Photo Contest – Grand Junction, Colorado
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Monthly Archives: January 2009
Mission San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, AZ
Unveiling – Mission San Xavier del Bac
The scaffolding that encased the west tower of the historic mission church came down just in time for Christmas services. Restoration of the tower took five years and over $5 million dollars to complete. Old cement plaster was carefully removed and brick work repaired before refinishing with traditional lime plaster. Original construction began in 1783 – the oldest European-style building in Arizona. A mix of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance design San Xavier del Bac is acclaimed as the finest example of mission architecture in the United States.
For years visitors have been frustrated trying to capture photos of the Southwestern icon, often referred to as the “White Dove of the Desert.” Photographers better hurry to capture the unblemished glistening white tower. Scaffolding goes up on the east tower in March, its restoration is expected to take three years.
Located west of I-90, south of Tucson, the mission is open to the public daily from 8 am – 5 pm. There is no fee to visit but contributions to the restoration fund gratefully accepted. A gift shop adjoins the church. When you visit don’t miss the amazing interior and the museum behind the church. A video of the interior restoration merits the viewing time. This is an active parish of the Tohono O’odham, be respectful of worshipers.
The Sweetheart City – Loveland, Colorado
Racines – Denver, Colorado
Let’s Meet At Racines
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch or late night, “Let’s meet at Racines,” is a familiar refrain. Just south of downtown, near the intersection of Speer, Lincoln and 6th Avenue, Racines is a convenient choice from almost anywhere in the Metro Denver area. Even better, there’s free parking in their multi-storied garage.
A recent brunch visit withfamily and friends satisfied appetites. Several of us ordered Eggs Mazatlan. The large flour tortilla stuffed withthree scrambled eggs and guacamole and topped with white cheddar cheese and green chilepleased hungry tummies without feeling heavy. Salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips – thin, crisp and warm – served on the side.
The BanditoSpecial of eggs scrambled with corn tortilla strips, white cheddar cheese and pico de gallo, accompanied with refritos, salsa and a flour tortilla, quickly disappeared from Michael’s plate. Bob opted for a tuna melt.
The restaurant was filled yet service was efficient with food arrived hot. We called ahead to put our name on the wait list, table was ready when we arrived. Consistent food quality and service combined with location keeps us saying, “Let’s meet at Racines.”
Racines, 650 Sherman, Denver, 303-595-0418. Opens at 7 am Monday-Friday, 8 am Saturday & Sunday. Full menu served until midnight Wednesday – Saturday, 11 pm Sunday – Tuesday.
Photograph from Racines
Runway Grill – Broomfield, Colorado
Brunch with a View
Runway Grill – Sunday a la carte brunch at Jeffco Airport, now renamed Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. The restaurant is located on the second floor overlooking the landing strips with sweeping views of the mountains. Clouds obscured the long-range view during our visit but I can imagine how great it would be on a clear day. Changing cloud and light patterns made for interesting viewing even on a less than perfect day. Helicopters, prop planes and corporate jets land and take off as you dine.
With 11:00 am reservations our party could order from both the breakfast and lunch menus. We ran the gamut from eggs Benedict and waffles to fish and chips and the Red Baron Reuben. The Piper Club looked large enough to feed an entire flight crew.
Of course, there’s an aviation theme with model planes hanging from the ceiling. Flight fans will see how many they can identify. There’s a flight deck on balmy days.
Prices are extremely reasonable, the highest price dinner item is the 747 Steak for $14.99 – 10-oz rib eye, potato, vegetables, roll and dinner salad. No charge for the view.
Runway Grill, 11705 Airport Way, Suite 200, Broomfield, CO, 720-887-1004. Open Tuesday – Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday and Monday for breakfast and lunch. Full bar.
Farro Italian Restaurant – Centennial, Colorado
Welcome to the Neighborhood
Farro Italian Restaurant
I get excited when I hear of a new restaurant opening close to home. Anticipation builds when I hear the chef/owner is Matt Franklin. He’s built quite a reputation in the Denver area as chef for several years at 240 Union. Weeks before the restaurant opened I hear Franklin talk with Warren Byrne on The Restaurant Show, confirming he’s opening Farro, an Italian restaurant in a shopping center at County Line and Holly. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa.
A couple of weeks after opening we head to Farro for Sunday night dinner. The room is warm and comfortable, booths are roomy, tables well spaced. Staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and preparation. As the evening unfolds we’re especially impressed with how the staff works together as a team. Operating partner, John Richard, is very much in evidence – from greeting to busing tables with a smile.
