"By turns bold and intricate, grounded in tradition and wildly creative, Guadalajara-bred rising star Johnny Curiel’s seasonal repertoire packs a wallop of intrigue for its size. For the ultimate Alma experience, book seats at the chef’s counter and order at least one item from every section of the menu: Think frijoles puercos with chorizo and fabulous sourdough tortillas, adobo-seared hamachi with roasted pineapple puree and tepache oil, enmoladas de pollo in mole pipián rojo, and halibut a la Veracruzana in tomato-olive broth with chive-serrano butter. Make sure to order an avocado margarita. (All that said, don’t sweat it if reservations are proving hard to come by following Alma’s Michelin Guide recognition — instead, check out adjacent cantina Mezcaleria Alma or brand-new Cherry Creek sibling Alteño, which are every bit as commendable.)" - Ruth Tobias