One reader pointed out that my longer list of neighborhoods would be the statistical list of neighborhoods for Denver. Other readers had pointed out that the general list of Denver didn’t include enough of the specifics that are in the statistical list. I am open to ideas folks, the shorter list I use is the one I like so I am republishing the Overall Best Neighborhood in Denver poll using my General list (because it makes more sense to me).

For those of you who have ideas of what the list should be, and there are quite a few of you, please visit the forum and make your suggestions. Your opinions do matter. The way to be helpful is to share what you think the list SHOULD be, not what it shouldn’t be. Then folks can comment back and forth and maybe we will improve the list a bit. In the meantime, here is the poll revised. Happy voting!

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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 →]

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Since I walk to work I usually miss out on all the drama of traffic, weather, and general human foolishness…. but my friend’s story I had to share.

Now I know we got some snow last night. Let’s face it, last night rocked. After taking my very happy Alaskan Malamute for a snow romp we went to grab dinner at the Avenue Grill and watch the snow fall through the big glass windows. Cab’s both ways saved us from driving, but the wait to get the return cab was a bit long.

But nevermind that, I’m off topic from my friend’s trip into the office today.

First let me set the stage for you. She works downtown and lives in Highlands Ranch. That’s a long enough hike on a normal day but with the weather today… ouch. Her husband sets out for his day much earlier and gave her a warning call just before she left “I’m still not to the office yet” he let her know. This means close to two hours on the road.

So she quickly changed her plans and decided to take the light rail. Her usual 7 minute trip to the light rail station took her 30 minutes. No telling what a trip all the way downtown would have been. She missed her first train because apparently it was High School trip day and the machines were clogged with fun loving teens experimenting with their freedom and trying to learn how to use the system for the first time (this I actually find funny) and she catches the next train with no major issues. She thought about jumping on the train that was just sitting there and that she eventually missed waiting for the high school students to wrap up their purchases but didn’t want to risk getting ticketed.

Then on the way across Colfax WHAMMO a car collided with her light rail train. I guess the hit was pretty hard (and loud) with passengers on the train screaming and jolted from their peaceful trip. And what does the idiot who hit the train do… they run away. Can you imagine someone thinking they can get away with a hit and run on the light rail. Apparently no less than 50 people got their license plate numbers. I am just fascinated with how people think, or don’t think, sometimes. I can’t even imagine what will happen to that fool. My guess is the person wasn’t on the way to their job as a rocket scientist or molecular genetic engineer, but I’ve been wrong before.

The train announcer was a bit confused. Ordinarily the train needs to sit and wait to swap information with the other car but since the driver did a hit and run there was no one to swap info with. Good news for those train passengers as the train went back on its path. After finally arriving to downtown she decided to make a pit stop at the bank at Lawrence with the intention of taking the 16th street shuttle the rest of the way. That, of course with Murphy’s law, turned out to be a big mistake as the shuttles were only running one way… for her the wrong way. And of course this means the last leg of her trip was on foot slipping and sliding every step of the way.

If anyone has a better trip into work story for today… bring it.

I didn’t really think our snow was that bad last night but it sure seems to have the ability to grind our streets to a halt. Good thing we all have a sense of humor (or at least most of us).

Photo credit from CBS website.

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Since I have my scooter now and am searching for excuses to use it (ie “sure I’ll go pick up lunch” or “lets get carry out, I’ll fly”) I thought it might be a fun time to try and find the best breakfast pastries, breads, etc. in Denver. So every morning before work I jump on my scooter and cruise out to search out something I can bring back and share with the office.

Not exactly Magellan setting out for the new world, but a good enough of an excuse to cruise around as any. Plus I get to share my finds with others so maybe there is some good karma there as well.

The ground rules are easy. I don’t want to get in my car so the distance shouldn’t be too great (not that I wouldn’t scoot far, I just don’t have that much time before work) and any pastry could work. Bagels, croissants, donuts, etc. Just as long as it counts as breakfast fare.

Day one I scooted up through the Highlands. I remembered seeing a number of bakeries around the 32nd street area. Sure enough, just past Duo I saw a familiar sign for a bakery. It was Rosales Mexican Bakery located at 2636 W. 32nd Ave. I parked my scooter and shot inside.

First of all, the bakery looks like a wonderful spot for great authentic cookies, sugary breads, and other sweet delights. For breakfast fare the options were equally as sweet. Already prepared were a number of sugared donuts, Pan Dulce, and other tempting items.

I asked about other donuts they might have and they said they were about to slather up a number of fresh donuts with some Mexican chocolate sauce. That works for me.

Minutes later I am headed out the door with a dozen donuts under my arm. 6 sugar coated and 6 smothered in chocolate. Not exactly a health breakfast but a little indulgence now and then is good for the soul.

I brought the first day’s bounty back and they got quickly snatched up. The most popular… the chocolate. The donuts themselves had an even richer, more sugary texture than most donuts. Perhaps a characteristic of the Mexican Bakery technique.

And there you have day one of the pastry quest.

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Just wanted to make sure and pass this info on for you. The previously announced Pasquini’s is now OPEN!!

I didn’t get a chance to check it out as I was grabbing myself some breakfast at the Gallop Cafe but I do plan to try it some night soon. Rumored to have the Best Calzones in town this opening of a second location in the Highlands should do great.

Who has the best Pizza in Denver?  You decide.

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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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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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I have to say that this marketing cracks me up. Yesterday I blogged about the Hash at Lola. The other photo I took, which turned out better, was of the sign across the street for some new lofts near the Highlands Pedestrian Bridge. [Read more →]

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The Central Platte Valley Metropolitan District approved funding for the new pedestrian bridge across 18th street so it is only a matter of time before this becomes a reality. If you look at the beautiful pedestrian bridge that connects at 16th with the integration into the Promenade building it is only logical to assume that the upcoming groundbreaking of the City House building will kick off some sort of movement for this bridge to begin as well.

Residents of Glass House are going to really love this access point as it creates the newest access point for the city. I am looking forward to a short cut for a sunny afternoon Rockies game. But don’t get your hopes up yet, with the time it takes to complete and the infrastructure that still has to be added for the street scape in that area it will probably be some time before you can walk across. Perhaps if City House wraps up in 2009 then the bridge will be ready at the same time. One can only hope.

Either way this is one more pedestrian bridge addition that is make Denver even better. Maybe not as exciting as the Pedestrian bridge over I-25 connecting the Highlands and Riverfront, but still cool.

Anyone have any idea what it will look like?

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