colorado springs 2012 annual manual
DESCRIPTION
For visitors and residents of Colorado Springs. Original file was 64MB and 100 pages. I was able to remove 29 pages of ads and get the size down 50%!TRANSCRIPT
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WELCOME 9Package deal 11It’s our pleasure to present you with a formal (OK, prett y informal) welcome.
Make it count 12Planning a day, long weekend, or longer week to remember in the Pikes Peak region.
Crowd sourcing 13Six months of events that promise sights, sounds and fl avors to savor.
Best Of Colorado Springs 16Winners in the Independent’s latest Best Of Colorado Springs readers’ poll.
CULTURE 19Premiere events 20What it looks like on stage when new blood meets hungry masses.
The big picture 22The Springs, a fi lm town? Watch and learn.
OK, go 24Our major music venues, and recommenda-ti ons for local releases to listen to at home.
Bend it like Bruce Lee 26Because being a literary ninja takes practi ce.
Colorado cornucopia 28Farmers markets, CSAs, cooking classes ... consider this Foodie 101.
Sweat banded 30In a city where people come from all over, shared suff ering brings them together.
CIVICS 33Walking the line 34How to work with the government that swears it works for you.
Stay classy 36An educati on on local educati on, both K-through-12 and beyond.
Aid stations 38Who to contact when you’re in need — or when you’re feeling the need to give back.
CENTRAL REGION 41Map 42 • Restaurants 43 • Shopping 48 • Outdoors 49 • Daytime hangouts 50 • Nighttime hangouts 52
NORTH REGION 55Map 56 • Restaurants 57 • Shopping 61 • Outdoors 62 • Daytime hangouts 64 • Nighttime hangouts 66
SOUTH REGION 67Map 68 • Restaurants 69 • Shopping 71 • Outdoors 72 • Daytime hangouts 73 • Nighttime hangouts 74
EAST REGION 75Map 76 • Restaurants 77 • Shopping 78 • Outdoors 79 • Daytime hangouts 80 • Nighttime hangouts 81
WEST REGION 83Map 84 • Restaurants 85 • Shopping 88 • Outdoors 90 • Daytime hangouts 93 • Nighttime hangouts 94
AD INDEX 96
Gear upTime to pick a route through this InSider
Garden of the GodsBrie
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CELEBRATION!CONSCIOUS LIVING STORESpiritual ~ Magical ~ Metaphysical
2209 W. Colorado Ave634-1855
www.CelebrationStore.com
GREAT BOOKSAstounding Prices
~ Incense ~ Oils~ Candles ~ Crystals~ Jewelry ~ Décor ~ & MoreFind that
Unique Gift!
PSYCHIC READERS EVERY DAY
Open 10am – 6pmExplore world spiritual paths
from shamanic to mystic
In our
34th Year!
BECOME AN HERBALISTP RO F E S S I O N A LPERSONAL & HOM E
The Sage Herbal Foundations Program is now accepting applications for our
2012 Certifi cation CourseWHEN: 8 Sundays May 20th – August 12th
WHERE: The conference room above Sage Woman Herbs, 108 Cheyenne Rd, Co Springs
TAUGHT BY: Valerie Blankenship, Board Certi-fi ed Herbalist. Formulator, Clinician & Educator,
with over 22 years in the herbal fi eld. Voted “Best Holistic Practitioner 2011” by Independent readers.
COURSE CONTENT: Herbal Medicine Making, Herbal Properties & Actions, Materia Medica, Herbal healing for All Major Organ Systems,
Aromatherapy, Herbal First Aid & Herbal Walks in Woodland Park
Herbal Healing is a profound gift. Sign up now to change the
direction of your life.To Register:
www.sagewomanherbs.comor 719-473-9702
8th Annual
2012Woodland
Music Series
Ute Pass Cultural Center210 E. MidlandWoodland Park, CO687-5284woodlandmusicseries.com
— June 9 - 7:00 pm — Festival Orchestra ConcertColorado College Annual Summer Music Festival in Woodland Park
— July 14 - 11:00am — Purely Bluegrass
— August 11 - 11:00am — Shades of Blue
Blues & Jazz— September 8 - 11:00am —
Big Band Bash
FREE CONCERTS
Call 719-282-9101 or visit us at www.aoct.net
Join us for a wholesome theatre experience where your student can have fun and learn!
Acting
Musical Theatre
Film
Audition Techniques
Shakespeare
Main Stage Productions
Summer Camps
TheaTre Classes
11ACT082_TallAd.indd 1 3/25/12 5:15 PM
THANKSWhile many gave ti me and att enti on to this project, the Indy would specifi cally like to acknowledge the contributi ons of the businesspeople who welcomed the queries and requests of our photogra-phers, writers and fact-checkers.
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WELCOME
WelcomeColorado Springs from the air
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WELCOME
ADVOUTWEST.COM | 719.578.0935 | Reservations Required
This ain’t no chairlift ride!
Strap in and hang on...
Balloon Flights • Jeep Adventures • Segway Tours • ZipLinesGRAND OPENING SUMMER 2012
PIKESPEAKZIPLINES.COM BY
THE REAL DEAL ZIPLINE ADVENTURE TOUR IN MANITOU SPRINGS
ADVOUTWEST.COM | 719.578.0935 | Reservations Required
This ain’t no This ain’t no This ain’t no This ain’t no This ain’t no This ain’t no This ain’t no This ain’t no chairlift ride!chairlift ride!This ain’t no Strap in and hang on...Strap in and hang on...
This ain’t no Strap in and hang on...
This ain’t no
Balloon Flights • Jeep Adventures • Segway Tours • ZipLinesGRAND OPENING SUMMER 2012
PIKESPEAKZIPLINES.COMPIKESPEAKZIPLINES.COMBY
THE REAL DEAL ZIPLINE ADVENTURE TOUR IN MANITOU SPRINGSTHE REAL DEAL ZIPLINE ADVENTURE TOUR IN MANITOU SPRINGS
Package dealWelcome to this city — and this city guide
Pancake mix? Laundry detergent? High-fiber cereal? I felt foolish asking. A little uncouth, even. I really did love the look of
it, that box on the cover of this year’s InSider … but, umm … what was it supposed to be?
As she’s wont to do, the graphic designer explained it patiently.“It’s just a product,” she said. “A big box of information. The idea is that it
could be anything.”Ohhh, I get it. ’Cause you use this guide in whatever way works for you.Actually, the same principle can be applied to the Pikes Peak region itself.
Some people come because they see a mecca for outdoors-lovers, and that’s all they need.
Some get sent here for work, maybe in the Army or Air Force, and they fall in love with how the Springs fuses military and urban life.
Others take a calculated approach, adding together a variety of factors — relatively low cost of living, easy access to cultural opportunities, an intelligent populace — before deciding it’d be a great place to raise a family.
At the Colorado Springs Independent, our charge is to make sense of all the happenings that constantly shift the look and feel of this place, and to deliver that information in a weekly newspaper. This InSider, our seventh annual manual to the region, is just an extension of that mission, one meant to hold up all year long. So where we’ve missed something in this publication, or left you somehow wanting, please let us know by commenting at csindy.com, or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Otherwise, remember, this guide is anything you want it to be.And if that sounds a little new-agey, well, we’ve got some of that here, too …
— Kirk Woundy
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You don't have to Ieave'Color
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It all adds up. Find out how at www.flycos.com
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Nobody wants to seem like a newbie. Or to be outed as a tourist. So we’re here to help out both types at once.
First, there’s nothing wrong with hitting all the so-called “tourist traps” around town, even if you’ve lived here for years. Most of them are popular for a reason. We might suggest grabbing your meals at one of our indepen-dent eateries (see the back of the book for suggestions), but go ahead — hand-feed lettuce to the giraffes at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (cmzoo.org). It’s fun!
Second, just for you, we’re going to throw in a few “how to pass like a local” tips to make you feel a little bit more at home. We like to be a welcoming bunch.
Lastly, please note that there’s so much more to do in the Pikes Peak region than what’s listed in this story. But, hey, that’s what the rest of the book is for.
24 hours
If you only have a day, grab a water bottle and an extra layer (our weather changes in the blink of an eye), and
get rolling. Garden of the Gods (gardenofgods.com) has to be
the one not-to-miss stop. You can drive through, hike through, bike through or simply stroll through. Start east of the park at the visitors center to learn a little history (like why the rocks are red) and to get a feel for the layout, then head outside. You’ll find the tourists hanging near Balanced Rock, trying to capture photos of themselves “holding up” the formation. Stick to the outer trails, then head to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post, where a beeline to the back will land you in Southwestern art and jewelry heaven.
From the Garden, more shopping can be found in Old Colorado City (shopoldcoloradocity.com) or Mani-tou Springs (manitousprings.org). If you head to cen-tral Manitou, the Arcade, with its Skee-ball, old-timey machines and addictive ’80s video games (seek out the high-speed Ms. Pac-Man), lets you pass a few minutes or a few hours. You can even drop the teens here and take
the train up Pikes Peak (cograilway.com) if you so desire.If the weather’s crummy, (rare, but it does happen),
and you’d prefer an indoor adventure, try soaking up free history at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (springsgov.com), free sports at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (teamusa.org), or free, um, salutes at the Air Force Academy Visitors Center and Cadet Chapel (usafa.af.mil/information/visitors/).
Three days
Here’s when you snack with the long-necks at the zoo (if you like lettuce, that is). You can also enter an
open-flight aviary filled with more than 100 Australian birds. They’ll land on your shoulder or poop on your head, depending on their mood. There’s no good local tip for avoiding that second bit — just “live it up,” as our con-vention and visitors bureau would undoubtedly suggest.
History buffs may pick from these three options: seeing ancient Anasazi architecture at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings (cliffdwellingsmuseum.com), learning about the impact of rodeo on Western American culture at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy (prorodeohalloffame.com), or enjoying some Colorado mining artifacts at one of the Springs’ hidden gems, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry (wmmi.org).
If you’re seeking a respite, try a jaunt around the duck pond (or a signature massage at the Spa) at The Broad-moor (broadmoor.com). You’ll find more water at Seven Falls (sevenfalls.com), or head underground for a guided tour at Cave of the Winds (caveofthewinds.com). To get a feel for the caves before you go, locals will insist you watch the “ManBearPig” episode of South Park (named after an area about 90 miles northwest of the Springs that’s home to the towns of Fairplay and Alma). Just try not to look for Al Gore around every corner.
Art aficionados will not want to miss the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (csfineartscenter.org); as soon as you enter, look up at the gorgeous Dale Chihuly glass sculpture. The FAC features nine permanent collection
galleries, two traveling exhibition galleries, and the Tac-tile Gallery, a touchable collection designed specifically (but not exclusively) for those with visual impairments. Your locals’ tip for the FAC is that one of the city’s best views of Pikes Peak can be enjoyed from the museum’s restaurant patio. If the restaurant’s closed, you can still sneak in for a peek.
One week
Three days down. Exhausted yet?If so, maybe watching some sports with a local
brew in hand will be just the break you need. Some of our best teams include Triple-A baseball’s Colorado Springs Sky Sox (coloradosprings.skysox.milb.com), Air Force football or basketball (goairforcefalcons.com), or Colorado College hockey (cctigers.com).
Then, at this point, if it were me, I’d take a hike.The Springs is filled with lots of spots that make you
feel as if you’re nowhere near a city. Pack a picnic lunch, and see our Outdoors sections in the back of this guide for suggestions of where to go. Take your camera, slather on some sunscreen, and lace up some boots. If there’s snow on the ground, take your camera, slather on some sunscreen (as it’s likely still sunny), and grab some snow-shoes or cross-country skis.
Otherwise, it’s time to get the heck out of Dodge.Head south to Pueblo and its Historic Arkansas River-
walk (puebloharp.com). Or Cañon City, to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park (royalgorgebridge.com) and ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad (royalgorgeroute.com).
Head west to Cripple Creek (visitcripplecreek.com) for everything from blackjack to burros to brothels. OK, not working brothels, but historical ones. The Old Home-stead House Museum spreads open the velvet curtains on the lifestyles of the community’s former madams.
Finally, a drive north will take you to Denver, Boulder and beyond.
But don’t forget about us. We’ll be waiting here to welcome you back. n
Make it countHow to work each hour like a longtime local
By Kirsten Akens
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WELCOME
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WELCOME
Aprilrocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival Shorts7Stargazers Theatre & Event Center, 10 S. Parkside Drive, rmwfilmfest.org
A night of award-winning short films to benefit the full Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival in November.
Celebration Metaphysical Fair13-15City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St., celebrationfair.com
An opportunity to have a psychic reading by profes-sional mediums, do your own reading, join in a community drum circle, and much more.
indie Spirit Film Festival19-22Colorado College’s Corner-stone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave., indiespiritfilmfestival.org
The city’s fifth annual indie film extravaganza, with an av-erage of 100 screenings, film-maker talks and panels and other movie-related magic.
Carmina Burana FestivalApril 28 through May 6
Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., pikespeakcenter.com
A series of events leading up to a concert spectacular, with more than a dozen perform-ing arts groups giving life to the namesake medieval Ger-man poem.
MAyHerb Fest5Colorado Springs Masonic Center, 1150 Panorama Drive, peakherbfest.com
Up to 60 vendors on hand and complementing classes on all things herb: cooking with herbs, herbal body care, herbal remedies, etc.
MeadowGrass Music Festival25-27La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, Black Forest, meadowgrassmusicfestival.org
A three-day event (drop in or camp out) showcasing roots, bluegrass, Americana, cow-boy, folk and acoustic music.
Territory Days26-28Old Colorado City, shopoldcoloradocity.com
More than 180 craft, com-mercial and food booths packing the streets of Old
Colorado City over Memorial Day weekend.
Colorado College Summer Festival of the ArtsLate May to early AugustVarious locations at CC, 14 East Cache la Poudre St., arts-festival.coloradocollege.edu
Operas, classical music (for adults and children), visual art ... all sorts of events over two-plus months.
JuneManitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival2Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, manitousprings.org
Twenty-five wineries from Colorado, as well as ven-dor booths such as La Ba-guette, Ruxton’s Trading Post, Pastamoré and more.
Colorado renaissance Festival & Artisans MarketplaceJune 9 to July 29, weekendsLarkspur, coloradorenaissance.com
Entertainment in the form of jousting, juggling, comedy, ac-robatics and turkey-leg-eating, and shopping for handmade
leather, Raku pottery, sculp-ture, and other fine art.
Heuberger Subaru Starlight Spectacular9Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., trailsandopenspaces.org
Starting at a new time (10:30 p.m.) this year, your chance to ride your bike under the stars. Themed rest stops, and pro-ceeds supporting the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
Taste of the Springs10Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, 2605 Preamble Point, careandshare.org
Between 35 and 40 food and beverage vendors serving deliciousness, all to support Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado.
Springs Spree16-17Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., springsspree.org
Food, fun, live music and a Springs Spree favorite: the human hamster ball rides.
ride for the Brand rodeo30Norris-Penrose Event
Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road, championship-ranchrodeo.com
Bronc riding, wild cow milk-ing and general Western-style fun. Don’t forget your 10-gallon hat and spurs for the post-rodeo hoedown.
pikes peak Art FestJune 30, July 1-2America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, pikespeakartfest.com
A weekend featuring local musicians, artists, food and fun for all ages in the great outdoors, rain or shine.
Julypikes peak international Hill Climb events3-8Pikes Peak Highway, ppihc.com
Leading up to the July 8 auto races up Pikes Peak, attrac-tions include beer gardens, a chili cook-off and live bands.
pikes peak or Bust rodeo11-14Norris-Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road, coloradospringsrodeo.com
“Traditional rodeo at its Colo-rado best”: gold panning and mechanical bull rides for the
public, bareback riding and steer wrestling for the brave.
Blues under the Bridge21218 W. Colorado Ave. (under the Colorado Avenue bridge), bluesunderthebridge.com
A continuation of the annual music festival, showcasing blues, soul and more. Per-formers to be announced.
rocky Mountain State Games20-22, 27-29Multiple venues, thesportscorp.org
Archery, bowling, flag football, karate, rugby and table tennis are just a few of the 34 sports included in this year’s games.
prideFest21-22Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Ave., ppglcc.org
Highlighted by the annual LGBT parade downtown, it’s the Col-orado Springs Pride Center’s largest event of the year.
el paso County Fair21-28County fairgrounds, Cal-han, elpasocountyfair.com
A summer tradition of fun-nel cakes and carnival rides, 4H shows and rodeos, since 1905.
Crowd sourcingSix months of big attractions in the pikes peak region
Compiled by Sara Michael and Molly Mrazek
Colorado Balloon Classic
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WELCOME
Fiddles, Vittles, and Vino29Rock Ledge Ranch, 3202 Chambers Way,� ddlesvittlesandvino.com
Fun to say, fun to do, with live bluegrass music, local food tasti ngs and beer and wine galore.
AUGUST50th AnniversaryFire Festival4America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, cs� refestival.com
Delegates from Japan rep-licati ng the Yoshida Fire Festi val with performances, ethnic food and spectacular fi res, to celebrate our 50th anniversary as sister citi es with Fujiyoshida.
Craft Lager Festival4Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, craftlagerfestival.com
A vast array of craft beers for tasti ng, an onstage band for listening, and an environ-ment welcoming to those even not of drinking age.
The Dirty Dash11Wonderland Ranch, Hodgen and Vollmer roads, thedirtydash.com
Teeming with beer and fam-ily acti viti es, a mud-slick, obstacle-fi lled race; proceeds benefi t local chariti es.
Pikes Peak Ascent & MarathonAug. 18 (ascent), Aug. 19 (marathon)Barr Trail, Manitou Springs, pikespeakmarathon.org
The annual races up (or in the case of the marathon, up and down) Colorado Springs’
fourteener; feel free to watch the massacre and cheer.
USA Pro Cycling Challenge20-26Statewide, usaprocycling-challenge.com
Seven days of professional cyclists riding more than 500 miles. In 2012 the Challenge will fi nish Stage 5, on Aug. 24, in Colorado Springs.
Colorado State FairAug. 24 to Sept. 3State Fairgrounds, Pueblo, coloradostatefair.com
A classic summer staple with a 2012 theme of “Horses, Horses, Horses.”
Mountain Music Festival24-26Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, manitousprings.org
An aft ernoon of bluegrass and similarly dubbed “moun-tain” music, food, craft s and family fun.
SEPTEMBERCommonwheelArtists Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival1-3Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, commonwheel.com/festival
About 110 arti st booths show-casing their fi nest wares, live music all day along, and face-painti ng and balloon crea-tures for the young.
Colorado Balloon Classic1-3Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., balloonclassic.com
Hot-air “Balloon Glo” in the evening, and mornings of waking before the sun to
watch dozens of the balloons launch.
Chile Chili Festival2Douglas County Event Center, Castle Rock, thatsnatural.info
Guaranteed to burn your mouth off (pleasurably) with the fl avor of various roasted chili peppers from all across the state.
Indy Music Awards & Festival6Stargazers Theatre & Event Center, 10 S. Parkside Drive, csindy.com
A chance to catch more than a dozen of the best individual musicians and bands in our area, as voted on by readers of the Colorado Springs Inde-pendent.
Assault on the Peak / Bikeswap9Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs,peakregioncyclist.com
Runners relinquish the moun-tain to the bikers on Pikes Peak Highway. Current record is two hours, 17 minutes.
What-IF ... A Festival of Innovation and Imagination15Various locations down-town, whatif-festival.org
A takeover of downtown by “thinkers and ti nkerers” of all sorts, and their contrapti ons.
Colorado Renaissance Festival & Artisans MarketplaceKin
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Take a front row seat for a show of stunning naturalwonders and Colorado history as you ride, dine andunwind aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Our
gourmet lunch and dinner trains offer Colorado-inspired,chef-prepared menus , a full bar and well-curated winelist. For a more casual affair , choose Coach or Vista
Dome which also offers a full view of Colorado'sgrandest canyon. Call today to book your seats and
experience Colorado like never before.
