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A P R I L 2 02 3

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Josh Behr 303.903.9535 T he Be hr Team .com

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2550 Cherryridge Road CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Aprés Ski

April 2023 PUBLISHER

Andy Manz | amanz@citylifestyle.com PUBLICATION DIR ECTOR

With most Colorado ski areas now in their final weeks of operation, the 2022-2023 season was certainly one to remember. I will miss checking the “Open Snow” app on my phone, ten to fifteen times per day, to see where the next storm is going to hit. Yes, it’s true, the storms somehow always seem to track towards the mountains we aren’t heading to, but dreams of foot-deep powder keep us all coming back. Our family will also miss stopping at Westbound & Down Brewery, in Idaho Springs, for their world-famous green chile and cheese french fries. In our opinion, this is hands down the best casual dish in the state of Colorado. Fortunately for us, and everyone reading, that is a gift that can be enjoyed the whole year. Last month, I had the opportunity to join thirteen friends on a cat ski trip in British Columbia, Canada. Since I was one of the few who had been the year prior, I was appointed “trip leader.” In all honesty, I was totally fine with this duty. My love of spreadsheets and planning went hand in hand with this responsibility. As curator of the crew, various emails were sent in the final weeks leading up to the trip, regarding flight information, expected weather conditions and various items on the packing list. As not to patronize my friends (adults in their forties), I tried to keep the packing list simple. Everyone on the trip was an expert skier, and telling a grown man to bring socks and goggles didn’t seem right. Well, apparently some of my colleagues needed a little nudge in the passport department, because on departure day, we had not one, but two “code reds.” The first call I received was from a group member at the United ticket counter, who flat out forgot his passport. After some deep breaths, he called his wife in Boulder and superwoman made it there just in time. The second “uh oh” was from another buddy who arrived at the ticket counter with an expired passport. “Nooooooo!” This was a far bigger problem. He missed the flight completely, but was able to renew his passport the following day, and only missed one of our four days in Canada. I’m sure many of you have similar stories that will go down in ski trip lore. Maybe we should all get together and write a book about our mishaps so we can laugh at each other collectively? Cheers to a great season, and thanks for reading!

Chantel Ellerington chantel.ellerington@citylifestyle.com MANAGING EDITOR

Kate Manz | kmanz@citylifestyle.com EDITOR IAL COOR DINATOR S

Kelsey Huffer | kelsey.huffer@citylifestyle.com Kailey Beuerlein | kailey.beuerlein@citylifestyle.com COPY EDITOR

Allyson Reedy | allyson.Reedy@citylifestyle.com INTER N

Summer Fitzgerald summer.fitzgerald@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Kerrie Lee Brown, Katherine Owen, Kailey Beuerlein, Tony Firestine, Jessica Mordacq CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Poppy & Co. by Kelsey Huffer, David Patterson, Ali Vagnini

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker

ANDY MANZ, PUBLISHER @CHERRYCREEKLIFEST YLE

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Cherry Creek Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Cherry Creek area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Cherry Creek Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

S A N D R A P R AT T

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APRIL 2023

inside the issue The Explore Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 Beauty By Design

Lifestyle Letter

BLOOM by Anuschka Is Known for Its Vibrant Collection of Flowers and Goods –

City Scene

Sourced Beautifully From Around the World

Business Monthly

Open House HO ME + DES I GN

Artist’s Palette A RTS + C U LT U R E

Giving Back FO O D + B EV ER AG E

Hot Spot FO O D + B EV ER AGE

Now Open ST Y LE + B EAU T Y

18 Dream Retreat

Achieving Welcome, Warmth and Mountainous Luxury in a Mosaic Architects + Interiors Home Build

26 Gold Standard

Meet Avery Lee Oatman, a Longmont-Based Artist Raising the Bar When It Comes to Responsible Jewelry Making

32 So All May Eat

Strengthening Community Through Nourishment at Denver’s SAME Café

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Poppy & Co. by Kelsey Huffer Margot Denver

MICHELLE COURIER

Timepiece, Acrylic on Canvas, Michelle Courier

48”x60”

Westward Gallery 4400 Tennyson Street, Denver, Colorado 80212

www.westwardgallery.com 720.483.1046

APRIL 2023

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

1: In February, Alchemy Face Bar opened its 5th location, in Cherry Hills 2: Bre Morris, Founder & CEO of Alchemy Face Bar 3: Alchemy is an open-concept face bar now also located in Happy Canyon Photography by @alchemyfacebar

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @cherrycreeklifestyle

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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Kentwood Real City Properties shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.

