Boulder

Concrete floors, cream walls and an open kitchen with a wood-burning oven set an industrial-chic tone at Basta. Snag a spot at the bar and you'll have a front row seat to the culinary action, where family-style, contemporary Italian-American cooking is the name of the game. Start things off right with a shareable starter like burrata or the silky chicken liver mousse with peach mostarda that is sided by crusty bread from next-door sister bakery, Dry Storage. Definitely don't skip the smoked dark green olives—they're an unexpected delight. From there, entrees are satisfying, especially the half chicken. End on a sweet note with a plate of five beignet-style doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar and a dulce de leche Chantilly cream.

Cozobi Fonda Fina
Cuisine: Mexican

Named after the Zapotec god of corn, it’s only fitting that Chef Johnny Curiel's second venture should be a celebration of maize in its many guises. Corn is flown in from Mexico and nixtamalized in house before being transformed into a variety of preparations, from tender tortillas to lightly fried quesadillas, matched with the likes with juicy cochinita pibil made from pork collar, or tender oyster mushroom, poblano rajas and queso fresco. A hickory-fired hearth adds another dimension to the cooking, whether in lively salsas or gently warmed scallops. A handsome bar provides an assortment of enticing cocktails, and even here the central theme makes an appearance, with a singularly delicious margarita featuring elote mezcal and corn liqueur.

Denver

Ash'Kara
Cuisine: Israeli

Glo Noodle House
Cuisine: Ramen

The location in a run of the mill strip mall belies the cool interior at this spot named for Chef/owner Chris Teigland's mother. Inside, dark charcoal and dark wood are offset by pops of bright colors, while overhead, vibrant lanterns of different colors and sizes draw attention.
The kitchen delivers serious flavor on their noodle/ramen-based menu. Kick off with a sweet and savory skewer of marinated tofu skewer served with a miso peach jam and an almond and sesame candy crumble. Ramen options run the gamut from miso bacon and brothless versions to the death wish designed for spice hounds who want the heat without sacrificing flavor.
Sweets worth saving room for include the sweet crispy rice cake with smoked caramel and kasu-lime ice cream.

Hop Alley
Cuisine: Chinese

Hop Alley refers to the original name for Denver's Chinatown, but there's nothing historic about this sleek restaurant. In keeping with the contemporary look, the Chinese menu with Sichuan leanings features modern adaptations of classics. There's plenty of originality and bold flavors, as seen in dishes like gai lan, a dynamic plate of grilled Chinese broccoli with schmaltz and oyster sauce finished with house-made duck salt and crispy shallots. Shrimp toast topped with whipped shrimp and chicken thigh is far from standard thanks to mustard gastrique and tiger vinaigrette. Dan dan mian noodles are set with ground pork in a Szechuan peppercorn broth that brings the heat. Uniquely beguiling cocktails provide an excellent companion to the cuisine, accented with the likes of orgeat and green Sichuan peppercorns.

La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal
Cuisine: Mexican

This Larimer Street spot from chef Jose Avila is no fuss and no frills but all heart. Inside, it's equal parts cozy and colorful with dark, unpolished wood floors and vibrant walls. In case the name didn't give it away, pozole is the star of the show. They feature the typical rojo and verde broths as well as white, black (with a smoky char from roasted chilies) and vegetarian—eschewing pork for mushroom and chayote. It's an impressive take on a Mexican staple. Customize the protein and opt for the tender and flavorful pork, and order a mezcal from their extensive selection. Should pozole not call your name, there are tacos and pambazos on offer, and on weekends, mornings are met with chilaquiles and a concha French toast that's worth an early wake-up call.

MAKfam
Cuisine: Chinese

What began as a pop-up back in NYC, where owners and married couple Doris Yuen and Kenneth Wan first met, and then became a stall in a Denver food hall, is now at last a full-service restaurant. The winsome, colorful space and the compact menu both celebrate the pair's Chinese American roots, both having been raised by immigrant families who worked in restaurants. Fried crab and cheese wontons and hand-shaped chicken and chive potstickers are inspired by Chinatown favorites and takeout staples, made with particular care and big flavor. Chicken wings with a spicy, tingly málà seasoning are favorites with good reason, and larger dishes, like the familiar-yet-inventive corned beef fried rice or spicy garlic butter rice cakes, impress as well.

Mister Oso
Cuisine: Latin American

It's laid-back and lively at Mister Oso, a small but stylish spot with a creative menu and clever cooking. Chef/owner Blake Edmunds has a hit on his hands, with a second location opening in recent years. While tacos may be the main event, this isn't your typical taqueria menu. Instead, discover ceviches, salads and dishes bearing Latin American and international influences. Everything is served family style. Pick up a tortilla and start building a delicious treat, as in the smoked lamb cheek tacos with pickled red onion and grilled shishito peppers that's finished with a bright and zesty avocado salsa. Coconut rice, served in a piping hot cast iron dish, bridges sweet and savory thanks to pickled shaved peppers and thin, shaved red onion.

Tavernetta
Cuisine: Italian

Tavernetta is an absolute stunner. Every detail has been considered and designed to encourage lingering and relaxing in this unique and beautiful space. The Italian menu nods to more well-known dishes from multiple regions, and the plates are refreshingly uncluttered. The classics are prepared with obvious care, as in a crostini primavera with a sourdough base layered with creamy stracciatella, heritage English peas and lovely spring greens. Crisp and fresh, it's simple but spot on. Spaghetti all'amatriciana is loaded with guanciale, tomato and pecorino romano for a wonderfully savory dish. To finish, tiramisu is a classic for a reason.
Come at lunch for a delicious two-course deal, then spring for a dessert.

The Ginger Pig
Cuisine: Chinese, Asian

The story here begins with Chef Natascha Hess's time as an exchange student in Beijing, where her host family taught her the fundamentals of Chinese home cooking, lessons that sparked a full-bore culinary passion. After several trips back to China, her travels broadened to include Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok and more—a catalogue of flavors that she then translated into a hugely popular food truck, eventually becoming this lively, rustic brick-and-mortar location (though the truck can still be seen parked in front). It's clear that Chef Hess’s time abroad was well-spent: from hearty boiled pork and cabbage dumplings dressed with chili oil to stir-fried cabbage with Thai chili jam, the cooking bursts with flavor, including a healthy dose of heat.

Hero & Thumb image: Shawn Campbell / Cozobi Fonda Fina