Cultura Craft Chocolate
Location: 3742 Morrison Rd Denver, Colorado 80219, US
Website: https://cultura-chocolate.square.site/
Website: https://cultura-chocolate.square.site/
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Morrison Road in Westwood is the best kept secret in Denver. It is a two three mile stretch that shuttles Lakewood into the heart of Downtown Denver. I grew up cruising down that road, but man, these past few years that road has undergone a grassroots revival that is both refreshing and inspiring.
There is lot poppin' off on Morrison Road, but the hub of it all is Cultura Chocolate. The vibrantly decorated building houses an artisan chocolate shop, a coffee bar that is currently run by Cabrona Coffee, and a collection of items from various small businesses from the Westwood neighborhood. The in-house experience is a beautiful one. The space is clean and decorated with vibrant colors and with the unique touch of molinillos hanging from the ceiling. These molinillos are a traditional Mexican utensil used to stir chocolate and they create a breath taking chandelier effect that is a must see. The beauty continues on the exterior where there are beautiful murals that surround the landscape. The art honors the mestizo culture that is alive and thriving in the Westwood neighborhood. Mestizo culture is the blending of the Spanish and indigenous cultures that rose up from Mexico. These living roots have been painted on the exterior walls of the building as well as on shipping containers that lay on the southeast corner of the lot. It's your local neighborhood's living art gallery and it is worthy of your strolling. Cultura Chocolate is true to its name. It is capturing a culture; not only of the wider latino population, but of the population of Westwood. The mission of this space is to "support the community by brining money and keeping money in the community". This space exists for the community and the love and effort by the locals is reflected on every inch of it. Therefore, go spoil yourself with some beauty and enjoy the luxuries of life while supporting Westwood. |
The Brutal Poodle
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Location: 1967 South Broadway Denver, CO 80210
Website: https://www.brutalpoodledenver.com/ I've passed by this black building several times as I cruise Broadway. It always caught my eye and the catchy name made me laugh as well feel curious about what was going on in that building. So, when it came time to find an excuse to go out, I suggested "The Brutal Poodle". The theme of this restaurant is heavy metal and it can be felt in the decor and through the growls of the screamo music that plays overhead. However, the theme is not displacing nor makes anyone feel out of place. Instead, it is very welcoming and the staff is attentive and wonderful. We got to sit out back on their patio which was really beautiful and comfortable. The menu has a long beer list and the food is American, but with some strong flare. Our table ordered the following items: Appetizer--Burial Tots: They are tater tots smothered in a bunch of goodness. And actually, I am very proud to state that their pork green chile was good! Brianna--Brutal Burger: A classic angus beef burger with a gluten free bun. It was so good and cooked perfectly. They were just a little skimp on the fries. But, I love fries. Dianna--Brisket Sammy: She gave it a median score. She felt the brisket was sliced a little too thin, but she still enjoyed it. Oh, and she got more fries than me. I was a little jealous. Mark--Sailing the Seas of Mac and Cheese: We laughed when this came to the table because it was laughably small and he does not have a small appetite. However, he said it was delicious. He loved the Flaming Hot Cheetos dust on top. He just said that it needed some meat. I agree with him. A meal isn't really a meal unless it has meat. Danette--Candied Pork Belly Wedge: This looked like a piece of art and she raved about it. When I go back, I am going to get that. "The Brutal Poodle" did not disappoint and I look forward to going back to try other parts of the heavy metal menu. |
Love the name. Love the icon. Love the slogan.
Great ambience thanks to the killer graffiti and screamo music.
This dish looks larger than it is in real life. Not suggested for a grown man's appetite.
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Angelo's CDs, Vinyl, & More
My favorite record store in Denver
The upstairs is eclectic and fun to explore.
But the basement is the bread and butter.
