Denver Restaurant Week kicks off ten days of dining deals this Friday at some of the city's best restaurants. Many have been booked for weeks, so if you haven't made a reservation at your favorite spot, you may be out of luck scoring a seat for a $30 dinner. But even with more than 250 eateries participating, alternatives can still be found. With the attention of Denver diners turned toward the places that are participating, it may be a little easier than usual to sneak into the hot joints that aren't. Here are ten Denver restaurants that are doing their own thing for the next ten days.

Some of these restaurants are so popular they have no need to draw added attention to themselves; some are simply too small to accommodate the onslaught of additional business. Others offer pricier menus and may not be able render a decent representation of their menus for thirty bucks a head. No matter the reason, if you're late to the reservation game or simply want to avoid the frenzied scene, these place might be able to squeeze you in.

Atticus
1115 East Evans Avenue
720-459-8273

Bistro Barbes
5021 East 28th Avenue
720-398-8085

Chop Shop Casual Urban Eatery
4990 East Colfax Avenue
720-550-7665

Guard & Grace
1801 California Street
303-293-8500

Mercantile Dining & Provision
1701 Wynkoop Street
720-460-3733

Old Major
3316 Tejon Street
720-420-0622

To the Wind Bistro
3333 East Colfax Avenue
303-316-3333

Uncle
2215 West 32nd Avenue
303-433-3263

The Village Cork
1300 South Pearl Street
303-282-8399

Work & Class
2500 Larimer Street
303-292-0700

This is what the Village Cork had to say about abstaining from the event on the restaurant's Facebook page:

Hey everybody! As you may know Restaurant Week is February 20 through March 1. The Village Cork will not be participating and we will continue to serve our seasonal menu featuring Organic and local ingredients. See you soon!! Cheers!!

And in case there are still tables available (maybe you can score those shunned 5 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. reservations), here's the complete list of the eateries —along with their menus — participating this year.

• Lists