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French BistroDowntown
Bistro Vendome in Denver is Jennifer Jasinski's Larimer Square French bistro since 2003, with a courtyard patio and a menu of canonical bistro plates.
OrderThe steak frites with bearnaise and the duck confit, both menu mainstays since opening.
TipThe courtyard is one of Larimer Square's best-kept patios. Brunch on Sunday with the French toast is the room's busiest service.
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Japanese-peruvianCherry Creek
Matsuhisa in Denver is Nobu Matsuhisa's Cherry Creek dining room since 2009, the chef's third Colorado location with the canonical Nobu-style.
OrderThe black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeno are the Matsuhisa signatures.
TipThe sushi bar pours through a separate booking link from the dining room. The Aspen location is the chef's original; Denver is the day-trip Front Range version.
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Modern MexicanDowntown
Tamayo in Denver is Richard Sandoval's modern Mexican dining room on Larimer Square since 2001, a rooftop patio anchor for upscale tacos, ceviche and tequila.
OrderThe tableside guacamole and the cochinita pibil with Yucatan-style achiote; flight of mezcal to pair.
TipThe rooftop patio runs March through October with mountain views; book it three weeks ahead. The bar is open for walk-ins.
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Japanese IzakayaSouth Pearl
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.
OrderYakitori from the binchotan grill and the wagyu carpaccio.
TipWalk-up only at the bar. The dining room takes bookings; the kitchen closes at 11 pm, later than most South Pearl rooms.
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MediterraneanHighland
El Five in Denver is Justin Cucci's fifth-floor Highland tapas room with floor-to-ceiling views of downtown and the Front Range, a Mediterranean small-plates.
OrderThe wood-grilled octopus and the lamb shawarma.
TipSunset reservations book out a month in advance. The hidden side patio runs walk-ins; the elevator entrance is on Umatilla.
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SteakhouseDowntown
Guard and Grace in Denver is Troy Guard's modern downtown steakhouse since 2014, with an in-house dry-ageing program and a Colorado wagyu and bison selection.
OrderThe 28-day dry-aged ribeye or the Snake River Farms wagyu tasting.
TipThe downstairs lounge runs happy hour 4 to 6 pm with discounted steaks. Book the wine vault for a private steak dinner.