Rosa Linda’s is a family run cafe that has served Denver some of the best Mexican food since 1985.  They have received numerous national and local awards for over the 30 years they have been in business, and every year they give back to the community in a big way by serving the homeless population on Thanksgiving.  In 2013, Rosa Linda’s served about 4,500 meals on Thanksgiving day.

Rosa Linda, the inspiration for the restaurant, is still making her food in the restaurant kitchen, and you will also see the rest of the family in the business.  They do an amazing job to make you feel like part of the family while you are dining there.

Another highlight of Rosa Linda’s is their surprising healthy, light menu options.  You won’t find greasy food that leaves you feeling heavy.  They use no lard or MSG in their

http://www.rosalindasmexicancafe.com/menu

cooking, and they have a certified healthy menu from Smart Meal Seal.  Some of the must try items on the menu include the cactus tacos (personal favorite), the homemade chips with guacamole or salsa (yes they really are that good), chile relleno plate or the Best of Denver burrito.

Drink at Rosa Linda’s this week for happy hour that is from 3-6pm Monday-Friday for one of the best $4 house margaritas or $3 bottled beers.  Rosa Linda’s also has a wide selection of tequillas that pair nicely with any of their dishes.

Rosa Linda’s is located at 2005 W. 33rd Ave. Denver 80211. 303-455-0608.

Closed Sunday

Open Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm

Denver’s Star Bar Outshines the Rest

Every Denver-ite knows that Denver is filled with watering holes, all offering a unique drinking experience. In this myriad of drinking options, it can be hard to find that one bar that fits you and your drinking needs to a tee. If you have not yet found it yet, do not despair as there is one watering hole that is downtown Denver’s best kept secret…well until now!

The bar is known among those in the know-how as Star Bar. The bar has been around since the late 50’s, serving the Denver community for decades, and now stands as one of Denver’s oldest surviving watering holes. Like a good wine, Star bar has just kept getting better with age. With the help of some gentle renovations done in 2010, Star Bar took on a new modern appearance on the inside, while retaining its good ole fashioned free spirit (including high-quality Colorado spirits) in the inside.

Star Bar’s Good Ole Fashioned Free Spirits!

With a little facelift Star Bar has been shining bright and Denver’s popular media has been taking notice. Beginning in March 2011, Star Bar was voted “People’s Choice Best Dive Bar” by Denver magazine. This was closely followed by recognition from Denver’s 5280 Magazine that declared the Star Bar as their “Editors Choice Best Dive Bar” in July 2011. To add to the mix, Westword came along and noted Star Bar as “People’s Choice – Best Karaoke” just this year!

So what makes Star Bar so unique? The list is long but goes something like this: beers in cans including 17+ Colorado craft cans on hand at all times, 18 handles, classic cocktails made with local and craft spirits, and some spirits you’ve probably never even heard of, beer cocktails, smoked cocktails that involve a blow torch, and a made from scratch sour mix served regular or spicy with infused Serrano pepper. For those “Go Local!” fans they will be happy to know that Star Bar serves more local spirits than any other bar or restaurant in Denver. If it is made locally, they probably have it! The only thing they don’t have is the “cotton candy ginger chocolate carmel berry fudge stick spiked frappu-please-no!” drink you can find down the street on any block of your choosing.

With an eclectic line-up of craft beers and one-of-a-kind spirits mixed and matched to form Star Bar’s signature cocktails, it is no wonder that Star Bar has been drawing attention. Denver’s former best kept secret, a dive bar tucked in the Ballpark Neighborhood is now out, and the star is shining brightly like never before!

Star Bar is located at 2137 Larimer St. Denver CO 80205; Tel: (720) 328-2420. Open Daily from 4pm – 1:30 am.

Now for the Denver foodie trivia question to see how educated of a foodie you are!

In what year was Star Bar actually founded?

Tune in this coming Friday for the answer!

The answer to last Friday’s blog question: “True/False: The classic French bistros are said to have developed in the basement kitchens of Parisian apartment buildings by landlords who were seeking extra income by offering their tenants room and board that included French home-style cooking.” Answer: “True, the humble beginnings of the classic French bistro include basements kitchens tucked under the Parisian apartment buildings with untrained chefs in the form of landlords cooking up simple homemade fare.“

Takin’ Life with a Grain of Salt, a Slice of Lime,

& a Shot of Tequila

photo credit: Eric Driggers via photopin cc

The smoothness of a limited edition tequila coupled with the aroma and flavor profile of cooked agave mixed with dried fruits and sweet brown spice is sure to make everyone’s day a little more pleasurable. However, such high-quality tequila may be hard to come by. Luckily, for those living in or visiting Denver, Stoney’s Full Steam Tavern offers its very own “Dos Dank Stash,” a double barrel aged Reposado originally made from 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila aged in oak. Stoney’s Dos Dank Stash was hand selected at the Casa Herradura private barrel room by Stoney Jesseph himself.

This limited edition tequila can be purchased as a bottle that Stoney’s will keep for safe keeping so that you can enjoy your very own bottle of tequila with each visit to Stoney’s. For those just looking for a straight up tasting of this tequila, Stoney’s offers a shot in the form of a “Snifter.” With a little drizzle of agave nectar and a fresh squeeze of lime, Stoney’s creates “The Skinny” for those with more delicate palates. For a little more zip, Stoney’s “Zacatecas” made with their very own house made sweet and sour medley takes your taste buds for a whirl. For the real shebang, the bravest guests to Stoney’s may try the “Spicy Chihuahua” composed of a lively mix of muddled jalapeno, agave nectar, fresh squeezed lime, and finished off with a healthy dose of orange juice.

Offering so many different ways to enjoy a shot of Stoney’s limited edition tequila, Stoney’s makes its easy to live up to the motto, “Take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lime, and a shot of tequila.” Of course, if this motto does not ring along with your drink of choice, Stoney’s has a wide selection of drafts, wells, and house margaritas sure to quench your thirst. No matter what you are drinking, Stoney’s will have you entertained with their 20 HD TV’s, 120″ projection screen, and their stage set for local bands. Whether you are looking to root on the Broncos, watch your favorite local band, or simply play a simple game of corn hole, Stoney’s invites you into their Full Steam Tavern where everyone is an “amigo” as long as the limited edition tequila is around!

Salud!

Stoney’s Full Steam Tavern is located at 1434 Blake St. Denver CO 80202; Tel: 720-465-9830.

Now for the Denver foodie trivia question to see how educated of a foodie you are!

True/False: Stoney’s Full Steam Tavern only serves cans and no glass bottles, donating the proceeds to local Colorado charities.

Tune in this coming Friday for the answer!

The answer to this past Friday’s blog question: “What city did the vintage pieces seen in the dining room of Central Bistro come from?” Answer: “The vintage pieces hanging on the walls and scattered about the dining room at Central Bistro were discovered across vintage stores in Denver, including the red “HOT” sign hanging above the kitchen that originally came from a hotel sign.”