AJI
1601 Pearl St., 303-442-3464

The Caribbean category is a bit limiting for this eclectic mix of Mexican, Latin American and South American cuisines. Ají features fresh ceviche, an excellent selection of Chilean and Argentinian wines, and classic Latin cocktails. Start off with empañadas or Papas à la Huancaina— baby red potatoes, housemade ricotta cheese, roasted peppers, olives and hard-cooked egg. Inventive main dishes include a pancetta-wrapped, duck confit-stuffed duck breast with white mole and sweet potato; sour orange-and-garlic mojo with black beans and chayote squash; peanut-and-plantain-encrusted yellowfin tuna, yellow and red-pepper salsa and banana rice; and petite beef tenderloin with mushroom ceviche, pomegranate mojo and natural jus. For dessert, try the milk-soaked white cakes or empañadas with Mexican chocolate and banana-rum ice cream. Happy hour daily 3-6pm features $2.50 drafts, $3 house wines, $4 mojitos, $3.50 empañadas and $4 ceviche. Open daily 11am-close. MC, VISA, AMEX, DISC.

CANOPY GRILL 2770 Arapahoe Road #116, Lafayette, 303-666-1130. Caribbean café with extensive authentic menu. Open for lunch and dinner.

CENTRO (formerly Rhumba) 950 Pearl St., 303-442-7771. Latin kitchen and “refreshment palace.”

TORTUGA’S 218 Coffman St., Longmont, 303-772-6954. Cajun, Caribbean and Florida-style cuisine.