APRIL 2023

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Spade & Spoon Launches Local Meal Kits Delivered to Front Range

The Conscious Entrepreneur Summit Comes to Boulder

Launched in November 2022, Spade & Spoon is Colorado’s local-first delivery meal kit company. Committed to strengthening the local food system, customers will find new meal kits and pantry items featuring favorite farmers market vendors like Sfoglina, Five Freedoms Dairy and Switch Gears Farms. Spade & Spoon works with dozens of Colorado food producers to offer more than 900 chef-designed seasonal recipes. Each meal kit delivery allows customers to pick from dozens of weekly meals as well as pre-selected box themes including Vegetarian, Family Classics and Gluten Free.

The Conscious Entrepreneur Summit is the only in-person conference that's 100% dedicated to the well-being of entrepreneurs, and it's taking place in Boulder on June 7 & 8. Join us and hear from some of the most highly sought-after speakers in leadership, consciousness and human transformation; build authentic connections with like-minded entrepreneurs; and become more authentic in your leadership style to create a stronger team and culture. Use code CHERRYCREEK for $150 off tickets! Learn more at ConsciousEntrepreneur.Us

Celebrate Spring with E79’s Bee Collection and the Denver Botanic Gardens! Element 79 Jewelry is donating a portion of all sales of the Bee Collection – designed by E79’s owner, Carol Ferguson – to the Denver Botanic Gardens the entire month of April. Crafted in 14K yellow gold and sterling silver, these bee pieces symbolize Goddess energy, communication, productivity and abundance. They also remind you to add a little sweetness to your day.

Photography @jmegmo

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/CherryCreek

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

beauty

BY DESIGN

ARTICLE BY KERRIE LEE BROWN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER

Photo Courtesy of BLOOM by Anuschka

LOCA L’S CH OICE | HOM E + DE S I GN

BLOOM BY ANUSCHKA IS KNOWN FOR ITS VIBRANT COLLECTION OF FLOWERS AND GOODS – SOURCED FROM AROUND THE WORLD Every once in a while, you come across a boutique that does more than take your breath away. And by away, I mean your mind, body and soul turns into a big heap of goo as soon as you walk through the door. Anuschka Pashel is the owner of such an eclectic destination. No wonder she’s become the go-to proprietor for all things beautiful within our local oasis. Bloom by Anuschka is perfectly laced with a plethora of colors and designs that instantly draw you in—but it’s the flawless projection of fragrances that makes you want to stay. From stunning flower arrangements and handmade jewelry, to vibrant pillows, rugs, clothing, paintings and more, Bloom houses everything and anything that makes your heart literally “bloom” with love, joy and wonderment. Bloom brings together beauty and artistry from all walks of life. “The intention is always to bring our clientele the most thoughtfully selected, unique and beautiful pieces; whether that be hand poured candles from Morocco or Denver-based artists’ prints and original canvases,” Anuschka says. “The mission will always be the marriage of global wonders and the ease of local shopping, always looking for beauty.” Anuschka has always been drawn to flowers, design and anything with authentic meaning. After moving to Denver in the late nineties, she introduced the community to her worldly tastes in her studio-based business at the time. In 2011, she opened her coveted brick and mortar flower shop. Her vision started with flowers and

eventually evolved to include jewelry and home décor, and continues to grow with the goal of ensuring the continued appreciation of age-old techniques in a modern world. More than a breathtaking home décor and flower shop, it’s obvious Bloom’s team of nine knows what it takes to appease a variety of tastes. With intricate masterpieces created by artisans from all corners of the world, as well as numerous talented locals, there’s not a single item that doesn’t wow your senses. Bloom sources its items through a combination of Anuschka’s travels and personal relationships with artists around the world, as well as through local vendors. Anuschka’s personal jewelry line is called Bloom Bijoux, where she sources her stones from around the world and designs it all herself. “Our most popular items include our Bloom candles,” Anuschka adds. Each scent was designed by Anuschka herself, and each candle is hand poured into their unique vessels in Morocco. “We are also the only place in Denver that sells Trudon. Trudon are the oldest candle pourers in the world. Beyond us, they can be found in Vail and Aspen.” Anuschka, who is a former Ford model, says traveling is an important part of her creative process. Therefore, it’s not surprising that she has a passion for the people and places where these treasures come from. Her unrivaled knack for finding unique and beautiful things is at the root of how she honors those who make them. Anuschka has also become a talented artisan herself. From f lower arrangements to

