Mother Nature is a Foodie at Heart

We wanted to get the most out of the last full day in Denver so decided to hit up the Denver Botanical Garden (http://www.botanicgardens.org/) as the first stop. I personally don't know much about gardening or even flowers for that matter. It does seems like a whole lot of work and very outdoorsy so most likely not my thing. I do however appreciate the work others put into it as the flowers, plants,, shrubbery, trees, and many other things that I have no idea what they're called were all very beautiful. If you're in Denver and love nature or at the very least flowers would recommend check it out.

Originally had plans to grab lunch elsewhere but someone who shall not be named other than rhymes with "care on" was googly eyeing a restaurant within the gardens named Hive Garden Bistro. They don't have an official site per say but here is a link to their menu (http://www.botanicgardens.org/sites/default/files/blog-photos/2016hivesummermenu_3.pdf). It was located by the Monet Pool in the gardens and is a very scenic spot to get some food.

This was a fabulous choice as the food was very good. They had a fire brick oven for pizza and offered a variety of different types of food from hummus to burgers.  The bistro uses its own produce from the gardens that surround it so definitely fresh tasting food. 

Karen ordered the Garden Chicken Pesto Pizza:

Hive Garden Bistro: Garden Chicken Pesto Pizza

That pizza was pretty amazing for a couple reasons. First growing up in Chicago- or in Karen's case Chicagoland area- we definitely have our own ideas on what constitutes real pizza. Pretty much have been told that pizza in Denver area does not meet those standards for the most part. This pizza did. Second the freshness of it as it included items from the garden put it over the top. And third- its hard not to love a fire brick oven cooked pizza. The pizza per the description on the site includes mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, and basil pesto. Outside of the onions definitely a Karen pizza for sure.

I ended up getting the Bonzai Street Tacos. As a devoted lover of tacos- which I mean we all should be- and because the only Rubio's in Denver shut down- I wanted to get fish tacos. I must say it was a major buzzkill that Rubio's was shut down. I mean I suppose I could have driven out of my way to Aurora or Lakewood Colorado but I was trying to get the most out of our trip here. The Bonzai Street Tacos were made with Mahi Mahi, carrot ginger slaw, cilantro, shaved jalapenos, citrus soy glaze, and flour tortillas.

Hive Garden Bistro: Bonzai Street Taco

I really liked the freshness of the tacos including the fish. Wasn't quite sure how Denver rates in seafood terms based on location, but it was not a problem with these. The tacos were a good balance of sweetness from the citrus glaze and spice from the jalapenos. Probably the only thing is I would have loved more were corn tortillas instead of flour, however that didn't really kill the overall experience.

Lily got a grilled cheese with chips for her meal. She kind of started her food so got a pic of half her sandwich. I wasn't going to stop her from eating as she said "SORRY I FORGOT" as I started to take a pic of my food. I'm like don't worry it's not a problem. I think she gets that from Karen. But she does want to be more in the blogs and wanted her food pic. She loved her sandwich. She likes sharing food like her old man so I tried it out. The grilled cheese was pretty on point and something I would order if I was in the mood.

Hive Garden Bistro: Grilled Cheese w/ chips

Since were were in the area, I wanted to hit up Voodoo Doughnuts (http://voodoodoughnut.com/). Upon researching places to eat I stumbled across it and seemed like a Reef place. Karen on the other hand knew about it apparently from Fifty Shades of Grey. If you're on my wavelength and don't know anything about that book other than its mommy porn, it too would surprise you. Apparently in that book someone's father (?) was in a hospital and they end up picking up doughnuts. Yeah I have no clue why as I didn't ask any follow-up questions. I just wanted to try the doughnuts. Side note- I keep wanting to type donuts cause of stupid Dunkin Donuts spelling.

