Best Pizza in Denver

BEST PIZZA: Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza

2129 Larimer Street

(303) 296-7000

www.marcoscoalfiredpizza.com

The best pizza in town is now Marco's, hands down.

Why? How about the fact that despite being the new kid in town, they jumped right to the top of the list? Or that they are the only certified authentic Napolitano pizzeria in town, with a delegation sent from Naples to certify their authenticity?

Featuring an upscale decor, and actual authentic Italian pizza (you can select from the New York [read "boring American"] or "authentic Napoletana" sections of the menu), straight from the old country made in smoldering coal ovens in plain view.

Maybe the trendiest new place in town, but Marco's makes the best pies in the state. It's true, don't fight it.

What to order: the Toscana, featuring fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula, grape tomatoes, Prosciutto di Parma, Gran Cru, extra virgin olive oil. Also not to miss for an appetizer: the coal-fired wings before you start.

Denver's Best Sushi

BEST SUSHI: Sushi Tazu

300 Fillmore St. in Cherry Creek

(303) 320-1672

www.SushiTazu.com

Okay, everyone knows Sushi Den has a pretty good social atmosphere. And Sushi Sasa is very hip. Sonoda's is old, bland and/or a bit creepy, depending on which one you visit. Hapa is too much hype, all flash and dazzle and is lacking authenticity.

But Sushi Tazu has all the rest of the Mile High City's sushi restaurants beat in the food department. They might not have very many seats, but everything on the sushi menu is top-notch (and so are the dishes off the sushi menu...their buckwheat Udon noodle bowls are incredible.)

The chefs' attention to detail is up front and personal, and it shows in the taste of your meal. The ambiance is quaint but busy; good luck getting in here on a Saturday night, the line goes right out the door through the seats on the patio.

What to order: Appetizer: the shrimp croquettes: cheesy and delicious. Live seafood: pick your favorite from a bowl of live crabs on the bar and they'll fry 'em up right there. Roll: the Firecracker roll, which includes tuna, avocado, cheese and bell peppers...you wouldn't think it works, but it's a gobsmacker.

Best French Restaurant in Denver

BEST FRENCH: Le Central

112 East 8th Ave.

Phone: 303-863-8094

Authenticity and taste are the keys here that make Le Central the overall winner. Other restaurants in town make the claim of being French, but at none of them do you really get that authentic feel, as they feature a bit too much polished brass or snootiness (which you could argue is acutally very authentic).

Le Central is the opposite; homey and comfortable, it's even located in an old redone house; you either eat in the living room, the dininrg room or the back porch. The food is rustic and hearty, provincial style, and the staff and guests even speak the language around you; when's the last time you were surrounded by conversational French in Denver?

What to order: you know what you have to order once they hand you 2 menus when you walk in; the dinner menu and the mussles menu. That's right, an entirely separate menu devoted to scores of mussle options in differently flavored pots. Do it authentic style and order up a steamed pot of herbed mussles, frites, and a Fischer beer. Then get ready to move on to the real menu, from which you can't possibly go wrong with the braised rabbit.

Denver's Best Japanese Restaurant

BEST JAPANESE: Domo

1365 Osage Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: 303-595-3666

This category is furthest and away the most lopsided. There is no more obvious owner of this award than Domo.

Not that I care what other reviewers think, but not only have Domo won the title of Westword's best Japanese restaurant for 12 years running, but Zagat voted them the #1 Japanese restaurant in the USA for 2008.

Domo is the real deal. If there's one restaurant in Denver that makes you say, "We're just a dusty cow town, and we don't deserve to have a restaurant like this here," Domo is it. The truth is we don't deserve to have them here.

The place is beautiful with manicured gardens and the dining room furniture consisting of logs for seats and stone slabs for tables. The food is Japanese country-style, what woud be peasant fare in old Nippon, but done here to perfection, with ingredients flown in from Japan. Domo is a true gem, don't miss it.

What to order: you can't go wrong. Most of the dishes are country style broths and stews where you select the meat and ingredients. I liked the Chicken Dumpling Nabemono. And all dishes come with 7 authentic country dishes prepared by the chef, small plates of strange and exotic ingredients.

Best Tortas in Denver

BEST TORTAS: Las Tortugas
1549 West Alameda Avenue
Denver, CO 80223

Never tried a torta, the Mexican version of the sandwich? Then you don't know what you're missing.

A fantastic torta might make you give up the American version for good.

