Things to do in Colorado

NEW DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE MOBILE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC HITS THE ROAD

DENVER (Feb. 26, 2013) As part of its goal to offer more spay and neuter opportunities for pets and reduce pet overpopulation, the Dumb Friends League recently unveiled its newest spay/neuter mobile clinic, the Meow Mobile. The new Meow Mobile gives the Dumb Friends League even more mobility to offer spay and neuter services for cats in underserved areas of metro Denver at reduced fees, subsidized by Dumb Friends League donors.

The Meow Mobile is a 33-foot, custom spay/neuter clinic built by LaBoit, a manufacturer in Columbus, Ohio. This state-of-the-art surgery suite on wheels has two surgery tables, a surgery prep table, built-in kennels and a fully functional office work space with computer.

With the new vehicle, we will be able to access more neighborhoods to perform more surgeries,” said Outreach Manager Tracy Koss. “Thanks to this generous gift, we’ve been able to design a state-of-the-art vehicle from the chassis up and get important mechanical upgrades, as well.”

The Meow Mobile is a gift from longtime Dumb Friends League supporter Henry Roath, a retired attorney with a big heart for animals. In 2001, his capital campaign gift helped establish the medical center at the Quebec Street shelter, where roughly 8,000 pets a year are sterilized prior to adoption and thousands more receive lifesaving care.

Henry has been so generous over the years,” said Bob Rohde, president and CEO of the Dumb Friends League. “We are truly blessed to have his support, helping us put more needed resources into medical care for pets in our shelter and in underserved areas of metro Denver.”

Last year alone, the two Dumb Friends League mobile units spayed and neutered 6,635 owned cats and dogs, with the Meow Mobile sterilizing 1,800 cats alone. Since the outreach program began in 2005, more than 36,000 owned cats and dogs have been spayed or neutered.

For more information about the Dumb Friends League mobile units, or to see the current list of upcoming clinics, visit DDFL Spay & Neuter Services or call (720) 241-7098.

Every pet adoption includes:

a spay/neuter surgery
initial vaccinations
a microchip ID and
a free office visit with a participating veterinarian.

The League spends approximately $300 for each homeless cat or dog that comes through its doors, including shelter, foster care and medical care.

“By choosing the adoption option, you not only get a great deal financially, but you give a homeless pet a second chance at happiness,” said Rohde. “Plus, adopters welcome more love and companionship into their own lives.”

People who cannot adopt at this time can still help by becoming foster parents. Foster volunteers provide temporary care for an animal in their home—for a few days, weeks, or months—until they are ready for adoption or space is available at the shelters. The League provides foster-care volunteers with food and supplies, as well as veterinary care as needed.

To view all adoptable pets, or to get more information on becoming a foster parent, visit www.ddfl.org or call (303) 751-5772.

Location

2080 South Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80231
(303) 751-5772

Adoptions
Mon., Wed., Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tues. & Thurs., 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
Sat.-Sun., 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Pet Intake/Lost & Found Center

Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Buddy Center Location

4556 Castleton Court

Castle Rock, CO 80109
(303) 751-5772

Adoptions

Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Pet Intake/Lost & Found

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

About the Dumb Friends League

Founded in 1910, the Dumb Friends League is the largest community-based animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region helping pets and people in the Denver metro area and beyond. In 2012, the Dumb Friends League expanded the scope of its services to include providing shelter, care and hope for abused and neglected horses in Colorado. The Dumb Friends League has shelters at 2080 S. Quebec St. in Denver and the Buddy Center at 4556 Castleton Court in Castle Rock, as well as the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center™ near Franktown. For more information about the Dumb Friends League, visit ddfl.org or call (303) 751-5772.

Crush Walls in RiNo

Over the last decade, the street art festival in RiNo called CRUSH WALLS has covered the RiNo neighborhood with original murals and graffiti writing from local artists and visiting ones.

The CRUSH WALLS festival has been taking art to the streets from its inception, spotlighting local and international makers and acting as a catalyst for creative expression and collective gatherings. This year’s edition will once again embody ‘Where Art is Made’, embracing more than ever the groundbreaking spirit of Denver’s RiNo Art District. CRUSH WALLS 2019 will activate both east and west sides of this unique art district, curating immersive experiences, showcasing awe-inspiring talent, uniting people through creativity, and offering a standout opportunity for everyone to experience the arts.