COA C H • VISTA DOME • LU N C H • DINNER • MURDER MYSTERYCanon City, Colorado
RoyalGorgeRoute .com • 888 .724.5748
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WELCOME
FOOD & DRINKAmericanFlatiron’s flatirons.biz
Appetizers/TapasNosh nosh121.com
Bakery/PatisserieLa Baguette French Bakery & Café
labaguettefrenchbistro.com and labaguette-co.comBang-for-Your-Buck Restaurant
King’s Chef Diner kingschefdiner.comBarbecueFront Range Barbeque frbbq.com
Biscuits & GravyDonut Mill 687-9793
BreadPanera Bread panerabread.com
BreakfastThe Omelette Parlor co-spgs-omeletteparlor.com
Buffalo WingsBuffalo Wild Wings buffalowildwings.com
BuffetGolden Corral goldencorral.com
BurgerRed Robin Gourmet Burgers redrobin.com
Cajun/SouthernSprings Orleans springsorleans.com
Cake BakeryLittle London Cake Shoppe littlelondoncakes.com
ChineseP.F. Chang’s China Bistro pfchangs.com
CupcakesThe Springs Cupcake Truck thespringscupcaketruck.blogspot.com
Cutting-Edge RestaurantNosh nosh121.com
DeliJason’s Deli jasonsdeli.com
Dessert DestinationMarigold Café and Bakery marigoldcoloradosprings.com
DinerKing’s Chef Diner kingschefdiner.com
Fine DiningThe Famous thefamoussteakhouse.net
Food TruckThe Springs Cupcake Truck thespringscupcaketruck.blogspot.com
FrenchLa Baguette French Bakery and Café
labaguettefrenchbistro.com and labaguette-co.comFrozen YogurtYoYogurt yoyogurtusa.com
GermanEdelweiss German Restaurant edelweissrest.com
Gluten-Free-Friendly EateryCoquette Creperie coquettesbistroandbakery.com
Green ChiliKing’s Chef Diner kingschefdiner.com
HummusHeart of Jerusalem Café heartofjerusalemcafe.com
Ice Cream/GelatoJosh & John’s Ice Creams joshandjohns.com
Indian/CurryLittle Nepal lnepal.com
ItalianParavacini’s Italian Bistro paravicinis.com
Japanese/SushiJun Japanese Restaurant
onebigblob.com/Jun-Japanese-RestaurantKoreanSan Chang House 598-1707
Late-Night DiningKing’s Chef Diner kingschefdiner.com
Local Coffee HousePikes Perk Coffee & Tea House (Downtown location) 635-1600
Local Coffee RoasterPikes Perk Coffee & Tea House pikesperkcoffee.com
Local Pizza JointBorriello Brothers borriellobrothers.com
Local/Regional Restaurant ChainBorriello Brothers borriellobrothers.com
MediterraneanJake & Telly’s Greek Cuisine jakeandtellys.com
MexicanAmanda’s Fonda amandasfonda.com
Middle EasternHeart of Jerusalem Café heartofjerusalemcafe.com
National Chain Coffee HouseStarbucks starbucks.com
National Pizza ChainPapa Murphy’s papamurphys.com
National Restaurant ChainChipotle Mexican Grill chipotle.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - CentralShuga’s shugas.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - EastRock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery rockbottom.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - ManitouAdam’s Mountain Café adamsmountain.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - MonumentLa Casa Fiesta lacasafiesta.net
Neighborhood Restaurant - NorthSalsa Brava rockymtnrg.com/salsabrava
Neighborhood Restaurant - SouthWalter’s Bistro waltersbistro.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - WestFront Range Barbeque frbbq.com
New Restaurant (since July 1, 2010)The Rabbit Hole rabbitholedinner.com
Overall RestaurantThe Blue Star thebluestar.net
Patio DiningAmanda’s Fonda amandasfonda.com
Place to Dine AlonePoor Richard’s Restaurant poorrichardsdowntown.com
Place to Eat Local/SustainableAdam’s Mountain Café adamsmountain.com
Power LunchMacKenzie’s Chop House mackenzieschophouse.com
Restaurant for a Wedding ReceptionBriarhurst Manor Estate briarhurst.com
Restaurant for CarnivoresThe Famous thefamoussteakhouse.net
Restaurant for HerbivoresAdam’s Mountain Café adamsmountain.com
Restaurant for Kids That Isn’t Fast FoodRed Robin Gourmet Burgers redrobin.com
Restaurant for TouristsPhantom Canyon Brewing Co. phantomcanyon.com
Restaurant Wine ListThe Blue Star thebluestar.net
SaladsSouper Salad soupersalad.com
SeafoodRed Lobster redlobster.com
SmoothieKeva Juice kevajuice.com
SoupPanera Bread panerabread.com
Spot for a Spot of TeaMontague’s 520-0672
SteakhouseThe Famous thefamoussteakhouse.net
Sunday BrunchThe Broadmoor broadmoor.com
TacqueriaMonica’s Taco Shop 597-7022
Take-OutChipotle Mexican Grill chipotle.com
ThaiWild Ginger Thai Restaurant wildgingerthai.com
VietnameseSaigon Café coloradosaigoncafe.com
Wait StaffTexas Roadhouse (Eighth Street location) texasroadhouse.com
NIGHTLIFEBang-for-Your-Buck BarTony’s Downtown Bar
tonysdowntownbar.comBar CrowdSouthSide Johnny’s
southsidejohnnys.bizBar for a Fancy-Pants Cocktail
Shuga’s shugas.comBar for a Margarita
The Loop theloopatmanitou.comBar for a MartiniV Bar 471-8622
Bar With a Smokin’ PatioOscar’s Oyster Bar oscarsoysterbar.com
BartenderAnn Marie Bell, Sodo Night Club sodonightlife.com
Beer Selection on TapOld Chicago oldchicago.com
Club DJDJ GÜ, Sodo Night Club sodonightlife.com
College BarTony’s Downtown Bar tonysdowntownbar.com
Domestic BeerBudweiser budweiser.com
Gay BarUnderground undergroundbars.com
Happy HourNosh nosh121.com
Imported BeerGuinness guinness.com
Best of Colorado Springs Top picks in our 2011 readers’ pollFi
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WELCOME
In-Store Beer SelectionCheers Liquor Mart cheersliquormart com
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onebigblob com/TanglesDaySpaHigher Ed For Nontraditional StudentsPikes Peak Community College ppcc edu
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sagewomanherbs comHuman Day CareGiving Tree Montessori School gtmschool com
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Old Town Bike Shop
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| 18 | inSider 2012 |
Piercing ParlorWest Side Tatt oo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .westsidetatt oo.net
Place to Get TattooedWest Side Tatt oo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .westsidetatt oo.net
RealtorBobbi Price, Plati num Group Realtors . . . . bobbiprice.com
Realty CompanyRE/MAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . remax.com
Tanning SalonTan Your Hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tanyourhide.com
Trash/Recycling ServiceBestway Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . bestwaydisposal.com
VeterinarianWestside Animal Hospital . . . westsideanimalhospital.com
DAYLIFEArt ExhibitionArt on the Streets . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . artonthestreets.comArtistLiese Chavez . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . palepreoccupati on.etsy.comBanquet FacilityPhantom Canyon Brewing Co. .
. . . . . . . phantomcanyon.comBed & Breakfast
Old Town GuestHouse . . . . . . . oldtown-guesthouse.comCasinoDouble Eagle Hotel and Casino . . . . . . . . .decasino.com
CatererGarden of the Gods Gourmet . . . . . . . godsgourmet.com
Cultural Attraction/MuseumColorado Springs Fine Arts Center . . . . . sfi neartscenter.org
Dance StudioSprings Salsa and Dance Fitness Studios . . springssalsa.com
Family Fun CenterMr. Biggs Family Fun Center (closing April 29, 2012)
Fitness Center24 Hour Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24hourfi tness.com
GalleryThe Modbo . . . . . . . . . . . . themodbo.wordpress.com
Local Hotel/MotelThe Broadmoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . broadmoor.com
Movie TheaterKimball’s Peak Three Theater . . . . .kimballstwinpeak.com
National Chain Hotel/MotelAntlers Hilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . antlers.com
Pilates StudioReVibe Pilates & Bodywork . . . . . . . . revibepilates.com
Place for a Blind DateCheyenne Mountain Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cmzoo.org
Place for a PicnicGarden of the Gods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .springsgov.com
Place to See Emerging ArtistsThe Modbo . . . . . . . . . . . . themodbo.wordpress.com
Place to SkateboardMemorial Park Skateboard Park . . . . . . . .springsgov.com
Running ClubJack Quinn’s Running Club . . . jackquinnsrunners.ning.com
Tourist DestinationGarden of the Gods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .springsgov.com
Yoga StudioCorePower Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corepoweryoga.com
PERSONALITIESCategory We ForgotChurches / Religion
Local Claim to FamePikes Peak
Local Claim to ShameU.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . lamborn.house.govCultural White KnightSusan Edmondson, Bee Vraden-
burg Foundati on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . beevradenburgfoundati on.orgFundraising EventSusan G. Komen Race for the Cure . . komensecolorado.org
Local BloggerCarrie Isaac, SpringsBargains . . . . . . . springsbargains.com
Local PoliticianRichard Skorman, former city councilor . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . poorrichardsdowntown.comLocal Radio ShowThe Magic Morning Show With Danger and Lacie, 98.9 Magic
FM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .989magicfm.comLocal Talk Radio PersonalityRichard Randall, KVOR 740 AM . . . . . . . . . . . kvor.com
Local TV News PersonalityLisa Lyden, KOAA News First 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . koaa.com
Local TV NewscastKOAA News First 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . koaa.com
Local TwittererMatt Meister, KRDO NewsChannel 13 . . . . @TheWxMeister
Nonprofit OrganizationCASA of the Pikes Peak Region . . . . . . . . . . . casappr.org
Radio DJVicky Gregor, KRCC 91.5 FM . . . . radiocoloradocollege.org
Radio Station - MusicKRCC 91.5 FM . . . . . . . . . . . . radiocoloradocollege.org
Radio Station - TalkKRCC 91.5 FM . . . . . . . . . . . . radiocoloradocollege.org
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| 20 | inSider 2012 |
CULTURE
Our city has endured quite a bit of revision in the past year. Not only in our government (see p. 34), but among the leadership within
our performing arts scene.The Colorado Springs Philharmonic (csphilharmonic.
org) now thrives under the direction of conductor Josep Caballé-Domenech. A thrill to watch and a dynamic force for the musicians, “JCD” landed the position last year when he guest-conducted a concert for outgoing director Lawrence Leighton Smith, who was too ill to perform. Caballé-Domenech was such a hit, he was recruited into the pool of conductor candidates, and wound up prevailing over five others.
Caballé-Domenech spent most of the 2011-12 sea-son on the road with previous commitments, though he returned in March for the Philharm’s date with virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman. In 2012-13, he’ll conduct many more concerts here, with highlights including a performance by flautist Sir James Galway, season opener The Pines of Rome and a Philharmonic Pops concert devoted to the music of John Williams.
Meanwhile, the theater company at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (csfineartscenter.org) is now helmed by Scott RC Levy, whose first season focused on 20th- and 21st-century American plays, along with a mix of edgy, contemporary works such as Assas-sins and In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play. For 2012-13, the FAC will produce Gypsy, Next to Normal and a new series of plays in its upstairs Music Room, part of a second-stage season.
The MAT (themat.org) has remained in the capable hands of Jim Jackson and Birgitta De Pree. Yet last September, the art house theater changed its name from Manitou Art Theatre to Millibo Art Theatre to celebrate its 10th birthday; to reflect its move out of
Manitou Springs; and to commemorate the passing of two members of the MAT family, Millie Harrison and Bo Freese. The MAT will host its annual Six Women Playwriting Festival through April, before taking the summer to prep for its 2012-13 season.
Going strong
Excellent theater continues at TheatreWorks (the-atreworkscs.org), which last year announced a
new contract with the Actors’ Equity Association, allowing the company to use as many union actors as needed. The past season brought standout produc-tions of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Church and The 39 Steps and a visit by Shakespearean scholar Tina Packer; it’ll wrap up in early May, when a run of Mary Stuart performances comes to a close.
THEATREdART (theatredart.org) has flourished in its new space downtown. Continuing with its edgy and often bloody plays, TdA wowed with the surreal The Show Trial in January, staged an ambitious theater version of Reservoir Dogs in March, and closes the season with co-founder Brian Mann’s Ogres in the Office 2 and “the mother of all revenge tragedies,” Spanish Tragedy.
Community theater stays fresh with the likes of Star Bar Players (starbarplayers.org) and Springs Ensemble Theatre (springsensembletheatre.org), which gifted the community Why Torture Is Wrong and the People Who Love Them and a 24-hour play cycle event, respectively. Watch for Star Bar’s staging of Othello in May and the grisly The Pillowman by SET in the fall.
In Pueblo, community outfits Steel City Theatre Company (sctcpueblo.com) and Impossible Players (impossibleplayers.org) set their sights on produc-tions of Cabaret and Fiddler on the Roof, respectively.
While there, check out the Damon Runyon Repertory Theater (runyontheater.org), which besides its own shows, has hosted national touring acts like comedian Michael Winslow.
Into the mountains, audiences will find Old West-style entertainment at the Thin Air Theatre Company (buttetheater.com/tatc.htm) in Cripple Creek and the Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater in Manitou Springs (pikes-peak.com/attraction/15.aspx). Thin Air, acting out of Butte Theater, plans produc-tions of My Fair Lady, Haunting at the Old Home-stead and A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol. Camp reigns supreme at Iron Springs, where comedy, music and light-hearted madcappery are always on the bill.
For faster-paced comedy, sit in on any of the WYNOT Radio Theatre (rickluger.com) shows, featuring some of the area’s best talent like Cory Moosman and Sammie “Joe” Kinnett. A send-up of radio heyday programming, WYNOT shows are simple, sleek and brainy.
Lastly, we have the performances at Simpich Show-case Theatre (simpich.com), a world of marionettes built by puppeteer David Simpich. Shows include the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and The Firebird.
Singin’ and dancin’
The dance community welcomed a new outfit this year with the birth of Sansara (facebook.com/
sansaramovement), a modern troupe consisting of local luminaries including artistic director Camille Loftin, Lauren Andrus and Trish Doyle-Stahl.
After a few of its own shows, Sansara paired with Peaks and Pasties (peaksandpasties.com), the city’s only burlesque troupe, for a dual show followed by a mash-up dance. To catch Peaks and Pasties, go online for its
Premiere eventsOur performing arts scene reloaded in 2011, and you get the spoils in 2012
By Edie Adelstein
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schedule, which includes smaller shows in bars and clubs almost once a week, bigger events monthly, and the Colorado Burlesque Festival in Denver this summer.
More modern dance comes via Ormao Dance Com-pany (ormaodance.org) in its gorgeous new west-side facility. More than 20 years old, Ormao continues to produce professional performances, like one with Colorado College this April.
The Colorado Springs Dance Theatre (csdance.org)brings performances to town while nurturing “tal-ented young dancers by providing performance oppor-tunities, master classes and scholarships.” Watch for its Evening With Ballet West II at CC in April as well.
Also there are the ballet troupes, which include The Ballet Society of Colorado Springs (danceinthesprings.com) and the Christian-flavored Ballet Emmanuel (bal-letemmanuel.org), both staging shows throughout the year, with the classic Nutcracker at Christmas time.
The Springs is home to several choirs, including Out Loud (rmarts.org/outloud.php), an LGBT-friendly men’s chorus. Born in January 2006, Out Loud per-forms often and is on the books for July’s Gay and Lesbian Choral Festival in Denver. And the co-ed Colo-rado Springs Chorale (cschorale.org), of 100-plus voices, will join the Air Force Academy Band for a night of patriotic music and Colorado Springs Philharmonic for Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, both in May.
For other classical music outlets, look for con-certs by the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs (cham-berorchestraofthesprings.org), led by music director Thomas Wilson, also of the Philharmonic. Though
a smaller body, the Chamber tackles heavy, thematic topics such as its tribute to the Romantic era with Saint-Saëns, Chopin and Robert Schumann for its sea-son finale in May. Its shows have the added benefit of lower ticket prices, as do those of the Pikes Peak Phil-harmonic (pikespeakphil.org) and Pueblo Symphony (pueblosymphony.com).
Other classical music companies play to intimate or alternative settings. String quartet Colorado Haus-musik (coloradohausmusik.com) got its start perform-ing in private homes, but now performs in churches and even at Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. Classically Alive (classicallyalive.com) plays in the home of UCCS music professor Abe Minzer and his wife, who orga-nize themed concerts with spirits and supper.
Eight ensembles make up the Air Force Academy Band (usafacademyband.af.mil) and perform often. Expect top-notch big band sounds from the Falconaires, pop from Blue Steel, and recitals from other groups.
Little ones, big laughs
Being geared toward the 18-and-younger bunch doesn’t mean the Colorado Springs Conservatory
(coloradospringsconservatory.org) kids can’t sing, play, or act the socks off of most adults. The Con-servatory preps performers for professional careers, preschool through high school. And Conservatory fac-ulty shine, too: Judeth Shay Burns, Jana Lee Ross and executive director Linda Weise’s cabaret-style show Manger Avec Trois wowed crowds with its adults-only humor, music and intimate setting.
Same goes for the Colorado Springs Children’s Cho-rale (kidssing.org), actually five choirs and a prepara-tory class. The Chorale will team up with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony (csysa.com) — similar, except with instruments — for the Carmina Burana Festival at the beginning of May. Incorporating 11 regional organizations, this 400-performer show follows the “sometimes cruel, sometimes delightful turn of the wheel of fortune” based on a medieval German poem.
Acting classes, camps and junior musicals are offered through Academy of Children’s Theatre (aoct.net) and AlleyCat Theatrics (alleycattheatrics.com). Completely fearless young ones can also try family-friendly Improv Jams with Improv Colorado (improv-colorado.com).
Got a routine already? Try stand-up nights at local bars like Thunder & Buttons II (thunderandbuttons.com).
Regional talent makes up the handful of comedy shows periodically at Stargazers Theatre and Event Center (stargazerstheatre.com). Big names take the stage at the Pikes Peak Center (pikespeakcenter.com), site of many a traveling and local show. But pros most regularly hit Loonees Comedy Corner (loonees.com), which hosts comedians every weekend.
Otherwise, home-grown laughs can be found the first Friday and Saturday of every month thanks to the RiP (theriponline.com) improv group at Millibo Art Theatre. Stick Horses in Pants (thestickhorses.com) and Improv Colorado also keep healthy schedules, appear-ing at The Broadmoor, Venue 515 and Tri-Lakes Cen-ter for the Arts. ■
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| 22 | inSider 2012 |
CULTURE
The big pictureTake stock of the film scene with a roundup of cinephiles and cinema spots
By Matthew Schniper
Creep! The Amazing Spider-Man Brie
nne
Boo
rtz
Is this a film town or not? As I write, there are three local casting calls out:
one for Jerry Bruckheimer’s Lone Ranger; a feature-length Civil War-era flick called Dutchman’s Run, by a crew of young filmmakers; and award-winning student filmmaker Sarah Lotfi’s latest short, Menschen.
Then there’s the hype around films with Springs ties — more directly, Colorado College alums — in the news lately. Daniel Junge won an Oscar in February for his short, Saving Face; Kaui Hart Hemmings’ novel, The Descendants, was made into an Oscar-winning film starring George Clooney; and Marc Webb is directing The Amazing Spider-Man. Plus, CC professors Dylan Nelson and Clay Haskell’s documentary The Hollywood Complex recently aired on Showtime.
We’ve also been tracking local filmmaker Pete Schuer-mann’s effort to realize Creep!, a flick that will tell the story behind the “worst film ever made,” since June 2010.
That legitimizing enough? Now that we agree that we can hang with the big dogs,
let’s look at everything else silver-screen in the Springs.This city’s also home to professional film festivals, the
oldest of which is the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Fes-tival (rmwfilmfest.org). It holds the proud title of North America’s longest continuously running women’s film festival, now in its 25th year. From Nov. 2 through 4 at both CC and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, you
can expect an array of shorts, documentaries and fea-ture films primarily directed, produced and/or edited by women; single screenings are $15, with passes going from $35 to $125. Plus, past films can be checked out from the group’s office anytime, for a small suggested donation.
Next, there’s the 13-year-old Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival (tinyurl.com/PPLFilmFest), planned for Sept. 21 to 23 at CC’s Cornerstone Arts Center. Seats for single films are $10 ($5 students or low-income), with full passes for $75. Short and feature films are selected annually from the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, attended by organizer Alma Cremonesi.
The Windrider Film Forum (windridercolorado.com) turns seven this year, screening from July 26 to 28 in CC’s Armstrong Theatre. Our local branch of the Fuller Theological Seminary plays host, spotlighting shorts and feature-length movies meant to inspire com-passion and social consciousness. Seats are $10 per film ($5 for students).
Which brings us to the fifth annual Indie Spirit Film Festival (indiespiritfilmfestival.org), from April 19 to 22 on the CC campus and at Kimball’s Peak Three The-ater (115 E. Pikes Peak Ave., kimballspeakthree.com). It promises to showcase nearly 120 international films of all lengths, plus filmmaker Q&As, free panels and parties; individual tickets are $10, with punch passes and full VIP access ranging from $25 to $100.
The group behind Indie Spirit is the Independent Film Society of Colorado (ifsoc.org), which also hosts free, thrice-yearly Colorado Short Circuit short-film show-ings; individual Film Series screenings of great indie flicks ($2 to $4); and free Community Cinema showings in partnership with Rocky Mountain PBS.
Moving to touring festivals, the Banff Mountain Film Festival (banffcentre.ca) arrives in the spring with beauti-ful outdoorsy movies. In the fall, we can usually count on the Warren Miller Film Tour (skinet.com/warrenmiller) for ski porn, and the Reel Rock Film Tour (reelrocktour.com) for international rock climbing and mountaineer-ing guffawing. (Back to that whole film-town thing: Reel Rock’s production team includes three CC alums.)
As for the places to slip on 3D glasses, we have five multiplexes in town and one IMAX screen. There’s also Picture Show discount theater (pictureshowent.com) for last month’s movies, and Kimball’s for indies, documen-taries and some blockbusters.
Otherwise, look to our local libraries (ppld.org; mani-tousprings.colibraries.org) for free public screenings of old films for all ages. Our local colleges, churches and other community meeting venues also screen the occa-sional foreign-language film series, documentary or fea-ture. Keep an eye on our listings at csindy.com to catch those, and also on our online database for constantly updated movie times and more. n
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| 24 | inSider 2012 |
CULTURE
It’s no secret that the concert industry has been in a state of flux.
In less economically uncertain times, concert promoters and major labels were able to count on reliable revenues from larger acts. Those proceeds could then, at least theoretically, be plowed back into the promotion of less bankable artists. With industry support, some of those developing acts could find their own way to stardom. Others might at least build a sustainable career.
Not so anymore. Today’s concert industry has taken its cues from the overall economy’s widening gap between haves and have-nots. At the top, a handful of Katy Perrys and Justin Biebers; at the bottom, the musicians who are playing down the street for tips and gas money.
