Review

North Fork Shanahan Trail

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Boulder is always a great place to go hiking but for a beginner (someone who hasn’t done too many hikes) it is sometimes hard to find a trail that is your speed. But for a new hiker who wants to get an amazing view of the Flatiron mountain North Fork Shanahan Trail is for you. On weekends people who are on the trail are very cautions everyone is wearing masks and staying 6 feet away from other groups. The trail is easy to get around with the path being cleared and lined up with beautiful tall trees that are just now changing into beautiful fall colors. And if you want to bring your four-legged friend with you there is a lot of open space, but remember to bring some bags to clean up after your pup. At the end of the hike, you end up at a lookout area where you see the beautiful flatirons mountains. This is definitely a hike I would recommend.

Check out this trail on AllTrails.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/north-fork-shanahan-trail

Review

Zapata Falls is the sort of place you can’t find unless you look for it. Despite this, I stumbled upon it largely by accident as it happened to be the only open campsite in all southwestern Colorado because it is first come, first serve. It’s a bit of an adventure to find, miles and miles through the wide open expanse of the San Luis Valley, and the a sharp right turn onto the roughest three mile dirt road my ford fusion has ever seen that seems to be going nowhere the entire 25 minutes it takes to wind up the side of the valley without popping a tire.
The campsites sit on the west facing slopes of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, from which you can see the tallest sand dunes in North America and a spectacular view of the sunset over the valley. It is great for car camping, for $11 a night the sites are decently spaced, there is good tree coverage and clean bathrooms. The weather is unpredictable, so be prepared for short bursts of strong winds and heavy rains, especially in late summer.
The hike to the falls from the campsite is short and sweet, uphill but not too steep, though if you’d like to see the waterfall be prepared to wade upstream for 20 feet or so. The water is cold, but it’s worth it to wade into a chasm carved out by the force of a little creek over a millennium. The falls themselves aren’t large, but it’s the sort of place where time ceases to exist, or maybe is a little more present, just for a moment until someone else comes in and they aren’t wearing a mask and damn its 2020 isn’t it?

Review

There are two types of burgers in this world: the expensive burger with complicated garnish and seasoning served at fancy restaurants or the one that helps you eat your feelings away, and then some. Park Burger delivered that very necessary morale booster for my friends in the form of a mouthwatering hamburger. Located just off the University of Denver’s campus on Pearl Street, Park Burger nails the feel of a college restaurant that remains appealing to locals and families alike. Outdoor seating and heightened COVID-19 procedures made for a pleasant and stress-free afternoon lunch. The staff was very friendly, and it was not uncommon to see some friends from school. Our mouths were craving flavor, and Park Burger’s “The Royale” did not disappoint. Filled with bacon, bleu cheese, onions, “The Royale” had a very mature taste for a burger that does not break the bank. Expect to pay $12 for a meal with fries, college students rejoice! The garnish was optional and applied by the customer, which I tend to prefer since I don’t like an abundance of ketchup. The bun was nice and toasted, and the restaurant even boasted a gluten-free option which was quite helpful for one of my friends. I highly recommend giving Park Burger a try!

Walker

Yelp Review

Review

This past Saturday night, my girlfriend and I decided to try Ace Eat Serve in the Uptown neighborhood.  This fun asian fusion restaurant/bar had come highly recommended to us from a group of friends who had gone the night before.  When I arrived, I was immediately struck by the layout of the restaurant.  Ace Eat Serve has ample patio seating complete with a stage for live music, a spacious dining room, and even an open space behind the bar with ping pong tables and bar seating making this the perfect destination for a night out.  The room with the ping pong tables was full of young couples and groups of friends enjoying some food and drinks, as well as some friendly competition.  I am not sure if you have to reserve the ping pong tables in advance, but I will definitely be inquiring upon my next visit.  The staff was extremely friendly, taking our drink orders immediately after seating.  In addition to a full bar, Ace Eat Serve also has a vast selection of craft beers and wine providing options for even the pickiest of drinkers.  We ordered far more food than we needed as to get a feel for the menu, and boy am I glad we did.  We enjoyed every bit of our food down to the last bite.  My personal favorites were the BBQ pork belly baos and the spicy pork ramen.  While the portions are large (perfect for sharing or family style), the cost was anything but.  The two of us got more food than we could eat, and multiple drinks for under $100.  My only complaint about our dining experience was the randomness in which food arrived at the table, with appetizers and enters arriving simultaneously.  That being said, I will definitely becoming back to Ace Eat Serve very soon, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a place with great food and a great atmosphere.

