Z Cuisine in Denver Colorado

Z Cuisine

Address: 2239 W. 30th Ave.

Cross Streets: 30th & Wyandotte

Phone: 303-477-1111

Price: $$

Reservations: No

Hours: D:Wed-Sat

Funky, charismatic, delightful--and very French--describe this tiny bistro and crêperie that is taking North Denver by storm. With only 17 seats, plus a few spaces at the bar, this tiny one-room spot exudes charm as the wood tables and simple bar are accented with a "way-out" chandelier, mirror and paintings that set the scene. Chef owner Patrick Dupays and his wife Lynnde wander through the room and make one feel totally at home. The chalkboard menu changes often. The brown bag that arrives is not your lunch but fresh French bread to accompany all the dishes. Start with baby organic leeks, barely poached and served with creamy garlic vinaigrette. Patrick calls this the favorite appetizer of French men. After the first bite, one knows why. Slow-roasted organic beets, carpaccio-style, are served with an outrageous blue cheese, crème fraiche and vinaigrette. The assiette campagnarde brings a platter of house-made pate, rillettes of duck, an array of cheeses, onions and champagne grapes. The tomato-Dijon-mustard tartelette is classic French with a perfect crust and accompanied by a house salad. The salad also comes with the amazing gallette, a buckwheat crêpe filled with imported ham, raclette cheese and topped with a fried egg. One bite and you are hooked as each ingredient complements the entire dish. Country potpie is another classic, but the big winner is the cassoulet maison where the signature dish is composed of duck-leg confit, smoked bratwurst and white-bean ragout. Leave room for dessert--Nutella, peanut-butter-and-jelly or lemon crêpes and crème brûlée or tart tatin. The very French wine list completes the picture. Z might be the last letter of the alphabet but after one visit, Z Cuisine will be first on your list of places to be. Start with baby organic leeks, barely poached and served with creamy garlic vinaigrette. Patrick calls this the favorite appetizer of French men. After the first bite, one knows why. Slow roasted organic beets, carpaccio style is served with an outrageous blue cheese, crème fraiche and vinaigrette. The assiette campagnarde brings a platter of housemade pate, rillettes of duck, an array of cheeses, onions and champagne grapes. The tomato Dijon mustard tartelette is classic French with a perfect crust accompanied by a house salad. The salad also comes with the amazing gallette where a buckwheat crepe is filled with imported ham, raclette cheese and topped with a fried egg. One bite and you are hooked as each ingredient complements the entire dish. Country potpie is another classic but the big winner is the cassoulet maison where the signature dish is composed of duck leg confit, smoked bratwurst and white bean ragout. Leave room for dessert----nutella, peanut butter and jelly or lemon crepes and crème brulee or tart tatin. The very French wine list completes the picture. Z might be the last letter of the alphabet but after one visit, Z Cuisine will be first on your list of places to be.