When You Can Eat in Denver?

I had lunch today with a friend and we decided to go to an old favorite restaurant, The Washington Park Grille. This neighborhood hang-out is in the heart of the Washington Park neighborhood in Denver. It’s on a lovely block of shops and restaurants called “Old South Gaylord Street.” The Wash Park Grill, as locals call it, has a menu for everyone.

At lunch you can choose from soups, salads and terrific sandwiches. The Smoked Turkey Panini is tdf (and loaded with calories.) Today I avoided the sandwich and had soup and a small green salad, which they make with almonds, dried cranberries and a terrific raspberry vinegar dressing.

On nice evenings, my husband and I walk over to Wash Park for a pleasant evening dinner. Their patio is open spring through fall and is decorated with pretty baskets of trailing flowers. Evenings are sublime with a nice glass of chardonnay and delicious Atlantic Salmon. We usually skip dessert, but there are great choices for the sweet tooth.

Tired of “mall junk?”

While the mall has an important place in American culture, the shops at Old South Gaylord are much more eclectic and fun. Across the street from the Washington Park Grille is a cute boutique called Pine Creek Clothing. It’s full of great choices for everyday and casual evening. They have a nice selection and it’s pretty middle-of-the-road fashion. Something for everyone.

Down the block from Pine Creek is Sarah. This fabulous shop was opened by Sarah Penewell and her partner Sarah Oro. They have an excellent fashion sense and this is my absolute favorite boutique in Denver. Their clothing and style is fashion forward, but still fits into Denver’s lifestyle. They have an eye for what works for each individual and they never push you into any purchase, they just make suggestions if you ask. Sarah is worth a visit, so save some time when you’re finished up at the Wash Park Grille.

As I strolled back to my car, I passed Dino’s Soda Bar and ran into a couple of friends having lunch with their children and their mothers. Dino’s is an old-fashioned ice-cream and soda bar with burgers and fries as the main staple. They decorate their shop into a haunted house for the Halloween Parade sponsored by the merchant’s association. My friends were enjoying the nice day and the kids looked like they were having a blast too. I considered heading back up the block to my Pilates Studio, Center Strength, to sign up for a class, but decided work was calling.

When visiting Denver, don’t skip Old South Gaylord street.  You’re just a few blocks from Washington Park, with its two lakes and bike/running paths, so if you don’t want to shop after lunch you can walk off the calories at one of our premiere jewels of the city.

First posted at Lifestyle Denver.