Vita in Denver Colorado

Vita

Address: 1575 Boulder St.

Cross Streets: 15th & Boulder

Phone: 303-477-4600

Price: $$$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: L-D:Daily

The dining scene in the lower Highlands continues to grow and VITA brings Italian fun to the scene. Mark Schuwerk and Jay Beckerman, owners of the very popular Blue River Bistro in Breckenridge along with Chef Max MacKissock have created a terrific spot. The décor is knockout. Part of the original Olinger's Mortuary building, delight in exposed black ceilings, huge picture windows that open to the patio when weather permits, merlot colored accents and brick walls. Seating is very comfortable. The focal bar is the place to meet and continues to the outside when the windows open. Chef Max offers appetizers out of the ordinary starting with gnocchi with mushrooms, lobster meatballs, marinated ahi tuna or a crispy polenta sandwich filled with pork confit. The Mediterranean salad with seared ahi, sea beans, fried egg, olives, bacon and Dijon vinaigrette is a must. Caesar, tossed vegetables, and prosciutto with melon are other salad choices. The list of pasta includes goat cheese ravioli, spicy sausage and calamari pasta, winter squash lasagna and pappardelle with chicken, artichokes, mushrooms and goat cheese. Hanger steak, diver scallops "saltimbocca", sea bass with couscous, beef tenderloin and lamb arrive beautifully presented. Divine desserts include apple pie, molten chocolate cake, mousse and creamy gelatos. The wine and martini lists are excellent and service shines. Casual, friendly and very upbeat, VITA is a great addition to the area.

Udi's at Stapleton in Denver Colorado

Udi's at Stapleton

Address: 7357 E. 29th

Cross Streets: 29th & Quebec

Phone: 303-329--8888

Price: $$

Reservations: No

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

Udi’s brings a fun neighborhood restaurant to the Stapleton Town Center. The place is bright and cheerful with big windows, bright colors and an open kitchen that extends into the back of the room. Don’t forget the cases filled with goodies to go as well. Udi is famous for his bread—and it is there for all to enjoy. Baskets come with an assortment of flavors as you peruse the menu. Start with the cheese plate, grilled artichoke or platter of hummus and more. Other appetizers include prosciutto with grilled tomato bread, mussels and an Israeli salad. Main courses range from mango chicken salad, black cod and a vegetable tasting to ravioli and roasted chicken. The kiddie menu is outstanding. Desserts run the gambit from cheesecake and panna cotta to warmed cookies and ice cream. Breakfast, brunch and lunch shine. A nice wine list and coffee service is available to complement your meal. Prices are reasonable. Udi’s is the perfect spot for family fun and a casual night out.

Tom's Home Cookin' in Denver Colorado

Tom's Home Cookin'

Address: 800 E. 26th Ave

Cross Streets: 26th and Clarkson

Phone: 303-388-8035

Price: $

Reservations: No

Hours: L:Mon-Fri

Dreaming of your grandma's meat loaf or her famous Coca-Cola chocolate cake? Your dreams come true at Tom's Home Cookin'. Owners Tom Unterwagner and Steve Jankousky have broken lots of rules here. They're open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until they run out of food (whichever comes first). This is not a fancy place; order at the counter and hope for a seat. The menu changes from day to day, so a call to the answering machine will tell you the picks of the day. Slow-roasted turkey with old-fashioned stuffing and mashed potatoes with some of the best gravy in town, Louisiana catfish with lima-bean succotash, and potatoes with black-eyed peas are just a few items from the rotating menu. Dessert will have your mouth watering: fresh fruit cobbler, sweet-potato pie and that chocolate Coca-Cola cake. The daily bargain is the "meat and two"--your choice of a main course and two sides for under $7. Once you try Tom's, you'll be a fan for life.

Tacos Jalisco in Denver Colorado

Tacos Jalisco

Address: 4309 W. 38th Ave.

Cross Streets: Tennyson and 38th

Phone: 303-458-1437

Price: $$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: B-L-D:Daily

This unpretentious north Denver Mexican eatery continues to garner awards and gain fans for great tacos. Start with an order of chips and three salsas of varying flavors and degrees of heat. Balance the heat with horchata—a sweet rice, sugar and cinnamon drink. The soup of the day features one of many tasty traditional possibilities. Soft tacos arrive four to an order, stuffed with your choice of pork, beef tongue, lamb, shredded beef, chicken or sausage. Other choices include burritos, enchiladas, tacos, rellenos and chimichangas. Desserts include sopaipillas and fried ice cream.

La Sandia Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar

La Sandia Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar

Address: 8340-1690 E 49th St.

