1Lake Evelyn at Roosevelt National Forest: It is here where my wife and I take in the wonderful offerings of the Colorado Mountains. It’s one of our most favorite places to camp where you can literally cast your fishing rod into the lake from your campsite. You can catch a surreal sunset over the lake.
2The Trading Post at Red Rocks: This to me is a hidden jewel just minutes from downtown Denver. With ongoing improvements, the courtyard behind the Trading Post is one of the most tranquil places to sit and have lunch while wrapped in the middle of the historical red rocks of Colorado. It’s also a wonderful place to have a wedding reception in a fairy-tale setting.
3Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum: This is one of the most unique collection of airplanes and culture in the city. I have done numerous events and cooking demonstrations at this museum, and I still find myself taking the time to explore the warplanes from World War II. The museum has a B-A1 Bomber, one of only two now in existence, and what would be one of the first aircraft carriers from locally based Frontier Airlines. The museum is in the heart of the Lowry development, and it’s a great place to have special events.
4Wok to You: For more than 10 years, I have frequented a small Japanese restaurant on the southeast corner of Logan Street and Alameda Avenue. I’ve never had a bad meal. My favorite meal is the chicken egg foo young. But the show is the gas-fired woks that burst into flames as you watch your meal being prepared.
5The Sunset Lounge: My social life starts and ends at the Sunset Lounge on top of Club Vinyl. I have been passionate about this location since it was rebuilt after the storm of 2003, when the roof fell on top of my then newly opened restaurant Fat Daddy. The renovation took advantage of exposing the Denver skyline, the new museum and the Golden Triangle. At night, these views are accented by open fire places and the outside bar facing Broadway.
