Cafe Bisque: 2817 E. Third Ave., 303-955-7940,
The look: Two levels of dining areas give this room a cabin-esque feel, all dark woods and soft corners. A glow from the open kitchen lights the living tableau of cooks busy in the kitchen.
The menu: The well-edited roster includes, at the moment, a generous grilled pork chop served with a restrained mole sauce, lightly spiced sweet potatoes and a pomegranate-chile glaze. Also a dish of duck confit over sage bread pudding. Standout soups (bisques, no less, in keeping with this place’s name) rotate; on one recent evening, a squash bisque delivered rich squash flavor and a sophisticated sherry note, all in a velvety purée. A cup of this rich soup was plenty.
The vibe: Face the kitchen, and you could be in a stylish little cafe in Paris’ Marais district. Low lights, lively-but-quiet jazz, the eager to-and-fro of wait staff delivering warm plates — the effect is charming.
When to come: Come for date night, or dinner with a small group of friends. The cozy room invites lingering over wine. Come springtime, the outdoor patio promises to be a lovely place to sit and sip.
