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Though the Eater 38 rarely includes restaurants north of Boulder, this little jewel box of contemporary cuisine in Lyons warrants an exception. The menu, which changes near-daily, traverses Europe through dishes like chorizo-stuffed calamari in its ink with potato puree and salsa verde; paglia e fieno pasta with rabbit ragu, taleggio, and radicchio; and Wagyu beef en croute in sauce au poivre verte. Chef Theo Adley takes these influences and makes them all his own. The considerate floor staff, meanwhile, does a bang-up job of walking guests through the wine list, which emphasizes small, sustainable producers.
Ruth Tobias Frasca Food and Wine Link Renowned equally for its intricate Friulian cuisine, a wine program created by partner and master sommelier Bobby Stuckey, and above-and-beyond service, this 20-year-old Boulder destination creates the kind of experiences that make many a Coloradan’s bucket list. Multi-course tasting menus abound in seasonal intricacies that might at any given time include game such as venison and rabbit; unusual pastas like balanzoni or cjalsons; luxuries like caviar and truffles; and unexpected juxtapositions — think kiwi and spruce, cocoa husk and sweet potat.
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The Best Restaurants to Eat (and Drink) Around Denver on Christmas Eve or Day Woody’s Wings N Things Link Though this Westminster sleeper hit does indeed serve wings — get them with lemongrass sauce — it’s the “things” that those in the know really flock here for: Page after page, the enormous menu entices with specialties from Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and China, including seafood fried lort, chicken nam soot, duck larb, beef loc lac, and more. Gather a good-sized group to try a little bit of everything.
Ruth Tobias Tocabe, An American Indian Eatery Link Co-owner Ben Jacobs, a member of the Osage Nation, opened this fast-casual showcase of Indigenous ingredients, and recipes in 2008, and it’s been a Berkeley neighborhood institution ever since. Fry bread, Indian tacos, and bowls based on native grains like wild rice and wheatberries form the core of a menu that’s as soulful as it is stick-to-your-ribs (speaking of which, the menu also features richly seasoned bison ribs that are not to be missed).
Rachel Greiman Hey Kiddo Link Eclecticism is the name of the game for the id est hospitality group (see also Brutø below), and this red-hot Berkeley spot plays it with panache. Come for caviar service and pét-nat bubbles; stay for Korean-inspired fried chicken and cocktails laced with everything from persimmon to Brazilnut; stay longer for the shaken chef rice and a nightcap at adjoining bar OK Yeah — and don’t detract from the experience for a second by worrying about how to define it. Book a table: Capital One Dining* * Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One customers. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app.
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The Ultimate Guide to Late-Night Dining in Denver Odie B’s Link Part coffeehouse, part sandwich shop, part day-drinkers’ delight, this Sunnyside smash hit is above all more than the sum of its parts. Bangers like the Boujee (scrambled egg, whipped herbed feta, greens, muhammara, and za’atar on focaccia), the Dirty Denver (green chile–braised short rib, cheese curds, mayo, and salt-and-vinegar crispy onions on a hoagie roll), and the mixed bag of fries make fast regulars of first-timers, who return again and again to hang out on the patio over, tequila-spiked Gatorade or green chile-laced bloody marys. Here’s a slice of neighborhood life. (Make that two slices: There’s now a location in RiNo.)
Lauren DeFilippo Kiké’s Red Tacos Link Rich, heady with spices, and alternatively crisp, soft, and dripping with juice in all the right places, the birria tacos that captured the zeitgeist when Kiké’s launched as a food truck in 2020 are now on glorious display at its fast-casual brick-and-mortar in Sunnyside. The expanded menu includes quesadillas, tortas, burritos, and more — including must-try birria ramen — backed by an agave-centric cocktail list ranging from prickly pear–guava margaritas to spiked horchata.
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Where to Find Supreme Burritos in Denver Safta Link The shining star of the Source Hotel in RiNo is a showcase for chef Alon Shaya’s robust brand of modern Israeli cuisine. No meal here would be complete without an order of the wood-fired pita with hummus and an array of salatim, or small plates, such as labneh with pink peppercorns and whipped feta with fig vinegar; from there, go for the duck matzo ball soup, the crispy eggplant layered with tomato and herbed goat cheese, and the pomegranate-braised lamb shank — signature dishes all.
