Many Denverites think of 16th Street Mall as little more than a destination where tourists grab Colorado t-shirts and expensive beers. But the mall is also territory for office workers and a growing number of downtown residents. For these people and the rest of us looking for something special to end a night on the town,

ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro shines like a beacon of culinary excellence amidst the kiosks of fast-casuals and street food. Chef / owner Lon Symensma's smart brand of Asian cuisine is a form of entertainment in itself, from classic French French ChoLon onion dumplings and egg-clouded kaya toast to the latest in-depth explorations of Southeast Asian cuisine, like a beautiful Burmese fermented tea. Salad leaves.

Symensma takes us on a journey of his own, showing us the street vendor and the extravagant hotel dinners of his favorite cities. Not content to rest on his laurels, the chef continues to improve the menu and ambience, with new stylish seating for guests, better sound control in the ever-crowded dining room, and an evolving parade of dishes that show the kitchen to the creative max. .