Potager’s servers will suggest
a wine for every dish. (Post / RJ Sangosti) |
Potager
1109 Ogden St., 303-832-5788
Dinner Tuesday-Saturday
AMERICAN, $$$
WHY WE LOVE IT:
With a menu that changes monthly and
local sources for just about every ingredient, classy Potager is a true foodie’s restaurant. Come here expecting to try something you’ve never had before (Jerusalem
Artichoke Soup anyone?) and
expecting to like it.
WHAT TO GET:
Whatever’s on special, followed
by chocolate pudding.
THE UNEXPECTED
Arada
750 Santa Fe Drive, 303-329-3344
Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday, dinner Sunday
ETHIOPIAN, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Use your fingers or a fork at this Ethiopian restaurant in the heart of the Santa Fe arts district. Meat dishes share space with top-notch vegetarian fare. Spice freaks will love the place.
WHAT TO GET: Sambusas, crispy fried meat pies.
THE CRAVING
Breckenridge
Brewery and BBQ
471 Kalamath St., 303-573-0431
Lunch, dinner Monday-Saturday
BREWPUB, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: “It’s sanctified sustenance that’ll knock your knees, make you holler, throw your hands up in the air,” says singer and North Carolina BBQ connoisseur Marty Jones.
WHAT TO GET: Pulled pork sandwich: Eastern Carolina ‘cue uses no tomato sauce, just smoky shredded pork bathed in a vinegar-red pepper sauce, topped with creamy sweet coleslaw squished in an egg bun.
THE ORIGINAL
The Buckhorn Exchange
1000 Osage St., 303-534-9505
Lunch Monday-Friday, dinner
daily
STEAKHOUSE, $$$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Despite a menu offering Rocky Mountain oysters, rattlesnake dip and elk medallions, Denver’s oldest and most beloved restaurant is, first and always, a steakhouse, serving an excellent New York Strip. Don’t miss the extensive whiskey bar.
WHAT TO GET: Buffalo prime rib
THE GUT BUSTER
Carmine’s on Penn
92 S. Pennsylvania St., 303-777-6443
Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday
ITALIAN, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Massive portions of pasta served family-style in a boisterous atmosphere. Rare is the night when there’s no wait for a table, but the wine flows freely and there’s plenty of food ahead. Perfect for a group of friends.
WHAT TO GET: Linguine with clams
THE ESCAPE
Cuba Cuba
1173 Delaware St., 303-605-2822
Dinner Monday-Saturday
CUBAN, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Latin-American cuisine is as diverse and interesting as any on the planet, and the Cuban repertoire is one of its jewels. Need proof? Visit Cuba Cuba for a dish of camarones habanero, or pan-seared shrimp in a habanero pepper sauce. Tostones on the side.
WHAT TO GET: Mojitos!
THE TREAT
Deluxe
30 S. Broadway, 303-722-1550
Dinner Tuesday-Saturday
AMERICAN, $$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Simple and chic, with an unassuming attitude and spot-on cuisine, Deluxe is a case study in stylish neighborhood restauranting. Be sure to get a reservation for weekend nights at this tiny gem.
WHAT TO GET: Grilled swordfish with black beans and hominy.
THE TRADITIONALIST
Domo
1365 Osage St., 303-595-3666
Lunch and dinner six days. Closed Sunday.
JAPANESE, $$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Country- style Japanese fare served in a beautiful, wood-appointed room or, during nice weather, in the airy garden out back. Donburi rice bowls and nabemono stews stand out, as does the selection of sakes.
WHAT TO GET: Japanese curry with deep-fried pork cutlet.
THE PERENNIAL
El Taco De Mexico
714 Santa Fe Drive, 303-623-3926
Three meals daily
MEXICAN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Every day, three meals a day, El Taco de Mexico’s kitchen is busily tossing together green- chile-smothered plates of rellenos, burritos, and enchiladas. You won’t find typical Tex-Mex fare here, and you won’t find white-gloved service, either – just honest, well- prepared plates of irresistible Mexican food.
WHAT TO GET: Anything smothered in green chile.
THE FRANCOPHILE
Le Central
112 E. Eighth Ave., 303-863-8094
Lunch and dinner daily
FRENCH, $$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s had its ups and down over the years, and there have been many years, but Le Central’s rabid legion of fans swear by this Capitol Hill stalwart’s reliable Parisian fare. Mussels and fries are a house specialty.
WHAT TO GET: A glass of Lillet and a plate of housemade pate.
THE WONDER TWINS
Mizuna and Luca D’Italia
Mizuna, 225 E. Seventh Ave., 303-832-4778
Luca, 711 Grant Ave., 303-832-6600
Dinner Tuesday-Saturday.
,
AMERICAN (Mizuna), $$$$ and ITALIAN (Luca), $$$$
WHY WE LOVE THEM: It’s no surprise that Mizuna, with its ambitious New American menu, and Luca, with its equally-ambitious Italian one, are two of Denver’s very best restaurants. After all, they’re both helmed by local culinary celebrity (and supremely talented and capable chef) Frank Bonanno, and because they’re located around the corner from each other, he keeps a close eye on both kitchens.
WHAT TO GET: At Mizuna, order fish. At Luca, order meatballs.
THE BUZZ
Pablo’s
530 E. Sixth Ave., 303-744-3323
Daily
COFFEE, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Independent coffee shops are alive and well. Pablo’s, with an impressive range of roasts available by the cup or by the pound, defines the genre: Friendly service, tasty coffee, a constant but small crowd of neighborhood regulars.
WHAT TO GET: Take home a pound of Danger Monkey roast.
THE WORKHORSE
Racine’s
650 Sherman St., 303-595-0418
Three meals daily
AMERICAN, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Racine’s may or may not have the biggest parking complex of any restaurant in town, and it, like the restaurant itself, is almost always at capacity. Why so popular? We think it’s a no-brainer, crowd-pleasing, easy-as-
pie place to get a reliable meal that makes everyone in the family happy.
WHAT TO GET: Cobb salad
