2012 Denver Restaurant Week Gearing Up
February 5th, 2012 categories: Restaurant Reviews
Denver’s famous 5280 Restaurant Week is coming soon.
This year, “Restaurant Week” is actually two weeks. From February 25 – March 9 over 325 restaurants are offering their multicourse meals for $52.80 per couple.
This is always a hot event, and the restaurants are already booking up. The most popular times are taken, so you’ll need to be flexible about eating early or late.
Denver Restaurant Week is presented by Visit Denver, and their web site allows you to choose a restaurant by cuisine, by neighborhood, or you can see all participating restaurants. It’s a great event, highlighting Denver’s foodie culture. Join with a couple of friends and make it a night out!
When Gretchen Faber isn’t eating and drinking, she’s selling houses in Denver. Visit GretchensDenver to look for a new home, or to read descriptions of local neighborhoods. That may help you narrow down your restaurant search.
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Veteran’s Day 2011 in Denver
November 11th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Veterans eat free today, November 11th, in Denver.
In thanks for their service to our country, many local and national restaurants are providing free meals to area Veterans. Thanks to all of you, and cheers.
Visit The Military Wallet for information and up-to-date locations.
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Free Ice Cream Today in Denver!
April 12th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos. ~Don Kardong
Ahh, Ben & Jerry’s. The stuff of many a late-night pig out session. Luckily, it comes in pints, and not just half gallons.
For today only, it’s free at local Denver Ben & Jerry’s shops. And there happens to be a shop just down the street from us! I’ll be a happy camper today.
Stop into any of the locations for your free cone from noon to 8 p.m. Ben & Jerry’s has 4 locations in and around Denver at Denver International Airport, near the University of Denver, at Belmar and at Park Meadows Mall. You can also stop into their Boulder and Fort Collins locations if you’re not in Denver today.
For more information, check out Ben & Jerry’s online scoop shop locator.
Happy Free Ice Cream Day!!
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Il Posto in Denver is Worth a Visit
October 25th, 2010 categories: Restaurant Reviews
Il Posto Restaurant
I haven’t reviewed a restaurant in quite awhile, but a friend remarked yesterday that he likes to read my blog, “even the restaurant reviews,” so this is a shout out to Jeff! You should take Kathy to Il Posto when you have the opportunity.
Not only is this a shout out to a friend, it’s well deserved recognition to a local Denver restaurant that delights in every way except in honoring reservations. I’ll get to that little bone to pick later, the flavors and service were fabulous. The chef is excellent and the modest kitchen turns out dishes that could rival the best little local restaurant in Europe.
The dining room is small, so make sure to have a table reserved at Il Posto. There’s not much waiting space. We arrived on time and were told to head two doors down to wait at the bar. My husband and I compliantly headed to the bar and found a table. When our friends arrived who had made the reservation, they were aghast. They hustled us back into Il Posto and explained that we had a reservation and expected it to be honored.
The owner was very apologetic and assured us that a table would clear in 15 to 20 minutes. He then brought us each a glass of Prosecco as a token of his sincere regret that our table wasn’t ready. The Prosecco was outstanding, but it was about 1/8 of a glass. It was merely a token of his distress that our table wasn’t ready, not a sincere apology.
When we were seated, the evening took a turn for the better. The meal we shared was delicious in every way. Wines from Italy are our favorites, so we ordered more Prosecco and then a bottle of Italian Valpolicella that was modestly priced, big in the mouth and perfect with the meal.
The menu changes daily and the chef’s focus on fresh seasonal ingredients is a winner. The Risotto was mouth watering. I haven’t enjoyed a meal as much at any restaurant since. My friend’s Tagliatelle with fresh seafood was terrific as well, with mussels and clams nestled in capers to add a light citrus flavor.
So head over to Il Posto for a special evening or on a whim. Just make certain that you have patience if you aren’t seated immediately. I’m sure we enjoyed ourselves so much that we made the people behind us wait as well.
If you’re a first-time reader, Lifestyle Denver focuses on Denver real estate, market updates, seller and buyer tips, and occasionally things to do in Denver and restaurant reviews. It’s written by Gretchen Faber, a local Denver real estate agent who loves living the Denver lifestyle!
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Cafe Rio – Fast and Fresh Mexican Fare
February 21st, 2010 categories: Restaurant Reviews
We aren’t your typical fast food family. It’s a rare day that we’ll pick up a meal to go, once a month maybe.
Yesterday, coming off of 9 days sick in bed with bronchitis and the cupboards bare, we headed out to pick up Duke from Doggie Camp and grab dinner at the new Cafe Rio on South Colorado Boulevard and Cherry Creek Drive.
Yes, they bought my review – all of the food was free!
My son noticed the sign that said “Free Food Today!” We both mused that they were probably giving tasting samples, or maybe a few tortillas gratis with your order. No – they were comping everyone’s meals!
As we moved through the line I started to worry that they would call us out for ordering three items when there were only two of us. (My husband was at home waiting for his smothered burrito.) They did nothing of the sort.
In fact, it was like an Amway rally of Mexican fast food. The staff were all extremely cheerful, periodically shouting out cheers in unison and wishing everyone a happy day with big smiles on their faces. At the end of the line I owed $2.50 for the tax on an otherwise free meal.
And for fast food, the meal was excellent. The food is fresh and flavorful. Their cooking style and use of spices is just a little different from other fast food Mexican places.
So on our next foray into the realm of fast food, we’ll definitely stop by Cafe Rio again.
Real estate season is picking up and heading into high gear. I’ll be working with several families relocating to Denver in the next few months, and I’m sure that on those hectic days of 20+ properties we’ll swing into a fast food joint or two. I’ll recommend Cafe Rio to any buyers with a south of the border hankering and a yen for something new and different.
If you’re considering relocating to Denver, you can start your property search at www.GretchensDenver.com, where nearly every active property is found in one location with an interactive map to help you narrow your search.
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Breakfast in Denver
September 30th, 2008 categories: Restaurant Reviews
It’s been awhile since I’ve written about a great local restaurant. Lately, I’ve been concentrating on real estate information. The recent stressful developments all over the news makes me think that getting a fine cup of coffee and a great breakfast treat would be a welcome distraction.
Devil’s Food is just the place. Located on Gaylord street, Devil’s Food is a bakery and restaurant serving up imaginative fare at a low key pace. I went there recently with a client and while we talked about Denver real estate, we enjoyed an omelete, fresh fruit and yummy bakery goods. The service is neighborly and easy going. Attentive but non-intrusive.
Parking is usually easy to find, but occasionally you’ll need to drive around the block once to get a space. Leave 5 extra minutes to park and walk a block or so, if needed. Walking along Gaylord street is fun, you can window shop all the way to breakfast.
There is a wonderful bakery case at Devil’s Food for picking up to go items. You’ll find not only breakfast treats, but desserts to take home for a special occasion. It’s probably a good thing you walked a block…
The Washington Park neighborhood appeals to both urban buyers, and people who love the feel of a homey neighborhood. The park, the neighborhood shops and restaurants, people walking dogs and pushing strollers give you a sense that not much has changed from 30 years ago (aside from all of the new construction adding more livable space to the homes).
The markets will go up and down and we’re definitely in for interesting, and quite possibly stressful, months ahead. Remember that a great stress-reliever is taking time to stop and smell the roses, a meal with a friend and a chocolate brownie.
If you are interested in other restaurants on Old South Gaylord Street in Washington Park, you should visit Washington Park Grill.
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