By now you know the drill: During 2009 Denver Restaurant Week (Saturday-Feb. 27), about 200 metro restaurants will offer multicourse menus for two for just $52.80, and about half of them will extend their specials through the following week. That means that you can chow on some of the city’s finest fare, without threat of foreclosure.
Your strategy: Pick a restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to but felt was too expensive. Stick to your budget; don’t get swayed by the upsells you’ll certainly encounter (except, perhaps, a glass of wine or two). Come early, or late, to avoid the crush (8:30 is a great time to have supper). Order something that you suspect you’ll like, rather than something that sounds “interesting.” And never say no to a doggie-bag; most things taste great on sandwiches the next day.
Here are a few of the more promising picks for the week(s). Find the complete list of participating restaurants — and their menus — at .
Dixons Downtown Grill
If Dixons isn’t Denver’s hardest-working restaurant, it’s up there; this always-peopled nosh pit is a lively, hail-fellow anchor to its LoDo district. It’s also often underrated; the cooks here know what they’re doing. Choose a grilled artichoke, then a ribeye with cheddar mashed potatoes, and finishit off with a banana split for two. 1610 16th St., 303-573-6100, .
Cuba Cuba
Located dead-center in the Golden Triangle district, Cuba Cuba is known for its exemplary mojitos (produced by the pitcher) and island-style Cuban food. Pick the ceviche-like tuna cruda with ginger and avocado, then the lechon asado — pork shoulder slow-roasted with onions and spiked with garlic. 1173 Delaware St., 303-605-2822, .
Il Posto
After two years on uptown’s 17th Avenue strip, Il Posto scored its share of hard-won regulars with smart, urbane food and an accessible roster of wine. We’re eyeing the lemon-cured scallops with apple foam, and the Peroni- braised pork belly. (Vegetarians should choose the lively cauliflower risotto.) 2011 E. 17th Ave., 303-394-0100, .
India’s Pearl
Let the crowds duke it out for tables at Sushi Den up the block while you settle into a table at relaxing, sophisticated India’s Pearl. Sip a glass of wine while you visit the menu, then settle on crispy calamari followed by venison cooked in red spices or a dish of fried onion bhaji before a clay-oven eggplant bake. 1475 S. Pearl St., 303-777-1533, .
Terroir
Bring a group: Terroir’s menu is great for a crowd that includes meat eaters and vegheads and it’s studded with dishes made mostly from local incredients. Try the beet salad topped with a disk of walnut-crusted Haystack goat cheese and the Long Farm pork duo, featuring grilled tenderloin and braised belly served with gnocchi and sauteed spinach. Veg option: fragrant Moroccan vegetable stew over couscous. 246 Main St., Longmont, 303-651-0630, terroir-restaurant.com
Duo
We’re partial to Duo — chef John Broening is a regular columnist for The Post — but our association doesn’t cloud our judgment when it comes to its promising Restaurant Week menu. Choose a delicate frito misto of breaded and fried shrimp, vegetables, and lemon, then a roasted chicken breast with tarragon and mustard, and a wedge of Duo’s famous sticky toffee pudding. 2413 W. 32nd Ave., 303-477-4141, .
The Palace Arms
Denver’s most storied restaurant is beyond the reach of most mortal budgets — except during Restaurant Week. The tableside Caesar, followed by a filet of beef Rossini (think tenderloin, add foie gras, drape in Madeira demi-glace) will barely leave room for the plate of post-supper almond macaroons. 321 17th St. (in the Brown Palace Hotel), 303-297-3111, .
Coral Room
Its expansion into Stapleton didn’t pan out, but the original Highland location is going strong, still serving the solid, stylish food that made it famous. Pick the spinach and blood-orange salad, the green-curry chicken breast and frozen lemongrass mousse served with a poppyseed cookie. 3489 W. 32nd Ave., 303-433-2535, .
Capital Grille
Bust out your high heels and French cuffs for a visit to this swank downtown high-rollers club, where the extra few bucks you’ll spend on a martini will be worth it. Snack on a cup of clam chowder before turning your fork to a buttery filet mignon and a shared wedge of cheesecake. 1450 Larimer St., 303-539-2500, .
Opus
Littleton’s Main Street would seem incomplete without this highly evolved restaurant where Chef Michael Long sets the tone with high-minded food served with a playful attitude. Start with a deftly tossed salad of winter greens, then savor the braised beef with sweet cabbage. Finish with an old-school apple crisp. 2575 W. Main St., 303-703-6787, .
