My last post seems to have jinxed spring!  So while we are getting 8" of snow right now I will only say this...We mowed the lawn and planted flowers in the front yard last weekend and are so pleased.  I feel like I'm contributing to the neighborhood finally.  

I have two new (new to me) restaurants to report on, both Mexican.  One is Patzcuaro's on 32nd east of Federal.  The other is La Cocinita on 29th just a few blocks east of Sheridan.  Both are delicious and I recommend them for varying reasons.  One thing in common is that they are very "locals" populated.

The best margarita  I have had in Denver (and I don't say this lightly) is at Patzcuaro's.  There is only one variety and I think only one size.   It costs 4 or 5 bucks and is served in a jumbo goblet.  It is made with a mix that DOES NOT give you heart burn!!! It tastes so good that I had to remind myself to slow down drinking it.  I couldn't stop saying "Wow, this is so good.  Possibly the best.  In fact, the best."  The chips are salty (which I love) and the salsa is awesome.  I can best describe the food as simple and straight forward.  I ordered carnitas taco's and the tampiquena which is a grilled thinly cut steak and includes a chicken enchilada (which was covered in a fantastic enchilada sauce).  The taco's: tortilla & marinated meat, with guacamole and a lime wedge on the side. Simple and good.  The place: lots of wood booths and the walls covered in Mexican Revolution posters.  I didn't notice sombrero's or any other "typical" mexican restaurant decor.  There was a large screen T.V. that was playing college basketball.  It was comfortable and I will be back.  

La Cocinita on the other hand is what I would call a family style place more interested in serving good food than in fancy decorations and furniture.  Not a trendy place whatsoever and thank God for that.  The margarita's are good and cheap... order a pitcher (again, I think only one kind). They are huge and more than enough for two diners.  While the chips and salsa are standard, portions here are generous and the food is yummy.  The menu is pretty extensive and could be overwhelming unless you are me who 9 times out of 10 order the same thing.  There is outside seating in the front but I don't know if I can bring Dylan or not.  My girlfriend and I each order entrees and share a pitcher of Margs, are absolutely stuffed and a bit tipsy, all for $34 bucks.  You heard me.  $34 bucks.  OK, best deal in town. 

Two weeks ago Dylan was diagnosed with some kind of bone disease that eventually goes away but causes excruciating pain for him. We took him in because he started to limp.  We are giving him pain and anti-flamatory pills hidden in peanut butter and he is doing very well.  He is very busy making friends but hasn't had a chance to go out to eat lately (the economy and all).  He is currently in the backyard making snow angels.  Once again I am so glad that we have hardwood floors.  

OK, does Mondo Vino deliver? Perhaps I can get Dylan to pull me by sled for a beer run...

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DBR Mixer

The Denver Board of Realtor will be having a mixer event on May 28th, from 4 to 7pm. Cygnus Real Estate will be hosting the event at their exclusive listing, The Residences At Upper Larimer. Please join us to see this fabulous new development and experience the RiNo art district at it's best.

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Beer Tasting Event

Since our wine tasting event was so wildly popular, we have decided to have beer tasting event this May 22 to kick off Memorial weekend. We will be sending out invitations soon. The event is expected to be a big one and limited to the public. To be added to our guest list please request an invitation to Beer Invite

After the Denver Art Festival closes down Friday evening head on up to The Residences at Upper Larimer for a free beer tasting event. There will be food, beverages and local microbrews. The Residences at Upper Larimer is in the heart of the RiNo art district. We will have local artists on exhibit. Don't miss it!

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Upper Larimer Party A Big Hit

The Residences At Upper Larimer hosted a wine tasting event last Friday evening. The event was a huge success. People turned out to sample great wine from Sonoma, CA and tour the new development project in the Upper Larimer neighborhood. Upper Larimer is changing rapidly and becoming the place to be in downtown. Upper Larimer is located just north of LoDo and has a lot to offer. We can give you a special tour, just call 303.422.SWAN or stop by our showroom at 3403 Larimer St.