 

Yelp Review:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ace-eat-serve-denver

 

Review

I YOUTH STUDIO

I can’t go back to the US right now because of the epidemic, so I went to Shanghai before school started, and my primary mission was to shop for furniture buyers. I was pleased to find a shop that I like. The store is located in the Jing’an district on Jiashan Road, a treasure road, with good French food and coffee shops nearby. Of course, none of that is the point. IYOUTH is the focus of the day. iYOUTH studio is divided into two floors; the first floor is a coffee bar and small goods display. The second floor is the showroom and VIP room. The two floors are clean and simple with a clean concrete grey finish, but just the right amount of glass to make them very transparent. When I walked in the front door, I thought it was just a coffee shop, but as I walked inside, I noticed four Herman Miller ergonomic chairs hanging in the first-floor showroom’s mirrored space, which was a unique visual experience. Mostly the coffee on the first floor is so good and affordable that I figured it was worth it just to come in for a cup of coffee, which can be considered a good value. I think it’s worth it to have a cup of coffee in such a comfortable environment. The second-floor changes theme according to seasonal fashions, but the current theme is the living room and office. Mismatched BOSA porcelain accessories and TECTA cabinetry are found throughout the showroom. Besides, there is a lot of stylish art cutting in the store. Much like their clerks, the staff explained that their owner just wanted to borrow the modern art cuts that young people love and make more people aware of good design. Overall, IYOUTH is one of the few furniture-buying stores that go the hipster route, and the overall layout is lively, and avant-garde, which I think has a lot to do with the fact that the store manager himself is young. IYOUTH has the feel of a trendy store, with a green space that is quite experimental, giving a different flavor to the classic furniture.

Address: 307-309 Jiashan Road
Business Hours：10:00am-8:00pm
Transportation：Metro Line 9 / 12 Jiashan Road Station

Review

As you swirl around the zig-zags of the mountainous town of Manitou Springs, Colorado, you finally see it. First, you may only see trees, and then a few of the stone peaks gently welcoming you in. Then, they suddenly appear – the beautiful red rocks of Garden of the Gods.

You can’t decide whether to attempt to find a parking spot so you could climb the multiple trails, or to stay in the car while listening to music to simply enjoy the view. I personally just drove around in my car, as handicap spots exist but are limited, and pulled over at the designated spots to take Instagram-worthy pics and just gaze at the lovely view. Regardless of your choice, you will instantly fall in love with the glorious Garden.

This exquisite national landmark is both dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible, as most of the trails have dog care stations and there are a few paved sidewalks. With 21 miles worth of trails, you could have a different experience of the park each time you go exploring. They even offer guided tours where you and your friends could climb one of the monumental boulders and get a view that one could only say belongs to the Gods.

The visitor center is an entertaining experience in of itself, with a fully-immersive exhibit of the history of Colorado’s land and an overwhelming gift shop! When you begin your tour, your eye instantly goes to the center display, a dinosaur fossil unique to Colorado, and suddenly you find yourself fascinated at the transformations the land has gone through.

Garden of the Gods is open year-round, with fluctuations based on weather, and it’s beautiful on any given day. You could go on a spring morning, a rainy summer evening, or a fall afternoon when the leaves are changing, and feel like you are experiencing the park for the first time.

Review

1000 Acoma Street
Denver, CO 80204 CO

Plants are lined up along a store front with a cute yellow wall and a big red umbrella

Plant Garage is a plant lovers paradise! They have a wide variety of plants, including an outdoor section filled with native Colorado plants and succulents, as well as an indoor section with house plant favorites such as pothos, spider plants and a variety of rare plants. Located in downtown Denver off of North Broadway, the intimate shop gives you a real feel for the flare of Denver with its cute yellow walls and local, handmade plant holders. Despite the store itself being somewhat small, the uniqueness and quality of the plants makes it worth the trip. When I walked into the shop, I immediately fell in love with a particularly large Arboricola, a small, tree like house plant. Unfortunately, it was out of my price range due to its size. However, the staff were incredibly helpful, directing me towards a smaller, more affordable version of the same plant. Additionally, they gave me tips on how to support rapid growth and provided the store’s email address, noting that I could reach out at any time for all my plant related questions. The friendly employee reminded me, “we are plant people, were here to help keep your plants alive.” In the end, the healthy, foot tall Arboricola I purchased came to a total of $13. Overall, reasonable prices, helpful staff, and a great selection.