Starting today, CRUSH is accepting applications from artists of all mediums (read: not only spray paint) to be part of the 2019 festival. The request for proposal is open until May 5, 2019 at 5 p.m..

RiNo Art District Highlights Local Artists and Makers in New Home at Zeppelin Station

Zeppelin’s newest mixed-use development will provide the RiNo Art District with a headquarters location, and local artists and makers with a public retail space

DENVER –  April 15, 2017 – Zeppelin Development continues to raise the bar with the newest lease signing at Zeppelin Station – a high-concept collection of the world’s most innovative merchants, chefs and creative companies and the namesake of Denver’s preeminent pioneering developer, Mickey Zeppelin – located directly at the 38th Street Light Rail Station in RiNo.  The RiNo Art District will lease approximately 2,300 square feet of office and retail space in the 25,000 square foot ground floor food and retail hall, providing the art-centric organization with a more “public face” and a retail presence to support artists.

At its core, Zeppelin Station is a place for diverse communities to engage with art and design,” said Kyle Zeppelin, Principal at Zeppelin Development. “We jumped at the opportunity to showcase the RiNo Art District as a signature part of that program. They will be surrounded by a supporting cast of multi-cultural food vendors, design-forward fashion and home goods retail, and creative office users – all building a critical mass that the Art District will be able to channel in support of local artists. The train platform itself opens up even greater possibilities with tens of thousands of people every year, many of them national and international travelers, flowing throughout the station area. We have been proud members and supporters of the Art District in RiNo since its inception 12 years ago, and are honored they will call our newest project home.”

“The RiNo Art District’s primary responsibility is to ensure this neighborhood is a place that artists, creators and makers can work, live and thrive,” said Jamie Licko, RiNo Art District President. “As the neighborhood’s profile grows, so too does the cost of being here. If we are to serve the neighborhood, we must give artists the economic platform to succeed. The retail store will exclusively feature art and goods made in RiNo. 60% of the sales proceeds will go directly back to the artist or maker, with 40% coming back to the RiNo Art District to provide overarching services for the neighborhood. The retail store will serve as ‘front of house’ for the RiNo offices, meaning this location will serve our organization and our neighborhood as a key entry point to exploring all of RiNo.”

Zeppelin Station, designed by the visionary architect Stephen Dynia, will be a prominent fixture in RiNo, with an iconic, minimalist design that features a ground-floor food and retail hall and three floors of creative workspaces above – all taking full advantage of incredible views of downtown Denver and the front range. Aligned with the Scandinavian-inspired design of other Zeppelin projects, Zeppelin Station allows the products and art featured inside to speak for themselves, highlighting new ideas and cultural happenings from around the region. On the west side of the building, a series of terraces that step back from the street will include gardens and greenspace that will be appealing from both ground level and to the office tenants.

The RiNo Art District anchors the first floor retail and food hall to combine with fashion and home goods retailers along with the projects multi-cultural food hall. The food hall features six street food counters representing heritage street food from Vietnam, Japan, and Mexico, among others. From architecture and landscape design to fine art and RiNo-made artisan wares, Zeppelin Station celebrates thoughtfulness and innovation across industries.

“Zeppelin Station will be the perfect meeting place for nearby residents and office workers as well as people on their way to or from the airport,” said Zeppelin.  “It provides the public with a dynamic train station for commuters and travelers alike to grab a cup of coffee to start their day or a cocktail after work and support the artists that put RiNo on the map.”

For more information regarding Zeppelin Station, please visit www.zeppelinstation.com

For more information regarding RiNo Art District, please visit www.rinoartdistrict.org

For more information regarding Zeppelin Development, please visit www.zeppelinplaces.com

AEG PRESENTS ANNOUNCES THE MISSION BALLROOM,

A REVOLUTIONARY CONCERT EXPERIENCE OPENING IN DENVER’S RINO NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER 2019

State-of-the-art venue will serve as the anchor tenant at Westfield Company’s North Wynkoop 14-acre mixed use development.

AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, one of the world’s leading producers and promoters of live entertainment, announced today The Mission Ballroom, a scalable, state-of-the art concert venue scheduled to open in summer 2019. The 60,000 square-foot ballrooms will anchor North Wynkoop, a new 14-acre mixed-use project by Denver-developers Westfield  Company, located at the north end of the RiNo neighborhood between 40th and 43rd Streets along Brighton Blvd.

