Tag Archives: colorado

Restaurant Review: Little Owl Coffee

 

In an unobtrusive section of Blake Street in downtown Denver, Colorado, lives a minimalist coffee-drinker paradise. This little gem is easy to walk right by, but once you’ve been inside you will crave its unique, laid-back yet hip vibe, and expertly crafted java jolts with an artistic flair.

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Little Owl Coffee, at 1555 Blake St. in the heart of LoDo (lower downtown), was established in spring of 2013. The interior is clean, natural, and decorated with mainly itty-bitty plants. Live branches, clusters of seasonal gourds, tiny air plants in teeny glass bulbs, and other plant life in bud vases adorn the standing bar and wood tables.

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The place is cozy, small but not too small to work on a laptop or enjoy a teacup of espresso with a friend. Their patio area is boxed in with small hedges, and each table top has its own petite glass jar and miniscule spoon for doling out natural brown sugar in case the espresso is too bitter for your tastes.

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You can watch the downtown foot and vehicle traffic rush by as you sit and sip your hand crafted beverage, including tasty teas, espresso, and a variety of espresso-milk combinations. They also boast fresh hand-made almond milk daily, and plenty of fresh, hand-made pastries and cakes.

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Oh, and of course the baristas are trained in the very adorable art of coffee-pictures. Makes me smile every time.

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If you find yourself in the area, I’d recommend stopping by. My personal favorite is the mocha latte, but there is plenty to choose from. With a variety of local and chain organic, healthy, and/or vegan snack options, hand-made almond milk and pastries, a friendly and talented staff, and a can’t-find-anywhere-else atmosphere, Little Owl is a must-see in downtown Denver.

Sue of Siam — Restaurant Review

 

In Aurora, Colorado, on an innocuous side street in a rather run-down part of town, a tiny white building sits back in a parking lot simple labeled Sue of Siam: Authentic Thai Cuisine. Their slogan is “We bring Thailand to your table”.

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It’s a place I had driven by a hundred times when I lived near that part of town. Curiosity began to build, and one day I decided to do something about it. I talked a friend into being brave with me, and we adventured inside.

The place is small, seating only about 20-30 people. But the feeling is intimate, and the owner makes you feel like one of the family immediately. He was very attentive, explaining anything we had questions about and making recommendations. They will accommodate any spice level and taste preference.

When asked for our drink order, I saw hand-written onto the menu “Lime juice”. Imagining a shot straight from the fruit, I had to try it.

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Turns out it was like lemonade, but made instead with limes. It was sweet yet tart, and very refreshing.

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We had the egg rolls, Cashew chicken, and Pad Thai of course.  Everything on the menu is very affordable, with lunches averaging $7-8 and dinner only one dollar more. The egg rolls were sweet and crunchy and totally addicting. Their house-made sweet and sour sauce is delicious enough to want to eat with a spoon.

The cashew chicken was chock-full of fresh steamed snow peas, bell peppers, and sweet chunks of marinated white meat chicken all bathed in a complex umami-packed brown sauce.  And the Pad Thai was a perfect rendition with thick noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, a spicy-sweet peanut sauce and crushed peanuts on the side.

Overall, I’d give Sue of Siam:

  • 9 for taste
  • 10 for atmosphere
  • 9 for value

Sue of Siam is located at 106 Del Mar Circle, Aurora, CO 80011. You can call them at (720)949-1980 or visit the website. I’m not sure at this point if the deliver, but they definitely do allow carry-out, and offer catering and private parties.

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