Five Great Dates: Out-of-Town Date

Take an artistic trip around the world in Denver, one of the most rapidly growing foodie towns in America.

Start with a stroll through the newly opened Clyfford Still Museum, devoted entirely to the work of its brilliant namesake, a painter who led the transition to abstract expressionism between 1938 and 1942. Sounds fancy and inaccessible, but Still was a pretty stinkin’ awesome artist. Venture next door to the Denver Art Museum for exhibits like Cities of Splendor: A Journey Through Renaissance Italy. Although we can’t know what’s on its way in 2012, skipping free first Saturdays at the DAM is a no no.

If it’s still a bit early for dinner, rent a bike from Denver’s Bike Share and explore Cherry Creek North’s galleries, shopping and bars. If not, dine on each continent at Linger with African peanut soup, Vietnamese “goibo,” seasonal ceviche…you get the idea. Skip dessert here and linger over a hot chocolate instead: Orange zest, pasilla pepper and vanilla will ensure you don’t regret the decision.

For dessert, the much-applauded cake and shake at D Bar is underwhelming compared to the bar’s caramelized banana split with chocolate, vanilla and a seasonal ice cream. Crüe fries must be your appetizer. Though mac sauce sounds like something in your college roommate’s bathroom, trust us, it’s this cheesy heaven that makes these the best fries you’ll ever eat. Of course, here, even dessert warrants an after-dinner drink. Espresso lovers will find solace in the vanilla carmel coffee, but spice seekers shouldn’t neglect the chai brulee’s sweet kick. Get one of each and share the delicious variety d Bar brings to the table.

Linger: 2030 W. 30th Ave., 303.993.3120

Tuesday–Saturday, 5:30pm-close dinner; Tuesday–Friday, 4pm-6:30pm; happy hour

Clyfford Still Museum: 1250 Bannock St., 720.354.4880

Closed Mondays; Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday and Sunday, 10am–5pm; Friday, 10am–8pm

Denver Art Museum: 100 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy., 720.865.5000

Closed Mondays; Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday and Sunday, 10am–5pm; Friday, 10am to 8pm

Dbar: 1475 E. 17th Ave., 303.861.4710

Sunday and Monday, 5pm–10pm; Tuesday–Thursday, 11am–10pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am–midnight