Chuck Morris, CEO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, said of the new venue, “Our entire AEG Presents Rocky Mountain team spent the last 11 years searching for the perfect location and the right design to build one of the finest venues this town has ever seen. With features including a moving stage that provides The Mission flexible capacity from 2200 to 3950 guests, unrivaled sight lines and state-of-the-art sound and lights, The Mission will bring Colorado the most cutting-edge concert experience in the world.”

AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, the leading promoter in Denver, CO who operate the Bluebird Theater, Gothic Theatre, Ogden Theatre, 1STBANK Center and Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, as well as book the majority of the shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, bring decades of experience to the development and design of The Mission Ballroom.  The Mission features tiered rows that provide unobscured views at every level, sight lines from every vantage point and a large dance floor that allows standing or seating. Full-service bars conveniently placed around the venue maximize flow, efficiency and patron experience.

We blended the ballroom experience on the floor with a tiered-riser configuration similar to Red Rocks. Beyond offering incredible sight lines, this design creates the finest sonic experience that Colorado concertgoers expect and deserve,” said Don Strasburg, co-president for AEG Presents Rocky Mountains.

AEG Presents Rocky Mountains sought the perfect location for this unique venue and ultimately ended up partnering with Westfield Company on its North Wynkoop development in Denver’s transformative RiNo neighborhood and arts district.  Encompassing three city blocks from 40th to 43rd streets along Brighton Boulevard, North Wynkoop is a five-minute walk to the 38th and Blake A Line Station (one train stop to Union Station and 30 minutes to Denver International Airport) and just minutes from the intersection of Denver’s largest vehicular arteries of I-25 and I-70.

We’re so excited with the vision that Westfield Company has for North Wynkoop. The Brighton Boulevard corridor and the entire River North area is exploding with vibrancy.  This location is a perfect fit for The Mission Ballroom with parking, easy access to light rail, and only a stone’s throw from downtown, it is the right place for us to be.” said, Brent Fedrizzi, co-president and COO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains.

Westfield and its development team; which includes leasing agents Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and Legend Partners; architect Works Progress Architecture; general contractor M.A. Mortenson; and financing provided by FirstBank, Guaranty Bank and Trust and Citywide Banks; will transform North Wynkoop into an arts and entertainment hub attracting creatives across all industries. In addition to The Mission Ballroom, a 90,000 square foot office and retail building is under construction as well as the renovation of 80,000 square feet of 1950’s-vintage warehouse buildings transforming them into synergistic restaurants, bars and retail.  Future phases of North Wynkoop include market rate and affordable housing, a hotel, as well as the potential for an additional one million square feet of residential and commercial uses.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity of working with AEG Presents on this innovative concept,” said Kevin McClintock, senior partner for Westfield. “The talents and experience of their team are unparalleled, and their dedication to the highest-quality musical experience aligns with our own long-term vision for North Wynkoop. The Mission Ballroom is the ideal anchor and will serve as the heartbeat for our project.”

The Mission Ballroom is not only a premiere concert facility but also serves as a unique special event space for corporate meetings and other functions, award shows, galas, weddings, receptions, launch parties, trade shows, private events, and more.

In addition to its incredible access to rail, parking options for the site will include an underground garage as well as nearby parking options. The Mission Ballroom will also offer a shared-ride pick-up and drop-off area and an abundance of bike parking.

Visit www.northwynkoop.com, www.missionballroom.com and click here for a video featuring more information and comments from Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper.

About RiNo Art District:

The RiNo Art District, located just north of Downtown Denver, was formed in 2005 by a small group of artists focused on starting an artist and creative community and helping these businesses market their work. Today, RiNo is a state-certified Colorado Creative District and has grown to over 280 members, 200 studios, and 20 galleries. The district also includes a BID and GID within its boundaries that work to support the priorities of the RiNo Art District.

Denver’s reputation for great food is growing quickly and if you haven’t made your reservations for 5280 Restaurant Week coming up you should do that right away. This week we wanted to explore a couple of family-owned local eateries that you may not have heard of… yet!

Boss Lady Pizza – Boulder Colorado

Just North of Denver in Boulder is a new pizza joint called Boss Lady Pizza, we guarantee you haven’t ever tasted pizza like this. The owners  TJ & Whitney moved from Chicago to Colorado and thought “The Hill” right off the CU Campus would be the perfect spot to get people addicted to their ridiculously fantabulous pizza/pasta/meal on a slice… well you’ll just have to go and see for yourself.

