The moment Lenka Juchelkova and Mike Huggins stepped inside, they knew two things: The forest was staying, and the neighborhood of Baker was about to become another home.
Mike and Lenka’s journey into hospitality was far from conventional. About a decade ago, Lenka was shopping for a dishwasher at a space in Old Town Arvada, and the dream took off. She could perfectly envision a bar in this space, and it became the Arvada Tavern.
Now award-winning owners of a few bars and restaurants throughout Denver, one became their most immersive concept yet.
“We’ve always built spaces around atmosphere and storytelling,” says Huggins. “La Forêt allowed us to go deeper—to create something that felt like stepping into another world.”
Connor Stehr
A Touch of Enchantment
Found in the heart of Denver’s South Broadway neighborhood, this immersive Alpine-French restaurant wasn’t something they had to completely invent. It was already there from a former restaurant known as Beatrice & Woodsley, focused on being a “Western Fairytale” at the time. Mike and Lenka knew they didn’t need to rewrite the story, just turn the page and let the next chapter unfold.
“The 46 aspen trunks sprouting from the floor felt like destiny—not décor,” says Huggins. “The experience of feeling like you’re dining in the forest was too special to let go.”
So, they didn’t. They embraced the ethereal woodland vibe and expanded on it. With additional greenery, softened textures and a reimagined layout, La Forêt now carries what the team calls an “Alpine Forage Rustic” aesthetic—a blend of romantic French sensibility and rugged mountain charm.
The result? A restaurant that doesn’t just look like a forest, it feels like one.
Connor Stehr
French Roots, Colorado Soul
Maybe it’s the flicker of candlelight reflecting off warm woods, the rustle of aspen leaves overhead or even the scent of herbs drifting in the air. Whatever it is, the quiet transformation that happens when you step through the doors of La Forêt is undeniable.
“There’s a moment when guests look up at the canopy and their shoulders drop,” says Marketing Manager Diana Feldman. “They realize they’re not just out to eat—they’re somewhere else entirely.”
When it comes to the dining options, La Forêt draws from the rustic elegance of the French countryside but doesn’t cling to tradition too tightly.
“It’s French in spirit, but refreshingly unbound by strict formality,” says Feldman.
That means guests might start with a traditional Pastis Hour (served daily from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.) before diving into modern interpretations of French classics, often with a regional twist.
Connor Stehr
The menu, led by Executive Chef Jamie Rutherford, includes refined-yet-earthy dishes like Stag au Poivre (a wild elk backstrap with black peppercorn sauce), Champagne-hazelnut escargot and crispy frog legs.
“The Stag au Poivre is a guest favorite—savory, bold, and emblematic of the Alpine Forage concept,” says Feldman. “Other standouts include the French Onion Soup and Maitake Mushrooms, each dish capturing the elegant earthiness that defines La Forêt.”
Connor Stehr
And for the drinks? They’re designed not just to be complementary, but to breathe with the dining options, according to Williams & Graham alum and Beverage Director for Guest Floor Management Jason Patz.
“The drink menu at La Forêt is about restraint and beauty,” Patz explains. “It’s easy for cocktails to be loud. We focus on letting each component breathe, with deeply integrated collaboration between bar and kitchen.”
For example, the popular cocktail called the Sun King—a Cognac cocktail with apricot eau de vie, Bigallet China-China, and dry Curaçao—is designed to complement the earthy richness of that favorite dish, the Stag au Poivre.
From classic French spirits to inspired concoctions with local influence, every pour is part of the story.
Connor Stehr
Fine Dining, Open Doors
Despite its lavish feel, La Forêt is meant to be for the community—maybe even a spontaneous decision as you walk by the place. It’s why no reservations are allowed here; it’s walk-in only, a rarity in a city where fine dining usually requires planning weeks in advance.
“We wanted to lower the barrier to entry,” Feldman explains. “La Forêt is upscale, yes—but it should never feel exclusive.”
That balance of refinement and warmth hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, La Forêt was named Best French Restaurant in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards and featured in 5280’s Top of the Town—just a year after its opening. The recognition affirmed what the team already felt in their bones: they had created something rare.
“The way Denver has embraced La Forêt has been overwhelming in the best way,” says Feldman. “Whether it’s your first pastis, your first frog legs or just the feeling of being transported midweek—we hope every visit leaves guests a little more enchanted.”
To learn more and explore their menu, head to laforetdenver.com. Plan your Denver visit at denver.org.