Tag Archives: Food

Dietrich’s Chocolates & Espresso – Denver

Chocolate Shop Breakfast

chocolatesWhat’s not to love about breakfast in a chocolate shop? Joined by friend Dianne, Dietrich’s Chocolates & Espresso was today’s breakfast destination. Dianne introduced me to Dietrich’s because it reminds her of the chocolate shop in her neighborhood when she lived in Belgium. After breakfast here I always wonder why we don’t go more often. The unassuming shop almost gets lost in the row of businesses with gaudy signage on East Evans near the University of Denver. Dietrich’s shouldn’t be overlooked.

Erich Dietrich apprenticed for 3 1/2 years under a master chocolatier in his native Germany.  In 1978 he opened his business in Denver, keeping chocoholics swooning over his smooth, rich creations.

Among the cases and racks of handmade candies, six tables await fortunate foodies arriving for breakfast. The menu is simple but when everything is perfectly prepared simple is all we need. I always order the American Breakfast of  two eggs (any style), potatoes, fruit, croissant, preserves and butter. Cost is just $6.25. and, every breakfast comes with a Dietrich chocolate. The large croissants are fresh from Trompeau Bakery right across the street. Don’t want a full breakfast? How about a totally decadent croissant with melted dark chocolate and cappusino!

With so few tables one sometimes has to wait anxiously for a table. I suggest going on a snowy Sunday when slugs are tempted to stay home. It’s hard to leave without picking out a treat to take home or to the office.

When You Go: Dietrich’s Chocolates & Espresso, 1734 E. Evans Avenue, Denver, 303-777-3358. Open Tuesday – Friday 8am – 6pm, Saturdays 8am  – 4pm and Sundays 8am – 2pm, closed Mondays. Breakfast is served until 1pm on weekdays, 2pm on weekends. A lunch menu of brats and a few sandwiches is available all day.

New York Deli News – Denver

New York Deli News – Denver

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New York Deli News has become our “Go To” restaurant, the place we go when we want a sandwich piled high with hot pastrimi or good, reasonably priced comfort food. We know what to expect and the consistency is amazing. Denver diners have chowed down at NYDN for twenty years.

Chicken pot pie stars on Thursday nights. Generous chunks of chicken and vegetables encased in rich pastry  served steaming hot – the best I’ve had in Denver. I once finished an entire pie but usually enough goes home with me for two lunches. Other nightly specials include corned beef and cabbage on Sundays and Saturday night lasagna. Friday is prime rib night, 12-ounces – $12.95, 16-ounces – $16.95 for complete dinners.

The economically minded watch for coupons in Friday papers or take advantage of the Early Bird specials between 3:30-5:30 pm when $6.95 buys one of ten entrees. The complete dinner comes with potato, vegetable and a choice of soup, salad or cole slaw. All accompanied by slices of light rye bread, of course.

We ate at NYDN many years before ever ordering a hamburger. What a mistake! It’s a thick patty cooked to order and served hot off the grill. I’m not much of a fry person but the ones here are hard to resist.

The ambiance is a bit worn, however, we always receive attentive, efficient service. I’m not from New York and wouldn’t debate the authenticity of Denver’s New York Deli News. But, what I do know is that much like a favorite pair of shoes or comfy sweater NYDN fits well as our dependable “Go To” eatery.

When You Go: New York Deli News is located at 7105 E. Hampden Ave., 303-759-4741. Opens daily at 7:00 am, closes 10:00 pm Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.

2008 Travel Favorites, Picks, Best of… Part 1

Wrapping Up 2008

Everyone seems to be making lists this week. I’ve looked back over this year’s travel experiences and put together highlights and favorites. We didn’t travel as much as usual in 2008 but many fine memories were made along the way.

  • elk-mountain-inn3Best Historic Inn – Elk Mountain Hotel in Elk Mountain, Wyoming — A superbly restored 1905 historic hotel combining the elegance of a by-gone era with the comforts and amenities of the 21st century. Three miles from Interstate 80 but a world away, surrounded by ranchland, this was the best escape we could have imagined. A graduate of  l’Ecole de Cordon Bleu in Paris, Owner/Chef Susan Prescott-Havers, presents an incredible fine dining experience. Susan and husband Arthur are congenial hosts with fascinating backgrounds. An amazing retreat we plan to repeat.

  • water-street-inn2Dream Room – Water Street Inn, Santa Fe, New Mexico – Room 4—We’ve slept around at this Inn for years, staying in many different rooms. This year we found the one I’ll want on every future visit. All the best features we’ve come to expect at our favorite Santa Fe lodging  plus spacious room, kiva fireplace, king four-poster bed, sleeping banco, and chaise lounge create my idea of perfection.

