Kawa Ni is a Japanese small plates spot in the Highlands that earns its 4.6 stars the honest way. Think izakaya energy with a Denver sensibility: intimate, a little buzzy, and built for sharing. The menu leans into yakitori, seasonal vegetables, and thoughtful bites that reward slowing down and ordering more rounds. The room feels like someone actually cared about how it looks and sounds. Good natural wine list, solid cocktails, and the kind of servers who steer you right without being annoying about it. This is the spot for a date night that feels effortless, a small group dinner that runs long, or honestly just sitting at the bar solo with a skewer and a glass of something cold.