Tag Archives: Colorado

Denver artist Jesse DuBois hard at work at Whole Foods Market

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Jesse Dubois
Jesse DuBois
click to large

I snapped this photo of Denver artist Jesse Dubois at the Whole Foods store on South Colorado Blvd. Jesse had an easel set up in the cafe section of the market. The (accidental) sepia tones in the photograph are not altogether unlike the colors in some of Jesse’s pastels. I think the back-lighting created the effect.

I first met Jesse years ago when he had an easel set up in a shopping mall. He was trying to work between periodic harrassments from mall-punks. Jesse has certainly paid his “dues,” and he has evolved into a fine artist.

One of his major works, a bronze sculpture of a female, Denver physician, can be seen at the end of the train-line in the Five Points area of Denver.

The following link has some information on Jesse, and one can view more of his work:
http://www.askart.com/askart/d/jess_dubois/jess_dubois.aspx

Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

The Lodge Casino’s SEASONS BUFFET in Black Hawk, Colorado

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Lodge Casino's Seasons Buffet
Lodge Casino's Seasons Buffet

The Lodge Casino
240 Main Street
P.O. Box 50
Black Hawk, CO 80422

PHONE: 303-582-1771
FAX: 303-582-6464
Email: jeast@thelodgecasino.com

One of the best attributes of The Lodge Casino’s Seasons Buffet is the decor. One gets the feeling that one is in a steak-house rather than in a buffet. OK, so it’s a buffet and it looks like a buffet, however, it’s one of the warmest rooms around, and that includes the buffets in Las Vegas. This room has windows

Light-sconces and black-framed, foody-prints on the walls, (some) wood-paneling and subtle-r lighting than most buffet rooms give this place a feeling of traquility amidst the chaos of the casino monster.

The food seems to be of a good quality – maybe even a notch above the norm. The standard salad-bar, and specialty stations are well stocked and varied; The dessert bar offers a choclate fountain, and sugar-free desserts as well as not-so-sugar-free desserts.

The staff must be well managed since they seem to be resonably happy and friendly.

“Enjoy all-you-can-eat Crab Legs for dinner at the Seasons Buffet! This delicious, succulent crab is available seven nights a week! You can also sample the wide variety of other fantastic selections the Seasons Buffet has to offer. Choose from our action grill station, carving station, made-to-order pasta and omelets, specialty salads, savory soups, and more. Special dessert features chocolate fountains – white and dark for that sweet tooth in all of us! Join us for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or Sunday Brunch and see why everyone is talking about the Seasons Buffet.”
[Paragraph is from the Lodge Casino’s website]

Breakfast ($7.49)
7:30 am – 10:30 am, daily
Sunday Brunch ($13.99)
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Lunch ($10.49)
11:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Saturday
Dinner ($16.99)
4:30 pm – 10:00 pm, Monday – Thursday
4:30 pm – 11:00 pm, Friday & Saturday
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sunday
Late Night Dining (Menu only)
11:30 pm – 6:00 am, Daily

Restaurants at the Lodge Casino:
White Buffalo (steakhouse,) Seasons Buffet, Jake’s Deli and Java-n-Crème

The Lodge Casino’s Official Website
Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado – Sold Out

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Great American Beer Festival
Great American Beer Festival
photo GABF
The Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado – September 24-26, 2009 is sold out.

The 2010 Great American Beer Festival will be held on September 16-18, 2010. Next year’s festival tickets will go on sale in June 2010.

“The Great American Beer Festival not only offers the chance to sample some of the finest beers the world; it offers multiple opportunities to learn about all things beer. Take some time to discover the various areas that make up what we call Great American Beer School. Here, you can explore the world of beer and food, learn about the brewers behind your favorite beer, understand what judges look for in a beer or pick up a few books to learn more about our favorite beverage. The Great American Beer School goes beyond tasting and delves into the craft beer experience. Check out these enlightening and interactive areas.”

2009 GABF Quick Stats
3,362 Beers in the GABF Competition
2,100 Beers served in the hall
495 Breweries represented in the hall
73 Beers entered into the Pro-Am Competition
51 Breweries attending for the first time

Some information is from the GABF wesite.

