Last Friday night we had dinner at Olivea for the first time.  We attended a birthday happy hour on the patio of Hamburger Mary’s first which was really crowded but fun and then just walked across the street - I really love this part of Uptown.  We asked for and got a seat on their patio.  I last posted about our brunch there at the end of May. 

We started with their Charcuterie and chose to do a tasting of three.  Our choices were the “duck liver mousse, fig compote and pickled onions“, “lamb sausage and minted yogurt” and the “boudin blanc with mustard“.  All of the flavors were very bright and played well together.  We had to ask for extra toast for the mousse and even the lamb sausage was very moist and spiced perfectly.  The real surprise for me was the boudin blanc which I had never had before - they make it in house and it really was off the chart moist and delicious.

We also tried their “potato, onions and rosemary” flat bread which was another first for me and just as delicious as the Charcuterie.  For our entrees we chose “grilled skirt steak with onion mermelada and romesco” and “duck meatballs with creamy polenta and shaved pecorino“.  I ordered the steak medium rare and it was cooked perfectly - it practically melted in my mouth - the pool of romesco really was a great accompaniment in both flavor and color.  The duck meatballs were huge - three on a plate - and nestled in the polenta which made for a great visual presentation.

For dessert we had the “warm honey walnut tart with fromage blanc ice cream“.  I am still thinking about not only how great the fromage blanc ice cream tasted but how the tart was sweet and savory at the same time.  Hands down this is the best meal I have had on 17th so far and the service was excellent as well.

After almost 8 years at the Tabor Center the ESPN Zone in Downtown Denver quietly closed its doors on Monday.  Rumors had been circulating for months and hit a fevered pitch over the weekend.  As was my position on the demise of the Virgin Megastore at the Denver Pavilions, I see this as a positive development for retail in Downtown Denver in the long run.  It will not be a slam dunk in re-leasing 24,000 square feet of second floor retail space but it does overlook the 16th Street Mall and opportunities like this rarely present themselves.  I contend that this is yet another example of an outdated retail concept ”dying” and in its place new opportunities can be realized.

Given the economy I would be surprised if one tenant took the entire space so I am very excited by the possibility of two or even three new retailers taking over that space.  Restaurants seem to gravitate towards Tabor Center - Ling & Louie’s and today’s announcement of the Tilted Kilt - so it is likely that we will see new restaurant/bar/entertainment offerings in the last of the ground floor retail space and on the second floor.  I think it would be great if they could carve out balconies that overlook the Mall just as they do on the third floor where Colorado Athletic Club is going in.  I feel for the employees who lost their jobs and wish them luck in finding new positions.

Over two months in and there is more visible progress of the remodel underway at the Denver Pavilions.  My last update was in April.  The new stairs in both the Welton and Tremont plazas are very far along.  The pre-cast stair treads for Welton Plaza are scheduled to arrive and be installed this week - people will start using that staircase next week.  These photos are in chronological order and were taken between May and last Friday.

Work has just begun on the elevators on the Welton Plaza side.  Currently one elevator is a 3 stop and the other does 5 - after the renovation both elevators will stop at all 5 levels allowing shoppers must faster access to the whole center.  Demolition of the Welton Plaza main stairway next to the former Virgin Megastore is scheduled to begin later this month where a new escalator will go in.  Plans for the new mid-block crosswalk on Glenarm are being reviewed and finalized as well.

Ink! Coffee at the Sage Building on the 16th St. Mall opened today.  I first posted about it at the end of April.  I am pleased to see another one of the retail spots for the building open and generating activity for that part of the Mall.

I also think it is great that Ink! is offering more than coffee at this location.  They also feature breakfast melts, gourmet sandwiches and fresh salads.  All of their coffee is roasted outside of Aspen and delivered fresh daily to their 8 locations - 4 of which are in Downtown Denver.  There was a story in the Denver Post today in which Elizabeth Aguilera reveals that Ink’s owner, Keith Herbert, started out as a small coffee push cart in Aspen.  I plan on checking it out later this week.

Last Sunday we attended La Piazza Dell’Arte in Larimer Square.  We had brunch at Rioja and walked around checking out the artists and their work.  Brunch was good, I had their benedict and their Rioja Mary’s still come with the pickled green bean garnish.  Just like last year this event was well attended and all of the work we saw was impressive.

This year my favorite pieces were the classical Italian ones but there was an amazing amount of variety of subjects and styles.  Before brunch the weather was great but afterwards it started sprinkling and then by the time we left it was pouring.  Weather aside (our journey home was quite the adventure with the hail) we had a great time.  The last photo was taken at the loft - I still cannot believe how quickly this weather rolled in.

Tony’s Market at 950 Broadway in the Golden Triangle opened their doors over Memorial Day weekend.  We checked it out last Tuesday night to grab something for dinner.  I first posted about Tony’s last July and again in April.  Usually I would not say anything about parking because I do not think of it being an issue living in Downtown Denver - you just adapt.  In the case of Tony’s I will have to admit that having the parking lot right next door was very welcome during rush hour on Broadway - they have 90 spaces in a two level ramped parking lot.  This will make stopping by on the way home very convenient.

