THE LIST

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1 BRUNCH SPOTS…

If you ask us, brunch may as well be a verb. Our favorite weekend pastime, Cherry Creek has ample options when it comes to indulging in a long, leisurely breakfast with great friends, great food and great cocktails.

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Local Jones: We’ve always been big fans of this dreamy spot housed within the Halcyon, but the recent addition of Vinyl Brunch has upped the ante. The place to be if you’re looking for a brunch scene that is, well, a scene, Vinyl Brunch is held from 10 to 2 every Sunday, and features (naturally) a DJ spinning records, delectable fare and plenty of boozy brunch moments. Try the Eggs Benedict – the house made English Muffin is to die for. We also recommend ordering the large-format signature cocktail for the table. You (and your hangover) won’t regret it.

249 Columbine Street (in the Halcyon) localjones.com

1Del Frisco’s The arguable zenith of 2 Cherry Creek steakhouses, Del Frisco’s also serves a notable brunch that has been a favorite with locals since the restaurant’s 2015 opening. Consistent, delicious and always on point, we love the Cast Iron Sourdough Pancakes and Strawberry Cobbler French Toast. Yet for us, the undisputed Del Frisco’s brunch champ is the Filet Mignon Benedict – a steakhouse twist on the classic dish that must be experienced to be believed. If your sweet tooth allows, also order the Nonna’s Pan Cinnamon Rolls to share. Bourbon-Espresso Caramel Sauce and Toasted Pecans will never steer you wrong. 3 Toro Richard Sandoval’s Cherry 4

Creek outpost rarely disappoints, and brunch is no exception. The weekend-only offerings feature bottomless options for both food and drinks. Try the Lomo Saltado

Beef Hash – a breakfast take on the traditional Peruvian dish – as well as the mini Belgian

Waffles. Finish it off with a

Bloody Maria (tequila in lieu of vodka), Mango Mimosa or our favorite, the Breakfast Old

Fashioned with bacon-infused bourbon. Narrative

The Jacquard’s signature restaurant is indeed posh, but it’s also approachable, inviting and downright delicious. Open for breakfast five days a week as well as weekend brunch, Narrative offers something for everyone. From health-conscious options like a superfood smoothie bowl and avocado toast to richer indulgences like Blueberry Crunch Pancakes and Italian style donuts, and shrimp and grits, the chef-driven menu is eclectic and enticing.

150 Clayton Lane (in Hotel Clio) torodenver.com 222 Milwaukee Street (in The Jacquard) narrativedenver.com

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5Urban Egg New(ish) to the area is Urban Egg, the locally- 6 7 owned breakfast joint that serves an extensive menu of mouthwatering options.

And when we say extensive, we mean it. Think seven different eggs benedict flavors, traditional, crispy or stuffed French Toast, over a dozen egg dishes, and breakfast sandwiches galore. We love the Breakfast

Burrito, which allows you to opt for a plant-based

Chorizo that’s out of this world. Syrup What a way to start the day. Beignets. Crack bacon with brown sugar and black pepper. Waffle sliders! Benedicts of all of kinds. There’s nothing they don’t do, and there’s nothing they don’t do well. For us, Syrup is as sweet as its namesake. Tucked away on the garden level at 3rd and Josephine, this longtime neighborhood favorite continues to impress brunchgoers with its consistently flavorful fare.

300 Josephine Street #20 syruprestaurant.com

3033 East 1st Avenue urbaneggeatery.com

Snooze

Any brunch worth waiting upwards of two hours for is a brunch that deserves to be on our list. This Coloradofounded eatery has built a cult-like following over the years, and its Cherry Creek adjacent location on Colorado Boulevard is constantly bustling with patrons looking to get their fix of Snooze’s signature Pancake Flights (Pineapple Upside Down is a must) and pretzel roll breakfast sandwiches with a side of the house-made smoked cheddar hollandaise. And while true, there’s almost always a wait, Snooze’s clever morning cocktail menu makes the time pass quickly. Pro tip…you can add your name to the waitlist online.

-DIRECTION-

FOUR SEASONS RESORT VAIL

While most associate Vail with winter skiing, locals know that the real mountain town magic happens in the summer and early fall. With calm mornings, warm afternoons and cool evenings, Vail is the perfect escape this time of year. And if you’re lucky enough to find yourself at the picturesque Four Seasons Resort, well then, you’re lucky enough.

BY BETSY MARR

ACCOMMODATIONS

An idyllic alpine lodge with peaked roofs, wooden beams and stone exteriors, Four Seasons Vail is perhaps the town’s toniest respite. Natural hickory wood accents and limestone on the interior connect seamlessly to the great outdoors with large windows, balconies, terraces and a year-round outdoor pool with two whirlpools. The resort’s 121 suites and guest rooms are all beautifully appointed and equipped with the trappings one would expect of a modern luxury hotel – including gas burning stone fireplaces, incredibly comfortable beds, and the finest linens. What’s more, the expansive rooms are the largest in the entire Vail Valley.

