Five Colorado restaurants named among America's best

Zoom in: OpenTable's top-ranked restaurants in Colorado this year are:

• Alma Fonda Fina – Denver
• Alteño – Denver
• Guard & Grace – Denver
• Kizaki – Denver
• Matsuhisa Vail – Vail

How it works: The list is based on millions of diner reviews, overall ratings and reservation demand.

The intrigue: Two of the five, Alma Fonda Fina and Alteño, are helmed by Michelin-starred chef Johnny Curiel, who's fast becoming Denver's most talked-about chef.

• He's already cooking up his fifth local concept — Mar Bella Boqueria, a coastal Spanish-inspired spot expected to open this winter inside the Clayton Hotel & Members Club in Cherry Creek.

Go deeper: 10 new Denver restaurants to try this fall