Although February involved a week in San Jose del Cabo on the Baja peninsula of Mexico with a wonderful group of listeners, and another nine days in Colombia, South America with my daughter exploring the wonders of that fabulous country, February was still a fun month locally for The Restaurant Shows.

Cartagena, Colombia has lots of impressive street art

Dinner at Gene Simmons’ Rock & Brew in San Jose del Cabo

The month included trying new restaurants like Crushed Red and Los Chingones in the Denver Tech Center and T-Byrd’s Tacos & Tequila in Colorado Springs. It included celebrating the “old,” the 15 year anniversary of the wonderful Mama Lisa’s Little Italy in Castle Pines North with owner, Lisa Storey. And finally, enjoying some Boyle Meal Deal events with Jamba Juice smoothies and their breakfast bowls, Old Chicago, and introducing listeners to Indian and Nepalese food at India’s Best in Littleton.

Non traditional Cobb Salad at Crushed Red in the DTC

15 years of great food at Mama Lisa’s Little Italy

Beautiful wall art at Los Chingones in the Tech Center

Beautiful décor and great food at India’s Best

The beach time in Mexico, and the long flights to and from Colombia, allowed for plenty of reading. While in Mexico, I reluctantly accepted the offer of a book from a listener called A Man Called Ove. I say “reluctantly” because I never dreamed I would like it. I didn’t. I LOVED IT. If you read only one book this year, please make it A Man Called Ove.

I also read Detroit, An American Autopsy by Charles LeDuff. It is the story of Detroit, it’s rise and the crashing fall it has experienced over the last few decades. A fascinating account of what can happen to once thriving urban areas if left in the hands of corrupt, self interested politicians.

For movies, if you think you know the story of McDonald’s, be sure to see the movie The Founder about the original McDonald brothers and subsequent take over by Ray Kroc. A fascinating account of the chain’s development.

Finally, I saw, on the recommendation of a listener, the movie Silence. It is the story of Jesuit priests who go to Japan in the 16th century to search for their mentor who they have not heard from in two years, and to introduce Japanese to Christianity. It is a POWERFUL movie and one that certainly will cause you to reflect on your own faith. About two hours and forty minutes long, so be prepared.