Voodoo Doughnut Box

Clockwise from top left: Sprinkled Cake Doughnut, Marshall Mathers, Old Dirty Bastard, Captain My Captain

Voodoo Doll, Mango Tango, Dirty Snow Balls

Oh my...(said in George Takei voice) I'm not a raised yeast type doughnut fan regularly but MAN were these doughnuts fantastic. Old Dirty Bastard probably was the best one but really you can't go wrong with any of them. Will point out that this location (as far as I know the only one in Denver) is a cash only place. So if you hit it up bring cash or you will have to use the ATM they have located inside. I luckily always carry cash on me...did I just set myself up to be mugged? Probably.  This is pretty much a take out place as there's not really anywhere to sit mostly is due to the long lines they encounter- which we did not have most likely because we went at an off time.

We chilled out after the food coma for a bit and hit up Four Mile Historic Park (http://www.fourmilepark.org/) to burn off some of the calories consumed. I don't think it worked very well but this place was pretty cool and only like 5 blocks away from my brother's place. I think the name says it all as its the original place that was built in 1859 and has been preserved to show folks how things were back in the day (which Tina would point out was most likely was a Wednesday). Got to see some Clydesdale horses, goats, and chickens. The only food related item was their kitchen which I didn't take any pictures. They had this killer split pea soup which we did get the recipe. I see a future blog coming when we make that at home.

Ended up going back to Sam's No. 3 for dinner with my brother and his wife. Seriously have yet to have something we didn't like from that place and they both love it so was an easy no-brainer. This time was no exception. There was a minor fright as at one point as this worker there who was not our waitress came up and asked if everything was alright. Me and my brother didn't even see or hear her while she was asking.  We both happen to turn and kind of jumped a bit. Having no idea what she said I just gave her a "what's up" nod after startling back a bit which apparently answered her question. That was pretty hilarious.

Sam's No. 3: B.L.A.T w/ Cheese Curds

Sam's No. 3: Swiss Mushroom Burger w/ Mac N Cheese and Milkshake

Sam's No. 3: Mac N Cheese w/ side order of Tater Tots

Sam's No. 3: The Pollo Burger w/ Tater Tots

Sam's No. 3: Hot Beef

Everything was fantastic - I ordered the B.L.A.T - for brownie points I say in Tina's honor as she loves to order those. #100pointsGryffindor. This version had 5 strips of bacon which with the avocado was great. Karen got the Swiss Mushroom Burger- which is a staple in Karen burger requirements. She loved it. Lily had the Mac N Cheese which I suppose about 98% of kids love. Sam got the Pollo burger and Leslie go the Hot Beef. YEAH SHE DID! most likely is a joke Sam would say. We're all foodies at heart so actually tried each other's food. #sharingiscaring I would have no problem ordering any of those items next time we go back.

Ended the night at Downtown Aquarium (http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/)

It was pretty neat place. I would say kind of pricey for admission but regardless had a fun time. Will say this is the first place I've seen that had a Men's, Women's, and Unisex washroom set up which is weird (to me) but not as weird as an Aquarium actually having tigers and snakes in it. Nope I said that right- tigers and snakes.

Why the hell does an Aquarium per the dictionary :  a building or institution in which fish or other aquatic animals orplants are kept for exhibit, study, etc. have a couple of tigers and snakes in it? No clue but learned my brother much like Tina is terrified of snakes. Which funny enough was not found by seeing an actual snake but rather an animatronic rattlesnake as you enter the exhibit area for them. I didn't even see the thing. I had turned around and saw the fear strike my brother as he got wide eyed and shrieked something and hustled the other way. 

No worries as Sam was not alone in being frightened at the aquarium.  Myself, Lily, and I think Leslie got terrified by the flash flood exhibit prior to exhibit. Much like the real life event there was no warning for when this exhibit started. All of a sudden this rush of water came flying out and hitting the glass behind me. I may have shrieked something - which I don't recall- but definitely ran. Overall was a fun time and good memories for sure. I would recommend going if you got free tickets or some sort of coupon/discount for admission.

#squadgoals,

Reef