Mead Street Station in Denver Colorado

Mead Street Station

Address: 3625 W 32nd Ave.

Cross Streets: 32nd Ave. and Lowell

Phone: 303-433-2138

Price: $$

Reservations: No

Hours: L-D:Mon-Sat

Settle into a creaky wooden bench at this neighborhood pub and enjoy a comfortable evening of conversation. Live blues, jazz and rock ’n’ roll attract a diverse crowd most nights, all of which keeps servers rushing around in a frenzy of ordered drinks and food. Mead Street’s menu features classic burgers, tasty sandwiches and creative meals. Try the juicy tuna sandwich; delicious fish and chips; or pork chops with rice, salsa and guacamole. Decadent slices of pie or cake will satisfy your sweet tooth.

King's Land Seafood Restaurant in Denver Colorado

King's Land Seafood Restaurant

Address: 2200 W. Alameda #44

Cross Streets: Alameda and Zuni

Phone: 303-975-2399

Price: $$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: L,D - daily

King’s Land boasts some of Denver’s most authentic Chinese cuisine. The building stands opposite a giant Asian marketplace interspersed with a few Mexican shops. Inside, the massive dining room can hold hundreds of people, although the room is not always full. At lunchtime, servers wander between tables with dim-sum carts, serving up dumplings and delicacies of your choice. The dinner menu offers more familiar dishes along with house specialties. Start with barbecue ribs, Peking duck or shrimp sticks, and then choose from 12 tasty soups. For your main course, try abalone, lobster, crab, shrimp and scallop dishes. Sauces range from rich and spicy to light and refreshing—good for any season of the year. Don’t miss the delicious barbecue duck. Whole cooked ducks are also available for purchase.

Julia Blackbird's in Denver Colorado

Julia Blackbird's

Address: 3434 W 32nd Ave.

Cross Streets: 32nd and Julian

Phone: 303-433-2688

Price: $$

Reservations: No

Hours: L-D:Tue-Sat

Julia Blackbird’s is located in the wonderful Highland area. As you walk to the restaurant, a bright patio is on your left. Enter the space where you first see the open kitchen with the chefs at work. Walk past this area into the dining room, where you can enjoy your meal along with wine, beer and margaritas. Julia Blackbird’s offers a taste of New Mexico, complete with bright art, murals, and colors everywhere to set the scene. A basket of colorful chips and a bowl of salsa whet your appetite for delicious guacamole packed with chunks of tomatoes and jalapeños. Or start with the spicy chili con queso. For your entrée, try the plate of cheese, chicken and beef enchiladas, each topped with a different sauce. The unique chili rellenos come stuffed with goat cheese and dusted with blue corn. Other options include blue-corn tacos and stuffed-acorn squash smothered in beans. On weekends stop in for a sweet breakfast of crêpes or start the day with a giant burrito. Dense chocolate cake with pine nuts, apple pie with ice cream, peach soup and cookies make for a sweet ending. You’ll still find all your old favorites with new décor and liquor at this delightful spot.

Jack 'n' Grill in Denver Colorado

Jack 'n' Grill

Address: 2524 N. Federal Blvd

Cross Streets: 26th & Federal

Phone: 303-964-9544

Price: $

Reservations: No

Hours: L-D:Daily

This terrific spot has expanded its space so more people can enjoy this wildly popular Mexican restaurant. Dine inside the colorful dining area or on the patio. Peppers of every ilk cover shelves on one wall while posters of peppers cover the rest. Owner Jack Martinez charms the crowd as he tells about the freshness of his spicy New Mexican–style fare. You will be impressed with the quality and tastiness of the dishes. The chili is hot, hotter or hottest. Christmas combines both green and red but doesn’t really temper the heat. If you prefer mild, just ask. Dig into the huge guacamole salad, spicy but so delicious. Giant chicken burritos come smothered with cheese and topped with chili. Grilled-shrimp soft tacos with guacamole pack more flavor than any in town. In season you can purchase fresh peppers by the bushel and get tasty ears of corn. With huge portions, reasonable prices and great people, return trips are mandatory. If you’re looking for some delicious Mexican fare, you’ve found it at Jack ‘n’ Grill.

Gelman's Gourmet Market and Bistro in Denver Colorado

Gelman's Gourmet Market and Bistro

Address: 2911 W 38th St

Cross Streets: W. 38th & Elliott

Phone: 303-458-163

Price: $$

Reservations: No

Hours: B-L-D-Tues-Sat, B-L-Mon: BR-Sun

Gelman's is great! This delightful spot is a family affair--and what a talented group they are. Start with the space. As you enter this bright, cheery spot your eye goes to cases of divine carryout selections and homemade desserts. Your gaze then goes directly to the dining area, where high, dark ceilings are accented with modern white panels with super lighting. Color is everywhere: the tables are resin painted with contemporary designs in the brightest of colors accented with cherry-red wood chairs, blue walls, rust accents, gold fabric booths and displays of wine along with great art on the walls. A small bar is perfect for dining, coffee or wine. This is a totally happy space, and you'll be even happier after you enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch here. Dinner starts with soup, salads, fried clams, Caprese, artisan cheese plates or pancetta-wrapped scallops. The thin-crust pizza is remarkable. The crust is thin but pliable and the toppings are awesome. The roasted garlic, oil, mozzarella and Parmesan is the best. Entrées range from a salmon en papillote cooked perfectly with vegetables and potatoes and accented with the flavors of soy and ginger; shrimp curry; or must-have polenta lasagna layered with cheeses and marinara, all served over a bed of grated Parmesan. There are many other gourmet options--or an amazing array of burgers, sandwiches and salads for those wanting a lighter meal. Sandwiches include tuna, egg salad, turkey club, chicken Waldorf and many more. The accompanying fries are perfect. Breakfast brings eggs of many kinds, challah French toast, smoked salmon, blintzes, burritos and a Mediterranean BLT. End with chocolate walnut pie, lemon cupcakes with lavender cream cheese icing or chocolate-chip cookies--or whatever the chef creates for the day. The coffee and tea selections are another treat. Add a great wine list, super service and reasonable prices that enhance the experience. No matter where you live, Gelman's is one of the best neighborhood restaurants in town.

Da-Lat in Denver Colorado

Da-Lat

Address: 940 S Federal Blvd

Cross Streets: Federal and Kentucky

Phone: 303-935-4141

Price: $

Reservations: No

Hours: L-D:Daily

Da-Lat stands out as one of the best amongst the many ethnic eateries on South Federal. The casual dining room is open and airy, with wood wainscoting and mirrors that visually expand the space. The topnotch staff will happily guide you through the many new additions to this already huge Vietnamese menu. Start with the mouthwatering combination appetizer that consists of grilled beef, chicken, pork and shrimp served with an overflowing platter of fresh lettuce, bean sprouts, rice noodles, cucumbers and rice papers. Mix and match to create your own wraps for dipping into tangy homemade fish sauce. Both the chicken with lemongrass and beef stir fried with garlic, black pepper and soy sauce really satisfy. Order other great choices such as shrimp with cashews, shrimp noodle bowls, curry pork or catfish. Upon request, the chef will prepare something special just for you. Wash it all down with one of the thirst-quenching exotic fruit smoothies.

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.