The story below was featured on The Breck Connection
With so many options in Breckenridge, settling on a place to go for Happy Hour may just be the toughest decision of your day. Lucky for you we have tried them all and while this isn’t by any means a complete list, it is a collection of some of the best.
Blue River Bistro: Ask any Breckenridge local where to go for Happy Hour and there is no doubt that the Blue River Bistro will come up at some point during the conversation. Known for their martinis, classy ambiance and live music, the Bistro has set itself apart by offering not one, but two Happy Hours every day of the week. From 3-6 p.m. and again from 9- midnight, the Bistro offers 2-for-1 martinis and 2-for-1 selected appetizers. Whether you have a hankering for a classic dirty martini or you want to branch out and try some of their specialty martinis like the Key Lime Pie or the always-popular Espresso, there is plenty of variety to suit everyone’s individual tastes. Even if you’re not in the mood for a martini, draft beers are only $2 during Happy Hour and appetizers like the Kobe Beef Sliders, Baked Brie and Toasted Jalapeno Raviolis will keep your mouth watering. Check out the Bistro at 305 North Main St.
Mi Casa Mexican Cantina: During the winter months, Mi Casa is the ultimate Happy Hour destination given its close proximity to the base of Peak 9. From the classic margarita on the rocks to the lusciously blended mango margarita, there are plenty of ways to get your tequila fix at this well-established watering hole. I remember upon first moving to Breckenridge a friend brought me to Mi Casa and I became a fan for life after realizing they provided free chips and salsa during their 3-6 p.m. Happy Hour. As if that wasn’t incentive enough, right at 5 o’clock a pan of free nachos appears like magic and it’s usually a race to be the first one to dig in. Mi Casa is located right behind Mountain Wave near the corner of Park Avenue and Main Street.
Twist: Of all the restaurants on this list, Twist is definitely the baby, but don’t let that fool you because they handle Happy Hour like pros.
Located off Ridge Street with an amazing outdoor patio, Twist is the perfect place to unwind with friends after a long day at the office. Twist focuses on local and seasonal ingredients so the Happy Hour food menu is always changing, but the pork shoulder tacos for just $2 each have been a staple since Twist opened, given locals have been known to order them by the dozen. Twist is also home to one of my favorite cocktails in town, the Green Tea Martini. If you feel like branching out of your comfort zone try the bartender’s creative cocktail of the evening, always different, always refreshing and always just $5.
South Ridge Seafood: Sometimes you visit a bar for the deals and sometimes you visit for the character. Both can be said about South Ridge Seafood Grill because the food and drink are awesome and they have some of the friendliest bartenders around. Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. is a great time to hit up South Ridge with $1 oysters and great deals on other food items like the peel and eat shrimp and trout dip. Cheap draft beers are the main draw for the local crowd and given South Ridge is tucked away on Ridge Street the atmosphere feels a bit more relaxed even though the place has been known to get hopping as the hours creep closer to dinner. Do yourself a favor and head to South Ridge early when the crowds are minimal and you can pick the bartender’s brain for other Breck recommendations. Thanks to a quick chat with Daryll a few years back I found my favorite hiking trail of all time.
Cecilia’s : I know what you’re thinking. Cecilia’s for Happy Hour? Isn’t that the place with the pole on the dance floor? Yes and yes. While Cecilia’s has definitely made a name for itself as one the best late-night joints in town they have been doing somewhat of an image overhaul and are enticing a different kind of crowd for their Happy Hour these days by offering a bottle of wine with a fruit and cheese plate for only $20. Cecilia’s may have gotten somewhat of a bad rap over the years given it’s a more of a dance club than anything else but they do have a killer martini selection and during Happy Hour they are 2-for-1. Stroll in to Cecilia’s in the late afternoon and you will be pleasantly surprised by the laid-back atmosphere and wide drink selection. Also, if you feel like a glass of scotch and a stogie this is definitely your place as Cecilia’s boasts one of the biggest humidors you will find in Summit County. Find them in La Cima Mall right next to Lucha Cantina.
