Dushanbe Tea House | Boulder, CO

Boulder, Colorado is full of great restaurants, but there's one place in town where you'll get a unique experience you won't find anywhere else. That place would be the Dushanbe Tea House. Not only is the tea selection remarkable, but the food and architectural details of the building will blow you away too.

exterior of the tea house

The city of Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Boulder's sister city, gave the tea house as a gift to Boulder. Artists from Tajikistan hand carved the ceilings and columns without the use of power tools. When seeing the creation in person, you can't help but be amazed. Visiting the Dushanbe Tea House is one experience you shouldn't miss when visiting Boulder.

My cousin and my friend Laura, who I spent the weekend in Boulder with, joined me for brunch and tea at the Boulder Dushanbe Tea House. I had been looking forward to visiting the tea house for weeks. There is an extensive tea selection, and I'm no tea connoisseur, but I do enjoy a good cup of tea every now and then. We had a really nice pot of oolong tea while we enjoyed our meal.

pour me some tea, please

Boulder's sister city of Dushanbe gave the tea house to Boulder as a gift. The ceiling and columns were carved by artisans in Tajikistan, and no two columns are alike. Just sitting inside the tea house and taking in the sights is a great way to pass some time. Sitting inside the tea house while gazing at hand carved columns and ceilings is enough to inspire even the least artistically inclined.

interior carvings on columns and ceilings

Aside from the tea, we all enjoyed a wonderful meal from the brunch menu. You really couldn't go wrong with any of the menu items, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The silence after the food arrived spoke for itself. I enjoyed every single bite of my omelette, potatoes, and biscuit.

chives!

If you are in or visiting Boulder, do yourself a favor and make a trip to the Dushanbe Tea House. You won't regret it. Even if you don't like tea, there are so many other things you will enjoy while there.

Willow Tree Cafe

As I mentioned yesterday, back in February we spent a day in downtown Sanford, Florida. A visit to Willow Tree Cafe was actually the main reason for our trip to Sanford, and it did not disappoint.

{ German beer and potato pancakes }

We had heard from multiple people that Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe was one of the best restaurants around, so of course we had to give it a try. My German heritage was just one more reason to give Willow Tree Cafe a shot. Oh, and a nice selection of German beer offerings didn't hurt either. We had the perfect storm of reasons to make a drive to Sanford for the day.

We started our meal with a couple of German beers and an appetizer of potato pancakes. I could have eaten multiple plates of them and been perfectly happy. The apple sauce and sour cream were the perfect complement to the warm potato pancakes.

Both my husband and I opted for the sausage platter. We each chose two different types of sausage and two sides. We had sauerkraut, noodles with gravy, and German potato salad. My only complaint about the food is I wish there had been more of it. We thoroughly enjoyed everything. Although I think my family's German potato salad was a little bit better. I may be biased though.

Live entertainment was the perfect way to enjoy our German beer and food. Nash Rambler played original acoustic guitar music while we worked our way out of a food coma. It was a perfect way to spend our first day in Sanford, Florida.

If you're planning to visit Sanford, then you might give Willow Tree Cafe a try. German fare isn't your thing? Then surely you can enjoy the beer and music. Sit outside for a nice view of the cobblestone downtown streets and a little people watching.

Willow Tree Cafe

Sanford Welcome Center

Oh, I finally signed up for an account with Blog Lovin'
... don't want to be left in the dust.

Barbecue Around the Country

Barbecue has got to be one of my favorite food groups. (don't try and tell me it's not one) I love a good pulled pork sandwich or brisket every now and then. I was born in Texas after all! We've got a growing list of barbecue places all around the country that we hope to visit some day, and we're slowly checking them off of the list. Unfortunately we moved to the wrong part of the country for epic barbecue, but we did recently enjoy a meal from 4 Rivers Smokehouse near Orlando. The service couldn't have been friendlier, and we left with full bellies.

pulled pork with sides of banana pudding and macaroni and cheese

One of my husband's coworkers suggested 4 Rivers Smokehouse, because we mentioned that we had plans to visit the Orlando area. It's no Nordy's, which is our favorite barbecue restaurant in Colorado, but it was good. You enter 4 Rivers and order your meal at a counter, and you also choose your sides or other items you may want. After paying, you proceed with your trays to the dining room where you find plenty of picnic tables and booths to enjoy your barbecue food.

We both had sandwiches that came with two sides of our choosing. My pulled pork sandwich was good, but my favorite food actually ended up being the sweet potato casserole that my husband ordered as his side. Needless to say, he ended up sharing with me. Boy was that stuff good! We noticed a small rack of ribs on another customer's place, and they looked a bit dried out for our taste. I think sticking with the pulled pork and brisket was the safe bet. Get yourself a sandwich with sides if you visit!