Tortuga's in sandwiched (no pun intended) between a row of auto repair shops on Alameda. Last time I went they still didn't have a sign up our front. I would wager thousands of people drive by every day without realizing it's there, as it looks like an added garage onto their neighbor auto body place, which is a shame.

Decorated with Lucha Libre masks on the walls, Tortuga's serves up tortas the size of Frisbees, hot, delicious and stuffed with goodness. This place might be THE last best-kept restaurant secret in Denver.

What to order: even though I'm a sucker for the Hawaiana torta, wtih drippy cheese, ham and pineapple, the Milanesa can't be beat, stuffed with breaded meat, cheese and toppings.

Denver's Best Cuban Restaurant

BEST CUBAN: Cuba Cuba

1173 Delaware St.

Phone: (303) 605-2822

Ok, let's be honest.....there's not too many Cuban restaurants in the city, to go up against it, but Cuba Cuba takes the top honors anyway for Denver. In fact, this authentic place with great food in a homey setting makes many people's top overall restaurants list regardless of type of cuisine.

What stands out is the authentic Cuban fare from the chef, who's got a great Cuban story to tell, bringing recipes to the Rocky Mountains all the way from the land of Fidel Castro.

What to order: the mojitos are notoriously fantastic while you are waiting at the bar, and the Vaca Frita (flank steak topped with plantains on a bed of black beans and rice) is unbeatable.

Best Breakfast Burritos in Denver

BEST BREAKFAST BURRITO: Santiago's

Various locations in Denver Metro Area

www.EatAtSantiagos.com

Several locations claim the best breakfast burritos in town, but Santiago's delivers. No frills, just a great hearty burrtio wrapped in tin foil.

What else sets them above the rest? Price: you can get one for $1.75 and many of the Santiago's locations offer drive-thru windows.

Nothing beats sending down the office rookie with $20 to the drive thru at Santiago's to score a bag for the whole office.

What to order: the daily special. Egg and potatoes are included every day, but each day of the week is a different meat (chorizo, ham, bacon, sausage, etc.).

Best Bagelry in Denver

BEST BAGELRY: Moe's Bagels

550 Grant St.

(303) 733-7331

www.MoesBroadwayBagel.com

Everyone in Denver knows there's no comparison in the bagel department; Moe's reigns supreme. It's evolved from a little hippie outpost of questionable hygiene in Boulder to a near-corporation; notice they just recently started to accept credit cards and now offer hoity-toity coffee and non-bagel fare such as pizza and meatball subs these days.

But for pure bagelry options and flavors, their bagels win on taste. Options include everything from cranberry to onion to oatmeal, and can be stuffed equally as well with breakfast meals or lunchtime sandwiches.

What to order: you can't go wrong with a pumpernickel bagel stuffed with egg, provolone and ham, topped with sundried tomato paste, to start the day.

Denver's Best Argentine Restaurant

BEST ARGENTINE: Buenos Aires Pizzeria

2191 Arapahoe Street in Lodo

303.296.6709

www.DenverArgentineRestaurants.com

Not only is Francis, the owner, one of the coolest guys around, he'll also open his private basement and invite you down to watch Boca Juniors and Argentina National Team matches!

He owns the pizzeria as well as the Argentine steakhouse across the strett, which is much more formal and great for big meat dishes. You never know when one of the Rapids' Argentine players will be there for a taste of his homeland; also check out the flattened wine bottles on the walls...pretty cool.

But the pizzeria is where it's at for some of the most unique fare in Denver, featuring empanadas, Milanesa sandwiches, and of course pizza. Just like the Argentines like: heavy on the meat and cheese, and nothing is spicy.

What to order: the empanadas, in any combination. Just oder 5 or 6 and call it a meal. Dont' forget to douse them in the restaurant's own chimichurri, which is awesome.

Welcome to The Best Restaurants of Denver!

These are Kieran's personal opinions of the best restaurants in Denver, Colorado.

If you don't like them, sorry, but my picks are unarguable and cannot be influenced!

Well, OK they can be influcenced. But the selections below are based on nothing except my own personal experiences and tastes and stubborn likes and dislikes. Also, what I say goes.

But if you agree or disagree, and want to say why, that's why this group exists.....post your own opinions and reccomendations.

I'll update this as often as I can or to add details. Check back soon, and/or add your comments and suggestions!

By types of food, with my choice for the #1 overall restaurant in the city!