Posted in Anything & Everything, Breckenridge, Restaurants
Tagged 2 for 1 s, Blue River Bistro, Breckenridge, Colorado, happy hour, Mi Casa, Twist Breck
The story below was featured on The Breck Connection
Did you know that the seeds of the Indian Paintbrush wildflower are so small that you can plant a whole acre with only a few handfuls? Or that the white and lavender Columbine was adopted as the official state flower of Colorado on April 4, 1899 and that it’s illegal to pick them?
Whether you are a wildflower enthusiast or not, it’s hard not to find beauty in the
A few local varieties
splash of color found alongside mountain streams and paths this time of year in Breckenridge. Given this window of spectacular viewing only comes around for a short time during the summer months do yourself a favor and make it a point to check out one of the guided wildflower hikes offered through the Breckenridge Resort.
Locals and visitors alike can take advantage of several guided hike options that depart from the base of Peak 8 at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on a daily basis throughout the summer season with weather permitting, of course.
Each hike includes wildflower identification, information on certain medical remedies for some varieties, a background on Breck’s local history and what you need to know to be an expert “Leave No Trace” hiker.
Maybe you have cruised down Horseshoe Bowl on a powder day but when all that snow melts it leaves the soil in perfect condition for summer wildflowers and one guided hike option included riding the Colorado Chair up the mountain for a stroll through the lush and colorful basin.
Columbine can be found everywhere this time of year
Having a hard time getting the kids to want to go on a hike? What if the end reward was zooming down Breck’s famous Alpine Slide? Ride the chairlift to the top of the mountain and once you finish exploring and discovering local flora your group will end up at the top of the Alpine Slide and you can give your legs a break riding the slide all the way to the bottom of the mountain.
The guided hikes run through Breckenridge Resort are described as moderate, running up to three hours in duration and the ones that utilize the chairlift are not recommended for children under the age of five. Even if you are an expert hiker each guided session includes water, a granola bar, use of a daypack and hiking poles and they will even hook you up with a rain poncho if it starts to sprinkle and you forgot to bring one.
Remember to bring some sturdy hiking shoes, a good attitude and a camera because you will be channeling your inner Ansel Adams in no time once you look around and realize everywhere you turn is another unparalleled scenic view.
Reservations are recommended but not required so visit their website or call 970-453-3256 with any questions.
It’s been a while since I used this as a forum for self-expression and I feel compelled to start out by quoting a man who was clearly ahead of his time, Mr. Ferris Bueller.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
It’s true. We live in a world where it’s all about getting ahead, moving forward and never settling. It’s easy to loose sight of the present and to remember to take the time to commend yourself on where you have come and what brought you to this moment.
It’s been an incredible year of growth both personally and professionally, and even though I am now an editor for a different blog I have been completely neglecting my own.
As a writer you learn to mold your voice for different audiences, but I think to be a true writer you have to learn to revisit your own voice from time to time. It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since I moved to Summit County as a fresh-faced college grad and, while I am still light years away from having it all figured out, I have arrived at a place of balance on the brink of my 27th year on this planet.
While this site will now feature most of my work for The Breck Connection I’m hoping I still remember the importance of documenting my own voice every once in a while.
Feels good to be back on here.
Taking in an evening view with Makazi, our new trusty canine companion
Photo credit: Shaun Smith
Posted in Anything & Everything
When you begin talking to b boutique owner Cathy Cleary about her new shop on Main Street in Breckenridge you quickly realize this was a business born out of necessity.
“When I moved to Summit County I noticed there were hardly any places to buy high-quality makeup, hair or skin products,” Cleary said. “The brands that I used when I was working with salons weren’t accessible to people living in the mountains and it usually meant driving to Denver and spending more money.”
Now ladies need to look no further, tucked away at 301 N. Main Street behind The Fall Line, b boutique sits in a completely renovated ski tuning shop. Lines of skis and snowboards have now been replaced with handcrafted tables stocked with hair care brands like Pureology and Aquage, makeup lines from Stila and highly sought after skincare products from Ole Henriksen.
Starting on November 11th through the weekend b boutique will be celebrating their Grand Opening complete with giveaways, goodie bags and a jewelery trunk show.