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Location: 1959 S. Broadway Boulevard Denver, CO 80210
Website: https://www.angeloscds.com/ My first CD ever was "Spice World" by the Spice Girls. I think I was in first grade and I had that baby on repeat. I knew all the lyrics and choreographed a dance to each song. My second CD was Shania Twain's "Come On Over". I know, that's quite a contrast. However, I think it was my exposure to a variety of genres and styles that made me fall in love with music. My earliest memories are tied to music. I remember being very little and laying the standup vacuum cleaner down so that I could dance on top of it to Micheal Jackson. I remember riding in the car and listening to my dad sing "Always and Forever" by Heatwave to my mom. I remember taking over the karaoke machine at my Grandpa Danny's house to sing Robert Flack's "Killing Me Softly". However, music is much more than nostalgia for me. Music is a daily comfort, adventure, and search. I have my go-to playlists that house my favorite songs, but everyday I am looking to find that new song or new artist to vibe with. Spotify is my main form of music collection, but the audiophile in me loves the physical search for music. That's where "Angelo's CDs, Vinyl, & More" comes in. This record store is off one of my favorite streets in Denver, Broadway. It is on the east side and stands out with its large windows and large neon sign. It looks small from the exterior, but as you enter the doors you quickly realize that it is much bigger than expected. The upstairs houses CDs, posters, incense holders, glassware, fresh vinyl, funky knick-knacks, and some apparel. The basement is my favorite part; it is the home of all the used vinyl. Searching through vinyl is a treasure hunt and a source of amusement. I love looking at album covers which vary from psychedelic art work to cheesy 80s headshots. Pulling back each album to expose the one behind it is a therapeutic experience and allows me to dabble in my love of music in very tactile way. "Angelo's" is my favorite record store in Denver because it is a hidden gem. It's not pretentious and busy, but instead it functions as a haven for true music lovers. |
Earth Treks: Englewood
Hyped to climb. Hyped for the free coffee in the random mugs. Hyped my favorite sweater matches the rental shoes. Hyped in general.
A still image from "Valley Uprising". Full blown hippies climbing big ass walls. How doesn't that get your . hyped?
Alex Honnold climbing "El Capitan" without ropes. He looks like a bookish dweeb, but he's a badass.
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Date: September 1st
Location: 1050 W Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO 80110 Reflection: The daily grind of life can get pretty mundane if you're not pursuing some type of new adventure. My new adventure keeps me on my toes, off the ground, and with developing callouses on my hands; indoor rock climbing. The so-called extreme sport is something that I have alway been drawn to. I loved seeing the daring men and women scale the walls of Clear Creek Canyon. Their bohemian style and lifestyle appealed to my nomadic heart. The are people who love earth and reclaim their childhood by making the wilderness their playground. I idolized the climbers and their dirtbag culture by my summertime observations, but also through my lazy research of documentary watching. One of the first documentaries I watched was called . "Valley Uprising" a couple of years ago. It had a short lived life on Netflix, but I watched it nightly for several months. It covers the early culture of climbing the the historic Yosemite National Park. These pioneer climbers were reckless hippies who were living carpe fucking diem. It is inspiring...and a must watch if you haven't seen it. The most recent documentary that reignited my desire to pursue climbing was National Geographic's "Free Solo". This documentary is cinematographically gorgeous and follows the insanely talented Alex Honnold climb "El Capitan" free solo. For all you non-climbers, free solo means you have some big cajones. It means you either have no fear of death or that you have a divine confidence in your own abilities. Free solo means you are climbing with no ropes or safety gear. Free solo means it's just you and that big ass wall. Free solo is the intimate union between nature and climber, the intimate union between the feeling of fully living and dancing with death. Free solo is as bad ass as it gets. Again, if you haven't seen it, you're missing out. The desire to climb is an old one. But my courage to attempt is new. On September 1st, I started a new climb by taking an intro class and challenging myself to climb increasingly difficult walls. I've only been doing this thang for a week, but I'm hooked. It's relaxing, challenging, and demanding of all my attention. It makes me feel free, strong, and like a dirtbag badass. I encourage all of you to find your "New Climb" and lift yourself out of the mundane by granting yourself a little adventure, freedom, and challenge. |
Bean Fosters
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Date: August 5th
Location: 720 Golden Ridge Rd Golden, CO 80401
Denver has slowly become a coffee town in the past five to ten years. Numerous coffee shops line our most popular streets and they range from mom and pop shops to hipster safe havens. Each shop has a similar menu to the shop down the street, but the vibe and aesthetic is what breeds loyalty and customer devotion.
Bean Fosters has the coffee, but it has the best vibe in all of Denver. The shop sits on top of the Golden hills which lay opposite to the popular North Table Mountain. On early mornings, you have a perfect view of the Golden Valley and on super lucky days the fog swallows the valley and you feel like you're on a mountain top as you sit at your cedar coffee table.
