Will be in Denver just 1 Friday evening and would like to eat someplace "special" with great food and atmosphere, worth the splurge. Where should we go? Thanks...

I love Highland's Garden Cafe. Here is the link to their website.

www.highlandsgardencafe.com

Brown Palace, HOtel Teatro, there are many fine restaurants in Denver these days.

Vesta Dipping Grill in Lodo. www.vestagrill.com

Domo--country Japanese in a gorgeous setting.
Elway's. John Elway's new restaurant at Cherry Creek. Absolutely delicious food with EXCELLENT service.

Where are you staying and what do you like? If downtown, I agree with Vesta Dipping Grill for great atmosphere and great food. Unique is Samba Room on Larimer for Cuban Food. Zengo for asian-mexican fusion. I've heard Highland's Garden Cafe is very romantic.

We're staying downtown. We're from NYC area, so we like interesting places, and great food as well. Mizuna is getting great reviews in Zagat, but doesn't seem to be getting as much praise on this site...

Mizuna is very good. In fact it reminds me of small N.Y. restaurants. Great service too. MUCH better food and service than their other restaurant Luca d'Italia. It is perhaps not as unusual or special as some others mentioned. It would be a fairly short cab ride if you are staying downtown. Just a bit of a long walk if you do want to walk. Not unsafe or anything. You could take the free mall shuttle (south) to get closer.

If you decide on Mizuna, I'd definately do the cab. A few blocks east from Mizuna on 7th is Sparrow which has been getting good reviews too, maybe stop for a drink before or after. Interesting place and good food downtown, again, I'd say Vesta Dipping Grill or Zengo. A new place on Larimer has been getting a lot of talk lately, Riojo, http://www.riojadenver.com/ Have fun!