Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

To some, this date this coming Tuesday is simply May 5, but to many in our area, it is Cinco de Mayo, a day to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage! If you are one who prefers to join in on the fiesta, be sure not to miss Denver's 28th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival! 

This year's festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, at Civic Center Park. The event will house three stages for musical and dance performance, and attendees will find food, contests and other vendors on site. The highlight of the day will be the Cinco de Mayo "Celebrate Culture" parade, which is Saturday at 10 AM. The parade will begin at Colfax and Welton and ends on Lincoln and 13th. To view a full map of the parade route, click here.

The festival's music and entertainment will certainly set the fiesta mood! Scheduled musicians include: Banda la Revuelta, Azero, The Mighty Nice Band, Chicano Heat, The Deleon Brothers Band and more! Cultural performances include: Samba Colorado Brazilian Dance, Ballet Folklorico Baile Caliente, Colorado Mestizo Dancers and more!

Love to eat tacos? Then you definitely need to check out the Taco Eating Contest on Saturday at 4 PM! If you want to watch some of the fastest chihuahuas in Denver, tune in to the Chihuahua Race on Sunday at 3 PM. Both of these events will take place in Civic Center park, east of the McNichol's Buildings.

The festival is open to the public and is free to attend! More than 400,000 visitors are expected at this year's events! The festival is very easy to get to from The Amaranth apartment homes, as it's just a 6 minute drive away! 

Have you attended the Cinco de Mayo festival in the past? What bands or events are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival? Share your thoughts with us on The Amaranth's Facebook and Twitter pages! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Sources consulted:

Cinco de Mayo Denver

Hotel Teatro

Visit Denver

Live Green in Denver

Happy Earth Day! It's easy to go about your daily routine without considering how much energy is being expelled or the amount of water you're using. If today's holiday has you reconsidering the strength of your carbon footprint, luckily, you live in a pretty environmentally-friendly city! Green options range from transportation to life at Amaranth!

Go Green in Denver
Transportation:
Denver B-Cycle: If you live within a close distance of your workplace, consider biking as your main method of transportation! The Denver B-Cycle bike sharing program allows you to rent a bike one trip or for a day. There are 80 stations throughout the city where you can pick up and return bikes. The closest Denver B-Cycle station to The Amaranth is at Denver Botanic Gardens! How's that for convenience? The Amaranth's Bike Score is a solid 90!

Bus: The closest bus stops to The Amaranth apartment homes are along 12th and 8th Streets. To find the most convenient bus route for you or to plan a trip, check the RTD website.

Food & Shopping

Is it time to go grocery shopping? Farmer's markets will soon be back in-season, so buy locally sourced food! Nearby markets include the City Park Esplanade Fresh Market, which begins on June 7, and the Cherry Creek Fresh Market, which begins May 2.

Are the local businesses you frequent considered green? Take a look on the Denver Office of Sustainability Resource Guide!

What Can You Do at Home?

Waste not - Use energy-efficient light bulbs and unplug "energy sucking" appliances when they're not in use.

Take advantage of our outdoor spaces - Read a book outdoors under natural sunlight!

Use public trash cans - We maintain the grounds as best as we can, but if you see litter on the ground, pick it up if you can safely do so! 

These are just a few steps you can take to live a more environmentally-friendly life. By making some of these changes, whether small or large, you can create and maintain a green lifestyle! 

What are your favorite ways to "go green?" Reusable bags and cups? Recycling? Share your tips with us on The Amaranth's Facebook and Twitter page!

Denver Flea is Back

What do you get when you combine a flea market concept of vendors all under one roof, a beer-loving city and this weekend? The Denver Flea! Rest up, shoppers, because this event is going to be fun and jam-packed! This widely popular event returns today with a kick-off party and tomorrow shoppers will be welcomed to the market. Get ready to shop, enjoy a beer and mingle with some of the area's finest retailers!

About the Flea
The Denver Flea is comprised of more than 100 quality retailers and vendors from all over the Denver Metro Area, who assemble under one roof and in an exciting atmosphere! Retailers are just as excited to participate as shoppers are to attend! The warehouse space at Bindery on Blake will be transformed into an indoor, high-quality flea market!

Kick-Off Party
The Denver Flea Kick-Off Party is tonight at Bindery on Blake, down the street from Coors Field. The $30 ticket includes early access to the more than 100 vendors, bottomless New Belgium beer and craft cocktails, live entertainment and more. The party lasts from 6 to 10 PM. Don't forget to smile for the photo booth!

Day of the Flea
Tomorrow, April 18 is the big shopping day! The Flea is FREE to attend and runs from noon to 7 PM. Here are just a handful of the vendors: Spinster Sisters, Knotty Tie, Rare Finds, Western Daughters and Bodega Vintage. To view a full list of retailers, click here. If you RSVP online by midnight tonight, you'll receive a free New Belgium beer tomorrow!

The Bindery on Blake is located at 2901 Blake Street, which is only about a 15-minute drive away from The Amaranth apartment homes! Whether you want to update your wardrobe for spring, take a look at handmade jewelry, enjoy a beer or just get out of the house, the Denver Flea is the place to be this weekend!

