Currently viewing the tag: "VV Colorado"
After a strenuous drive back east on I-70, succumbing to the erratic weather fits of the land’s high elevation, we arrived back in Denver, Colorado, a quick stop-over on our route into the Great Plains. I will happily bid the Rockies a fond farewell and look forward to the flatlands. This trip has brought, thus far, a balance of city and nature, decadence and humility, sweet and savory… After 9 days and adding over 3,000 miles on the Ford Focus, I am officially “in the zone”, a minor detail on our great country’s interstate system. But with only about 4 days left, the itinerary is beginning to wind down. I welcome back real life, static life. I want to peer out my 2nd story window in Brooklyn… and to stop eating so much. But let us return briefly to the food I am eating:
We headed to Denver’s Capitol Hill area for a late dinner after settling in at our swanky Holiday Inn. Resisting the easy convenience of the Panera Bread in the cluster of chains across from the hotel, we decided on City O’ City, Watercourse Foods‘ sister cafe in the bustling hipster area. This place really reels ‘em in and we experienced our first wait to be seated. After exploring the block and peering through the window of Watercourse’s bakery space next door, we were called for our table. I knew what I wanted because I had studied the menu at the hotel room… The Sherman, “Carolina dry rub bbq tofu”, coleslaw and pickles on focaccia. Let me tell you about this tofu as the City O’ City and Watercourse family deserve high praises for their handling of seitan and tofu. It was so scrumptious: texture and flavor spot-on. They know how to work with it and infuse as much flavor as possible. Tofu on this delicious sandwich had enough heat to make my nose run, the texture… pseudostratified.
Let me say a bit more about Watercourse Bakery, which supplies City O’ City and Watercourse with all their vegan baked goods. They are, literally, the icing on the cake. With fun and decadent creations, like the Ho-Ho below, Watercourse’s family of vegan deliciousness ranks Denver’s veg-friendliness sky-high. Their food, both the sweet and the savory, are top-notch in the comfort food category far better than many eateries who attempt this back in New York. Go Watercourse!
Since morning had brought another opportunity to eat and Watercourse has amazing breakfast dishes, why the heck not go one last time? After all, I had a long ways to Kansas City and it looked as if America’s heartland hadn’t much in its center. So Watercourse it was. I ordered the Peasant Sandwich, a yummy tofu scramble with basil pesto on soy-buttered toast, served with homefries and a fruit cup. There, there… all ready to drive into state number 7!
Onward into Kansas. It would be a day of driving, easy driving. It was odd how quickly Denver’s highways slimmed down to 2 lanes and its peaks turned into flatlands. The bright blue sky seemed larger than ever along I-70 east, complementing the green plains nicely. For the first time in several days the horizon was a straight line, the land and sky a striped cross-section of vivid color. There wasn’t much to see as we headed through Kansas hoping to put a big dent in our route to Kansas City… which is in Missouri. We stopped to browse antiques and a depressing “Prairie Dog Town” which lured travelers with promises of 5-legged steer and the largest prairie dog in the country. I took some shots of the grounds, which was more a glorified petting zoo with x-rated gag gifts at the exit. I don’t know why we bothered going. It was thoroughly depressing and disturbing. 
Dinner in central Kansas was going to be a challenge. We knew that. But I am happy to report that we found a fabulous Italian restaurant who was able to accommodate us by happily altering their dishes! Yes, not only did Martinelli’s Little Italy‘s Marissa confirm the Orzo Tuscany, Orzo with artichoke, mushrooms, green onion, carrot, red cabbage and very few capers, free of butter and cheese, but she let me know that the cook was preparing it without the usual chicken stock. I was so thankful both my server and the cook knew their stuff! Go Salina, Kansas.
Tomorrow we are off to Kansas City, home to several vegan options and just a hop/skip/jump from Oklahoma City, which would close our huge road loop and set us back down to Texas to finally light my fireworks. Godspeed!
Peace, rest, relaxation and pedicures involving American flags! It’s Fourth of July, Colorado family-style.
Woken up by the dapper feline Kramer, Independence Day started with a deep long meow. It was a good thing too as top on the day’s itinerary was Om Time‘s Firecracker Flow, a strenuous two-hour yoga session in one of Boulder, Colorado’s top reviewed yoga studios. The class started early and required a 40 or so minute drive, plus getting lost time. After days of my daily movements consisting of pressing the gas and brake pedals, my body was all out of whack. The instructor, who had traveled in from Kansas City, spared us no mercy. Her yogi schpeel included many connections to embodying freedom, both in mind and in movement, and celebrated the joy of liberation and independence. Anyway, I barely survived. But in the end, a yoga class was just what the doctor ordered and justified, finally, a hearty meal. 
After the class, which was very challenging, it was time for Boulder’s best vegetarian restaurant, Leaf. Like WaterCourse the day before, I had been to Leaf last time I was in Colorado. This time around we ordered a delicious appetizer: blue corn empenadas stuffed with a butternut squash vegetable medley. The empanadas sat in a delicious pool of Indian-spiced sauce and bright red chili oil. They were fresh, fragrant and knocked on the doors of almost all sides of my tongue. For an entree I had to again choose the vegan French but I will call Freedom Toast! I had had this dish before but this time the portion was nearly doubled! The stack of four thick slices of bread sat in a puddle of soy margarine and berry juice. Only eating half, the dish will make a great breakfast before heading out towards Wyoming tomorrow, where veggie options seem a bit scarce.