Aside from the barbecued meats, there are also plenty of sweets available at 4 Rivers. I really wish I would have saved room for the sweet shop at 4 Rivers, but both my husband and I were still full from lunch. Eating our sandwiches did us in, so maybe if we visit again soon we'll save room for their sweets.
* The Ozona Pig in Ozona, FL has the best banana pudding ever! Go there for your banana pudding fix.

My husband and I enjoyed the food at 4 Rivers Smokehouse. It's nice trying new restaurants. Sadly, our favorite barbecue is still found in Colorado. That's quite the drive for a brisket and sausage. Until then, I suppose we'll be returning to 4 Rivers Smokehouse for our barbecue fix.

some day we hope to try these barbecue eateries:

Franklin Barbecue

Slows Bar B Q

Pappy's Smokehouse

JMueller BBQ

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Do you like barbecue?

Have you visited any of the places I mentioned?

What's your favorite place to get BBQ?

No Soup for You!

My trip to Michigan last month was mostly to see my dad race his boat, but I did manage to squeeze in a quick trip to Ann Arbor devoted almost solely to devouring a Blimpy Burger cheeseburger. My dad and I left without being scolded, which is a feat in itself, and we also had happy tummies to boot!

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor has some of the best burgers you will find in the state of Michigan. They are greasy in a good way, delicious, and the atmosphere cannot be duplicated. It's not unlikely to find a line at least 10 people deep any time you visit. Be warned that  ordering guidelines exist, and you will order appropriately or face the "attack chef" wrath. My first visit to Blimpy Burger had me in a nervous sweat, but I survived. I've survived plenty of times. The deliciously greasy food is worth the nerves. I promise.

{ prepare yourself... they don't have much patience for slow answers here }

{ those vegetables look very happy for being deep fried in oil }

Before dropping me off at the airport, my dad and I made our stop at Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor. Even after plenty of visits, you're never fully prepared for the ordering process. It's a part of the fun though. I had mentally prepared myself and studied the menu for what felt like hours in line. I knew exactly what I wanted, but I still managed to falter when it came time for selecting my bun. My plan was to order the kaiser, but I heard the impatient tone in the chef's voice, when he asked if I wanted the regular bun, and I quickly replied "yes". Damn! I blew it, I thought to myself. The guy next in line, thankfully for me, took the attack chef's wrath. The chef grilled him (no pun intended) about whether or not he wanted his burger in a paper container, because the poor guy didn't have a tray or a quickdraw bun response. I probably pressed my luck by taking pictures in line, but I managed to escape unscathed. All I know is that my dad and I both made it through the line without any major mishaps. It did scare my britches off when the guy behind me got a healthy dose of the attack chef though. That was enough to scare me into being more prepared the next time I visit Blimpy Burger. There will be a next time. There always is. Maybe next time I'll even be brave enough to order a couple of items off the grill.

{ beware the attack chef }

My dad and I enjoyed our burgers and deep fried vegetables while sitting outside under a nice shade tree on the intersection of Division and Packard. We reminisced about my time as a student at the University of Michigan, and it was fun remembering the time we spent together as father and daughter in Ann Arbor. I'll never forget parents weekends, the football games we attended together, the meals we enjoyed, or the time I graduated with a college degree in hand. How time flies.

{ triple on a regular bun with mushrooms, american cheese, and all the condiments }

{ deep fried zucchini }

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Tips for ordering at Blimpy Burger:

- Be prepared. Read the signs, and no cell phones in line!

- Always take a tray, or you will get yelled at (it happened to me once)

- There's no table saving allowed. Wait in line for food, and then take a seat.

- Don't tell the wrong person the wrong thing.

For instance, don't tell the deep fryer the type of burger you want.

Don't tell the grill cook that you want fries!

Condiments come last.

- Cash only. Have your cash ready. No cards.

- Enjoy your food!

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If you're too scared to visit Blimpy Burger, you can get an amazing burger at Clyde's Drive-In located in St. Ignace, Michigan. It will only be a 4 hour drive from Ann Arbor. ;)

A More Simple Time {New World Brewery}

It was a couple weeks ago that we finally visited New World Brewery located in the Ybor City area of Tampa, Florida. The name is a bit deceiving since they do not currently brew beer at New World Brewery, but you can find great beer there nonetheless. The bar features over 20 draft beers and numerous bottled beers too. There is a style of beer for almost every beer drinker. Aside from the drinks, the atmosphere is incredibly laid back and relaxing. The only thing we regretted about our visit was not eating some of the delicious looking, and smelling, food that was offered on the menu. There will be a next time.

