This is a Good Sign!

A caption high up in the Wikipedia entry for “Civilization” says simply, “Cities characterize human civilization.” I would take that just a bit further and say, “Cities that offer a decent selection of places to have a good breakfast at 1:30 or 2:00 on a weekend afternoon characterize human civilization.”


Downtown Denver offers some choices, and in quite a tasty variety. Some very good. Some almost as good. And, then, some others.

Larimer Square has a few choices. The Market, Mark Greenburg’s 27-year old icon, is truly it’s own community. Lots of regulars and a private micro-climate on the sidewalk keep it humming, along with the music, along with the burritos. Mark is used to handling phone-in orders for 50 at a time. Just give him 20 minutes or so. And, the sauce and coffee are always hot. And, if you must, Free Wi-Fi.

The pair of fine atmospheric restaurants, Rioja and Bistro Vendome, both serve a great menu, at least until 2:00 each of those days. Let’s hope when they open their third spot, Euclid Hall, this summer, that they serve breakfast a little later into the day. And, a good use of what most of us remember as Soapy Smith’s.

Nearby, at Writer Square, and the site of the sign above, is Crepes ‘n Crepes. And, the secret here is that you can really get breakfast-like crepes at any time. Perfect! And, perfectly French!

Here is one you may not have thought about. D’Corazon on Blake near 16th. The advantage of going to a Mexican restaurant for breakfast is that they bring you chips and salsa as soon as you sit down. This is good to cure that later-in-the-day hunger you may have awakened with. D’Corazon has three egg dishes on its menu…all the time. Just don’t show up in July or December when they take their bi-annual 2-week vacation. We should all do as well!

By the civilized time of 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon, many sporting events have begun. Go to Dixon’s, sit near the bar, and they will put the TV to whatever you want. This is a real neighborhood place which gets overrun by “tourists” on nice days in the summer. Breakfast ‘til 3 on weekends. Same at Racine’s at 6th and Sherman, but without the dogs tied to the patio fence.

And, for fresh tasting, figure out your own combination eggs scramble, Organixx on Blake, near 15th, serves breakfast all day on Saturday and Sunday. This is good and good value and good for you.

Some other places come to mind. The above are favorites and convenient to the downtown resident. Snooze at 23rd and Larimer is extremely popular and has a good eclectic menu. But, it is very crowded and expect a wait. Solve that by showing up close to 1:30 and it will work for you.

The Rialto Café in the Marriott Residence Hotel on the Mall at Curtis serves a weekend brunch menu. (The French have never found a good translation for the word “brunch”, so it probably is best just left out of our conversation.)

And, speaking of French, Le Central goes 10-2 on weekends with a French take on the meal, doused in Champagne to ease into the rest of the day.

Mona’s is actually good. But, I worry that most people there (causing long waits on weekends) really don’t want to go “all the way” into downtown. Besides, they probably have to pick something up at REI. 15th and Platte.

Then there are some Highlands spots. Colt & Gray, Lola’s, Lo-Hi Steak Bar, the Squeaky Bean. Let’s save those for another time. Besides, we’re talkin’ Downtown Denver! Be sure to eat at the right time!