Visit the official website of the Great American Beer Festival

Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub…

Hottest dinner ticket in Denver: Patsy’s Inn on First Friday

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Patsy's Inn 
Credit: LasVegasBuffetClub, file photo
Patsy's Inn
Credit: LasVegasBuffetClub, file photo

I was doing Navajo street’s “First Fridays Art Walk” on, guess what, Friday night, and was drawn to *Patsy’s (Patsy’s Inn restaurant ) front door like the proverbial moth to a flame. Actually my first stop was going to be Patsy’s. The open door of Patsy’s was emenating energy not altogether unlike the exceptionally bright, (almost) full moon. Maybe it was more like a bonfire, which was burning, in the midst of the smaller campfires – lights from gallery windows. Whatever it was, it was an energy fest.

In addition to the (half-dozen) open art galleries, there was a birthday party (or some other kind of party) going on at the restaurant, adding immensely to the overall ambience of the evening. The entire block was “happening.” Oh yea, the Bug Theater, across the street from Patsy’s was open for business: “Modern Muse Theatre Presents: “SPEED THE PLOW” by David Mamet.”

When I say “it was happening,” I don’t just mean activity, I’m talking classy people in a classy scene. I was at another place near 8th & Colorado Blvd. (which I won’t name) earlier in the evening. The crowd were a bunch of dead-brains with not enough collective imagination to have a bad idea! (I’ve got to write that place off…)

After Patsy’s I headed a block south to the D Gallery ( I received an email invite to their METRO RETRO show.) What a fine gallery. The food spread was tastefully executed – a veritable work of art. I also found two other delicious pieces d’art: artists Jim Petty and Marlene Feinholz each had, at least, one work that passed my threshold test….

*By the way, Patsy’s Inn is a long-time favorite, old-school, neighborhood, Italian restaurant that has been around since the 1920s.
PATSY’S INN Italian Restaurant
3651 Navajo Street
Denver, CO 80211
303-477-8910

SPUD MONKEYS headlining the Riverside Art and Music Festival, Aug 15th in Salida, Colorado

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“Once upon a time, there was a little town called Crestone CO. And in that town there was a dusty saloon called the Silver Crest Palace. It was a rough place at the end of a dead end road, filled with dropouts and outlaws. It was the kind of place you wouldn’t want to bring your kids to, but people did anyway. At one end of the bar was a jukebox and at the other end a stage, and on that stage the local talent came together to play. Out of those local performers, Keepher Pez handpicked only the cream of the crop to form the greatest band to ever grace the upper San Luis Valley. This band called themselves the Spudmonkeys, and it was good. Since their humble beginnings, the Spudmonkeys have played in as many gin joints and speakeasies as they could, honing their musical skills and blowing the minds of audience members along the way. Spudmonkeys has a large and growing fan base that travels to see them play. Their popularity is due to the word of mouth advertising that continues to pac venues the band has only played one or two times.”

“The Spuds will be playing at the Riverside Art and Music Festival, in the lovely town of Salida, CO. We will be the headliner Aug 15th on the main stage in Riverside Park @ 6:00pm this should be a great show so I hope everyone will be there!”

Information is from the Spud Monkey’s Official Website.

Cherry Creek Art Festival – 2009

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heavy-metalsteel_fred-conl2 This Heavy Metal Dead Head (metal and steel) was welded from pieces of steel, metal, nuts and bolts, tools and other misc. pieces by Fred Conlon / Sugar Post (see below.)
[ Photograph is reproduced with permission of the artist. ]

19th Annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival July 3, 4, 5, 2009 Denver, Colorado, USA

“350,000 visitors annually enjoy the visual, culinary and performing arts and interactive activities for the whole family. Experience Colorado’s signature and award-winning cultural event!” read more and access the Official Cherry Creek Arts Festival’s Website…

I attended the 2009 Cherry Creek Art Festival on July 3rd and 4th. The show got rained out, AGAIN……………..on the 3rd.

No, I don’t know everything, however, I know what I like. I like the following artists’ work (not in any particular order.)

The following links will take you to the CCAF page (click on the artist’s name for information and an example of their work,) and a website or page with information about the artist:

Larry Preston – Oil painting (I remember these oils from a past show…)
Festival Booth #88 – Plainfield, MA
Larry Preston , website

Loretta Petraitis – Stark Oil Paintings of industrial scenes.
Festival Booth #144 – Saint Petersburg, FL
Loretta Petraitis, website

Jon Smith Art – Oil on Canvas
Festival Booth #171 – Clearwater, FL
Jon Smith Art, website

Fred Conlon – Sugar Post Metal Art – Whimsical metal/steel sculpture. (see photo above)
Festival Booth #3 – Salt Lake City, UT
Fred Conlon – Sugar Post Metal Art, website

