Future Gringo | Travel.Photoblog by James Van Dellen » Denver

Bastien’s Restaurant . Denver

James Van Dellen — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:22:54 +0000

Nightime shot, commemorating the original owner who passed away last week. One of Denver’s oldest steakhouses, and still looks the same as it did in the 60s. (In this case a great thing!)

bastiensrestaurant.com/

First Snow

James Van Dellen — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:50:24 +0000

Now Boarding . Denver Art Museum

James Van Dellen — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:04:02 +0000

Now Boarding: Fentress Airports + The Architecture of Flight is an exhibit at the Denver Art Museum showcasing the projects of Denver based Fentress Architects.

They’re the mind and design behind such enormous works including the (somewhat) new Denver International Airport, South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, and the soon to be opened Tom Bradley terminal at LAX.

Featured are photographs, designs, and models of past, present and future projects.

Denver Art Museum through October 7th.

Millennium Bridge . Denver

James Van Dellen — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:02:00 +0000

Riverfront Park

High Park Fire . Colorado

James Van Dellen — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:49:05 +0000

An airline pilot friend took this from the plane.

Coors Field . Denver

James Van Dellen — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:21:37 +0000

Afternoon game day…

Brother’s Barbeque

James Van Dellen — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:01:44 +0000

Most downtown Denverites know about the Brother’s BBQ at 6th and Clarkson – with its easy Capitol Hill location and close to surrounding neighborhoods. The staff is always in a great mood and I love picking dinner up there on nights I don’t care to cook.

But if you’re at work or travel through the corporateland Denver Tech Center the other location at I-25 and Arapahoe Road is one of the best southest lunch spots. It’s been located here for a few years, housed in a former Denny’s, although you would never know if from the inside.

Despite being a popular lunch place the lines are never long. It’s a bright open place – and even has a full service bar for those that need a lunch time pick me up. The photo below, rapidly snapped from my phone, is probably one of the best local food porn pics I’ve taken and makes me hungry just posting it.

Photo . Buenos Aires Pizzeria

James Van Dellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:00:12 +0000

Or more specifically – the ice cream shop next door, with their many, many flavors of Dulce de Leche.

Downtown Denver

Saturday Rally

James Van Dellen — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:37:39 +0000

I biked down to the library last Saturday morning, thinking they opened at noon. After I pushed through the throng of “residence challenged” folks milling by the door I was informed by the guard they now open at 1pm.

I was certain it used to be noon, and thought at rate they’ll soon be open from 3- 3:15pm. At least they are no longer closed on Wednesdays.

I planned to amble around downtown and grab a coffee, but I saw a crowd across the street at the State Capitol building so I figured I see who was protesting what today. When I saw the all the bikes and dogs I had a hunch it wasn’t anything too right wing extreme, and I was right – it was actually a pro-labor pro-rally in support of the Wisconsin demonstrations.

I did see about six tea party folks, dressed up in the colonial garb and waving a big 13 star flag, but didn’t see any heated arguments as described in this article.

After watching the speeches wrap up a couple friends spotted me and came up to chat. I knew them well enough to sheepishly admist I was just waiting for the library to open but by all means still supported the cause. Or at least can’t fathom how anyone can support pay cuts for teachers.

Imperial Chinese . Denver

James Van Dellen — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:05:49 +0000

I took a visitor to Imperial Chinese a couple weeks back on a slow Monday night. When I tell people I’m “taking them out for Chinese” they usually picture a small take-out joint with brilliantly shiny linoleum floors and a few small round tables and hard back chairs to hunch over. Imperial Chinese is the complete opposite, with a lavish dining room and exquisite service and staff, making it a nice treat for a guest or out of towner.

I eat here often, as it’s is one of the finest Chinese restaurants in Denver, and still manages to offer reasonable prices. The owner, Johnny Hsu, even knows me by name. Surprisingly, of the thousands of photos I collect from everywhere I go and everything I do I don’t have a shot of the interior here. However take my word it’s a delightful place.

This time my friend and I split the Peking Duck. Over the years I’ve eaten almost everything here (save for the standard sweet and sour chicken) but never did the Peking Duck – mainly due the enormous proportions of ordering the one big duck for myself.

We decided to give the duck a try – splitting it with my usual appetizer of lettuce wraps. This made for a perfect dinner for two. The roast duck, crispy brown skin and plum sauce were perfect, and all this time I never had the fun of tucking the duck breasts into these little flaky pancakes with the sweet sauce. Definitely a treat I wish I had tried much sooner.

Given the quality of their other plates I have no qualms about recommending this as one of the best Chinese places in Denver. (Ming’s Dynasty over in Glendale is nice, but I do consider this a step up.)

They’re at 431 South Broadway at Alameda, next to the Taco Bell. The two share a parking lot, so you can prank your date by pulling in and nonchalantly stating you’re in the mood for a flattened cheesy bean enchilada.

More at Imperial Chinese . com