8 picks for Denver Restaurant Week 2020

Chefs dish on top culinary hot spots in the Mile High City’s ever-growing culinary scene. Plus: Brewers weigh in on the best beers for DRW20.

Cory Phare

February 18, 2020

Feast your eyes on Denver Restaurant Week 2020.

The 16^thannual event launches Friday and runs through March 1 and features 255 of Denver’s top restaurants inviting you to taste what’s going on in today’s food scene. And at prix fixe prices of $25, $35 and $45 per person, a night out on the town doesn’t have to break the bank.

“Denver Restaurant Week offers an opportunity for people to take advantage of great deals to try out a spot they may have always wanted to,” said Chef Jeff Koch, a faculty member in Metropolitan State University of Denver’s School of Hospitality. “(Denver) has become quite a culinary scene — you can get any type of food here now.”

Visit Denver’s annual showcase of the best restaurants in Denver actually spans from Boulder to Castle Rock – and even out to Evergreen. So, with such an overwhelming selection to choose from, RED polled MSU Denver hospitality experts for their picks to help you build your own culinary adventure (check out the interactive map below).

Bon appetit!

Denver Restaurant Week is a staple of the Mile High city’s red-hot culinary scene, running Feb. 21 – March 1. At Uptown’s Ace Eat Serve, pictured here, diners can indulge in a three-course meal for $25 with one of the best accompanying drink selections of DRW, said MSU Denver beer expert Scott Kerkmans. Image courtesy Visit Denver

Beast and Bottle
719 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80203
$45
This hip, intimate Uptown spot is known for brunch, but the dinner menu features fresh takes such as a walnut-crusted rockfish with parsnip confit, sauce forestiereand pickled currants.

“Not only are they a farm-to-table operation, but one of the owners – JP Taylor – is an MSU Denver alum,” Chef Jackson Lamb noted.

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Ambli Global
6799 E. Belleview Ave., Denver, CO 80237
$45
Chef Jason Rice describes the dishes from owners Kelly and Pariza as medium-sized tapas plates but with Indian food. “They’ve taken it to a new level,” Koch said. “The service is always on point, and their sommelier always makes great suggestions.
“They strive for perfection, and every time we’ve been in, they hit it!”

Spuntino
2639 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, CO 80211
$35
“This is another great Mediterranean find,” Lamb said. Sous chef Austin Nickel, also an MSU Denver alum, has been there for 4 years and was recently interviewed on the “Chef or Death” podcast.

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Culinary arts – and crafts

The food may get top billing for DRW20, but don’t forget the importance of a good pairing. We tap into the best beer of Denver Restaurant Week with Scott Kerkmans, director of MSU Denver’s Beer Industry Program.

Scott’s Picks:
Ace Eat Serve
501 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80203

Blue Moon Brewing
750 Chestnut Pl., Denver, CO 80216

Euclid Hall
1317 14th St., Denver, CO 80202

The Family Jones Spirit House (“OK, no beer, but their spirits are great,” Kerkmans said.)
3245 Osage St., Denver, CO 80211

Former Saint
650 15th St., Denver, CO 80202

The Kitchen American Bistro
1560 Wazee St., Denver, CO 80202

Avenue Grill
630 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80203
$45
Old meets new at this interpretation of a cocktail-forward, white-tablecloth supper club.
“I like the old classic restaurant experience here,” Koch said. “The food is fresh, and the menu is traditional but fits today with a modern twist.”

Coohill’s
1400 Wewatta St., Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202
$45
With monthly menu changes and cutting-edge creations, accessible fine dining has cemented Coohill’s as Koch’s top choice for this year’s Restaurant Week. “They have great success in everything they do,” he said. “The food and the experience are top-notch; for special occasions or entertaining guests, it’s my go-to and absolutely my favorite restaurant.”

Coperta
400 E. 20th Ave., Denver, CO 80205
$35
Homemade pasta from the South of Italy in a warm environment make this Five Points restaurant one that Lamb’s looking forward to. “Terrific Italian; it’s one of the first places I’m heading to (this Restaurant Week),” Koch said. “The only problem with Italian food is after five days, you’re hungry again!”

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Denver Chophouse & Brewery
1735 19th St., Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202
$45
LoDo’s pre-Rockies game hot spot is a throwback to those meat-and-potato memories of an older Denver, right down to its lack of fussiness. “It’s a classic steakhouse experience, but you’re not out of place in a pair of jeans – you can’t go wrong,” Koch said.

Bonefish Grill

100 W. Crestline Ave., Littleton, CO 80123
$35
This Littleton addition to DRW is a combination of fine dining (in its décor and service) with casual comfort. “The food is always fresh; I’ve always had a great experience here,” Koch said.