Jeffery Berryman – Oil on rivited sheet metal.
Festival Booth #232 – Kersey, CO
Jeffery Berryman, website

Jeffrey Zachmann – Kinetic Sculptor
Festival Booth #115 – Fergus Fall, MN
Jeffrey Zachmann, website

Stephen Hayes – Mixed Media
Festival Booth #97 – Petersborough, Ontario, Canada
No website available

Jerry Berta – Ceramic & neon sculptures
Festival Booth #195 – Rockford, MI
Jerry Berta, website

Gary Seidel – Photography
Festival Booth #126 – Davie, FL
Can’t find a website

Stephen Sebastian -Painting, Graphics & Printmaking
Festival Booth #101, 102 – High Point, NC
No website

Marie Vlasic – Photo-Realistic Oils on canvas and board (serious nudes)
Festival Booth #216 – Denver, CO
Marie Vlasic, website

Access the Cherry Creek Art Festival’s Official Website…
Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

Good Karma on South Broadway

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karma1a

Click to enlarge

Karma
22 South Broadway
Denver, CO 80209
ph: 303-871-0167
alt: 303-871-0338

There is a restaurant one-half block south of North Broadway in Denver, Colorado that gives good Karma. Karma is an Asian Fusion restaurant, at 22 South Broadway, in that ‘tween area (the line of demarcation between North and South Broadway – give or take a block or two) that is enjoying a proliferation of restaurants and bars: Beatrice & Woodsley, Blue Ice, Deluxe, Go Fish, Hi-Dive, Hornet, Irish Rover, Karma, Mona’s, Spicy Basil and Three Kings (also: Barry’s, Famous Pizza, Swift Steak House) …These are just the restaurants on Broadway. This area is smok’n hot.

This post is about good Karma – Karma the restaurant. Entering Karma is like walking into a dream. The dining room is tastefully, dark. High, dark, wood paneling on the walls, behind tables, creates depth. A hostess-station/take-out counter/alter commands attention with an orange, acrylic, lit-from-within, sculpture of a large head (with large earrings,) seemingly watching over the room. A ruby-red, crystal chandelier hangs, mystically, above. Other brass-toned Asian art, a full size Buddha and other artifacts adorn the restaurant.

The menu is a fusion of primarily: Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines. As one ponders the sizable menu and “takes in” the dream-state decor, a metal cup containing ice-water is brought to the table.

On our first visit, we ordered: Green Curry
“Historically known as the Queen of all curries. Spicy green curry, sweet basil, eggplants, green beans, bell peppers, zuchinni, broccoli, bamboo shoots simmered in coconut milk.” $9.00
and Coconut Shrimp (6)……………………..6.95

The curry was served in a hot-pot, and it was two-ways, hot-hot. The curry flavor was not overpowering, as curry sometimes is. There was a background taste of mint in the dish, which consisted of a thick broth/soup with the previously mentioned veggies. I ordered the Green Curry with Tofu.

The Coconut Shrimp was served with a mint flavored (ginger?) dipping sauce. Next time I would request that the shrimp were a bit less “done.” They were just this side of being burnt. Then again, maybe they were perfect. The crispyness added another dimension of flavor.

On the menu: Asian Tappas (2.95-8.95,) Salads (7.95- 10.95,) Soups (1.50-9.95,) Karma Specials (10.95-14.95,) Karma Wok (Dinner 8.50-9.25,) Karma Wok (Lunch 6.50-7.00,) Noodles and Rice (7.95 10.95,) Karma Pho (7.95-9.95,) Karma Thai Curries (Lunch 6.50-Dinner 8.95,) Desserts and Beverages, including Beer, Wine, Sake, and a limited selection of hard liquor.

The appropriate, background music was puncuated with drums, cymbals and bells.

Peruse Karma’s complete menu on Karma’s Official Website

Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub
C.2009-LasVegasBuffetClub

Spotlight on: Brewery Bar 3 and Pasta Jay’s in Lone Tree, Colorado.

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lvbc-cauldron

There is a reason for listing these two restaurants together: they are next-door neighbors in Lone Tree, Colorado. In a peripheral area of the Park Meadows Mall there are a whole bunch of restaurants, The Brewery Bar lll and Pasta Jay’s are two of them. Two good ones…

The Brewery Bar
9228 S. Park Meadows Dr.
Lone Tree, CO 80124
303-708-9333

bb3-outside1

The Brewery Bar’s 3rd incarnation has been at this location for over 5 years?. For a suburban, mall-grounds location, the Brewery Bar lll’s interior is warm and inviting. From the dark woods to the strands of Christmas-style lights, and everything in between, this is a comfortable environment. It is a restaurant, one can spend hours in – especially at Happy Hour.

