Yia Yias in Denver Tech Center

Yia Yia's is one hundred percent top notch foodie approved. The first time I ever ate at Yia Yia's I said "it's good". That was a couple of years ago. Well, recently I have eaten lunch there a couple of times and it is a whole different animal now. Chef Aaron Whitcomb is making this place something special. Now I would classify it as GREAT. A true foodie spot able to compete with the best of them. You have got to try this place if you consider yourself a fine food lover. The wait staff was knowledgeable as well as totally attentive to our every need. When your server knows everything about a dish and is really excited about that dish it goes a long way with me. The Beef Carpaccio was perfect with that unmistakable essence of truffle oil. We also had the Duck Confit which was one of the most decadent dishes I have had in a while. It was good enough to qualify for a Shannonism (one of those things that is so good that a word that doesn't even exist just pops into my head) and that word is "Re-DUCK-ulous". I thought the duck was my favorite until I tried the Short Rib Ravioli. This one has got to be shared by me and tried by all. I can't even think of the words to describe how good this dish was. This dish totally and completely encompasses everything that Fall should taste like to me. The sauce was sage brown butter and toasted Hazel Nuts. Aaron is an amazing chef and needs to be mentioned with the best chefs in Denver, the dude is knockin' it out da park. This qualifies as a serious "Grub Chub" which is our equivalent of two thumbs up. Thanks - Shannon

Braised Short Rib Ravioli

                               You have got to try it to believe how good this is

re- DUCK-ulous

                      Crispy Duck Confit with herp salad, hazel nuts and cherries

Toronto - CN Tower

PAN ROASTED WILD BLACK COD

       W/ Wilted Swiss chard, preserved orange, fennel pollen, black olive vinaigrette
 
 
I always joke the the best way to ruin fish is to cook it. This was amazing. What a great dinning experience this was. The CN Tower in Toronto is a unique and exquisite dinning experience. The view was breathtaking and so where some of the prices. $275 for a Kobe steak US for a bit much, I thought. The over all experience was worth it however. They had a geat wine list too. Shannon
 

Maui

My wife and I went to Maui for our 10 year anniversary. Out of the 1,000 or so photos we took (we? only when I could wrestle the camera from her! just kidding), we managed to eat and photograph some really delicious food as well.

You've probably heard how expensive food is in Maui. It's definitely true, but most places don't make much, if any, profit on food. In Maui Revealed (indispensible book!) the author tells of a restaurant that takes in $7 million/year in revenue. The year previous was the FIRST year they had a profit, of only $100,000. Why is it so expensive? It's the most isolated place on Earth, more than 2,500 miles from ANYTHING. -- Drew

The Plantation House

Panko crusted crab stuffed Ahi roll

Heirloom cherry tomatoes, local goat cheese
and balsamic vinegar



Mahi Mahi prepared with shrimp, asparagus, sugar peas
& orzo, finished with golden raisins & toasted pine nuts  

Pistachio-crusted Mahi Mahi, on Maui onions, local tomatoes,
upcountry spinach, with couscous & olive oil

 Bananas foster (yes, we were full!!!, but it was gooooood)

Fire Rock Pale Ale

Even better at 10:30 in the morning!

Flatbread Pizza in Paia

Um...this was a snack. No, we didn't have a
problem finishing it!

Mai Tai and a Big Swell IPA (from Maui Brewing Co.)

Maui Brewing Company

Me...wanting to take a swim!

Me and a Father Damien Abbey Belgian Ale

The wife's Mana Wheat  -- coolest logo EVER?

mmmmm...beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer

The "Adult Grilled Cheese"

Hawaiian slider