Max's Wine Dive, Denver

The culinary ideology behind MAX's Wine Dive lies in a simple slogan: "Why the hell not?" With the gourmand irreverence to unite fried chicken with champagne and pot roast with a French sauvignon blanc, the menu of both eclectic and seasonal dishes has earned MAX's Wine Dive a mention in USA Today's 10 Best Late-Night Denver Happy Hours feature.

Though the cuisine evokes the flavors of a rustic diner, the ingredients are all gourmet—chefs spangle dishes with fresh seasonal produce, piquant cheeses, and unique sauces such as chipotle aioli and spicy butter broth. Meanwhile, an extensive inventory of world wines pours regularly, sending selections to tables by the glass even when the menu lists a varietal as bottle-only, thanks to the restaurant's two-glass commitment policy. On weekends and Monday, brunch includes their famous fried chicken wings and waffles along with bottomless mimosas, and the signature MAX 'n cheese puts a twist on an original in a more critic-friendly manner than editing a high-speed chase into Casablanca. MAX's Wine Dive can also comfortably accommodate large gatherings.