Appetizers (Chips & Salsa to Mexican Pizza,) Entrees (Fajitas, Flautas, Chicken Brest tenders, Mexican Hamburgers amd more,) Combination Platters (“All COMBINATiON PLATTERS INCLUDE LETTUCE, CHEESE
AND YOuR CHOICE OF OUR FAMOUS PORK GREEN CHILI, HOT OR MILD, VERDE HOT OR MILD
RED OR HALF & HALF,”) Chile Rellenos, Smothered Burritos, Chimichangas, Tacos, Tostadas, Enchiladas, Tamales, and more are available. Visit The Brewery Bar’s website for menus.

Daily Specials include: Margarita Monday – $1 margaritas with purchase of combo (limit 1)
Three Tacos on Tuesday – Three tacos with house margarita or domestic beer just $6.95
Mini Wednesday – 9 mini chili rellenos, cup of BBIII chili, and 14 oz beer – just $6.95
Tiny Thursday – Quesadilla Special with cheese, fresh peppers and chicken, plus a “tiny” 24 oz domestic draft – just $6.95
Fajita Friday – Get any regular priced fajita entree and recieve a free sopapilla! (dine in only) [Information/prices from June 1, 2009]

There is a full lively bar with (many) TVs and all the right Tequilas.
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 3 – 6 p.m. $2 well drinks, house wine and all domestic beer, $3.50 margaritas. Half price appetizers. Free chips and salsa served.

Access the Brewery Bar’s Official Website for more locations, menus and photos.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pasta Jays
9226 Park Meadows Dr
Lone Tree, CO 80124
303.799.1800

California/Modern with Tuscan accents is how this restaurant, with roots stretching back to San Clemente, California’s, Sunny’s Pizza, evolves. (Pasta Jay’s owner/proprietor learned the trade at his uncle’s restaurant, Sonny’s Pizza.) Pasta Jay’s in Bolder, Colorado was the first (of three locations.)

This bright, airy space (in an off-shoot area of The Park Meadows Mall) offers indoor, outdoor and indoor/ourdoor seating. The last being indoor tables fronting large open windows (weather permitting.)

Pasta Jay’s is a modern/traditional Italian-style restaurant serving classic Italian entrees (7.99 – 15.99,) as well as California-style, (very) thin-crust, designer pizza (sm. med. & large – 10.99 – 16.99,) salads (from dinner salad (3.00) to Antipasto Salad, serves 2-3 (11.99,) Minestrone Soup (3.99,) sandwiches (7.99 – 9.99,) *nightly specials, lunches and more.
For example: *Monday – World famous Monday Night Spaghetti Night 6.99
spaghetti with meat sauce or marinara, with salad 8.99.)
*Sunday – Plati’s Steak Bracciole (a classic Sunday Italian dish) 14.99
ribeye steak stuffed with fresh garlic, sweet basil, imported romano cheese and portabello mushroom, seared in olive oil, simmered in marinara sauce, and served over a bed of linguine.

Also from the menu: Veal & Eggplant Milanese 15.50
chicken breast or veal, lightly breaded, and slices of eggplant baked with mushrooms and roasted peppers in a fresh tomato and sweet basil wine sauce, served with a side of pasta

Pizza from the menu:
Giacamo
chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and gorgonzola cheese
small 12.99
medium 14.99
large 16.99

Pasta Jay’s has a full bar; visit the website for Happy Hour information.

Visit Pasta Jay’s website for menus, other locations and more

Spotlight on TOCABE – An American Indian Eatery – in Denver, Colorado

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Tocabe Logo

Tocabe -An American Indian Eatery
44th and Lowell
Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 720.524.8282

3 5 3 6 We s t 4 4 t h A v e . D e n v e r C O , 8 0 2 1 1 t e l e p h o n e 7 2 0 . 5 2 4 . 8 2 8 2

Years ago when I was traveling through New Mexico with the actress/dancer – make that – singer/dancer/actress, we stopped at a mall on Rodeo Road in Santa Fe and happened upon a restaurant that served Indian Fry Bread Tacos. It was a fast food outlet, just like a McDucks or The King, except for the fact that they sold Indian Tacos. Yes indeed, Santa Fe is a special place. I’ve only had access to this Native culinary treat a few times since.

tocabe

click image to enlarge

Hallelujah, we stumbled upon an Indian Taco restaurant in Denver, Colorado: Tocabe “An American Indian Eatery” on West 44th Ave. serves a definitive Indian Fry Bread Taco. An Indian Fry Bread Taco is: a leavened, round, flat, deep-fried, dough base topped with: beans, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheese, salsas, peppers, and meats like ground beef or shredded beef. Any standard taco ingredients can be used. A good Indian taco will have fresh ingredients. Tocabe serves good Indian tacos. Tocabe’s ingredients are absolutely, market fresh.

