on stories.

today i came to a simple conclusion. stories are important. 

and we’ll never hear stories if we don’t put aside our busy lives and just listen. i came to this realization today as i was waiting for my sandwich at whole foods. as usual, i asked for a suggestion, took the suggestion, and was looking forward to what today’s sandwich man would come up with. and then i pulled out my phone and started to check my email. 

and then i paused. i felt as though this sandwich man had something important to share. so i put my phone away and asked him a simple question. “how has your day been?.” 

“good, nothing special though,” he said. and then we started chatting. i asked him if he was a father and if he had any special plans for today. he said that he had no big plans, that his kids were far away right now: one in bangkok with her pilot boyfriend and the other somewhere else in the nation. “both of them called and let me know they were thinking about me, and that is what is important.” 

robert, today’s wonderful 60-something sandwich man told me a lot about his life. he grew up in DC and moved out here to denver when him and his wife separated because she had moved out here and he missed his kids too much to stay out east. he worked in restaurants for many years after school and had a graphic design business on the side. after a while, he went full time with his graphic design business and did a lot of work for many of his friends in the restaurant industry. i asked if he was still doing any design work and sadly, he said no. he said that when he started he was on the cutting edge of technology, he was a pioneer in the field and was very successful because of it. he said to go back into that field today would be tough. “i’ve got a lot to learn. but thankfully there is a three year program at metro state that i’ve looked into so, we’ll see.” 

i can only hope he gets back to doing what he is passionate about. there are too many people in this world not doing what makes them happy. [[“don’t ask what the world needs. ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – howard thurman.]] 

so, the moral of the story. put your phone away. ask questions. hear people’s stories. you’ll never know what simple or profound thing they will teach you about life.

most days, it’s the small things || steam espresso bar, denver

“enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things.”

i’ve been sitting at steam all morning: thinking, drawing, researching, and planning. getting excited about this creative journey i’m embarking on.

steam, a new coffee shop that opened in denver just a couple months ago has found a special place in my heart. and not only in my heart, but the hearts of many other locals, it seems.

hani, the owner of thisphoto studio turned espresso bar himself is a character transformed; an international starbucks barista turned coffee aficionado. he really has made this place a gem. the brick walls, wood floors, beautiful wood community table, elegant but not over-zealous chandeliers, handled kerr jar mugs, and outdoor patio make this place irresistible to platt park’s local hispters, businessmen, entrepreneurs, and socialites.

next to me this morning, two men chat about their companies database and account management system, across the shop, a mom and daughter catch up over an iced tea. in the back corner, three veteran businessmen plan their next venture. outside on the patio two twenty-somethings giggle and gossip about their weeks and weekend plans. a man in suspenders and a crisp button up fills a silver tray with macaroons that were just delivered from a local bakery. and it all happens so seamlessly, so naturally. it is no wonder people love this place.

it is all of the little details of this place that make it what it is.

and that is the perfect reminder that in life, it is the little things that matter. it is the little details, the small gestures, and the simple words that have the potential to make a difference.

i say this for two reasons, for two experiences i have had here today.

ONE: the men seated next to me this morning [the one’s who were working on the database], asked if i would like the piece of cake that they had been eyeing all morning. i asked hesitantly why they weren’t going to eat it. “we’ve already had breakfast and we’re on our way out. hani gave this to us because he messed up our coffee order.” after accepting the slice of almond cake and taking a bite, i realized quickly another reason why people come here, stay here, and c

ome back here day after day. hani takes care of his customers. the almond cake was spongy with a sweet but not-too-sweet layer of sugared almonds on top. definitely worth a try.

an hour later, hani approached my table with a beautiful latte adorned with latte art. ‘i’m just practicing’, he said, ‘would you like a latte?’. i may be shaking from caffeine overload, but i’m totally okay with it. hani’s personal customer service and that of his suspender wearing-staff do not go unnoticed here at steam.

