Cielo Mexican Restauran, Arvada

Though Mexican cuisine is known for its fiery flavors, a different connotation arises during meals at Cielo Mexican Restaurant—soothing water. That's because the eatery is perched right beside Hidden Lake, so named for the thousands of years it spent hiding inside a glacier. Gorgeous lakefront views give way to an equally charming interior of dazzling pendant lamps and the occasional flat-screen TV, which can entertain patrons until their food arrives. The menu mostly sticks to Mexican favorites, from breakfast burritos chock full of eggs, beans, and potatoes to house-made tamales with your choice of shredded beef or green chile and cheese. Cielo's chefs also showcase their culinary creative with less orthodox dishes, such as platters of jumbo shrimp stuffed with melted cheese and wrapped in bacon.