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LOCA L’S CH OICE | HOM E + DE S I GN

Photo Courtesy of BLOOM by Anuschka

jewelry and now her own line of Bloom candles, she continues to evolve her boutique’s one-of-a-kind items. Over the years, Anuschka has honed her skills as a florist-turned-successful entrepreneur with a flair for curating incredible art and design. At first, Anuschka arranged flowers in her garage. As her reputation for creating beautiful arrangements grew, she opened her first studio and launched her business, Bloom, in 2011. Always on the move, Anuschka began curating unique pieces of furniture from around the globe. Endlessly inspired by her travels, she began designing jewelry as well. Before long, Bloom had become a lifestyle boutique and a hub of culture and all things beautiful in Cherry Creek.

“Our floral team is as strong as it has ever been,” Anuschka adds. The business has accounts for weekly floral arrangements with companies such as The Agency in Cherry Creek, and she loves to work with clients on events, whether that be weddings or other celebrations. “As far as custom floral arrangements, our designers work with our clientele to ensure that they get the floral of their dreams.” At the end of the day, Bloom is a platform for Anuschka—a woman in business whose hands connect the far reaches of the globe through art and love. “From the streets of Mexico to the timeless institutions and creators of art in Europe, I like to believe that I have made a home for them all in Cherry Creek.” We have to agree—and she does so eloquently.

AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C HE R RYC R E E K

Andrea Bell

Kara Couzens

Keri Duffy

Wendy Glazer

303.748.7299

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Julie Winger 303.946.2784

Quintessential North Creek Residence Presented by Gina Lorenzen and Kara Couzens

100 Detroit Street, No. 205 Ten Sets of French Doors to One of the Largest Terraces in Cherry Creek

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified, especially any reference to square footage, bedrooms

and

properties sale, Neither

are

change listing

bathrooms. subject or

All prior

withdrawal.

broker(s)

nor

Kentwood Real Estate shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.

gina Lorenzen gina@kentwood.com

303.570.2042

Kara Couzens kcouzens@kentwood.com 303.518.4258

DREAM RETREAT

ACHIEVING WELCOME, WARMTH AND MOUNTAINOUS LUXURY IN A MOSAIC ARCHITECTS + INTERIORS HOME BUILD

ARTICLE BY LISA VAN HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID PATTERSON

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

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O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

One of the distinguishing traits of Mosaic Architects + Interiors is that each project is embarked on with a fresh mindset. Each new endeavor begins with an open slate full of promise and possibilities. It’s an approach that enables the firm to bring its clients’ singular styles and personalities to life. This mindset was ideally matched for a recent Colorado Springs home build, for which the site and the homeowners’ lifestyles were foundational inspirations. “The owners for this project were experienced home builders,” says Jane Snyder, AIA and founding partner of Mosaic Architects + Interiors, a lauded boutique firm based in Colorado and California. “They were inspired by their Colorado Springs site and wanted to build a sanctuary for their family.” This special site spans over three acres with a vantage that includes an overlook of the neighborhood golf course as well as views of Pikes Peak. These views, combined with the homeowners’ desire to create a contemporary dream retreat, set the stage for a collaboration focused on welcome, modernity and the interplay between the indoors and the outdoors.

“The home is a blend of architectural and design traits, all with a contemporary emphasis,” says Jane. “The site was an inspiration in terms of materials chosen, room design, orientation and the expressed request for private and public entertaining.” Maximizing the views and natural elements of the site was integral to determining both the large-scale layout and finer details of the home. The home’s central area was created to mimic a large glass box with stone walls layered throughout the spaces. This allows for the scenery outside to seep within and to draw occupants toward its natural beauty. Meanwhile, the home’s details further enhance this elevated modern, yet wholly natural, character.

