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.

While showing my Mom around the Netherlands we were hungry. I’d taken her to a few of my favorite local spots but today we were en route to a museum, and didn’t want to languish in a corner table from noon til three.

We saw a McDonald’s, made the usual jokes, and walked in for a burger and salad. I was schocked. This McDonalds was really, really nice! I can’t believe I’m writing this but I enjoyed being there! It seems I’m way behind the times, and over the past rew years McDonald’s has rebranded some stores in a Starbucks-eque cafe style chique. And what they’ve done is pretty aesthetically appealing.

I figured it was a Europe thing. I’ve read McDonald’s maintains nicer, larger restaurants overseas, and some locals actually do make the arches a destination for a Big Mac, or “Royale” as it’s called in France.

The location on Kalverstraat, a pedestrial shopping mall in the heart of Amsterdam was clean, well maintained, replete with comfortable chairs cozy spaces. A week later, departing Schiphol airport, I had coffee, milk and a croissant while killing a few hours awaiting my flight. Location? A beautiful, quiet and modern mezzanine overlooking the departures/transit area. You guessed it – it was a McDonald’s.

Upon my return home this week, my newfound McDonald’s curiousity brought me to the Belleview and I-25 location near my work. Sure enough this one was just as nice as the two Amsterdam locations, with soft leather chairs, WiFi and soft orange and yellow lighting. The staff was wearing jet black shirts and looked well kept and professional. I had a sausage biscuit and coffee before biking over to work.

Unfortunately the food is still the McDonald’s from my youth, and smells just as bad when carried onto an airplane. But without getting into fat and calorie counts I’m certain a Quarter Pounder and a Diet coke won’t induce any more heart attacks than a Starbucks triple mocha latte with whip cream, downed with an oily muffin.

There it is – three McDonald’s restaurants in two weeks. Good job McDonald’s on the rebranding. I may not return often but it’s a nice look. Sorry it took me three years to notice it.

Downtown Denver

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

A coworker of mine has a long time friend who’s lived in Marrakesh for 20 years. We exchanged emails leading up to my trip, and she informed me about the festival and to “not be surprised at live sheep being driven around town on motorbikes or cars.” She was kind enough to meet for dinner my first night in town for wonderful meal and informative introduction to the city.

While Tuesday was bustling at the Souk, (the mazes of markets stalls in the center of the city), with families buying food and supplies for the holiday, I was told Wednesday would be a slow day in the city with many shops and restaurants closed while families spent time together.

The owner of the Riad I stayed at (report to come) arranged a guide who didn’t mind working the holiday and took myself and two girls from Australia, also staying at the Riad, on a day trip to the Lower Atlas Mountains.

He drove us outside the city, up some canyon and mountain roads (very similar to Colorado) and after a few photo stops we arrived at the town of Achayn, where the elegant Kasbah du Toubkal Hotel is situated on a hill with views of the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages on the hillsides.

Our guide Mohamed and his family lived in one of the villages a short walk from the hotel. After time spent relaxing amid the peaceful rooftops staring at the jaw dropping views Mohamed returned and took us for a walk through the villages where we saw families preparing their sheep, and to a waterfall a short hike up the canyon.

We didn’t ask for or expect what happened next: He took the three of us to his home for a meal. We removed our shoes and sat on the comfortable rugs atop his roof, with the same incredible views of the mountains and valley. His father made mint tea, taking 10 minutes to add and filter then mint and sugar. After tea the family prepared a table on the rooftop, and we were served a dish of lamb, with dates and walnuts. We ate it with the bread, but of course reluctantly used the forks on hand. We had an onion and olive salad with pomegranate for dessert.

Mohamed is one of seven children, with most of his sisters married. We met his Father, Mother and cousins He spoke English very well, and was able to tell us about his family’s history and their home. Of course he and his mother wondered why on earth the two girls, a few years younger than myself, were not married yet.

I’m grateful to this family for having me over to see a real Berber home in the mountains, and to share one of the best meals and visits that I’ve ever experienced.

The one thing lacking in these airports however, from Van Nuys to Laramie, is decent foods. Restaurant options in most FBOs (private operators) consist of a few vending machines and if you’re lucky some fresh brewed coffee. Some small town airports might have a cafe serving fresh sandwiches, but they’re usually open from 10-3 on Saturdays, and that’s if the person shows up.