From the moment we stepped in I was thrilled; the space felt warm, inviting and cozy.  Even though they just opened it felt like they had been there for years.  Everything I saw looked fresh and delicious from the bakery cases to produce to their fresh cuts of meat and the seafood selections.  They have an entire quiche section and have many prepared meal options which you can just grab and bake at home.  Additionally they have fresh flowers and pre-made floral arrangements available as well.

All of the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and there were many items put out for sampling.  We decided on rib eye steaks, twice baked potatoes, French cut carrots and red velvet cupcakes for dessert - everything was delicious.  Adjacent to the main market area there is a sit down bistro where you can order entrees and enjoy wine by the glass.  This is such a great much needed amenity for this part of Downtown - I highly recommend checking it out.

Last week I got to take my first tour of the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences currently under construction at 14th & Arapahoe.  Having attended the groundbreaking in September 2007  it was really fun getting to check out the progress made so far.  We started in the lobby of the hotel from the Porte-cochere and got to see where the check in desk, grand stairway, lobby, restaurant & bar will be.  From there we took the construction elevator up to the 28th floor.

When complete the tower will reach 45 floors - 1-17 are the Four Seasons Hotel and from 18-45 are the private residences.  Framing is already underway and we got to see a couple of the units and what eventually will be their amazing private terraces.  The views were stunning; from the CBD all the way out to the mountains.  From there we began our descent down via the stairs and toured units on the 25 & 18th floor.  Our next stop was on the top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in the future presidential suite.  The ceilings were much higher and the windows in the suite were very dramatic.

After that we went down to the 6th floor where the hotel rooms were further along and got to see some of the finishes that will be used.  We concluded by touring the spa, pool deck and ballroom areas for the hotel on levels 2 & 3.  Both the hotel and residential floors will all open at the same time with the planned completion date of July 2010.  The tower will top and out and its exterior will be complete by this August.  Driving in from Park Avenue last night it was amazing to see how this project has already changed the skyline of Downtown Denver and its not even done yet! 

On Sunday we ate at Olivea for the first time.  I first posted about Olivea at the beginning of May.  We had planned on trying dinner first but changed our minds and went for brunch.  I was very impressed with how well they have opened up the dining room and its connection to the bar area.  New modern light fixtures, black leather chairs and warm gray walls play well of off the newly refinished wood floors.  Another feature I really liked was that most of the restaurant is outfitted with serve ware from Crate and Barrel.

We started with their “Caprese Mary” which came garnished with fresh basil, a cherry tomato and balsamic-marinated mozzarella - delicious and refreshing.  We tried their “basket of housemade pastries” that came with homemade strawberry preserves.  The basket came with a cinnamon bun, apricot danish and an orange scone.  Everything was so fresh and you can definitely taste the difference a pastry chef can make - the warm butter and preserves took it to a whole other level.  For my entree I had “poached eggs on ciabatta with hollandaise, house smoked ham, and wilted greens“.  I also go to try their “poached eggs on housemade pork sausage hash and red pepper compote“.  Our eggs were done just right, the hollandaise was great and all of the flavors were well balanced.

I am happy to have a new dining spot to put in our brunch rotation.  We plan to go back for dinner as soon as possible - their Charcuterie looks amazing as does their dessert menu.

On May 15th I attended the ceremonial groundbreaking for Solera at 1956 Lawrence St.  This is the latest project from Zocalo Community Development who built Zocalo Condominiums and RiverClay in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.  Solera will be an 11 story, 120 unit, LEED Gold certified apartment building.

Since Solera has been under construction for a couple of months, it was not a traditional groundbreaking ceremony but more of a celebratory event.  This is a very exciting project for this part of Downtown as this project will really anchor this corner in the CBD.  The site is around the corner from 1800 Larimer the 22 story office tower that will be the new corporate headquarters for Xcel Energy.  David Zucker, Mayor John Hickenlooper and an executive from Xcel all made remarks.  When completed I feel this project will become a new landmark along 20th and for Downtown in general.  I will post further updates along the way.  Estimated completion is mid 2010.

Uptown is getting a new restaurant.  Olivea will officially open in the former Aix space across from Marcyzk Fine Foods at 721 E. 17th Avenue tonight.  Over the weekend they hosted soft opening events & dinner service.  Construction has been underway for a few months now and from what I can see through the windows a lot of positive changes have been made.  Seeing it full of people again was fun.

The team bringing us Olivea are the owners of Duo in Highland which I posted about last May.  I am very excited that talent of this caliber is coming to 17th Avenue.!  According the new signs in their window they will open for dinner at 5pm every night and serve brunch from 10am - 2pm on the weekends.  I look forward to our first meal.