Best Restaurants 2019: LeRoux

With exquisite European bistro fare on the table and twinkling crystal chandeliers hanging above, gorgeously appointed, 10-month-old LeRoux is one of the most romantic restaurants in town. Reserve the curved back booth for the privacy it affords and a great view of the marble-topped bar and front dining area. Created in partnership with Urban Villages, Semple Brown, and Hive Construction, the restaurant exudes a Parisian vibe complete with slate blue paint, leather banquettes, slim white tapers, and muted music. And as delicate as each dish may appear, chef and co-owner Lon Symensma’s techniques are bold. Case in point: Paper-thin slices of wild mushroom transform into a multilayered terrine that is seared for crisp edges and a melty interior. This spring, a pass on the “plancha” (flattop grill) gave tender octopus charred depth, and the accompanying spicy “panisse” (a Provençal chickpea flour cake) was the best I tasted among the spate on local menus. To complete the extravagant vibe at LeRoux, tableside showmanship abounds, from the roving cheese cart to the flames that engulf the seasonal baked Alaska. $$$$, 1510 16th St., 720-845-1673