Review

Review

Being a coffee fanatic, I try to stay aware of any new coffee shops popping up in Denver. I was recently made aware of  Black Rock Coffee Bar opening a new location in DTC and had to give it a shot.

My first impression of the space was that it is aesthetically pleasing, has great natural light, and holds lots of seating (for when it is safe to open). The Black Rock brand is noticeable and there is a multitude of drinks to choose from. I find it convenient that you can walk inside or use their drive-thru. I was surprised that they have a drive-thru because it looks so nice from the inside! I appreciate both aspects.

I ordered a simple iced latte and my boyfriend tried one of their “premium” drinks, an iced caramel blondie. Both were delicious, but I liked the sweet drink better! Other drinks that caught my eye on the menu include classic espresso drinks, blended “chillers,” smoothies, chai tea, hot chocolate, iced tea, and even a couple energy beverages. As for food, they had a few items in the pastry case, but not much else. I recommend dining elsewhere before grabbing a drink here! The prices of the drinks were reasonable in comparison to a lot of other local coffee shops where one drink can cost you $6. At Black Rock, you can get a drink for under $5.

After browsing their website, I found out that Black Rock Coffee is a chain and they have many locations across the Western part of the U.S. I am excited to have them in Denver! They do have a rewards program, which fuels my desire to go back and try another one of their specialty drinks!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/black-rock-coffee-bar-denver?hrid=DDTM0vbGzcs99isdU-Y8ng&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Review

Evergreen Lake

My boyfriend grew up in Evergreen, and had been dying to get me up there and show me around. I finally made the time.

I had no idea what to expect. The only context I had were pictures of breathtaking, bright amber aspens he sent me last fall, saying he “passed by them on an afternoon walk”. I was completely dumbfounded. I thought he might have been pulling my leg. No way could he take these gallery worthy photos just because he decided to go on a walk…

Visiting myself proved me wrong.

Everything up in Evergreen looks like that. Editorial pictures right before your eyes. From the local bars that are built right into the mountain, to the mansions gracefully sitting atop hillsides, to the vast plains of tall grass. I saw three deer, a mom and two babies, just driving around a small peak. It was the closest I’ve ever been to a wild animal in my life. I saw a bald eagle in person for the first time, dive for a fish in the lake.

Evergreen makes for a very easy and inexpensive day trip from Denver. By highways it takes about 30 minutes to reach, but I recommend taking your time and finding the scenic routes, so you can find places to pause and take in the mountain air. In town there are plenty of locally owned boutiques, cafés, art galleries and novelty shops to browse, and live music from the patio by the dam to listen to while you do. I’m partial to the rocks and minerals house at the edge of downtown. There’s a very unique other-worldly mural on its side; you can’t miss it.

It was so easy to be present with my boyfriend in this environment. Watching people go by, I felt we were all in the same boat; we were all there for a moment free of trouble. To paint, shop, fish, walk, bike, run, hike— to relax. I felt as if the weight of my worries was being carried away by the summer breeze. I was truly at peace.

I can’t wait to go back again.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g33415-d812134-r772183510-Evergreen_Lake-Evergreen_Colorado.html

Review

If you’re looking for a sophisticated brunch eatery, this is the place! Located on E 17th St. and Franklin St. it’s easy to locate for the naked eye. As you walk into the restaurant you first notice the large patio nicely decorated with lots of seating. Two steps further, inside the lingering smell of fresh pastries, recently pulled from the oven, waft over you. The environment inside was very clean and an enthusiastic staff made it an all around exuberant setting. The menu made it hard to make a decision on what I wanted as there were so many different mouth-watering options ranging from french toast, omelettes, hashes, and brunch sandwiches. I ordered a basic breakfast consisting of two eggs made over-easy, two strips of bacon, golden sautéed potatoes, and a side of assorted fruit. Don’t even get me started on the delicious beignet along with an iced vanilla latte. The coffee and food were made all in under 15 minutes and just the way I had asked. The portions weren’t overly filling, but just enough to feel the satisfaction of an excellent meal. Sitting on the patio, enjoying the companionship of friends and eating my breakfast was a great start to my day. I will definitely be finding my way back to Olive & Finch in the near future!

https://goo.gl/maps/L9AGqxZENNnBvspA9

 

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.