The Crushery
1579 S. Pearl St., 303-733-4117;
(Very Good) Sandwiches about $7; salads $7.75; bagel sandwiches $3.75 and up. Bespoke ice creams (choose your flavor, they’ll make it fresh) are just a bonus at this Old South Pearl salad and sandwich shop. Last reviewed July 2010.
Lohi Steakbar
3200 Tejon St., 303-927-6334;
(Very Good/Great) Steaks $17 and up. Burgers $11 and up. It calls itself a bar, but really it’s a full-service restaurant, with affordable steaks, hot fries, and plenty to drink. Last reviewed May 2010.
Salt the Bistro
1047 Pearl St., Boulder. 303-444-7258
(Very Good) Small plates run $9-$15. Entrees are $12-$28. Elevated comfort food (pork-belly BLT, lamb- stuffed canneloni) feeds a lively crowd. Last reviewed September 2010.
Tarbell’s
6955 S. York St., at the Streets at SouthGlenn, Centennial, 303-703-8100,
(Very Good) Appetizers $6-$14; main plates $15-$29. The menu at this sprawling eatery is split between “Vintage” dishes (pork chops and applesauce, sloppy Joes and nightly “blue plate” specials like meatloaf or fish sticks) and “Modern” (halibut with wheat berries and grapefruit, gluten-free tomato gnocchi). Last reviewed August 2010.
EUROPEAN
Carmine’s on Penn
92 S. Pennsylvania, 303-777-6443;
(Very good) Family-style platters, $23.95-$44.95. With a wait list as long as any in Denver, this reliable noodle house leans on huge, family-style platters of pasta. Last reviewed June 2010.
Ondo’s Spanish Tapas Bar
250 Steele St.,,
303-975-6514
(Very good) Nothing over $16. Wine, shared plates, sparkling conversation. Last reviewed April 2010.
Village Cork
1300 S. Pearl St, Denver, 303-282-8399,
(Great) Very small menu, changes frequently, most under $20. A wine bar at heart, with an excellently executed (and blessedly tiny) French-inflected menu. Last reviewed May 2010.
ASIAN
Jai Ho
3055 S. Parker Road, Aurora, 303-751-5151,
(Very Good) Starters $3.95-$6.95; entrees $8.95-$13.95. Dosas, curries and tandoori breads fuel this lively Aurora restaurant housed in an old Lone Star Steakhouse. Last reviewed November 2010.
Zocalo
12 E. 11th Ave., 720-382-1940
(Good/Very Good) Most entrees around $10. Usual suspects populate the menu at this simple Mexican kitchen: Smothered burritos, eggs scrambled with chorizo, carnitas, combo plates, margaritas. Many favorite watering holes are in walking distance. Last reviewed August 2010.
Our star system:
: Exceptional
: Great
: Very good
: Good
