Moving Back to Colorado

May 2021

We're starting to settle in, spending more time with our granddaughter...

... and dinner out. Tonight down to Larimer Street and wonderful Rioja.

OMG, my artichoke tortelloni was amazing, with artichoke-goat cheese mousse, white truffle brodo, queso de mano, chervil.

Mrs. SFO777's seared halibut.

And my delicious grilled Berkshire pork chop.

Welcome to downtown Denver. LOL.

Dinner on the roof top patio of our apartment.

And then there was my brief 48 hour junket to Paris CDG and ATH, starting with the inaugural Air France Denver-Paris nonstop.

Flight was OK but the best part was buying the CDG La Première ground package available to recent La Première passengers on flights without a La Première cabin.

Some highlights of our 9 hour visit...

After a quick overnight at the Sofitel Athens Airport, a short morning flight to Frankfurt and then the newly reopened First Class Lounge.

And after a miserable trek to our gate, the oasis that is Lufthansa 748 First Class...

For the full report on this trip, visit SFO777.com.

Back home, dinner at Barolo Grill in Cherry Creek. A few pics from barologrilldenver.com.

Our table.

Truffle night...

Halibut pour Madame.

Duck pour moi.

Awwwww.

And then off again to DIA for a quick business trip to Syracuse and upstate New York. Breakfast at the new-ish DEN Amex Centurion Lounge.

The egg, cheese and spicey tomato dish was excellent and fortunuately filling...

As this was the "meal" on my 3 hour United Express nonstop to SYR.

On the other hand, I connected at ORD on my return and was fortunate to book UA's ORD-DEN lie flat 777.

A few days later, dinner at Narrative at The Jacquard. Pic from narrativecherrycreek.com.

Mrs. SFO777's steak frites.

And my delicious short ribs.

Later that week, my latest attempt at replicating Alain Ducasse's Coquillettes jambon a la Truffe Noir.

Our Day in Vail

Our day in Vail

SFO777jr-LAX and his kids visited for three days mid July. We all headed up to Vail to check out the summer Adventure Pass activities.

Traffic great until 7 miles before the Tunnel, when it came to a halt and was bumper to bumper. No idea why although Apple Maps showed construction. Sure enough, down to one lane for the last mile and thousands of orange cones. With not a hint of actual construction work.

These were the only "workers" we saw.

40 mph speed limit?? LOL..

Work Zone Ahead... more lies from CDOT.

Nothing. Zero. Nada.

A half hour later...

The parking garage was surprisingly full. OK, free all day summer parking explains that one.

Heading up in the gondola.

With CDOT workers gone for the day, we got back to Denver in about 75 minutes. Freshened up and then headed to Table 6 for dinner. Pic from table6denver.com.

The next day, we had planned to hike Red Rocks but some of us were still sore from yesterday's 4 mile hike at Vail. I suggested TopGolf. Alas I neglected to reserve in advance, not realizing that it was half-price Tuesday. We passed on the 2.5 hour wait and headed to the movies and the very entertaining Black Widow.

And then dinner at Matsuhisa. Pic from matsuhisarestaurants.com/denver

OMG, what an amazing dinner.

Dining around Denver and more

Today we're heading south to Parker to show Mrs. SFO777 the area and drive by a few homes. But first, someone has her priorities. LOL.

Thirty minutes later, down I-25 and E470, we're in Parker. Some nice areas but we crossed Parker off the list, with its seemingly never ending progression of crappy retail strip centers and tens of thousands of new tract homes.

On our way back north, we stopped at Seasons 52 at Park Meadows in Lone Tree. Pic from the Seasons52 website.

The next morning, I'm off to Pittsburgh. Breakfast in the Centurion Lounge.

Mainline United nonstop to The Burgh.

Older and wiser, I brought my own DIY tumbler and limes.

Crappy UA "lunch" options of inedible green/blue sandwiches or the Tapas Snack Box.

Yeah, that's heathly.

After morning meetings with a supplier east of Pittsburgh, the 90 minute drive back to the airport for my 5:15pm PIT-DEN nonstop. Interesting and very familiar logo on the way at IN & OUT Tire Lube. Imitation is the best form of flattery... until the lawyers start calling.

I arrived with enough time for quick stop (for limes) at the pleasant The Club.

