Review - going gluten free at Beau Jo's

I have been many times to the original Beau Jo’s pizza in Idaho Springs, Co – I always left there stuffed and bloated. That was how I felt every time I ate pizza. I called it ‘pizza belly.’ However, this was eating glutenfull pizza.

Beau Jo’s has a gluten free pizza crust. And its good. Crispy, crunchy, and a bit chewy. B and I got a pizza topped with pesto, artichokes, mushrooms, and olives with mozzarella cheese. It was yummy.

Beau Jo’s also serves gluten-free beer! (I got to drink a beer!!!!!!!) It was an Anheuser-Busch Redbridge. And maybe its just been awhile since I had a beer, but I really liked it.

We are back from the mountains!

B and I survived the freezing cold conditions of Steamboat Springs. As I stated before, we stayed in a cabin at the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. The hot springs were nice and warm, but everything else was cold. That’s what we get for going in the middle of winter. We enjoyed our trip, Steamboat is a very quaint little town, but while we were huddled around the heater, each of us wearing two sweatshirts, we just kept thinking that this would be so much better if it was July instead of January. Despite the cold, it was picturesque.

We took our own food with us, and it worked pretty well, but even before we left, we made a few changes to our meal planning. Here is what we ate:

Wednesday -
Breakfast – (at home) I ate yogurt.
Lunch – Grape, carrot, and curry chicken salad on a bed of lettuce. B grilled & chopped some chicken breasts Tuesday night, then I tossed the pieces with curry powder, sliced green grapes, shredded carrots, gluten free mayo, some almond slices, and basil, and served it on top of lettuce.
Snack- Grapes (in the car) while

Dinner (part 1) – Tacos: B cooked up some ground turkey Tuesday night and packed it in the cooler with black beans, a jar of salsa, and a block of cheese. He bought corn tortillas. When we first arrived at our cabin we were hungry, so B got out the taco fixings and made me the worlds coldest and most frozen taco…..ever. After eating it, I cried a little.

Dinner (part 2) We went down to the hot springs….which was so dark I could barely see B….and after our swim we went back up to our cabin to play cards, drink wine, and eat defrosted tacos. We also enjoyed some corn chips and B’s homemade, best in the world, guacamole. I don’t know what he puts in it, but its amazing.

Thursday -
Breakfast - Pre-made scrambled eggs with spinach and goat cheese, warmed over the heater.
Snack – Dried apricots

Lunch – Lunch at Beau Jos  - more on that later
Dinner – Steak cooked on the grill. Sautéed mushrooms. Diced sweet potatoes.

Fri-
Breakfast – Hebrew National Hot dogs. Carrots and Celery
Snack - on the road, almonds and dried apricots

We had a pretty good trip. Steamboat Springs is one of those towns that looks like Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls reference) I went into this adorable little gourmet food shop and found a delightful sounding Champagne – Maple – Mustard marinade and Red Raspberry Vinegar that Bob would not let me buy. I had a good time and would even go back, preferable when the weather is not 20 below.

E's Top of the Town

5280 mag put out their annual 'Top of the Town' issue. Here's my Top of the Town:

Italian:

5280 picked: Osteria Marco

Readers picked: Pasta's Italian restaurant (I've been here and was not impressed)

My pick: Rico's.

I've been going to this place since high school and it never disappoints. I love the veggie spaghetti. The place is kinda a dive, located in Englewood on Broadway just north of Hampden, but its always good. (note: they only take cash.)

Mexican:

5280: Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

Readers: Benny's Restaurante y Tequila Bar 

My pick: Blue Bonnet

Bob introduced me to Blue Bonnet about a year ago, and I don't know why I ever ate anywhere else. This place is awesome, mellow, and very cool. I've never had a better margarita, and everything I've ate there has been great. Neither Bob nor I has ever been to either of the other picks, and we will be trying them to see if they are better. Located Broadway and Alameda. 

Thai:

5280: Chada Thai

Readers: Thai Basil (been here, its cute, but I've had better)

My pick: Wild Ginger

This is the best Pad Thai I've ever had. The best curry I've ever had. The best spring rolls I've ever had. Go there. Enjoy. I'll go with you if you want. And beware of Thai Hot.... it's not for the faint of heart, its just for Bob. Wild Ginger is located on Littleton Blvd, just west of Broadway.

Sushi:

5280: Sushi Tora

Readers: Sushi Den (been here, and its eh)

My pick: Land of Sushi

This place has a great $1 a piece happy hour special. The miso soup is to die for. I'm a sucker for a great Philadelphia roll and the one at Land of Sushi is very well balanced. Land of Sushi is located at University and Arapahoe Rd

Deli:

5280: Salvaggio's Italian Deli

Readers: Heidi's Brooklyn Deli (I hate Heidi's. They always mess up my order, there is always a line, and its not that great.)

My pick: Abe's in downtown Littleton

I love the veggie sandwich, the french dip, the chicken salad, and the pita. When the weather is nice, its great to sit outside.

Burger:

5280: Ted's Montana Grill, Elway's, and SmashBurger

Readers: Cherry Cricket

My pick: Cherry Cricket or City Grille

I rarely eat burgers. The last two I've ate have been at these places. They are very special. City Grill is on Colfax near the capital, Cherry Cricket is in Cherry Creek behind Crate and Barrel.

Diner:

5280: Rocky Mountain Diner

Readers: Steuben's

My pick: Pete's Kitchen or Cherry Cricket

Pete's Kitchen is the best diner atmosphere and diner food I've had in the city. And the Cherry Cricket.....you can't beat a diner with a bar in it. Pete's Kitchen is located on Colfax.

Pizza:

5280: Parisi

Readers: Proto's Pizzeria Napoletana

My Pick: Parisi

I forgot about this place until I read 5280's review. A friend and I stumbled upon this place on accident while we were waiting for a concert. Its so good.

Happy Hour Menu:

5280 & Readers: McCormick's Fish House & Bar (Bob and I will have to try this)

My pick: The Boulder Cafe

Bob and his friend took me here a few months ago, and I have been dying to get back. Its awesome and I wish there were more places like it.

Breakfast Sandwich

5280: no pick. They couldnt find anything good enough

My pick: The Pita Breakfast Sandwich at Pete's Kitchen

No matter what time of day it is, this is what I get when I'm at Pete's.