 3757 Pecos St., 303-458-0880
Plates, $4.50- $11.95.
|There are no fancy frills at Los Carboncitos, just a friendly staff and tasty Mexican food at this family-packed strip-mall taco counter. Cheap treats like carboncitos (crispy tortillas piled with meat, beans and cheese) and tortas (big sandwiches on super-soft country bread) mean you’ll fill up without stripping your wallet. Also good: gorditas stuffed with chicharrones. No alcohol, beer or wine,but plenty of south-of-the-border sodas. Sit at the bar and watch the kitchen sizzle, or sit at a table and catch some Spanish-language music videos. Last reviewed June 2006.
Tia Maria Restaurant and Tia Maria Restaurant No. 2
7260 Pecos St., 303-427-2572; 35 Federal Blvd., 303-936-4326
Plates, $2.45 to $16.95|The food at the unpretentious, family-style Mexican restaurant Tía Maria is yummy, especially the caldo siete mares, the carne adobada and the shredded-beef burrito. But it’s the friendly service that brings people back again. Margaritas are big and strong, chips and salsa are addictive, and low prices are totally palatable. Open three meals a day, seven days a week. Last reviewed January 2006.
Tula Modern Mexican
250 Josephine St., 303-377-3488
Small plates, $6.50-$12. Large plates, $16-$24 |Start your meal at Tula with a Paloma margarita, then work your way through the crab terrine and the ancho-seared tuna. Or take the duck confit tamale-pork chop with cinnamon route. Either way, end on housemade sorbets. This is intelligent, inventive, refreshing cuisine that makes perfect sense for Denver. Do your best to be patient with the service, which is still finding its feet. And this is huge: There’s a great big free parking lot right next to door.
Last reviewed April 2006.
MIDDLE EASTERN
Damascus Grill
1399 W. Littleton Blvd., 303-797-6666
Appetizers, $1.95-$5.95. Entrees $10.95-$15.95.|Damascus Grill won’t win any restaurant design awards, but the greatest-hits menu of Near Eastern delights shine through despite the rough-edged quarters. Think falafels, kebabs, pita and baba ghanouj. Hungry diners should try the chicken kebab on the bone, served with rice and hummus. Lunch is the time to come; great sandwiches start at just $3.95. Kids do well here too. Last reviewed March 2006.
PIZZA
Virgilio’s
7986 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, 303-985-2777
Pizzas (14- or 18-inch), $8.99-$19.49. Appetizers and sides, $1.99-$8.99. |As good as the garlic knots are, don’t fill up on them, because you’ll need room for pizza. Crusts are buttery, salty and nicely cooked. Toppings are straightforward and simple, particularly the Mama’s Favorite (shaved sausage, red onion, garlic) and the margherita (mozzarella, tomatoes, basil). Also worth a shot: the House Favorite (white pizza with ricotta, sausage and sun-dried tomatoes). Last reviewed April 2006.