We visited New World Brewery on a very lovely spring day in Florida. The sun was shining, but it wasn't too hot. That may be something of a rarity in Florida, so we took full advantage of the balmy weather by sitting at a table in the courtyard area. Basil plants, old brick walls,  and gurgling fountains surrounded us on all sides. It was an inviting and homegrown sort of environment, almost like we were drinking beer in some one's backyard. We felt right at home.

There's something nourishing about enjoying a cold beer outside in the sun while streetcars zoom by on the cobblestone road outside. It almost takes you back to a simpler time. One where people actually sit down and take time out of their busy day to converse, leave their social media behind, and maybe even tend to their homegrown basil plants. New World Brewery offers an escape from the busyness of everyday life.

Like I mentioned in my blog post from yesterday, New World Brewery offers one of the best beer selections that we have found in the Tampa Bay area. Not only is the beer great, but the environment allows you to slow down for a minute. Our life has been so busy that we rarely feel like there's time to sit down, relax, and have a nice conversation. We did just that while spending a relaxing afternoon enjoying a few brews at New World Brewery in Tampa.

Operation Find A Good Beer Spot in Tampa : Mission Accomplished

Florida's Oldest Restaurant

The Columbia Restaurant (est. 1905) is not only the oldest restaurant in Florida,

but it's also one of the largest Spanish restaurants in the world.

An occasional passerby or coworker had mentioned the Columbia Restaurant before, but I never put much thought into making the drive and actually eating there. Embarrassingly enough, we unknowingly drove by it multiple times on our way to the home makeover mecca of Ikea.

The Columbia Restaurant is incredibly difficult to miss at some 50,000 square feet and an entire city block, but we remained oblivious to its location for almost an entire year of residence in Florida. However, we did redeem our ignorance with a first time visit to the 100 year old Columbia Restaurant and were not disappointed. We left happy and with full bellies.

We started our dining experience with a cold beer and a glass of sangria. I already knew I wanted to eat their cuban sandwich, but when the menu claimed they were one of 10 great places to make a meal out of a salad, I knew I had to try the Original "1905" Salad. We each ended up eating the Original Cuban Sandwich with salad and soups. Let me tell you, we had plenty of food with some to take home.

The Original "1905" Salad is not a joke. I'm pretty sure that no woman on a diet is going to order this one for lunch, and that's exactly why I had to try it. You'll find juicy beefsteak tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, ham, Swiss and Romano cheese, and their incredible garlic dressing. This truly could have been a meal in itself. No joke.

Our Cuban sandwiches were fantastic too. We found ham, salami, pork, cheese, pickles, and mustard sandwiched between two pieces of pressed Cuban bread. It was enough to leave us smacking our lips and knowing that we will definitely eat at the Columbia Restaurant again.

Not only was the food great, but the architecture and atmosphere were enough to leave me wondering what kinds of people roamed the halls of this restaurant in the past. Walking through the front doors is like taking a step back in time. There were plenty of things to look at, and the ornate details included beautiful colored tiles, gorgeous chandeliers, and skylights.

If you have never experienced the Columbia Restaurant, I suggest you make a trip there as soon as possible. Aside from food and atmosphere, they also feature flamenco dancers on certain evenings. Next time we may get more adventurous and order an assortment of tapas, the grilled snapper, or even some flan for dessert while watching the dancers! For now though, I'll be thinking about that meal of a salad I enjoyed. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

A New Decade

We just recently celebrated my husband's 30th birthday. It's one of those things that many people make a big deal about, but it didn't seem too bad. Maybe I won't feel the same way when I reach 30 years though. Only time will tell. Somehow age always looks more acceptable on men than it does women. Grey hair makes men look distinguished, but it makes women look aged. It's just not fair.

In anticipation of my man's big day, I made some mini cupcakes a few days before his actual birthday. I figured we would get plenty of good food on his birthday, and a little dessert for the week never hurt anyone. You can find the recipe for these yummy mini chocolate and peanut butter cupcakes { here }

My husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy, so that's exactly what we had for dinner on his birthday. Bern's in South Tampa was the perfect place for a special birthday dinner. You only turn 30 years old once. Our dinner consisted of an appetizer, soup, salad, baked potato, and steak with vegetables and crispy onion rings. How much better does it get than that? After dinner we went upstairs to Bern's dessert room. That just about put us both over the edge. Everything was incredible. Needless to say, we will be back!

Happy Thursday friends!