You can get it by the slice, order your own and eat it there, take it home or have it delivered in Boulder. Your first time in you should expect to be there while deciding just which one of these unique creations you are going to try… From Chicken & Waffles to Chicken Alfredo Penne .. yep that’s right ON a pizza you really can’t go wrong.

We got to go behind the scenes for the Sony Hidden Project and shoot “The Birth of a Pizza” and watch TJ, co-owner, and creator of the signature pizza the “BLP” aka Boss Lady Pizza, make it step by step.  The #SonyStore project afforded us the use of their newest and COOLEST DSLR Camera the NEX-5R c. This camera is like having a point & shoot, a ridiculously high-quality DSLR & a version of photoshop and your iPhone built right in. We were able to get great shots from start to finish of the creation of this pizza without having to use any flash as the camera does really well with low light settings.  I’m a complete amateur photographer but this camera makes you feel like a pro.

We took this shot of  “The Hill” in Boulder using one of the special effects features built right into the camera and it’s one of my favorites. 

To see the entire birth of the #BLP Pizza you will have to visit The Sony Store in Cherry Creek for its debut on all their big screens. Be watching my social media channels for more information.

Boss Lady Pizza 1129 13th Street, Boulder 303.449.0909

BLP on Facebook @BossLadyPizza on Twitter

Moving South to Parker you’ll find the warm and friendly family-owned and operated restaurant…

“Casa Mariachi – A Family Mexican Restaurant”

The owners Arturo and Larissa are almost always there, Arturo greeting guests and making the signature Mariachi Margarita for the regulars that come in to enjoy the Mexican feasts. Larissa waitresses and their children bus tables, bring out the free chips, beans, and salsa… it really is a family affair. We took our Sony camera to the kitchens to watch the processes behind creating fabulous food and it made me want to venture away from my usual fajita’s or carne asada and try the Mariachi Tacos and the Chili Colorado Burrito. All made from scratch.  We used that cool color mode again in their brightly colored restaurant before it was packed with hungry customers.

This photo got one of our Twitterati (Friends on Twitter) Luigi Buchemi so excited he pulled it into his computer and “played” with it… his words not mine. Check out @Weege001’s version here. He is a writer for Westword and you can check out his musings here.

We do eat food when we go to Casa Mariachi too (In case you thought we only went for the over-the-top Margs!) because it’s the best in Parker. Check out these fajita’s… you can almost hear the sizzle.

Casa Mariachi – 9771 S Parker Rd Parker, CO 80134 (720) 842-5105

www.CasaMariachiRestaurant.com and on Facebook

What could be more romantic than Italy, and this restaurant serves up a little slice of Italy right here in the heart of downtown Castle Rock Colorado.

My husband and I noticed this garden patio area with the fountain and soft lights and I thought it very reminiscent of my visit to Italy, so he knew he just had to bring me back here to see if the food and service was as good as the ambiance we’d seen outside.

It definitely delivered!

We started with The Grilled Artichoke which was sliced in half grilled and served with a lemon-garlic aioli.  YUM!

We also sampled the Tuna Carpaccio… thinly sliced ahi tuna, soy ginger vinaigrette, toasted sesame, avocado, and mango.  This was just wonderful, fresh, with enticingly complex flavors.

They have several salads available including a Grilled Summer Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella, Mixed Baby Greens, Italian and Traditional Caesar.  We chose to share the Fig and Spinach Salad. This salad featured a pistachio crusted goat cheese served over prosciutto carpaccio and tossed with a light chianti-honey vinaigrette.  Take a LOOK!

 

One of my favorite Italian Foods is Pizza.  I tend to like something other than pepperoni, so this pizza below attracted my attention.  It has Roasted Chicken, Boursin cheese, artichoke hearts and of course brushed with extra virgin olive oil.

 

The Owner, Head Chef, and Marketing Director  Maureen stopped by our table to check on us.

Our waitress was just fantastic and knew so much about the menu and the chef’s new world take on old world Italian Classics.

I am allergic to shrimp but she kept talking about this angel hair pasta in a puttanesca sauce… The chef was kind enough to make me a little taste of it being careful to not contaminate my dish with shrimp.  You should always alert your server and the chef if you have any common food allergies but rarely will they go out of their way like this to give you a taste of something you expressed an interest in.

