eat! drink! shop!: Stapleton

By Maria Cote, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 29, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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Photo by Ellen Jaskol © The Rocky

The Town Center at Stapleton is new urbanism at its finest. Sara Murphy walks with daughter Zoe, 4, and their dog.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

The do-it-yourself baths pack 'em in at U-Shampooch. Katie Fink 11, of Stapleton, dries her black Lab, Maggie.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

A flower display decorates the sidewalk outside of Amore Flori.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Books beckon 17-month-old Bella Thomas, of Denver, as she stands on the brightly painted floor at Simon Says Read, a children's bookstore.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Wine racks handmade by the owner are on display in a window at the Grape Leaf Wine & Spirits shop.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Fresh-baked jalapeno cheddar bread sits on the rack at Udi's Bread Cafe.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

A watermelon-basil mojito garnished with fresh basil is a refreshing beverage at Berkshire restaurant.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

The daily B.L.T.A. special for $8.99 is a popular meal served at Casey's Meeting Place.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Art and Framing at Stapleton owner and framer Lin Clark holds up one of the store's unique frames.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Guiness beer is a popular beverage at Casey's Meeting Place, an Irish pub/restaurant.

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Who would have guessed a defunct airport could become an award-winning "green" wonderland? Northeast Denver's Stapleton community was recently named one of the top 10 green neighborhoods in Natural Home Magazine, and the Westerly Creek Project won an award of excellence from the American Landscape Contractors of Colorado.

The 29th Avenue Town Center is an example of new urbanism at its finest. The idea is simple: Build a community where people can walk to shop, drop off laundry and relax in a park. Get them out of that gas-guzzling, polluting car. Make them move those lumpy bodies.

Whether you need a haircut, a bottle of wine, a bagel, a gift or a sandwich, this compact group of shops will oblige. Crave sushi? The pros at Blue Fin Sushi Bar and Restaurant are there for you. Need a jolt of caffeine to wake you up? America's most popular coffee place will accommodate. (Three guesses what that is, and the first two don't count). Ready to relax? CorePower Yoga is close by.

We've focused on the smaller shops at Town Center, most of them independent. And while it's a community treasure, we have to admit that if you live many miles away, it's worth getting into that gas-guzzling, polluting car to make the drive. Shop owners will make you feel right at home.

The eat! drink! shop! gurus have a confession.

We tend to avoid telling you about chain shops and restaurants. It's not that we have anything against 'em, mind; like you, we walk into Target for a tube of toothpaste and walk out trying to figure out how we blew 80 bucks.

But we can't really tell you much you don't already know about the Victoria's Secrets and Old Navys of the world, so we focus on neighborhoods with lots of independently owned shops and restaurants. You know, the ones you might just walk on by without our counsel.

That said, to avoid a mention of the Shops of Northfield at Stapleton would be to ignore the proverbial elephant - or, in this case, giant bass - in the room. To find the development, simply look for the enormous Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, one of many chains at Northfield.

Don't fish, hike, camp or hunt? Let curiosity guide you through the enormous doors of Outdoor World. With all the "game mounts" - bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, wolves, mountain lions - the place is a veritable still-life animal museum. And you can even grab a bite at the Islamorada Fish Co. inside the store.

Once you've stepped out of one of Northfield's main anchors, wander from shop to shop and admire the grassy lawns, xeric plantings and colorful planter boxes that dot the landscape. There's a store to draw just about any member of the family, from tot to grandparent.

If you're looking for night life, head to the 18-screen Harkins Theatres or the Improv Comedy Club and Dinner Theatre. We were mighty impressed with the fare at La Sandia Mexican Kitchen and Ling & Louie's Asian Bar and Grill.

If more than 60 chain and independently owned restaurants and shops don't draw you, Northfield will try to lure you with free Thursday-night concerts from 6 to 8:30 through August. (For a schedule, visit northfieldstapleton.com.)

The marketing directors at Northfield are betting you'll fit in a little eat! drink! shop! action while you tune into the music.

U-Shampooch

This is a popular place to yip and sniff for canines of all sizes. Though it's a full-service grooming establishment, what really draws a crowd are the do-it-yourself baths. To figure out what all the buzz and bark was about, we spoke with Jackson, a black and white cocker spaniel. His owner, Melani, helped translate. He likes the elevated ramps, easy on those old joints. And the treats. The supplied shampoo and conditioner don't leave him smelling like, well, a girl. Oh, and the treats are excellent. He'd be remiss if he didn't note that his human companion often kindly picks out a little something for him after he's toweled - and shaken - off. For instance, in addition to the supplied after-bath treat, she might just buy him a whole bag of treats. Treats are excellent. Woof.

* Don't miss: If your pup loves to roll in mud, or worse, check out the frequent-wash deal: four washes for $54. Fido will be smelling sweet for weeks. A single wash is $16.