 

SO – wandering down pearl street? in the wash park-ish area? make a special trip here. you’ll be very happy you did. and while you’re here, take a moment to notice all of the little details, all of the little things that make this place an incredible addition to the neighborhood.

cheers,

onesmallgrain

LIVE: Denver Restaurant Week Menus

LIVE: Denver Restaurant Week Menus

the time has finally come – 2013’s 5280 Restaurant Week. the menu’s are live and reservations are being accepted.

$52.80. 2 people. 3 courses. some of the GREATEST restaurants in town.

i’ve missed out the past couple of years. don’t follow in my footsteps. 

thirteen in thirteen

i love living near the city, denver specifically. part of the reason? there is so much unknown space, so much room to explore, to learn, and to jump outside of my comfort zone. i love exploring new shops, i love sipping on lattes, new coffee shops, and sipping on cocktails at new happy hours. but most of all, i love pleasing my palate at new restaurants.

for 2013, i’m going to try to try thirteen new restaurants – and i’m going to write about them. i’m going to share the sights, the sounds, the scenes, the service, and my overall satisfaction. one every month and two during one month i’m feeling extra adventurous (or my pocketbook is feeling more flexible).

i have a few on my list already; here they are. a few other ideas are stewing. recommended dishes, required edits, or places to add to this list are all greatly appreciated!

i’ll be needing fellow foodies, let me know if you’d like to join in on the fun!

1. trattoria stella
2. central bistro and bar
3. lucille’s creole café
4. duo (people rave about their BRUNCH!)

FYI, i’d love to see a great authentic mexican restaurant, a thai restaurant, and a killer pizza restaurant added to this list!

and, if all goes well with my restaurant explorations, i’ll move on to coffee shops, happy hours, ice cream shops, food trucks, wine bars, etc. this could be fun.

if this quote doesn’t explain my reasoning behind thirteen in thirteen, i don’t know what does.

food of the streets.

EDIT: check out this wonderful reel of pictures from westword about the justice league of street food event in june!

saying i’ve become obsessed with street food is an understatement. and while my love for street food stems back to my first scoop of queso ice cream from the rolling ice cream carts in manila, this obsession has recently blossomed.

although i highly recommend taking a local along if you decide to conquer the street food of south east asia, the street food scene here in denver is one i give you full permission to explore solo. a good place to start? civic center eats. every tuesday from 11-2 in civic center parks, more than two dozen food trucks line up to cater lunch for the downtown crowd. all of those trucks in once place is a great way to get to know the trucks.. have an appetizer from one truck, an entree from another, dessert from another, a drink from another, and then go back for seconds from another if you’d like. and then go back on thursday. repeat. you’ll have half the trucks covered. easily.

while civic center eats is far from intimidating, i found something that is not for the faint of heart. well at least that is what the name suggests. but it should be awesome! it’s called the justice league of street food. a group of food trucks that is ‘saving denver one mobile meal at a time’. the next bash is taking place next saturday, august 4th at sustainability park (another AWESOME gem denver has to offer) from 5-10pm. gina from the denver cupcake truck (a quick shoutout to their red velvet and surprisingly delicious maple bacon cupcakes) told me about this fantastic event which brings together the great street food community of denver; both trucks making the food and people willing to simply eat. pack your tennis shoes and bring your game face because this month’s theme relates to one of our favorite events happening right now, the summer games. even if you don’t plan on eating, i’m sure this event will be one you don’t want to miss.

another quick tidbit i can’t sign off without sharing…an excellent resource for us street foodies. romainghunger.com is my least intimidating suggestion when it comes to conquering street food. essentially a twitter feed just for food trucks, this website shows the latest updates from local trucks. headed downtown and craving a mobile meal? checkit out. want to know what and where your favorite truck is serving tonight? check it out. and denver is not the only city on the menu. so why not plan your next road trip around street food? i’m planning on it.

sidewalk shopping.

looking for something to do this weekend in denver?

check this out: the 42nd annual cherry creek sidewalk sale.

