DOWNTOWN. Bayou Bob's Cajun and Southern specialties will make you feel as if you've got Louisiana roots yourself! Fried catfish, gumbo, crawfish and etouffee are specialties, and there's fried alligator if you're in the mood for something exotic. Other possibilities include red beans and rice, jambalaya, po' boy sandwiches, chicken-fried chicken, oysters and Cajun meatloaf. Come with time to spare, since lines often tend to get a bit long.

LODO. A raucous, fun-loving sort of place, Jax draws hip crowds who feast on seafood and banter back and forth with the bartenders. Try a sampler platter for incredible variety, or delve into a plate of calamari that will have you squirming with delight. Oysters, crab, lobster, pork, and beef are also featured, and several nights a week, specials provide added value on shrimp, cioppino, and the like. Great wine list.

ENGLEWOOD. No matter how you like seafood, Landry's delivers, and their hearty portions make what is already a good experience even sweeter. Diners can order grouper, flounder, tuna, crab, shellfish, and other delicacies. Meals come with rice and a salad and are substantial ­ you may find yourself leaving with a to-go box. Landlubbers are pleased to find that the restaurant offers pasta, beef, and chicken dishes too.

LODO. Those in the know consider this happening seafood restaurant one of Denver's best. Always packed for dinner, it also features a lounge that's recognized as one of the hottest bars in town. Seafood items include appetizers of oysters and caviar and main dishes of sturgeon, salmon, and lobster. Steaks, chicken, lamb, and duck appear on the menu to appease non-seafood-lovers. Menu items change nightly, and the wine list is very good.

LODO. Consistent quality and fresh ingredients are hallmarks of this Japanese eatery. Plus, prices won't make you grimace. It's such a good buy, Sonoda keeps locals returning time after time. For folks who don't relish sushi, the menu offers a selection of cooked and vegetarian offerings. For starters, try yakitori, a tender chicken kabob cooked in savory teriyaki sauce. Follow up with something like the Deluxe Seafood Combo, a large platter of lobster, calamari, shrimp, scallops, sushi, and other delicacies.