So as 2012 rolls on, it’s somewhat surprising that Colorado Springs venues are maintaining a fair amount of diversity. We have an arena, a performing arts center, and a handful of concert halls and the-aters. There’s also no shortage of venues for the guys in the vans; you’ll find most of those (like the Black Sheep, Triple Nickel Tavern and Zodiac) organized by neighborhood in the “Nighttime hangouts” sections deeper into this issue.
Auds and ends
The top rung of the ladder is occupied by the Colorado Springs World Arena (worldarena.com).
More than 8,000 fans can crowd into the venue, which is sufficient to bring in some seriously well-known headliners. For the most part, though, the booking policy is fairly conservative, dominated by pomp-rock mainstays like Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller, as well as contemporary country acts and — this being Colorado Springs — the obligatory Rock & Worship Road Tour.
Elton John raised eyebrows by playing the arena a few years ago, but mostly we’re talking about Dis-ney on Ice extravaganzas and college hockey games. Regional acts rarely make it to the arena, although Pueblo’s Haunted Windchimes did perform several numbers during a 2011 live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion.
World Arena folk also manage the Pikes Peak Center
(pikespeakcenter.com). The comparatively diminu-tive venue is still big enough (2,000 seats) for artists like Wilco and Chris Isaak. It arguably has the best acoustics in town, whether for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic or the Experience Hendrix Tour. It also houses a more intimate space that’s home to the monthly Showcase at Studio Bee, a free concert series that presents local musicians from a variety of genres.
Like its big-sister arena, the Pikes Peak Center doesn’t book all that much music. You’re more likely to find one-time cutting-edge productions like Stomp and the Blue Man Group, along with comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Weird Al Yankovic.
For a considerably more solid music schedule, head a few miles east to Stargazers Theatre & Event Center (stargazerstheatre.com), a historic venue reminiscent of Hollywood’s famed Cinerama Dome. Both bear a striking resemblance to a mammoth golf ball half-buried in a parking lot, which is, of course, a wonder-ful thing.
Once home to punk-rock shows and church ser-vices, reportedly not at the same time, Stargazers has a crowded concert schedule that ranges from currently popular acts like OK Go! and Jake Shimabukuro to venerable entertainers like Janis Ian and Savoy Brown.
Another local venue with a serious pedigree is the Colorado Springs City Auditorium (cityauditorium.org), which dates to 1923. The historic building’s concert legacy has run the gamut, from Little Richard with Jimi Hendrix to Sublime with Rome. John Philip Sousa performed there, Jehovah’s Witnesses have prayed there, and Michelle Obama has spoken there. A Wurlitzer pipe organ moved in a few years after the building opened, and is still there today. Smaller gath-erings, including local musicians’ album release cel-ebrations, are held in the adjacent Lon Chaney Theatre.
Up north, meanwhile, is the Air Force Academy, which houses the excellent Arnold Hall (usafa.af.mil). While outreach to non-military spectators isn’t neces-sarily a high priority, the venue has brought in a siz-able share of the community to hear atists like LeAnn Rimes and B.B. King. It’s also a good place to see tribute acts with high production values, such as the recent “Night of Queen.”
Not to be confused with Arnold Hall is Colorado Col-
lege’s Armstrong Hall (coloradocollege.edu), which has brought in more alternative acts ranging from jam band heroes Phish and to slow-core innovators Low. The venue recently presented a celebration of the late great John-Alex Mason (see p. 25) which featured a who’s-who of local musicians as well as nationally known artists like Alvin Youngblood Hart and Otis Taylor.
Armstrong has also played host to events sponsored by the Black Rose Acoustic Society (blackroseacoustic.org). A nonprofit devoted to traditional folk and bluegrass music, Black Rose also presents occasional shows, including an early 2012 concert by Tom Rush, at the cozy and rustic Black Forest Community Center (12530 Black Forest Road).
No boundaries
For those who enjoy outdoor concerts, the Springs offers tons of summer events in a variety of loca-
tions. The World Music Series (coloradocollege.edu) brings in incredibly talented international musicians such as Colombia’s Bomba Estéreo, who have since gone on to generate considerable buzz in the main-stream music industry. Events take place on the quad outside Colorado College’s Armstrong Hall, unless weather forces them indoors.
Also unique to Colorado Springs is the scenic, summertime Blues Under the Bridge Festival (bluesun-derthebridge.com), whose headliners have included blues legends like Bettye LaVette, Koko Taylor and the Holmes Brothers. Memorial Day weekend is given over to the MeadowGrass Music Festival (meadow-grassmusicfestival.org), a three-day event with Ameri-cana inclinations and artists ranging from Son Volt to Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band.
Later in the year, look for some surprisingly inter-esting artists at the Colorado State Fair (coloradostate-fair.com) down in Pueblo. Smokey Robinson and the Beach Boys have appeared in recent years, and acts announced for 2012 include Merle Haggard and the Steve Miller Band.
Last, but the opposite of least, is the Indy Music Awards Festival (csindy.com). The inaugural event in September 2011, featured 15 acts on three stages in and around the Stargazers event center. This year’s event promises to be even bigger. n
OK, goSlide into a chair, or pull up some lawn, at these concert venues
By Bill Forman
Blues Under the Bridge Indy Music AwardsFile
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| inSider 2012 | 25 |
Now hear thisLocal albums worth tracking down
By Bill Forman
Did you know that musicians still make albums, and fans still buy them? It’s true. Visit a nearby music store, and you’re sure to find local music in the bins. You can
also go directly to artists’ websites — or, better still, their shows — and cut out the middleman. Here’s a handful of recent releases that are well worth investigating.
Broken Spoke, Broken SpokeTom Skora’s quavering voice and evocative lyrics — along with co-founder Josh DeSmidt’s
understated approach to guitar, banjo, lap steel and harmonium — gives this 2½-year-old band a kind of high, lonesome Americana sound that deserves national recognition. “Down-trodden, brokenhearted / Never seen a play that I didn’t feel a part of,” sings the former cadet who made the unlikely transition from Air Force man to alt-country troubadour.
Che Bong, Sleeping While You’re AwakeChe Bong is the first of four emcees in the Colorado Springs hip-
hop group BullHead*ded. The subject of a 2011 Indy cover story, he draws upon the spirit of the music he grew up to listening to, like Tribe Called Quest and Eric B. & Rakim, and more contemporary underground hip-hop inspirations like Murs and Blueprint. Sleeping While You’re Awake finds him moving into the ranks of established Springs hip-hop heroes Black P and the ReMINDers.
El Toro de la Muerte, Dancer These DaysWhile the journalist who characterized them as an indie-rock version of Supertramp may
be pushing it, there are commonalities between El Toro de la Muerte and the venerable prog-pop band. Both have two distinctive frontmen/songwriters and specialize in music that’s immediate, accessible and idiosyncratic. El Toro’s debut EP was released last fall; check out the track “The Chattering of Rats” to sample the venue-packing band’s characteristically weird and undeniably catchy sound.
Grant Sabin, The Homesick EPAn old soul at age 21, Grant Sabin started gigging in his mid-teens, with a sound that
drew heavily from Robert Johnson and Mississippi Fred McDowell. He integrates those Delta blues influences into something more personal and unique on this 2011 EP, with biting slide guitar that complements his soulful growl and heartfelt lyrics.
Grass It Up, LiveNow in its seventh year, prolific “newgrass” outfit Grass It Up is a constant presence on
the Springs scene, with a dedicated fan base rivaled only by that of the Haunted Windchimes. This live album, recorded at Western Jubilee here in Colorado Springs, combines vintage bluegrass classics with spirited originals that are as impressive as they are engaging.
Haunted Windchimes, Out With the CrowThe Windchimes started out as a Pueblo trio that’s since expanded to a five-piece.
Their stunning harmonies and homespun music evoke an era that’s a half-century older than the 20-somethings who comprise the band. Following their 2011 appearance on A Prairie Home Companion, the Windchimes ventured out on their first serious national tour, the kind that involves no hitchhiking or tip jars.
Jake Loggins, Have a Nice DayWhile showcasing the blues-rock prodigy’s fluid guitar skills, Jake
Loggins’ debut album also shows a songwriting talent mostly hid-den during years on the local club scene. A dozen originals include the ska-inflected “White Picket Prisons” and the revved-up “Fool,” which has the feel of early Paul Rogers and Free. With a new family, Loggins plays out infrequently, but this album holds the promise of great things to come.
John-Alex Mason, Jook Joint ThunderclapThe leading light in the local blues community, John-Alex Mason was 35 when he died
last year after surgery. This 2011 album demonstrates just how honest and powerful his music was, and always will be. On it, the third-generation Colorado Springs native sounds like he just took a bus up from the Mississippi Delta. At the same time, the sound and song-writing have spirit and originality that’s timeless. ■
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CULTURE
So ... you want to be a lit-ninja? Sure, and why not? You’ve got books, and
you’ve got pajamas. Slinking around in the dark with either of them might be problematic, but the true literary warrior has the skills to do it. And Colorado Springs is target-rich with bookish endeavors.
To begin your training, you must develop a basic appreciation of the Pikes Peak Library District (various locations, ppld.org) and the Manitou Springs Library (701 Manitou Ave., manitousprings.colibraries.org). With groups and books and guided readings, the librar-ies will deepen your reading and writing repertoire. They also keep lists of local book clubs and writing groups — think of them as directories of literary sensei.
The anonymity of chain stores helps many new war-riors over the initial awkwardness of their disciplines. In Colorado Springs, we have a couple Barnes & Noble locations (795 Citadel Drive East; 1565 Briargate Blvd., barnesandnoble.com) that can be great places to meet writers and readers. Both offer calendars of events that include meetings of local book clubs, writ-ers groups, critique groups and signings.
Find your place
Now that you’ve got the basics, it’s time to branch out. Yes, Grasshopper, you’re ready for indie bookstores.
Black Cat Books (720 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, manitoubooks.com) puts on author appear-ances and open mic nights, and has recently added fashion to its impressive lineup: By teaming up with Safron of Manitou, Black Cat enables you to trade in those old PJs for some wearable art. Also, the Cat’s liquor license will loosen you up and get you danger-ously well-prepared for literary battle.
Back in Colorado Springs, Poor Richard’s Bookstore (320 N. Tejon St., poorrichards.biz) also offers that loaded pairing of books and alcohol, thanks to its brotherhood with Rico’s Café and Wine Bar. You can also order pizza from Poor Richard’s Restaurant.
Like Poor Richard’s, Covered Treasures (105 Second St., Monument, coveredtreasures.com) deals in new and used books, and occasionally hosts author sign-ings. The intrepid literary ninja would do well to stop here, especially during the town’s summer Art Walks on the third Thursday of each month.
For a good lower-body workout, Hooked on Books (3918 Maizeland Road, 596-1621) enlists a platoon of stepladders that will help you reach the highest-up titles among its awe-inspiring quarter-million-book collec-tion. Feel the burn, but don’t forget to pull up a rocking chair and enjoy a cup of coffee while you’re there, too.
A Trillion Books is the online entity of the Bargain
Book Warehouse (104 W. Cucharras St., trillionbooks.com,) the secret assassin of bookstores. From a non-descript building off Colorado Avenue, BBW fills bins mostly with $2 paperbacks and $4 hardbacks. But the website offerings run the price gamut for rare and out-of-print titles — save a few bucks by clicking the “Local Pick Up” option to avoid shipping fees. The same folks also own $2 Buck Books (5172 N. Academy Blvd., 260-4453), for those seeking north-end deals.
There’s nothing fancy at Clausen Books (2131 N. Weber St., clausenbooks.com), but there are gently used books at low prices, stacked floor to ceiling. And you can get your old tomes appraised here. The Book-man (3163 W. Colorado Ave., thebookman.com) is locally famous for donating books to charitable orga-nizations, to say nothing of its wall-to-wall selection.
Finally, if you prefer a more archeological approach, dig into the massive collections at the local Discover Goodwill and Arc thrift stores. Of particular note is the Goodwill store just off North Academy Boulevard, at 1070 Kelly Johnson Blvd.
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(1532 N. Circle Drive, bethannesbook-corner.com). Romance is no joking matter here.
Next on your quest are a couple places to get in touch with the spiri-tual side. For the Christian warrior, Born Again Used Books (1529 N. Union Blvd., bornagainusedbooks.com) offers titles at a bargain. Celebration! Conscious Living Store (2209 W. Colorado Ave., celebra-tionstore.com) provides solace and peace for all faiths and beliefs; park yourself here for everything from psychic readings to angel interventions. Agia Sophia (2902 W. Colorado Ave., agiasophiacoffee-shop.com) also deals in religion, history and philosophy, in a homey environment.
Some like their skills illustrated precise-ly. Heroes & Dragons (5751 N. Academy Blvd., 388-9524) employs a staff that’s knowledgeable about gaming and graphic novels. If you’ve got a Marvel question or some advice about specific role-playing games, this place will hook you up nicely. Ed’s Cards & Comics (5857 Palmer Park Blvd., 596-9128) and Escape Velocity (19 E. Bijou St., escapevelocitycomics.com) also hit the mats with popular graphic novel titles and collector cards. And new-comer CK Comics and Collectibles (719 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, tinyurl.com/ckcomics) is scheduled to open April 15 with new and old comics, games, figu-rines and a reading and 3D television area.
Adventures in Books (606 N. Tejon St., 473-4090) is the place to go for military books, though it has some classics, too. At Books for You (1737 S. Eighth St., booksforyou.us), you can brush up on your birds of prey. And if you just want to do as the masses do, the Book Rack (4335 N. Academy Blvd., thebookrack.com/Colorado Springs), prides itself as the “Hoi Polloi Gallery.”
Not to be forgotten are two new stores: A Written World (4743 N. Care-free Circle, written-world.com/store)offers black-and-white movies every Sunday, live bands on Friday nights,
and author signings. Back in Manitou, Back to the Books (920 Manitou Ave., backtothebooks.net) opened in mid-March, promising “some of the best works you have never heard of.”
Step into the arena
Want to sell your own skills to the highest bidder?
Get guidance from the folks at Pikes Peak Writers (pikespeakwriters.com), or Pikes Peak Romance Writers (pike-speakrwa.org), where you can find cri-tiques, workshops and mentors.
If your discipline leans poetic, the Poet Laureate Project (pikespeakpoetlaureate.org) may well catch your eye with its lit-erature and events posted and discretely placed in many stores, restaurants and office locations around town. Some of the members of “the Project” are also mem-bers and alums of Poetry West (poetry-west.org). Its official meeting is at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month, on the Colorado College campus, but true ninjas know to look for what isn’t in plain sight.
From haiku readings and open mic nights, to workshops and chapbook signings, the members of Poetry West rain metaphor and verse all over the city. Your best bet is to contact the organization for the inside scoop.
Local critique groups such as the Colo-rado Springs Fiction Writers Group (csfwg.org) also help get that manuscript or short story ready to submit to the publishing universe. Venue 515 at the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs allows writers to read their latest stuff aloud with the Writers Reading Series (cswritersread-ing.blogspot.com). Also, the Pikes Perk coffee shop at 5965 N. Academy Blvd. (522-1432) offers “Intimacy With Words” every few months, as well as regular open mic nights and author signings.
Whether you pick one or two of these, or try them all, literary mastery can be yours in the Pikes Peak region — should you choose to accept the challenge. ■
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CULTURE
Colorado Springs boasts a relatively robust food and drink scene outside of its restaurants and bars. Assuming you know how to use the rest of
this InSider to select a restaurant for your every mood, here’s everything else critical to know about Front Range grubbin’. And don’t forget to visit our IndyBlog and fol-low our Twitter account (@csindependent) for additional food and drink content, from reviews of wine and beer events, special previews and more.
Farmers markets
Everyone’s pretty up to speed on what a farmers market offers, but here’s a Colorado crop calendar
(tinyurl.com/cropcalendar), so you can time your peach attack. Past that, here’s everything we were able to glean by press time about 2012’s farmers-market lineup.
Monday:• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 28 through Sept. 24, the
Broadmoor (315 Lake Ave., 592-9420). Roughly 25 ven-dors, ranging from Grand Junction’s Taylor Produce to sellers of meats, crafts, pastas, dips and dog bones. Same group that operates the Wednesday and Sunday Briar-gate markets and Saturday Monument Hill Market.
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 4 through Oct. 8, Acacia Park (115 E. Platte Ave., millerfarms.net). An unbeatable deal where you fill a bag of whatever you want for around $10. Miller Farms is joined by a number of cottage indus-try vendors (think jellies, jams, etc.) and craftspeople. They also run the Saturday Citadel Mall and University Village markets and Thursday’s First & Main market.
Tuesday:• 3 to 7 p.m., June 7 through Sept. 25, Fountain City
Hall Farmers Market (116 S. Main St., 447-8637). Up to 40 vendors of honey, kettle corn, crafts and produce from Pueblo, Rocky Ford and Cañon City.
Wednesday:• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 30 through Oct. 10,
Briargate (7610 N. Union Blvd., 592-9420). See Mon-day’s Broadmoor market for details.
• 3-7 p.m., June 13 through Oct. 13, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center sculpture garden (30 W. Dale St., farman-dartmarket.com). Operated by the Colorado Farm & Art Market team, which also hosts Saturday’s market at the
Margarita at PineCreek. Sustainably grown foods, plus crafts, soaps, and more from around 20 vendors.
Thursday:• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 7 through Oct. 11,
First & Main Town Center (3133 Cinema Point, miller-farms.net). See Monday’s Acacia Park market for details.
• 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 21 through Oct. 4, Memorial Park (1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 574-1283).See Saturday’s Old Colorado City market for details.
Friday:• 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 8 through Sept. 28, Center and
Henrietta streets, Woodland Park (woodlandparkfarmers-market.com). Hosting up to 100 vendors, including win-eries and cottage industries; also organizing the Wood-land Park Winter Farmers market on second Saturdays, October through December at the Ute Pass Cultural Center (210 E. Midland Ave., utepassculturalcenter.itgo.com).
Saturday:• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 5 through Oct. 13,
Monument Hill (66 S. Jefferson St., monument-hillfarmersmarket.com). See Monday’s Broadmoor market for details.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 2 through Oct. 6, north-east corner parking lot at the Citadel Mall (750 Citadel Drive East, millerfarms.net). See Monday’s Acacia Park market for details.
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 2 through Oct. 6, University Village Colorado Shopping Center (5230 N. Nevada Ave., millerfarms.net). See Monday’s Acacia Park market for details.
• 9 a.m. to noon, June 5 until the first frost, Harlan Wolfe Ranch (915 W. Cheyenne Road, ppugardens.org). Pick ’n pay for veggies, herbs and flowers, grown organi-cally and biodynamically by Pikes Peak Urban Gardens.
• 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., June 9 through Oct. 27 in Old Colorado City (Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., 574-1283). Around 25 kiosks with mostly conventional growers and some re-sellers, plus products from honey to goat cheese. Many of the same vendors as at Thursday’s Memorial Park and Saturday’s Doherty markets.
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; first and third Saturdays monthly, June through September, Black Forest (intersection of Burgess and Black Forest roads, 237-4342). Roughly
20 vendors, mostly cottage industry and craftspeople.• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 16 through Oct. 13,
Margarita at PineCreek (7350 Pine Creek Road, farman-dartmarket.com). See Wednesday’s Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center market for details.
• 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 23 through Sept. 29, Doherty High School (4515 Barnes Road, 574-1283).See Saturday’s Old Colorado City market for details.
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 7 through Oct. 6, U.S. Hwy. 105, Monument (behind Rosie’s Diner and Taco Bell, 213–3323). Up to 60 vendors, like Rocky Ford anchors Smith Family Farms, and cottage industry people.
• 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., June 2 through Oct. 13, Holy Cross Abbey (Fremont Drive, off of U.S. Hwy. 50, Cañon City, ccfa.coop). Hosted by the Central Colorado Foodshed Alliance, featuring local growers like Family Roots Farm, a sustainable third-generation outfit.
Sunday:• 11 a.m to 4 p.m., June 3 to Oct. 7, Briargate (7610
N. Union Blvd., 592-9420). See Monday’s Broadmoor market for details.
And one more unusual market: From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, July 1 through Nov. 1, Spencer’s Lawn & Garden Center (1430 S. Tejon St., spen-cersgardens.com) sells produce from third- and fourth-generation growers who deliver fresh items daily. The store’s Fountain location at 4720 Center Valley Drive also offers a market on Fridays and Saturdays.
CSAs
Community-supported agriculture shares (CSAs) are essentially a pre-purchase of a farm’s seasonal
crop — a big help to local growers. Many CSAs offer up to 50 different vegetables and herbs throughout the growing season, with options to upgrade into meat or egg shares and more. Below are cursory descriptions of area programs.
Country Roots Farm (29342 Everett Road, Pueblo, 719/948-2206, countryrootsfarm.org) specializes in sustainably grown heirloom vegetable varieties. This year, it offers a spring and fall share, each running six weeks for $150, with pick-up required at the farm.
Grant Family Farms (1020 WCR 72, Wellington,
Colorado cornucopiaAll that’s edible and enjoyable outside the brick-and-mortar
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970/568-7654, grantfarms.com) offers the largest-scale CSA, which allows prorated sign-up any time during the season. They offer three summer veggie share sizes ($520 to $884; mid-June to early December), plus fruit, egg, meat, cheese, mushroom, bread and winter shares with partner organizations. There are around 30 pickup points locally, on Saturdays.
Greenhorn Acres (5856 County Road HH.5, Fowler, 719/263-4494, green-hornacres.com) offers certified natu-rally grown produce, with fruit and/or veggie shares and different sizes optional ($325 to $500). Pick-up will be Thursdays at Ranch Foods Direct (2901 N. El Paso St.), or at the farm on Saturdays, mid-May through October.
