Lunches with my buddy Jackie are among my favorite things in the world, mainly because Jackie is such a sweet human being. She’s an awesome listener, and she has somehow become the person who knows that stuff about me.
Yeah, lucky her.
But I also adore my time with Jackie because we always meet at the same place, Zaidy’s. Before, we always hooked up at the Jewish deli’s Cherry Creek outpost, noshing and gossiping and then walking off the calories in Cherry Creek North. But since the downtown location opened two years ago we’ve supported the new store.
Our formula is simple: I’ll order a mimosa and Jackie will ask for the half-sour pickles. We order food – often the same dishes as the previous outing, with Jackie reminding me what dish I love (psst, the latke Reuben) – and then we dig in for the stories, the catch-up, the goods. Zaidy’s has enabled my friendship with Jackie, and as we look back on the years of knowing each other, most stories start with, “Remember that one time at Zaidy’s …”
Thankfully the downtown spot is enjoying more success than the previous business attempts in that space. It’s kind of a weird nook, but it’s bright and sunny and central and easy – perfect for the casual breakfast.
Families love it. And people work on their laptops next to plates of lox and bagels and eggs, utilizing the wi-fi and the killer menu equally. The service is mostly spot-on, although it’s never rivaled that of its sister store.
The mimosas are solid, although they could use more champagne. The breakfast cocktail costs $6 at Zaidy’s, a typical price, and for that kind of money, you deserve an O.J. with a sprightly kick – especially when bars serve the drink in actual champagne glasses, which I’m against.
Still, there’s nothing like washing down the latke Reuben – think pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and dressing smooshed between two fried potato pancakes – with that blend of orange juice and bubbly. It just means my post- breakfast walks with Jackie have to be that much longer.
| Zaidy’s
1512 Larimer St., although the restaurant’s entrance is near the corner of Lawrence and 15th streets. 303-893-3600
Funky: Sit at the bar. Soak up the atmosphere. It’s very different than Cherry Creek -in a good way.
Skunky: Mimosas and food require equal attention.