But, let’s get to the food. Bob ordered the Tuscan style meatloaf, topped with porcini mushroom gravy, served on garlic mashed potatoes, accompanied by sauteed veggies. The meatloaf slice was thick and generous – enough for lunch the next day. The potatoes perfect and the gravy exceptional. I selected a pasta dish of capellini, shrimp, tomato cream and basil – heavenly. I was certain I would take some home for Monday lunch but didn’t put my fork down until I picked up my spoon to get the last sips of sauce. We finished the evening sharing the fall fruit bread pudding with frangelico caramel – lovely.
After tasting Bob’s on that first visit I’ve lusted for my own serving of Tuscan meatloaf. Last night, after Bob’s art show when we wanted a comfy dinner to celebrate his Best of Show, Farro felt like the perfect place. Friday night at 7:30 they were filled but the wait was only 15 minutes. The hostess was most accommodating, giving us a choice of table or booth as they became available.
Sorely tempted to order the evening’s special of roast pork loin with butternut squash risotto, I stuck to my plan for meatloaf. It was as good as I remembered from that one bite weeks ago. I even liked the squash in the sauteed vegetables. That’s an accomplishment, Matt. Bob feasted on salmon, capers, pine nuts and pancetta with spinach risotto and veggies. His report was glowing. We shared Tiramisu in a Jar for dessert, I could have eaten the entire perfect balance of flavors all by myself. Not that I needed it. Every bite disappeared.
Farro is the kind of place you can comfortably take the kids, or grandma or meet another couple for wine, dinner and conversation. We’ll be going back to work our way through the menu of pizzas, pastas, menu entrees and specials. A restaurant well fitted to the neighborhood is a treat, when the food is this good it’s a treasure.
When You Go: Farro Italian Restaurant, 8230 S. Holly, Centennial, 303-694-5432. Open daily at 4 pm.
Iris Fine Art Gallery – Littleton, Colorado
National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo – Denver, Colorado
The Latest from New York Times Bestseller Author
C.J. Box – Wyoming Writer
The latest thriller novel from C.J. Box hit bookshelves January 6. Box says, “This is a very dark story, very dark.” The book is set in Denver, Colorado, a departure for Box. Three Weeks to Say Goodbye takes the reader through a heart-wrenching tale – a sinister struggle between adoptive parents and teenager birth father and grandfather, a powerful, intimidating Federal judge. Real events involving friends of Box form the basis of the story.
Seven Joe Pickett books demonstrate Box’s ability to build suspenseful plots. Pickett is a Wyoming Game Warden pitted against evil and violence. Box has crafted a protagonist with strength and sensitivity – not an easy task. I love Box’s ability to create a very real sense of place, skillfully transcending imagination to reality. As I’ve read the Pickett series there’s often that “ah-ha” moment of knowing I’ve been in exactly that location, whether it’s a lonely Wyoming back road or a steaming Yellowstone fumarole. A gentleman at the book signing tonight commented to a friend, “When I read his books I want to get in the car and drive to Wyoming.”
Box’s last stand-alone novel, Blue Heaven, was a New York Times bestseller. Retired LA cops and missing children in the woods of Northern Idaho – the spellbinding story has been optioned for a film. Blue Heaven has recently been released in paperback.
After initial signings in Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming, Box came to Denver to introduce Three Weeks to Say Goodbye. A Western book swing will take him through Texas, Arizona, California, Montana and Wyoming. We saw him at Murder By the Book on South Pearl in Denver before he appeared at Tattered Cover. Guess what my next read will be.
OOPS! – Vail, Colorado
Bottoms Up!
Vail Ski Resort has trademarked the slogan, “Like Nothing on Earth.” After last week’s chairlift misadventure perhaps they should add, “… or in the Air.” Today’s much viewed web photos include the unfortunate skier who slipped through a Vail chairlift and hung suspended by his pants for 7 minutes until lift operators came to the “rescue.” Apparently the seat wasn’t properly in place when he boarded. Besides going through the ordeal, now the victim finds his bare buns spread across computer and television screens and a hot topic for comedians.
An overlooked part of the story is the child that boarded the same chair. In some of the photos you can see the youngster still on the chairlift. I think this kid should get some kind of reward for not panicking. Wonder how he/she feels about chairlifts today.
The photographer that took the picture is in trouble with his employer. What about a couple of lift operators?
If you have not seen the photos and feel the need, http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0106091vail5.html.
Where To Go - Travel USA 