Welcome back to Just Follow Food! What a crazy week it was moving, and I definitely needed the time off to properly handle everything. That said, it’s great to be back and I hope you’re glad to be back too! Colorado is gorgeous and the sun shines over everything (at least most of the time!), with only a few clouds to decorate the azure sky and offer the occaisional shade. There is so much here to explore and so much food to follow. Situated Northwest of Denver, Boulder rests against the beautiful Flatiron Mountains; beautiful rock formations that jut out of the mountainside. One nearly expects a huge stone dinosaur or Pokemon to rise out of the mountain.
Immediately upon exiting my new home, I get the best view of those beautiful peaks and I think of what it was like to be atop the summit of the first one, and what a view that offered. Naturally, after moving I needed to some necessities and found a Target within walking distance. With a short walk down 28th Street it looks as if I could eat at a different place every day for six weeks and not repeat a single one. In addition, there are several ethnic markets, all of different origin. My work is certainly cut out for me and I am thrilled to follow food in auch a diverse area. Mind you, this is not even including the lovely Pearl Street Mall which also abounds with food and drink.
One of the first places that caught my eye is Dot’s Diner. I love having a good breakfast place nearby. There’s a Thai and a Vietnamese restaurant both basically across the street from my house, and another of each just down the street. Boulder Pho is just a quick walk, I know I’ll be frequenting there as the weather cools. The Asian market was the first one I came across, so I know I’ll be exploring that. There’s 3 Margarita’s Family Mexican restaurant across the street, and although I haven’t found it, Google maps informed me of a Mexican market is also close. Ali Baba Lebanese and Mediterranean Grill is certainly not too far for me to get my falafel on, and indeed the Mediterranean market was the second to catch my eye. A place I know my sister will be excited to visit when she’s able to make the trip out.
There were at least three Indian places on the turnpike, as well as the third market: an Indian one. A restaurant called Tangerine sits in a nearby plaza, a name which certainly piques my interest. D’Angelo’s Italian Deli is right nearby. Although it’s not directly on the turnpike, Salvaggio’s Italian Deli and market sits just off of it on Pearl. There’s a cute bagel shop a short walk away.
Flying, while usually fun as long as nothing goes wrong, is still exhausting and hunger-inducing. Bridgette, a dear friend of mine mentioned in previous posts, was kind enough to deliver me to the airport and bring me my favorite muffin: chocolate chip. After eating fairly little, and spending all day in airports, planes and cars I was famished. Alicia, another dear friend of mine who has attended at least one dinner party and a Thanksgiving dinner, picked me up from the airport, and took me to my new home. Once we got all the luggage and my cat Minerva inside, Alicia and I both needed food. We found a place called T/aco and decided it was the best option. They had happy hour street tacos for a good price, so I got four of them. Two chicken tacos with red salsa, and two carnitas with a pureed pineapple and I believe habanero salsa. Naturally I had to have a beer after getting off a plane, and with their happy hour special on drafts I got an Avery IPA made right here in Boulder by a brewery of the same name. While you can find my beloved Two Hearted IPA at liquor stores, I’ve yet to find it on draft. While there’s no substitute for my go to beer, this balanced IPA drinks in a very similar way.
Alicia had three tacos all of different varieties, but they all looked very tasty: one vegetarian one with mushrooms, onion, and rainbow chard topped with grilled Cotija cheese, one with pork belly, guajillo salsa, fresh Cotija, and cilantro, and the last with mango marinated chicken, oaxaca and cheddar cheese with a mango Caesar dressing. The grilled Cotija atop the mushrooms looked absolutely spectacular.
I am so excited to explore the wide variety of restaurants and breweries. While it will likely be a while before I am able to eat at many of these places, I look forward to following all the great food to be had here. Whether I’m cooking at home, or eating out there’s certainly a seemingly endless variety of restaurants, and specialty markets. I feel arguably more excited about the markets than the restaurants. With so much at my finger tips, I can try a ton of new recipes at home.
I’m glad to be posting again, and I’m glad you’re all back too! I’d like to thank you all for your patience as the move was very hectic. While it may be a while for a restaurant review, we’ll still be following food weekly, now that Mini kitty and I are all settled in the mountains.
Just Follow Food! 