Hobbs Family Farm (46000 Olson Road, Avondale, 719/250-9835, farm-directseed.com) offers an organic garlic share, a total of four pounds of softneck and hardneck garlic varieties for $40, sold Aug. 15 through sell-out, but avail-able by pre-order.
Miller Farms’ (13912 CR 19, Plat-teville, 970/785-6133, millerfarms.net)CSA runs June 15 through October, with pickups at any Miller farmers market location or at the farm ($400 to $600). Miller grows conventionally but doesn’t use pesticides, and allows members to choose what they want weekly.
Venetucci Farm (5210 S. U.S. Hwy. 85, 389-1251, ppcf.org/venetucci) offers chemical-free, mindfully grown vegeta-bles, mid-June through mid-October. A choice share is $700, which acts as credit for shopping as you please at CFAM markets or the farm stand. The standard share of weekly pre-selected items is $529 for farm pick-up, or $559 for mar-ket pick-up. Currently sold out for 2012, but you can join a wait list.
To-dos
Colorado Springs Food Tours (colorad-ospringsfoodtours.com) hosts food
jaunts through downtown and Mani-tou Springs ($49), a dessert tour ($29) through Old Colorado City and a brew tour ($79) throughout the city. And Soi-rée (coloradospringsvenue.com) hosts a monthly Curious Palate Tasting Club ($25 per tasting), with lectures on and samples of spirits, wine and more.
Other annual foodie events that often double as nonprofit fundraisers are: the Zonta Club of the Pikes Peak Area’s Glass Slipper Ball (glassslipperball.com) around late January; Manitou Springs’ Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook Off (manitousprings.org) in late February; the Colorado Res-taurant Association Pikes Peak Chap-ter’s Hospitality Expo (ppcra.org) in early March; and the Colorado Springs Cho-
rale’s Chef’s Gala (cschorale.org) on April 22. Also catch Fiddles, Vittles and Vino (fiddlesvittlesandvino.com) on July 29, and Manitou Springs’ Good Ole Summer-time Ice Cream Social & Pie Baking Contest(manitousprings.org) that same month, followed by the Gingerbread & Jazz Gala (earlyconnections.org) each November.
On the drink side, Bristol Brewing Company holds the Firkin Rendezvous (bristolbrewing.com) around mid-February; BierWerks hosts Winter Bier Fest (bierwerks.com) around late Feb-ruary in Woodland Park; the Colo-rado Springs Fine Arts Center holds its Wine Festival of Colorado Springs(csfineartscenter.org/winefest) in early March; Trinity Brewing Company will host its fourth annual Saison and Farm-house Ale Festival (trinitybrew.com) on April 14; Manitou Springs acts as the venue for the 10th annual Craft Lager & Small Batch Festival (craftlagerfestival.com) on Aug. 4; and November brings the All Colorado Beer Festival (allcolora-dobeerfestival.com) for a trio of causes.
How-tos
As cooking classes go, past a serious culinary education at Pikes Peak
Community College (ppcc.edu) or Para-gon Culinary School (coloradorestau-rantguides.com/paragonschool), you’ll want to look into the following.
Larger catering outfits like Garden of the Gods Gourmet (godsgourmet.net) and Picnic Basket (pbcatering.com)offer weekly and monthly classes. Tinta de Toro (tintadetoro.net) offers its own instruction and presents some of the guest lectures at the Chefs Outlet Store(chefscatalog.com). Memorial Healthlink (memorialhealthsystem.com) hosts more nutrition-related classes; Thai Eats (thai-eats.com) will teach you authentic Thai cooking; Savory Spice Shop (savoryspic-eshop.com) hosts guest chef lectures; and Conscious Table (conscioustable.net)offers demos and private classes.
Colorado State University-Pueblo brews up an annual Zymurgy Institute(tinyurl.com/zyminstitute) for those wanting to learn how to make beer.
If you’re into homesteading: Make your own goat cheese with The Goat Cheese Lady (thegoatcheeselady.com)and check out Pikes Peak Urban Gar-dens (ppugardens.org) for regular how-to food cultivation classes; the Pikes Peak Beekeepers Association (pikespeak-beekeepers.org) for quarterly meetings and an annual Bee School; and the CSU Extension Office (elpasoco.colostate.edu) for such instruction as backyard poultry workshops. When flush with home-grown goodies, look to area swaps (tinyurl.com/foodswaps) for bartering. ■
APPETIZERSPaid advertisement ~ To place your entry call 577.4545
Paid advertisement • 577.4545
A M E R I C A N
C’MON INN711 Dale Street in Fountain382-7562
Open Daily 11am-2am. C’mon in and then come on back! Fountain’s newest neighborhood tavern (formerly the Fountain Lounge). HDTVs, pool tables, darts and more! We’re open and waiting for you to see all the new changes ! GREAT MENU served 11am-2am! Happy Hour 4-7 every day.
Hatchcover Bar & Grill252 E. Cheyenne Mtn. Blvd. (@ 115)719-576-5223
If bars are hairstyles, We’re the mullet!Large groups for business lunch by day, long flowing party by night! Menu ranges from fantastic nachos to juicy ribeyes! Specials day & night! 7 days a week, Open Late! Around since the 70’s, our style just won’t die!
South Side Johnny’s528 S. Tejon St.444-8487
Daily 11am-2am. “It’s better to eat at a bar, than drink at a restaurant.” South downtown bar and grill serving burgers, steaks, pastas, salads, and clas-sic home-style entrees like meat loaf & open faced carvings. Big screen TV, free parking, Happy Hour Daily 4-7.
B B Q
Buffalo Gals Grilling Co.1701 A South 8th Street 719-635-0200 buffalogalsgrilling.com
Join us every Sat. from 10-4pm in our parking lot at the corner of South 8th & Arcturus for beef tri tip “Santa Maria” style, beer-basted chicken, buf-falo burgers w/ fixins’, beer & wine. We have catering menus to suit any occasion and we grill anywhere in the great outdoors!
B I S T R O
Ritz Grill15 S. Tejon St.635-8484
Voted Best Staff, lunch, & Mixed Drinks. The friend-ly, art-deco atmosphere of the Ritz is a longtime favor-ite of the downtown crowd. Also known for live bands, D.J.s and signature martinis. Check out the Elbo Room downstairs for private parties and meetings.
The Rabbit Hole101 N.Tejon on Kiowa St.719-203-5072
Voted Best New Restaurant 2011 by Indy Readers! We offer Colorado products and vegetarian items, 25 different wines, 25 different beers. Open 7 nights a week with a full menu from 4 pm to 1:30 am. Over 25 items.
Tony’s311 N. Tejon St.228-6566
Daily 11am- 2am. Aahhh Jeeze- Who doesn’t love a Midwestern Tavern? Pabst, Fried Cheese Curds, Old Style, Butter Burgers, Hamm’s, Rueben’s, Leinen-kugle’s, Beer Battered Walleye & more. Voted “Best Neighborhood Bar” 12 yrs., “Bang for your Buck” 7 yrs., & “Hang-out” 3 yrs. in a row! HH 4-7! Go Pack Go!
Springs Orleans123 E. Pikes Peak 520-0123
Serving Cajun Classics & Local Favorites for lunch & dinner daily. Also offering late night dining Friday and Saturdays till 1:00am. Happy Hour nightly 4pm - 6pm and 9pm – Close. Check out Thomas Dawson of the Commodores live on the piano Tues.–Sat. 6-9pm.
A L E H O U S EAnother Pint13860 Gleneagle Dr.481-6446 www.anotherpint.net
Best beer selection in town! New Owners, New Style! Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner everyday! 33 Craft Beers on tap! Happy Hour 2-6pm daily & 9-12pm Thur-Sun. Wednesday 98¢ PBR! Open Th-Sn 7am-midnight, M-W 7am-10pm. Like us on facebook!
Thunder & Buttons II2415 W. Colorado Ave.Colorado Springs447-9888
Daily 11am-2am. Surprisingly great food! Tons of TV’s! Come watch your favorite game here! Free Wi-fi! Karaoke Every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday! Fridays Live Bands! Daily food and drink specials! Rotating Craft Beers! Party Space Available!
B R E W P U B
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.2 E. Pikes Peak Ave. 635-2800
Housed in an historic downtown landmark building with award-winning handcrafted ales and excellent food in an open comfortable atmosphere. Breakfast and Bloody Mary specials Sundays. Second floor billiard hall w/nightly specials and third floor banquet facilities. Open at 11 a.m. daily.
Rasta Pasta405 N. Tejon719-481-6888
Creative Caribbean pasta, fresh & funky salads, ridiculously good desserts. Open daily at 11 for healthy & affordable lunch & dinner. Lively atmosphere, reg-gae music, & outdoor dining. Great service & positive people. Daily Happy Hour 4-6 featuring Red Stripe Beer & Appleton’s Rum Cocktails.
C A R I B B E A N
C A F E & D E L INemo’s Coffee 2114 E. Pikes Peak Ave 719-635-2745
Family owned espresso bar and sandwich shop. Made from scratch pastries, breads, sandwiches, soups, salads, and panini’s. Visit our brand new café, or breeze through the drive-thru if you are in a hurry! M-F 5am-7pm, Sat 7am-2pm.
Nemo’s Coffee 2114 E. Pikes Peak Ave 719-635-2745
Family owned espresso bar and sandwich shop. Made from scratch pastries, breads, sandwiches, soups, salads, and panini’s. Visit our brand new café, or breeze through the drive-thru if you are in a hurry! M-F 5am-7pm, Sat 7am-2pm.
Cravings1701 S. Eighth St.635-0200
Provides sophistication to the finest events. Intimate gatherings, weddings, holiday parties, galas. “It’s all in the details” sums up our ability to handle event manage-ment, including servers, liquor, rentals, tents, flowers, valet parking and other services plus excellent food from our inspired kitchen staff.
C A T E R I N G
Blue Sage 5152 Centennial Blvd.719.332.1397 CreativeCateringSolutions.com
We are the fresh, local alternative for parties, luncheons, weddings, and any other festive occasion when you want to transcend the ubiquitous frozen appetizer. Specializing in seasonal ingredients prepared to delight you. Our warm, friendly staff is looking forward to being part of your special event. Blue Sage Café is open M-F 11am to 2pm.
Picnic Basket1701 S. Eighth St.635-0200
When you have more taste than time! Let us do the work with reasonably priced catering, from box lunches to grand events. Delivery& set up or pick up available. Voted BEST CATERER 15 years running by Indy readers! www.bestcaterer.net
ArrL I IL&n
E L C O E
T NY'S
| 30 | inSider 2012 |
CULTURE
Grunting and lifting weights just aren’t enough anymore.
In the past few years, Pikes Peak area resi-dents have gravitated toward exercise that feels more like playing. From running clubs and yoga classes to capoeira and meetup.com groups, people are getting fit with friends.
“The fact that I have other people out there sup-porting me and cheering me on keeps me motivated and focused on the goals I’m trying to achieve,” says Mago Lauritzen, who teaches capoeira, the Brazil-ian martial art/dance/music combo, at the Colorado Academy of Music and Dance (975 Garden of the Gods Road, Suite F, springsdance.com).
If Lauritzen leaves a class feeling physically spent, that’s not enough. He wants something more, and his students do, too — whether it’s a chance to laugh, an almost-spiritual feeling, or something in between, like a sense of community.
Whatever this umami sensation is, here’s a look at how locals are pursuing it.
Body and soul
Almost every waking hour, it’s possible to find a yoga class going on somewhere around the
Springs — even if you skip obvious fitness centers such as the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region (ppymca.org) and 24 Hour Fitness (24hourfitness.com). In fact, we know of more than 30 places where you can practice your downward dog.
The most prominent include perennial Best Of honor-ee CorePower Yoga (623 N. Nevada Ave., 1025 Garden of the Gods Road, corepoweryoga.com); the donation-based cambio. Yoga (3326 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., cam-bioyoga.com); and Marmalade at Smokebrush (219 W.
Colorado Ave., #210, smokebrush.org), which offers a kaleidoscope of types and tempos.
Among the others (many of which are mentioned at tinyurl.com/springsyoga) are some unique options.
The Movement Arts Community Studio (525 E. Foun-tain Blvd. #150, movementartscs.com) packs a full schedule into an open room looking out on the city. Classes range from an energetic vinyasa to a men’s “organic” (read: naked) yoga and a women’s-only class.
If you didn’t stay at Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. (2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., phantomcanyon.com) too late Fri-day night, you can head back for 8 a.m. Saturday yoga on the third floor. The relaxing class has been happen-ing at different places for more than 10 years as a way to start the weekend with a clear mind, but teacher Lori Black considers this Phantom room, with its great views, one of her favorite places to practice.
At West Side Yoga Studio (617 N. 17th St., west-sideyogastudiocos.com), Marie-Louise See has trans-formed what could be a sterile office space into a calming environment that focuses on pre- and post-natal yoga, plus general classes a few times a week.
And barely out of boxes, MotionX (415 W. Pikes Peak Ave., motionxstudio.com) is settling in as a new home for yoga and movement. Multiple classes a day incorporate various forms of yoga including a mix of yoga with martial arts and swimming movements. It also offers private Pilates classes.
To this point, though, the Pilates leader in town has been ReVibe Pilates and Bodywork (2150 Spectra Drive, revibepilates.com). Go there, and you’ll notice streamers of silk hanging down from the ceiling: The aerial silks class stretches and builds muscles with a series of poses that will make you feel like you can run off with that famous Canadian circus.
Rhythm and self-defense
Martial arts have also continued to gain popu-larity, thanks in large part to the growth of
ultimate fighting, Muay Thai kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). Studios throughout town offer styles ranging from Tai Chi to Krav Maga, the “con-tact combat” system used by the Israeli military.
But if you’re into martial arts without the medita-tion or malice, the Colorado Academy of Music and Dance hosts capoeira classes (capsprings.com) along-side ballet, belly-dancing and hip-hop.
Lauritzen sees the Brazilian practice combining mar-tial arts, dance, music and acrobatics as a multi-tasking workout. In addition to learning self-defense, students learn to play instruments and sing songs in Portuguese, while others play the game that is capoeira. It’s bound to build community, he explains: “You can’t just do that by yourself watching a DVD in the basement.”
Of course, capoeira’s far from the only musical workout gaining popularity these days.
Zumba has the nation sweating to a salsa beat. The region has multiple places for Zumba, led by Springs Salsa & Dance Fitness (1220 Valley St. and 2506 W. Colorado Ave., springssalsa.com), which offers morn-ing and evening classes most days of the week. And if you like that and want to learn real salsa steps, it offers those more traditional classes as well at loca-tions on the east and west sides of town.
DanceZ (dancez.us) takes the fitness/dance model to another decibel with nightclub zumba classes and monthly zumba glo parties. Most classes are held at Avanti Ballroom (1337 N. Academy Blvd., avantiball-room.net), with others at different locations including a Thursday nightclub zumba at Cowboys (25 N. Tejon St., cowboyscs.com).
Sweat bandedTo those who find solidarity in suffering: Behold our fitness communities
By Sonja Bjelland
Colorado Springs Cycling ClubBry
an O
lller
Capoeira at the Colorado Academy of Music and DanceBrie
nne
Boo
rtz
RE 13E
| inSider 2012 | 31 |
Run, drink, run
All right, then ... who wants to run to the next beer?
“Hashing” started in 1938 in Malay-sia, for British expats and military offi-cers to run. Since then it’s spread around the world, to nearly 2,000 groups. In a hash, some people lead off and mark the trail, while others follow their markings. Stops along the trail refresh them with an adult beverage. The runs typically go for five to six miles. In the Springs, three main hashing clubs meet at different times running through the city; you can keep up with them at angelfire.com/mi/birdman/hareline.html.
Offering less bawdy and more popu-lated outings, bars, restaurants and brew-eries organize running clubs, luring peo-ple in with the promise of camaraderie, T-shirts (after so many runs) and post-run food and drink specials. For a more com-plete list of running groups, with many not based at bars, check the Pikes Peak Running Club’s website, pprrun.org.
The most popular, Jack Quinn’s Running Club (21 S. Tejon St., jackquinnsrunners.com) takes place on Tuesdays year-round through downtown, with a 5K starting and finishing from the namesake bar. Outside of downtown, the north end has several, including the SOUL Runners at Trinity Brewing Company (1466 Garden of the Gods Road, trinitybrew.com) hosting 4- and 8-mile runs Mondays at 6 p.m.
Also on Mondays, the University Vil-lage Colorado Running Club leaves a little earlier from the UVC Shopping Center (5230 N. Nevada Ave., uvcrunning-club.com), and runners take to the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. Times and sign-in locations can change with the seasons, so double-check the websites.
Salsa Brava’s cleverly named Nacho Ordinary Running Club (rockymtnrg.com) meets at 6 p.m., Tuesdays, at the restau-rant’s 9420 Briar Village Point location, and at the same time Wednesdays, at 802 Village Center Drive. And the First and Main Town Center Run Club meets at Rock Bottom Brewery (3316 New Center Point, meetup.com/First-Main-Run-Club/) on Wednesdays, too. Organized by a doctor, the socializing also includes tips on health and wellness, as well as prize raffles. Lastly on Wednesdays, the Muldooniacs Running Club departs José Muldoon’s east location (5710 S. Carefree Circle) at 5:30 p.m. for either a 5K or 10K jaunt.
Social climbing
Running isn’t the only calorie-burning activity where it’s easy to
find like-minded friends. Clubs, online groups and certain businesses serve as hubs for various activities.
Meetup.com is one of the easiest ways
to find something to do and a group to do it with. The key is to notice which ones have upcoming events planned with multiple people attending. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can always start your own.
The Outdoor Club is one of the largest of the more than 300 Springs groups that organize themselves on Meetup. It’s not the only hiking group on there, but it probably is the busiest, with as many as three hikes a week at varying degrees of difficulty. Popular hikes, espe-cially the full moon hikes, fill up within moments of being posted. The group’s leaders know area trails such as Section 16 or Paint Mines Interpretive Park, but also lead exploratory hikes to find new favorites. Hikers range in age and ability creating a diverse mix of participants.
For bicyclists on mountain or road bikes, the North Colorado Springs Cyclists have gained more members on Meetup than other cycling groups. Rides fre-quently go between 20 and 40 miles, and aren’t meant for total newbies. But the group does have a social element, with occasional gatherings and leaders helping plan out-of-state trips.
Before Meetup.com, or basically, the Internet itself, the Colorado Springs Cycling Club (bikesprings.org) was orga-nizing rides. It now holds rides four days a week at varying levels, from begin-ner and social rides on up to advanced fitness rides, mostly on road bikes but sometimes mountain bikes. The club even has a mobile app for keeping track of the rides and events.
Much of the rock climbing community, meanwhile, coalesces around the city’s indoor climbing gyms, CityRock (21 N. Nevada Ave., climbcityrock.com) and Sport Climbing Center (4650 Northpark Drive, sportclimbcs.com). CityRock’s offerings run well beyond technical classes and the like — it offers a number of yoga classes and even movie nights on topics of interest to its climbers. Sport is more of a traditional venue, with a student-heavy population cheering each other on.
Even with those hubs, the Rock Climb-ers of Colorado Springs remains an active Meetup group, with climbs on Tuesday afternoons as well as on weekends. The group also has clinics and learning oppor-tunities for those wanting to improve their technique or tackle more difficult routes.
And if you haven’t found a club you want to join yet, there are more. The Pikes Peak Whitewater Club (pikespeakwhite-waterclub.com) focuses on kayakers who like to hit the Arkansas River. The club hosts multiple practice sessions at the Cheyenne Mountain High School pool, and plans trips for beginners as well as for advanced kayakers in the wild. n Paid advertisement • 577.4545
Paid advertisement • 577.4545
The Melting Pot Restaurant30-A East Pikes Peak Ave. (Bank One) 385-0300
Open nightly at 4:00 pm. Reservations suggested. Fun fondue style! Enjoy our delicious cheese fondues, salads, succulent lobster, tender filets and mouth watering chocolates. Enjoy fabulous wines from our award-winning wine list! Dip into something different!
Edelweiss Restaurant 34 E. Ramona Ave.(South Nevada & Tejon)633-2220
For 40 Years Edelweiss has brought Bavaria to Colo-rado Springs. Using fresh ingredients. The menu invites you to visit Germany. * Wiener Schnitzel * Brat wurst * Strudels * Jagerschnitzel * Sauerbraten * Black Forest Cherry Torte * Variety of German beers & wines. Reser-vations accepted. www.edelweissrest.com.
F O N D U E
G E R M A N
Briarhurst Manor404 Manitou Ave., M/S685-1864briarhurst.com
VOTED TOP 50 MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURNTS* Featuring steaks, game, seafood, poultry, specialty salads & desserts in a beautiful historic Victorian Manor. Visit us online for B’day & Anniv offers. *Opentable.comManor Estate
Winfield’s442 Bennett DriveCripple Creek719/689-5000
Winfield’s Steak House, located in Gold Creek Casino at the Double Eagle Hotel & Casino, offers gourmet dining in a classy atmosphere. Dine in Friday-Sunday 5-10 p.m. Call for reservations 719-689-5034.
G O U R M E T
E A S T E R N
Seoul Tofu Grill296 S. Academy Blvd. Suite F550-2000
Combining Authentic Korean flavors with a mod-ern presentation. We have the best selection of grilled and marinated meats, soups, noodles in town. We pride ourselves in capturing the current and ever changing Korean dining experience. Great food has a new 719 area code!
