Category — Eat and Drink

Okay, here is my newest favorite to share. Especially since I keep heading to the mountains to get some break from the heat.

So you are heading to the mountains and don’t have time to grab grub in Denver and arriving at your destination too late for dinner… here is my favorite pit stop. And even if I am getting to the mountains in time for dinner this is still a must do.

Kermits

Yep, that little motorcycle hangout off of I-70 has a secret treat that you have to get. Kermits offers awesome Green Chili. Try it alone loaded with cheese, onions, and sour cream or get it in poured over their beef enchilada and you are in heaven. Dip your flour tortillas, order some ice cold beers, and kick back on the outdoor patio. Or hang out inside and take in the hundreds of signed dollars pinned to the walls and ceiling for with some classic comments left by others.  And I can’t forget to mention the old school juke box that is always throwing out some off the wall classics.  During my last pit stop Jack Black was bellowing out some of his famous tunes from The Pick of Destiny.  Where else are you gonna get this authentic kind of spot.
Either way… this little spot is worth the trip and you can get pints to go to share with others.

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On Sunday we enjoyed another wonderful dinner at Sushi Sasa (does this place rock or what) celebrating a birthday and then continued over to Forest Room 5 for a little after dinner cocktail. What a pleasant suprise we got when we arrived and learned that they were holding their weekly movie nights.

So here is the scoop. Every Sunday and Monday FR5 (Forest Room 5) takes full advantage of their great outdoor paito and sets up a projector and launches a movie against the big brick wall opposite them. What a great idea! Just take a sight sore vacant wall and turn it into drive in style entertainment.

Whatever movie was playing on Sunday was definitely from the offbeat path. A mix of artsy and Kill Bill style gore, it was if nothing else some great background for in depth discussions over slowly sipped tequila or tasty micro brew beers.

If you want to know what kind of movies you can regularly expect, the answer is anything goes. Apparently all requests are considered and the joint is not so busy yet that you can’t have your own screening occur.

So check it out, pick a good flick, and swing back to the Urban Brain Forum to please let us know what you are planning or what is playing next.

P.S. photo take on iphone.

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Whoooo boy…. Denver was doing it up last night at Potager’s 10th anniversary dinner event.  This special event was held to honor one outstanding restaurant’s birthday and also all the wonderful people on their team who know how to do it right.  With a 5 course dinner to satisfy all of our taste buds we were in heaven.
Being one of the appreciative guests for dinner last night I can tell you it was a ball.  Every course, every bite, was wonderful.  And maybe a wee bit too much wine had me waking up slower this morning, but well worth it.

The team at Potager also had a “once in a lifetime” brunch this morning and then they are taking some well earned vacation time.  They don’t open back up until Tuesday July 17th so get yourselves ready for the new menu on the return.  I would tell you to make a reservation, but they don’t take any.  See you in line.:)

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Okay, Okay… I admit I have been a bit of a slacker lately. With this beautiful weather and the touch of spring, plus overall business, it has been quite awhile since I have had a post.

But I see I have alot of company in this regard. With such beautiful weather all the patios are open and FULL of happy socialites enjoying the end of the snow season. Zengo has opened up officially with their deck, Jax is always a great bet for outdoor sun and oysters, and of course the other multitude of locations downtown. [Read more →]

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My alma matter is Ohio State (no Florida comments please, it still hurts) and we had some awesome Greek restaurants all around town. It was a tradition with my friends to hit the late night Greek diner spots after going out on high street, the main strip for the Ohio State Campus. At these not so luxurious diners there would be a line of hungry college students lined out the door into the streets to order some killer gyro’s, tzatziki, fries, or onion rings. It is fair to say that Mediterranean food was a staple of my college years, and the Columbus Ohio scene had plenty of it.

Plus I also had a bit more of a Mediterranean food influence in College. My roommate was from Greece and his mom used to send us the best gift packages baked fresh and shipped full of baklava and other tasty cookies and treats. His sister and friends would introduce me to the secret spots in town with the best octopus or the most authentic recipes. It was great and I was spoiled. I knew where the best places were and even had a translator with me if something special was on the menu.

Now Denver is a different story. I am sure Denver probably has its own fair share of great Mediterranean restaurants, i just don’t know them yet. So this is a bit of research project for me to identify the best spots in town. Some may be fancy, some may be dives, but they all could be awesome. Here is a best of Denver for Greek and Mediterranean food. If I need to add a restaurant PLEASE let me know, because as I said this is a personal search for me to know what to try next. Just leave out the ‘burbs because odds are good I will never be there.

Most people don’t realize how many countries are contributors to “Mediterranean Cuisine”.  So check out the map above and see the scope, although I have left Italian to it’s own poll since there are so many of these restaurants to choose from.