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Dylan on a witch hunt

Spring spring spring is finally here! I can't wait to see what kinds of plants and trees are in our back yard. We moved in January and our backyard was "under construction". Literally. Let me back up. Our house was built in 1904 and was set to be demolished last year. In order to be saved it had to be moved. The search was on for some land when an interesting property showed up. It was a double lot with a house already existing on it. So the property was purchased and divided in let's say two to make it easy. Our house was moved, and if you will, imagine the mess Dorothy's house made when it landed. We haven't found a wicked witch yet, but Dylan is furiosly digging around for one. The amount of work, trucks, machinery, and tools it took was incredible. And fortunately not as destructive as it could have been. What it did leave us are some trees, a few bushes, some iris's and a mystery red flower that has sprouted up in random areas of the yard. Did I mention grass? No, because instead we have lots and lots of dirt and debris, including half buried construction material and plenty of rocks. Sod is going in the first week of April hopefully (weather permitting). I sure won't miss the ever present and ever changing pattern of Dylan paw prints all over the hardwood floors.



It sure is tough designing landscaping. I feel a bit overwhelmed. Especially when we walk the neighborhood. Some of our favorite streets include Hooker between 24th and 20th, most of Julian from 20th to 28th, and Java. Well really, there are too many beautiful homes to designate. Not only am I excited about what our yard will turn up, I'm equally excited about everyone elses. There are tons of trees here, and the front yards are spilling over with everything from riverstone to bark, fountains to gargoyles and lions, flowers to grasses to herbs.



I haven't really had a yard since I was a wee one. When I was about twelve I dug out a section of our back yard and planted a vegetable and herb garden. It was expertly done and quite successful. Why is it that when you're a kid you know how to do it all?



Dylan and I agree that it's already time for a beer. We will be going to Meade St. to enjoy one of my favorite beers, O'Dells IPA on tap. (Now if you are a well behaved dog this is the place to see and be seen.) We usually order potato wedges (spicy is the best) with a ranch or chipotle sauce for dip. To die for. My next favorite dish: fish and chips. The fish is dipped in a Guiness batter which makes it stand out from the run of the mill pub standard. There's a good selection of sandwiches and salads, but I prefer the entres which include a few Mexican style items and a fabulous seared Ahi. Meade St. is a local favorite no matter what you're in the mood for and is usually pretty busy, giving it a fun bustle-y atmosphere. Yes, they do have live music some evenings...I don't know the schedule.



I just wanted to mention one more thing today. My girlfriend and I went out of town this weekend and left our boy in the trusting hands of Kim with Wag-on Wheels. When Dylan came home from his holiday he was calm, happy and unscathed. These folks know and LOVE animals. If you need a sitter for the day or an increment of the day, or perhaps a weekend, be sure to look them up to find out what all they offer and discover how affordable it is.



Until next time...

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Wine Tasting Event

Please Join Us For This Special Event

March 27th from 7pm to 11pm

Join The Fun

• Wine Tasting with "Petra Loves Wine".


• Share wine and food with your friends.


• Bring your favorite bottle of red or white wine from Sonoma CA, some Hors d’oeuvres and your wine glass.


• Art by “Bill Gian”.


• Visit the Grand Opening of Dry Ice Factory Studio right across the street.


• Tour The Residences At Upper Larimer.

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Highland: tour the neighborhood, escorted by Dylan the Dog

Thank you West Highlands/ Sloan's Lake for so graciously welcoming me and my family to the neighborhood.  I was born and raised in San Diego, and lived as an adult in L.A. San Francisco, and western Washington State.  I have also spent several months backpacking through Europe, India and Thailand, Singapore and Bali before finally returning home just so that I could turn around and move to Chicago where I lived for 7 long cold years. I relocated to Denver, specifically Westminster in August of 2007 when I yearned for mild weather, friendly people, and access to both the pleasures of big city living combined with all of the wonder that the great outdoors can offer.

