by mike
Last night I was fortunate enough to attend my first (yes, my first) concert at Red Rocks for the R.E.M. concert with Modest Mouse and The National. And yes, I cannot count on one hand how many people were shocked that it was my first concert. Don’t ask me how that happened, I guess my days in the mountains were just too booked. However I was still a slacker for putting this event off for so long. Red Rocks is an amazing place and it was an amazing show. And with the news about Obama winning the Democratic Presidential Nomination the show had a special energy for R.E.M. Michael Stipe began an earlier set announcing that Obama would be our next President and went through a number of songs [Read more →]
Popularity: 11% [?]
by mike
Okay, it’s Memorial Day weekend and you know part of that includes having a nice Brunch with friends and family. So for this week let’s ask the question of who has the best Sunday Brunch in Denver.
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Popularity: 6% [?]
by mike
Since Pizza was by far one of the most popular polls of the last year it seems only fitting that it is the first poll of 2008. I have to say, Denverites love their Pizza. Feel free to read the comments from the 2007 post.
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Popularity: 10% [?]
by mike
It’s that special time of year when kegs of Guinness are flowing fast and hangovers are growing even faster. Yes folks, the Saint Patrick’s Day holiday is upon us.
But make sure to plan accordingly because unlike all the St. Patrick’s Day holidays of the past this one WILL NOT be held on the traditional March 17th. Due to a little scheduling problem the Church is moving it. Changed by the Roman Catholic Church to avoid conflict with Holy Monday that falls on 3/17 the 2008 Saint Patrick’s Day holiday will be celebrated on March 15th just a few days away. This is the first time the date has been moved since 1940 and the next time it will need to change will be all the way in 2160.
What will you be doing to celebrate? I remember the days of waiting in line for my old watering hole, Byrnes Pub, to open in the wee hours of the morning. There was some serious Irish pride going on at Byrne’s and folks waited all year for their favorite holiday to be celebrated right. What surprised me is that Byrne’s and many other establishments are still planning to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day on the 17th (the traditional day) which led me to wonder if there might be a revolt of sorts against the changing of the date. Are some out there making a statement that Saint Patrick’s day is simply to important to be swapped out because of a conflict with another event. Or did some folks just not get the memo? Here’s one story talking about how different cities are having different reactions.
For those of us how are consuming the beer it is far better to have a nice Sunday to recover than to be looking at a workday to follow. You know when that happens somebody will have the “great idea” to schedule a 7 am meeting. I imagine that businesses are probably pleased about the date change as well as it means they can avoid a possible crew of zombies on one of their supposedly productive days. I am not sure if it is better for the bars or not. They might certainly have a great night of beer sales for a Saturday, but that probably happens anyway. With a weeknight Saint Patrick’s Day they might just boost it up to being their best week ever.
Of course the smart Irish man or woman might want to celebrate twice just to make sure. You don’t want to tick Saint Patrick off by missing his day now do you (bar managers trying to boost beer sales, this might give you a record breaking week).
What’s your thought on the date change?
Whichever date it is my plans will be milder as I am quite a bit tamer than I was back then. Now I prepare by surfing Itunes to assemble an Irish mix of my favorite bands for the occasion. These would include such groups as Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Skels, Blood or Whiskey, The Tossers, and of course The Pogues. I haven’t quite decided what I’ll do with the mix since I’m not hosting a party… but you never know when it might come in handy.
I’ll likely have a beer or two, laugh with some friends, and exit before things great really rowdy as I plan to hit a beach the very next day and that is when the real fun starts. But you have fun this Holiday and share your favorite way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day here in Denver.
Popularity: 17% [?]
by mike
Does anyone know the scoop on Mikey’s Italian Bistro at 4140 W 38th Ave. We went there last night, all geared up for some homemade spaghetti and a bottle of wine in a cozy atmosphere but found instead a closed sigh and it looks like some demolition or other major work is underway.
Please don’t tell me Mikey’s is no more. Could it be that this little nugget is gone? Someone share the scoop. I called their number and it says that “this mailbox has not been set up”. That is certainly not a good sign.
We ended up cruising over to the Saucy Noodle instead for some homemade linguini, which I recommend. But we need to have a nice homemade noodle in our own neighborhood. Any favorites out there people want to share for homemade noodles in Denver or their other favorite Italian spots.
Popularity: 21% [?]
by mike
I just got an email with a photo of the new Vita rooftop I thought I’d share.
Popularity: 16% [?]
by mike
I just got an email asking if I could spread the word about a new rooftop Terrace opening up.
Of course I will, especially since with this beautiful weather I can think of few things nicer than sitting outside with friends enjoying the weather and having a cocktail.
