A local face

As much as I'd like to know many of the Longmont locals that I see a lot of, it just hasn't happened yet. Maybe some day. Saying hi to my favorite lady at the grocery store makes me pretty happy.

But if there's someone around town that is easy to remember, it's a dude with dragons tattooed on his head. Aside from him being memorable, he's also awesome and special to ME so I'm sharing because I can. I think he's a great example to people that just because you look out of the ordinary doesn't mean you aren't a caring and intelligent person, which you can clearly see if you take the time to listen to him.
So without further wordyness, let me introduce you to Jason- this is a video he did explaining why he has tattoos on his face, why he likes tattoos in general, and partly in response to negative things people have said.
Even if you're not in to tattoos he still has some interesting things to say about life and might make you think about things a little differently if you see him or someone else with facial tattoos.
Yes, he also answers the "did that hurt?" question.
He continues in video 2, so if you're digging it then watch that one as well.
If you're interested in hearing more about him or watching any of his new episodes about the history of body modification be sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel- piratewizarddragon.

If you see him out and about don't be afraid to say hello!

** It seems that if you are viewing this on a mobile device these videos don't always show up as they should. So here are the links-
Video 1: http://youtu.be/13rNBKLSbTY
Video 2: http://youtu.be/h_QJDCJJdm0

 

Perky's Coffee

After my most recent Brooklyn Deli trip, mom and I decided to stop over at Perky's since we were in the neighborhood. The neighborhood being just one door down. If you've gone to wedding dresses, you've gone one too far. I'd never been to Perky's before and I was in the mood for a mocha.
Little did I know I was also in the mood for a cupcake. (How silly of me not to realize.) While we were there we chatted with an older fella who comes down from Loveland just for Perky's Coffee. That's always a good sign!

There are so many treats in there that I didn't know were there! It was just before Valentine's Day so there was sweet treats fitting for your sweet treat. :D
After several moments of deep contemplation and debate we selected an orange and almond cupcake to go with our mocha and decaf iced chai. Orangey cake and almond frosting. I was tempted to try the boozy cupcakes or the rootbeer float cupcakes but those will have to wait for another time.

 

The mocha was splendid and the cupcake altered my relationship with all future cupcakes.

It was amazing.

I'm not really one for fruity baked goods and I don't even eat oranges but THIS cupcake was epic.

The perky Perky's barista told us that these are made with spelt flour, which she said has less gluten than regular flour. Since mom is gluten-free this fortunately/unfortunately gave her more reason to assist me in demolishing the cupcake.

(*Spelt according to my internet searching is actually wheat-free.)

 

Being the wonderful child that I am I took off a chunk of my cupcake and put in on the napkin for mom ("I just want a bite.") and slid it across the table to her. This is what you might have overheard if you were there:

Me: "I kinda wiped my face on that..."

Mom after taking a bite: "That's ok....you can drop it in the street and I'd still pick it up and eat it."

 

 Nom.

 

 

Coffee. Good.
Atmosphere. Good.
Service. Super friendly.
Cupcake. Heavenly.

I'll certainly be stopping in Perky's again when I'm out and about in north Longmont. I recommend you do the same! I'm not saying you HAVE to try a cupcake but why not use the excuse eh??

http://perkyslongmont.com/

Brooklyn Deli

I don't make it up to the north side of Longmont all that often anymore but, hey folks, there's good stuff up there.
Mom and I wandered out on a slightly blustery day and stopped at the Brooklyn Deli on 15th and Main. I hadn't been in quite a while so it was time to try it again.

I got the pastrami on rye (amazing bread) and mom got a brat with saurkraut on a gluten-free roll.
Mom dug the NY pickles. They are a little more mild than your average dill but pretty tasty!

Brooklyn Deli isn't just a clever name, the owner is authentic east coast. He's chatty and happy to answer questions about the menu. There's all kinds of stuff on there that I'd like to try.
I wish it was on my way to work in the morning because sometimes I just need a golden bagel drowning in cream cheese, which they have!
They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's a variety of amazing looking pastries, along with some stuff that I think I'm gonna skip on my next visit....chicken liver sandwich? Oy. But if that's your thing then this is the only place I know of where you can get it.

To check out the menu, visit their website: http://thebrooklyndeli.com/index.html

Flavor of India: My home away from home

If you keep up with my whereabouts at all, you’ll know I’m frequently at Flavor of India. It’s the only place in the world where I have an honest-to-goodness bar buddy. I was in last week and I looked over and saw a familiar face coming up to me; it wasn’t my bar buddy but it was another friend who frequents the place. He says, “Well, I was heading over to [other enjoyable Main St. establishment] but I thought since it was Wednesday I’d see if you were here!” I wasn’t aware until that point that I had a reputation to uphold as the Wednesday night buffet promoter! Daman and I were joking about me bringing in people off the street just by being there. There is a bit of a Flavor of India family that has been created around the ACTUAL family that runs this little haven of good smells and good times. I’m happy to be a part of it, if I do say so myself. Daman and Suki treat me like family and I am grateful for their presence in my life.

But on to the food!

Indian food is not the 1^st choice for many. But I think it’s misunderstood…
There’s more to Indian food than curry. Daman always recommends the lamb chops (which I’m ashamed to say I’ve never tried…but I will soon!), especially for people who aren’t very familiar with Indian food. Here are some of my all-time favorites: chicken pakora or samosas (appetizers), their chicken soup is AMAZING and will cure you of a sore throat in record time, nan of any variety is always a must, chicken tikka, tandori chicken, vegi or chicken korma (creamy and flavorful), chicken makhni (basically tandori chicken off the bone, in a creamy sauce), aloo gobi (potato & cauliflower) or aloo sag (potato & spinach) are good for vegi lovers, chicken biryani, and my favorite for dessert…kheer (rice pudding). Add a Mango Lassi for the kids (think- yogurt milkshake), chai or a King Fisher (Indian beer) for you and you’ll be in gut-busting heaven.