Centennial airport in southeast Denver is known as the second busiest general aviation airport in the country, second to Van Nuys in Los Angeles. “The Perfect Landing” restaurant is located on site, and they’re open real hours with a very impressive and substantial menu. I vist with work friends every few months to eat – and of course gawk at the variety of private aircraft moving around the field.

I haven’t been here for dinner yet, but for lunch I usually enjoy the grilled Atlantic salmon salad salmon salad. They offer plenty more American plates like Prime Rib and a Philly Steak sandwich. I’ve only done breakfast once – which was a few years back and did the chicken fried steak. I saw on their menu yesterday “Virginia Beach crab cakes with eggs” Anyplace that does crab cakes for breakfast gets my vote.

The close for a few hours every afternoon, but reopen in the evening for a happy hour complete with piano bar.

Pairing the diverse menu is the view from the second floor of the main terminal: A sweeping 180 degree view of the front range, with the two runways and ramps right in full view. You can watch sleek corporate jets speed down the runway for takeoff, and low time private pilots wobble in and bounce their practice landings over and over.

It’s a great restaurant and a lively spot for a suburban airport. I recommend a visit, and if you’re passing through via land or air it’s a fine place for a fuel stop and some great food.

They’re at 7625 South Peoria. From East Arapahoe turn south towards the airport, and park at the Denver Jet Center building.

Full menu at The Perfect Landing .com

I woke up on my first morning of a New Orleans stay and already had my utilitarian robot breakfast in the hotel.

Immediately after my friend asked if I was in the mood for brunch at The Court of Two Sisters. I told him I wasn’t that hungry, and was only planning to wander the French Quarter taking some photos, and also the aroma of beer fermenting the gutters.  I told him I’d join him for coffee and a bagel. He then informed me that it’s a one price buffet. None of this “order one small item” business. I didn’t want to spend $30 dollars when I wasn’t even that hungry, but reminding me that I was “in New Orleans” he convinced me to do it anyway and I’m glad I did.

I was overwhelmed at the selection, and chose to try a little of everything in as modest of portions as I could: Crawfish, turtle soup, and shrimp with remoulade sauce – (that’s a southern dip with horseradish and worstershire sauce.) For the main course I had two orders of eggs benedict, and for dessert a hefty slab of bread pudding.

It was an immense breakfast  – but we stopped short of turning it into a “Man versus Food” episode.

The restaurant is indoor and outdoor, in a large old mansion with courtyard. Entry is through a tunnel like passage (originally used for horses) leading to the dining area and courtyard.

This being the first morning after arrival I noted a small cultural observation of how polite the locals are. My friend and I sat at a two seat table inside against the courtyard window. Everyone that passed by us, whether staff or patron, nodded or said a polite “excuse me”, even though they weren’t interrupting us in the least.

An immense brunch of new flavors, and a perfect counterpart to my favorite dinner restaurant the Praline Connection which I visited on my 2006 trip.

The Court of Two Sisters is at 613 Royal Street, in the French Quarter.
http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/

That’s not to say you can’t find locally grown fruits and veggies in the U.S., or that the similar big box processes aren’t found in a Mexican Super Walmart or Gigante, but coming from a local market where eggs are so fresh they don’t need to be refrigerated, it’s a change. If I’m staying somewhere for more than a couple nights I always prefer to rent an apartment or hostel with a kitchen – and make my first stop is to a local market. It’s cost effective, fun and doesn’t force you to eat every meal at a restaurant.

At local markets you notice the differences. Last fall in Argentina I saw box delivery truck with a fully stripped cow hanging by its legs in the back, stopped in front of a restaurant early morning. While it was surprising to see I realized and appreciated this meat was probably on a farm just days ago, and after being processed was now being delivered to butchers and restaurants, rather than being stripped down in a factory and hauled across the country on a refrigerated semi truck.

Meanwhile back in the states we have seven step placards on how to wash our hands.