Jun 1760 Dublin Blvd., 531-93683276 Centennial Blvd., 227-8690
Hours: Mon-Fri 11-2, Sat noon-3. Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10. Happy hour, daily 5-6, Fri-Sat 9-10. Full Japanese menu including teriyaki, tempura and a thorough sushi selection. Jun serves both foreign and domestic beers, as well as sake and wine.
Fujiyama22 S. Tejon St.630-1167
Beautiful bigger location with Hibachi grills & a full-service bar! Enjoy authentic sushi & creative rolls, teriyaki, tempura, udon & more! See our ad or call for great lunch, Happy Hour, & Ladies night specials! Lunch 11-2:30 & Dinner 5-10:30 Mon.-Sat. & open Sunday nights 5-9.
COLORADO’S FINEST JAPANESE CUISINE & SUSHI BAR
Wild GingerThai Restaurant27 Manitou Ave. 634-5025
Award winning Thai Cuisine. The Best Spicy Soup in Town! Choose Mild to Very Hot on Any Dish. Over 130 Menu Items ... all delicious! Monday 5-9 p.m.; Tuesday - Thursday 11-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 11-3 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Sunday 12-9 p.m.
Paravicini’s Italian Bistro2802 W. Colorado Ave.719-471-8200
Voted “Best Italian” by Indy readers for 6 years in a row. Located in a historic 1895 building this casual Ital-ian eatery. Brings a taste of “little Italy” to Colorado Springs. Featuring Classic Italian dishes as well as Chef Franco’s creative originals. Sun-Thurs 11:30-9:00, Fri-Sat. 11:30-10:00
M A R T I N I B A R
The Paradox Lounge528 S. Tejon St.444-8487
Downtown’s newest martini, wine, & tapas bar. An excellent selection of wines, mixed drinks & a great tapas menu, with a large selection of martinis for the serious and casual martini drinker. Open Tues. – Sat., located at the southwest corner of the SouthSide Johnny’s building.
I T A l I A N
I R I S H Jack Quinn’s 21 S. Tejon St.385-0766jackquinnspub.com
M-F 11a-2a, Sat/Sun 12p-2a, Sun Brunch 12-3p. Colorado Springs favorite authentic Irish Pub. Perfect import drafts, domestics, full bar & the best selection of Irish Whiskeys & Scotches. Live Irish music every Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun. Happy Hour Daily 3-6 p.m.
S T E A K H O U S E
The Famous31 N. Tejon St.Downtown, 227-7333
Swanky steak house & piano bar in downtown Colorado Springs serving Prime 16 oz. New York strip steaks, fresh sea-food, giant shrimp cocktails & classic cocktails. Live entertain-ment nightly in the piano bar. For lunch or dinner at the Toni-est place in town, it’s The Famous! Reservations suggested.
Picnic Basket1701 S. Eighth St.635-0200
Culinary Boot Camp-professional, hands-on cooking classes for the aspiring chef within. From advanced knife skills to sushi-making, basic sauces to micro-regional cui-sines, you’ll be exposed to the latest in equipment, tech-niques & current trends. Kids classes available, too. Call 635-0200 for class schedule or visit www.pbcatering.com.
C O O K I N G C l A S S E S
MacKenzie’s Chop House128 S. Tejon St.Historic Alamo Building635-3536
Open Lunch, M-F, Dinner nightly. Voted Best Power Lunch, Steakhouse and Martini! This steakhouse fea-tures choice beef, veal, pork, lamb and fresh seafood. Private club rooms available for parties and reservations are always accepted. Downtown’s choice for quality meats and mixed drinks. mackenzieschophouse.com
S P I R I T S
José Muldoon’s222 N. Tejon St.636-23115710 S. Carefree Cr @ Powers574-5673
Since 1974. Features authentic Tex-Mex & Mexican fare in contemporary Sante Fe-styled establishment. Margaritas, over 50 tequilas & 6 flatscreen HD TV’s. Patio, outdoor bar & firepit rooms for up to 80. Across from Acacia Park. Lunch and dinner daily; brunch on Sundays. Josemuldoons.com
S U S H I975 N. Academy Blvd.597-24228029 N. Academy Blvd.277-0200
Open all day, everyday. Happy Hour M-F 4-5:30 p.m. Featuring over 60 Sakes, Beers & Wines. 35’ Sushi Bar serving Traditional & Contemporary Sushi. Full Japanese menu, Bento boxes & USDA Choice Steaks. Spacious, Friendly & Relaxing. Voted “Best Sushi” 2007-2009 by Independent readers. eatattomo.com
S O U T H W E S T E R N / M E X I C A N
Sovereignty Wines1785 S. 8th Street, #B719-389-0906
Our #1 priority is you, our customer. Locally owned and community-minded with a friendly, knowledge-able and experienced staff. We have chosen an amazing selection of wines, beer, and spirits – make Sovereignty your one stop shop. We Encompass It All. Open 7 days/week
WildGingerThai Restaurant
k- .ur.n, 6 Irixh Puh
mp?DOOns
| 34 | inSider 2012 |
CIVICS
Local government usually is viewed as one of a community’s most stable components. But that hasn’t been the case in Colorado Springs and El
Paso County during the past year.First, let’s look at the city. It’s gone through a major
overhaul since the last InSider, with Steve Bach — the city’s first “strong mayor” — taking office last June.
Whereas a city manager used to handle much high-level business, and answer to City Council on it, Bach is now the chief executive who rules over spending and opera-tions. His offices are in the City Administration Building (30 S. Nevada Ave.), as are most city operational offices, including those of the city attorney, public communications, city clerk, human resources and the like. To request time with the mayor (or one of his support staff), try to make an appointment ahead of time at bachsoffice.com, where you’ll find a form, e-mail address and phone number.
City Council, a nine-member elected body, still sets policy and oversees the city auditor. It meets the second and fourth Mondays for informal sessions with presenta-tions and discussion but no action taken, and the second and fourth Tuesdays, when Council does take formal action. All meetings, unless otherwise posted, happen at City Hall (107 N. Nevada Ave.). To speak publicly before Council, sign up before formal meetings; Council has been known to limit citizens to three minutes each.
Some things you should know before talking with any city leader:
• The city runs several enterprises — self-sustaining operations that survive on user fees. Those include two golf courses, cemeteries, the Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado Springs Senior Center, parking garages and Memorial Health System, which could become part of the University of Colorado Health System under a lease currently being negotiated by the city. The final lease agreement is expected to go to voters at a special election in August.
• Your city sales and property tax money — property taxes here are among the nation’s lowest — fund parks, recreation, street work, police and fire protection, and bus service. Some functions, such as bus service and recreation, are supplemented with fees, like bus fare or softball team charges.
• Also, you may be able to save yourself a trip by visiting springsgov.com or springsgov.mobi on your smartphone. You can send questions to [email protected] or call the city’s all-purpose number, 385-CITY. And if you click “on-line services,” you’ll find information and forms for everything from obtaining a block-party permit to volunteering for the city to paying parking tickets.
Speaking of parking tickets, avoid one by buying an Easy Park card that automatically deducts only the amount of time you use. Buy the card at a city park-ing garage, the Parking Administration Office (130 S. Nevada Ave., 385-5681) or at easypark.springsgov.com. Cards can be reloaded at the garages and five downtown locations.
The county shuffle
County government’s changes have come mainly in the form of a grandiose, $50 million facility recon-
figuration. The main part of the plan involved acquiring the monstrous former Intel building, renovating it and renaming it the Citizens Service Center (1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road). Here you’ll find the treasurer, asses-sor, clerk and recorder, Pikes Peak Workforce Center, El Paso County Public Health and the Department of Human Services. In other words, come here to register to vote, pay taxes, register your vehicle, sign up for food assis-tance, look for a job, find out how much your home is worth, or get vaccinations for overseas travel.
If you’ve got a beef (or a good idea), consider visit-ing the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, who meet every Tuesday and Thursday in Centennial Hall (200 S. Cascade Ave.). The Centennial space was opened up to commissioners at the beginning of April, so they could join staffers there in budget, administra-tion, legal and public communications.
Other county services include the jail, coroner, parks, road and bridge construction and repair, and development review.
Now, if all this nuts-and-bolts stuff has just fasci-nated you, you may want to take advantage of citizens colleges, classes that acquaint citizens with county functions. “Last time we had more applications than
we could take,” Commissioner Sallie Clark said this spring. “The sheriff also does a citizens academy, and clerk and recorder does a citizens academy and DA’s office does a citizens college.”
Clark adds that hundreds of volunteers are needed to serve on boards and commissions. To get more information, call 520-PASO.
Into the wild
That said, we know that sometimes you and your government are not going to get along. If a city
sand truck runs over your car, or a county dump truck wipes out your mailbox, you’ll need to file a claim. To do that at the city, call Risk Management at 385-5960 and leave a message; someone will check back with you. For county claims, it’s 520-7487.
If you’ve faced off with a particular pothole, contact the city’s Street Division at 385-6808 or [email protected]. The street department fixes thousands of potholes a year. The goal is to respond within a week, but city spokeswoman Mary Scott says the wait currently is about two weeks.
The county has a similar program. To report a pot-hole, call Public Services at 520-6460. County spokes-man Dave Rose says last year the county responded to 450 calls for pothole repairs, and typically 90 percent are filled within a week.
Other people who may be working in the street are employees of Colorado Springs Utilities (csu.org). In the Springs, all four utilities — water, wastewater, electric and gas — are city-owned. That means Utilities answers to City Council sitting as the Utility Board, not the Colo-rado Public Utilities Commission. It also means rates are lower, because there’s no need to turn a profit.
Utilities made news in 2010, when the budget crunch led Councilors to turn off roughly 9,000 of the 25,000 streetlights. Last year, the Council spent about $500,000 to reactivate about 5,800 streetlights, but many lights along major thoroughfares that aren’t at intersections remain turned off. To report a broken or burned-out light, call 448-4800. To have a streetlight turned off — hey, some people prefer the dark — call 385-2852.
Also, Utilities can be your friend before you till
Walking the line A five-cent guide to getting along with your government
By Pam Zubeck
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CIVICS
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your yard, or dig a patio foundation. At least three days before any project that requires excavation, call 811. For free, Utilities will locate your underground lines and pipes so you’re not out an extra, unexpected bill.
Finally, if your pipes freeze, call 448-4800. Though not in the business of cleaning up a flooded home or business, Utilities might help thaw frozen pipes. The rule of thumb, though, is that if your pipes freeze and break, call a plumber.
Cops and cannabis
In warmer months, you might want a pavilion to have a party. Inquire
about county parks at 520-7529, or city parks at springsgov.com.
If someone crashes that party (not likely), you can call 911 or, if the situ-ation doesn’t feel emergent, city police(444-7000) or the sheriff’s office (390-5555). You won’t get a Springs officer for many calls, unless the event is “in progress, the suspect was on-scene, viable suspect information exists, or safety concerns are present,” says crime analyst Molly Miles.
That means no in-person response for abandoned vehicles, checking someone’s welfare, criminal mischief or damage
to property, fireworks, identify theft or fraud, harassment, vehicle theft, tres-passing ... In those (and other) cases, Miles notes, residents are told to report the crime at springsgov.com/sectionindex.aspx?sectionid=12, or go to the nearest substation, or file a telephone report.
It’s a different story in the county. Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Mike Schaller says a deputy will always respond. “Hav-ing said that,” he notes, “we do prioritize calls based on threat and risk.” Online reporting at shr.elpasoco.com also is available. One reason the office can respond to all calls is that Sheriff Terry Maketa in 2009 created the Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol, wherein citizens help with low-priority calls like criminal mischief, motorist assists and traffic control.
One thing you don’t need to bother the cops with is worry about marijuana — as long as it’s the medical kind. In 2000, Colorado voters approved medical mari-juana, and the last few years have brought it to Main Street. You’ll notice green crosses around town that signify medi-cal marijuana businesses, where patients must present a state-issued MMJ card based on a physician’s recommendation. To learn more, go to cdphe.state.co.us/hs/medicalmarijuana/index.html. ■
1130 W. Woodmen Road574-5562 ntsoc.com
NTSOC provides the following community services:
Adult and Pediatric Home Care Services include: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Skilled Nursing (RN/LPN),
Certifi ed Nursing Assistant, PDN, IV Infusion Therapy and wound care.
Outpatient Therapy Clinic: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy to all members of the
community. Including sports injuries, orthopedic surgeries, auto accidents, knee pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and back pain as well as a variety of pediatric diagnoses including Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, and Muscular Dystrophy.
CNA Program: NTSOC has a Colorado Board of Nursing Approved CNA Program.
NTSOC is also a regional testing center. Students test in the facility where they train.
Intake and case management agency for the Children’s Waiver - Autism (CWA) 0-6, for El Paso, Park and Teller Counties.
Intake and case management agency for the Colorado Children’s Home Community Based Services (C-HCBS) Waiver program for children 0-18,
for El Paso, Park and Teller Counties.
Call today to see how we can help you!
www.ppwfc.org or 719.667.3700
Job Search Guidance.
for Career Planningand
resourceYour best
Citizens Service Center, 1675 Garden of the Gods Road, Ste 1107
Colorado Springs, CO 80907Paid from U.S. Department of
Labor funds.475-8589 . 426 SOUTH TEJON
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Building a Better Workforce for a Brighter Future!
| 36 | inSider 2012 |
CIVICS
The tradition of the neighborhood school, espe-cially at the elementary level, lives on in much of the Pikes Peak region. Within your home
school district, you may find that your “home school” is just blocks from your door.
But in 1990, Colorado also passed the Public Schools of Choice Act, a forward-thinking bit of legislation allowing students to attend public schools outside their neighborhood, or even outside the dis-trict in which they live.
“The reality is, if there is space available, and a par-ent is willing to provide transportation, a student can go to school anywhere,” says Nanette Anderson, public information officer for Academy School District 20.
And “anywhere” includes charter schools. Just a few years after that Schools of Choice Act, the Leg-islature authorized the Charter Schools Act, to cre-ate a “legitimate avenue ... for new and innovative, research-based ways of educating all children within the public education system.”
More than two dozen charter schools are housed in El Paso County. They offer a range of emphases, from Core Knowledge curriculum to creative arts to college prep, but all must complete a state accredita-tion review: You can find details on how each school performs through the Colorado Department of Educa-tion’s website, cde.state.co.us.
Not to be forgotten are private school options.
Though they can be pricey, almost every local private school offers some type of financial assistance, and many either provide transportation or help coordinate carpooling options. For a list of area options, check out the second half of the listings in our November 2011 Education Guide (tinyurl.com/CSprivateschools).
At that URL (or at tinyurl.com/CSpublicschools), you’ll also find a good bit of information about the 10 public school districts in the area. But here’s the CliffsNotes version, with districts arranged from larg-est to smallest.
Colorado Springs School District 111115 N. El Paso St., 520-2000, d11.orgStudent pop.: 29,545District 11 is the city’s most central school district,
and in its approximately five dozen schools, you can find just about anything you’re looking for: Interna-tional Baccalaureate programs, a Career and Technol-ogy Education program, the only public Montessori elementary school in the area, even an urban garden-ing initiative.
Academy School District 201110 Chapel Hills Drive, 234-1200, asd20.orgStudent pop.: 23,600District 20, on the north side, is known for high
student achievement, especially on Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) tests. It continues to receive accreditation with distinction (the highest level
possible within the Colorado Department of Educa-tion’s annual accountability ratings), and features IB academics and competitive athletic programs.
Falcon School District 4910850 E. Woodmen Road, Falcon, 495-1100, d49.orgStudent pop.: 15,000This year, one of the biggest changes for fast-grow-
ing Falcon School District 49 was the implementation of what administrators call the Innovation Initiative, a program that bases learning and education on the students’ needs, and allows individual schools a lot of leniency to make decisions based on those needs.
Harrison School District 21060 Harrison Road, 579-2000, hsd2.orgStudent pop.: approx. 11,147Harrison is more than half a decade into a huge
series of changes at the hands of superintendent Mike Miles. This south-side district has instituted a pay-for-performance plan for teachers and administrators. Its Wildflower Elementary School was the only local school to win a National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education this year, for “innova-tive efforts toward increasing student achievement.”
Widefield School District 31820 Main St., Colorado Springs, 391-3000, wsd3.orgStudent pop.: approx. 9,200Located to the southeast of District 2, District 3
is home to some innovative educational approaches,
Stay classyA snapshot of the educational scene in our metro area
By Independent staff
U.S. Air Force AcademyCour
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USA
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Counterpoint School offers a unique and vibrant environment focused on your child’s creativity. We teach children to love learning by enriching their imaginations through art, music, science & nature studies, and a variety of cultural activities.
Exceptionally qualified for Kindergarten preparation, our teachers continually strive to enhance social skills and encourage an excitement for learning.
Our summer program offers weekly field trips, water play and activites, and lots of fun for kids ages 2 - 10.Less than a mile from downtown C.S.
610 E. Willamette Ave. 633-9880www.counterpointschool.com
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We are now enrolling children, ages birth to 5, •in Head Start, Early Head Start and the ColoradoPreschool Program . Call for eligibility goidolinos . C-'hy PPon, hi p
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| inSider 2012 | 37 |
CIVICSCIVICS
FVS SUMMER CAMPSValley to Vistas Outdoor Experience
English Riding
Western Riding
Philanthropy
No. 1 Soccer
Nike Tennis
All camps are held at the beautiful Fountain Valley School main campus in Colorado Springs or at the School’s 40-acre Mountain Campus near
Buena Vista.
Find out more at fvs.edu/summerprogramsor call 719.391.5426
Bring Your Career to Life with Education Delivered in Colorado Springs or Online
UNC Extended Studies Programs:www.unco.edu/extendedstudies/programs
Moving on ...Below are the five flagship colleges in
the region. But there are more than a dozen other higher-education institutions — including for-profit outfits, seminar-ies and more — that you can learn about at tinyurl.com/CScolleges. For info on continuing-education and trade schools, try tinyurl.com/CScontinuinged.
Colorado College14 E. Cache la Poudre St., 389-6000;
800/542-7214, coloradocollege.eduStudent pop.: 2,000CC’s block plan puts students in one
class at a time for 3½ weeks. But the school is a standout in other ways, too: A Top 30 liberal arts college as described by U.S. News & World Report, it offers a 10-to-1 student-faculty ratio, four of five students spending time abroad, and grow-ing scholarship funding.
Colorado State University at Pueblo2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, 719/549-
2100, gocsupueblo.comStudent pop.: 5,100CSU-Pueblo has been investing seriously
in itself, from a full $12 million in improve-ments to Massari Arena to a new univer-sity library, after a $24 million project. They’re enjoyed by students in 28 under-graduate degree programs, from exercise science, health promotion & recreation to mass communications. Some programs are offered at a Colorado Springs campus.
Pikes Peak Community CollegeFour campuses, 800/456-6847, ppcc.eduStudent pop.: 14,000The second-largest community college
in Colorado provides several learning options: traditional classroom-based; dis-tance learning via television; online; and hybrid courses that are a combination of online and classroom-based instruction. PPCC runs about 85 programs in total.
United States Air Force AcademyHQ USAFA, 2400 Cadet Drive, #200,
333-2520; 800/443-9266, usafa.af.milStudent pop.: 4,400Besides a taxpayer-funded education and
the chance to be a military officer upon graduation, the AFA promises personal growth. But to attend, you must be a U.S. citizen, unmarried, with no dependents, older than 17 but younger than 23, by July 1 of the year you enter.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 255-8227;
800/990-8227, uccs.eduStudent pop.: 9,000There are six colleges at ever-growing
UCCS — business and administration, edu-cation, engineering and applied science, public affairs, nursing, and letters, and arts and sciences — and the school offers bach-elors, masters and doctoral degrees. UCCS provides a traditional experience, complete with on-campus housing, while also serving an adult and military population. ■
especially with its online program, D3 My Way. This program allows teachers, students and parents to customize their school day, mixing online core academics with on-site electives and off-hour tutors.
Fountain-Fort Carson School District 810665 Jimmy Camp Road, Fountain,
382-1300, ffc8.orgStudent pop.: 7,702With nearly 70 percent of students com-
ing from military homes, the Fountain-Fort Carson district caters to a unique population. For instance, it staffs integra-tionists who assist students with acclimat-ing to the environment, and intervention-ists who work with students academically.
Lewis-Palmer School District 38146 N. Jefferson St., Monument,
488-4700, lewispalmer.orgStudent pop.: 6,600The high school graduation rate here
tops 95 percent, and about 85 percent of grads continue to college. Besides high achievement, D-38 trumpets its small size, which lets administrators and teach-ers respond to individual student needs.
Cheyenne Mountain School District 121775 LaClede St., 475-6100, cmsd12.orgStudent pop.: 4,529Cheyenne Mountain, in the southwest
part of the Springs, is one of the top dis-
tricts in Colorado in academic achieve-ment, accredited with distinction by the CDE and sending approximately 90 per-cent of graduates to college. Five elemen-tary schools and one K-6 charter school feed into a single junior high school and then Cheyenne Mountain High School.
Woodland Park School District RE-2211 N. Baldwin St., Woodland Park,
686-2000, wpsdk12.orgStudent pop.: approx. 2,900Woodland Park has come a long
way from the two-teachered little white schoolhouse established in 1890. With three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, this moun-tainous district advertises a “world-class education” with “small town traditions,” and a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Manitou Springs School District 14405 El Monte Place, Manitou Springs,
685-2024, mssd14.orgStudent pop.: 1,507Manitou tries to avoid static learning
— iPads have been given to all middle-school students — and to promote real-world skills. Also, Manitou is renowned for working with the emotional, social, academic and creative sides of each stu-dent, and developing strong connections among individuals and families. ■
FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL- OF COLORAD
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CIVICS
Aid stations When life careens off the rails, these folks will come to your rescue
Day-to-day living is already an uphill slog, then all of a sudden there’s a layoff. Or a breakup. Or a fall, and a broken hip. It’s at times like these when our nonprofits and community-based agencies create a safety net that helps you get your life back together. If, on the other hand, your life is in a period of calm and stability, you might want to help hold the net for somebody else by giving your time or donations to these and other great groups — check out “Nonprofit-driven” on p. 39.
