One thing you will learn very quickly about living in the city. You can’t grill out the way you used to. No more big propane tank feeding a gas fired fury of heat to sear up a delicious steak or to toast up a salmon plank. Nope, the fire code for Denver says that you cannot put your mega grill on your balcony.

So if you love the Downtown lifestyle and live in a multi dwelling unit (and don’t think that is a high rise only, that is three or more units) you will not be allowed to grill out unless you work within the rules. So lets cover the rules first [Read more →]

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Well it has been quite some time since we did any Denver Best Polls and I am sitting here on Monday night trying to decide where to get some carry out from. I am really in the mood for Indian food and have only tried a few in town, mostly for lunch.

I need to change that.

I just have to decide who to try first, and second, and third, and so on. Why don’t you share your vote for who has the best Indian food in town, and feel free to comment on why.

Let’s hear it Denver

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Let’s face it, Black is the ultimate fashion color. Models and all the beautiful people live in black fashion. So do 007 and Darth Vader… along with most of NYC on any given day. And of course there are Black Tie parties, never pink or green tie parties. The ladies have 50 little black dresses and every guy has a slick black suit. So basically, in a fashion sense, black seems to rule.

This coming Thursday night the options for wearing black are going to be explored with the last big finale fashion series event at Riverfront Park. With food, wine, and of course the high energy Riverfront Crowd this is not an event to be missed. There is a catch. Tickets look to be selling out quick so if you want to go make sure to visit www.riverfrontparkfashion.com to get ticket information.

I just wonder if they will play AC/DC Back in Black to kick it off. I am guessing not.

By the way… Black is, scientifically speaking, not a color. A black object absorbs all colors of the visible spectrum and reflects none of them. It is, in effect, the anti-color. Kinda cool!!

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Always on the lookout for something new and cool in the world of green the folks at Revolution Cleaners has opened a “Green Cleaning” business here in Denver. I was surprised to find out how few people even knew about them. And I hate to admit that I had no idea what the heck Green Cleaning was. I knew it was supposed to be good for the environment but I didn’t know why or how. My shirt, pant, and other cleaning has increased a ton since I moved from my fleece worshiping days in the mountains. Back then a pair of jeans, some clogs, and a fleece top were the bulk of my wardrobe.

Now that I have balanced this with an urban style (I never said a good one) I actually have clothes that need some more attention. So if I am going to have them professionally cleaned I would like to think I will be green doing it. Hence I hunted down the green cleaning option in town and wanted to learn about their business.
And of course the geek in me (which is probably alot) wanted to learn the science behind it as well.
So on my last drop off to their shop, I asked if the owners would like to share with us some more details about their business and the science of green cleaning. They happily agreed. The following interview was sent by email…

Noel, many folks don’t know about Green Dry Cleaning. Can you give us a high level overview of the difference between your process and standard dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning isn’t really dry; rather, it’s cleaning without water. Standard drycleaning uses perchloroethylene (more commonly called PERC) as the primary solvent. Traditional machines are simply large washing machines that use PERC instead of water. PERC-exposure has been associated with lots of health problems, including being identified as a hazardous substance by the EPA. It is also one of the most common contaminants in groundwater. Cleaning in PERC requires drying of the garments at a high temperature. Our process doesn’t use PERC, or any other hazardous substances. Our two dry cleaning process’ use liquid carbon dioxide and water. Both are naturally occurring in the environment and in your body.

For the extra geeky among us who love the technical details… how exactly does your process work? [Read more →]

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What a fun tagline… “Serious food Silly Prices”!

While there has a been a great deal of excitement about the new King Sooper announcement another grocery store has popped up and opened for business. In the Highlands and close to the CPV, at the corner of 38th and Wolff a Sunflower Farmer’s Market began serving the community. Initial feedback was that there was wonderful produce to fill the need of local cooks and munchers downtown.

Let’s face it, a grocery store is a big big thing. Bigger than a top restaurant, bigger than a retail shop, a grocery store that is convenient makes our lives that much easier. So last night I went to check it out.

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Wow, this was one incredible Fourth of July and there was no more exciting place to be than the Glass House.

But lets just document the day in order [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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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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