Sadly, still on the Covid protocal so none of the usual Pittsburgh food specialties.

On board, food options were the same as yesterday. So I took the Tapas box for the smoked almonds.

Fortunately, I wisely bought some spicy tuna rolls in the terminal.

We arrived DEN at Gate B10 (seemingly near Wyoming), and my first view of the new B concourse extension.

Back home, my quarterly shipment from Flaviar, a Fathers Day gift from SFO777jr-LAX.

A few days later, we did our next round of suburb home exploring and almost put an offer on a home in Littleton. Then downtown for dinner, back to Larimer Square.

And a place called Bistro Vendome.

Not the best start as I rejected the first two tables and finally settled for quiet table in the "wine cellar".

While the food was good, the wine selections were disappointing, borderline pathetic. I order a bottle of Chablis (one of only 5 Chardonnays on the menu) only to be told that they'd run out. "We only ordered 8 bottles". LOL

Mrs. SFO777 loved her onion soup.

My steak tartar was excellent.

My sea bass was outstanding as were the delicious frites.

The next night, we picked up the Denver kids and our granddaughter for dinner at 801 Chophouse, at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Pic from shopcherrycreek.com.

Pic from 801chophouse.com.

A far contrast to last night, this place has an amazing and extensive wine list.

Bacon wrapped scallops. Meh.

On the other hand, my wedge salad was very good.

My filet was fabulous and perfectly medium rare plus.

The next morning from my office, yeah that's not for me.

Dinner at home a few days later, Mrs. SFO777's delicious beet salad with panko fried goat cheese.

A Busy September

With a quick three day trip to Europe followed by a weekend in the Bay Area, September is shaping up to be busy.

But first up, dinner at Mizuna, an old favorite.

Pic from mizunadenver.com

While the regular menu looked nice, we opted for the blind tasting menu with wine pairing. Note to self, don't do this again.

Horchata and potato amuse bouche. Meh.

On the other hand, the smoked salmon mousse and everything bagel strusel was good.

Next up was the Mushroom Medley, grilled, roasted, fried and poblano crema. Tasty.

Vegetable Tartar, with lingonberry, golden beet, fresno, tomato, keluga caviar and oyster mushroom. Meh, with soggy blinis.

The Purple Potato Gnocchi... with prawns, saffron cream and truffle was OK. The trufle was apparently just a visual prop as it was tasteless.

The Pan Seared Black Bass with tetra squash and mokum carrot was quite good, but the cherry soy overpowering,

The Pork Collar was, in a word... dreadful.

Pre-dessert...

And the Raspberry Lime Semifreddo.

Back home the next night....

And then our first visit to Restaurant Olivia in Wash Park. Pics from @olivia_pasta.

Tonight's menu.

Homemade focaccia bread was amazing.

Mrs. SFO777's Zucchini Arancini was fabulous, with feta and Olathe sweet corn.

My charred Spanish Octopus was outstanding, with sherry braised white beans, 'Nduja sausage, black garlic.

For my main, the Malfadine, tomato braised meatballs, confiit cherry tomatoes, pecorino cream. Delicious.

Mrs. SFO777 had the fabulous Chicken Saltimbocca Ravioli, crispy prosciuto, roasted mushrooms, sage.

What an enjoyable meal. We'll be back soon.

A few days later, Mrs. SFO777 and dog sitting this weekend after the kids dropped him off at our apartment.

But first, I'm off on another 72 hour mileage run to Zurich and Paris via P/S LAX (The Private Suite at LAX, Swiss First Class to Zurich, dinner at Restaurant Guy Savoy Paris and Air France La Première back home. A few pics with the full report here.

Back home, another round of grilling on our rood top deck.

And then downtown for our first visit to Tavernetta, the Denver outpost of Boulder's Frasca.

Later that week, a quick weekend trip to the Bay Area to visit SFO777Jr-SFO and family. Although a rocky start with United... a gate and terminal change, a mechanical and another gate and terminal change.

With the delay, we headed to lunch at Elway's.

Denver to San Jose

United 276

A320

11:45a-1:15p (sked)

12:50p-2:00p (actual)

September 17, 2021

The third plane of the day is the charm. Yeah, Elway's was an excellent choice considered the garbage on board.

Watching our grandson playing flag football next morning...

... and soccer that afternoon...

