In 1965, Sherman Poppen bolted two skis together to make a snow-riding surfboard for his daughter. Dubbed a “Snurfer,” the design achieved instant popularity, and a manufacturer sold more than a half million of them the next year. The new winter sport it sired soon evolved into what we now call snowboarding. Early snowboards were rudimentary designs. Most were made of plywood, with bases left bare or covered with…
Like many other nights, the bed called to me like a siren from a Greek epic, but this time would be different. I was about to find out if the buzz about the beds at Hotel Teatro in downtown Denver was true. Hotel guests have found the beds and sheets so comfortable they inquire about buying the items for themselves. The buzz is justified. The Simmons Beverly Hills Black…
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in Colorado and also boasts some of the finest amenities in the state. Less than a two-hour drive west of Denver via Interstate 70, this little piece of nirvana in Avon, Colorado, is easily obtainable during any season. Entering the lobby of the Westin Riverfront, guests are greeted by a massive fireplace,…
“Yah, yah, yah, yah” robustly sings the lively—but not rowdy—crowd gathered around an oom pah band during Vail’s Oktoberfest. Robust smells of grilled bratwurst and spit-roasted pork blend with lively strains of Bavarian music, while visitors dance to the lively beat on the Vail streets. Vail is a famous ski destination in the winter, but this scenic Colorado mountain town also boasts one of the best family-oriented Oktoberfests in…
The upscale Volcano restaurant in Centennial, Colorado, is not just another Asian restaurant. It’s really three fine restaurants all beautifully combined under one roof at 10440 E. Arapahoe Road and Havana Street. Its name comes from the restaurant’s signature Volcano drink, a powerful flaming libation containing several kinds of liquor and served in a large ceramic dish. With its Hibachi table grills, sushi bar and quality full-serve Asian dining,…
Walk into The Arrabelle at Vail Square, and guests may feel they have arrived at a European resort. This RockResort property is right in the thick of things at Vail and aims to please guests’ every need, from luxury rooms, a beautiful spa and step-out-to-the-slopes skiing. The Arrabelle, which opened in 2008, surrounds a central courtyard and is right on the mountain. Guests can enjoy a cup of coffee…
It’s hip. It’s classy. It’s sassy. It’s the new kid on the block. Cantina Laredo made its debut at The Streets of SouthGlenn mall in August to the delight of those seeking new adventure in Mexican food. Creating salsas, sauces and roasted peppers in its Centennial, Colorado, kitchen, Laredo brings nuevo Mexican cuisine to a new level. Its twist on the cuisine is in good taste. Mexican sushi? Tuna…
Lucile’s Creole Cafe 275 Logan St. Denver, Colorado 80209 (other locations in Boulder, Fort Collins and Longmont) 303-282-6258 luciles.com The waits are agonizingly long, especially for weekend brunch, but this popular neighborhood hang continues to be one of those rare joints that actually merits the spillage onto the sidewalk. In return for your patience, you’ll be rewarded with soulful dispatches, like the piping hot beignets and buttermilk biscuits the…
In an old brick house with a large wraparound porch, the rich aroma of coffee pulls in passersby. Stella’s Gourmet Coffeehaus, 1476 S. Pearl St., a few blocks from the University of Denver, embodies the characteristics of a traditional, locally owned coffee shop. There is no drive-through window and no uniforms, and the employees behind the counter work for long spans of time. I enter through one of the…
Is your typical me-time experience a rushed manicure at the local salon, an every-eight-weeks haircut and styling, or — when you’re really living high on the hog — an hour-long Swedish massage performed by your mom’s neighbor’s cousin? If so, it’s time to reevaluate your sense of indulgence and kick it up a bit — OK, a lot — by booking yourself a day at The Spa at The…