Eat! Drink! Shop!: Denver's Highland Neighborhood

By Maria Cote, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Marie Griffin © The Rocky

A sign beckons shoppers into the 1920s house that now is home to Rejuvanest, a gift shop at 3719 W. 32nd Ave.

This close to Mother's Day, we looked around for a shopping area that would help you out with the old "what to get Mom" dilemma. If you can't find the perfect gift in the shops along 32nd Avenue in the Highland area, sorry, but there's no hope for you.

A few shop owners acknowledged that the stretch is jammed with "girly-girl" stores, but even the most virile of men will enjoy stepping into the past to admire the classic Victorian structures in Highland, which became a city in 1885. Many of the boutiques and eateries in this northwest Denver area are nestled in some of the area's oldest structures. You'll hear old wooden floors creak, admire exposed brick interior walls and wind through tiny rooms that have lovingly embraced generations of families.

Shopping along this stretch, you're as likely to see people who live in the neighborhood as folks who have driven to the destination. Get hungry and you might grab a quick bite at the very first Heidi's deli or a relaxing meal at Coral Room, Bang! or Stella.

Still struggling? Why not pick up a gift certificate to one of the many restaurants, spas or shops in this trendy area? Trust us, she'll love you for it.

West Side Books

Now and then you wander into a used-book store and stand in awe, sniffing that unique "old book" aroma. You're unlikely to drive miles to West Side to find a great deal on trade-in mysteries and romances, but you might if you're looking for a somewhat more complex tome.

Among the 30,000 or so books stacking the shelves, you'll find strong sections on philosophy, literature, art, music, spiritual development and history, as well as vintage paperbacks.

New books? Some, but only those that the owner deems worthy. You'll find a lot of locals wandering the store, but it's also a destination spot for tourists who have heard of its reputation, along with professors and students from nearby universities. And check out the unique architecture. The owners of 10 years have managed to convert a former car-repair shop into a bookstore. Who'd have thunk?

Don't miss: a huge collection of vintage and rare books

* 3434 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-480-0220, westsidebooks.com

Rejuvanest

Ever walk into a gift shop and get that sense of deju vu? News flash: It's not really deju vu. It's just that so many of those shops are dullish duplicates. Not this little treasure. We love that every space in this circa-1920s structure is dedicated to a theme that fits the room. The bedroom is stuffed full of linens. The main room's packed with gifts for brides and home-decor fans. In a tiny back bedroom are some of the most adorable baby gifts we've seen. And the lingerie collection in the bathroom, which cleverly serves as a changing room? Downright sultry. Check out this hidden treasure.

Don't miss: hooded towels for the baby that will have them smiling at the faces of bunnies, hippos, horses, lambs and more for $39. We also loved the collection of Jezebel and Fellini lingerie.

* 3719 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-455-1504

Cafe Caliente

In this sweet little downtown neighborhood, there's no better place to gaze out at wandering neighbors and tourists than this little European- style cafe. In the outdoor seating area, you can even hang out with the dog, and if European coffee isn't your thing, grab a glass of wine and relax. Inside, many of the original features of the 100-year-old home have been retained, from the worn wood floor to a charming fireplace. On most weekends, expect to be entertained. On a recent weekend, we heard an impressive accordion player. (Set aside all accordion jokes; this was fun music.)

Don't miss: We love the selection of Colorado wines; various prices.

* 3701 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-433-2500, lacafe caliente.com

Frolik

This charming shop, tucked into a historical building, has been drawing fans for seven years. If you want to find Mom a comfy pair of underwear or a trendy top, head on in. Loungewear is popular, and the clothing is fun and flirty. We noticed women of all ages, from teen to senior, looking through the racks.

Don't miss: Hanky Panky lingerie, at various price points, is a big seller here.

* 3715 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-458-5575, Frolikon32nd.com

Mead St. Station

Here's what you notice first: The men and women waiting tables know many people by name. So, yeah, it really is the Cheers of 32nd Avenue, and after 12 years, it deserves the title. Mead St. offers good food at reasonable prices. You'll enjoy a fine selection of sandwiches, wraps and pasta. If you like a party crowd, the place is packed on Fridays - barbecue-ribs night. Call or look for lists posted outside to find out who's performing (lots of jazz, blues, bluegrass. Never a cover).

