The brick wall from "The Barnes Commercial School," a business college on Broadway.

When dining in Denver neighborhoods packed to the brim with top-notch eateries, sorting through all of the options can at times be overwhelming. Fear not Adventuresome diners,  Hopefully I can give you some insight into some of my favorites for single professionals.

With an inherent apology for the obvious play on words, let me say, my evenings at Deluxe (30 South Broadway) live up to its name (and then some).

Finding Adventuresome Places for Dinner for Six and friends.

The openness of the front windows transitions into a cozy dining room filled with dark wooden furniture set against the intriguing brick wall from the past. Deluxe’s dining room represents both the energetic bustle for single professionals of the neighborhood and the vibe of mystery. The exposed kitchen has a minimalist feel, allowing you to watch the chefs preform their magic. Combine this ambience with the attentive service, and you’re well on your way to a special evening before you even place an order.  The menu is Chef Driven by owner Dylan Moore.

On to the fun stuff– the menu.  I’m a follower of ‘trust the wait-staff," and when on a date I like to suggest sharing. I always arrive at a restaurant with an open mind of what to order. Now having said that I must recommend, even to those not fond of oysters, the masa-fried oyster shooters, six oysters coated in cornmeal and fried crispy, served individually on Asian soup spoons, sitting atop salsa fresca and topped with a smoked jalapeño aioli, cilantro and a dash of lime. Deep layers of texture and complementary flavors.

For a salad, I always feel healthy when I have the red-beet carpaccio thinly-shaved with (chevre) goat cheese, with novel notes of orange and a pistachio vinaigrette.  And if it’s a lite dinner then it’s baby back ribs, glazed in a five-spice hoisin sauce, sticky and unctuous and best treated as finger food.

The menu changes seasonally with Dylan in the kitchen tweaking the menu almost daily, and it is certainly worth viewing the whole menu to see what catches your taste buds.  If you’re there mid week before they get busy, Dylan will often offer you a new dish he’s working on.  I also suggest that you ask the waitstaff for wine recommendations as they are tasting wines on a regular basis.

If you’ve got a date you want to impress share the very rich mocha pot de creme with a glass of port, both of you will be in heaven.

A Summer "Big Plate" roasted chicken with string beans and mash potatoes

Deluxe opened it’s doors, March  2004 and mid September 2011 open for Lunch 11:30am – 2 pm.

Single Professionals gather next door at Delite for Happy Hours

There’s no fussing around when it comes to happy hour at Delite, the hip Broadway lounge sister to the ever-popular Deluxe. Everything on the food menu is a flat-out 50 percent off, with no dish off limits. And none of these are scaled down to fit happy hour prices. Delite serves up a wide array of cocktails and  tapas in a casual setting.  Join them for Happy Hour from 3-7pm weekdays. 

Overall, Deluxe accomplished something many restaurants overshoot – leaving us feeling perfectly full without being uncomfortably stuffed, complete with smiles on our faces. I’d recommend this 30 South Broadway gem to any friend – just as long as I am invited to go along.