If you’re looking for a fine food shopping and dining experience under one roof, check out The Source, a recently opened “new generation artisan food market” in an 1880s iron foundry building at 3350 Brighton Blvd. in the RiNo neighborhood.
The Colorado Tourism Office held a media reception in the industrial building appointed with metal bars, corrugated store fronts and concrete floors last week. The spectacular site is quite the spectacle planted in this burgeoning neighborhood north of Coors Field.
CTO guests sipped on specialty cocktails concocted by bartenders at CapRock Farm Bar, the wall-less fixture in the center of the building, and snacked on delicioso bites from Comida, serving house-made Mexican street food, and Acorn, the fine dining restaurant from the folks who brought you Oak at Fourteenth in Boulder, which burned to the ground and rose again like a Phoenix.
The complex also houses specialty shops including the soon-to-open Proper Pour liquor store and bartenders’ supply source; Mondo Food, a gourmet cheese and spice shop; Babette’s, a French bakery; Crooked Stave, a craft brewery and tap room; Boxcar Coffee Roasters coffee shop, a whole animal butchery with a meat counter; a produce vendor; florist; bank and design studio.
The project is the brainchild of real estate developer Zeppelin Development Inc., builders of the TAXI mixed-use site on 20 acres of former industrial land off Brighton Boulevard just southwest of The Source.
Zeppelin’s principals are longtime Denver developer Mickey Zeppelin and his son, Kyle.
“(The Source) is a new generation urban market,” Kyle told the gathering. “We made the mistake of walking into this place three years ago (and decided to develop it).”
But in addition to ogling RiNo’s newest digs, we were there to listen to tourism touter Al White, the former state senator turned CTO director. White takes every opportunity to preach the Colorado tourism gospel.
“Colorado tourism is vital to the state’s economy … duh!” White said, preaching to the choir.
(Photos by Adam Larkey)
The incredible shrinking anchor
Have you seen 9News entertainment anchor Kirk Montgomery lately? Rather, have you seen what’s left of him? His cheeks are no longer “cherubbed,” and his torso is oh so trim.
I caught his act last week, and couldn’t help asking Montgomery the secret to his slimmed-down success.
“I downloaded a free app (My Plate from www.livestrong.com) and I’ve been counting calories,” he told me. “I input the good the bad and the ugly – and just getting into the habit of doing that was an eye opener. I’ve tried to stay around 1,500 (calories consumed) a day. Some days are lower, some higher, but I’ve lost weight before – the goal this time is to keep it off.
“Lots of people have noticed, which is flattering, but again the pressure is keeping it off … honestly I really think the habit of inputting and keeping track of everything is what has made the biggest difference.”
Kirk, you’ve got it, now flaunt it! Congrats on the weight-loss accomplishment that many of us seek.
Kirk Montgomery thanks a healthy regimen for his slimmer look. (9News photo)
Lakewood gets new nod
Livability.com named Lakewood as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in its inaugural ranking released Friday, according to the City of Lakewood’s weekly e-newsletter.
“The list was created in partnership with the Martin Prosperity Institute, the world’s leading think tank on the role of location, place and city-regions in global economic prosperity. The list was produced after studying U.S. cities and factors that make them the best places to live, work and play.”
“The list is based on what Americans value most in their communities,” the website said. Factors included in the Top 100 ranking included good schools, hospitals, amenities, affordability and the local economy. Read more at http://livability.com.
Possessed Palace
The “spooky” Brown Palace Hotel and Spa is hosting its first Haunted Happy Hour to honor all things that go bump in the night on Oct. 25. The eerie evening is being led by the property’s historian, Debra Faulkner.
“I’m looking forward to sharing all of the stories and sightings with guests,” Faulkner said. “There are many cases of unexplained phenomena that have taken place in these walls. I believe there are multiple spirits (or past guests) that enjoyed the hotel so much they weren’t willing to check out. The upcoming Halloween season is the perfect time to celebrate just that.”
The Spirited Weekend package includes:
* A “haunted” reception with Halloween-inspired hors d’oeuvres and handcrafted cocktails.
* Exhibition of The Brown’s reported sightings and captured phenomena.
* Private guided tour through the hotel’s most popular spirited spot with The Brown Palace Historian.
* An evening stay at The Brown.
Pricing begins at $239 for single occupancy. For reservations, go to www.brownpalace.com or call 303-297-3111.
Boffo boutiques
A Line Boutique in Greenwood Village’s Landmark development, Perch in Vail and Max in Cherry Creek North were named “Lucky Magazine’s” favorite stores in Colorado in the current issue.
Lucky Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to Personal Style is on newsstands now. All three boutiques were chosen for exceptional customer service, fashion forward clothing and accessories and for creating an intimate shopping experience. The story isn’t online yet, but you can keep checking at www.luckymag.com.
College daze
Quick, where did you and your cohorts go to satisfy food cravings when you were in an altered state in college?
Everyone had the go-to spot during periods of questionable late-night judgment when alcohol was the boss of you. Thrillist (www.thrillist.com), the snarky website that tracks food and drink trends and reports them in young-adult speak, has compiled a list of The Best College Drunk Foods at the 25 Best Party Schools in a story posted Sunday.
And CU Boulder should be so proud to be included on that list. Here’s what Thrillist had to say about Cosmo’s Pizza, its top CU drunk food pick:
“Slices bigger than your head even if you’re some freak with a really huge head are the featured item at this joint in the little drunk/hungover-person Nirvana of a shopping center that also has Dot’s Diner. Really super-stoned people — not just drunks line up for slices that are basically just vehicles for the spicy ranch, which is also sold by the mason jar if you need to get your severe acid reflux on at home, too.
“Runners-Up: Tra Ling’s Oriental Cafe, Smelly Deli (University Hill Market & Deli).”
Cosmo’s Pizza in Boulder.
Eavesdropping on a man talking about his recent Frontier Airlines flight: “I’m doing my best but OMG the passengers on Frontier are not the same you’ll find on a premier airline. People getting up when the seat belt sign is on, walking around, kids crying. And the flight attendants trying to hock the Frontier credit card and drink purchases … Thank God I could pee for free.”
Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.
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