THE BEST PLACES TO DINE IN DENVER METRO, BOULDER, AND COLORADO SPRINGS

Gathering with friends and family at your favorite restaurant looked quite different in 2020. As we head into spring and summer, we want to highlight some of the amazing dining establishments that are open for business throughout the Front Range.

By Kelli Williams

BAROLO GRILL

3030 E 6th Ave, DENVER – Italian

Located in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood, Barolo Grill is an award-winning restaurant where you will fi nd authentic Italian cuisine and an ambiance set by white tablecloths, beautiful dishes, and sommelier-paired wine. The perfect place to visit for a special occasion, the beloved restaurant off ers a dine-in menu crafted for four incredible courses along with an optional wine pairing. Best bet: the delightful Crudo di salmon, with a menabrea beer-braised rabbit ragu next, followed by a fennel crusted pork tenderloin, and ending with a delicious panna cotta.

ANNETTE

2501 Dallas St, AURORA – Gastropub

Located in Stapleton’s Stanley Marketplace, Annette Scratch to Table dishes up locally sourced and seasonal meals crafted by Chef Caroline Glover, who is a 2019 Food and Wine Best New Chef and a many-time finalist for the James Beard Awards. Her dishes are skillfully unique (check out the chicken liver pâté or milk-braised pork cheeks) and are met with house cocktails that incorporate just as much attention to detail. The stylish interior, featuring lots of trees and plants throughout, provides a cozy feel and matches what Chef Caroline asks of anyone who visits: to sit, drink, eat, and be her guest.

BECKON

2843 Larimer St, DENVER – Chef’s Counter

At this intimate restaurant, seats are available through a ticketed system and released each Saturday morning at 10:00 am for the following two weeks. Dine at the chef’s counter and watch as the experts build seasonally driven plates, or sit at one of the outdoor spaces in the covered patio or private greenhouses. Everything within Beckon adds to the enchanting encounter that you will experience – from the worldly food, to the beverages that warm the senses, to the eclectic art displays.

BLACKBELLY

1606 Conestoga St #3, BOULDER – Farmhouse-chic Eatery & Butcher Shop

Acclaimed Chef Hosea Rosenberg’s Blackbelly is a staple of the Boulder community. Originally founded as a boutique catering and event company, Blackbelly is now a full- service restaurant, as well as a butcher shop with meat sourced from local ranchers and a market offering sweets, custom cakes, and other retail provisions. The highlights of this restaurant are the charcuterie boards, which can be ordered for takeout or dine-in, and are perfect for hosting family and friends at home. While the focus is on the quality of the locally sourced ingredients, the attention to detail for each dish is not to be overlooked.

The GOLDEN MILL

1012 Ford St, GOLDEN – New American

Newly opened in April, The Golden Mill delivers on its slogan to provide a “little bit of soul and a whole lot of comfort feed and drink.” Choose from foods like hand-cooked tacos, delightful sushi rolls, fried chicken sandwiches, or New Zealand-style ice cream. Spend the afternoon at this inviting food hall, located right on Clear Creek in Golden, and enjoy views of North and South Table Mountain to the east and Mt. Zion to the west from the rooftop patio.

SUMMIT at THE BROADMOOR

19 Lake Circle, COLORADO SPRINGS – Cuisine of the Americas

Located at the iconic The Broadmoor hotel, Summit presents unique American fare with a classic twist. The concepts are a beautiful blend of North, Latin, and South American cuisines. The menu is driven by the seasons as all meat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables are sourced from local farmers and butchers. Each dish is a true work of art, and you can tell the chefs work to pay homage to each ingredient. To top it off, the drink offerings only add to Summit’s sophistication with local microbrews, delightful seasonal cocktails, and wines from the finest regions around the world. Sure to impress, Summit is recognized on numerous lists for the food and drink, along with the impeccable service and contemporary design.

SUSHI DEN

1487 South Pearl St, DENVER – Sushi

Mouth-watering, fresh fish that is flown in daily from Japan is what you will find at the award-winning Sushi Den. Located on picturesque Pearl Street, this iconic, family-owned Japanese restaurant has been a staple in the Denver area since 1984. What makes Sushi Den so incredible is the exceptional quality of the ingredients. Koichi, the youngest brother in the family, carefully hand selects the freshest fish every day at 4:00 am at the Nagahama Fish Market on Kyushu Island, and then sends it to Denver for arrival within 24 hours.

TAVERNETTA

1889 16th St, DENVER – Italian

Located in chic and vibrant Union Station, Tavernetta invites the culture of Italy onto every dish. Crafted by the James Beard Award-winning team of Frasca Hospitality Group, the creative menu features fresh, handmade pastas, Italian-directed wine and spirits, and small plates influenced by the culinary team’s travels throughout the boot of Italy. Two must-tries: Tagliatelle with Maine lobster, calabrian chile, preserved tomato, and celery; and Burrata with sundried tomato pesto and focaccia breadcrumbs.