“The exterior materials palette helped navigate the vision of the mountain contemporary design,” says Jane. “Light colored stone, black metal trim and large windows and glass doors came together to create a style that plays on the dichotomy of the indoor/outdoor relationships.” The theme of luxurious welcome is likewise a key part of the home’s identity. The cozy, beckoning entryway leads to the grand open concept living space that includes the kitchen, living and dining spaces and from which guests are greeted by breathtaking views. This is a space that is not only a delight for visitors, but that also allows for stunning, effortless everyday living with its luminous quality and refined personality. The home’s many other multipurpose spaces were similarly designed with the purpose of facilitating both lively gatherings and family social time. These include the field house—which opens onto the turf for football practice—as well as the recreation room and the indoor gym and locker room. The outdoor area also includes distinct stadium steps down to the hot tub and backyard retreat. At the end of the day, it’s a project that Mosaic feels proud of both for its impeccable design and the satisfaction that it brings to the homeowners. “These homeowners trusted us with their vision,” says Jane, “and ended up with something that they enjoy every day.” CONTINUED > AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C HE R RYC R E E K

“The site was an inspiration in terms of materials chosen, room design, orientation and the expressed request for private and public entertaining.” 22

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

Bloom Cherry Creek North 3170 E 2nd Avenue Denver, CO 80206 Bloom at Union Station 1701 Wynkoop Street, Suite 140 Denver, CO 80202 bloom@bloomdenver.com 720-941-2862

A place for the season.

SPRING FLOWERS, WELCOMING WARMTH. Tucked behind Camelback Mountain in the serenity of Paradise Valley, Mountain Shadows stands as a pinnacle of design and unwavering hospitality. Cater to every whim while surrounded by desert majesty, from golf to fine dining and poolside lounging. Don’t wait to indulge, book your spring stay in paradise today to experience seductive cuisine, luxurious accommodations, a panoramic pool area and challenging par-3 golf. All day sun, warm breezes and blooming desert flora await you.

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Gold Standard

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

At her light-filled home studio in Longmont, Avery Lee Oatman crafts responsibly made and regionally inspired jewelry while looking out over her backyard that functions as a small veggie and flower farm for her and her husband, Tim. She’s frequently accompanied by her dog, Lulu, who lays close by as she hand-cuts stones for inlay pieces. “It's all pretty dreamy,” Avery admits. As is her work for her line, Avery Lee Design. Think: 14K gold earrings with metallic fringe and jade from Wyoming, cuff bracelets made of hammered sterling silver and stacking rings (her most popular creation) made with recycled 14k gold showcasing stones like dead camel jasper from Nevada or turquoise from the Cripple Creek Mine here in Colorado, just to name a few. “I grew up here in Boulder and spent most of my childhood camping in the Rocky Mountains and on river trips on the Colorado and Green River in Utah. So many of the colors and textures that I am drawn to in the stones I use are reflected in the landscapes from these beautiful places. Larsonite jasper from Oregon brings to mind underwater seascapes and New Lander Variscite from Nevada reminds me of the starry night sky,” Avery recalls. Lately her work has been inspired by an interest in jaspers, variscites and jade, which expanded to include faceted stones like antique diamonds, sunstones and tourmalines, all sourced with the greatest care. Behind each and every piece is a chain of sustainable, ethical choices.

MEET AVERY LEE OATMAN, A LONGMONT-BASED ARTIST RAISING THE BAR WHEN IT COMES TO RESPONSIBLE JEWELRY MAKING ARTICLE BY KATHERINE OWEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALI VAGNINI

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“From the beginning, sustainability has always been a huge focus in my art. I know that the word ‘sustainability’ has come to mean very different things for everyone. I prefer using the word ‘responsibility,’ as it highlights a level of accountability within the choices I make,” Avery says. “I am deeply concerned with the impact we as humans have had on the environment, and there is no getting around the fact that making jewelry with minerals from the earth is an extractive practice.” In practice, that means every piece–from raw material to finished product–that enters and leaves her studio is made with the greatest level of not just creativity, but care. The use of traceable stones, reclaimed diamonds and Fairmined gold is an important part of Avery’s work. Created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining, the “Fairmined” standard and seal is a way to protect and promote human rights, gender equality and environmental responsibility in the industry. To qualify, artisanal and small-scale mining organizations must meet rigorous standards to ensure the gold is “of responsible origin.” The label ensures that it “is a traceable gold, extracted with the best mining practices aimed at preserving the environment, and support[s] the development of artisanal and small-scale mining communities.” Avery is one of only four jewelers in Colorado to work with Fairmined gold. (See fairmined.org for a full list.) “I love knowing that buying Fairmined means I am working towards empowering and supporting a large network of miners and their families and changing ethical standards in the greater industry,” she says. Avery follows a similar ethos when selecting stones, choosing American mined and cut stones and/or reclaimed and antique diamonds that have already been in circulation when possible. The final result is pieces that equally portray and preserve the beauty of nature and protect the well-being of the humans behind it – from the miners to the makers to the wearers.

