Restaurants are some of the best places for watching people. Of course, they’re great places for dining too, but people-watching doesn’t cost me the calories or money that comes with eating out.
My favorite restaurant spot for people watching is a table or booth adjacent to a window. It’s like a two-for-one sale – watching the people inside the restaurant (the place was packed with more than the usual viewing options!) while observing the people just beyond the window (plenty passing by on their way here and there). I can’t pass up that kind of a special.
Like mother, like daughter.
My favorite restaurant spot for people watching is a table or booth adjacent to a window. It’s like a two-for-one sale – watching the people inside the restaurant (the place was packed with more than the usual viewing options!) while observing the people just beyond the window (plenty passing by on their way here and there). I can’t pass up that kind of a special.
Like mother, like daughter.
Laura takes her people watching very seriously, just like her mother.
My daughter Laura and I were having lunch (while people watching) with my brother Chris, and Jim, along Denver’s trendy downtown 16th Street Pedestrian Mall.
Even Denver has been waiting for spring to arrive this year.
From the looks of the Yard House Restaurant’s large island bar featuring a seemingly endless fleet of tap handles ranging from lagers to more obscure ales, Chris’ suggestion had to be one that came straight from the heart.
These pipes would rival some of the pipe organs Jim and I saw in the churches of Europe.
Chris has been a beer lover since his home brewing days, back when time and ingenuity was more plentiful than money. No amount of money can ever buy the satisfaction that comes with mastering something on your own. These days he had more money than time, which is why the smart decision was to leave the brewing to those that had the time and just stop in from time to time.
Chris isn't usually willing to let go a glass of beer.
It would take a ton of money and time to guzzle through the 130 to 250 brews on tap on any given day (honey, wheat, fruit, lambics, malt, dark, seasonals, wheat, wit, strong, spiced, . . . to mention just a few), although showing up weeknights during happy hour from 3-6 makes the half-priced appetizers a better option than the standard peanuts/pretzels and beer. Stay late, past 10:00 pm, and the Late Night menu kicks in with four specialties that could make a night owl out of any die-hard early bird. You can check out all the delectable menu options (and locations around the country) at this link.
We could have (and should have) made a meal out of the appetizers alone with over two dozen to choose from, including sliders, calamari, jerk wings, lettuce wraps as well as their signature beer battered parmesan dusted tower of awesome onion rings. No wonder my single brother is a loyal Happy Hour customer. It makes for a very reasonable evening meal, not to mention all the spirited company.
We could have (and should have) made a meal out of the appetizers alone with over two dozen to choose from, including sliders, calamari, jerk wings, lettuce wraps as well as their signature beer battered parmesan dusted tower of awesome onion rings. No wonder my single brother is a loyal Happy Hour customer. It makes for a very reasonable evening meal, not to mention all the spirited company.
Inside is just as classy as outside.
I’ll give my brother credit; the upscale, casual eatery (founder Steele Platt came up with the name over a dozen years ago from the 3-foot-tall glass containers originally designed in Great Britain and used when serving stagecoach drivers ale after a long journey) looked and felt inviting, the ready mix of classic rock background music my kind of music.
I loved the artwork!
Our plum window seat away from the hoppin’ bar scene (were all those young professionals really going back to work after consuming all that beer?) allowed plenty of opportunities for my favorite people-watching pastime. I was deliciously distracted when our food arrived in a very timely manner despite the hearty numbers of people dining.
Can you tell Jimmy is happy with his choice of beer?
Chris convinced Jim to try a personal favorite, the New York style grilled pastrami (half-sandwich, half-salad option) with pickled jalapenos and mayo on garlic French bread. They drooled over the generous helping of pastrami and the kick the jalapenos (and extra cheese) added to an otherwise predictable sandwich. Nothing about the Yard House menu was predictable.
I think I'm seeing double!