Indian Fry Bread Taco - Wiki

Indian Fry Bread Taco - Wiki

The restaurant is sparkling, bright and clean, California / modern with a serve-yourself counter, tables & chairs in the main dinning area and on a patio. 3 huge ‘Hand’ sculpture-lights on one wall defiantly claim the space for Native America. A painting of a human hand is often found on teepees, and on Native arts & crafts.

Visit Tocabe’s Official Website for the complete Menu
From that menu:
“American Indian Fry Bread.” “Choice of black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans. Your choice of meat, topped with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, purple onions, sour cream, and choice of salsa.”
The meat choices are: Ground Beef ($6.25,) Grilled Chicken Breast ($6.50,) Shredded Beef ($6.95,) and Ground Buffalo ($7.25.) The Indian Fry Bread Vegetarian Taco is priced at $5.95.

“Stuffed Indian Tacos” – “Indian Fry Bread stuffed with your choice of beans, meat, cheese, tomatoes, purple onions, green chile and salsa” – similarly priced.
Or how about:
“Medicine Wheel Natchos,” “Little Osage Pizza,” “Dessert Tacos,” Kids meals, beer and wine and more.

Access Tocabe’s Official Website

Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

Spotlight on ANNIE’S CAFE & BAR in Denver, Colorado

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Soup's On...
Soup's On...

ANNIE’S CAFE & BAR
3100 E. Colfax at St. Paul
Denver, Colorado 80206 (303) 355-8187

Denver has a handful of Big City Breakfast *Joints – Annie’s Cafe & Bar is one of them. On East Colfax Avenue, down-the-road-a-piece from Colfax’s “**Melrose Avenue Stretch” (at least as close as Denver’s gonna get to Melrose Avenue,) Annie’s provides a place to breakfast, recoup and people watch.

All American breakfasts are available, including:
“Weekday Special”
Monday thru Friday
7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.
2 eggs any style, grilled
potatoes and toast or muffin
$4.25

Annie’s Eggs………………………………… 6.95
2 scrambled eggs and sauteed
mushrooms smothered with cheese
sauce served with grilled potatoes and toast

Eggs Benedict……………………………… 8.25
Buttermilk Pancakes…………………. 4.95
with bananas & walnuts……………………add 1.75

Omelettes, (Huge) Burritos, Sandwiches, Burgers, Salads, and much more, including Mimosas ($5.50) and other adult, breakfast-beverages from the bar are available – BREAKFAST IS SERVED ALL DAY. There’s always a jar of Peanut Butter on every table!

Nightly Specials! Happy Hours!

Access Annie’s full menu, photos and other information on Annie’s Cafe & Bar’s Official Website…
PETE’S KITCHEN is another BIG CITY BREAKFAST JOINT on East Colfax Avenue…

Visit LasVegasBuffetClub’s pages for Annie’s Cafe & Bar…
Visit the LasVegasBuffetClub’s home page…
*Actually Annie’s isn’t really a joint, it’s a very respectable family restaurant.

Colfax Avenue
Colfax Avenue-photo by larryhotz.com

**Colfax Avenue’s “Melrose Avenue Stretch” is an area of Colfax stretching East from downtown Denver to Denver’s Greektown near Denver East High School, which boasts of some famous alumni including actors: Douglas Fairbanks, (Silent Film Actor) Harold Lloyd, Hattie McDaniel, TJ Miller, Don Cheadle and Pam Grier; Musicians: Paul Whiteman, Donnette Thayer, Reese Roper, Dianne Reeves, Jamie Laurie, Bill Frisell, and Philip Bailey, Andrew Woolfolk and Larry Dunn [of Earth, Wind and Fire,] Chuck E Weiss and Folk Queen: Judy Collins; Beat Icon: Neal Cassaday, Jack Swigert [NASA astronaut] and writer, Sidney Sheldon.

This section of East Colfax Avenue, with its marginal seediness in the mix with Hip shops, restaurants & street people, reminds one of sections of the Melrose Avenue district in Los Angeles.