ROOFTOP TERRACE AT VITA IS OPEN
DENVER, August 30, 2007. Just when it seemed Highland hot spot Vita’s celebrated ambience couldn’t possibly get better, owners Mark Schuwerk and Jay Beckerman took it up a notch with the opening of their new rooftop dining space. Boasting a breathtaking view of downtown Denver, the casual but elegant deck offers diners a new way to enjoy al fresco dining. The rooftop patio features a full bar, cocktail tables, elegant European rope lighting, and an unparalleled panorama that extends from the Flatirons and Long’s Peak to the Ramparts and Pike’s Peak.
“We wanted to create a space that was sophisticated and fully embraced the unobstructed view across downtown,” Schuwerk said. “At the same time, we wanted to provide a secluded place where people could relax and linger over a cocktail as they drink in Denver’s best view.”
Beckerman added, “Not only does our new deck significantly expand our serving capacity, it offers a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for a romantic evening on the town. ”
On the new Rooftop Terrace at Vita, guests who tire of the panoramic downtown view (hard to imagine) can simply wrap themselves in the embrace of the sparkling light columns and imagine themselves transported to an Italian grotto or a starlit Amalfi Coast beach.
On Tuesdays, Vita caters to wine enthusiasts and offers ½ price bottles. Vita’s extensive fresh cocktail menu makes it a popular destination with the cocktail crowd. Vita offer 2 happy hour’s daily; 3:00 pm- 6:30 pm and one for the night owl’s starting at 9:00 pm and until close.
Located in the former Olinger building at 1575 Boulder Street in the Lower Highland area, Vita is open 7 days a week from 3:00 pm – Midnight (Sunday through Thursday), and 3:00 pm – 2:00 am (Friday and Saturday). Vita also offers Saturday and Sunday brunch from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm with a happy hour from 3:00pm – 6:30 pm.
For more information about Vita and to make reservations visit the web site at http://www.vitadenver.com/ or call 303-477-4600.
Popularity: 23% [?]
by mike
Mayor Hickenlooper is selling his interest in his restaurant business operations held as Wynkoop Holdings. What does it mean? Could he be looking at higher office down the road? Is it just time to cash out on a great group of businesses that he either started or built on? Maybe it’s just time to slow down and relax with what has been accomplished? Or perhaps the added scrutiny placed on the businesses by his position make this change a win win.
Either way, what a great success story and also the end of an era for our Mayor. I wonder if much will change. Notice how he collected some of the oldest and most historic spots in town, good picks there Mayor.
Just a milestone in the History of Denver. Check out the full story in the Denver Post today and here is the Post highlight story.
Denver mayor sells interest in eateries
Article Last Updated: 08/27/2007 06:55:23 AM MDT
Mayor John Hickenlooper will no longer be the owner of the Wynkoop Brewing Company, the Cherry Cricket or the other restaurants around Denver that established him as an entrepreneur.
Ownership members of Wynkoop Holdings Inc. voted Friday to buy the mayor out of the group, a source close to the deal confirmed Sunday.
Details of the deal were not available Sunday night.
Hickenlooper has kept his ownership in Wynkoop Holdings in a blind trust since he took office in 2003 to avoid conflicts of interest.
Other restaurants owned by the group include Gaetano’s, Goosetown Tavern and the Wazee Supper Club.
Popularity: 24% [?]
by mike
I heard the most interesting argument on the radio today and wanted to pass it on.
We all are in love with Organics, at least most of us are. Count me as one of them. Not only are organics something I would prefer to put in my body they just taste better.
The question is whether Organics are good for the environment. Of course they don’t have pesticides or other nasty sprays that go on the vegetables and into the ground. But that is not the issue.
The issue is that because organics have gotten so popular they are now being shipped across the country, via big exhaust spewing trucks, from where they are grown to where they are sold. The impact means that there are alot of fossil fuels being thrown into the atmosphere to get those tasty organic melons from Arizona to your local market. Think about that.
Shipped in organics may be more harmful to our environment than buying local, regardless of whether it is organic or not. Or simply put, you might be supporting sustainable growth to a greater extent if you just pick up some local Colorado grown items no matter what.
Of course the best case scenario is both locally grown and organic. So ask where items come from, learn about how things arrive. If it is important to you keep in mind that there are many, many, many impacts to our world that happen in every choice we make.
It was a surprising idea to me and something I had not yet thought of. So we need more organic farms spread across the country supporting local communities and neighborhoods. Sounds good to me.
I googled and found an article from Scientific Blogging if you want to learn more.
Popularity: 35% [?]
by mike
This past Saturday Theorie Restaurant and Martini Lounge opened up on Market street in what I believe is the old Real World spot. Opening night was Saturday, invite only (no.. I don’t rate that) and then Sunday was the first night for open reservations.
I haven’t had a chance to check this out yet, but it looks to be going for a bit upscale with some tasty dinner items and a special late night menu. My guess is that with bottle service and the late night menu this is both a date night restaurant and an “out late clubbin’ spot”.
So will someone please check it out and let the rest of us know. Menus are below if you want to check them out. But they said they are changing the menu’s every 90 days so this post will be dated in a few months. Happy eating!
Popularity: 42% [?]