“I feel like it’s great to finally have a place outside of the salon setting where people can shop and have someone there to educate them on which product will best suit their needs,” Cleary said. “Plus, there have to be plenty of testers. That’s what makes it fun!”
Originally hailing from Chicago, Cleary attended the Aveda Institute for Cosmetology and later joined Trio Salon in Chicago’s Gold Coast. After migrating westward for a job in Vail, she realized she had her own ideas for a business model and launched Weemala Wedding Hair and Makeup, a mobile venture with fellow local Kelly Richardson. With business growing, the logical next step for Cleary was to set up a more permanent location for wedding consultations and an onsite boutique was something she had always envisioned.
Catering to locals and visitors alike, b botique carries a host of products perfectly suited for life in the Rocky Mountains. Skin feel dry and scratchy from too many cold days on the ski slopes? Try the Pine Tar Soap Bar from Made In Breck, a locally made, all-natural alternative to soaps that further dry out the skin. Lips feel chapped? Slather on a sample of the Sara Happ lip scrub followed by the shimmery gloss and you’ll quickly realize it’s impossible to walk out without buying at least one of the many lip-smackin’ flavors. Or, maybe you forgot your sunscreen on your way to the gondola just a few steps down the road. To keep your skin protected you can pick up a tube of Zinka, the original zinc oxide waterproof sunblock in a variety of retro neon colors that will remind you of the good ‘ol days on the mountain.
Custom jewelry and pottery creations from local resident Regina Signa and her company ArTraveLove are artfully displayed throughout b boutique as well as colorful wrap bracelets and assorted jewlery from BB Dharma. Those interested in checking out more of the jewelry offered at b boutique should make it a point to stop by the shop on Sunday the 13th for jewelry trunk show with BB Dharma’s creator Mary Beth Brush.
Whether you are a full-0n beauty diva or just looking to battle split ends, b boutique is a clear choice for those in the High Country looking to treat themselves. So do yourself a favor and stop by this weekend to check out the Grand Opening, free samples guaranteed.
Posted in Anything & Everything, Breckenridge, Review
Tagged b boutique, BB Dharma, Breckenridge, Grand Opening, hair care, Main Street, make up, new business, Pureology, Summit County
If you happen to be one of those people who dream about the snow report then you should get ready to start setting your alarm to wake up with TV8 Summit for the rest of the winter.
Like most people in the county the station took a little breather during the off season but starting back on November 12th the Summit Sunrise morning show will be live six days a week with weather and snow reports, interviews, dining reviews and, most importantly, the daily Watch and Win.
What’s that you say? No access to cable TV? Well dry your eyes because Summit Sunrise is now streaming live on their website during the show so you don’t have to worry about missing any of Jeffrey Bergeron’s classic one-liners about the snow conditions.
Also make sure you check out the daily weather reports on TV8 Summit’s YouTube page. While you’re there you can click through past Summit Sunrise interviews or take a look at clips from local businesses.
So this winter, do yourself a favor and wake up with TV8 Summit for everything you need to know to start the day off right.
I was supposed to have jury duty yesterday. I had been dreading it all week and was cringing at the idea of having to wake up early and sit in the stale air of a courtroom all day. Much to my surprise, when I arrived at the Justice Center promptly at 8a.m. the parking lot was completely empty and the security guard at the door wasted no time in making me feel like an idiot.
“Didn’t you think to call like the notice told you,” he asked with a knowing smirk.
First off, I don’t appreciate a knowing smirk from anyone before 10 a.m., and once I took a second look at the jury summons I immediately felt like an idiot considering I had ignored half of the important instructions.
With the whole day suddenly free I was able to join a few of my guy friends on a mid-day rock climbing mission at Haus Rock located between Keystone and Montezuma. The 20 minute hike in is pretty steep and can be hard to follow, but just make sure you keep an eye out for carins making the trail.
Our buddy Mike, the real climber out of all of us
As we approached the rock from the south I was feeling a little daunted. I’ve only rock climbed a handful of times and these pitches had crazy vertical and overhang, but my friend told me not to worry and we continued around the rock to the north side where the lines looked a little more manageable.