Compiled by Molly Mrazek
24-7 HOTLINESPikes Peak United Way2-1-1, ppunitedway.orgProvides referrals for assis-tance with rent/mortgage, utilities or medical/prescrip-tions, housing/shelter, senior services and family support.
Suicide Prevention Partnership of the Pikes Peak Region596-5433, pikespeaksui-cideprevention.orgCounsels callers through cri-sis and connects them with resources that help steer them away from suicide.
TESSA (domestic violence/sexual assault advocacy)633-3819, tessacs.orgProvides intervention, infor-mation and community refer-ral services to victims.
ANImAL WELfAREHumane Society of the Pikes Peak Region610 Abbott Lane, 473-1741, hsppr.orgHandles cruelty and welfare investigations, and provides adoption services.
COmmUNITy HEALTHWhile Memorial and Pen-rose-St. Francis hospitals, and multiple urgent care facilities, serve the whole community, a few options ex-ist specifically for those who
are low-income, uninsured or underinsured. When in need, start here.
El Paso County Department of Health and Environment1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, #2044, 578-3199, elpasocountyhealth.orgProvides health services and referrals by appointment, of-fering sliding-scale payments.
El Paso County Department of Human Services1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, 636-0000, dhs.elpasoco.comOffers temporary food assis-tance, responds to child abuse/neglect leads, and more.
Peak Vista Community Health CentersMultiple locations, 632-5700, peakvista.orgOffers medical and dental care and behavioral services for qualifying low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and families.
SET family medical Clinics825 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 776-8850, setofcs.orgProvides basic medical servic-es, by appointment, for quali-fying low-income, uninsured and underinsured people.
DISASTER/EmERgENCy RELIEf
American Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter1040 S. Eighth St., 632-3563, pparc.orgOffers training and aware-ness for CPR/AED, and disas-ter relief and training.
EmPLOymENT ASSISTANCEColorado Department of Labor and EmploymentDenver, tinyurl.com/ co-dept-employmentAccepts unemployment claims at 800/388-5515.
Pikes Peak Workforce Center1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, 667-3700, ppwfc.orgInside the county’s Citizens Service Center, Provides job listings, training, workshops, a resource room and résu-mé-writing assistance.
EqUALITy ADVOCACyCitizens Project4360 Montebello Drive, 520-9899, citizensproject.orgWorks in advocacy for civic equality. Offers nonparti-san voting guides to the public, as well as other po-litical information.
Colorado Springs Branch NAACP603 S. El Paso St., 475-7255, coloradosprings-naacp.org
Advocates for social, educa-tional and civic equality for underrepresented persons.
Urban League of the Pikes Peak Region6 S. Tejon St., 8th Floor, 634-1525, ulppr.orgAdvocates for the equality of the African-American com-munity, other minority com-munities and the socioeco-nomically disadvantaged.
HOmELESS SERVICESInterfaith Hospitality Network of Colorado Springs519 N. Tejon St., 329-1244, ihn-cos.orgProvides short-term transi-tional housing for families with children in homeless situations.
Peak Vista Homeless Health Center117 W. Rio Grande St., 471-2789, peakvista.orgProvides health/dental and behavioral health services for homeless persons.
Salvation ArmyR.J. Montgomery New Hope Center, 709 S. Sierra Madre St., 578-9190, tsacs.org/services.htmlMeets day-to-day needs and offers meals, case manage-ment and more for homeless persons.
Springs Rescue mission5 W. Las Vegas St., 632-1822, mysrm.org
Assists the homeless through an interdenominational ser-vice program.
HUNgER RELIEfCare and Share food Bank for Southern Colorado2605 Preamble Point, 528-1247, careandshare.orgProvides food to hundreds of area nonprofits; no individual distribution, but local referrals offered.
marian House14 W. Bijou St., 475-7314, ccharitiescs.orgServes food to the needy Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sundays, 8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m., as an arm of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado.
LEgAL SERVICESColorado Legal Services617 S. Nevada Ave., 471-0380, coloradolegalservices.orgHelps provide access to civil legal services for qualifying low-income persons.
LgBTq SERVICESColorado Anti- Violence ProgramDenver, 888/557-4441 (24-hour hotline), coavp.orgProvides resources and sup-port in response to discrimi-
nation and violence within and against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities.
Pikes Peak gay and Lesbian Community Center (the Pride Center)2508 E. Bijou St., 471-4429, ppglcc.orgProvides health and wellness resources and offers HIV testing on the third Thursday of each month, plus an Internet café.
mENTAL HEALTH SERVICESAspenPointeMultiple locations, 572-6100, aspenpointe.orgFormerly Pikes Peak Behav-ioral Health Group, assists qualifying clients with behav-ioral health and substance abuse services.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)2132 E. Bijou St., #112, 477-1515, dbsacoloradosprings.orgOffers free support groups for people with mood disorders (as well as their family and friends), depression screenings, a re-source library, and more.
Suicide Prevention Partnership of the Pikes Peak Region704 N. Tejon St., 573-7447, pikespeaksuicidepreven-tion.org
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Runs a 24-7 hotline for those contemplati ng suicide (see “24-7 Hotlines” above), and provides educati on, inter-venti on and “postventi on,” which is grief support for children and teens.
STI AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE SERVICESEl Paso CountyDepartment of Health and Environment1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, #2044, 578-3199, elpasocountyhealth.orgProvides low-income pati ents with STI testi ng, including rapid HIV testi ng, by appoint-ment only and with a sliding-scale payment system.
Southern Colorado AIDS Project (S-CAP)1301 S. Eighth St., #200, 578-9092, s-cap.orgOff ers confi denti al testi ng by appointment only, as well as client support and referral. Raises community awareness and educates on preventi on.
VETERANS’ ISSUESAmerican LegionMultiple locations, legion.orgAdvocates for, and provides support and companionship for, all veterans.
Disabled American Veterans6880 Palmer Park Blvd., 591-8787, dav.org
Advocates and provides resources for all disabled veterans.
El Paso County Veteran’s Services5850 Championship View, Suite D, 520-7750, adm.elpasoco.comAdvises and assists veterans on benefi ts and other related resources.
Retired Enlisted Association834 Emory Circle, 596-0927, trea.orgAdvocates for veterans, with chapter locati ons statewide.
VA Colorado Springs Clinic25 N. Spruce St. and 320 E. Fontanero St., 327-5660, va.gov/healthProvides primary care ser-vices for veterans in the Colo-rado Springs area.
Veterans of Foreign WarsMultiple locations, vfw.orgSupports and advocates for veterans who were involved in confl icts overseas.
VICTIM ADVOCACYColorado Springs Police Victim Advocacy Program705 S. Nevada Ave., 444-7777, springsgov.comEnsures that victi ms under-stand their rights and have their needs met throughout the criminal justi ce process.
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA)Denver, 800/261-2682, coloradocrimevictims.orgProvides advocacy, educati on and resources for crime vic-ti ms statewide.
VIOLENCE/RAPE CRISISTESSA435 Gold Pass Heights, 633-1462, tessacs.orgRuns 24-7 hotline for victi ms of domesti c violence and sexual assault (see “24-7 Hotlines,” above), and off ers a safehouse and advocacy services providing all kinds of support to victi ms.
YOUTH RESOURCESsafe2tellP.O. Box 49296, Colo-rado Springs, CO 80949, 520-7435, 877/542-7233 (SAFE), safe2tell.orgAccepts reports from young people about acti viti es or behaviors that endanger them or someone they know, keeping them anonymous and safe.
Urban Peak423 E. Cucharras St., 630-3223, urbanpeak.orgHelps homeless and at-risk young people (ages 15 to 20), providing essenti al services and moving them toward self-suffi ciency.
Our experienced veterinarians and dedicated professional staff take pride in making affordable sterilization for dogs & cats available to families of any income.
serving Colorado Springs and the surrounding area for 35 years
Visit us in our new home!
Hamlett Spay & Neuter Clinic
Hamlett Spay & Neuter Clinic is a Non Profi t organization. All donations are greatly appreciated,
effi ciently used and tax deductable.
Call for Appointment (719) 475-1800 3660 Citadel Drive Northwww.hamlettclinic.org
We also offer: Vaccinations Microchipping Leukemia Testing Heartworm Testing
A r t s
Join our summer art classes, for all ages!missionartscenter.org fumc-cs.org
E x p l o r e p l o r e
Spirituality
Apiritualitypirituality
through the
Nonprofit-driven
In fiscally conservative Colorado Springs, nonprofit organizations play an enormous role in safeguarding, enhancing and inspiring the community. To generate funds, volunteers
and applause for their work, the Colorado Springs Independent started Give!, a year-end multimedia and guerilla marketing campaign.
The inaugural 2009 effort raised about $198,000 for 29 local organizations; in 2010, the tally was $427,000 for 40 organizations; and in 2011, $700,000 for 49.
Its growing scope, and the community events that tend to roll out when the campaign gets going, make Give! a good thing to follow in and of itself. But the campaign also dou-bles as an excellent introduction to the local nonprofit community.
At indygive.com, you can click on “participating nonprofits” for profiles of each group involved in the campaign. They represent interests across the spectrum, from arts and cul-ture to community-building to care for animals.
Among last year’s top donation-getters were the Friends of Cheyenne Cañon (tfocc.org), an environmental group that’s buttressed the city’s beloved North Cheyenne Cañon Park in the face of huge city budget cuts; Peak Education (peakedu.org), which provides long-term mentoring to at-risk youth; and Mission Medical Clinic (missionmedicalclinic.org), which gives free care to low-income, uninsured adults with chronic illnesses.
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (cnecoloradosprings.org) and the Better Business Bureau (southerncolorado.bbb.org) can serve as good clearinghouses for information related to the local nonprofit community. But whether you’re looking for help, or a way to help, we also urge you to check out indygive.com.
— Kirk Woundy
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Go for ...... mango curry:The Curry Leaf Restaurant, p. 45
… outdoor advice and gear:Mountain Chalet, p. 48
… screaming wet children:Uncle Wilber fountain, p. 49
… straight bling:American Numismati c Associati on’s Money Museum, p. 50
… lavender marti nis:Shugas, p. 43
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CENTRAL
RestaurantsCompiled by Matthew Schniper
AmericAnritz Grill15 S. Tejon St., 635-8484, ritzgrill.com
Voted by Indy readers as the city’s Best Place to Meet Women, Concept Restau-rants’ 25-year-old martini-sipping spot draws power players at lunch and party people at night. The menus range from pizzas and pastas to seafood and a wide salad array, with good price points on generally good food. — $$
BreweriesJudge Baldwin’s Brewing companyAntlers Hilton Hotel, 4 S. Cascade Ave., 955-5600, antlers.com/restaurants
The Springs’ first brewery (est. 1991), JB’s has always been a good happy-hour spot (4 to 7 daily), with $3 drinks and half-off apps, weekdays. From an updated menu featuring Kobe burgers, green chile and lob-ster bisque, the house-barbe-cue-sauced chicken quesadil-las are popular. — $
Phantom canyon Brewing co.2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-2800, phantomcanyon.com
A key player on our brewing scene, making great specialty one-offs on top of flagship favorites like the amber Rai-lyard Ale. Best pool tables in town; great happy-hour deals; bison burgers and meatloaf; and the forever fa-mous Blonde Ale & Smoked Gouda soup. — $$
BurGers & sAndwichesBJ’s Velvet Freez1511 N. Union Blvd., 633-6365, bjsvelvetfreez.com
With three different owners since 1954, this classic drive-in has remained a Springs staple for soft-serve treats, including shakes, malts and floats. But you can also grab a decent burger, chili dog or some French fries with a slushie. The throwback atmo-sphere is half the charm. — $
conway’s red Top1228 E. Fillmore St., 329-1445
Since 1944 and with three Col-orado Springs locations (Circle Drive, North Carefree Circle and East Fillmore Street), Con-way’s is locally noted for its “giant” hamburgers: 8-ounce patties on 6-inch buns. — $
drifter’s hamburgers4455 Mark Dabling Blvd., 548-8163, driftershamburgers.com
Our readers scolded us for not including three-year-old Drift-ers in a “battle of the burgers” last year, prompting a worth-while visit to discover one of the best cheeseburgers in the city (made with Ranch Foods Direct beef). Get it “wild style” for more mustard bite. Great fries, too. — $
The drive-in2309 N. Weber St., 633-0618 (635-0769 in off-season)
New owner and longtime local restaurant guy Bill Miller has given a new shine to this clas-sic drive-in, which dates back more than half a century. Lin-ger over an inexpensive burger or P.L.T. (pastrami, lettuce and tomato) with onion rings and a soft-serve cone or sundae, March through October, daily for lunch and dinner. — $
Patty Jewett Bar and Grill900 E. Española St., 385-6908, pattyjewettclubhouse.com
Recently acquired by the folks behind The Famous, this is essentially a relaxed golf-course clubhouse with an appropriately great view. Try breakfast omelets and the like for early starters, delicious Baja Fish Tacos or a burger at lunch, or cocktails over a sunset on the heated deck. — $
P.B. & Jellies new York deli106 E. Kiowa St., 465-2686, pbandjellies.com
Great weekly specials like half off everything after 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. Quality New York Deli-style sandwiches with Boar’s Head meats. And the highlight: PB&Js with fun flavors of house-ground pea-nut butter (like pad Thai), lo-cally made jellies (like cherry jalapeño), and add-ons. — $
Trivelli’s hoagies2729 N. Nevada Ave., 471-7733, trivellis.net
It’s one thing, executed beautifully since 1976: hoa-gies. Eighteen styles, to be exact. The sizzle of beef (Ranch Foods Direct’s) and onions on the flat-top prom-ises true Philly-style satisfac-tion. Varieties include house marinara, house-cured capi-cola ham and toppings like sweet cherry peppers. — $
cAFécafé 3630 W. Dale St., 477-4377, cs-fineartscenter.org/cafe36.asp
Open Tuesday through Sun-day from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and for pre-theater din-ing, Café 36 just returned to the oversight of Garden of the Gods Gourmet. Look for solid takes on dishes like curry chicken salad and a kalua pork pineapple sandwich. Still, nothing beats the view. — $$
The corner cafe7 E. Vermijo Ave., 520-1843, cornercafecs.com
An Indy go-to by virtue of location and excellence. Co-owner Bob Smoot’s hu-mor shows on items like the “Trailer Trash Certified” chicken-fried steak. Sand-wiches are built with qual-ity ingredients; the pork green chile is awesome, as is Smoot’s garlic habañero ketchup. Pie anyone? — $
dale street café115 E. Dale St., 578-9898, mydalestreetcafe.com
Dale Street is the likeable local equivalent of a chain outfit, in that there truly is something for everyone on its expansive bistro menu: salads, seafood, pizza, pasta, burgers, sand-wiches — even Jaegerschnit-zel. Then there’s the always-charming experience of dining in a Victorian. — $$
Gold hill Java332 N. Tejon St., 577-4291, goldhilljava.com
Roasting now out of its new location, which occupied the former Boulder Street Coffee Roasters mid-2011, Wood-land Park-launched Gold Hill delivers great drip coffee and sweet seasonal drinks, be they your bag. The Kodiak is the best sandwich choice, with a house-baked cookie chaser. — $
Good 2 Go2 N. Cascade Ave., Suite P1-A, 632-2939
Oddly located inside the Holly Sugar Building’s first-level parking garage, but worth the venture for delightful house-made soups, sandwiches and specials like smoked tri-tip, and beef and lamb shep-herd’s pie, complemented by Colorado Coffee Merchants espresso drinks. — $
La Baguette117 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 636-5020, labaguette-co.com
From the original four, two La Baguettes remain, both inde-pendently owned (then the French Bistro and La Tartine). The Colorado Avenue shop still bakes for all, and gener-ates Best Of awards for bread and French onion soup, and as bakery and French spots. — $
Lofty’s287 E. Fountain St., #100, 520-0024
Art, music and creativity drive passionate purveyor Josh Kennard. Lofty’s is a hip stop for Pueblo’s sustainable So-lar Roast Coffee; good, Olde World Bagel-produced sand-wiches and pastries; and fun cocktails with small-batch booze, Seattle’s Dry Sodas and Denver’s Oogavé sodas. — $
montague’s1019 S. Tejon St., 520-0672
Yes, it’s got comfy chairs, high-back antiques with the kind of charm that lends well to the cozy space, with people chatting over cute pots hold-ing an array of fine teas. En-joy them with stuffed French toast, turkey pot pie and/or large-enough-to-share pieces of cake. — $
The Olive Branch restaurant23 S. Tejon St., 475-1199, theolivebranchrest.com
A downtown staple with 33 years under owner Mark Meltzer. He views his menu as “an adventure in health-ful dining,” which translates to no deep frying, an array of gluten-free options, most everything from scratch, and fresh-squeezed OJ at break-fast. It’s a little bit of every-thing, done right. — $$
shuga’s702 S. Cascade Ave., 328-1412, shugas.com
Decade-old Shuga’s is so cool it hurts. Advice: always get the divine, peanutty, spicy Brazilian coconut soup, but try a different drink each visit. The award-winning cocktails are fun, as are gi-ant mojito carafes and the legendary Lavender Blossom martini. The lemon-ginger hot tea is a treat, too. — $
smiley’s Bakery and cafe323 N. Tejon St., 328-9447, smileysbakerycafe.com
Doing so well that it expanded into a neighboring space last fall, nearly doubling capacity, Smiley’s is your stop for tri-berry French toast, chocolate chip pancakes or a rich om-
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elet. At lunch, it’s house soups and hot sandwiches, followed by a mandatory slice of fantas-tic house pie. — $
Wooglin’s Deli & Café823 N. Tejon St., 578-9443, wooglinsdeli.com
Not just a haunt for Colorado College students and faculty, Wooglin’s is a fine stop for anyone at all three meals. A cup of Barista coffee with an outstanding quiche in the a.m.; a spicy bagel melt or gi-ant Greek salad at lunch; or daily house soup, French dip, or portobello Swiss burger with a beer at dinner. — $
Chinese2000 Wok115 E. Fillmore St., 633-6900
Pick from a variety of items like lo mein, fried rice and spicy pineapple chicken, each only $1.85. Some say por-tions are bigger if you get it to go. — $
China Town326 S. Nevada Ave., 632-5151
China Town is many down-towners’ go-to for a cold-busting wor wonton soup, as well as quick, generously portioned meals that come inexpensive and easy. — $
China Village203 N. Union Blvd., 475-8299, menu4food.com/chinavillage
Since 1982, this affordable Mandarin and Szechuan stop has earned loyalty with its expansive menu of Chi-nese favorites: Hunan duck and Mongolian beef, velvet chicken and Buddha’s delight. Free delivery nearby seals the saucy deal. — $
hunan springs24 E. Kiowa St., 634-0800, hunansprings.net
It’s perfectly satisfying Chi-nese on the cheap, like a full entrée of proteins, egg roll, rice and side soup for between $6.25 and $6.75 at lunch. The huge menu also features tons of seafood, fried rice, egg foo young, lo mein and vegetarian options. — $
CrêperieLa Creperie Bistro204 N. Tejon St., 632-0984
With 34 years in the same family and true French roots, this 36-seat eatery offers traditional crêpes like the best-selling chicken with hol-landaise or bechamel. Also: gluten-free options, includ-ing rich seafood plates, plus organic green salads and rich chocolate mousse via artisan French sourcing. — $$
paris Crepe euro Café218 N. Tejon St., 444-0110
People still freak out when they discover the clever sweet crêpes like the S’more, cheesecake and Fluffernut-ter options. The savories also sidestep convention with in-ternational influences, from a rice-flour Thai beef with pea-nut sauce to vegetarian Med-iterranean with tahini. — $
DinerBarney’s Diner129 W. Las Animas St., 632-1756
Forty-seven-year-old Bar-ney’s is a great, classic, cheap greasy spoon open only for breakfast and lunch. Daily specials include sloppy joes and a locally famous fried chicken; the regular menu sports Ranch Foods Direct beef and local sausage. — $
King’s Chef Diner110 E. Costilla St., 634-9135; 131 E. Bijou St., 636-5010; kingschefdiner.com
Pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted a diner to be, at all hours, with consistency. A perennial Indy Best Of domina-tor for a green chili featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel and sold in Whole Foods Market. Get The Thing or The Grump in the a.m., a Reuben at lunch. — $$
north end Diner3005 N. Hancock Ave., 442-1833, northenddiner.com
For a little diner, it offers a lot of charm. A wide menu of skillets, omelets and Mexican items at breakfast, and Ranch Foods Direct burgers among lunch offerings (BOGO for a nickel, weekends after 2 p.m.). Homemade soups, green chile, and a new glu-ten-free menu as well. — $
