A friend passed this on suggesting it was Urban Brain Worthy. I agree.

At least we can laugh at ourselves.

Jeff Foxworthy on Colorado

( It was only a matter of time before Jeff Foxworthy took a couple of shots
at Colorado)

You are a Coloradoan if …………..

1. You switch from “Heat” to “A/C” in one day.

2. You know what the “Peoples Republic of Boulder” means.

3. Your sense of direction is: towards the mountains and away from the
mountains.

4. You’re a meat-eating vegetarian.

5. The bike on your car is worth more than your car and you have your own
special bike lane.

[Read more →]

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This was a true statement I overheard during a recent lunch at My Brother’s Bar down in the CPV. I had just finished a physical; which is according to every dudes’ magazine and medical professional is exactly what I should do at my age, and was starving. My morning had been crazy without a second to breathe or eat and the fact that they stole some of my blood left me feeling even more ravenous. So my body was telling me it needed something with a touch of flavor (aka grease) and My Brother’s Bar was just the ticket.

So I belly up to the bar and order myself a J.C.B. If you don’t know what a J.C.B you had better get in there because I am not telling. Don’t take this as me being mean, I just think it is a rite of passage that you go in and order this delicious item along with a brew just like I did when I moved here. [Read more →]

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Today’s topic is wine, wine, and more wine!

Urbanites are social. We throw our dinner parties, our martini balls, our football get togethers, and our impromptu late nights with friends. So what do we consider a bare essential…. our wine store and having a great selection available for us.

So join me in getting to know Little Raven Vineyards and Peter Klann, Proprietor.

Peter, can you tell me what first attracted you to wine, what you love about it and a little bit about your background?

Shortly after moving to Colorado in 1976 my wine adventure began in the cellar of a neighbor who had an extensive collection of French and German wine. I have traveled to several of the major wine regions in the world to further my education. My formal wine education includes advanced Sommelier and Advanced Wine and Food paring certificates from the IWG.

What was your inspiration for Little Raven Vineyards and the wines you select? [Read more →]

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I mentioned in yesterday’s post that we headed out to an Av’s game. It was a last minute magic ticket, and we needed a good spot to grab a beer and some grub before the game. We narrowed it down to My Brothers Bar or Wazee Supper Club. We ultimately picked Wazee after finding out that a couple members of our group had never been there before.

How can anyone have never been to the Wazee Supper Club? Are you as shocked as I am. Then I realized [Read more →]

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In an earlier post I ranted and raved about the Great Bloody Mary we had during the Blizzard at the Gallop Cafe. After using the Denver Streets as our Cross Country track we reached the Gallop and got this special treat of the Best vegetable filled bloody mary served with a beer chaser and a warm open faced turkey sandwich.

YUM!!
Tasty, and a wonderful cafe. Just wanted to pass on some pics from this great day and recommend you stop in yourself.

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Sure, they talk about the post office being reliable no matter whatever the weather. But it looks like the only thing moving across this snow storm is beer. Just had to snag a shot of this keg being rolled across the plaza at Riverfront Park. It was just funny to watch. Everyone is heading for the indoors, the cars are all tucked away, and the only movement is a keg getting wheeled to its destination. Not sure where it is headed, perhaps someone decided to stock up better for round two of the 2006 blizzards, or perhaps a pub is getting ready for the locals. Hmmmmm… and I was just thinking of sushi.

Gotta love living in the city!

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It’s snowing.

I have been back in Denver for less than 24 hours and the snow is falling again. Reports started at 8 to 12 inches and now I have heard quotes of one to three feet. I only have one thing to say about that.

Awesome!

I am a true snow lover. I love the pure white, the falling flakes, the blanket across the city. I love it so much that I think I may be a snow beacon. A snow beacon is someone who calls to the snow, when they are there the snow will fall. When I still lived up in the mountains last October, November, and December we got some major, and I mean major, snow dumps that allowed me to enjoy one of the most spectacular ski months of my life. I had just wrapped up one chapter of my life and had time in December to do nothing but ski, and so I called to it. And the snow came.

Then… I move to Denver and the winter comes and I miss the snow. So I call to it and we get a terrific snow storm just before I leave town. Then I get back and miss the snow and I must miss me too because it has returned. I have been told that this snow is unusual for Denver, not since many many years past has it been like this. And hence, I think I am a snow beacon. And I am loving it, so don’t mess with my fantasy.

