Restaurants are listed alphabetically.
AMERICAN
Masterpiece Deli
1575 Central St., 303 561-3354,
(Very Good) Sandwiches $8-$10.50; breakfast sandwiches $4.75 and up. Denver’s sandwich scene took a quantum leap with the opening of Masterpiece Deli. Top-shelf ingredients and preparation make the common- sounding sandwiches (Reuben, egg salad) uncommon. Last reviewed April 2009.
Root Down
1600 W. 33rd Ave., 303-993-4200,
(Very Good/Great) Plates $7-$22, with most around $9-$11. An eclectic menu of innovative, flavorful small dishes (many of which are vegetarian) drives this forward-thinking eatery and watering hole, fashioned from a reclaimed garage. Last reviewed March 2009.
Steakhouse Ten
3517 S. Elati St., Englewood, 303-789-0911,
(Very Good) Entrees $22-$34. Cozy, clubby little steakhouse in Englewood gets the heat right every time: Rare is rare and medium is medium. The vibe here is just right for quiet tête-u-têtes and private dinners. Greek specialties round out the menu. Open for lunch too. Last reviewed May 2009.
EUROPEAN
Cracovia
8121 W. 94th Ave., Westminster, 303-484-9388,
(Very Good) Most entrees around $13-$15, nothing over $20. Bring your appetite to this jovial Polish restaurant where house-made sausages and excellent stews anchor a menu studded with hidden gems like pickle soup. Live polka and dancing on weekends. Last reviewed May 2010.
Ondo’s Tapas Bar
250 Steele St., 303-975-6514,
(Very Good) Tapas $6-$16. One flight down from street level, this cheery and comfortable tapas bar features smart takes on San Sebastian and Barcelona favorites. Come with a small group, or even better, on a date. And sit, if possible, at the bar. Last reviewed March 2010.
Village Cork
1300 S. Pearl St., 303-282-8399,
(Great) Appetizers under $10, entrees about $20. What was once a passable wine and cheese bar has evolved and expanded into one of Denver’s loveliest places for supper. Menu-weary diners will appreciate the brevity of the roster, which features sophisticated takes on homey dishes: Roasted chicken, mussels in broth, homemade ricotta. And wine. Last reviewed May 2010.
ASIAN
Den Deli
1501 S. Pearl St., Denver, 303-733-2503,
(Very Good) Noodle bowls $9.95 and up; sandwiches $9.95 and up. Ramen has arrived in the Platt Park neighborhood with this casual new branch of the Den (Sushi Den, Izakaya Den) family. Choose a noodle bowl and seaweed salad. Last reviewed March 2010.
CARIBBEAN
Eight Rivers Lodo
1550 Blake St., 303-623-3422,
(Very Good) Appetizers $7- $13; mains $15-$19. Denver’s very best rum list anchors this downtown homage to Jamaican cuisine. Think jerk chicken, jerk pork, jerk steak and a rich- spicy oxtail stew. Happy hour on weekdays. Last reviewed December 2008.
LATIN
Limon
1618 E. 17th Ave., 303-322-0898,
(Very Good/Great) Entrees mostly under $20. Set on a hopping strip of East 17th Avenue, Limon serves innovative, contemporary Peruvian food, most notably traditional pisco sours. Come at happy hour for the best deals or later for a quieter dinner. Last reviewed February 2008.
PIZZA
McKinners Pizza Bar
2389 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-798-8500,
(Very Good) Pizzas $9.25 and up; salads $6.25-$9. Downtown Littleton is one of the area’s most pleasant town strips, studded with boutiques and wine shops and restaurants and, happily, McKinners, a favorite watering hole, pizza joint and gathering place. Last reviewed March 2009.