 

These flavor combination’s in the puttanesca sauce did not disappoint.  A blend of all the classic Italian aromatics.. garlic, basil, parsley, olives, tomatoes… Soooo flavorful it’s hard to explain, and the owner and the server had different takes on the classic story of what  a “puttanesca” sauce is.  I’ll let you read what the Wiki has to say about Puttanesca Sauce This picture does not do the dish justice at all.

 

My husband is a more meat and potatoes guy so he ordered the Double Cut Pork Chop which is grilled and served in a ranch style Topping Italian Gigande Beans with roasted chilies and peppers and topped with pickled red onions and a chimichurri sauce.  He enjoyed this huge hunk of pork immensely.

The other options for dinner were a nontraditional take on Spaghetti, Baked Penne, Smoked Chicken Raviolis, Lasagna, Linguini with Clam Sauce, Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken Parmagiana, Pan Roasted Scallops, Grilled Florentine Steak, and Veal Piccata.  They also serve burgers and sandwiches and have an entire lunch menu as well.

Now for the most romantic and fun part of the meal… Dessert!

OH MY GOSH! The pastry chef here is simply amazing.  Take a look at these scrumptious things we had to choose from.

Cannolis and Spumoni. Classic mini cannolis served with a scoop of spumoni ice cream and strawberries pizza. My date (husband) chose this dessert.. for one thing, it’s the biggest and who can go wrong with chocolate, cream and berries… all high on the romance factor and tastes exploding in your mouth.

 

Vanilla Creme Brulee with Caramelized Lemon Sugar – This didn’t look the prettiest but it was a perfect Brulee, crispy crunchy sugar topping with a killer creamy custard hiding underneath.

Flourless Chocolate Cake – espresso flavored chocolate cake with warm chocolate sauce and roasted banana gelato.

Coconut Panna Cotta with lime syrup, fruit garnish, and cookies.

 

Chocolate Tiramisu – Rum and Kahlua soaked chocolate cake, iced in coffee ganache and layered with mascarpone sabayon.

Sienna Restaurant, Castle Rock Colorado.

We also enjoyed 3 glasses of wine each chosen by our server and they were reasonably priced and melded perfectly with our selections.

This was simply a wonderful spot to choose for date night and one we will go back to again and again.  Check it out and lets us know in the comments what you thought.

Check out the website for the Courtyard at Castle Rock Here.

This year Denver Restaurant Week brings you something new, a tiered pricing system to check out, restaurants for those special occasions, and ones for your weekend regular nights out.

We’ve talked about HopDoddy several times because we are HUGE fans and they are once again at the top of the list for spots to go.

Want to Save at DRW? $25 for two at Hopdoddy

On a budget? In the $25 Tier, energize your Restaurant Week itinerary with some rock ’n’ roll flair at Union Station, stopping in to Hopdoddy Burger Bar  at 1747 Wynkoop St. . During DRW you can enjoy lunch or dinner for two, including two delicious, hormone-free and humanely raised burgers (seasonal specials included), a side of hand-cut Kennebec fries, and two Maine Root sodas or craft canned or draft beers for 25 bucks. Did we mention that you get all that for two people? Rock and roll!

Want to Spend at DRW? Screaming Deal at Vesta:

If you find yourself in LoDo, settle into the sleek and sexy Vesta 1822 Blake St.  and for the screaming $35 level, you can enjoy a 3-course menu boasting offerings unheard of at other times of the year. For starters, try the velvety smoked Colorado trout fillet, the Tuscan beef meatballs swimming in a spiced tomato broth or the delightfully delicious falafel plate with tzatziki, turmeric cucumbers, baba ganoush, curried tomato jam and infused oils. Entrees include the 7oz flat iron churrasco, a pan-roasted salmon that’s lightly cold smoked with a velvety taste and a butternut squash risotto with brown butter broth, sage, roasted mushrooms and mascarpone. Finish your meal with a tart key lime pie with gingersnap crust, a German chocolate torte with devils food cake, pecan praline ganache and coconut ice cream or a traditional cheese plate with marcona almonds, apple chips and quince paste.