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Denver’s 25 Most Iconic Dishes Wildflower Link What seems to be an antique-filled fin-de-siècle parlor turns out to be a contemporary gem in the lobby of LoHi’s boutique Life House Hotel — one whose name serves as inspiration for a menu that’s indeed strewn with blossoms in the form of cocktail ingredients, culinary garnishes, and even a selection of meads locally made with wildflower honey. Dishes like black truffle tart with celery root, apple, pecan, and lavender; koginut squash risotto with pine nuts, pomegranate, mustard, and balsamic; and kiwi tres leches cake with mascarpone and dark chocolate speak to the seasons while also expressing chef Aiden Tibbett’s appealingly intricate style. Book a table: OpenTable
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The Best Restaurants to Eat (and Drink) Around Denver on Christmas Eve or Day Fish N Beer Link Though it’s as close as the Mile High City gets to a good old Cape Cod oyster shack in terms of vibe, the culinary influences on the menu at this tight squeeze of a seafood joint in RiNo extend far beyond New England — from Baja-style fish tacos and Maryland crab dip–topped pretzels to Spanish-influenced grilled octopus in romesco sauce and U.K.-inspired fish and chips. Come dessert, believe them when they say the key lime pie is the best in town.
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The Best Restaurants for Celebrating New Year’s Eve Around Denver Hop Alley Link Tommy Lee’s enduring RiNo favorite puts an exuberant modern spin on regional Chinese staples in an equally high-energy dining room. While all first-timers (if there are any left) should try the chilled tofu in bang bang sauce, Beijing duck roll, and bone marrow–fried rice, abundant seasonal and daily specials keep regulars coming back — whether for salt-and-pepper squid; pepper beef with honeycomb tripe and woodear mushrooms; or heirloom melon in buttermilk sauce with smoked oysters and caviar at the reservation-only chef’s counter. The bar team is more than up to the pairing challenge the menu presents, known as they are for cocktails infused with Asian ingredients as well as a geeky selection of wines and ciders.
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The Best Chinese Restaurants in Denver Noisette Restaurant & Bakery Link At once chic and slyly quaint, the dining room of Tim and Lillian Lu’s LoHi sensation sets the tone for a seasonal French menu that’s likewise sophisticated and soothing by turns — from the scallion crepe with lemon crème fraîche and caviar to sweetbreads in puff pastry with soubise and Madeira cream to classic sole meunière for two. Dessert is de rigueur, as are sandwiches and pastries from the adjoining daytime bakery, which morphs into a wine bar at night.
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The Most Romantic Restaurants in Denver Spuntino Link Spuntino is a special place. Chef Cindhura Reddy’s cooking is at once polished and deeply soulful, as revealed by her modern Italian menu subtly strewn with Indian influences: elk tartare with toasted masala aioli and ajwain seed crisps here, kofta-style gnocchi with onion pakora, turmeric-roasted cauliflower, and chutney there (and whatever the pasta dish featuring goat may be, get it). Her husband Elliot Strathmann, meanwhile, oversees one of the city’s most exciting beverage programs, painstakingly sourcing uncommon wines from small producers while making his own amari and liqueurs. And the couple’s passion for cuisine extends to their — and their dedicated staff’s — warm and genuine approach to hospitality. Book a table: OpenTable
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The Best Restaurants for Celebrating New Year’s Eve Around Denver Kawa Ni Link Call it the “it” factor. With a rustic vibe and a come-as-you-are attitude, this modern izakaya has quickly become a home away from home for LoHi’s party people, who kick things off with cocktails like the Big Fat Old Fashioned featuring smoked bone marrow–washed bourbon before digging into a menu that’s full of adventurous twists and turns — from shaved broccoli miso goma with ham and burnt honey to pickled tofu bao with kimchi green tomatoes to DIY scallop temaki with yuzu-lime kosho and wasabi peas. Sake bombs cap it all off with a bang.
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20 Fun, Wallet-Friendly Happy Hours in Denver major tom Link While its adjacent sibling, prix fixe chef’s counter Beckon, regularly appears here, this jewelbox of a lounge in RiNo warrants inclusion in its own right thanks to a stellar wine selection with an emphasis on Champagne; a small but superb seasonal roster of mostly small plates like smoked mushroom-and-burrata tartine, hamachi crudo in blood orange-lemongrass vinaigrette, and duck confit with dried cherry mostarda; and service that’s crisp and kindly by turns. Dress up a bit, live a little, and come back a lot.
