I really like the products at Perfect Petal, which is great, if I was willing to spend $20 on lotion and $15 on a candle. There are some cute household items and personal adornments, but again, they are pretty high-priced.

One of the first trips I take in a new area is a scouting mission of nearby bookstores. West Side Books has a pretty eclectic variety of books, as one employee said, and I paraphrase, “We sell the books that nobody buys.” I always find a number of things to buy in here, there’s just not a lot of consistency as to what you’ll find. That’s the great thing about a used bookstore.

Fairly busy, Common Grounds is popular with hardworking students and small chatting groups. There is a meeting room available, and a few isolated corners that provide a bit of separation from the bustle, but the coffee shop is still fairly packed by mid-afternoon.

Quiet, located in a historic home, Cafe Caliente is great for quiet conversation or study.

Mondo Vino is the friendly, local wine store, offering friendly and helpful service even for shoppers who, like me, know almost nothing about wine.

Open until midnight Mon. – Sat., Mead Street Station is a bar & grill, with live music most nights and a great dinner menu.

Three Dogs Tavern is one of those bars that everyone is okay with, but nobody seems to truly love.

High-speed internet, real restaurant food and, of course, excellent coffees and espresso drinks makes Paris on the Platte highly popular. Businessmen and hipsters, rockers and housewives all find something to love at this coffee shop.

One of those packed little city restaurants, Protos has some of the best pizza I’ve found. Super-thin crusts, thin layers of sauce and cheese and light toppings allows the taste of everything to come through in harmony. This place gets packed during dinner hour, so come prepared for a wait at the bar.

Savory Spice is unique in the region, with two rooms packed with fresh, potent spices. The chef in me is drawn to this place, and it’s easy to spend far too much on the various curry seasonings, hot chocolate mixes and more that fill the shop. This place is a must-visit for any aspiring cook.

I love this wine store for its cheap, highly-rated wines. With over 250 well-reviewed wines available for under $15, I can come in confident that I’ll find something both suitable and within my price range.

A great little boutique store, this shop is the perfect stop for finding a cute little gift for one of my girl friends.

Go for their weekend brunch, weekday dinners and after-work drink specials.

Drawing on the foods of one of the neighborhood’s largest cultural demographics, Los Carboncitos has authentic Mexican fare in a friendly, fast-paced restaurant environment.

Great bar, though it’s definitely unusual, and rumor has it that it won’t be around much longer.

A typical little neighborhood bar, Highland Tavern is great for a drink and a chat, or just a drink.

Type: General groceries and supplies.

I tend to visit King Soopers most frequently due to their selection and decent prices. Their produce area is very good, for a grocery store, and they have a substantial selection of organic and natural foods.

Everybody knows Safeway.

Type: Organic and natural foods.

Sunflower Farmers Market has the best organic produce in the area. I’m also a fan of their bakery items, including fresh baked bread.

Type: Natural foods and supplements.

Good for the quick naturals shopping trip, Vitamin Cottage is pretty low on the fresh produce offerings. For herbal supplements, however, Vitamin Cottage is definitely the place to head.