Want to Splurge at DRW? Head South and dine in style:

Ready to splurge, DRW style? For $45 Tier, “steak” your claim at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House 8100 E. Orchard Road, where the steak savants plan to wine and dine guests with a mouth-watering menu. Guests will gussy up and savor a 3-course meal that includes a starter with your choice of the rotating featured soup or Del’s Signature Salad. Guests will then choose an entrée, either the tender Filet Mignon 8 oz., crisp and tender crab cakes, a delightful chicken Provençal or a Bay of Fundy Salmon before indulging in a dessert of either Del’s decadent chocolate mousse or a tartly sweet strawberry cheesecake. Reservations are strongly recommended; please call 303.796.0100.

Go Rogue – Avoid the Crowds

Did you forget to make reservations during the rush of Denver Restaurant Week? Head instead to Punch Bowl Social 65 Broadway in the Baker neighborhood. The “eatertainment” hot spot is ideal for small or large group outings. No need for a fixed menu with a balanced mix of scratch-kitchen menu items such as the Superfood Grain Bowl with quinoa, lightly fried crunchy farro, leafy kale, radishes, alfalfa sprouts, pickled chilies, roasted carrots, shitake mushrooms, and a perfectly poached egg in the center – as well as craft beverages including sharable punches, adult milkshakes, house-made fizzes and creative cocktails. Plus, private karaoke rooms, bowling lanes, ping pong, bocce, and vintage arcade and pinball games offer low-key activity choices for all.

LoHi

Looking for a sweet deal in the urban oasis of LoHi? Stop in for a visit to Postino WineCafé 2715 17th Street where the shrine to the vine always has a good deal on the menu. Shake off the frenzy of the week and choose from a menu of paninis, salads, soups, and the stars of the designed-for-sharing menu, Bruschetta Boards. Choose your 4 favorites from a menu of 12 country-Italian combinations, and you’ll get a beautifully arranged and precut array on a board, perfect for sampling and sharing. Think flavors like brie and fig spread with thin-sliced apple, or the tangy sweet & spicy pepper jam with goat cheese. Every day until 5 p.m., all glasses of wine and pitchers of draft beer are only $5, perfect for day drinking, and if you come in on Mondays and Tuesdays, you can take advantage of Board & Bottle nights, when a sharable bruschetta board and any house bottle of wine goes for just $20 after 8 p.m. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, just looking for a great deal, or both, Postino makes wine approachable and affordable any time.

Cherry Creek

Just-opened Olive & Finch Cherry Creek 3390 E. 1^st Ave. Chef/Owner Mary Nguyen’s newest all-day eatery and bakery is just the place for an affordable and delectable scratch-made, fresh and elegantly casual dinner. Choose from artisan sandwiches, hearty salads, creative flatbreads and flavorful plated entrees; we like the simple and sophisticated pan seared bistro filet steak, prepared sous vide for tenderness and finished with Chef/owner Mary Nguyen’s green chili & corn succotash, caramelized onion demi and chimichurri. Wash it down with the Cool as A Cucumber cocktail with gin, freshly juiced cucumbers and lime for a mere $6, or choose a carafe of red, white or rosé to round out your charming Cherry Creek dinner.

Denver is coming into it’s own in the foodie scene and the Denver Restaurant Week has helped bring the top restaurants to the average guy on the street. Each year we like to keep track of which restaurants are the top choices for the annual gastronomic extravaganza of DRW. Drumroll please….. The following 30 restaurants were Denver’s top choices the last 5 years of Denver Restaurant Week.

Denver’s Top 30 Restaurants

1. Shanahan’s 
2. Elway’s Cherry Creek 
3. The Capital Grill
4. The Melting Pot
5. Fogo De Chao
6. Oceanaire Seafood Restaurant
7. Ocean Prime
8. The Ship Tavern at the Brown Palace
9. Brooks Steak House & Cellar
10. Restaurant Kevin Taylor
11. Sullivan’s Steakhouse
12. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
13. McCormick’s Fish House & Bar
14. Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House
15. The Fort Restaurant
16. Prime Steakhouse
17. Rodizio Grill
18. The 9th Door
19. McCormick & Schmick Seafood & Steaks
20. Panzano
21. La Fondue
22. Gabriel’s Restaurant & Tuscan Bar
23. Old Stone Church
24. ChoLon Bistro
25. Texas de Brazil
26. Sugarmill
27. Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro
28. Cool River Cafe
29. Opus Fine Dining

With the holiday season upon us, Larimer Square, Denver’s first and most beautiful shopping, dining and entertainment district, is getting into the holiday spirit by hosting a season of festive events and activities starting on Small Business Saturday, November 28.

