Broomfield, CO. 29 Oct. 2012
Sunday the 28th was a day off, I dragged myself down to the gym and immediately felt the effect of the mile high city when I got on the treadmill. Winded quickly, I scaled it back just a little and pushed on. Ready for something to eat after, I fell in at one of America's great diners that was conveniently located near our hotel here in Denver, Sam's No. 3. It's been featured on "Diner's, Drive-In's and Dives", episode #1113 on the Food Network and is worthy of the exposure. Established in 1927, it's menu is the definition of an identity crisis; American, Greek, Mexican, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, booze, coffee, malts, burgers, burritos and that's just the beginning. I'd eaten here years ago, introduced to Sam's by a friend, but had forgotten the name and it was just a distant memory until I walked past and recognized it. At 2 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon it was jam packed with a 15 minute wait for a table, I found a stool at the end of the counter and took it. I ordered the Mazatlan Omelet, a delicacy the size of a small third world country... three eggs, onions, tomatoes and cheddar cheese smothered in Sam's signature pork green chili, home fries and toast. Washed down with a couple of cups of their good tasting coffee that can stand up to a little cream and sugar. The whole thing set me back 13 bucks. I'll be revisiting Sam's again before we leave Denver. Check it out at: www.samsno3.com
As soon as I got back to the hotel I picked up an e-mail saying we were gathering in the hotel lobby for a band dinner at The Capital Grill. The Capital is one of our favourites having dined at one in Chicago. After that lunch I never thought I'd eat again, but at 7:15 we all were seated around a large table in the welcomed quiet, dark wood and oil paintings that is The Capital. Lunch still a current event I decided to eat light, a cup of lobster bisque laced with dry sherry and one of their specials of the night, lollipop lamb chops. Wafer thin chops with plenty of bone to hang onto, giving it the appearance of a lollipop. Both were remarkable and somehow I managed to make my way through most of the plateful of chops that arrived. So there you have it, two 'must go' restaurants in one day.
From the window of my hotel room I can look out to the Rockies and it seems I can see for at least 100 miles. Denver is a city I've always liked and felt I could live here easily. I spent most of Monday enjoying that view and keeping an eye on Hurricane Sandy as it barrelled in to the east coast making landfall in Atlantic City. It's devastating and wasn't long before nearly 6 million people up and down the eastern seaboard were without power. It will be days before the damage can be fully assessed and weeks if not months of clean up from flooding and wind damage.
Tonight was the first of two shows in Broomfield, a community about 20 miles outside Denver. It was the 1st Bank Center arena tonight and as with so many shows on the last few tours, we've mastered the relaxed yet sure footed approach...no one over playing but playing with power and imagination, not cocky but very sure of where it's at. A wonderful audience and reception and like all the shows we've done on this shared bill, the 70 minutes that make up our part of the show flew past and we we're backstage having a glass of wine wishing we were still out there on stage.
Back at the hotel by 10 or so, I opted for an early night.
So long,
Richard