Linger - LoHi

If you're down with eating in a renovated mortuary then grab your appetite and your EMF detector because this is your kind of place. They serve dishes from all over the world and most of them are out of this world. Their Devils on Horseback and Mongolian BBQ Duck are the stuff dreams are made of. We prefer Linger in the evening when they have their full selection of smaller plates available making it easy to try a bunch of different things and share. Remember this spot is in LoHi (which currently means annoyingly popular & busy) so make a res. BONUS: it's next door to little Man Ice Cream. 
http://lingerdenver.com

VooDoo Doughnuts - City Park/E Colfax Ave

This is one hell of a fun place to grab a doughnut with your Honey for a brunch date or a post date dessert. Pick an hour any hour because they're open 24/7. It's a serious task to choose from the crazy ass selection but there is definitely something for everyone. We love the Voodoo Doll, Grape Ape and Dirt Doughnut. They only accept cash so bring some or hope like haities that their in-house ATM isn't out of dough.
http://voodoodoughnut.com

Bistro Barbès! - Park Hill

This restaurant proves that big taste can come from the tiniest of kitchens. The chef has a truly thoughtful menu combining traditional French with global flavors in the tastiest ways that make you want to fly your ass straight to Boulevard Barbès for a week of eating.* We dove face first into an amazing french onion soufflé that I'll be thinking about for weeks then fell in love with escargot wrapped into flawless ravioli. Perfect service (a rare find indeed!) but super small so make a res.
http://bistrobarbes.com

*https://www.google.com/maps/place/Boulevard+Barbès,+75018+Paris,+France/@48.8878703,2.3496316,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x47e66e67b6bdda35:0xd810d4d8bdcb9ef2

UPDATE: 6-18-15
We were hugely disappointed on a return visit to BB last night. The restaurant was hot and stuffy due to their open garage door with flies zipping around, eww. We waited over an hour for our entrees to arrive and were not impressed when they finally did. Gone was the plated perfection of our last visit and in it's place was very salty sea bass and lackluster sides although the duck was amazing. No mention or apology from the staff even though every table around us was clearly in the same position, hot, waiting and hungry. Not sure we'll be back anytime soon. Double darn.

Venice - LoDo

There is nowhere to begin or end on what to try from this menu. Try everything possible. Go back 5 times. You won't regret it. Our absolute favorites (if we are forced to choose) are the Carpaccio al Profumo di Tartufo, Raviloli di Salsiccia and the Tagliatelle Bolognese. They're great at helping you pair wine to your courses. Hurry the hell up, your dinner is waiting! Bonus: they're a short walk from Tattered Cover.
http://veniceristorante.com 

P17 - Uptown

We've done both lunch and dinner here and will definitely be back. They have a unique global menu that is pared down perfectly and never overwhelming to choose from. In for lunch? The Buttermilk Fried Chicken sandwich is out of this world and their salads are beyond amazing (especially the Tuna Nicoise). Dinner time? Be sure to try any pasta or Indian dish they're offering, they do them so well. The Dreadnaught and Chronic gin & tonic are freaking amazing. It's a small place so make a res!
http://www.p17denver.com

Russell's Smokehouse - Larimer/LoDo

Husband found this place via a business lunch and said he knew right away it was the place for me. I have hunted high and low for amazing BBQ in Colorado for the last decade (after moving from Atlanta) and I damn sure finally found it y'all. Located downstairs on Larimer with an attached speakeasy (Green Russell) this is easily our new favorite place. We went all in and ordered the Combo Ribs and Combo Plate then piled on extra sides including a biscuit and jalapeño cornbread (in my book southern food is truly measured not just by the bbq, but also by the awesomeness of the southern bread*). My hopes were high and I needed to get a big ass appetite opinion. Everything was across the board amazing. We're talking this is the stuff you get at an award winning roadside BBQ house down south. When I closed my eyes, I was back in GA for a minute. Hallelujah! 

*http://alabamapioneers.com/ten-commandments-southern-cornbread/#sthash.kQrfhszZ.iuRqyOOI.dpbs

http://www.russellssmokehouse.com

Vesta Dipping Grill - LoDo

We had no idea how much we love dipping sauces until we ate at Vesta. We found out we love dipping so much that I bought the damn cookbook on our way out the door. We recommend every single sauce (try them with the chorizo spiced pork and creole prawns). And for the love of everything holy, if you grill out in the summer, buy their book.*

*our faves to make when grilling:
- spicy watermelon
- wasabi cream sauce
- black pepper aïoli
- red eye bacon syrup
- carolina bbq sauce
http://www.vestagrill.com