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Merle’s – Littleton, Colorado

Downtown Littleton’s New Hot Spot

merles-signThe transition from Merle’s Alignment to Merle’s Restaurant is complete. After opening in November the eatery quickly became the new hot spot in downtown Littleton. We made our first visit today for lunch. With lots of buzz about the burgers we couldn’t resist. Bob ordered the Mountain Burger with mushrooms, smoked peppered bacon and Swiss cheese. I chose Mark’s Burger with Anaheim chilies, guacamole and Monterey Jack cheese. Both were worthy of the buzz. Meat for burgers is ground fresh daily, bun was fresh and an appropriate size. A pet peeve of mine is a bun that overwhelms the meat or one too small to cover the patty.

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Creekside Cellars – Evergreen, Colorado

Creekside Cellars Winery and Italian Cafe

glasses-and-santa4While in Evergreen yesterday we stopped at Creekside Cellars for a late lunch. We weren’t the only ones, they were slammed. Obviously not a routine Monday, everyone seems to still be on holiday except the hard working Creekside staff. The tasting room/cafe isn’t large and the popularity of both the wine and food attracts loyal followers. The favorite summer seating, on the deck overhanging Bear Creek, was even filled on this sunny and warm December day.

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Augustine Grill – Castle Rock, Colorado

Lunch at Augustine Grill

On this bright sunny Saturday between Christmas and New Years we decided on a drive and leisurely lunch. Castle Rock became the destination. Hearing Warren Byrne comment on his restaurant show about the Christmas decorations at Augustine Grill we decided to make a return visit. augustine-grill

The Augustine Grill is located in a 1902 Victorian home near Castle Rock’s courthouse square. We were immediately seated in the Main Dining Room, a bright open space with lots of windows, a gas fireplace and Christmas tree reaching to the ceiling. The room was nearly filled at a little after 1:00 pm.

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Hammond Candies – Candy Cane Festival

candy-canesSweet Treat

Hammonds Candies promises a sweet addition to your holiday shopping or stockings. A Denver tradition since 1920 Hammonds is best known for their handmade candy canes. There’s a flavor for every taste – holiday favorites like cinnamon, cherry, peppermint, cranberry and sugar plum. Fruit flavors range from apple to very berry and for the unusual try bubble gum, cotton candy or key lime. And, for a real treat select one of the filled candy canes – chocolate filled cherry, raspberry or peppermint and vanilla filled cinnamon. YUM!

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Hammond’s retail store brims with buckets of candy canes,  baskets of old-fashioned ribbon candy, bags of peppermint pillows and rows and rows of lollipops.   Swirls of the hand-twisted confections come in 1-ounce, 4-ounce and giant 1-pound sizes.

Note: Come Valentine’s Day some of the lollipops take on a heart  shaped twist.

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The friendly staff  leads tours of the candy kitchen. Visitors watch through large windows as sugary syrups cook in huge copper pots, poured onto large cooling tables, coloring and flavoring added before being kneaded, stretched and formed. The mixture must be  just the right temperature to cut into individual lengths. When each batch is ready candymakers deftly and quickly crook each candy cane or swirl lollipops.

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Not surprisingly tours end in the candy store.

Tours are available every half hour year round, Monday-Friday 9am-3 pm, Saturday 10am-3pm. The store and factory are closed on Sunday. Tours are FREE.

Families and individuals are welcome to tour without reservations. Groups should call ahead to schedule a time. Behind the scenes tours can be scheduled.peppermint-pillows1

 

 

 Hammond’s is located at 5735 N. Washington Street, Denver, Colorado. Candy store open Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm and Saturday 10am4pm. Directions and online shopping available on their website.   

  

Candy Cane Festival ‘09

Each December Hammond’s hosts the Candy Cane Festival – Dec. 12, 2009, 9am-5pm. Take a tour, finish off your Christmas shopping, whisper your list to Santa, feed his reindeer or enjoy the variety of activities. Caroling, storytelling, gingerbread cookie decorating, carnival games, face painting and trolley rides keep everyone entertained.   nancy-shopping1

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The delight of a child- toddler to teen – Santa’s lap is sure to boost your holiday spirits.                      

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After your visit to Hammond’s I bet you won’t be able to wait till Christmas for your first sweet treat.

Yum!

Hammond’s is located at 5735 N. Washington Street, Denver, Colorado. Candy store open Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm and Saturday 10am4pm. Directions and online shopping available on their website.