I was thinking comfort food when I ordered the macaroni and cheese dish; something oozing with thick, bubbly cheese and lots of pasta to keep my stomach from complaining any more than it was that particular morning. The applewood bacon and wild mushrooms contributed to the surprisingly crunchy texture of my entrée. Reading the fine print would have undoubtedly eliminated the element of surprise, but how much fun would that be? Any other time I would have thoroughly enjoyed this hearty version of an American classic. As it was, I left very little on my plate when it was all said and done as my stomach decided to cooperate.
Laura was perfectly satisfied with her usual chicken Caesar salad. I predicted (with accuracy, I might add) she’d never be able to finish the generous helping on her own. Jim was happy to pitch in and give her a helping hand/fork.
Laura was perfectly satisfied with her usual chicken Caesar salad. I predicted (with accuracy, I might add) she’d never be able to finish the generous helping on her own. Jim was happy to pitch in and give her a helping hand/fork.
I promised Laura I would not post the shot of her stuffing her face. This one is the better option!
Makes you wonder if I didn’t adopt Laura, right? She’s such a dainty little thing you’d never believe she’s my daughter and the mother of four children. Of course, keeping up with all those kids is probably what keeps her in such good shape, although I certainly should give her credit where credit is due. That's all sheer muscle. She’s been my inspiration when it comes to hiring a personal trainer.
With that healthy perspective, skipping dessert (OMG, the pictures of their desserts had me considering going rogue) was a no brainer, although we were all apparently regretting our decision when we opted to share a chewy, gooey candied apple covered in M&M’s at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (a favorite destination and post from my Denver-Estes Park trip last summer) several blocks down from the Yard House Restaurant. After all, fruit is a healthy dessert option, right?
With that healthy perspective, skipping dessert (OMG, the pictures of their desserts had me considering going rogue) was a no brainer, although we were all apparently regretting our decision when we opted to share a chewy, gooey candied apple covered in M&M’s at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (a favorite destination and post from my Denver-Estes Park trip last summer) several blocks down from the Yard House Restaurant. After all, fruit is a healthy dessert option, right?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away; not the dentist; just the doctor.
Besides, we skipped taking the bus and continued leisurely walking up and down the pedestrian mall to work off some calories. The day had been a complete success; the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition (awesome exhibit; see my post earlier this week) just down the block before a wonderful meal at the Yard House.
The busses weren't shy about honking at pedestrians careless enough to impede progress.
We made it back home to Laura's before the grandkids started trickling in, one by one, from a day at the salt mines, a.k.a. school. They’re my favorite when it comes to watching people, although at my age it's usually called babysitting! No babies in this group anymore.
Aren't they cute! Don't you think they all look like me?
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Bottom Line on Yard House Restaurant:
Verdict: I’m not a big beer drinker, but I could be convinced to explore new territory at this brewery/eatery. The chef seems to be fully aware that man cannot live by bread (or beer) alone. The menu sports as many options as the beer on tap. There was never a sense of feeling rushed despite the heavy lunch crowd. In fact, we were still there enjoying our food and spirits when the last of the lunch crowd of professionals went back to their cubicles up and down the nearby streets of downtown Denver. People watching can be very time consuming.
How to Get There: The restaurant is located on the corner of Court Place and 16th Street in Denver’s 16th Street Mall in the Central Business District, just blocks from Denver’s famed E. Colfax Avenue/Highway 70. The Yard House has two other locations in the Denver area, Lakewood and Lone Tree. To get to the downtown location, from Denver’s International Airport, head north on Pena Blvd for almost 10 miles. Merge onto I-70 W/Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway and drive another 10 miles. Take the CO-265/Brighten Blvd exit, Exit 275B. urn left onto CO-265 S/Brighton Blvd and follow Brighton Blvd. Brighton Blvd. become Broadway St. Make a slight right turn onto Glenarm Pl just past 19th Street. Public parking is available throughout the area.
Insider Information: Check out their menu and beer on tap on the website before jumping in head first; you may drown in confusion otherwise. The wait staff was very knowledgeable when it came to helping Jim choose a local brew based on his preferences. Bring your credit card. The prices were a little on the high side for lunch ($$$). Of course, my lunches don't usually include alcohol.
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