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The Most Romantic Restaurants in Denver More Maps Where to Dine in the RiNo Neighborhood The 12 Best Restaurants in Beaver Creek, Colorado The Best Restaurants in Boulder The Bindery Link If this LoHi bakery, cafe, and restaurant emanates eclectic energy from sunup to long past sundown, it’s all thanks to owner Linda Hampsten Fox, as inexhaustible as she is imaginative. Influences as diverse as Italy, Israel, and Mexico reflect her globe-spanning career prior to settling here; they’re revealed by day in dishes like swordfish panzanella or latkes with beet-cured salmon and by night in seasonal creations ranging from grilled ribeye in dark chocolate-black sesame mole to the signature smoked rabbit-pecan pie with sharp cheddar and mustard gelato.
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Denver’s Best Breakfasts Worth Waking Up For Nocturne Link At this sultry, swanky jazz and supper club, Art Deco–inspired decor sets the stage for not only smoking live music but an accomplished, seasonally inspired three-course menu: Gnocchi might be reimagined with red curry and lime-coconut yogurt, while forbidden rice, orange agrodolce, heirloom carrots, snap peas, and egg-yolk jam might decorate duck confit. For inveterate noshers, a small selection of a la carte snacks is also available — and artful cocktails and fine wines are in tune with it all.
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The Most Romantic Restaurants in Denver Alma Fonda Fina Link This place lives up to its name in spades. Alma is Spanish for “soul,” which emanates from every inch of the earth-toned decor, every interaction with the thoughtful staff, and every inspired bite of Mexican food that chef-owner Johnny Curiel and his team painstakingly present over the course of a meal here — be it diver scallop crudo in serrano ponzu and tomato butter, enmoladas de pollo, or Sakura pork belly with frijoles charros and salsa verde. Aeats at the chef’s counter may be the hottest ticket in town.
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The Most Romantic Restaurants in Denver Yuan Wonton Link This Park Hill treasure is only open Tuesday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Penelope Wong and her team make mighty good use of their time, whipping up not only Asian dumplings galore but all sorts of regular specials for lunch and happy hour: Depending on the day, that could mean bo luc lac (Vietnamese shaking beef), honey-walnut prawns, crispy garlic noodles, or classic char siu bao. There’s no better bet for an afternoon breather these days.
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The Best Chinese Restaurants in Denver Uchi Denver Link Denver lucked out when highly acclaimed restaurateur Tyson Cole chose RiNo as the site for his first branch of Uchi outside of Texas. The modern Japanese destination has lived up the hype surrounding it since its 2018 opening, executing not only sashimi and sushi from scrupulously sourced fish but also a wide array of original creations both raw and cooked: big-eye tuna crudo with Meyer lemon, kohlrabi, and olive relish, say, or seared scallop in chestnut beurre blanc with caviar. The seafood-averse will be no less wowed by the kinoko nabe (a rice dish with mushrooms) or the ham and eggs, a pork belly roll garnished with yolk custard and beer mustard. Book a table: Capital One Dining*SevenroomsOpenTable * Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One customers. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app.
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20 Fun, Wallet-Friendly Happy Hours in Denver Welton Street Cafe Link Even during its two-year closure, it was impossible to imagine Five Points without this family-run purveyor of Southern, soul, and Caribbean food: For over two decades, it had been a neighborhood fixture, dishing up fried chicken and catfish, meat pies (pates) and frybread, hush puppies and sweet potato pie with smiles and hugs. As of late 2024, it’s back in a spiffy new location — so there’s no better time to support it while digging into a good old plate of smothered pork chops with black-eyed peas and yams.
Ruth Tobias Tavernetta Link While Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder (see above) may well be Colorado’s most famous dining destination, its Denver sibling is every bit as notable. Set on the Union Station platform in full view of the trains, the sleek restaurant and lounge takes a broader regional approach to Italian cuisine than its Friuli-focused sibling, proffering a seasonal menu that might find Piedmontese vitello tonnato next to gnocchi alla Romana in mushroom ragu next to classic bistecca Fiorentina; the splurge-worthy wine list naturally follows suit. And the service, of course, is as polished as the tableware. Book a table: OpenTable
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The Best Restaurants to Eat (and Drink) Around Denver on Christmas Eve or Day Bruto Link As at sibling The Wolf’s Tailor , much of what drives the intricate, stunningly presented tasting menu at this intimate chef’s counter inside the Free Market in LoDo is a commitment to sustainability. That manifests in everything from a meticulous approach to sourcing local and heritage ingredients to a low-waste program relying in large part on fermentation projects of all kinds. But Costa Rica-born chef Byron Gomez’s global outlook and a wood-fired oven are also major sources of inspiration. Beyond that, no spoilers: Just come with an open mind, opt for the beverage pairings, and prepare for a fully multi-sensory experience. Book a table: Capital One Dining* * Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One customers. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app.