That night, a nice dinner at Reve in Lafayette.

After baseball Sunday morning, we headed to Yountville for lunch. The line at Bouchon Bakery.

While we headed to Bistro Jeanty, one of our old faves from years ago.

Heading for SFO.

San Francisco to Denver

United 1233

737MAX

6:30P-10:00p

September 19, 2021

Tonight we're on time. Old and wiser, I brought my own snacks.

United's chicken orzo is actually pretty good. And the Pie in the Sky cookie is wonderful.

Later that week, a late lunch at Hillstone Cherry Creek.

Mrs. SFO777's fabulous shrimp and pasta.

Awww.

Next up is El Five another cool Denver restaurant.

Rounding out the month, my latest attempt at Alain Ducasse's Coquillettes Jambon/Truffe Noir.

And October

As the calendar turned to October, so did Mrs. SFO777's desire to get out of the apartment and find a house. So, we stepped up our efforts and explored more of Denver's beautiful burbs.

And finally made an offer and were under contract. Unfortunately, the home had too many inspection issues for the price and we pulled the plug a week later.

Dinner at La Merise, our first time at this supposed Cherry Creek institution. Meh, this was a one and done.

The next morning, back to DIA for a week long trip to Montreal and (very) upstate New York, taking the land and sea route via Burlington, VT to which United flies nonstop on the right day of the week.

And the Lake Champlain Ferry to Plattsburgh, NY.

Three days later, back across the border into Vermont and an early morning flight to JFK.

On time arrival at JFK and 20 minutes later, I was in Terminal 4 and American's excellent Flagship First Dining, where I spend the next 3 hours waitiing for my 12:30pm flight to LAX.

First up is breakfast starting with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle.

Steak and eggs.

And amazing French Toast.

After some work, time for lunch.

OMG, the corn bread.

Salmon tataki.

And the delicious herb crusted halibut.

AA First Class to LAX.

Transcon First and AA is still using plastic cups.

Fortunately, a carry a DIY glass tumbler kit for domestic travel.

I wasn't hungry at all, but out of morbid curiosity, took this for the photo op. Huh?

I have no idea.

This looks really appetizing.

Once unwrapped, the artichoke ravioli was pretty tasty.

Back home in Denver, a few days later dinner at Fruition, one of our favorites.

And then Matsuhisa for Mrs. SFO777's birthday dinner.

And then dinner at our apartment from the rooftop grill.

Dinner at Olivia in Wash Park, another favorite.

OMG, foie gras to die for.

August in Denver

August started with a Block party at SFO777Jr's block in Park Hill. Awww.

And another round of suburb exploring, today in Castle Pines and Castle Pines Village.

Then lunch White Chocolate Grill at Park Meadows.

Their AZ Rolls arr to die for.

And the signature white chocolate brownie. OMG.

Later that week, pan fried pulled duck leg.

Next up, back to dinner at Le Bilboquet in Cherry Creek.

Wonderful atmosphere and great people watching...

... but grossly overpriced for the mediocre food. Weak salads.

$68 for their steak frites? And it wasn't even that good.

I love tarte tatin, but this was the worst ever. No crust??? Despite the not ready for prime time food, the wine, atmosphere and people watching were good enough to make us want to return.

Lunch the next day with left over Le Bilboquet steak.

On the other hand, our next meal was fabulous, at one of our old faves... Fruition.

Their signature home made pasta carbonara, with pork belly, pecorino, egg yolk, cracked pepper. Amazing.

For dessert, 1/2 dozen warm chocolate chip cookies with Maldon sea salt. OMG.

Another visit with our granddaughter.

And then downtown to Union Station...

... and Stoic & Genuine.

Delicious crab cake.

Vietnamese BBQ chicken wings.

Cucumber, peach and burrata salad with cornbread croutons.

My Ono was wonderful.

Driving back to Cherry Creek on a quiet Sunday downtown.

During the week at home, linguini with clams...

... and panko crusted salmon.

Some one is happy as grandma and grandpa baby sat for date night.

Saturday was our date night and we're off to the always wonderful Linger in the Highlands.

Sunday afternoon, it's back for another round of suburb exploring. Today we're back to Littleton and the Deer Creek Canyon foothills area southwest of C470. Beautiful scenery less than 10 minutes from shopping.