The Omelette parlor900 E. Fillmore St., 633-7770, co-spgs-omeletteparlor.com
Yup — it’s that place. The one everyone loves, with the well-deserved line often stretch-ing out the door. Big omelets, of course, and all the sweet pancakes and waffles and things that taste good under syrup or the homemade pork green chile. Big sandwiches and salads, too, if you’re in a little later. — $
sheldon’s Luncheonette204 Mount View Lane, 599-0887, sheldonslunch.com
With daily specials like meat-loaf, barbecue and open-face pork, turkey and roast beef sandwiches, Sheldon’s supple-ments its regular diner dishes
of simple omelets and Ameri-can breakfast items, plus burg-ers, melts, salads and soups. Two locations and many years in biz say a lot. — $
Fine DiningThe Blue star1645 S. Tejon St., 632-1086, thebluestar.net
Winner for our town’s Best Overall Restaurant for a fourth year running. ‘Nuff said, but here’s more any-way: superstar bartender Nate Windham; divine pastry chef Alicia Prescott; a trio of talented chefs pushing ever-changing menus; and big plans for the adjacent Ivywild School project. — $$$
Conscious Table26 E. Kiowa St., 636-3276, conscioustable.net
Late last year, lauded chef Brent Beavers returned to downtown with co-chef Aaron Retka, bringing a sustainability focus to lunch and dinner. Bril-liant scallop plates; bangin’ bi-son entrées; the Sencha salad. Cheaper at lunch, plus $8 late-night menu. Oh — and cooking classes. — $$$
The Famous31 N. Tejon St., 227-7333, thefamoussteakhouse.net
Your favorite steakhouse, all swank and no BS. Home of a killer $12.95 cheeseburger that handily won our burger “food fight” last year, plus gi-ant, pricey steak and seafood plates with hearty, family-style side portions. On top of weekly specials, look for new lunch promotions in 2012. — $$$
MacKenzie’s Chop house128 S. Tejon St., 635-3536, mackenzieschophouse.com
Subterranean swank, courtesy Concept Restaurants. Dark wood, deep martinis, burly steaks and a weekly fresh sheet that proves longtime Springs chef Pete Moreno hasn’t fallen asleep on the job. For us: Ahi salad at lunch, and Colorado rack of lamb at dinner, please. — $$$
The Melting pot30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300, meltingpot.com
It’s a chain with a local’s feel and an expansive, qual-ity wine list. The answer to all special-occasion needs, the fondue setup allows for jointly dipping breads and fruits into molten cheese (or chocolate), and fine meats and veggie hunks into boiling broths. — $$$
nosh121 S. Tejon St., 634-6674, nosh121.com
Your pick for five Indy Best Of
nods, including Cutting-Edge Menu and Happy Hour. You’ll also love the crispy Korean wings, the garli-miso-basil cauliflower (seriously) and the spicy bison sandwich. Anyone else you know serv-ing elderflower sangria? Didn’t think so. — $$
The rabbit hole101 N. Tejon St., 203-5072, rabbitholedinner.com
Racking up a respectable number of Best Of awards in its first year, including Best New Restaurant, Rabbit Hole is the go-to for: great cock-tails; a big Colorado craft beer list; full menu service until 1:30 a.m.; half-off-app happy hours; and playfully dressed, creative mains. — $$$
The Warehouse restaurant and gallery25 W. Cimarron St., 475-8880, thewarehouserestaurant.com
What’s it gonna be? Coffee-rubbed bison shortribs with black bean gnocchi? Wild boar shank with apricot-cilantro chutney? Beer-marinated elk with brandied mushrooms, bacon and ling-onberries? Or a build-your-own bison burger at lunch? Or weekday half-off-app-and-beer happy hours? — $$$
gerManedelweiss german restaurant34 E. Ramona Ave., 633-2220, edelweissrest.com
A Springs fixture: authentic German with more than 40 years’ local history. All your great German beers on tap, everything awesome and meaty that ends in “-schnit-zel” or “-braten,” and won-derful house sweets like Stollen and a dozen torte varieties. Bonus: lovely patio dining. — $$
Uwe’s german restaurant31 Iowa Ave., 475-1611
A tucked-away treasure that dishes authentic German cui-sine, this is a great stop for a giant helping of Warsteiner beer over schnitzel, spätzle or sauerbraten. Another great entrée: the rouladen, with thin beef slivers enveloping bacon, pickle and onion with mustard and spices. — $
greaTer asianThe Curry Leaf restaurant321 N. Tejon St., 447-0608, curryleafrestaurant.com
The recently relocated Curry Leaf is simply a world-beat-er. Sri Lanka native Lana Hillstrom cooks true to her
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Everest Nepal Restaurant28 E. Bijou St., 473-3890, everesttibetimports.com/restaurant.html
You’ve shopped in the hand-ful of Tibetan import stores around town, now dig the restaurant, perhaps for the wholly satisfying $8.99 lunch buffet. Then or at dinner, of-ferings include Indian and Nepali plates — vibrant daal, curry and the like — best with a mango lassi. — $
INtERNa-tIoNalIsland Grill take out1107 S. Nevada Ave., #101, 578-1468, islandgrilltake-out.com
Since 2003, Jamaican native Randal Whyte has solo-run this tiny gem of jerk good-ness, focusing on flavor over empty heat. It’s simply awe-some, from coconut-milk rice and sweet plantains to but-tery cabbage, curry goat, jerk chicken and ackee, and cod fish. — $
la’au’s taco Shop830 N. Tejon St., #110, 578-5228, laaustacoshop.com
With island influences from Hawaii to Indonesia, La’au’s offers more fresh crunch than the average taco stop (think mango and papaya toppings), though there’s hearty pork, steak and chicken options, too. Nobody beats the all-day hap-py hours: two Bristols for $5, $1.50 PBRs, $3 margaritas. — $
Rasta Pasta405 N. Tejon St., 481-6888, rastapastacs.com
One love: always. Two-for-one Bristol beers: Tuesday only. Jerk seasoning abounds, with options to turn up the heat on any pasta. Gluten-free and vegan options, too. We’ll never get over the great, fruit-bear-ing Tortellini Jamaica Mon, though others go for the titular jerk chicken plate. — $
Spice Island Grill10 N. Sierra Madre St., 473-8280, spiceislandgrill.com
Inhabiting El Tesoro’s old haunt, this Jamaican gem is bursting with flavor. We picked its zesty house jerk sauce ($6 to $9 by the bot-tle) as one our top dishes of 2011, because everything it touches turns awesome, in-cluding tofu fries and chick-en. For true Rastas, vegan Ital dishes. — $$
ItalIaNFicco’s little Italy1105 S. Tejon St., 434-7868
Just opened, Ficco’s is still getting on its feet with a small lunch menu; dinner menu coming shortly. From the homemade Italian dishes that date back to the owner’s grandmother’s recipes, get The Lucky, a grinder with Denver’s Polidori Sausage. Finish with superb cannoli and banana cream pie. — $
Fratelli Ristorante Italiano124 N. Nevada Ave., 575-9571, fratelliristorante.com
When the USA Pro Cycling Challenge arrived, the Ital-ian team ate here. The outfit shines with well-executed, classic Italian plates, plus spe-cials and new menu items like risotto primavera or buffalo mozzarella with prosciutto and pears. Homemade des-serts, happy hours, gluten-free options. Yum. — $$
luigi’s Homemade Italian Food947 S. Tejon St., 632-7339, luigiscoloradosprings.com
A 50-plus-year family legacy restaurant, Luigi’s is classic, down to checkered table-cloths, empty Chianti bottles and faux vines. Popular en-trées like the homemade, bé-chamel-rich tortellacci come with salad or soup. There’s also pizzas, pastas, sandwich-es and more loveliness; din-ner service only. — $$
Panino’s Restaurant604 N. Tejon St., 635-7452, paninos.com
Keep it fresh with Facebook coupons for weekly featured Panino sandwiches (some 30, unique rolled-dough cre-ations). And remember: fat cal-zones plus all-you-can-eat pizza Tuesdays ($7.99), and spaghet-ti Wednesdays ($8.99). — $
Roman Villa Pizza3005 N. Nevada Ave., 635-1806
Turning 53 this year under the Biondi family, 14-table Roman Villa is legend, for good reasons. Here’s one: homemade pastas like the outstanding three-cheese and spinach tortellacci in a caramelized onion-spiked, creamy tomato sauce. Great pizzas and house sausage, too. — $$
MEdItERRa-NEaNarabica Café12 S. Tejon St., 471-2444, cravearabica.com
Arabica Café came under new ownership last June, but the
recipes are still made in the former owner’s style from Palestine. The hummus and shawarma are reportedly great, with bright citrus and spice notes, respectively. — $
Caspian Café4375 Sinton Road, 528-1155, caspiancafe.com
Go Friday or Saturday night to enjoy belly dancing next to distinctive Mediterranean food at a good price. Its mul-tinational menu ranges from gyros and moussaka to fish, vegetarian plates and excel-lent desserts. — $$
In & out Gyros36 E. Bijou St., 635-7749
Kronos Foods provides the gyro meat and baklava, but owner Behnam Gilanpour (who ran the Persian Grill here, before the brief Rumi’s Kabab era) makes most everything else, including yogurt for the house tzatziki. Get the veggie platter. Bonus: open late. — $
Mediterranean Café118 E. Kiowa St., 633-0115, medcafe-co.com
Consistently excellent, Med Café nails the cuisine with bright spices and garlic fla-vors and standout renditions of hummus, baba ghanouj and tzatziki. For the discern-ing yet indecisive, there’s the awesome Half & Half: gyro and falafel with feta, tahini and hot sauce. — $$
taste of Jerusalem Café15 E. Bijou St., 477-1777, tasteofjerusalemcafe.com
After splitting from Heart of Jerusalem Café in 2009, Yemini owner Abdul Nasser added his own accents to the Mediter-ranean menu — like stuffed pita sambusa and mishkool, seasoned rice and veggies — which includes Halal items for observant Muslims. Also great shawarma, falafel, etc. — $
MExICaN/SoutHwEStalice’s Mexican Cuisine109 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 578-8882, alicesmexicancuisine.com
Turning five soon in the al-leyway behind Josh & John’s, Alice’s does right by Tex-Mex, starting with a nice, warmed house salsa with pleasant bite. The chimichangas plate
arceo’s Mexican Family Restaurant4608 Rusina Road, 264-0143, arceos.biz
Two locations serve Tex-Mex standards, but also unique touches, like crumbed Par-mesan atop chicken enchi-
ladas. The Chile Colorado burrito stars: top sirloin hunks under melted cheddar and Monterey Jack, with an Anaheim-and-jalapeño red sauce. — $ was our favorite on last visit, but Alice says her gorditas and chicken en-chiladas sell best. Great tres leches cake by request. — $
Bean Bandit2819 N. Nevada Ave., 634-9946
The Vasquez family’s Circle Drive location turns 46 this year (see p. 78), which says plenty. This second spot just opened in early January. You’ll find popular chile rel-lenos and shredded beef en-chiladas at both, but specials and new items like a Pueblo-style slopper at the spot next to the Navajo Hogan. — $
El taco Rey330 E. Colorado Ave., 475-9722, eltacorey.com
Another longtime Springs fix-ture run by the capable Agui-lar family. Lines out the door; the locally legendary pork-avocado burrito; loaded daily specials and hefty combo din-ners for about $8; tres leches cake to finish. Done. — $
José Muldoon’s222 N. Tejon St., 636-2311, josemuldoons.com
It racked up a handful of second-place finishes in the 2011 Indy Best Of, and 30-plus-year-old José’s is always a strong contender as the Tex-Mex heart of the local Concept Restaurants dynasty. Great happy hours and margaritas and hearty fare from mahi mahi to buf-falo plates. — $$
la Carreta Mexican Restaurant35 Iowa Ave., 477-1157
A popular lunch spot for pub-lic officials, La Carreta dishes everything from authentic Caldo de Res (beef soup) to chicken mole, Tacos al Pastor, and reportedly wonderful chile rellenos and margaritas. You’ll also find fajitas, enchi-ladas and Tex-Mex faves. — $
la Casita Mexican Grill4295 N. Nevada Ave., 599-7829, lacasitamexigrill.com
You can’t miss the bright pink stucco on Eighth Street, North Nevada Avenue or Woodmen Road. And you shouldn’t miss deals like Taco Tuesdays from 4 to 9 p.m., with BOGO half-off. Or the periodic all-you-can-eat breakfast ($5.99), lunch or dinner ($7.99) deals. — $
Monica’s taco Shop30 E. Fillmore St., 473-1996
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So there I am, driving to Den-ver with a fresh Monica’s breakfast burrito steaming in my hand, burning my mouth each time I bite, yet I can’t stop or wait for it to cool. I’m inexplicably compelled to suffer gloriously onward. Is it the chorizo? The salsa verde? Who cares. It is epic. — $
Salsa Latina28 E. Rio Grande St., 328-1513
Open weekdays only and re-lated by family to nearby El Taco Rey, Salsa Latina makes everything from scratch in the mornings, like its lauded green chile, from fresh Ana-heims. Go for the Friday-only chile relleno burrito, a long-time obsession of at least one Indy employee. — $
Sonterra Innovative Southwest Grill28B S. Tejon St., 471-9222, rockymtnrg.com/sonterragrill
Owned by the folks behind Slayton’s and Salsa Brava, Son-terra is the seafood-centric operation (think coriander-seared scallops and blackened sea bass), with fine steak cuts as well, plus dressy tacos and enchiladas. As at its sister lo-cations, generous happy hour deals here are worth a well-timed visit. — $$
Vallejo’s Restaurant111 S. Corona St., 635-0980
Located just behind the Cot-tonwood Center for the Arts and celebrating 50 years in 2012, Vallejo’s offers a lot of charm via the Martinez family. (See: Chef Lydia stealing glanc-es of her telenovelas through a kitchen window while cook-ing.) Get a combo plate to sample widely; great green chile tamales. — $
PIzzaBorriello Brothers215 E. Platte Ave., 884-2020, borriellobrothers.com
Our readers’ longtime favor-ite local pizza, with eight lo-cal locations. Think kick-ass, hand-tossed New York-style creations, backed by salads, heros, calzones and more. Borriello even has its own iPhone/Android app now. — $
Il Vicino11 S. Tejon St., 475-9224, ilvicino.com
Though it spans 10 locations across three states, Il Vicino maintains a mostly non-cor-porate vibe and local feel, with fantastic wood-oven pizzas and good craft beers shipped from the Albuquer-que brew hub. The Pizza Margherita is simple beauty next to a pint. — $
Louie’s Pizza333 N. Tejon St., 635-5565; 1146 E. Fillmore St., 473-0060; louies-pizza.com
The Sciarrata family has tossed pies in the Springs dating back to 1985. Now there are five locations for your chicken al-fredo or chicken taco pizza fix, plus “dyno-mite” wings and popular cinnamon-sugar crust dessert pizzas. Look for new take-n-bake stores sometime soon. — $
Poor Richard’s Restaurant & Rico’s Café and Wine Bar322-324 N. Tejon St., 578-5549, poorrichards.biz
A downtown dynasty and perennial Best Of winner, with attached toy and book stores, this is the spot for ev-erything from kick-ass pizzas (even spelt options) and sal-ads to fine wine, cocktails, lo-cal spirits, coffee drinks, tea, sipping chocolate and live music on the weekends. — $
PuB FoodJack Quinn Irish alehouse & Pub21 S. Tejon St., 385-0766, jackquinnspub.com
Guinness — check. Tradi-tional Irish music sessions — check. Fish & chips, Irish stew, seafood boxty — check. Everything you’d expect is here, but also a much wider and hearty food menu, plus a weekly pub quiz and run-ning club. It’s a warm home away from home, especially if brogue be your lingo. — $$
Johnny’s Navajo Hogan2817 N. Nevada Ave., 344-9593
That’s Johnny Nolan of South-Side Johnny’s, so you’re in good hands, especially with expansive Sunday-through-Tuesday happy hours featuring $2-to-$3.50 drinks. The his-toric building has never looked better, and the broasted chick-en is already legend. Pizzas are strong, too. — $
McCabe’s Tavern520 S. Tejon St., 633-3300, mccabestavern.com
My colleague remains en-amored with McCabe’s rose-mary-laced Guinness lamb stew with soda bread (yeah, I felt warm inside just writing that), but there’s much more to love here, from beer-fueled pub quiz nights to a stellar Irish whiskey selection, Scotch eggs and Guinness chocolate cake. — $$
oscar’s Tejon Street333 S. Tejon St., 471-8070, oscarsoysterbar.com
Oysters in the Springs? Why
yes, please and thank you — they do ’em right here. Oscar’s also channels the sea via good Creole entrées, a tight gumbo and Louisiana-style po-boys. Past that, it’s your favorite smoking patio, with bountiful happy hours and live music. — $$
SouthSide Johnny’s528 S. Tejon St., 444-8487, southsidejohnnys.biz
From the man who’s saved the Navajo Hogan comes the original Johnny’s: an always-hoppin’ spot with live music and a good crowd from bikers to businessmen. The diverse and overall delectable menu ranges from burgers and sand-wiches at lunch to ribeyes and tuna steaks at night. — $$
Tony’s Bar311 N. Tejon St., 228-6566, tonysdowntownbar.com
Tony’s, now 12-years old, means DJs, drinks, poker, games and, of course, award-garnering drinking and din-ing. Catch “Awesome Night” Tuesdays and Thursdays ($5 for a shot and 24-ounce PBR). We once made an in-tern eat a pickled egg here; he’d rather have had the fa-mous cheese curds. — $
underground110 N. Nevada Ave., 578-7771, undergroundbars.com
The Springs’ Best Gay Bar also dishes totally decent pub fare at lunch and dinner, including gourmet pizzas, sandwiches and burgers. Drinkers at the ad-jacent Brewer’s Republic (one of the town’s finest craft brew scenes) can also order from the Underground’s menu. — $
Will’s Sports Pub424 S. Nevada Ave., 475-2122, liquidcommon.com/willssportspub
Will’s has experienced a number of kitchen overhauls in recent years, testing ev-erything from bar-gourmet to Tex-Mex. It most recently settled on somewhat of the bar norm: burgers, nachos, wings and the like. Take in a game or happy hour specials from 3 to 7. — $
SouTHeRN/ BaRBeCue/CaJuNSlayton’s Tejon Street Grill28A S. Tejon St., 471-2311, rockymtnrg.com/ slaytonsbbq
Great weekend happy hours offer $5 apps and $3 drinks. The apple- and hickory-wood-smoked bar-becues are outstanding. Get the Firehouse Chili Burger with a smoked brisket chili and shredded cheddar top,
with sweet potato fries. Or the praiseworthy cornmeal-crusted catfish fingers. — $$
Springs orleans123 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 520-0123, springsorleans.com
Already your pick for Best Cajun/Southern eats, this newbie is the luscious, lardon-laden lead-up to the eventual opening of the adjacent Min-ing Exchange hotel. Longtime lauded Blue Star chef James Davis and crew sling all things requiring roux and blackening agents. Got it, po-boy? — $$
SuSHI/ JaPaNeSeFujiyama22 S. Tejon St., Suite A, 630-1167, fujiyamasushi.com
Sizeable donbori bowls or bento boxes at lunch; nigiri and loaded, goofy-named spe-cialty sushi rolls anytime; hiba-chi service by reservation; and an unbeatable half-off-every-thing happy hour from 5 to 6 on Mondays. New vegetarian menu recently added. — $$
Yoo Mae21 E. Kiowa St., 473-8105, yoomae.com
Check out the photos on its website, and you may not question the claim that “Yoo Mae is no doubt the best su-shi in Colorado Springs.” Live-ly chef JJ Kim, having finished his 50-state roll tribute (cool map online also), recently began a car series; so far, the Jaguar and Ferrari are selling well. — $$
Yummy Yaki Japanese Restaurant1534 S. Nevada Ave., 227-0214
After 16 years dishing Japa-nese staples and lots of yaki-tori skewers at Yummy Yaki, Thai/Vietnamese owner Vini-chai Seangsoy, by customer request, recently added a Thai menu during evening and weekend hours. As evidenced by the Khang Pineapple plate, it’s pretty damn good. — $
VIeTNaMeSe Saigon Café20 E. Colorado Ave., 633-2888, coloradosaigoncafe.com
Evidenced by its constant traffic, expansion and annual Best Of win — it’s been your favorite Vietnamese spot for nine years running now — Saigon excels. It also now serves a separate gluten-free menu, beyond its spectacu-larly vibrant bun bowls and delicious combo platters. Al-ways a safe bet. — $$
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ShoppingThe city’s core promises a treat for the senses
By Sara Michael
Any seasoned shopper will tell you that true shopping isn’t just an errand run; it’s an expe-rience. And when shopping on Tejon Street,
the experience is all about the scents. Below are some of our signature storefronts, but the best way to expe-rience this area is just to follow your nose.
Savory Spice Shop (110 N. Tejon St., savoryspic-eshop.com) has called Tejon home for just over two years now. When you’re lured in the door by the breeze of cinnamon and cloves that wafts from inside, you’ll find more than 400 hand-mixed spices, most available to taste and smell-sample. Stocking every-thing from Tahitian vanilla — sold by the bean — to all varieties of curry, it’s a dream for burgeoning cooks and professional chefs alike.
Complete your cooking aspirations up the block at Sparrow Hawk Cookware (120 N. Tejon St., spar-rowhawkcookware.com), offering rainbows of china dishware and utensils of all sorts. If you want to shop completely local at this locally owned shop, there’s a special “Made in Colorado” section filled with Always Azul Pottery from Villa Grove, beyond Cañon City.
Wander unwarily into Terra Verde (208 N. Tejon St., terraverdestyle.com) you’ll be assaulted by a nearly overwhelming scent of rose, lavender and femi-ninity. But once you get past that, the knick-knacks and candles and endless bars of soap will quickly draw you in; toward the back, find a wide selection of boho chic women’s clothing.
Speaking of boho chic, the Leechpit (802 N. Nevada Ave., leechpit.com) is a must for those with a little edge; the vintage clothing is almost rivaled by Adam Leech’s assortment of records and general pop-culture flotsam.