Ruth Tobias Annette Link Chef Caroline Glover hasn’t let stardom go to her head. After all, her renown — cemented by a 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef, Mountain Region — is predicated on the down-to-earth, heartfelt approach to both cooking and hospitality she takes at Annette, located in Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace. Guests feel well cared for as they tuck into signatures like grilled beef tongue and marrow toast or roast chicken with bitter greens and PX sherry vinegar alongside seasonal dishes such as skate cheek bouillabaisse, pork loin tonnato, and ice cream sandwiches in ever-changing flavors (think ginger-molasses and bay leaf). Knockout cocktails and a boutique wine list enhance the feel-good experience.
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Where to Celebrate Special Occasions in Denver Lucina Eatery & Bar Link It’s a nightly fiesta in here, thanks not least to a pan-Latin menu that’s tailor-made for sharing with friends, including dishes like empanadas stuffed with chicken ropa vieja and piquillos; tlacoyos with cochinita pibil, habanero onions, salsa macha, and garlic crema; mofongo with pork belly chicharrón and herb salad; and an ever-changing, weekends-only paella. But the vibe also points to the colorful, come-one-come-all culture cultivated by partners Erasmo Casiano, Diego Coconati, and Michelle Nguyen, whose bar plays its part in the party too as it whips up kicky cocktails like the La Guadaña with mezcal, corn liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse, almond, and charred lime. Book a table: Capital One Dining* * Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One customers. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app.
Lucina Eatery & Bar Rioja Link Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch’s Mediterranean magnet in Larimer Square defines staying power: After 20 years in business, it still makes the short list for special occasions thanks to its urbane setting, professional service, and culinary flair. While Jasinski’s pork belly with garbanzo-bean puree and artichoke tortelloni are permanent menu fixtures, seasonal creations like porcini-cocoa mezzelune with peas, morels, black trumpet mushrooms, and ricotta salata or seared venison with wild mushrooms, braised red cabbage, and huckleberry venison jus reflect the kitchen’s dynamism. Book a table: Capital One Dining* * Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One customers. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app.
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The Best Restaurants to Eat (and Drink) Around Denver on Christmas Eve or Day Dân Dã Link Denver’s always had a robust roster of Vietnamese restaurants, but the inclusion of two spots on this map (see also sắp sửa below) — neither of which are phở shops — just goes to show the scene is stronger than ever. Dân Dã bills its cooking as “comfort cuisine,” which may be doing it a bit of a disservice, because its enormous menu offers plenty of adventure as well: from snails sauteed in butter with garlic and XO chili crisp to heaping salads featuring, say, pork belly, shrimp, cuttlefish, jellyfish, and pickled lotus root to whole fried catfish in ginger sauce. In the tightly-packed space, a full bar makes good use of ingredients like tamarind, guava, and lychee to complement the food in style.
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The Best Restaurants in Denver for Big Groups Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails Link The words “Eastern European food” and “sexy” rarely appear in the same sentence, but this snug East Colfax charmer may change that. Even the humblest and heartiest of ingredients — turnips and rutabaga, beets and buckwheat — get the gourmet treatment from endlessly creative owner Bo Porytko and his team, who transform them into refined dishes like mushroom- and chestnut-stuffed pumpernickel dumplings in mulled wine gravy and rabbit meatloaf with parsnip puree and golden raisin ketchup. It all pairs perfectly with horilka-based cocktails and wines from, say, Slovenia and Serbia. (Pro tip: Book seats at the the counter for the ultimate intimate experience.)
Ruth Tobias sắp sửa Link The light, bright flavors of Vietnam shine at Ni and Anna Nguyen’s white-hot East Colfax spot, where dishes like crispy veal sweetbreads in fish-sauce caramel, grilled pork shoulder with lemongrass and tamarind, and charred cabbage with anchovy breadcrumbs and egg yolk have gained an instantly loyal following. Cheeky cocktails such as the gin-based Tiger’s Milk flavored with orange and dill complete the vibrant picture.
Casey Wilson Little Arthur’s at Out of the Barrel Taproom Link Anyone who thinks sandwiches and pizza can’t hit the heights of culinary ingenuity hasn’t heard of AJ Shreffler — which places them in a small minority among dedicated Denver diners. Meticulously sourced ingredients, the skills to match them, and generous portions ensure his cheesesteaks and pies live up to the hype while more than justifying their prices (around $20 and upwards of $30, respectively); snacks and specials like mozzarella sticks, loaded fries, and clams casino also make for a meal worthy of a white-cloth restaurant, though the sunny little beer bar Little Arthur’s is operating out of suits it just fine too.