The house drip is bomb and bottomless. The lattes are made with slow and patient care, and the gluten free/ vegan friendly pastries are faithfully present and delicious. The employees are unpretentious, kind, and friendly. Books line shelfs which make the shop feel cozy without feeling dusty or cluttered. The population of people is varied: business men and women, retired newspaper couples, young families who sip their drinks and play with the shop's lego-set, Mines students wrestling with engineering equations while scanning facebook, and rock-jocks eating their breakfast burritos before they head up the mountain face or their climbing session at Earth Treks up the street.
Its the best coffee shop in all of Denver. Hands down.
Location: 720 Golden Ridge Rd Golden, CO 80401
Denver has slowly become a coffee town in the past five to ten years. Numerous coffee shops line our most popular streets and they range from mom and pop shops to hipster safe havens. Each shop has a similar menu to the shop down the street, but the vibe and aesthetic is what breeds loyalty and customer devotion.
Bean Fosters has the coffee, but it has the best vibe in all of Denver. The shop sits on top of the Golden hills which lay opposite to the popular North Table Mountain. On early mornings, you have a perfect view of the Golden Valley and on super lucky days the fog swallows the valley and you feel like you're on a mountain top as you sit at your cedar coffee table.
The house drip is bomb and bottomless. The lattes are made with slow and patient care, and the gluten free/ vegan friendly pastries are faithfully present and delicious. The employees are unpretentious, kind, and friendly. Books line shelfs which make the shop feel cozy without feeling dusty or cluttered. The population of people is varied: business men and women, retired newspaper couples, young families who sip their drinks and play with the shop's lego-set, Mines students wrestling with engineering equations while scanning facebook, and rock-jocks eating their breakfast burritos before they head up the mountain face or their climbing session at Earth Treks up the street.
Its the best coffee shop in all of Denver. Hands down.
Brew Culture Coffee
Yellow: the color of positivity and clarity. A great accent wall for such a fresh place that encourages reflection and productivity.
Industrial without being cold; an aesthetic goal that Brew Culture nails with their trendy atmosphere.
Different angle to promote tan consistency. That patio was dreamy.
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Date: June 25th
Location: Brew Culture Coffee: 3620 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204 Review: I am an unapologetic Starbucks Gold Card carrier. I love popping into any Starbucks and knowing that my drink options (yes, to coconut milk!) will be available and that there are plenty of outlets when I am in need of a charge. It's a predictable coffee date and the gold stars are an added bonus. However, sometimes I wanna feel trendy and exercise my millennial coffee snob bone. With a plan to be a coffee hipster for a few hours, I rolled down Colfax (one o my favorite avenues in Denver) with zero itinerary and decided to pop into the first coffee shop that called to me. I ended up at Brew Culture Coffee. It's on West Colfax right before Federal. That whole area has received a face lift in recent years and Brew Culture is its newest addition to the Colfax family. The interior is fresh, inviting, pristine. I am a sucker for subway tile and wood accents; therefore, I was won from the jump. My barista was a trendy millennia with soft cotton candy pink hair and minimalist tattoos. He had a cool, yet unpretentious vibe (the best combo). I ordered my iced coffee (bc they lacked coconut milk...my only complaint) and scanned the variety of allergen friendly bites and treats. Service was quick, wifi available, and the place was full of laptop bearing entrepreneurs. Good vibes live in Brew Culture Coffee. Along with having a great industrial vibe, the shop also has a summer patio that every sun-lover dreams of. The yellow accent walls and overhead timber beams add to the chilled aesthetic and encourage long stays and mingling with neighboring coffee-lovers and their dogs. Brew Culture is unpretentious, chill, and the Sweet Bloom coffee was refreshing and gave a quick kick to my nervous system. Brew Culture is a new summer haunt for me and I would encourage other coffee and sun-lovers to give this Colfax spot a shot. |
Arrowhead Golf Course
Notre Dame Golf Tournament
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Date: June 15th
Location: Arrowhead Golf Course Summary: Golf; I always assumed that it was a snobby rich person sport. The idea of playing golf left me feeling intimidated due to my own prejudices of those fancy people in the the bright colored polos and crisp white visors. Therefore, when my good friend Valerie invited me to play one summer day three years ago, I was apprehensive to say the least. The following questions flooded my mind: "What do I wear?, "Do I need those shoes with the spikes?, "What if I totally suck?", "Where the hell do I buy a polo?", etc. Although these questions filled my mind and caused me to question my own worthiness on the golf course, I said yes because Valerie is a West Denver Girl who always promises a good time. That initial invite was three years ago and I have attended the fundraiser every year since. The fundraiser is intended to raise money for the Notre Dame Athletic League; a league that practically raised me and one that I still participate in via coaching and reffing. So, paying a little extra cash to support a cause I love and have a good time with other West Denver friends...that's pretty priceless. Golfing with the rest of West Denver on one of the nicest courses in all of Colorado is the best way to kick off summer break. Golf is very difficult, but if your swinging the clubs with the right people its really just about enjoying the sun, some drinks, and some great company. My foursome and I are horrible, but we are arguably the best time on the course. I'd rather be remembered as a good time rather than a decent golfer any day. I no longer stress about what to wear or how well I am going to play on the infamous Arrowhead golf course. Instead, I look forward to donating to a good cause and a promise of a better time. |
No polo. No golf shoes. Just a girl in daisy dukes, oversized gold hoops, and Air Forces Ones. A classic West Denver look; gotta represent.
