AfricanKelli

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Z Cuisine + Apres Cuisine

Where: 2239 W. 30th Avenue  Denver, CO 80211

Cost: $$$

What: The best meal I’ve eaten in Denver. Before going on a recent date here, I whined to my friend BJ — “I don’t even like French food. Gah.” As is our routine, he called the next day to get all the date details — to which I happily said, “The food? Amazing. Best restaurant here.” My date ordered and started with some strange gourmand salad, that included a lot of adventurous cuts of meat. While not a fan of cow tongue, the salad was still some how good. It had slices of fruit and a lot of different types of salad that were crisp, fresh and simply good. As for my meal, I truly enjoyed the beef bourguignon. (As enjoyable to say as to eat, come to find out.)

Recommendation: Go early and have a drink at their bar next door, the Apres Cuisine. And expect to spend a couple hours enjoying one of the best meals of your life. It’s a fancy, once in a while, kinda place with a small handful of tables. The wait staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The food sounds super fancy but is made with simple, locally harvested ingredients. It is a romantic and bold dinner spot.

*Completely cheating with this photo. Who takes a camera on a first date? I’m camera crazy, but not that nuts. I don’t have photos of the meal. You’ll have to trust me. A+

This Thanksgiving, I am especially grateful for:

• Living in the same city as Cody. I love being able to catch up with him over our occasional lunch.

• Being present to watch a dear friend’s greatest wish come true.

• Friends who have come to visit and have supported me unconditionally.

• My trusty sidekick, w. Nelson Mandela

• My sweet friend, BJ — who has made living in Denver simply so much fun

A continuation of my fascination with the many building murals in Denver:

Love how this store in the Highlands not only sells flowers, as the mural would suggest — but booze too.

He’s doing some heavy thinking about that little plant.

This mural on Colfax tells a non-profit’s story.

This architecture firm is housed in an old neighborhood market.

A handful of buildings like these near Coors Field that are being renovated from industrial sites to urban lofts. I love how the street signs are painted on the sides of the buildings.

(Many thanks to my trusty sidekick BJ, who patiently stopped the car a dozen times to let me photograph this weekend.)

~K

Civic Center Park — where Occupy Wall Street protesters were camped for weeks — sits between the courthouse and the capitol dome. The Greek Theater in the park is my favorite. How lovely would it be to see a play or a concert here during the summer?

{Okay, okay. I’m not going to lie. I see places like this and at this point in my life immediately think “OOOH! I could so get married right there. Then I stand there for a few moments and imagine exactly what it would look like. Because sadly, I am not immune to wedding hysteria that arrives in tidal wave force once you reach your early 30s. So much so, I see a cold gray set of stairs and ampitheater and immediately think, “HERE COMES THE BRIDE!”  You should see me standing in front of the dress boutique by my yoga studio. Lord, have mercy.}

~K

Toxic Schizophrenia — a public art installation by Tim Noble and Sue Webster — is one of my favorite sights in the city at night. This thing lights up and twirls, as a giant bleeding heart statue should.

(I’ve been called a bleeding heart once or twice.)

~K