January 12th, 2013
Visiting Denver at the end of the summer was great. The weather was perfect and the City was so clean and accessible.
18 degrees in Denver? I think I like it like that….for the Ravens!! So, regardless of the outcome, if you are in Denver this week-end, a few places I have visited and thought you might be interested are:
Denver Convention Center – If you are visiting from the East Coast, you know how much we like boats, the water and all those water sports. Well, the Premier Boat show in the Rocky Mountain Region is at the Denver Convention Center until Sunday 1/13. The Convention Center was opened in 1990 and it is within walking distance to hotels, art museums, shops and restaurants.
It is so easy to find, located at 700 14th St. But, if you see the Big Blue Bear, then, you know you have reached your destination. This Big Blue Bear is peering inside the Denver Convention Center; almost like wanting to see what’s going on. It is 40 feet tall….”I See What You Mean”…More info? Please visit http://www.denverconventioncenter.com.
Denver Art Museum – The Museum is also in Downtown Denver, located at 100 W 14th St. It is a very friendly museum. There are so many exhibits taking place at the present time….and some very exciting ones coming up.
Until Sunday, 1/13: Dana Schutz: If The Face Had Wheels.
Mud to Masterpieces: Mexican Colonial Ceramics until 1/17
Becoming Van Gogh until 1/20.
More info? Please check http://www.denverartmuseum.org.
Looking for some Latin cuisine in Denver? Cuba Cuba has been hailed as one of the best, if not the best. It is located at 1173 Delaware St. Tel. 303-605-2822. Website? http://www.cubacubacafe.com. Cuba Cuba opened its doors in 2001.
Mojito Happy Hour is Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. And, I do have to say that they offer gluten free options for those with gluten allergies and sensitivities.
So, if you are longing for some Mariquitas, Fried Yuca, and Ropa Vieja….then, by all means stop by.
Mariquitas
Fried Yuca
Ropa Vieja
August 15th, 2012
It was time to say “until next time” to Colorado. After coming down from Rocky Mountain National Park, we decided to stop by Cuba Cuba and have our last dinner in Downtown Denver. My friend, Marisa, knows the owner and she said that it was the best Latin restaurant with awesome Mojitos in Denver.
Cuba Cuba is located at 1173 Delaware St., Denver, CO 80204. Tel. 303-605-2822. Website? http://www.cubacubacafe.com.
When I saw that Cuba Cuba was located on Delaware St., I started to smile. Delaware is where I live. The restaurant is in 2 historic homes. So quaint and very tropical.
The walls show their Latin style.
The Bar is popular. Cuba Cuba has an extensive offering of Rums. They also have Rum Flights. Martinis like the Cafe con Leche Martini and the Cafetini are also on the drink menu.
Mojito Happy Hour is Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. My friends, Cindi and Marisa, decided to start with one of those Mojitos. They both agreed that they were delicious.
We were seated in their outdoor patio, which was shielded by a canopy. Perfect for dinner on a summer Colorado evening. There is indoor dining available, as well. A few tables are also set up at the bar.
The appetizers we ordered were:
Yuca Frita, which were hand cut cassava fries tossed in garlic mojo. Yuca is a root vegetable. It is starchy so you have to be careful how too cook it so it does not become too dry. I found this particular one a little to dry for my taste. I could not find the garlic mojo in them.
Mariquitas Cubanas. These were plantain chips with avocado mash and house mojos (garlic, mango/citrus). They were good and the mojos were delicious. I borrowed some of their mojos for the Yuca Frita.
My friend Marisa loves Ropa Vieja. She kept calling it Ropa Sucia. Too funny. She had had this entree at Cuba Cuba plenty of times so she was confident it was going to be sooooo good. The Ropa Vieja had shredded beef sauteed in tomato creole sauce, served with white rice, black beans and tostones. You could tell Marisa did not like it. First she likes her Ropa Vieja with ground beef. Secondly, she usually has had it served over the rice, and the tostones were too thick. I took a taste of the Ropa Vieja; not much flavor.
Latin food is one of the most flavorful; definitely there was a lot missing. It looked good but it left her disappointed.
I decided to order the Paella with calamari, mussels, mahi mahi and chicken. It also had Spanish chorizo. It was prepared with sofrito, saffron and Valencia rice. Bland and more bland. More saffron was needed, garlic, and possibly more sofrito. Paellas are also full of flavor. Sorry to say, this was, definitely, lacking flavor. You could have called this dish seafood, chicken and rice. But, not a paella.
When my friend was asked by our server how the dinner was, she decided to tell her. I chose not to say anything. I was enjoying my dinner with friends and that’s all I cared about.
Our server mentioned that there was a new chef. She also wanted to hear the comments.
Cindi, was totally happy with her Camarones al Coco. They were pan seared shrimp, sauteed with garlic, tomatoes, ginger, coconut milk and peppers, served over a potato mash.
For our sweet ending we ordered a Tres Leches to share. This dessert was excellent. Tres Leches is a cake, filling and topping, using 3 milks; whole milk, condensed milk and evaporated milk.
A decaf espresso, was the perfect ending to our meal.
After some time, and with the help of those mojitos……one might try to play bongos.
It was time to go home and pack; but not before we took pictures of others we met who were enjoying an evening with friends, as well.
Then, they took our pictures too. That’s what you do when on vacation….
Talk to you later…
Note: Cuba Cuba offers catering and has plenty of space for private parties.
Comments Off on What’s Going On? Denver, Colorado, Cheering the Ravens?, Denver Convention Center, Denver Art Museum, Looking for Latin Food?, Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar