Metro Denver’s food scene has never been as vibrant as it is today, something The Denver Post’s food writers understand. That’s why we’re out on the town as much as possible. Each month, we’ll provide you with recommendations about a few of the dishes we’ve tried. Want to hear about them early? Subscribe to the Stuffed newsletter, where we introduce one each Wednesday.
BearLeek
The menu at BearLeek, a French-inspired restaurant that opened in July by a pair of former cooks at Denver’s Brasserie Brixton, is curated and curious. Its smaller dishes show the range that Harrison Porter and Rema Maaliki have developed through their culinary travels. The French onion tartlet, at $14, was transportative. A fondue of taleggio cheese added a rich layer of flavor to the onions beneath, caramelized perfectly. BearLeek is located in the basement formerly used by Osaka Ramen in RiNo — though this tartlet might make you think you’re in Paris.
2611 Walnut St., Denver; bearleek.com
The Weathervane Cafe
The breakfast sandwich at The Weathervane Cafe ($7.50) is a great representation of the 1896 carriage house the cafe occupies: delicate yet sturdy. Two egg patties, pepperjack cheese, greens and, for $1.50 extra, smoked ham, all stacked in neat layers on toasted focaccia bread. Go for the herby mayo, which adds to the savoriness of the sandwich. It’s filling and best enjoyed with a hot coffee or tea inside the cozy cafe.
1725 E. 17th Ave., Denver; weathervanecafe.com
HashTAG
For friend groups scouting out brunch spots for the weekend, HashTAG’s newest location in downtown Denver has dishes on par with older, traditional diners. I went straight for the “Old School” eggs Benedict and I’m glad I did, as the hollandaise, grilled sliced ham and poached eggs were a nice texture and flavor combination. Keep an eye out, too, for the slow-roasted pork birria hash on the menu, which consists of adobo pork shoulder with birria au jus on the side. The TAG Restaurant Group is home to Guard and Grace and Tag Burger Bar, and HashTAG is another solid concept.
1125 17th St. Unit 100, Denver; hashtag-restaurant.com
Onefold
I’m slowly turning into a breakfast guy. I don’t mean that I wasn’t partaking before, it’s just that I prioritized going out to eat for lunch or dinner instead. But I’d missed out on too much, including the delicious breakfast burrito at Onefold, a breakfast diner/counter in City Park West. At $16.50, it’s not the cheapest burrito — I’d go somewhere like Santiago’s, Gomez Burritos or El Nopalito Mexican Food for affordability — but it’s certainly well made, piled with eggs, potatoes, mozzarella and a choice of meat and tucked inside a soft, handmade flour tortilla. This is one burrito that’ll keep you full and on the go.
1420 E 18th Ave., Denver and other locations; eatonefold.com