Brasserie Brixton

The owners of this cozy spot in North Denver drew its inspiration from their love of the casual bistros and wine bars of Montreal, resulting in a certain approachable charm that makes it a neighborhood restaurant par excellence. It also comes through both in the rustic aesthetic, and moreover in the small menu of staples like steak frites with creamy pepper sauce, rib-sticking chicken fricassee with Boursin pomme purée, and comforting French onion soup, alongside more inventive items like blood sausage fried wontons with tamari vinaigrette. There's also an excellent burger. Well-crafted cocktails and a compact but thoughtful list of thirst-quenching natural wines round out the roster.