Dining Out
AMERICAN
Bittersweet
500 E. Alameda Ave., 303-942-320
* * (Very good) Talented cook Olav Peterson brings his substantial skills to this reclaimed service station in central Denver. Great for a date night, the intimate space provides a smart framework for the elevated dishes; best bet is to go for seafood, which Peterson treats with care and precision. Last reviewed April 2011.
Lou’s Food Bar
1851 W. 38th Ave. 303-458-0336
* * (Very good) Sort of American, sort of French, all kinds of easy: This sprawling dining room in north Denver features salads, house-made sausages, and straightforward plates like roast chicken and steak frites. Last reviewed March 2011.
The Piñyon
1710 Pearl St., Boulder, 720-306-8248
* * (Very good) Local ingredients take center stage on this American-centric menu, which marries a Rocky Mountain sensibility with a slightly Southern attitude. The result: fine fare. Last reviewed July 2011.
Tortugas
218 Coffman St., Longmont, 303-772-6954
* * * (Great) Most entrées are in the $12-$18 range. Cajun and Creole flavors inform the menu at Tortugas, where fresh ingredients and a light hand in the kitchen conspire to create some of the Front Range’s best dishes; and also one of its best-kept secrets. Last reviewed June 2011.
EUROPEAN
The British Bulldog
2052 Stout St., 303-295-7974,
* ½ (Good/Very good) Most dishes under $10. English pub meets Pakistani street food on a downtown Denver corner. Come watch your favorite Premier League soccer matches over a dish of kebabs, curry or fish and chips. Last reviewed January 2011.
Euclid Hall
1317 14th St., 303-595-4255,
* * ½ (Very good/Great) Appetizers $4-$16, mains $9.50-$17.50. Old World meets New World in this historic downtown building. Schnitzels, house-made sausages, pickles and poutines (fries topped off with goodies like braised short rib and wild mushrooms). Very extensive beer list. Last reviewed January 2011.
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. Last reviewed March 2010.
GLOBAL
The Asian Cajun
2400 W. Alameda Ave., 303-922-0699
* * (Very Good) Most items $5-$10. Vietnam meets the Gulf Coast in west Denver at this no-frills, affordable mashup restaurant that serves both po’boys and pho. Must-try: the beautifully spiced red crawfish. Last reviewed November 2011.
ChoLon Bistro
1555 Blake St., 303-353-5223,
* * * (Great) $7-$12; entrees $22-$30. Talk about a nonstop party: ChoLon, located just off Denver’s 16th Street Mall, has been jam-packed since its opening in 2010. Share-plates rule the menu, with standouts including soup dumplings and lobster shu mai. Last reviewed May 2011.
Ototo Food and Wine
1501 S. Pearl St., 303-733-2503,
* * (Very Good) Small plates $9 and up. The crew behind Sushi Den and Izakaya Den expand their South Pearl Street empire with Ototo Food and Wine, serving American/Asian/ global small plates. Last reviewed April 2011.
Our star system:
* * * *: Exceptional
* * * : Great
* * : Very good
* : Good