My Top 10 Denver

Over Valentine's Day my husband and I spent some time downtown, and it inspired me to create a list of my favorite places and things to do in Denver. I wanted to share it with you all. Keep in mind these are just some of my favorite places and things to do, and your choices may vary... but I really think these are some things you should not miss while in Denver! (listed in no particular order)

1. Peaks Lounge

Hyatt Regency @ Convention Center

27th floor

info here and here

The views of Denver and the mountains are to die for. You can have a drink here for a reasonable price. Beer starts at about $5/drink and a glass of wine might start at about $7/glass. Not too shabby of a fee for the view and relaxing environment at the Peaks Lounge! Get here before sunset if you can and watch the sun set over the Rockies. This lounge is the ultimate in relaxation while enjoying the views of Denver and the mountains.

2. Museum of Contemporary Art

visit the website here

this was a past exhibit by David Altmejd

Denver is also home to the Denver Art Museum (DAM), but I prefer the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) for regular visits. The MOCA is typically much less crowded than the DAM, and there is a really great cafe on the rooftop that serves up some good coffee and delicious foods too. I love spending time enjoying the exhibits, soaking up sun on the rooftop, and appreciating the architecture of the museum. Hope you will love it too!

3. Concert at Red Rocks

see a list of concerts (updated frequently)

Red Rocks is one of my favorite concert venues. The amphitheater is like no other place when it comes to attending a concert. From your seat, you have a view of downtown Denver and it is incredible to see all of the twinkling lights when the sun goes down. You can also watch the sun rise from Red Rocks while attending the Easter Sunrise Service. If you get the chance to attend a concert at Red Rocks, consider giving this magical place a try.

4. Vesta Dipping Grill

Vesta's website

This is hands down my favorite restaurant in all of Denver. Have I visited every restaurant in Denver? No, but this would probably still be my favorite even if I had eaten at them all. Seriously. The food is incredible, the service is superb, and the atmosphere is dreamy. I am not going to lie, the prices are a bit expensive, but the experience is worth every penny. Vesta is a treat, and if you have a special occasion this is the place to enjoy it. If you are going to eat at one restaurant in Denver... please eat here.

5. Rockies Game @ Coors Field
visit the website

Even though I don't really follow baseball, I still love to attend at least one Rockies' game at Coors Field each year. The stadium is beautiful, and again you have that view of the mountains from inside of the stadium. If you're seated in the right spot, you can have a view of the skyline downtown and the mountains. How is that for a Denver experience?

6. Denver Zoo
visit the website

I love the Denver zoo! You can visit for a really affordable price at $10-13 depending on the month. The animal habitats are fairly realistic, and the Denver zoo is currently undergoing a really large expansion called 'Asian Tropics'. The elephants will have a much different habitat once it is complete. Visiting the Denver zoo is a really great way to spend a warm and sunny day in Denver.

7. 16th Street Mall

info about 16th Street

Even though the 16th Street mall is a little bit touristy (although they have made many changes to it recently), I still love spending some time there! The mall is for pedestrians only, with the exception of the free shuttle buses which run the length of the mall. If you don't feel like walking, you can hop on a shuttle and ride the whole length of the 16th Street mall. There are lots of options for shopping and eating all along the mall. Not only is the mall great, but LoDo (that's short for Lower Downtown) is just a short walk off of the mall too. Go exploring around 16th Street mall and you're pretty much guaranteed to find something that you will enjoy.

8. Falling Rock Taphouse
"No Crap On Tap"

visit their website

If you venture a few blocks off of the 16th Street mall onto Blake Street, you will find the Falling Rock Taphouse. This is the ultimate Denver bar for beer lovers. If you want a Coors Light, then you will probably want to go somewhere else. The Taphouse has a constantly changing line up of beers, and you can always find something that you will like there. If you're not sure if you want a pint of something, just ask them for a little taste of a beer and they are usually glad to offer it. This is seriously one of the few places where I like to drink beer, because they almost always have something that I have yet to try.

9. Denver Parks
park information

Confluence Park

There are many parks, fountains, and trails scattered around Denver. My favorite parks right downtown are Skyline, Commons, and Confluence parks. Spend a little time walking around Denver, and chances are you will probably come across one of the above mentioned parks. They are great places to socialize, soak up sun, and maybe even play a little frisbee. Denver has a lot to offer when it comes to parks and recreation, so take advantage of all the opportunities.

10. Denver Broncos Game
visit the website

My list would not be complete without mentioning Denver Broncos' football. I love football, so naturally watching the Broncos play at Invesco Field had to be on the list. Even though last season was tough for fans, I still love to watch them play! Many seats at the stadium offer mountain views, but most important are the views of the field. I was not fortunate enough to have experienced old Mile High Stadium, but I still enjoy watching the Broncos play. Go Broncos!

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That is my list of Top 10 Denver list. I hope you get a chance to visit Denver.


If you live here or visit frequently, what are some of your favorite things to see and do in Denver??