Izakaya Amu

Izakaya Amu is the yin to the yang of the rest of the restaurants in this small empire. It shares a wall with the raucous Sushi Zanmai, but it's a tiny oasis, an authentic izakaya. You won't find sushi here; instead, the gracious staff serves you classic Japanese country food and shabu shabu, which you can pair with Boulder's most extensive selection of sake. You may have to wait for one of the handful of bar seats or low tables, but your meal will definitely be worth the wait. An added bonus: The Japanese menu contains dishes that are not translated into English, so if you're feeling adventurous, make sure you ask your server for unfamiliar recommendations.