Will you be attending the event? What retailers are you excited to see? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Happy Shopping!


Sources consulted:
Denver Flea
5280 Magazine

Cherry Creek Dining

While The Amaranth's tree-lined streets overlook Cheesman Park and the Botanical Gardens, just a 5-minute drive away is Cherry Creek, one of Denver's finest retail and dining areas. Cherry Creek offers casual, quick and fine dining options, so whether you've had a long day and need to grab a quick bite on the way home, or are planning a more formal evening, you have numerous options at your fingertips! Some of the following Cherry Creek eateries were ranked in Westword's "Ten Best Restaurants in Cherry Creek," so give them a try!

Located in Cherry Creek Shopping Center:
BRIO Tuscan Grille
This Italian eatery is open from 11 AM - 10 PM. Valet parking is available.

Elway's
Of course, you know this was named after Denver Bronco John Elway. The Cherry Creek location is the original Elway's location, which is currently at 4 restaurants nationwide. Elway's is known for their steak options and brunch! Elway's ranked #2 on the Westword list! Open from 11 AM - 10 PM. Valet parking available.

Kona Grill
In additional to traditional American dishes like steak and burgers, Kona Grill also offers a delicious sushi menu! Open from 11 AM - 9 PM. Valet parking available

Outside the Shopping Center
Ondo's Spanish Tapas Bar
Try the chorizo or conservas, imported from Europe! Reservations required. #10 on the Westword list.

True Food Kitchen
If you're health conscious, even when dining out, True Food Kitchen provides plenty of options based on the "anti-inflammatory food pyramid," the menu is mainly butter- and fat-free! #9 on the Westword list.

Harman's eat & drink
Harman's ranks #1 on Westword's list of ten best restaurants in Cherry Creek! From Westword:

He [restauranteur Mark Fischer] describes the food as "approachable, personal, made with integrity and super-tasty," and regulars would definitely agree as they crowd around tables and the bar to order braised-goat tostadas, truffled pork rinds, an English-pea agnolotti that ranks as one of our 100 Favorite Dishes, and a roasted-beet salad that’s definitely one of the most memorable dishes of the year.

What are your favorite restaurants and dishes in the Cherry Creek area! These are just a sampling of the good eats in Cherry Creek!

Where to do Easter Brunch

Happy Passover and Easter! If you are hosting friends and family from out of town this weekend, treat them to a weekend brunch at one of our area's many delicious eateries. All of the following brunch options come recommended by either Denver Eater or Westword, and are all located within 15-minutes by car of The Amaranth.

Session Kitchen
Brunch Hours: 10 AM - 3 PM

Green Chili Hash, Fried Chicken and Waffles, Lox and Tots are among the menu items. A new menu feature at Session is the create your own mimosa option! Call for reservations.

Trillium
Brunch Hours: 10 AM - 2:30 PM

Trillium is offering an a la carte menu with some brunch menu regulars and new dishes, according to the website. Reservations are strongly recommended. The 30th party of the day will receive an Easter gift basket which includes a $50 Trillium gift card.

ViewHouse Eatery Bar & Rooftop 
Brunch Hours: 10 AM - 3 PM

An adult Easter egg hunt, bottomless bloody marys and mimosas, games and contest are just some of the festivities that await you at ViewHouse. Specials include a $6 Hopped Up Cocktail and $16 Honey Baked Spiral Ham.

Guard and Grace 
Brunch Hours: 10 AM - 2 PM

The steakhouse is offering a $45 3-course prix fixe menu.

The Nickel
Brunch Hours: 11 AM - 3 PM

The Nickel is located inside Hotel Teatro on Fourteenth Street. Special Easter menu items include Olive Oil Poached Halibut and Confit Duck Leg Salad, in addition to the Porchetta Sandwich and other regular brunch items. Reservations can be made on The Nickel's website.

Humboldt Farm, Fish & Wine
Brunch Hours: All day

Easter specials include Pan Roasted Airline Chicken, Scottish Salmon and Carved Prime Rib. A prix fixe menu is available all day, depending on your other plans for the day.

This is one of The Amaranth's favorite restaurants!

Charcoal
Brunch Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM

Charcoal's menu offers brunch favorites like Eggs Benedict and Mushroom Omelette in addition to Blueberry Scones and Swedish Meatballs. Brunch is $35/person.

Tamayo 
Brunch Hours: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Tamayo is offering unlimited small plates and cocktails for $35/person.

Panzano
Bottomless bellinis are a regular weekend special and Easter weekend is no exception! Brunch is $35/person.

Cherry Cricket
A special Easter burger, the Bene Burger, which is basically eggs benedict in burger form is the highlight of Cherry Cricket's Easter brunch!

Argyll Whiskey Beer 
This gastropub offers contemporary British cuisine. Brunch options include Fish & Chips, Lamb Burger and Corned Beef Hash.

EDGE
EDGE is offering a 3-course brunch. Appetizer, entree and unlimited dessert is $60.

The Corner Office
Brunch Hours: 7 AM - 3 PM

Where will you be dining this Easter weekend? What dishes would you recommend at these restaurants? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Sources consulted:
Denver Eater
Westword
Restaurant Websites