NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Some may call it Five Points, some may call it RiNo or Upper Larimer, but to our team at BPR, it’s just home. We have officially taken up residence at 2500 Larimer Street in Gravitas Developments’ newest masterpiece, an office building made entirely out of shipping containers. While the uniquely-engineered exterior is sure to catch a few eyes, it’s our three-container suite that we truly love!

(Our new three-container suite)

The area has been dubbed one of Denver’s most “Happenin Hoods,” and we could not agree more. With small businesses popping up on what seems to be every street corner, RiNo is on track to be transformed into Denver’s own version of Williamsburg, Brooklyn in no time!

(Street view of BPR)

WHERE WE EAT:
Among our favorite local businesses is Amerigo Delicatus Restaurant & Market. Upon our arrival in the neighborhood, we stopped in for a quick lunch and instantly fell in love! Amerigo’s focus is clear as soon as you cross its threshold: Fresh ingredients and sinfully simple dishes. The restaurant features lunch, happy hour and dinner menus, and though concise, menus offer fresh, hand-made pastas, cheeses and sausages. The atmosphere is beyond welcoming, as owner and head-chef Ian Chisholm and his team quickly learned our names and “usuals.” Ian is personally to blame for our borderline addiction to Amerigos’s Pasta Salad – you just can’t beat homemade pasta and mozzarella, especially if it still qualifies as a salad! Whether you find yourself cruising down Larimer Street, or if you’re just craving a hand-made Italian meal, we hope you stop in and support Amerigo!

(Amerigo)

Another RiNo locale that we find ourselves frequenting – maybe a little too often – is Yours Truly Cupcake. After having personalized “Welcome to the Neighborhood” liquor-infused cupcakes hand-delivered to our new office, we have found ourselves obsessed with the quaint neighborhood cupcake-ery, which also offers classic cupcakes, in addition to the spiked variety we love. After taste testing a few flavors, we have found it nearly impossible to pick a favorite, though we highly suggest the Moscow Mule and Fireball. #NomNomNomNom

(Our personalized cupcakes, courtesy of Yours Truly Cupcake)

WHERE WE DRINK:
We have also managed to make ourselves at home at RiNo’s urban winery, The Infinite Monkey Theorem. This is not your typical winery; Infinite Monkey Theorem has embraced its city setting by shipping in the highest quality of grapes from all over the world, and abandoning the typical winery’s rolling hills scenery and classically-decorated interior. Yes, it possess no vineyard or granite and marble covered tasting room; instead IMT invites guests to judge the company by the quality of its wine, which is readily available in the Infinite Monkey Theorem Wine Lab (conveniently located just down the street from the BPR office. Coincidence? We think not.). While a bottle of Petite Sirah is dangerously delicious, we urge you to step out of your comfort zone and try one of Infinite Monkey Theorem’s canned sparkling wines.

Los Chingones, from famed Denver Chef Troy Guard, just opened across the street from us, and has quickly become another of our favorites for its delicious margaritas and street-style tacos. And when the restaurant’s expansive rooftop patio opens on St. Patty’s Day 2014, we’ll surely be frequenting Los Chingones to get our quota of Vitamin D, and enjoy its great happy hour, which includes $2 tacos!

(Our spread at Los Chingones)

EMBRACING THE ARTS:
While the area was once known for its swinging Jazz scene, it has since become a fertile ground for the arts. With active art galleries and studios such as Fusion Factory, and theatre and dance companies such as Control Group Productions, BPR has found itself in the breathtakingly imaginative epicenter of the Denver arts scene. Creativity seems to seep from the pours of the RiNo Arts District, and we can’t wait to explore it more!

(From the outside looking in)

We may be a little biased, but we encourage you to explore Denver’s Upper Larimer neighborhood and let us know your favorite spots via Instagram, with the hashtag #BInColorado.