By Brooke Porter Katz
August 17, 2015
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When the Denver-native Lara Merriken isn’t snacking on the bars that bear her name, here’s where you can find her sampling the city’s ever-improving restaurant scene.


I make the best breakfast—everything from French toast to poached eggs—so I’d probably eat at home. But if I’m being indulgent, then I’ll go to Lucile’s for a Cajun-Creole breakfast that always includes grits.


Sushi Den is my all-time favorite. I usually get the toro, yellowtail, and amberjack sushi, and the handmade tofu. They also have really good sake. For dessert, nothing beats their banana cream pie. And Mercantile is a new spot at Union Station. It’s fantastic for creative farm-to-table cuisine.


Root Down has been around for a few years, but they do a fantastic job and have a lot of gluten-free and vegan options. They also have a restaurant in Terminal C in the Denver airport.


Bonnie Brae Ice Cream is a family favorite. My go-to flavor is the mint chocolate chip.