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

“My mission is to make pieces that connect the wearer to both the cycles and materials of nature and something expressive inside of themselves. I want the wearers of my work to feel celebrated and loved for who they are regardless of their status, skin color and sexual orientation,” Avery explains. “‘Self-acceptance’ is a funny buzzword these days, and I think the term can sometimes lead to a complacency within privilege. Jewelry-making consistently challenges me to meet my own imperfections while acknowledging the nonlinear journey within my own creative practice and business. I like thinking of each piece as a small expression of a greater stream of ideas and creative work that will continue to unfold. That idea helps me let go of the preciousness and perfectionism I sometimes run up against, and what is mirrored around me in our growth-focused economy.” Learn more and shop her collection at averyleedesign.com.

THE POWER OF THREE DENVER’S LEADING LUXURY TEAM

Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to taccuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No ﬁnancial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Data based on REColorado Closed Volume 1/1/23-12/31/23.

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SO ALL MAY EAT

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY THROUGH NOURISHMENT AT DENVER’S SAME CAFÉ ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE

G IV IN G BAC K | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

It can often be the small things that we take for granted, like taking the time to take a break for a simple, healthy lunch on a bustling day. While some of us scramble to find a moment in our busy schedules to nourish ourselves, others in need are struggling to find the means to eat anything at all. Being the first non-profit restaurant of its kind in the U.S., SAME (So All May Eat) Café on East Colfax in Denver has been serving wholesome and nutritious meals with the intent to feed anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay, since 2006. On a recent Friday afternoon visit, I was able to speak to Carrie Shores, SAME’s Executive Director, and witness firsthand the warmth and hospitality that the team at SAME brings to all who walk through their doors. From my perspective at the long community table that anchors the cozy dining room, the outside temperature was creeping into the 30s at lunchtime. The previous frigid day didn’t reach double digits, and that night was well into the negatives. I arrived behind a group of hungry patrons, some carrying their heavy blankets with them, presumably having to bear those bitterly dangerous temperatures on the street the night before.

They were all greeted promptly, the counter staff taking ample time with each one of them to go over the menu that changes daily according to what local businesses, farms and guests have donated from their home gardens. The lunch patrons are an eclectic mix: the hungry group I walked in with, a table full of University of Denver students wrapping up their meal after a morning of volunteering in the kitchen, two different tables that look like they could be taking a business lunch and a couple of solo diners that are presumably neighborhood regulars. All of the guests are smiling and connecting with each other over their lunches, and the crew knows many by name. Carrie describes to me all the moving parts that make up the 17 years of success and longevity of SAME Café. The concept of the café isn’t just one of charity but of active participation. Guests have the ability to pay what they can, donate goods and produce or volunteer onsite for a half hour in exchange for a meal. While neighboring organizations and shelters admirably feed those in need with no caveats, SAME’s participation model allows their guests to instill a sense of dignity and pride in actively volunteering before or after their meal in order to be a part of a team and CONTINUED >

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“The concept of the café isn’t just one of charity but of active participation. Guests have the ability to pay what they can, donate goods and produce or volunteer onsite for a half hour in exchange for a meal.”

achieve a strong sense of community. Many other similar concepts have sprung up over the U.S. using SAME as their model, often visiting and consulting with SAME’s founders and board members. Local farms and restaurants participate by donating goods and produce to SAME that may otherwise go to waste. While I’m talking to Carrie, a peer chef from a nearby restaurant, Tocabe, drops off several cases of kale that went unused for a recent event, and then he’s on his way with a brief goodbye and a hug. Local kale is prevalent on the menu in the height of winter. The daily offerings are always hearty, yet healthy, and portions are substantial. The crew always offers vegan and vegetarian options and meat-based dishes. Carrie alludes to the “Iron Chef” style task of her crew coming up with a

G IV IN G BAC K | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

new menu every day based on what’s readily available in the walk-in cooler. SAME recently opened a second café location in Toledo, Ohio's main library and is serving more meals than they ever imagined to this underserved community. SAME also has a Denver-based food truck and offers catering services with the same pay-what-you-can model as the original café. Their SAME Table Annual Celebration is their largest fundraising event and offers patrons the option to pay for a full-price ticket or volunteer or donate to attend this lively event. SAME’s philosophy that everyone deserves to eat healthy food while being treated with dignity is evident in the experiences and nourishment they provide to their community and beyond through their innovation and influence.