Many holiday favorites will return to the block this year including the Yuletide Window Walk, this year incorporating gold elements to honor Larimer Square’s Golden 50^th anniversary, Santa visits, carolers, complimentary gift wrapping, free parking and much more.

“For 50 years, Denver residents and visitors alike have celebrated the holidays on Larimer Square,” said Jeff Hermanson, President & CEO of Larimer Associates. “This year, the block is ‘going gold’ to celebrate our anniversary and we invite everyone to come enjoy their annual traditions – whether it’s enjoying lunch before seeing the Nutcracker or shopping for the most special gifts – and create wonderful, new memories.”

Featured 2015 Holiday events on Larimer Square include:

Shop Small and Local: Small Business Saturday on the Square

Saturday, November 28, 10:00 a.m.

• To celebrate Small Business Saturday and mark the official kick-off of the 2015 holiday season on the block, Larimer Square retailers will be participating in the annual American Express Small Business Saturday. Promotions include:

Complimentary mini makeover touch-ups and 20% off all products at AILLEA 

• Free alterations at Moda Man
• Complimentary eyeglass cleaning and adjustments as well as 10% off non-prescription sunglasses at The Bent Lens
• Free accessory consultation at Eve
• 26% off and champagne at Cry Baby Ranch
• 20% off at Wax and Lash for all products and services
• Free one-hour in-home design consultation with Element experts with a $500 purchase
• 20% off stock merchandise at Gusterman Silversmiths
• A free house margarita at Tamayo when you show your receipt from any Larimer Square boutique, with the purchase of a food item.
• One free cocktail at Milk & Honey or Tom’s Urban when you show your receipt from any Larimer Square retail purchase. 

A Golden Yuletide Window Walk – Outside on the Square

Debut on Saturday, December 5, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., windows will be decorated for visitors to enjoy throughout the holiday season

• Returning this year is the popular Larimer Square Yuletide Window Walk. Larimer Square has commissioned a select group of local artists to transform the windows of various boutiques on Larimer Square into fine art celebrating the holiday spirit.  Colorado artist Lizzie Mara will be curating this year’s special collection, collaborating with local artists to develop the beautiful window paintings. To honor the “Golden” 50^th Anniversary of Historic Preservation of Larimer Square this year, the artists will be incorporating gold paint into their holiday window masterpieces.  

Santa on the Square – Larimer Square Walkway

Saturdays (November 28 – December 19), 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sundays (November 29-December 20), 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Throughout the month of December, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting Larimer Square and passing out holiday ducks and special snowflakes created by Metropolitan State University Denver to visitors. Free visits will be in the open retail space in the walkway.
• Paws and Claus: On December 12, Larimer Square will be hosting a special “Paws and Claus” event to encourage pet photos with Santa. The visits are free but all donations this day will benefit Pets for Vets Colorado.
• Christmas Eve: In addition to the weekend visits, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be back on the block on Christmas Eve from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to hear your last minute gift wishes.

Complimentary Gift Wrap – Larimer Square Walkway

Saturdays (November 28 – December 19), 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sundays (November 29-December 20), 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• A complimentary giftwrap station will be set up in the walkway to coincide with Santa’s visits. All giftwrapping is free, courtesy of Lexus. Volunteers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be onsite to get your gifts ready to give. Donations are welcome but not required with all proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Larimer Square Holiday Greetings – Larimer Square Walkway

Saturdays (December 5 – December 19), 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• New this year, Larimer Square will have a free Instagram photo booth to capture a holiday photos on the block. Simply hashtag #falalarimer and you will receive a free print out of your holiday photo on the square.

About Larimer Square

Larimer Square, a single historic block located between 14^th and 15^th on Larimer Street in downtown Denver, is home to more than 20 independently owned and unique boutiques and has one of the region’s most significant collections of exclusive, chef-owned restaurants. For more information on 50^th anniversary happenings, contests, special offers and other events, visit LarimerSquare.com or follow the Square on Facebook at facebook.com/larimersquare and on Instagram at Larimer_Square.

Larimer Square is listed on our Denver Bucket List year round – Have you checked everything off of your list yet?