Back at Andrea‘s the kids were pitching in on making some sweet 4th of July-inspired desserts for the neighbor’s shin-dig. Little K was doing her part by making sure the food remnants around her mouth were festively colored and matched her blue and white striped shirts. Everyone was excited for night to come and the fireworks to be set off, including me!
After a long morning of working up a huge sweat and then pumping my body full of pure maple syrup during brunch, the ride back from Boulder had me a bit queasy. Couple that with the altitude difference and erratic weather around the Rockies, I needed a shower and some R&R on the sap. After lounging and being entertained by the kids, CP and I finally focused on preparing some goods for Independence Day dinner. We headed to Sunflower Farmers Market for some festive ingredients. The result: grilled Tofurky Kielbasa, grilled red pepper and onion and blue potatoes… with a side of fire crackers.
Nightfall and fireworks time finally! I haven’t smelled that burning after-smell in years. Happy Birthday America!
To the cutest family in Colorado, many thanks for everything! Tomorrow morning we will be heading north to cut through Wyoming and into Utah. Sleep tight, America.
Welcome to state #4 of the wandering Ford Focus mission: Colorado! After a long ride on the empty, desolate interstate north of Santa Fe, the highway expanded to three times its former width and a slew of drivers crowded the road to one of the country’s most rapidly growing boomcities… Denver, Colorado. Home to the Broncos, Coors, and, more importantly, My friend Andrea and her wonderful family, who will host us through the holiday weekend.
But before the holiday hullabaloo, lunch was in order. CP and I made a pact. No more soda… it fills you up fast, trumps up the bill and spikes the blood-sugar level. Buuuut, this one last time, on this hot steamy day, we had to partake: Oogave! Agave-sweetened cola from the fountain. The first taste of scrumptious meal at Denver’s vegetarian institution WaterCourse Foods. I visited WaterCourse in the February of 2009 (post here) during a quick visit to the Colorado area. I haven’t soon forgot about how friendly the menu is. The entire vegetarian menu can be made vegan, save for the regular pancakes.
Although it was a hot and muggy day in the mile-high city and a fresh light meal would have been nicer to my belly, I had to try one of Watercourse’s fabulous comfort food fried delicacies. After all, when have you ever seen crispy fried artichoke as a sandwich main? So the polenta-encrusted artichoke quarters on a cake-like sweet potato-y bun and dressed with lemon-caper aioli was my choice. For my two sides: quinoa salad and their famous oil-drenched onion rings.
Little did I know that in the few days I’d spend in Colorado I’d return east stuffed and plump like a prized tofurkey! Sluggish and satiated, here is part II of my Colorado vegan dining highlights.
VG Burgers is a vegan fast food joint in Boulder, CO that pulls out all the stops. With a satisfying selection of burgers, air-baked fries, agave-sweetened fountain sodas {Oogave} and vegan soft serve you are bound to find fulfillment. The menu is completely plants-based as is all the packaging! Yes, VG Burgers goes the extra mile by stocking only compostable cups, straws, containers and utensils and runs completely on wind-power. Ok, East coast- can we get on this?
I knew at first bite I’d return to WaterCourse Foods in Denver. Besides the staff and clientele all being adorable, the food was absolutely delish. So Wok Man and I hit the hip spot for dinner after a day trip in the mountains, knowing that a restaurant this spacious and relaxing with a veg menu so expansive and affordable with top-notch service didn’t really exist in New York City. Below, seitan buffalo wings with vegan ranch. So good! I can still feel the seitan expanding in my stomach.
Wok Man‘s Buffalo tofu sandwich with the greasiest, most delicious onion rings. Superlatives, superlatives, etc, etc.
My attempt at taking it a bit easy: the Macro plate. Grilled tofu cooked in orange ginger sauce served over brown rice with steamed chard, arame, and homemade pickled cabbage.
Dessert fresh from their all-vegan bakery a few blocks away: coconut creme pie! with a squirt of Soyatoo. 
Greetings from the Rockies! I’m here is beautiful Colorado visiting and old friend and her adorable family.
Arriving solo, I spent the majority of my first day hitting the thrifts and of course, eating. In fact, stepping into my rental Prius from Denver’s airport, I immediately programmed my lunch destination in and hit the road. I was the model of efficiency in my hybrid vehicle heading to WaterCourse Foods. {The restaurant recycles its fryer oil into bio-diesel and offers bikers a 10% discount– not to mention serving up the most delicious sounding vegetarian comfort food, based on my perusing their menu.} I was not disappointed to be served a massive buffalo tofu sandwich, complete with two sides (I chose mashed potatoes and gravy & seasonal vegetables). The slab of breaded tofu between a hearty sourdough bun was awe-inspiring, measuring at least 2 inches in thickness alone! But this tofu did not squeeze out a drop of excess moisture; it was, quite frankly, perfect. I learned after stuffing myself silly that their bakery, which includes their famed sweet potato cinnamon rolls and “Ho Ho” cupcakes, was all vegan. There’s always tomorrow! Below, feast your eyes on that hearty bite.
OK, Colorado’s vegan food is knocking my socks off. But I was now hungry for a slightly more upscale veg representation. In the foothills of the Rocky mountains lies the gorgeous city of Boulder. And within Boulder’s darling downtown is Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant. I made a mid-day trip from Denver with its scrumptious menu fresh in my mind. My choice, known well in advance: the vegan french toast: soy and flaxseed custard, foccacia bread, pear and strawberry compote, vegan butter and maple syrup and a banana-berry smoothie. It was absolutely dreamy!
Vegan Reporting By Location