"Shotgun start? I thought you said, shots!"
Arrowhead Golf Course
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Mile High Flea Market
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Date: June 14th
Location: Mile High Marketplace (Flea Market): 7007 E 88th Ave, Henderson, CO 80640 Who doesn't love rummaging through a garage sale. Slowing rolling by a lawn in hopes of discovering a forgotten a forsaken treasure. It's the stuff of summer time dreams (and wannabe Gary V. entrepreneurs). Well, the Mile High Marketplace, formally and fondly remembered as the Mile High Flea Market, is a garage sale on a plot of 80 acres with a farmers market and amusement park attached. The Mile High Marketplace is an experience; and if you're a native, I'm sure you have fond memories of the coasting down the potato sack slide while the smell of turkey legs wafts through the air. I grew up going to the "Flea Market" with my grandpa, who I lovingly call "Popeye". He has a thing for garage sale and finding a deal, so the "flea market" was the place to be on the weekends. These 80 acres are full of individual plots o people's stuff. The stuff ranges from clothing, video games, hardware tools, ceramic figurines, your grandma's hand crocheted blanket, and your local farmer's freshest produce. I loved walking the long aisles and looking at the mixture of junk and treasure. Baseball bats laid next to acrylic paintings, old records sat under a table that was covered in an assortment of pocketknives, saved (most likely stolen bicycles) leaned against trailers that housed drywall and tile; its a collection of "stuff" that you cannot find anywhere else. Scavenging with my "Popeye" was one of my favorite summertime activities and on "Day Five" of my summer break, I got to experience the "Flea Market" in it's renowned yet revamped glory. The "flea market" is now called a "marketplace" and the new title fits it perfectly. The heart of the 80 acre lot is now an eclectic farmer's market. Fresh fruits and vegetables are on display and their prices are the best of any other "trendy" farmer's market in Denver. Along with a farmer's market there are several food trucks and trailer bars that sat at the end of each aisle. The "Marketplace Special" is the "Michelada" (red beer) which is beloved by Mexicans everywhere.The entire market is "open container safe" and encourages friendly banter and loose spending. The "garage sale" lots are varied, exciting, scattered, and on the edge of chaos; however, the lots are where the treasures are found. My treasures from this haul included:
The trip to the "flea market" was a nostalgic trip down memory lane and an escape into the world where junk meets treasure. It was a relaxing morning that fed the eyes, fed my stomach, and emptied my pockets. Go to the "flea market" if you've never been; and if you're a nostalgic past offender like me, go back! It's worth your time and your budget. |
Tables are filled with all genres of material and all prices are negotiable. What's not to like?
Amusement park rides for the kids...and that one uncle who had too many Micheladas.
My "Popeye": my summertime adventure buddy and fellow lover of securing the deal.
Freshest and realest farmer's market in all of Denver. The hipsters have nothing on the Mexican farmer.
Classic summertime drink of you local Chicano. Ingredients: beer, lime juice, hot sauce, tomato juice, and chili peppers.
Local man on the phone: "Honey, you'll never believe what I found...an electric sander to add to my toolkit collection".
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