DINING

Naturally, dining at the resort is an experience in and of itself. Flame, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is impeccable. Easily one of the valley’s best eateries, the contemporary steakhouse offers self-described “fun dining” as opposed to fine dining. Locally sourced and seasonally inspired dishes include indulgent sides and carved steaks to provide guests with a truly unique and interactive experience one can’t get just anywhere. Case in point? Flame’s artisanal, housemade bread service is offered with a 7X Ranch Wagyu Beef Fat “Candle.” Developed by executive chef Simon Purvis, the candles are made from the fat trimmings of excess Wagyu beef offered throughout the menu. Lit by a torch—and just one of the table-side presentation options on the menu–the beef fat liquefies, blending with rosemary and other spices on the plate, becoming a clever alternative to butter or oil for dipping. Other options for interaction include the chilled shellfish tower and the 30oz Wagyu Tomahawk steak, one of the signature dishes at Flame. This substantial steak is delivered tableside and sliced to share, adding an element of entertainment to your meal.

If you’re anything like us, though, your meal is made by the sides. In this case, Flame certainly doesn’t disappoint. Enhancements like habanero baconwrapped scallops and pan-seared foie gras and sides like Maine lobster, whipped potatoes and duck confit fingerling potatoes take an already impressive experience over the top.

For a night cap (or any other time of day, for that matter), the newly-renovated Remedy Bar cures what ails. Signature cocktails like the French Press Sangria and Purple Majesty (Butterfly Pea Infused Vodka, Aquavit, Lavender Bitters and Lime Juice) are both inventive and appetizing. If you prefer something alcohol-free, the bar’s “zero-proof” menu offers several tasty options. We like the Cool as a Cucumber – cucumber juice, basil, lime and soda. Remedy is also ideal for less formal dining, with flavorful, casual dishes like a Cibatta Grilled Cheese, Grass Fed Bolognese Fettucine, and Tamari Brushed Salmon Bowl.

SPA

The resort’s spa – at over 14,000 square feet – is arguably its most enviable attraction. With a private couple’s suite, relaxation garden, slumber room, coed lounge, salon, posh locker rooms, sauna and steam rooms, a whirlpool and cold plunge pool, it’s certainly easy to spend an entire afternoon relaxing and rejuvenating in the spa’s comfortable confines. The perfect blend of luxury and mountain authenticity, the Spa at Four Seasons Vail boasts rich textures, natural elements, and lavish finishes that all lend to its ambiance.

Treatment options are plentiful, with a spa menu that includes salon and nail services, body scrubs, skincare and massages. Many are aptly themed to the property’s surroundings, with treatments like a High-Altitude Adjustment Massage and S’More Indulgence Facial (including a marshmallow whip hydrating mask) adorning the menu. For the ultimate indulgence, opt for one of the spa’s four Signature Rituals. We recommend the 100-minute Tranquila Ritual. The three-part therapy, which uses the Latin American inspired, plant-based Sanara (sanaraskincare.com) treatment line, is intended to encourage healing of the mind, body and soul. The experience begins with Sanara’s (which translates to “you will heal” in Spanish) Yerba Mate Bath Soak

for a luxurious and therapeutic bubble bath, accompanied by a glass of champagne. Following the bath, a full-body exfoliation treatment using Bamboo Fiber & Mango Seed Body Polish with healing botanicals of Mango Butter, Cupuaçu and Chilean Rosehip Seed Oil leaves the skin invigorated and silky smooth. The Tranquila Ritual finishes with a customized full-body massage. Simply put, it’s the best (and most memorable) spa experience we’ve ever had.

RECREATION

Vail is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, with a world of options quite literally at your doorstep. In the summer and early fall, the resort will arrange for a number of activities – ATV exclusions, mountain biking, fly fishing, canoeing, guided hikes, hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, golf, kayaking and horseback riding among them. For those looking for a truly singular, unique experience, try the resort’s leisurely stroll with llamas carrying a gourmet picnic lunch prepared by Four Seasons chefs. In the winter months, the resort offers a full-service-dedicated Ski Concierge located next to Gondola One, at the base of Vail Mountain, with transportation to and from for all guests

FOR LITTLE ONES

Even the youngest guests are considered at the resort, making it ideal for families traveling together. Kids For All Seasons offers seasonal programming for children ages 5 to 12, ranging from story time and creative arts and more. There’s also a Young Adults Club featuring a game room, TV lounge and cybercafé. The resort makes every effort to make its young guests feel special, with touches like sleeping tents pitched in the room, kid-friendly welcome amenities, children’s size bathrobes and slippers, kid’s toiletries, and age-appropriate toys placed in the room. For babies and toddlers, the property offers in-room babyproofing, diapers and wipes, playpens, highchairs and strollers. Children under the age of five also enjoy complimentary dining at both Flame and Remedy Bar.

More via fourseasons.com/vail or 970.477.8600