Acreage
1380 Horizon Avenue, Lafayette
720-443-3007
Stem Ciders has played a pivotal role in the resurgence of cider, once one of America's favorite beverages. After five years of small-batch production in a tiny cider house downtown, the company thought big — really big — with its new Boulder County farmhouse restaurant. Located on more than ten acres of hilltop property (where orchards and vegetable gardens are even now being planted), Acreage combines a cider taproom and wood-fired kitchen to draw guests from the entire Front Range. Subtle Spanish influences on the menu nod to cider's European origins, while rustic American cooking keeps the food grounded. And without making a fuss of it, Acreage is almost entirely gluten-free. A seat in the bright and airy dining room, with views of Boulder Valley and the Rocky Mountains, makes for a relaxing evening of sipping and dining in the country.
Ad Hominem
43 West Ninth Avenue
303-454-0000
After Charcoal closed in 2017, the Golden Triangle was in need of a dining room serving creative, chef-driven cuisine that didn't feel stuffy or uptight. Ad Hominem is the answer, offering a tight menu of seasonal creations with equal hints of whimsy and comfort. A glowing, glass-encased herb garden to the side of the dining room gives guests a glimpse of the greenery that will make it onto their plates, and a menu centered on local produce and proteins makes for a distinctly Colorado experience while sending tendrils into Japan, Italy and Mexico.
Brightmarten
730 South University Boulevard
720-541-7696
A new restaurant in an old neighborhood can be a scary proposition for residents who value familiarity over change, tradition over trendiness. The founding team at Brightmarten understood this when they took over the former 730 South in April. While platings and sensibilities are thoroughly modern, executive chef Jake Grant keeps his menu in check; there's even a dish called "steak and potatoes." You'll also find nachos, skillet cornbread and a roasted half chicken, but it's the attention to details and quality of ingredients that keep customers coming back. That, and a team of Denver restaurant veterans who prize hospitality as much as good food.
Courtesy Facebook/Chimera
2014 Tenth Street, Boulder
720-580-1100
You need only know that Zoe Ma Ma founder Edwin Zoe is the man behind this new Boulder restaurant to understand that it's worth a visit. But add an eclectic roster of Asian dishes that reads like a greatest hits of what we're craving right now, and a reservation — the sooner the better — is a must. Handmade xiao long bao (also known as soup dumplings), lobster ramen, duck dumplings, pork belly bao buns and a noodle dish called "Everybody Chow Fun" are all draws. Put an exclamation point on the end of your night with a housemade fortune cookie complete with a trio of sweet dipping sauces.
Chocklo
6830 South Yosemite Street, Centennial
720-242-6854
There's nothing fancy about this fast-casual joint in the southern suburbs, but that's exactly the point. Chef/owner Afred Rojas has compiled an edible encyclopedia of street food from Latin America, going from Mexico to Argentina, with stops in Peru, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela along the way. Sample empanadas from two countries, dig into hefty tortas, Cuban sandwiches or an Argentinian choripan (a grilled sausage sub), or go nuts with a nachos-style plate of salchipapas — a mound of fries loaded with cheese, guacamole, salsas and hot dog slices. You won't have to face off with an expert mixologist or share an overwrought small plate with your ten closest friends here; expect only big, flavorful portions without the typical sticker shock.