In April I had just spent a week in and around Puerto Vallarta. (I somehow wound up going here three times in 11 months with different people.) I tip well and am not a high maintenance diner, but I do have one habit in restaurants: I like to pick where I sit. I certainly won’t hog a huge table for two people, but if I spot a quiet table back in the corner versus being seated in the center or middle of traffic flow I don’t hesitate to ask to me moved. Friends with server experience have told me this is annoying since they attempt to evenly spread patrons to each person’s section. That’s completely understandable, but if I’m spending my hard earned money on a nice dinner I want the best possible experience.

In Mexico, or in any local restaurant who’s appreciative of your business, should you say “That table looks perfect,” the host will usher you over, pull out your chair and say “Enjoy your meal.” A meal is an event, and it’s understood that the ambiance is part of that meal. That’s exactly what happens every time at the Espresso Ristorante, a favorite Italian place pictured above in Vallarta.

Jump back to my last return to the U.S., when in less than 20 minutes after clearing customs I was reminded of the glaring corporate lifestyle. We had a few hours to kill in Phoenix before my Mom, Caleb and I connected to our respective cities, and I walked us down to the Chili’s (US Airways terminal) to relax and have a beer.

My Mom wanted to sit on the faux “patio,” or the quiet area looking into the mall like terminal. I told the host we were going to grab the small table and an extra chair. “No No,” he said. “The two seat tables must remain only two so servers and patrons can pass through.” Understanding that, I told him the table was at the end of the aisle and there were no other customers in that area. He gave us a pained look, so not wanting to be “that guy” I acquiesced and followed him to a booth in the noisy interior, where I learned the names of toy dinosaurs from a rambunctious five year old on the other side of the half wall.

It certainly didn’t ruin my evening, or make me hate Chili’s, but abruptly transitioning from a relaxed less rigid atmosphere to an establishment governed by well meaning rules is a stark and noticeable contrast. While a schematic of rules and operational methods benefit the greater good of corporate continuity it often creates obstacles to simple enjoyment when applied in a non-logical manner…

I believe a good response to customer service is “If that makes you happy, doesn’t bother anyone else, we’ll be happy to oblige!” More companies should make their their mantra.

My friends rave about their latest “Phah,” experiences and how great it is. I never gave it much thought, but its popularity has seen new hip and trendy Pho places springing up everywhere. I confirmed this back in January driving through West Hollywood and seeing a quick serve restaurant signed “9021 Pho.” Ugh.

Flash to last month; Caleb and I are headed to L.A. for the night and he suggests Pho for dinner. The drive north from Orange County allows plenty of time for research. I started with Yelp and found a place in trendy Silver Lake. When I read a comment about the halogen lights being too bright against the stainless steel mentally crossed it off. Ditto for “9021 Pho.”

A few reviews later found “Pho La” in L.A.’s Koreatown. Not a chain, and not in a prefab building. In fact Pho La is in a strip mall full of Korean businesses, including one of those darkened video game places where kids play real time with each other, headsets and all, until they pass out from lack of eating.

Pho-La is a minimalist place with menus and random photos adorning the wall. Bright and clean, simple the way I like it. I let Caleb pick everything out. We started with summer rolls, and for our Pho he ordered pork for him and beef strips for me. Soup is filling, especially when homemade. Pho is no different. The rich fatty broth is a meal in itself, and gives a unique flavor to the meats simmering to rareness in the broth. Rarely do you find flavors like ginger and radishes in soup, much less with meat that’s been simmering for hours.

Both of ours were regular sizes, and I couldn’t imagine finishing a large. After finishing half the beef bowl I heated it up with some hot sauce – still managing to finish a quarter more. The perfect dish or starting, or ending, a night out on the town.

They’re at 3470 West 6th Street, between Vermont and Normandie. Now to find a similar place in Denver…

While awaiting the shuttle I checked out the Ramada’s lobby PC. I’m sad to report that after three years and two unanswered emails to Ramada, this PC didn’t appear to be any more secure than the Detroit airport PC I encountered a few years back. Lesson to all: Don’t check your email, bank accounts or airline reservations on these pieces of garbage, unless you want to board the keylogger/identity theft express train. Who wants that when traveling?

Next to the Ramada is Growers Direct. When I caught glimpse of this medium sized greenish hued building I thought it was a medical marijuana dispensary. I realized the store was too big and the grocery bags being carried out would far exceed the MMJ limit.

