Posting By: Neil Walton

The Denver Restaurant scene is alive and kickin! We are lucky to have many world class chefs call Denver home. My girlfriend and I eat out about 4-5 times per week and we consider ourselves Denver Foodies. We demand fresh, local and a small menu. I wanted to pass along to you my top 7 restaurants as of right now in Denver. Some of them are long time favorites while some of these are new to the list. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. Please feel free to add comments about your favorite culinary locals in the comments below.

#1 Fruition:
I’ve now eaten here 3 times and every time it gets better and better. We like to order 3 appetizers, 1 entree and a desert. This seems to work out the best proportionately as well as provide a variety of dishes to sample. Chef Alex Seidel serves up a little piece of heaven with every meal. Don’t miss the Pasta Carbonara, Braised Rabbit Pot Pie, Pan Roasted Colorado Lamb and of course Valrhona Chocolate Cake with Nutella Ice Cream for desert.

#2 Masterpiece Delicatessen:
This sandwich shop was spawned from a couple of creative sandwich makers working in the back of the Lancer Lounge. For years those of us in the know would go to the back of a dingy and smokey bar to get some of the greatest sandwiches known to mankind. Well these 2 boys decided that they were getting out of the back of a bar and starting their own thing. They leased a spot over in Lower Highland and the rest is history. If you want the best sandwich in town go check these guys out. Don’t miss the Cubano, Rueben and my favorite… the slightly seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich. The price is a bit steep for a sandwich… but heh… the best sandwich in the world will cost you.

#3 Cafe Calore:
Located in Writers Square this joint has the best Cappallini with Bolognese Sauce in Denver. You can only find it on the lunch menu so if you are there for dinner ask for it. The only rival of this sauce is the Ragu my Italian Grandmother makes. Have a nice glass of Chianti with your meal.

#4 Twelve
Located on 22nd and Larimer in the quieter and less crazy section of LoDo this restaurant holds no punches. We were lucky enough to be one of the first patrons of this establishment during the opening week. We asked chef and owner Jeff Osaka if he could do an 8 course sampling of his dishes along with wine parings. I may say that this one one of the top 5 meals I have ever had. The name Twelve represents the number of different menu changes throughout the year to ensure the folks of Denver are getting the best ingredients of the seasons. Everything is fresh and local. Osaka tells me that some of the dishes will always remain on the menu… only the preparation will change. If its on the menu don’t miss the Foie Gras, Monk Fish or PB&J inspired desert.

#5 Mizuna
Remember when I said that I had a top 5 meal at Twelve? I also had one here at Mizuna. Chef Frank Bonanno claims to run a culinary think tank and food laboratory. What he has done is special. Currently Frank dominates the 7th Ave market with Mizuna, Luca de Italia and Bones. He also owns Osteria Marco in Larimer Square which I don’t think is that great. Mizuna is Frank’s masterpiece. We started the meal with Foie Gras that had been soaking in Konjak for 24 hours and then sliced delicately to order. It melts in your mouth. The menu may change daily depending on what fresh ingredients are available. I promise you a meal you’ll not soon forget.

#6 Bones
Frank from Mizuna has done it again. This time he brings the kitchen to you. Make sure you sit at the bar and watch the culinary experts at work. The kitchen is wide open and it’s impressive to watch these chefs do their thing. As all of Franks restaurants the idea is fresh, local and simple. The dishes and menu changes nightly. Eveything we have ever ordered there has been delectable. After your meal you MUST have the cereal ice cream twist. Frank takes popular breakfast cereals such as Fruit Loops, Coco Pebbles, Captain Crunch, etc. and soaks it in cream over night. He strains out the cereal and uses it to make soft serve ice cream. The result is gastronomical! A great place for a date…

#7 Marrakesh
Kick off your shoes and sit on the floor in this traditional Moroccan Restaurant on 15th and Blake. Simple… order the Daifa, sit back relax and sip on some Moroccan Red Wine… you are in for a treat. The first course that arrives is a Chicken Bastille which is a pastry covered in powdered sugar with chicken inside. Sooooo Good! Then comes a steady stream of salads, lamb, chickens and various other items. Its all topped off with some belly dancers and pouring tea above your head. Its delicious and entertaining… go treat yourself to a fun evening.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Denver?