Danielle Lirette 720-379-8340 This RiNo restaurant s name pays homage to Denver’s own Chinese history: Hop Alley was the once-thriving Chinatown that was burned down during riots in the 1880s. But the cooking like the sleek, hip-hop-infused restaurant is all modern. Dishes have their roots in regional specialties but are interpreted liberally. On the menu since Hop Alley opened is Beijing duck, normally served whole with pancakes, here reimagined into a wrap, with flaky scallion pancakes forming the shell. The menu changes regularly, so there s always the chance of discovering a new favorite dish. Hop Alley is currently open for takeout, delivery and limited seating in heated outdoor tents.
Dining rooms and bars are where we gather to share good food and drink and good times with friends, family and neighbors. And while 2020 made gathering together difficult, restaurants are still here for us, whether we re able to eat their food inside, on a patio or in our own homes. Since eateries are doing everything they can to keep open and keep serving the dining community, we decided to move ahead with our annual Eat Here list of the 100 restaurants we can t live without – and hope we never have to.
Our list recognizes that greatness continues when and where we least expect it, and also serves as a thank you to the people cooking, serving, washing dishes, answering phones, delivering your food, enforcing the rules and making Denver a better city every day. Now get out and eat!