10-5 thursday, friday and saturday. 11-5 sunday.

nearly 100 cherry creek boutiques and businesses will be participating. here’s the list! the map is here too, check it out!

happy shopping!

weirdly wonderful.

summer seems to bring out the crazy of this wonderful city. this article highlights some of the most outrageous, cooky, off the wall happenings the mile high city has to offer!

one thing i’m most looking forward to being a part of? one of the weekly denver cruiser rides! these crazy, costumed rides around downtown denver are apparently a HUGE hit and have been since they started in denver a number of years ago. after having stopped at a few key locations around the city, the ride ends with a circle of death – a small but intense round about of crazy bikers. rumor has it the craziest of bikers even dare to circle against the normal flow of traffic.. i think i’ll have to see the madness to believe it myself.

how about a trip to the county fair? who doesn’t love pie eating competitions, robot wars, paper airplane competitions, skits from casa bonita, speed texting competitions, food trucks and oh i cannot even imagine how much more! sunday of the fair is titled ‘viva denver’ and it’s ‘celebrando la diversidad de denver’, HOW AWESOME! some events on sunday include: dora the explorer, a sopapillas toss, a quinceañera pagent, pin the tail on the burro, and a sugar skull making workshop. the entire lineup for this event (taking place august 10-12) is not for the faint of heart. so put on your overalls, prepare your best chicken dance and get ready for some good, old fashioned fun. i’m going, hope to see you there!

and don’t forget, the cherry creek arts festival is taking place this weekend – be there or be square!

have a great weekend, denver!

heat wave? ice cream cures that.

friday, june 22nd: 100° F

saturday, june 23rd: 102°F

sunday, june 24th : 101°F

it’s been a little warm here in denver this past week. and by a little warm i mean scorching. what better way to eradicate the heat that a trip to the infamous little man ice cream shop in the highland neighborhood of denver.

their brandied peach sorbet is to die for. a good friend of mine, gergana, had the lemon-lime sorbet; the perfect tart ice cold treat for a day like yesterday!

for only $1.99, the little man kiddie scoop was the perfect amount of peach perfection to whisk away at least some of yesterday’s perspiration. and what’s even better about little man? locally sourced, seasonal, and organic ingredients combined in small batches to produce some of the best ice cream, gelato, and sorbet around.

if you’re in denver this summer, i highly recommend a trip! it’s even accessible by footbridge from the end of the 16th street mall!

stay cool, denver!

sandbox soiree.

i obviously haven’t written here for a while. why? i’ll be honest. it has been hard for me, since my return to america, to find adventure and excitement in a familiar place. and maybe it sounds snotty, stuck-up, and a little pretentious, but i’m just being honest: when you go from exploring the very foreign, always interesting, hysterically busy streets of south america, the steets of denver feel somewhat boring. and at least to me, they often don’t seem blog worthy.

last weekend, two of my roommates, katie and paige, katie’s mom, and katie’s sister spent saturday exploring a new neighborhood in denver. the highland’s, one of denver’s up and coming hip neighborhoods is full of surprises and adventure. we found a bread shop, a wine shop, a cheese shop, a stationary shop, a cupcake bakery, a mexican restaurant, a bookstore, and a few cute boutiques. and i’m sure we left a lot unexplored. that afternoon we made a drive to loveland, a town about 45 minutes from denver, to explore katie’s cousin’s brewery – the long awaited results of college dorm-room brewing experimentation. it’s expeditions like these that make me realize i need to be more thankful for the adventure waiting for me in my own backyard. after all, isn’t that what we did as little ones? the sandbox and the swingset were foreign lands, full of mystery and hours worth of fun. the perfect place for a soiree.

so here’s to changing my attitude, to being a kid again, to having soiree’s in the sandbox, and most importantly, here’s to being fascinated by the familiar.

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