Cross Streets: Northfield at Stapleton

Phone: 303-373-9100

Price: $$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: L-Mon-Fri: D-Daily

La Sandia is Wow!!! Richard Sandoval (Tamayo and Zengo) again brings the most exciting décor and food to Denver----this time in the new Northfield development. The place is gorgeous. It is big with high unfinished ceilings painted bright colors and softened with dropped pressed tin ceilings spaced throughout to generate more intimate areas for dining. Color is everywhere with the basics of blue, dark red, sand and accents of all colors featured in acrylic panels that recreate the mystical and magical folklore stories of Mexico. Tile around the open kitchen, a huge bar/lounge area, and an exciting patio add to the scene. The food is as exciting as the décor. Start with salsa and chips served to each table. The guacamole arrives portioned correctly, served so the guests can "make their own." You must have the queso fundido where Oaxaca, Chihuahua and Gouda cheeses are melted and served with flour tortillas and a spicy tomatillo dip. The combination is extraordinary and puts any grilled cheese sandwich to shame. Other great choices for appetizers include the chicken tamal, ceviche, and beef sopes. Tortilla soup, Mexican chicken soup and several salads make a great second course. Tacos come in many forms: Baja with battered tilapia, chicken, carne asada, pork, and vegetarian. You might opt for chicken pibil, mole, enchiladas or Milanese. Some seafood choices include snapper Veracruz, seafood mariscada and shrimp skewers. A la carte accompaniments include rice and beans, Mexican zucchini, chile poblano potato, and sautéed chayote, mushrooms and bacon. The only problem is deciding on what to order. Don't miss dessert: crepes with Cajeta, a brownie sundae with cinnamon ice cream, churros and tres leches cake. The Mexican hot chocolate is sinful. Along with wine, try the super lime, mango or hibiscus margarita. Service is as terrific as the food with friendly, helpful staff to make your visit very enjoyable. La Sandia is worth the trip from any area and brings new excitement to the Stapleton area. It definitely has it all.

Indulge in Denver Colorado

Indulge

Address: 4140 W. 38th Avenue

Cross Streets: 39th Ave. and Raleigh

Phone: 303-433-7400

Price: $$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: D: Tues-Sat

A real gem is located in this unpretentious space on the corner of 38th Avenue and Raleigh. The one room space is simple with a focal bar, exposed brick and stone, nice curtains, comfortable seating--a totally simple spot that does not say Wow!!! But it all changes from here. William Wahl and his wife Stephanie bring knockout French bistro food to Denver with service and wine to match. Both are from France and have created a perfect spot to "indulge". Start with vichyssoise, tiger shrimp and avocado cocktail, steak tartare or escargot "Napoleon". Sautéed scallops Provencal and a perfect blue crab, avocado and mango salad with Remoulade sauce are fantastic in flavors and taste. Entrees of steamed mussels with pomme frites, crispy salmon and an amazing pan roasted striped bass with beluga lentil, tomato-lemon grass broth bring sighs of delight to fish lovers. Coq Au Vin with the best noodles au gratin and Peking duck with the best haricot verts and maple-old grains mustard sauce are awesome. Black Angus steak, frites and tenderloin with Béarnaise and grilled asparagus please all. The simplicity of the room is a background for marvelous picture perfect presentation of the food that offers so many complementary combinations of texture, spicing and perfection in quality. End with decadent desserts of crème brulee, molten chocolate cake and apple tart. The very French wine list amazes, and service is beyond excellent. Everyone here is knowledgeable, friendly and caring. Add affordable prices and you have Indulge. Truly a find, Indulge proves that Denver does have food and chefs that match the top in the country.

Highlands Garden Café in Denver Colorado

Highlands Garden Café

Address: 3927 W. 32nd Ave.

Cross Streets: W. 32nd Ave. and Perry

Phone: 303-458-5920

Price: $$$$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: B-L-D:Daily, BR-D:Sat-Sun

Imagine a restaurant more beautiful than many homes, with grounds that rival those of the Botanic Gardens. Add perfect food, wine and service and you have Highlands Garden Cafe. Chef/owner Patricia Perry has come a long way from her first miniscule spot on East 6th Avenue. With the help of husband Chuck, she heads the kitchen, tends the gardens and oversees every detail of the wine list. Inside, enjoy the ambience of lovely wood floors, murals, stained-glass windows and fireplaces in the two houses that have been joined together. Outside, sit in one of the secluded gardens to take in the scenery as you delight in the meal. Start with crab cakes, mussels with tomato and basil, sweetbreads with mushrooms or escargot with wine. Salads are as beautiful as the flower arrangements and feature top greens, cheeses, nuts and more. Two examples are baby spinach with bacon, tomato, mushrooms and red onion; and pear with sherried walnuts, Saga blue cheese and mixed endives in sherry vinaigrette. It's hard to decide on an entrée, as the dozens of selections change weekly and all tantalize. Halibut with ceviche and avocado salad, pan-seared trout with almonds and sage butter, blackened sea bass and swordfish top the fish offerings. In summer months, indulge in the New England clambake. Quail with tomatoes, olives and fresh mozzarella salad, beef tenderloin with blue cheese, rack of lamb, and pheasant with savory cherry jam and St. Andre cheese also appear on the extensive menu. Every entrée perfectly balances delicate flavors and tastes. Marvelous desserts include crisps, crêpes, brownies, chocolate mousse and ice cream. The wine list is amazing, and prices by the glass or by the bottle are impressive. Breakfast is now served daily, and weekend brunches are the best in town. Sunday-night-special dinners feature a three-course meal for $26.50 per person. Private parties of any size can be accommodated, and there is even a day set aside for senior lunches. A visit to Highlands Garden Café is as special as an evening can be.