It’s been great to see local restaurants finally adjust their hours to take advantage of the many consumers out there looking for meal or a beverage. Little Brazil on 7333 W38TH Ave is now open every day except for Monday. Great cocktails, delicious menu and live music. Also great to see Colorado Plus Brewery now open every day except for Monday. Both restaurants offer great menus with delicious selections. Remember that without our support, these restaurants just close their doors and leave us with not many options.
I did make my way over to the newly opened Jin Asian Fusion on Kipling and 38th. This was the previous location of New China. The go to Chinese food for so many of us. This is a completely new restaurant with a new menu. Not as good as New China but in fairness, that was a pretty high bar I had set for them. I’m hoping my second visit will be much better. Let me know if you’ve had a chance to try them out.
New Year’s Eve had me go out and venture beyond the “great divider” (Sheridan) and visit the ever tasty El Camino’s Community Tavern on 32nd and Lowell in West Highlands. Excellent margaritas and always a lively conversation. We picked up friends and made it in time for reservations at the newly remodeled Coopers Lounge at the top floor of Union Station. Love this place but missed the old white leather decor that reminded me of the Miami airport lounge. My favorite bar tender (Q) (that actually lives in Edgewater) makes the best martini in town, bar none! Dinner took us to a new place by the name of Range on 918 W. 17th St downtown. Really nice place but frankly on that freezing night, I would have rather sat at Clancy’s Irish Pub for one of their wonderful beef stew. Moving on and just in time for our 9PM reservations, we walked into Benzina. Brad, the owner greeted us like family. Benzina is located at 4839 East Colfax. A converted old style gas station (hence the name) and is well worth the trek from Wheat Ridge. Excellent selection of wines, paired with a very tasty menu.
With the clock getting closer to the witching hour, it was only appropriate to move our party to somewhere new but with tons of history. The Squire Lounge, located at 1800 East Colfax first opened 85 years ago (1940). The ultimate dive bar was recently renovated but clearly kept its edge, attracting everything and everyone under the moon. Cold drinks, warm smiles and even a mystery room which I plan on exploring on my next visit.
Looking ahead, I am so excited about the Saint Patrick’s Day Festival, once again coming to Wheat Ridge (March 17th) and of course hosted and organized by Clancy’s Irish Pub. It is a week long celebration that attracts 4,000 people, with many being first time visitors to Wheat Ridge. It usually is the biggest revenue week for the businesses on our Main Street on 38th Ave.
Look for a couple of new places opening soon in Wheat Ridge.