If you can’t decide, or still aren’t sure about the whole thing, I suggest going for the buffet. Go for lunch any day for $9.95; or dinner buffet on Wednesday nights for $12.95. I can’t resist the fried green beans and meatballs when I go on buffet night.

You’ll be greeted with a friendly hello, or if you’re as lucky as me….a few hugs, and feel at home while you’re enjoying all the flavors that Flavor of India has to offer. If you see a chick at the bar giving someone a hard time or giggling the night away then it might just be me.

 

http://flavorofindialongmont.com/

 

Beyond Longmont: Mumtaz, Lafayette

A quickie today, while it's fresh in my mind. I know, I know....I'm SO behind but I'm feeling motivated. What gets me behind is that I feel like I have to go in order of my visits. I'm working on that. Maybe it'll be a new year's resolution? But for now....Mumtaz!

This little gem is in Lafayette on 287, just across from the Walmart. I think the first time I went was with some friends on the way home with the Pacific Asian Market in Broomfield. (Another place I should write about. It's worth a field trip if you've never been there. It's just fun...even with the fishy scent.)
I always get the Kefta plate, and USUALLY baklava. They also have Namura now, which is a cakey sort of thing.
The owner will happily explain the menu to you if you're not very familiar with the food. He's super nice and has a great memory for faces. I walked in and he said "Welcome back!" though it's been at least a year and a half since I've been there. It's things like this that make me go back places. If the food's good then that's great but when you feel genuinely welcomed it makes it a lot more fun to go out of the way to go somewhere.

If you've been to the Petra here in Longmont, they have many similar things; everything is homemade and fresh. His mother makes a lot of the food every day, at least she did when I went there the first time. I've never met her but I thank her and welcome her to come live in my house any day.
They also have great music! I get excited when I recognize one of the songs by Amr Diab.
He's a superstar in much of the world but we don't see much of him here. If you like a little world flavor in your music, check him out. :)
(I warn you...he's pretty dreamy and you may suddenly think you can bellydance.)
http://youtu.be/-hOMAUH4fvc

Check out their menu here! http://mumtazfood.com/


 

Loaf & Ladle

"The best soup & pie in Longmont!"

This is their claim...I have yet to taste the soup but can't argue the pie part!
This is definitely a new Blogmont favorite. It should have been years ago, but I didn't know!
Mom wanted an egg salad sandwich. I always want an egg salad sandwich. So we went. It's surprising how hard it is to find a good sandwich sometimes. (I make splendid egg salad but then I have to MAKE it.)
For our first experience we met Debita for lunch. Madre and I both got egg salad, hers on a croissant and mine on sourdough. Debita got a reuben. I love reubens and I MUST try theirs some day.
Mom loves the croissants because we have rationalized that it's ok for her to eat them, even though she's generally gluten-free, because croissants must be mostly butter anyway...right?
They even smell like buttery goodness. So yummy. I always get mine on croissants now. I actually have yet to order something that's not egg salad or pie. I'll try to change it up next time. But still with pie. Obviously.

It could do with a little update (or a retro "update" whatever that might be called) but I love it.
It's always packed with little crowds of silver-haired regulars, which tells you the service is friendly and the food is consistent.
Part of the reason I never went before is that it's only open 11am-4pm and closed weekends, but if you can make it for lunch it's definitely worth it. Prices are very reasonable, the owner is super friendly, soda's a little flat but I deal because they can give me cherry Coke, and you can get milkshakes and a couple other old-fashioned style drinks.

This is an Egg Creme. I haven't the slightest idea what it is but Debita liked it.

 

Check out the old-fashioned shake maker!

 

Note from experience: You order and pay at the counter. This might make you forget to leave a tip for your lovely waitress before you leave. Try not to forget! Now that I am familiar with the place I just tip when I pay, but I think since you don't pay as you leave like at most sit-down places your brain forgets to think of money stuff. Mom stopped back in the next day to leave our tip because we forgot. :D Oopsie.
Loaf & Ladle is somewhere you can go often because it's affordable and friendly.
I've seen menu photos somewhere out there on the internet and if I can find them again I shall post them but at the moment they are hiding from me.

Found it!
http://www.menupix.com/menudirectory/menu.php?id=700281

Caffe Luna

This little hidden coffee nook can be found just to the east of Roosevelt Park on Coffman.
I had never been there all my years in Longmont until this summer. I never even knew it was there until a few years ago. It seems to have a cult-like following of Luna fans, from what I can tell.
I had an Italian soda sort of thing and had a bite (or two) of my friend's Curry Chicken Salad and both were quite good.

They had a variety of tasty looking pastries lining the itty bitty counter but I didn't indulge.
Caffe Luna reminds me of old Penny Lane in Boulder, where we used to beg to go for classes in high school...and were successful a surprising amount of the time.
Caffe Luna has lots of books lining the shelves, seems like a good reading spot and has free Wi-Fi.

Food and drink are good, atmosphere is quiet (maybe less so at peak coffe times) and laid-back, location is nice...near the park and bus stop. (If you don't like bus stop fumes however, you might want to stick to indoor seating.)
I personally prefer Ziggi's or Vita Bella over Caffe Luna but not really for any specific reason. They are just more my cup of...whatever I order. :) I think it might actually be a little TOO mellow for my taste. If I want quiet & calm I tend to stay home. But if you want mellow to mingle with your out and about then this might be a good spot for you.

When I visited they were NOT accepting credit cards but I think they were hoping to in the future so you might want to check before you go or make sure you have cash on hand.