That is not the real purpose of this post. This post is all about people, not snow. It is merely snow that draws people out and makes them a bit more real, pure, and approachable. The best description I heard was someone commenting on all the good will that existed in the streets, the cafes, and the gathering places around our city. I saw people helping others shovel their cars out, helping others push their car our of stranded trenches, and helping others by holding open doors and welcoming them to their table for a cup of tea. And the observation someone made, which stayed with me, was how wonderful everyone seems to be with each other when we are all in contact with each other, by foot, by sharing a table, sharing a seat on the light rail, by passing on the street compared with the attitudes and distance that exist when we travel inside our steel automobiles. Can we learn something from this blizzard?

During Blizzard #1 my lady and I got a chance to play in the snow. We cross country skied to breakfast at Gallop Cafe, using the streets as our trails and getting a few chuckles from folks we passed. We relaxed in their cozy environment with open faced sandwiches and what has to be the best bloody mary I have had in Denver. No kidding, it was huge with a literal vegetable garden inside (pickes, peppers, veggies, yum) and it was also served with a small beer chaser. Talk about cozy, I was in heaven. And everyone was so nice… everywhere. People were on the streets, walking to get coffee, or food, or perhaps stocking up on spirits for an evening by the fire. Whatever they were up to they were right there and they was a real connection with them as we traveled the city by foot. And that mattered.

For dinner we hiked back across the new Highland Pedestrian Bridge and hit Z Cuisine for some cozy dinner, a glass of wine, and some delicious food with our friend Pat. Pat had hiked her butt down from farther up the Highlands after being stranded in DIA for over 24 hours and had similar stories of meeting total strangers and bonding, sharing a meal and a glass of wine. I think she even got a date out of it.

So, my point is to welcome this second snow storm and wish with all your might that we get three feet or more. And if that does happen, go out and xx ski, snowshoe, or hike across your cubby in the city. Explore the local restaurants, meet your neighbors. Remember that two types of restaurants seemed to be open in the first round. One was the hotel restaurant, which is a fail safe that takes care of its lodgers. The other and even more special spot is your true local bistro. The staff and owner usually live within a few blocks, and they tend to be there for their neighborhood. As the folks at Z cuisine said, this is their neighborhood and it was important for them to be open. You wont find that with the big chains (except Starbucks, they are ALWAYS open and do get some kudos for that).

So go enjoy a Gallop Bloody, go have a french dessert with a congnac, go laugh with friends and walk home in knee high snow.

And when the snow has all melted and the roads are open again, try and remember what was so special and keep repeating it.

Happy skiing folks, and lets hope it really dumps.

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With funky green walls and christmas lights in the window, this little brew pub reminds me off something from the hoos down in hoosvile from Doctor Seuss. But I also think it will be a hit for the local in the area who can easily walk to this little pub that serves tater tots with peppercorn ranch dressing and sliders as a snack. The menu isn’t big, there are now only two “brewed” beers on tap (Octoberfest and a dark) but more are on the way. And you can always get one of the bottled beers, at least until everything is up to steam.

Heck, I love these kind of small cozy spots that have character. We don’t want every place to look the same. The people make it work. And since everyone who works there seems to be wonderful your only responsibility for a good time is to bring someone you want to share a beer… and a conversation with.

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Who said there was enough places to get a beer in Denver didn’t know about the North Star Brew Pub, recently opened in the Highlands on the corner of 32nd and Tejon.

It has a neighborhood pub feel in a sunny space, with a staff that is there to createa Cheers like atmosphere (for those old enough to remember that show)

Brewer Kyle Carstens is the beerman at North Star. He spent 15 years brewing at Wynkoop before opening his own place and he knows his beer.

Kyle will have his beers for you, or you can have some of the Micro’s they personnally select. I heard they have PBR’s Schlitz and Hamm’s if you want to go back to old school.

Want some food, great lunch and dinner will be served as well.

North Star Brewpub, 3200 Tejon in Denver. They open at 11am.

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Photo credit to Westword

One of my favorite restaurants, Parallel 17 has announced their new winter menu and it rocks…

New additions to the menu include:

Chicken Meatballs with a Caramel Glaze
Shredded Chicken and Coriander Salad
Panko Breaded Soft Shell Crab in “33” Beer Broth
Pan Seared Dover Sole with Star Anise Ratatouille
Jasmine Tea Smoked Duck Confit
Vietnamese Coffee Braised Beef Short Rib
Ginger Pear Tart

The Rocky Mountain News also did a great review you can read here.

But in addition to the reviews, if you have tried the new menu please share your feedback here! Comment on your favorite items on the new menu after you go, it will help me (and anyone else) know what to order next time).

Happy eating!!

You can also vote your opinion on the forum here.

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