I walked in and saw a well organized clean local market, stocked high with fruits and vegetables from local growers and suppliers. The store is small and easy to browse and find items among the bustling patrons. I grabbed a few apples and checked out the goods while fawning at the perfection of a retail establishment devoted to local goods – and a place that was open regular hours rather than a four hour farmer’s market on a Sunday morning.

I returned the next morning for a hand picked breakfast of fruits, breads and juice. It definitely won out over the Denny’s next store.

Check ‘em out at 101 E 17th St. Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Most Yelpers like them too

I house a tiny pantry in my travel bag, which includes oatmeal, tea, raisins and nuts. Before heading off on a road trip or flight I throw in a few apples or bananas and all combined it’s enough variety that I never have to visit an overpriced airport fast food joint except for coffee or hot water. And I can eat on my schedule, not when the cart shuffles down to my row.

I was at Whole Foods last night and thought to ask if they had any cheese that could remain unrefrigerated, and they directed me to this hard parmesan sitting on an endcap.

This was under $2, and not much less cheese than United’s $6 unimpressive Assorted Cheese Tray which left me hungry when I tried it a few months back.

Whole Foods also sells small packages of meat and sausage, (like mini summer sausage,) which are about $5-$6 and easily fit in a carry on. With some crackers and mustard in a 3-1-1 jar you can make a perfect and cheap mini deli, and your seatmate with the pungent bag of soggy McDonald’s fries will be jealous.

Related: In Praise of Oatmeal

I put the analysis of United 811 on hold and got dressed. I already knew the ending, but I enjoy this show because it explores what would seem random chains of events and decisions  that lead up to these riveting catastrophes.

20 minutes later we were spelunking our way into Below, on Larimer Square.  First impressions: to access Below you don’t actually have to dodge angry beer soaked jocks, because the entrance is actually in the alley between Larimer and Lawrence. After some wandering we descended down the one lone staircase, walked through a long hall passing by doors leading to kitchens and storage rooms before finally walking in. I liked it.   Very cool space to relax and talk, a small dance floor and a quieter room behind the bar with giant white eighties style sofas.

It reminded me of small bars and clubs in Prague – located behind random hard to find doors you can only find after walking around the block three times. Unlike Prague, where Stereo MCs was overplayed everywhere my last visit, Below hosts DJ Rockstar Aaron on Thursdays who was happy to take, (and play,) some requests.  The crowed was light but picked up after midnight.  It was more than I expected for being open less than a month.

According to Westword Below first opened in 2008, attracting an industrial crowd with it’s medieval decor. Now the owner, Bill Ward, is marketing Below as an alternative club in Larimer Square.  Denver’s gay community isn’t lacking in places to meet up for cocktails and gossip, however outside of Tracks or Compound a decent DJ and dance floor is hard to find.  We’ll see if Below can fill that void.

The only negative is the parking, which by night doesn’t exist save for $20 a night lots.  However it’s summer – so I recommend finding a local B-Cycle station and ride there.

Check out Kathleen St. John’s Denver Post review for even more details…

Speaking of gossip:  United 811 occurred 15 years before this episode was made.   I have a really good hunch on what the two extremely attractive male and female flight attendants @:52 spent their settlement money on.  How about that pilot though – he’s like the Sully of 1988…

The “tea selection” at many coffee shops is often a few scant boxes of assorted Lipton’s bags. It’s nothing special and you don’t get the fun of a sugary mocha-frappa whatever or an exotic dark drip coffee. But Daz Bog has invested in some fresh flavors, (four types of black teas and a delicious peppermint among many others,) and on the counter proudly sits little containers to sample the aromas. Fresh tea is steeped and you get a tiny little red pot to keep at your table- keeping it hot during a long sit.

Color me impressed. This is a novel way to serve tea at a coffee shop, and the selection is a big improvement.

My coworker and outstanding photographer friend is a fan of Giordano’s, and informed us that they ship pizzas direct from Chicago, and that we’d be having them for lunch come Wednesday. I have no idea how much it costs to mail two deep dish pizzas, but thanks to SkyMall I know the shipping rate on Omaha steaks, and for that reason I only eat Omaha Steaks when physically in Omaha.