Safety first, then teamwork
It’s easy to see why Haus Rock has become a favored climbing spot in Summit County, with numerous routes and plenty of bolts it can be an easy climb for those just starting out or a technical endeavor for those looking for a bit more of a challenge.
Even though I hadn’t really planned on doing a whole lot of climbing myself, I couldn’t resist giving it a try and after my first climb I refused to take off the harness so I could try out different routes. By the end of the afternoon I was beating the boys up the rock with a huge smile on my face.
All photos by Sam Steen, my trusted belayer.
Mike D with Jake and Sammy looking on
Jake is now addicted as well
Think I found a new hobby to sink my money into
Posted in Anything & Everything
Tagged Climbing, Haus rock, Keystone, Summit County
I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place where hidden gems like this still exist. Discovered by accident in an area I’ve hiked through for years, this cabin is more than sacred to those who frequent and maintain it. If all goes well I will be back there for my first overnight stay later this week.
I felt my soul change the minute I walked through the door of this cabin, I can’t explain the way this place made me feel more connected to the earth than ever before.
Posted in Anything & Everything, Breckenridge
Tagged Colorado, hiking, outdoors, secret spot, solitude
These days, everyone is a critic. We write reviews about anything and everything for the chance to get our tiny little voices heard over the world wide web, and restaurant reviews seem to be the write-ups we search for the most. It’s a chance for everyone to get on their soapbox and cry out “I was served an underdone steak!” “The toilet paper in the bathroom was scratchy!” or the oh-so prevalent and damaging, “Our waitress didn’t pay enough attention to us!!”
Let me just cut to the chase, I got a bad online review.
Just before my shift I was called over to have a sit-down with the manager in a corner booth before the Happy Hour crowds descended. The alleged incident happened sometime in April and words like “un-attentive” and “rude” stared back at me as she slid a printed copy of the review over to my side of the table.
My heart immediately sank and my mind began racing through every shift I worked in April to see if I could pinpoint the night, the table or the customers who were so disappointed.
“It happens all the time,” my manager assured me, noticing the sweat start to develop on my brow. “You aren’t the first one working here to get a bad write-up.”
I knew she was right but I felt utterly defeated. Someone felt wronged during their dining experience under my watch, so wronged that they marched home, fired up the computer and let me have it for the rest of the world to see. I was mentioned by name as well, just to add insult to injury.
The review haunted me all night. Every time I went to approach a new table I froze for a second, terrified someone would recognize my name from the write-up. I forced the biggest smile I could, told witty jokes, bent over backwards to accomidate every request and ended my shift feeling more exhausted than ever. Oh, and I was still pretty pissed about the whole thing.
Then it dawned on me, it is exhausting, the whole thing. I thought back to the review and suddenly wasn’t surprised at the comments.
Maybe it happened on the night that my manager decided to get on my case about every mundane detail, or the night when I got in a fight with my boyfriend, or that night I worked a 15-hour shift. Now that I think of it there were probably a million things going on that would make it hard to force a smile and describe my favorite entree. But, it’s my job to be bubbly, personable and attentive. One night I failed at being Suzy Sunshine and now I have this damaging review haunting my every move.
In the end, it’s not the end of the world. Just last night I had a table that was thrilled with their service and said they would make it a point to ask for me if they came back again for dinner. Working in the restaurant industry is roller coaster ride, one moment you’re on top of your game juggling multiple tables and the next your struggling to refill water, forgetting orders and spilling wine down your apron.
No one is perfect and sometimes servers have bad nights, but as long as there are online reviews I am going to do everything in my power to stretch my smile as wide as can be until the last table is gone and I can finally go back to being myself.
Posted in Anything & Everything
Let’s face it, no one actually aspires to be a waitress.
There is nothing glamorous about carrying heavy trays, reciting specials, filling drinks, shlepping dirty dishes, arguing with line cooks and dealing with bad tippers. All while making sure you have a smile plastered across your face for a couple of bucks.
Working in the service industry is not for everyone. For starters, you have to be able to deal with people, all types of people. Business lunchers who don’t give you the time of day, impatient families with screaming toddlers, high maintenance older couples who pay with change and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Everyone goes out to eat at one point or another and there is a good chance that the girl serving you has much higher aspirations than to ask if you want fries with your meal.