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MARGOT Chef Justin Fulton’s Refined Cuisine Finds a Sunday Home ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER

DENVER 38

H OT SP OT | FOOD + BEV E RAGE

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“If I have anything to bring back to Colorado from my outside experience, it’s a worldwide perception of how to make food the best it can be and 17 years of diligent selectiveness of what that means to me.” When walking into Margot, Justin Fulton’s Sunday-only pop-up at Coperta in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, you can’t help but feel like you’ve been let in on a lively little secret. The streets are dim and fairly empty on a brisk early-March night, and the nearby businesses are only peppered with a few patrons. When you enter the front door, the bar is closed off. For a moment you might briefly think to yourself, Am in the right place? Then you’re quickly and warmly greeted and led into the adjacent cozy dining room, which is teeming with movement from the small and committed team and the engaged guests. Service is instantly genuine and earnest. Our server leads us into the 10-course experience; the only option that the concept offers. The first thing he brings to the table is a small cast iron

H OT SP OT | FOOD + BEV E RAGE

dish of still rising, uncooked, pillowy brioche slathered with butter. He jokingly tells us not to eat it yet (I must admit I was a little tempted) and lets us know it’ll be back about halfway through our meal after it spends a little time in the oven. Then comes a trio of snacks; no flatware on the table yet, which cues us to eat with our fingers. The flavors are bright and distinct, and each couldn’t be more different than the other: cucumber with tuna tartare, crispy panisse with cauliflower and a tiny tarte shell filled with a generous spoonful of briny caviar. Excitement builds with each little bite. Wine pairings lean towards the Old World: a lucent folle blanche and an orange pinot gris macerated with the grape skins and rich with candied orange peel follow us through the first few courses.

Chef Justin joins the dining room team in serving and presenting the dishes as he leads the kitchen from the pass. His enthusiasm is evident in the way he’s engaging with his guests. I’m able to connect with some questions before and during the meal and he explains his culinary path

and how it’s culminated at Margot. Growing up in Colorado and getting the culinary bug early, he graduated from culinary school and worked his way through expert kitchens in North Carolina, Maine, New York and Michigan before landing back in Colorado with his family. After spending

about a year at Mercantile Dining & Provision in Union Station, Justin met Paul Reilly, co-owner of Coperta, at a charity event and they hit it off instantly. Paul was willing to give Justin the chance to hone his vison for Margot on Sundays (the only day they close their doors) and Justin jumped at the chance to bring his vision to life. Chef Justin tells me about how he’s taken every piece of kitchen training that’s resonated with him to create his own eclectic style. “If I have anything to bring back to Colorado from my outside experience, it’s a worldwide perception of how to make food the best it can be and 17 years of diligent selectiveness of what that means to me,” he explains. My

dining companion also points out the varied flavors and influences. A first half highlight is a cured Ora king salmon with coconut broth and preserved coriander. The bread is back and it is tinged golden-brown and otherworldly. The urfa butter lends some earthiness with a generous slather, but I also use it to sop up the remnants of the parmesan foam at the base of a dish of Parisian gnocchi. The main course culminates with a perfectly cooked cut of American Wagyu alongside a sunchoke mille feuille cooked in beef fat with a truffle jus. Surprises keep coming after the pastry course of a dark chocolate pave with absinthe cream. Chef Justin mentions he’s far from a pastry chef, but the

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luxurious cake is his current obsession. Sauternes gelée and a cute little box of mignardise (bitesized desserts) are delightful parting gifts. Chef Justin’s goal is to bring Margot into her own space so his team isn’t limited by a single day of service and a fixed menu. “Bringing Margot into her own space would afford me the opportunity to really carve out the identity and vision that I’ve always had for her,” Justin says. “In our own space, we would still focus highly on the tasting menu option but also offer more of a shareable, small plate experience.” The experience is well worth the visit. The ten courses are a commitment but are truly seamless, exciting and varied. “The idea behind Sundays at Margot is that you step off of the street in Denver and are transported to that little hole in the wall you discovered in an alleyway in Paris,” Justin says. For now, that discovery is waiting for you, and Margot’s secret is out every Sunday. Sunday reservations can be made at margotdenver.com

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“We just completed a new build with Haley, and can’t recommend them enough. Their overall build process along with a dedicated site manager & project manager help ensure things go smoothly. The close coordination between the architect, builder, and subs allowed for an efficient build which took a lot of stress off my wife and I. As issues arose during construction they were handled quickly and fairly to keep things on track, and Dan and team continue to help resolve the inevitable remaining tweaks after move in. Would hire Haley again in a second!”