They arrived in a dry ice cooler box, and our chef who runs the building’s cafe was kind enough to let us borrow the oven after lunch hour died down. The two pizzas required the better part of an hour to cook – three inch crust and high elevation make for a long wait.

I don’t have that much deep dish pizza experience, as usually when in Chicago I go for Polish or my favorite Scottish place. For being frozen and shipped 1,000 miles it was really tasty, and a nice heavy treat from the thin crust chicken and veggie pizzas I make for myself at home.

We ordered the “special,” with sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, and a cheese with pepperoni for the second. Two slices later and I was stuffed. Not a bad way to spend lunch hour in the office. I’ll check them out in person on a future trip to the windy city.

Locations at Giordanos.com and if you want to ship one to yourself or your friend check out the details here…

I’ve been visiting Van’s Pastry for over 30 years. I didn’t exactly find it on my own at age five, but my Grandparent’s house was located just a few blocks away. They, and my two great aunts who lived in the house next door to them, were regular customers and I was a frequent guest. For them a visit to Van’s occurred at least once or twice a week, and the times I was along I remember it as well as when my great aunt would get dressed up in her best to drive downtown and pay the bill at the phone company. (I often think of her when I see people in flip flops and sweat pants at the grocery store.)

We’d walk a few blocks down Fulton Street to Van’s where my Grandma or great aunt would socialize with the staff and stock up on fresh breads and pastries. Our entire family including my aunts, uncles and cousins would often gather on Sunday afternoons and sit out on the yard shared be the two houses, and of course the desserts and pastries purchased earlier in the week would always be stocked in the metal cookie tins and wood handled bread boxes.

Last January I was in Grand Rapids doing some errands with my sister and we decided to go downtown and see the old houses. After they were sold in the late 90s they didn’t stay in the best of condition, but lately the area has experienced a well needed influx of love, and this block of Fulton Street is now home to a high end consignment store, a salon, and “The Green Life,” organic market. (The gentrification trifecta!)

We wandered around a bit and took some pictures of the two side by side houses – I was hoping someone might open the door asking what were up to so I could explain their wonderful history to the strangers that lived there now.

Returning to the car we saw that Van’s was open, (it was President’s Day,) and we stopped in and chatted for a while with Donna VanderMeer, who with her husband John runs the store. John and Donna took over the business years ago from John’s grandfather, who originally arrived from The Netherlands. Donna instantly knew us after we said who we were. She remembered my Grandfather well and told us, “He took such good care of those three ladies.” (Meaning my Grandma and my two great aunts next door.)

I asked a bit about the history, since during my many many childhood visits I was was less concerned with the history and more occupied in obtaining as many Dutch almond cookies as possible. She told us that Van’s has been in the same location since the 1920s when it was run John’s family. I asked her how they survived the ups and downs – knowing that Grand Rapids, like many other midwestern cities, experienced a dramatic drop in population in the 50s an 60s due to people scrambling to the suburbs.

When business took a turn for the worse the family started catering the desserts to local restaurants. See in West Michigan many of our family restaurants and locally owned chains have desserts for sale, (in addition to the rotating pie case,) so if you’re dining Saturday evening and forgot your sugar cookies for the next day’s church potluck you can still show up with some locally made goods. If you dump off a stale crinkly box of Meijer’s store brand generics you run the risk of being eternally murmured about until you can bake up an adequate casserole to repair your reputation. (Related note: grade school kids won’t touch the crappy Totino’s pizzas your Mom totes in on classroom pizza day when they can have hot greasy Little Caeaser’s – But that’s another story.)

This expansion kept Van’s with a roster of dependent business while the walk ins and neighborhood clientele fizzled for a spell, and has kept them going strong today. If you’re pining for some Dutch treats and history head to Van’s Pastry, and visit this family owned business that’s been serving the community almost shy of a century.

I found this 1939 advertisement from the book “Dutch Heritage in Kent and Ottawa Counties,” on Google Books.  The excellent top photo is from Scot on Flickr – courtesy of P912S/Scot.

Unrelated note: Van’s is also a block away from Spaanstra’s Auto. If you’re looking for an honest car mechanic they’ve been in business for decades as well, and have kept our extended family’s fleet of Buicks and Oldsmobiles running, well, as good as foreign cars! They have my stamp of approval.

At 955 East Fulton
616.458.1637