Restaurants in Arvada

At Los Cabos II, owners Hernan and Francesca Ruiz showcase a rich variety of Peruvian cuisine, which itself is an amalgamation of multi-ethnic culinary traditions, including Spanish and Incan. Their ceviche—one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes and a Peruvian staple—presents plates of citrus-marinated shrimp, fish, and octopus, all seasoned with spices imported from Peru. They also plate Peruvian-style fried rice, and they simmer a diverse array of piquant fish stews, including Peruvian bouillabaisse with white wine and bay laurel. LocalEats recently honored Los Cabos II with its 2013 award for Best Peruvian cuisine, and Talk of the Town praised the eatery with an award for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction in 2012.

To complement the cuisine, which was also dubbed the Best Central/South American Restaurant of 2010 by Westword, the duo imports a selection of South American beers such as Cusqueña and Cristal, as well as Inca Kola, a Peruvian soda. They also import authentic Peruvian folk art, which brightens up the low-lit dining room with murals and a stuffed-animal llama that is happy to recommend a wine served straight from the eatery's miniature barrels.

Flavorsome ingredients and fresh, handmade dough marry in gourmet specialty pizzas such as Mr. C's Meat Lover's Stuffed Pizza Pie (pepperoni, salami, sausage, meatballs, beef, ham, and five cheeses, $18.49 for a 12-inch pie), the hot and spicy barbecue chicken ($12.49 for a 12-inch), and the vegetarian Pizza Bianca (Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, romano, fresh basil, black pepper, and black olives, $11.49 for a 12-inch). Indulge in a plate of impeccably prepared pasta such as baked ziti ($10.99), or use this Groupon toward a family-sized portion of meat tortellini ($32.99 for four servings). Italian entree specialties include fettuccini Alfredo with shrimp ($9.99), spaghetti with clams tossed in either a light garlic-butter sauce or classic marinara ($10.99), and eggplant parmesan served with a side of spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad ($9.49). Subs, spicy wings, salads, and desserts round out the menu into a nicely round circle tastier than a traffic circle or rutabaga crop circle.

When pressed for his motivations behind HBurgerCo, managing partner Pete Pflum told a reporter from Dining Out, "It's my favorite meal from childhood," before adding that the burger is "accepted as a meal unto itself—especially when you're using the best meat, baked goods, and fixings." Housed in a sleek but familiar space designed by Robin Smith Designs, the head chef conjures inventive burgers, while soda jerks also harness the combined power of local spirits and liquid nitrogen to craft inventive cocktails and milk shakes. Patties hand-formed from locally-sourced Angus beef, lamb, turkey, veggies, and buffalo arrive at tables crowned with eclectic toppings including fried eggs and asian slaw, complimented by a create-your-own-salad menu. Draft brews pour into glasses cooled with liquid nitrogen, which prevents libations from getting warm and snowmen from getting bartending gigs.

A lively atmosphere punctuates the spacious two stories and patio of Braun's Bar and Grill, often populated by sports fans who stop by to nosh on gourmet pub grub before and after events at the neighboring Pepsi Center. Quality ingredients, including Colorado-aged beef, pepper the expansive menu. Commence inner cheek furnishing with a gargantuan salad such as the Cattleman's, which erects flank-skewer towers over field greens adorned with house blue-cheese balsamic dressing, walnuts, cheddar, and baby peas ($12.49 lunch, $12.99 dinner). Burger boosters will go ga-ga for the Cajun spices and blue-cheese crumbles of the Blackened Bleu ($10.99), while poultry patrons can cast a vote for the zesty Ha-Braun-ero Chicken Sandwich ($10.69), a succulent chicken breast that unites pepperjack cheese, habanero mayo, and bacon in a culinary harmony unseen since the California Raisins dominated the airwaves. Exemplifying the chefs' creativity is the shrimp rustica, a tantalizing sea-feast of shrimp, mushrooms, peas, and sun-dried tomatoes atop penne pasta and roasted tomato vinaigrette ($13.50 lunch, $17 dinner).

Ling and Louie’s menu is a happy mash of American staples (salads, sliders, steak) and Asian delights (pad Thai, honey-walnut chicken, miso soup). Even if you’re not gastronomically adventurous, you’ll find a dish to please your palate on the menu. Start with the ahi lettuce wraps: crispy cups filled with cilantro, garlic, ginger, tropical salsa, red onions, water chestnuts, and a sweet Asian dipping sauce ($8.99). The Evil Jungle Princess shrimp—spicy shrimp that's wok’d with green beans, fresh veggies, Thai basil, and mint and served with a signature peanut-red-curry glaze ($14.29)—will tempt seafood lovers. Vegetarians and omnivores alike can gorge on Louie's lo mein, a heap of yakisoba noodles stir-fried with your choice of vegetable, pork, or chicken ($9.99). You’ll also find both gluten-free and kids menus, as well as a kids-free gluten menu that contains all wheat and no children.

Bisque combines organic, free-range, and local ingredients wherever possible to create a fusion of American favorites with French and Italian classics. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, Bisque's menu provides sustenance for each of the four human stomachs. Pair mimosas ($8) with fluffy strawberry-vanilla pancakes ($8.50), or spike taste buds with silky cream-touched shrimp bisque ($7 for a cup). The tender Midwest Angus beef burger is topped with aged cheddar, smoked bacon, and roasted garlic mayo, and shares a cozy bungalow with pommes frites ($14). Many menu options are also gluten-free.