The Perfect Meal

If we could hop restaurants between courses, this would be our ultimate fantasy dinner.

Amuse Bouche: Opus
Whether it's a taste of roasted bison with smoky cheddar popcorn crisps or a nibble of pistachio-encrusted Gorgonzola cheesecake, chef Michael Long's amuses are artistic and bursting with flavor—all in one tiny bite. 2575 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-703-6787

Appetizer: Restaurant Kevin Taylor
Restaurant Kevin Taylor's foie gras appetizer tastes of perfection: Seared foie gras takes the starring role, while caramelized cashews and a butterscotch gastrique harmonize on the sidelines. 1106 14th St., 303-820-2600

Soup: The Kitchen
The Kitchen's simple tomato soup combines San Marzano tomatoes with onion, sea salt, artisan butter, and cream. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil over the top and this is a dish you'll order every time. 1039 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-544-5973

Salad: Fruition
It's rare we find a salad that needs neither salt nor pepper, but the Fruition salad—watercress, grilled asparagus, avocado, red onion, and crispy fried shallots—offers spot-on tang, freshness, and richness in each forkful. 1313 E. Sixth Ave., 303-831-1962

Entrée: Frasca Food and Wine
Frasca elevates simple ravioli by stuffing it with house-made ricotta, goat cheese, and roasted red peppers and pairing it with Cure Farms spinach. It only gets better when chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson adds fresh lobster meat. 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-6966, www.frascafoodandwine.com

Dessert: Duo
Pastry chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom's chocolate torte arrives crowned with a balancing fleur de sel caramel ice cream. 2413 W. 32nd Ave., 303-477-4141

The Taco Strategist

Here, we honor the city's best and most authentic taquerías.

El Trompito Taquería
The Draw Tacos are served up simply at this strip-mall joint—warm corn tortillas wrapped around tender cubes of grilled chicken, marinated pork, or juicy beef. Our favorite is the shredded chicken taco ($1.75 each). Tip Stop by the toppings bar and load up your tacos with crispy cabbage, lime wedges, spicy onions, and more. 1540 W. 70th Ave., 720-540-3483

Tacos Jalisco
The Draw Tender bits of steak, crisp pieces of bacon, and soft sautéed onions and peppers practically spill out of this restaurant's popular tacos de alambre ($8.75). Melted cheese, guacamole, and sour cream add the final touches. Tip The tacos are super-filling, so skip lunch on the day you plan to go. 4309 W. 38th Ave., 303-458-1437

Taquería Patzcuaro
The Draw When we want spicy, we head to this Highland staple and order the tacos albanil ($7.50), with slices of golden potatoes, sautéed onions, and juicy steak. Tip When you get a bite with jalapeño, don't panic. Sit tight until the potatoes and steak provide balance. 2616 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-4389, www.taqpatz.com

Los Carboncitos
The Draw A midday meal at this locale is straight out of Mexico. The house favorite is the taco al pastor ($1.50), whose slow-cooked pork filling comes topped with finely diced pineapple. Tip Order an icy rice and cinnamon horchata drink to sweeten the deal. 3757 Pecos St., 303-458-0880, www.loscarboncitos.com

Bargain Bites

Our go-to spots (by neighborhood) for dining well on a shoestring budget.

Congress Park/City Park:

Encore Restaurant
Sure, Encore's filet mignon tops out at $29, but most of the menu (which boasts high-end, beautifully crafted eats) comes in under $15. What to order: The burger ($9) is topped with Gruyère, bacon, blue cheese compote, and arugula, and served with fries and a mustard drizzling sauce. 2550 E. Colfax Ave., 303-355-1112, www.encoreoncolfax.com

Park Hill:
Satchel's Market
Located on the north edge of Park Hill, the well-worn Satchel's Market serves up breakfast and lunch offerings for $10 or less. What to order: The voluptuous sammy ($8.50) with triple-cream cheese, prosciutto, and sautéed pears. Comes with a small, organic salad. 5021 E. 28th Ave., 303-355-2137, www.satchelsmarket.com

Downtown:
Biker Jim's Sausage Cart
At this downtown street-food hotspot, a five-spot buys you chips, a drink, and one of Biker Jim's piping-hot gourmet sausages. What to order: Peppery reindeer or Southwestern bison. Or stop by on Wednesdays and nab yourself a pheasant sausage. Be sure to try them topped with cream cheese and grilled onions. Corner of 16th and Arapahoe streets.

Cherry Creek:
Tambien
Tambien joins the ranks of the Cricket by bringing affordable and tasty eats to ever-expensive Cherry Creek. What to order: The mole rojo ($13) or the fajitas ($16). Portions are generous and can often feed two. 250 Steele St., 303-333-1763, www.tambien-restaurant.com

Belmar:
The Oven
We love the Oven's wood-fired pizzas made with fresh, natural ingredients like house-made mozz and sausage from Marczyk Fine Foods. What to order: Pop in for the lunch special ($10.95) and snag a nine-inch signature pizza, field green salad, and drink. 7167 W. Alaska Drive, Lakewood, 303-934-7600, www.theovenpizzaevino.com