Recently, Lara and I spent a few days in Colorado for a belated honeymoon. Using Denver as our base of operations, we took in plenty from that city as well as from Boulder and Colorado Springs. Here is the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Carmen's Cuban Cafe and Lounge
Prior to
flying out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport, we decided to try this
eatery a few miles away. Located at 108 Factory Shops Road in Morrisville,
Carmen’s offers Cuban cuisine for lunch and dinner. Alcohol is available and
lunch specials change daily.
Carmen’s
prides itself on its authenticity, and it isn’t hard to see why. Yes, you will
find the iconic Cuban sandwich here, but the menu also includes several
varieties of plantains, roasted pork, and seafood dishes. For those looking to
see what Cuban cuisine has to offer, this is a good place to start.
Breadth of
the menu aside, however, Carmen’s is a confusing collection of contradictions.
The restaurant is capacious but the noise level suggests smaller environs.
Similarly, the tablecloths and low lighting say upscale but the pricing is
surprisingly affordable (sandwiches with one side are $8 and below while lunch
entrees are $10). Meanwhile, servers are accommodating and willing to answer
questions but also seem flustered and confused: we saw a few instances of
dishes nearly arriving at the wrong table.
The food
proved to be similarly uneven. For our first visit, we split an app and each
went with a Cuban sandwich and a different side. Our starter of maduros (fried
sweet plantains) was excellent and featured great caramelization. The Cubano
was large and properly pressed but not the best version I’ve had. If anything,
it seemed a bit dry. Among the sides, the black beans had a nice smoky flavor
while the fried yucca was crisp though decidedly bland.
There is
enough unexplored menu at Carmen’s to warrant a repeat visit, but it will be
with somewhat lowered expectations. While this place mostly satisfied, given
its pedigree, it failed to impress.
7.5/10
Hyatt Place Denver Airport
Located
about fifteen minutes away from the airport at 16250 East 40th
Avenue in Aurora, Hyatt Place Denver Airport is conveniently situated near
several restaurants as well as I-70. Like the other Hyatts I’ve frequented, it
features cordial front desk staff, a decent complimentary breakfast, and
comfortable beds.
However,
there were a few drawbacks to staying here. Our stay coincided with a remodel
as well as a major youth soccer tournament, so the lobby was rather hectic at
times. Though our room was spacious enough, it contained no microwave, and due
to the placement of bedside shelves, it was impossible to utilize electric
outlets on either end of the bed. The television also had a notably limited
selection of channels.
All told,
this Hyatt Place provided a clean, safe, and mostly comfortable stay, but due
to the missing amenities, I would be hesitant to book it again.
7.5/10
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