Nathan Lowe

Accelerated Precision Building SystemTM

303-601-9446

haleycustomhomes.com • dan@haleycustomhomes.com

RAGA THE DENVER’S NEWEST CONCEPT STORE WANTS YOU TO WALK TO YOUR OWN BEAT

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When Wallis Jordan moved back home to Denver after studying and working in interior design in Chicago, she looked around at the landscape and felt like it was now a town that has so many creatives and design-oriented people. "I got excited about ways to perpetuate that energy," Wallis says. So Wallis began selling items that she’d collected over the past 15 years: versatile styles of furniture, knick-knacks, clothing and lifestyle accessories from retailers, local artisans and designers, estate sales, furniture sources, and even a resource that sells her vintage zodiac necklaces dating as far back as the 1930s. Wallis started selling these goods in 2021 at Modern Nomad, a design collective in the River North area of Denver, under the brand name Wallis Jordan Design. She then opened her own location, Raga the Drum, at 1804 South Pearl Street last October. Her new store is named after a beatnik term for a style of playing the bongos, intuitively instead of following sheet music or a typical song structure. “It was aligned with how I encourage people to approach design and to not be so stringent about rules,” Wallis says. Rather, she encourages customers to make styling their homes an enjoyable experience. If you don’t tend to eat dinner at a dining room table, for example, don’t feel pressured to have one in your home. “You can have two sitting rooms, if that suits you better,” Wallis adds. “It’s changing the shoulds into ‘you could.’” This, she says, is a way of thinking that largely attracts younger generations. To appeal to these customers, Wallis makes her store ethical and affordable. At Raga the Drum, Wallis sells mostly secondhand to reduce the environmental footprint. Plus, without the cost of manufacturing, she can sell her items cheaper, especially when it comes to furniture pieces. CONTINUED >

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“Historically, it was such a guarded service that you needed a good amount of money to access,” Wallis says of decorating a home, which restricts younger people who aren't as financially mature as older clients or families tend to be. “I like to get people excited about pieces early so they can start collecting [instead of] buying. So I look for pieces that will be timeless, but also versatile.” Wallis stocks Raga the Drum with pieces that span several time periods and styles, from secondhand sellers around the world. She always knew there was a reason for collecting her extensive inventory over the years, and that it would reveal itself in time. “It was the obvious next step to open a store with all these goods that I felt would excite people.” She calls Raga the Drum a concept store, filling it with whatever she thinks will bring joy to peoples’ homes. “I never really put a limitation on what offerings I have,” Wallis says, or on the confines of her brick-and-mortar store. This summer, Wallis plans to participate in pop-ups and flea markets on South Pearl, near her current location. She hopes to promote community and one-on-one interactions between the public and local designers or artists – especially in a world where a lot of resale happens on one-dimensional platforms like Instagram, eBay and Poshmark. “One of the most fun things about retail, that it can offer and the internet can’t, is that experience of a shared interest and geeking out with someone about it,” Wallis says. “I really like people to get excited about design and find themselves in it, and have it be a way to be seen, express themselves and cultivate an environment that makes you feel alive in your space.”

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925 South Garfield Street B e d 5 | B at h 4 | 3 ,9 6 3 S q f t $ 3 , 2 9 9,0 0 0 D evi re e an d L i z ha ve un com pro m is in g ly re def ine d the pra ct i ce of l u x u r y w i t h 3 8 yea r s of com bin ed expe rie nce and ove r a b i l l i o n do l l ars in s a les volum e in t h e ce ntral De nve r m a rket. Fo r al l yo u r rea l esta te n eed s , co n ta ct the m today !

T h e E l e vat e d L i v i n g G r o u p. c o m Deviree Vallejo | 303.931.0097 | Deviree@SeeDenverHomes.com Liz Richards | 303.956.2962 | Liz@LizRichardsRealEstate.com

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