* 7474 E. 29th Ave.; 303-321-5353, u-shampooch.com

amore fiori flowers and gifts

Sure, they'll deliver. But if you're in the neighborhood, drop by. We loved the selection of candles, vases and bath products. And it's a joy to shop while surrounded by the sweet scent of roses, lilies and freesia.

* Don't miss: Pendants made from microscope slides. Artist Marcy Kennedy will even custom-make a pendant with a photo of your choice.

* 7353 E. 29th Ave.; 303-333-3848, amore-fiori.com

The Grape Leaf Wine & Spirits

If you need beer or spirits, you can find the same selection at most any liquor store. What sets the Leaf apart is the wine selection. Connoisseurs will love the wooden racks - handmade by the owner - that display bottles organized by both country and variety. You'll quickly be able to spot the syrahs from South America and the pinot noirs from France.

* Don't miss: A dinner party looms and you can't tell a syrah from a pinot noir, but your friends never have to know. Ask one of the pros here and you'll be guided to a bottle that will have your pals looking at you with new respect.

* 7340 E. 29th Ave.; 720-941-7117

Udi's Bread Cafe

If heaven is a slice of fresh bread, the doors to Udi's might as well be pearly gates. You might have first sampled an Udi's loaf from your favorite fine restaurant, natural-foods store or even a farmers' market. At this cafe, you'll sample bread so fresh you'll be tempted to toss out the fillings. But don't. Let two slices of that starchy goodness hug up to some smoked turkey, roast beef or a roasted portobello mushroom. Get there before midafternoon, as the popular spot closes early.

* Don't miss: The bakery shelf. We especially liked the filone, $3.30, and the jalapeno Cheddar, $3.90.

* 7357 E. 29th Ave.; 303-329-8888, udisfood.com

Art & Framing

The wall of frames in the back is an artwork unto itself. Whether you're hoping to class up a simple poster or you're an artist with a painting you're darn proud of, owner Lin Clark will handle your masterpiece as carefully as she would a Rembrandt. We also loved the whimsical jewelry and sculptures in this shop - every piece by a Colorado artist or artisan.

* Don't miss: You know that boring mirror in your bathroom? Add a touch of elegance to that oft-ignored room. Even a mirror can be framed. A company called Mirrormate offers quick-to-install frames for just about any mirror, and pros from this frame shop can help you do it.

* 7483 E. 29th Place; 303-534-1979, ArtandFramingStapleton.com

The Berkshire

The good people of Stapleton within walking distance of this little treasure are blessed. But the rest of you should run, pedal or drive to this reasonably priced spot where the chefs lovingly refine comfort food. Try the pulled-pork sandwich or "The King" - peanut butter, bananas and bacon on Hawaiian bread. You'll be tempted to think the pig rules, as a boar hogs space on logos around this restaurant, but you're overlooking true artistry if you don't venture beyond the porcine dishes and sample the delectable Ahi Tuna Salad, the tangy, tasty gazpacho served three ways (one with shrimp and mango - yum) or the tasty vegetarian-friendly Tofu Reuben.

* Don't miss: Wash down the meal with a tasty beverage. We loved the Watermelon-Basil Mojito and the Mandarin Silk.

* 7352 E. 29th Ave.; 303-321-4010, theberkshirerestaurant.com/

Simon Says Read

Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein would have been proud to see their work displayed in this gem of a bookstore. Cozy nooks and corners invite children to curl up with books. And if you're looking for a gift for the child who has a veritable bookstore already, choose from a plethora of educational toys and stuffed animals. There's also a great selection of books for pre-teens, along with a shelf full of tomes for new parents to peruse during story time Mondays and Saturdays.

* Don't miss: Webkinz stuffed animals. For 10 to 15 bucks, you get the stuffed animal, a "birth certificate" and a code to access an online community. That's where your child can bring the toy to life in a virtual world. It's a Beanie Baby for the Internet age. Kids these days . . . .

* 7349 E. 29th Ave.; 303-333-7323

Casey's Bistro & Pub

Every neighborhood should have a bar where you can kick back, watch the game and complain to your good buddy about your back-stabbing coworker and your belligerent boss. While the booths tucked up near windows offer an inviting place to sit back and enjoy sandwiches, salads or burgers, most customers hang out at the bar. Happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. daily offers up inexpensive appetizers and discounted wine, beer and mixed drinks.

* Don't miss: If you have a little Emerald Isle in your soul, check out traditional Irish specialties like corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew or a rich boxty - a potato pancake stuffed with meat in a rich sauce.

* 7301 E. 29th Ave.; 720-974-7350

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Also don't miss!

* Founder's Green and other parks in Stapleton are busy in the summer. For a plethora of events in Stapleton, including concerts, farmers' markets and festivals, go to stapletondenver.com/ Calendar-of-Events.aspx.

Parking

There's plenty of lot and street parking both at the 29th Avenue Town Center and at The Shops at Northfield Stapleton.

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