Don't miss: Dublin Style Fish and Chips ($9.25), lightly battered, flavorful cod served up with some fine slaw.

* 3625 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-433-2138

Kismet

It's stuffed full of eco-friendly and local merchandise, so we had to wander into this treasure. If you're searching for a gift for a handbag- lovin' mom, here's one of many shops along the street that will draw you in. But we loved the jewelry, much of it by local artists, some of whom give proceeds to charity. Mom might like to know that the gift she's holding is helping the planet in some way.

Don't miss: Envirosax, eco-friendly bags that fold up tight; tuck them in your handbag when you shop.

* 3640 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-477-3378

Real Baby

Want a conventional diaper bag, high chair, bib or Snugli? Go to a conventional baby store. If you want cool stuff for babies and toddlers, check this place out. While we were there, several people asked for gift suggestions, and we think they were wise. Seeing a couple open a duplicate shower gift is like showing up to a fancy gala and spotting a woman in an identical dress. It's just wrong. Shop here and your baby or tot is guaranteed to be unique.

Don't miss: T-shirts with slogans such as "I already know more than the president" and "My dad is rad" in the $30 range.

* 3616 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-477-2229, realbabyinc.com

swimclub 32

We love that this four-year- old wine bar/restaurant relies heavily on locally grown produce (the herbs are grown as locally as you can get: on the roof of the restaurant). If you're in the mood for fine food and wine chosen from small vineyards, it's a perfect, peaceful spot to meet up with a friend - not to mention indulge in a romantic dinner. Isn't a truly "green" restaurant a beautiful thing? Everything is recycled, from bottles to menus. Whether you're vegetarian (don't miss the eggplant stack) or a meat-lover (try the beef short ribs), rest assured that most of what's on your plate is organically grown or humanely raised.

Don't miss: Catch happy hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m. daily, and don't miss the artisan thin-crust pizza, priced from $11 to $14.

* 3628 W. 32nd Ave.; 720-889-7946, swimclub32.com

Starlet

Looking for a small gift for Mom? If she loves comfy socks, originals here can be found for about $10. Does she love handbags? Colorful, unique bags won't break the bank at the $70 range. Shadow boxes, berets and jewelry are tucked into every corner. If Mom has character, you'll find the perfect bit of whimsy for her at a reasonable price.

Don't miss: We fell in love with the little lip glosses encased in "cupcakes" for a bargain price of $3.

* 3450 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-433-7827

Perfect Petal

At 13, the Petal is one of the oldest - and coolest - kids on the block. Whether you're looking for a gift small or large, pricey or not, you'll find it here. This eclectic shop carries everything from furniture to skin lotions, tableware to seed packets. And a place with such a flowery name has to carry flowers, of course. Step into the cooler to see a rainbow assortment of the freshest blooms in town. This lifestyle boutique even does flowers and decor for weddings and large events.

Don't miss: The tableware is amazing, and we fell for this UP handy salad bowl (you'll never misplace the salad serving utensils again), $48.

* 3600 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-480-0966, theperfectpetal.com

Babareeba Then & Now

It took us a bit to figure out that the clothing in this treasure of a store is gently used, because a lot of it sure looked new to us. Fans of vintage clothing will have a blast wandering around Babareeba. We loved the way racks are color- coordinated and especially appreciated the selection of pretty blouses. Don't leave without taking a trip downstairs.

Don't miss: a great collection of bow-tie scarves, most in the $10 range.

* 3629 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-458-5712

An event not to miss:

* 26th Annual Highlands Street Fair, free event including everything from rock to jazz music on several stages, food, 150 vendors and children's activities

When: 10 a.m. to dusk June 14

Information: highlands- square.com

About parking:

If you're a parallel-parking pro, you're all set. There's parking along 32nd and some of the side streets, but watch those signs. We didn't study the fine print on a sign along one street (street sweeping the third week of the month - no parking) and it earned us a bright-yellow ticket.

• May 5, 2008

  12:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ashlandbus writes:

  This is Denver's "West Highlands" neighborhood, not the "Highland" neighborhood. There is a difference.