But when the city girl in me began to weep, we set our sights on Denver City Neighborhoods. And so began the search which could have lasted a lifetime because we were going it alone without the help of an agent.  We searched some great sites that helped us get familiar with neighborhoods and proximity's to the city, sites which included names of restaurants and bars, shops and parks.  Frankly, we overlooked Highlands because we thought it was out of our price range.  Everything that turned up on the real estate sites was discouraging.   Finally a friend recommended Carole at Cygnus Real Estate and 2 months later we were in our house in Highlands.  

Ode to Highland:  

We favored W. Highland/Sloans Lake for many reasons.  a) Proximity to downtown, b)character, c) access to highways, d) we had our own cute little neighborhood , and e) it reminded us of big city neighborhoods with such attributes as local flare, cultural and economic variety, friendly neighbors, walking distance to our cute little neighborhood which offers shopping, eating and drinking, and finally the most important factor... it's super dog friendly.  Wow, that was a long sentence.

Going forward this blog will focus on our neighborhood, Denver,  and Colorado in general as seen mostly through our experiences with our four and a half month old German Shepherd Dog puppy named Dylan.  (If you're not a dog person, it's ok... all of the dogs we've met have been very well behaved and don't interfere with folks who aren't comfortable with such beings.)

Socializing and Happy Hour:

Dylan is privately trained and so far in his young life has had limited access to other dogs, to cars, to babies etc.  Oh no...what are the girls to do?  First, we love taking him for walks around the neighborhood.  We get to look at all of the cool houses, meet the neighbors, meet other dogs, and practice our training techniques in a friendly environment.  We look forward to our walks because it gives us a chance to really appreciate where we live.  

Next, we can easily hop down to the city via car or bike and enjoy hikes, bike paths, food and drink, museums, shops and on and on to eternity.  But mostly, we love to take Dylan up to 32nd and Lowell where we can do things as a family. 

Well you probably didn't think this was a restaurant review blog either, but it is...

Tonight, March 8th, I took Dylan to happy hour at Mead Street. But as I was approaching it, I was saddened to see that the protective plastic covering was over the patio.  I wasn't sure if they would be ok with Dylan in there, and besides, I wanted to sit in the sun.  Mead Street is a great pub style place, dog friendly too, but I will review them next time.  

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes...as I was pondering my next move a gal emerged from a shop to play with Dylan.  Well, it wasn't  a shop, it was the restaurant Venue.  I didn't realize that they were open at 4 for happy hour, so was surprised to find myself being invited onto the patio where I would soon discover half off beers and wine.  The entire staff at one point or another came out to meet Dylan and made us feel very welcomed.  

Sooner or later you will find out that I am a beer snob of sorts and was delighted to find an extraordinary beer list sans Coors, Bud and Miller.  The wine list was extensive and not typical.  I ordered from the happy hour menu some of the best mussels I've ever had.  While the mussels were great, the sauce yummy, it was the bread soaking up the sauce that thrilled me, and for only $5 to top it off.  Dylan was hanging with me drinking water from a community dog bowl and saying hi to all passers-by... dogs, kids and adults alike.  We really enjoyed being able to interact with the neighborhood folks who stopped to chit chat about dogs, food, wine, the weather.  I was compelled to stay for dinner, and Dylan gave his paws up in approval.  Next I ordered pork loin with cherries and bacon corn grits, and asked for a recommendation regarding wine.  It was a french granache that complimented my tender delicious dish perfectly.  I was about to polish off the bread and butter when I was offered the dessert menu which included a dessert drink menu.  I went with what was recommended: the raspberry crepes with (my first experience with) a white port. Amazing. 

  

Completely satisfied well beyond expectation, Dylan and I went home... eight blocks away.  We couldn't have had a more enjoyable evening together.

Stay tuned for further adventures, including our first trip to the Platte river, dog friendly downtown, and dogscapades in Boulder and Estes Park.  Also, find out who our famous dog trainer is, and who we use for doggy day care, as well as the best places to eat, drink, hike and generally carouse with (and sometimes without :( )your dog. 

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