To make your server’s life a little bit easier, here are some helpful tips to think about the next time you sit down at a restaurant.
1. Acknowledge the person serving you
When the server comes to greet you at your table, 99 times out of 100 they will ask you how you are doing. Most times this greeting is accompanied by a smile and a cheerful disposition (depending on the time of day) as a way to engage you before delving into a pre-rehearsed speech on what the chef has prepared. Why not take this time to say hello and actually respond instead of pretending you’re too involved in your decision making process. Once the pleasantries are over you can get back to staring at the menu so why not make a quick human connection with the person that is about to cater to your needs.
2. Make a decision and go with it
I know better than anyone that decided on what to eat can be a very hard thing. It’s a committment and when you become a server you realize lots of people struggle with this simple committment issue. If you are not ready to order when your server comes around just simple ask for more time. No waitress wants to stand at a table for 10 minutes while you verbally deliberate between the pasta with chicken or the pasta with beef. You don’t need to phone a friend, you don’t need a street shout-out, just go with your gut because that’s the part of your body it’s all going to anyway.
3. Know your environment
There are many different occasions that warrant dining out, be it a business meeting, date, birthday, anniversary, vacation or just when you’re too lazy to cook, and the meal is always a great break because someone is doing all the behind-the-scenes work for you. Before you walk into a restaurant take a look around and asses whether the environment suites the type of experience you are looking to have. Is the DJ blasting hip-hop in the corner going to irritate your cranky 4-year old? Are the servers wearing collared shirts and ties while you’re in sweats? Is the menu out of your price range? Are peanut shells on the floor not suitable hard to please in-laws? Just make sure you actually want to eat somewhere before you sit down and waste a servers time by ordering two waters.
4. If you have a problem, speak up
Far too often people are afraid to speak their minds when it comes to getting what they want. In reality, it’s easier to just take what you get and deal with it, and when that happens with food there is no greater disappointment. If you don’t like something that you ordered, if it’s not cooked the right way, looks weird, smells funny, is scaring your date, don’t be afraid to send it back. No one is going to be offended and, trust me, the restaurant wants the opportunity to fix its mistake. If you don’t touch your food the server is most likely going to notice and ask what they can do. There is no greater disappointment than to repeatedly hear the words “oh, everything’s fine” and then notice a horrible review the next day on Urbanspoon, TripAdvisor or whatever website from the woman who pushed her salmon around the plate all night.
5. Always, always tip 15% or more
Unless a server verbally assaulted you, completely ignored you or purposely spilled something on you, there is really no reason to tip below 15% of your total bill at the end of the meal. Most servers barely make $5 an hour and survive solely on the tips that they work hard for. Factor in the tip when you do your ordering at the beginning of the meal, if you ordered the NY strip and three $12 glasses of wine you’re going to have to leave a little bit more than the guy at the next table who opted for soup, salad and water. Also, don’t leave change as a tip. No server wants to open up a check book to find a few crumpled dollars and 28 pennies to count out.
—-> Side note: If you are visiting from another county take the time to learn what is customary when dining out in the Unites States. No, that little line that says Tip: $________ is not simply for decoration, it’s where you pay for the service. Take that, you Brazilian women who left me no tip on a $200 check, karma will get you!!
I digress.
6. Treat others how you would like to be treated
It’s a concept most of us learned at a young age, do unto others as you would have done to you. Yes, it is the job of a server to make sure you don’t have to lift a finger but it does not make them a servant, or a punching bag, or someone below you. We are all human beings and we should treat each other as such, and who knows, the girl running her butt off to please you may be in night school to become the next high-powered CEO, or is supporting two kids, juggling multiple jobs, or trying to make it as a writer… you never know.
I know that my stint as a waitress is not a permanent career choice but I must admit that I’m glad to see things from the other side. Yes, I come home from work disgruntled, tired, covered in spilled food with aching feet, but I will forever be courteous and grateful to the people who serve me when I get to go out.
I’m sure more rants will follow, but damn did that feel good….
Posted in Anything & Everything
