BearLeek

Perks

• Complimentary glass of sparkling wine (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) any time you dine at the restaurant

About

Opened this past July, this Five Points eatery hopped right onto Eater’s List of “Best New Restaurants in Denver.” Colorado-born Chef Harrison Porter launched his culinary journey in the melting pot kitchens of New York City. Then came Melbourne, followed by Peru, before returning to the Mile High City, where he cooked at Mercantile Dining & Provision, Jacques, Brasserie Brixton, and, most recently, at the Michelin-starred Alma Fonda Fina. At BearLeek, whose name, derives from bärlauch, the German word for ramps, he has devised a menu that features such fare as grilled cabbage with koji, fried chicken with orange beurre blanc and green Sichuan oil, beets with labneh and za’taar vinaigrette, and lamb shank with parsnips and pickled vegetables. Luscious desserts too, like sauternes poached pear with coconut tapioca and tres leches cake with tahini and pomegranate chantilly. “The mashup menu creates a sort of UN dinner party that somehow works,” lauds Infatuation, while Denver Post echoes that sentiment, praising the “thoughtful, globally inspired cuisine.”

Category

• Restaurants