My taste buds have expanded considerably from just gyros and I think I have loved everything I have tried from this region. Go ahead and share your favorite Mediterranean dish to order is and what Mediterranean countries the restaurant focuses on.
Denver’s Best Mediterranean Restaurant is…

[Poll=34]

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Sometimes people and places surprise you in a wonderful and sincere way. This is exactly what happened when I made a recent trip to Rosa Linda’s Mexican Cafe in the Highlands on 33rd near Tejon.

It had been a particularly long day and it was approaching almost 9:00 before we finally got around to even thinking about dinner. This was a couple days ago and it was a mid week night with cold weather and perfect hibernating weather. It was one of those times where the weather just calls for cozy warm food as a cure. In the course of several lunch time orders we had enjoyed Rosa Linda’s several times, but I had never actually gone in. We pulled up their website and ordered their famous “Best of Denver” which included a shredded beef or chicken burrito, one award winning chili relleno smothered in green chili, and rice and beans plus some chips and guac.

Our order was carry out so I quickly headed over there and walked in. Rosa Linda’s is a quaint little spot on 33rd with warm light flowing out of their windows to the street.

I had arrived a little bit early and our meals were not yet ready. I looked around and the wonderful little tables and booths, the years of decorations on the walls, and the different lamplights and decided to have a seat at the bar. Rosa Linda’s just gives off such a warm vibe. It was impossible to resist sitting down for a second and after watching a couple of margaritas heading to a nearby table I decided to sample one myself. The margarita was awesome. But the real story is about Eric Aguirre who was managing the restaurant and his lovely family that started and own Rosa Linda’s.

As I sat there on my stool enjoying my the salt on my Margarita I got the opportunity to chat with Eric. I had never heard the history of Rosa Linda’s and I was quite simply… touched.

There are so few true family businesses. Rosa Linda’s, however, is one of them. Eric shared the details and it is a great story that goes a little like this.

Eric’s parents, more than 22 years ago, opened up Rosa Linda’s in a part of Denver now know as the Highlands but previously just “North”. At that time, you may recall, the neighborhood had a little different feel than it does today. Apparently, many folks advised against the idea of opening this restaurant, but the dream would become reality. They started with a family approach, four children and expecting the fifth. That family approach has carried on since with great rewards.
Since 1985 they have fed the folks in their neighborhood, and their great reputation has spread. One promise they made when they started has also continued. That promise was that if the restaurant made it, they would give back by feeding the homeless every Thanksgiving. That continues today and now includes Christmas as well.

They have a wall of fame that includes years of best of Westword and many other rewards. And last week they won their newest award, best cactus. I tried a cactus taco and it was awesome, and the award is well deserved.

And continuing in the family tradition, they are going to be starting something new. One of the sons is a chef and will be offering a special night once or twice a month where the restaurant will be closed for regular dinner and they will be hosting special chefs dinner with tequila tasting. These new special nights are planned to start in the next month or two.  Registration is from the web site, so make sure to visit.

Great food, great people, check it out.

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Or simply put, Oysters, Oysters, Oysters… and tons of them.

Last night Jax hosted a huge oyster eating contest and the place was packed. First of all you have to know that this wonderful event was to benefit New Orleans and to provide some assistance for the oyster industry devastation there. So every time a customer (of which there were many) ordered oysters (of which there were even more) the proceeds went to good cause. So of course we helped out the best we could. Crowds of people came into Jax and their drink of choice was the Martini. There were Martinis of every color and combination from wall to wall. The bar itself looked like a martini lineup as they cooled with ice waiting to be filled. [Read more →]

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Just stopped into Snooze yesterday morning on my bike and sampled the pancake of the day. This one was a strawberry filled pancake with maple syrup spiced with orange zest. YUM!!

For those who don’t know, snooze does a pancake of the day every day and they go from the basic to the crazy, but always tasty.

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Here is an email I just got on Vita. Thought I would pass it on because today is BEAUTIFUL and I should be sitting on their patio right now writing a review in the sunshine.

Not only is VITA’s patio open and offering TWO new Happy Hours - - they are NOW serving Sunday Brunch! Starting this Sunday, March 25th Brunch will be served from 10:00 to 2:00 pm and Happy Hour begins 2:00pm – 6:30pm. Come down and soak up some sun and martinis on Vita’s patio this weekend!

IT’S FRIDAY - - so don’t forget about VITA’s TWO new Happy Hours (not only on Friday but EVERY DAY)!:

Happy Hour Times: 3:00pm – 6:30pm AND 9:00pm – Close (7 days a week!)

Food Specials: 2 for 1 (antipasto platter, olive hummus, calamari, bruschette, and specialty cheese and cracker spreads)

Drink Specials: Wines are 2 for 1 by the glass, and Bud, Bud Light and Italian Peroni and Moretti beers are $2.

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Who has the best? A great burger is a classic that every city should be proud of. Whether its a classic from the past or someone new in town does it better, Denverites have a right to know where to go. So vote for your best burger and share your comments on which burger is the best to order for your favorite.

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