Top of the Town 2012

When we’re craving Thai food, this unassuming eatery off the 16th Street Mall does it right every time. Chef and Thailand native Paula Rungsawang and her husband Kirk Coult opened the restaurant in March 2010—and they decided to go about it differently: The menu is a familiar roster of favorites, but Rungsawang never uses MSG and she pays close attention when sourcing her often-organic ingredients. You’ll taste that difference while you’re digging into the city’s best papaya salad, massaman curry, and larb gai (a Thai take on chicken salad). Check out Wild Bangkok’s happy hours (3 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m.) for $5 appetizers and drink specials. 1630 Welton St., 303-623-4999, wildbangkokbarandgrill.com