The Platt Park dining strip running south from Louisiana to Iowa along Pearl Street. Sushi Den, Izakaya Den and OTOTO sit one block apart; the Sunday Old South Pearl farmers market anchors the strip.
Sushi Den in Denver is Toshi and Yasu Kizaki's South Pearl sushi house since 1984, with fish flown daily from Toyosu Market in Tokyo via the brothers' Japanese supply chain.
Signature: Omakase, Negi hamachi, Toro sashimi
Order: Sit at the bar and order omakase; the chefs cut by request and the negi hamachi has been the room signature for decades.
Tip: Reservations open online 30 days out and disappear in hours. The walk-in policy at the bar still works if you arrive by 5 pm.
Izakaya Den in Denver is the Kizaki brothers' South Pearl izakaya next door to Sushi Den, a small-plates and yakitori room with the same Toyosu Market fish supply.
Signature: Yakitori, Wagyu carpaccio, Skirt steak shabu
Order: Yakitori from the binchotan grill and the wagyu carpaccio; pair with cold sake or the kitchen's Japanese gin and tonic.
Tip: Walk-up only at the bar. The dining room takes bookings; the kitchen closes at 11 pm, later than most South Pearl rooms.
OTOTO in Denver is the Kizaki brothers' South Pearl third room beside Sushi Den and Izakaya Den, a casual ramen and rice-bowl counter since 2018.
Signature: Ramen, Okonomiyaki, Bao buns
Order: The tonkotsu ramen and the chicken karaage; the bao buns are the easiest snack with a beer.
Tip: Walk-in only at lunch; the dinner counter takes reservations on Resy. Tap room next door pours sake by the glass.
San Pedro Mexican in Denver is Edith Sanchez's South Pearl Mexican dining room with regional Oaxacan and Pueblan plates, a mezcal-focused bar and a Sunday brunch.
Signature: Mole poblano, Carnitas, Mezcal flights
Order: The mole poblano and a glass of pechuga mezcal; carnitas plate is the room's biggest serving.
Tip: Closed Mondays. South Pearl farmers' market on Sunday runs 9 am to 1 pm a block away.