Westminster

Conveniently located 20 minutes from both Denver and Boulder, the suburban community of Westminster has a variety of dining options ranging from casual to fine dining. Located in this community are nearly 200 restaurants, including both family owned and operated eateries and familiar nationwide chains.

The best restaurant in this city according to Opentable.com is Asti D’Italia, an Italian eatery on the corner of I-25 and 144th Avenue. The atmosphere at Asti is comfortable and relaxed. The menu is rich on seafood and meat dishes. Begin your meal with silver dollar sized crab crakes with a scallop reduction and side of tangy remoulade. Continue on to enjoy Chef Keesy’s homemade gnocchi with duck confit, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms in a truffled Madeira sauce or the perfectly cooked roasted duck breast served on a bed of creamy polenta with a delicate raspberry sauce.

Also in Westminster is O’s at the Westin, which received 5 out of 5 stars from Citysearch.com. This restaurant perfectly combines elegance with a sense of comfort. The restaurant aims to create dishes with only local, fresh ingredients and high quality meats and poultry. Daily, O’s has fresh fish flown in from both coasts. The Burger Royal at O’s has been described as the best burger in town and the prime rib is said to melt like butter in your mouth.

Littleton

The Denver suburb of Littleton is home to nearly 500 restaurants, ranging in cuisine from traditional American to exotic international fare. These include restaurants that fit nearly any budget and a variety of atmospheres ranging from laid-back and casual to elegant and romantic.

Littleton’s Opus Restaurant in downtown was awarded a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2010. The interior of Opus has an old world charm, complete with warm fireplaces and white linen tabletops. While the atmosphere may be old fashion, the service is attentive and the food is cutting edge. Many of Chef Sean McGaughey’s dishes are so beautiful; you will feel as if you are eating artwork. Opus is a romantic restaurant where you go to spend your evening with no pressure. If you have time, choose the Chef’s Tasting Menu. There is both a 6-course and 9-course option and wine pairings are available. Diners recommended beginning your meal with a bowl of the cauliflower soup with brioche croutons or the pan seared ricotta gnocchi with pear and blue cheese. Standout entrees include the veal filet with crispy sweetbreads and the Colorado lamb rack. Save room for the “Peaches & Crème” Brulee, it has been described as the best crème brulee in the world.

If you are in search of a unique dining experience, head to Littleton’s Café Terra Cotta. This casually elegant restaurant is described as a hidden jewel in the South Metro area. This eatery is located in a renovated house on South Curtice Street. The best way to describe Terra Cotta is charming with style. The food at Terra Cotta has a southwestern influence. The most recommended entree is the chicken wellington paired with freshly sautéed spinach.

Aurora

The city of Aurora is the third largest city in all of Colorado. With such a vast population, you know that there is a restaurant for nearly every taste. Aurora restaurants range from your typical chain restaurant to locally owned eateries.

The number one restaurant in Aurora according to Citysearch.com is Bent Fork, the grill. This casual American restaurant has a mission of being fresh, casual yet sophisticated. The menu at Bent Fork is comfort food at its finest including made-from-scratch fare such as burgers, steaks, BBQ ribs, crab cakes and entrée size salads. Diners rave about the French Dip sandwich, the meatloaf and the buffalo pot-roast.

For diners looking for an upscale eatery in Aurora, head to the Summit Steakhouse on South Havana. This romantic restaurant specializes in seafood and steaks and has a goal of serving diners the highest quality food with excellent service. Summit Steakhouse proudly follows green restaurant standards. All the steaks at Aurora are USDA prime. The signature entree at this restaurant is the Summit Chateaubriand, which is sliced for two with burgundy and béarnaise sauces, vegetables, Yukon gold mash potatoes and stuffed tomatoes. When dining at the Summit, make sure to order the house salad just for the homemade hot bacon dressing.

LoDo

The LoDo district of downtown Denver is known as the city’s hippest and most exciting section. In LoDo alone there are nearly 170 restaurants. According to Urbanspoon.com, the best restaurant in the area is Vesta Dipping Grill. The interior of this restaurant, which is located in a historic spice and coffee building, has a warm and sensual atmosphere thanks to the handcrafted architectural design. Immediately upon entering Vesta, guests notice the Six Vestal Virgins, which are six protected flames along the concrete bar, which set the tone for the entire restaurant. The menu at Vesta features a variety of fish, meats and vegetarian options to pair with the 31 signature dipping sauces. Diners recommend the Vesta roll, which is a sushi-grade tuna roll with a wasabi cream sauce, the mini-glazed salmon with lentils and the grilled beef tenderloin.

The top LoDo restaurant by Gayot.com is Restaurant Kevin Taylor located in the Hotel Teatro. This 14th Street eatery is Kevin Taylor’s signature restaurant and is designed with a subtle urban elegance. The dining room is filled with silk upholstered furniture and touches of sage and gold. The menu at Kevin Taylor is a fusion of French, Southwestern and Asian influences yet the menu is seasonal to ensure that only the freshest ingredients are used. If available, order the Broken Arrow Ranch antelope or the John Dory in a Bordeaux sauce.