When the Rocky Mountain Diner closed its doors in February, it caused an uproar among downtowners. The reaction wasn’t so much because the food (save the banana cream pie) was remarkable but because the restaurant, housed in the historic Ghost Building, was a lunchtime staple.

Enter Ghost Plate & Tap, a joint effort from Wynkoop Brewing Company and Breckenridge Brewery to ensure that the space didn’t slip into the hands of a massive chain. Now open for five weeks, the Ghost has comfortably settled into the space, and the lunchtime crowds have returned for gussied-up comfort food.

Chef James Koch, who did stints at Steuben’s and Atomic Cowboy, heads up the classic-meets-contemporary menu (think smoked turkey melts and charcuterie platters). I went with the Stout Street Chop salad, a fresh-faced tumble of greens, tomatoes, quinoa, black beans, corn, and fresh herbs in lemon-balsamic. My only wish was for more quinoa.

Aside from a couple menu nods to Wynkoop and Breckenridge, the breweries presence is mostly felt in the 24 beers on tap. The primarily local, all-craft list is also peppered with brews like Avery’s White Rascal, the seasonal St. Lupulin from Odell, and Great Divide’s Rumble Ale.

800 18th St., 303-297-1738