Review

As you walk through the doors to CAVA the first few things you notice are the fresh smell of hummus and falaffel, the cleanliness of the large space, as well as the fact that you aren’t sure where to begin; the doors line up with the register, but you will soon realize an immediate hard left is required to get the process started. Luckily, the confusing entrance is not representative of the rest of your experience. Once you do find your way to the start of the made-to-order Mediterranean service bar, you are greeted by friendly and helpful staff. With so many options and a cuisine unfamiliar to many, the staff make the process easy by offering helpful recommendations and happily answering any questions you may have. When you finish paying, the cashier asks if you’d like utensils or not, which not only proves that they are implementing Covid safe practices by keeping utensils out of public reach, but also limits waste of single use plastic for customers who may be taking their bowls home. I ordered a bowl with a base out of half of their new “right rice” which is a combination of cold rice and a few riced vegetables and half of their mixed greens. Then I added chicken and hummus as well as quite a few of the various toppings and sauces they offer– it was delicious! The best part, though, is the amount of delicious, quality food they give you relative to the price. The bowl ended up costing about $12, and lasted for my next three meals– definitely worth the price. Other than the confusing entrance my expectations of the casual Mediterranean joint were exceeded, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, satisfying, and healthy meal!

Review

Tokio

2907 Huron St #103, Denver, CO 80202

Book Tokio In Denver - CM Happy Hour tickets, Denver | TiE

Walking into Tokio, I knew immediately from the ambiance and the smells cascading the air, I would have an unforgettable meal. The lighting was warm and the decor was welcoming and classy. The walls were decorated with Japenese art pieces and lanterns hovered over a few select tables. The service was exceptional, the waiter we had felt like a friend and had great recommendations for us. When I say their ramen is authentic and delicious, I mean it. They offer tonkatsu, miso, shoyu, and many other wide varieties of ramen. All bowls are under $20, which is a steal considering how much food is piled into each one! Every bowl comes with a heaping amount of noodles, broth, and special toppings depending on your order; from those delicate ramen eggs, pickled bamboo stalks, various veggies, pork, chicken, and fish cakes, and much much more, everyone is sure to find the ramen that satisfies their craving. I know I did! Not only do they have delectable ramen, but Tokio also has a fresh sushi bar (well priced and wide variety, rolls range from $2-$24), and classic Japanese appetizers such as edamame, gyoza, shu mei, and more. To top it all off, they have several flavors of mochi and a Japanese layered cake they get from a local bakery for dessert!

Dining review: At Tokio in Denver, a taste of Japan – The Denver Post

My boyfriend and I ordered the spicy edamame and gyoza, two bowls of ramen, and green tea and mango mochi the night we went. And we had everything down to the last bite! We had a great time sitting at the sushi bar, we got to watch them make our food which was a fun and unique experience. I enjoyed everything we ordered and I felt comfortable and welcomed in the restaurant itself. I will be suggesting Tokio to friends and family from here on out, I think Tokio is a place everyone should experience!

Review

Pasta Jay’s 

1001 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

★★★★★ 9/22/2020

The first thing I noticed when I walked into Pasta Jay’s was the beautiful decor to set the mood for an Italian food themed meal. They have beautiful art and so many small details that are very noticeable. They have an abundance of dishes from something healthier to something that can really fulfill your taste buds. The menu is large and has a ton of choices. Many people at my table got the simple dish of spaghetti, which they loved. They also have the option to add meatballs, chicken, or another meat of your choice. The menu is interesting because it shows you the sauce options and then they let you decide which noodles you want.  The problem for a lot of people going to an Italian food restaurant is being gluten free, but luckily Pasta Jay’s offers a gluten free menu. I enjoyed the shrimp giacamo  and I would most definitely get it again. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the shrimp were perfect bite size. Everybody that works there were kind and helpful. They constantly check in on you and make sure everything is exactly how you like it. They served with a smile, and made me feel very welcome. Pasta Jay’s can be extremely busy, so it is always best to get a reservation. Parking on Pearl Street is never very easy, but there is parking to the left side of the restaurant and also in front of the restaurant. But, I would keep in mind that parking here can sometimes take time, so take that into consideration when making your reservation. I would highly recommend going to Pasta Jay’s if you are in Boulder looking for a yummy Italian food restaurant.