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22 Places for Primo Pizza in Denver Barolo Grill Link Though an avatar of fine dining — white tablecloths, candlelight, prestigious wine cellar, and all — this Northern Italian destination in Cherry Creek is hardly old-school: Longtime chef Darrel Truett keeps the menu ever-fresh and engaging through seasonal creations like roast pheasant salad with walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, toma cheese, and truffle aioli or gnocchi with braised lamb, rapini, and pickled cranberries. While most guests opt for the four-course degustazione complete with thoughtful pairings by Ryan Fletter’s crackerjack team, a la carte grazing at the bar on a weeknight is a lower-key treat.
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The Best Restaurants for Celebrating New Year’s Eve Around Denver MAKfam Link In the tagline of this quick-casual mom-and-pop hot spot, “tradition-inspired Chinese cuisine,” the word “inspired” is doing a bit of heavy lifting, as the kitchen takes liberties with ingredients like corned beef, mozzarella, and ranch dressing. But whether classic or creative, the results make for a good-time group feast. Make sure it includes at least one order of crab rangoon and the sizzling spicy noodles, which hit the spot alongside a cocktail laced with galangal, salted plum, or Sichuan peppercorn.
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Denver’s 2024 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped Restaurant Olivia Link Run by three seasoned Mizuna alumni, this Italian date-night retreat in Wash Park emanates class and grace. Handmade pastas take special pride of place here — consider malloreddus in Sherry cream with mushrooms and walnuts or ravioli inspired by French onion soup — and the sizeable wine list was naturally built to showcase them. But no meal is complete without at least one concoction from the bar, be it a chile-laced mezcal Negroni or an Old Fashioned infused with roasted squash.
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The Best Restaurants for Celebrating New Year’s Eve Around Denver African Grill and Bar Link Walk in a first-timer, walk out a family member: That’s what a meal at African Grill and Bar feels like as owners Theo and Sylvester Osei-Fordwuo emanate warmth while preparing dishes that showcase the diversity of regional African cuisine. For newcomers, jollof rice with oxtail or the black-eyed pea dish called red red with fried plantains and chicken are great places to start, cooled by the fresh ginger drink; regulars, meanwhile, tend to work their way through the menu until they’ve tried every last stew and staple starch, from fanti-fanti and chakalaka to ugali and aprapransa.
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The Best Restaurants in Denver for Big Groups Somebody People Link One of Denver’s only vegan restaurants also happens to be one of its coolest. Done up in fresh hues of turquoise, pink, and lemon yellow, it turns out an array of seasonal dishes that look simple on paper but prove satisfyingly complex on the plate, be it tamari-roasted cabbage with charred-scallion gremolata and wasabi greens or oyster-mushroom risotto with horseradish in saffron broth. The same could be said for full- and zero-proof cocktails featuring pomegranate and sage or maple and aquafaba; the wine list, meanwhile, naturally emphasizes small biodynamic and organic producers. Opt for the surprisingly affordable ($48) multi-course tasting Tuesday through Saturday, then come back for the completely different — and equally well-priced — Sunday supper.
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18 Healthy Denver Restaurants to Energize You in 2021 Tofu Story Link The name says a lot: This Aurora Korean joint makes its own tofu, so a bubbling bowl of stew featuring the soft, creamy stuff is a must. But it doesn’t tell the whole story of the menu, which also includes excellent seafood like soy sauce–marinated crab and braised monkfish as well as such staples as spicy tteokbokki (rice cakes), bibimbap, and galbi jjim (short ribs). Wash it all down with soju or beer brewed by sibling Mono Mono in Lafayette.
Ruth Tobias Golden Falafel Restaurant Link Owned by a Moroccan family, this Hampden spot serves warming Middle Eastern plates in a modest but welcoming setting. Earthy red-lentil soup, pomegranate seed–topped baba ghanoush, crunchy-tender falafel, juicy chicken shawarma, rich braised lamb shank — it’s all here; just be sure to ask for a side of the wonderfully creamy house spinach.
Ruth Tobias Hong Kong Station Link French toast? Spaghetti? Pork chops? Odd as they may seem on the menu of a primarily Cantonese restaurant, these dishes are actually popular in Hong Kong — and they’re a delight at this casual Centennial cafe, as are such staples as shrimp toast, brisket chao fan with black bean sauce, and salted fish fried rice. No wonder this place is packed at all hours; best to prepare for a wait (or get takeout from its satellite location at 6460 East Yale Avenue).
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