Also full of color and flair is Zeezo’s (104 N. Tejon St., zeezos.com), a renowned costume shop, where you can lose yourself in the magic tricks or venetian-style mask displays. But we’re perhaps wandering too
far afield here; for more straightforward fashion, try Kirk and Hill (129 N. Tejon St., 635-7038) or Lucy’s Consignment Paradise (318 E. Colorado Ave., gotolu-cys.com). And for athletic apparel, drop by Title Nine (210 N. Tejon St., titlenine.com) or Lululemon (115 N. Tejon St., #110, lululemon.com), which is housed in a tiny showroom tucked down an alley off Tejon that also offers free yoga classes.
For the comfort of Birkenstocks and the like, try Brown’s Shoes (123 N. Tejon St., brownsshoefitco.com); for athletic options, also consider Runners Roost (121 N. Tejon St., runnersroost.com) and the Colo-rado Running Company (833 N. Tejon St., corunco.com). After all, there’s nothing in the world like the smell of new shoes.
Do rocks have a smell? At Accents on Tejon (234 N. Tejon St., accentscolorado.com), they do. The store boasts a fierce Mosasaur skull in the window (com-plete with rows and rows of wicked-looking teeth) and shelves and shelves of fossils, gemstones, preserved butterflies and seashells. Exceedingly breakable and exceedingly beautiful.
For more rocks, Mountain Chalet (226 N. Tejon St., mtnchalet.com) is a hub for hiking, mountaineering and rock climbing gear. The Ski Shop (1422 S. Tejon St., theskishopinc.com) is a haven for both skiers and snowboarders. Mountain Equipment Recyclers (1005 S. Tejon St., merecyclers.com) offers up high-quality resale clothes and equipment for all sorts of outdoor sports. And if biking is more your thing, you’ll find your niche at the Old Town Bike Shop (426 S. Tejon St., oldtownbikeshop.com).
Further entertain your more kinetic side with the downtown artistic scene.
Meininger Art Supply (201 S. Weber St., meininger.com) stocks everything you could possibly imagine needing for your latest art project. For art inspiration, stop by Van Briggle Pottery & Tile (1024 S. Tejon St., vanbriggle.com), a historical art gallery and contem-
porary pottery studio that will make you fervently wish you could handle a potter’s wheel.
You can purchase more local art at Cottonwood on Tejon (8 S. Tejon St., cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com), a space filled with the works of studio artists from Cottonwood Center for the Arts (427 E. Colorado Ave.). The literary arts are well represented at Poor Richard’s Bookstore (320 N. Tejon St., poorrichards-downtown.com), which conveniently adjoins Rico’s Café and Wine Bar. Take heed: The scent of coffee and old books is downright seductive. But if you prefer writing to reading, check out C.J. Kard (214 N. Tejon St., cjkard.com) for all things stationery.
Seamstresses shouldn’t miss the Mill Outlet Fabric Shop (2906 N. Prospect St., milloutletfabric.com), where you can easily get lost in the bolts of fabric, rib-bon, and threads in all textures and colors. Another place to get lost is Antiques Gallery (117 S. Wahsatch Ave., 633-6070), which stocks the wares of 150-some dealers and consigners.
Independent Records & Video (123 E. Bijou St., beindependent.com) is a Colorado-born music staple, with a vibrant buy-sell-and-trade program. If music is a hands-on experience for you, Tejon Street Music (330 N. Tejon St., tejonstreetmusic.com) is your one-stop-shop for guitars, banjos, mandolins and ukes, and Meeker Music (113 E. Bijou St., meekermusic.tripod.com) houses more strings, brass and reeds.
We can’t wrap up a section on tickling the senses without including flowers. With imports from Hawaii and Bangkok, Gentry’s Flowers (225 E. Pikes Peak Ave., gentrysflowers.com) is as charming on the inside as the outside adobe suggests. Visit Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 to 5:30 for “happy hour”: 50 percent off all fresh-cut stems.
Other stores with Central locations: Discover Goodwill outlet store (3506 N. El Paso St., see p. 71); Extreme Bargains (3190 N. Stone Ave., see p. 78); Pikes Peak Chocolate Company (125½ N. Tejon St., see p. 88). n
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OutdoorsIf downtown’s skyline doesn’t grab you, its recreational resources just might
By Debbie Kelley
People from near and far regularly trek to Colora-do Springs’ core to enjoy historic parks with con-temporary amenities, a city-owned golf course
and a network of trails, all listed at springsgov.com.Despite drastic budget cuts in recent years, parks
continue to be a rewarding destination. Monument Valley Park (170 W. Cache la Poudre St.), donated by city founder Gen. William Jackson Palmer, stretches 4.25 miles and backs many turn-of-the-century man-sions, intermingled with high-rise condos. It’s one of the most popular spots for jogging, bicycling, stroll-ing, walking dogs, photographing ducks, picnicking, shooting hoops, lobbing a tennis ball or playing base-ball. The park also offers the flower and vegetable demonstration gardens of the Horticultural Art Society(Cache la Poudre Street and Glen Avenue).
Another mainstay is Memorial Park (1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave.), where rollerbladers and walkers peacefully coexist; kids cavort on playgrounds (including one built for children with disabilities); and anglers fish in Prospect Lake. The park hosts large-scale events, such as the Labor Day weekend Colorado Balloon Clas-sic, and has fields and facilities for numerous sports, including baseball, football, tennis, basketball, horse-shoes, handball, skateboarding, hockey, ice skating, cycling, soccer, volleyball and swimming.
The newer, 21-acre America the Beautiful Park (126 Cimino Drive) draws children and adults to its upscale
playground, covered picnic tables and a stellar metal fountain that cascades water in the summer. Farmers markets, art festivals, races and outdoor concerts also bring crowds.
Another popular water feature is the magical Uncle Wilber fountain in Acacia Park (115 E. Platte Ave.). The whimsical, tuba-playing character, designed by local artists Kat and Bob Tudor, emits rousing music and spurts water from 52 jets. A cascading waterfall, unpredictable streams and colorful lights add to the experience. A band shell provides a venue for concerts, rallies and other events.
Another skateboard and BMX park can be found at the Rich “Goose” Gossage Youth Sports Complex (3225 Mark Dabling Blvd.), named for the baseball Hall of Famer who was born in the Springs and still lives here. Also included are baseball and soccer fields, a playground and ample parking.
The complex leads to Sinton Trail and Templeton Gap Trail, a four-mile connection to Palmer Park that passes through the kid-friendly Portal Park (3535 N. Hancock Ave.). That park is home to a public pool — like those at Monument Valley and Memorial parks, as well as the Prospect Lake “beach” — that the city has been trying to keep open via a partnership with the local YMCA.
Pedestrian trails abound in the area, led by the Pikes Peak Greenway, a 16-mile, multi-use paved path
that’s the center link between the Fountain Creek Regional and New Santa Fe Regional trails, stretching from Palmer Lake south to Fountain. The greenway runs along Fountain and Monument creeks through downtown and gives access to both Monument Valley and America the Beautiful parks. A segment recently reopened with a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge pro-viding access to downtown.
Shooks Run Trail, another paved, north-south stretch east of downtown, parallels the trickling Shooks Run Creek for three miles, from Constitution Avenue to Fountain Boulevard, and passes several playgrounds, tennis courts and residential neighborhoods while linking to other trails. It’s one of the easier bike paths.
Those looking for a matter-of-fact brand of motiva-tion may log their exercise time at Evergreen Cemetery (1005 E. Hancock Ave.). It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its 220 acres are open to walkers, runners and bikers.
Also worth a mention: Some of Evergreen’s residents surely played one of the oldest golf courses west of the Mississippi River, the Patty Jewett Municipal Golf Course (900 E. Espanola St.). The par-72 course (plus an extra nine) is affordable and challenging, and has been open continuously since 1898. Stately trees lead to the pro shop, clubhouse and restaurant — the latter of which is now run by the folks behind the locally lauded Famous steakhouse downtown. ■
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OK, let’s start by getting cultural. Some of our city’s biggest and brightest museum destinations
live in this district, beginning with the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (30 W. Dale St., csfineartscenter.org), home to the exquisite Taylor Museum Collection of Native American and Southwestern art. The FAC tends to get multidisci-plinary with its rotating efforts, and its Resilience project (up through May) is a good example: Of Mice and Men in its theater; Depression-era photographs, including Dorothea Lange’s iconic
“Migrant Mother,” in its galleries; and a bevy of film screenings, lectures and family activity days.
Meanwhile, local history gets the star treatment at the Colorado Springs Pio-neers Museum (215 S. Tejon St., cspm.org), an always-free time machine into our area’s past. In addition to Native American art and artifacts, you can enjoy a reconstructed tuberculosis hut and old medical equipment. (We were a convalescence destination, after all.) The building itself is a lovely marvel with a working cage elevator and fully
restored upstairs courtroom. Are you more of a bottom-line type?
Hit up the American Numismatic Associ-ation’s Money Museum (818 N. Cascade Ave., money.org) for monthly demon-strations of its Mini-Mint, a small coin minter. While you’re there, laugh at some of the faces that made it onto coinage (it’s OK, really), and view money from the Civil War.
Gallery city
In keeping with the cultural bent, down-town is home to many art galleries,
a few of which we’ll mention here. Cot-tonwood Center for the Arts (427 E. Colo-rado Ave., cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com) is a great destination for more traditional work, as well as jewelry, pot-tery and ceramics. The converted office building is a veritable hive of personal studios, with proper galleries on the main floor hosting a variety of themed exhibits.
Under the Colorado Avenue Bridge, three galleries enliven the Depot Arts District Building (218 W. Colorado Ave.), including the Bridge Gallery (the-bridgeartgallery.com), home to a col-
Daytime hangoutsWhere artistic masters, hungry students and fearless paintballers rub elbows
By Edie Adelstein
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Mug upFor as long as I can remember, Montague’s (1019 S. Tejon St., 520-0672) has
owned the market on patterned chairs and couches you could find in Grandma’s basement. But the solid coffee, large selection of loose-leaf teas, and counter full of cakes, muffins and pastries are what really make you ogle.
Right up the road is Coffee Exchange (526 S. Tejon St., 635-0277), which goes for a vibe that’s half art gallery, half auto repair — the latter due to the large garage door that serves as one wall. Grab some good drip and blaze away on its fast wi-fi.
Moving into the heart of downtown, Pikes Perk Coffee & Tea House (14 S. Tejon St., pikesperkcoffee.com) occupies an iconic red corner building, offering two windowed floors perfect for people-watching while you pound the so-sweet-it-hurts Caramel Moun-tain; of course, it comes with enough espresso to offset any sugar crash, so you’re good. •�Coffee and Tea Zone (25 N. Tejon St., #101, coffeeandteazone.com) and its bubble teas are within boba-spitting distance.
A little farther north on the Tejon artery are Gold Hill Java Downtown (332 N. Tejon St., goldhilljava.com) and Rico’s Coffee, Chocolate & Wine Bar (322 N. Tejon St., poorrichards.biz). Gold Hill’s the second location after the original in Woodland Park and sports a huge selection of fudge and strong black stuff, while Rico’s is the rare spot where you can comfortably eat lunch alone, then return at night for a date on the patio. The food’s great, the variety of chocolates impressive, and the drink specials divine.
Off the main street, next to the bus stop, lies Café Corto Coffee Gallery (115 E. Kiowa St., 577-4347); its new owners are offering local art, live music and a pretty decent mocha. Another newbie is 225 Coffee Shop and Venue (225 N. Weber St.,
884-6225), a First Presbyterian Church-run secular spot sporting a nice live-music schedule and ever-tasty Numi Organic Tea.
In the Hard to Stumble Across Unless You’re Looking for Them category sit Lofty’s (287 E. Fountain Blvd., #100, 520-0024) and the family-owned Dogtooth Cof-fee Company (505 E. Columbia St., #100, dogtoothcoffee.com). The former rests in the Lowell development — the New England-looking housing area almost south of downtown — and specializes in famous quotes on its Facebook page, spoken-word gatherings in the shop, and coffee from Solar Roast Coffee in Pueblo. The latter fills the corner of a neighborhood block with an L-shaped lobby that’s full by mid-morning, and offers a nice selection of grub for the breakfast and lunch crowd.
Raven’s Nest Coffee (330 N. Institute St., ravensnestcoffee.com), another neigh-borhood spot, describes itself as “an environment of complete sensory immersion.” While I can’t confirm that, there are definitely couches, in addition to fair-trade and organic coffees. Similarly socially conscious coffee can be caught via BuyWell — a local company started by some Colorado College kids — at Jasmine’s Coffee and Tea Café (4120 N. Nevada Ave., 359-5895).
Finally, wrapping up your central coffee-spot tour: Colorado Coffee Merchants (302 E. Fillmore St., coloradocoffeemerchants.com) rests quietly on the side of a busy street and offers some of the better coffee to be found locally, roasted in-house. The purchase of a mug for some 50 bucks yields coffee for a year, or you can just drop in, have your drink made from memory before you can order it, and enjoy the view.
— Bryce Crawford
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lective of multimedia artists, and Purple Mountain Coffee Roastery and Kreuser Gallery (abigailkreusergallery.com), a coffee hotspot and showspace run by barista and photographer Abigail Kreuser. Those enterprises take turns curating the Commons Gallery, a smaller space wedged inside the Depot building.
Across the way in the Trestle Build-ing lies the revamped Marmalade at Smokebrush (219 W. Colorado Ave., smokebrush.org), a lovely and roomy brick-walled space that hosts the usual artistic pursuits as well as the heal-ing arts. Note Marmalade’s busy yoga schedule — with many classes led by Smokebrush founder Kat Tudor — and numerous special events such as guest-teacher appearances, kirtan chants and more. Fridays at Marmalade can involve art receptions, Brazilian dance parties and the monthly Story Project, where locals take to the mic and share their life experiences.
Back uptown, but still in a low-profile spot, are the Modbo and S.P.Q.R. (17C and 17B E. Bijou St., themodbo.com), a pair of tiny galleries situated in the Bijou Street alley. Co-owned by Brett and Lauren Andrus, these spaces are home to some of the most nontraditional, contemporary art in the city. On top of shows featuring local and regional art-ists, the galleries offer activities nearly every weekend, from concerts to Dr. Sketchy sessions (live figure drawing with burlesque models).
All three of the Springs’ major col-leges have galleries downtown. Colo-rado College’s I.D.E.A. Space and Coburn Gallery (825 and 902 N. Cascade Ave., theideaspace.com), run by curato-rial genius Jessica Hunter Larsen, are always good bets for brainy, cutting-edge works. The I.D.E.A. Space fea-tures rigorous programming as well, with panel discussions, artist talks and other activities such as dance perfor-mances and film screenings to accom-pany each of its exhibits.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has two attractions. The Galleries of Contemporary Art, GOCA 121 and GOCA 1420, run tandem exhibits organized by another inspired curator, Daisy McCon-nell. (Former director Caitlin Green has moved on to other pursuits, but helped build the rest of this year’s exhibits.)
GOCA 121 (121 S. Tejon St., gal-leryuccs.org) lives in the Plaza of the Rockies, next to hip restaurant Nosh and the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (121 S. Tejon St., #111, copperco-lo.org), or COPPeR, where you can pick up brochures for local attractions, learn about A&E events, and view some art-
work hanging in its office. There’s more info on 1420 on p. 64, but rest assured that you can hit up either GOCA for enormous, involved installations, video art, and cool, conceptual work.
Lastly, don’t count out the Downtown Studio at Pikes Peak Community College (100 W. Pikes Peak Ave., ppcc.edu/departments/art/pppcc-art-gallery). PPCC’s gallery features the work of local artists as well as its own students, with shows curated by highly talented artist and instructor Laura BenAmots. Last year’s docket included a show based on the theme of the chrysalis and cross-pollination.
And by the way, strewn about down-town streets you’ll find both temporary and permanent outdoor sculpture. Art on the Streets is an annual enterprise that places new works from artists around the world in our fair city. Each June, the pieces are replaced — unless private funds and grants allow for purchase. Find a map at artonthestreets.com.
Spirits and splats
Plenty of active pursuits take place here as well. Climbers of all ages and
skill levels can find a home at CityRock (21 N. Nevada Ave., climbcityrock.com), a huge indoor climbing facility housed in a remodeled theater. Chal-lenge yourself on the 43-foot verticals or any of its 17,000 square feet of climbable surfaces. CityRock also arranges out-door excursions such as guided climbs and camps, and even international trips.
Near the train tracks, AllStar Paintball (400 S. Sierra Madre St., paintballall-stars.com) counts itself as one of the few indoor paintball facilities in the U.S. It specializes in speedball play, a fast alter-native to the more tactical outdoor play like that at Dragonman’s. (Read more on that on p. 79.) Newbies and pros alike shoot both early and often.
Ratcheting down to less adrenalized activities, we reach our only indie movie house, Kimball’s Peak Three (115 E. Pikes Peak Ave., kimballspeakthree.com). Catch independents, foreigns and “an occasional blockbuster” at Kimball’s, with the added bonuses of a full bar and espresso drinks to enjoy on-site.
You can also double-fist it at Splash (115 N. Tejon St., splashsprings.com), this time with wine and a paintbrush. Instructors here lead not-so-serious stu-dents through the steps of that night’s set composition, minus the sweating of learning tricky techniques. Those who seek more traditional teaching can take art classes at the Bemis School of Art at the FAC, Cottonwood and the Modbo/S.P.Q.R. ■
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So what’ll it be: Martinis, microbrews or Pabst Blue Ribbon? Original music, DJs or cover bands? Ten-gallon Stetsons, buzz cuts or Bettie Page bangs?
All of the above are ready and waiting somewhere within a one-mile radius of downtown Colorado Springs.
The main drag is Tejon Street, which is basically the Springs’ version of Bourbon Street. Except for its absence of strip clubs. And beads. And the things people do for those beads. (Being the home of New Life Church and Focus on the Family, this is about as close as we get.)
Of course, one thing New Orleans doesn’t have is cowboys, at least not of the indigenous variety. Where-as Colorado Springs has the “WORLD FAMOUS” Cowboys (25 N. Tejon St., worldfamouscowboys.com), a quarter-century-old institution that’s racked up enough national media attention to justify its proud slogan. There’s also a bowling alley upstairs, plus occasional appearances by touring contemporary country acts — and the occasional veteran outlaw
like David Allan Coe — to inspire all kinds of boot-scootin’, line-dancin’ and general shit-kickin’. But on just about any night, the club can get a line dance going just by cueing up Clarence Carter’s “Strokin’” or Trace Adkins’ “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”
Step outside Cowboys and you won’t be hearing either of those songs, as the neo-honky-tonk vibe gives way to the din of rock and pop hits blasting from nearby bars.
Local cover bands like Wrestle With Jimmy and 40 Oz. Freedom Fighters play regularly at Gasoline Alley (28 N. Tejon St., gasolinealleycs.com) and the Thirsty Parrot (32 S. Tejon St., thirstyparrot.net), while at the Mansion (20 N. Tejon St., mansioncs.com) you can be pummeled by “75,000 watts of power” and a karaoke room that promises a selection of 100,000-plus songs.
Meanwhile, if you prefer more beats per minute, you can head a block east to the Underground (110 N. Nevada Ave., undergroundbars.com), an LGBTQ-
friendly venue where house music shares the stage with burlesque and boylesque shows. Live DJs (includ-ing Indy readers’ favorite, DJ GÜ) also frequent SODO (527 S. Tejon St., sodonightlife.com).
For more low-key revelry, Oscar’s Tejon Street (333 S. Tejon St., oscarstejonstreet.com) and SouthSide Johnny’s (528 S. Tejon St., southsidejohnnys.biz) host live music that leans more toward blues, Motown and rockabilly.
More drinking, less dancing
If you prefer a higher beer-to-bro ratio, there are plenty of central Springs establishments to cater to
your needs.Let’s begin with some craft breweries. The last time
the Colorado Brewers Guild counted, our town was neck-and-neck with Fort Collins with nine breweries each. (Denver leads the pack with 14, followed by Boulder with 11.) In fact, you can find two breweries right in the heart of downtown.
Nighttime hangoutsBar bands, breweries and indie rock take over downtown after dark
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Tourists staying at the Antlers Hilton will find Judge Baldwin’s (4 S. Cascade Ave., 473-5600) right off the hotel lobby. The brewery can lay claim to being the city’s oldest, established back in 1991. OK, not exactly gold-rush era, but stay with us. Baldwin’s has great happy hours and just recently updated its dining menu, which includes every-thing from Kobe burgers to a green chile lobster bisque.
More adventurous hotel guests can venture across the street to Phantom Can-yon Brewing Co. (2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., phantomcanyon.com). Originally start-ed by now-Governor John Hickenlooper, Phantom Canyon is a solid dining and drink spot in the heart of downtown. The smoked gouda beer cheese soup is rightfully famous; the pool tables are the finest around; and brewer Alan Stiles keeps a range of pleasing selections on tap, like the Railyard Ale and seasonal Barley Wine, plus interesting specials, often named after Simpsons references. (Think: Jebus Braggot.)
A little south of downtown, Bristol Brewing Company (1647 S. Tejon St., bristolbrewing.com) is preparing its plan for world domination — or at least for a big move across Tejon Street. The city’s preeminent brewhouse is grow-ing into the old Ivywild School, where its Laughing Lab Scottish Ale (among other brews) can be made in larger quantities, and served in a bigger tasting room. But catch the old location before it’s gone; it’s full of charm and pretzels (no food) and houses the nascent Black Fox Brewing Company (blackfoxbrew-ing.com), a side project of Bristol head brewer John Schneider.
The final central-district brewery is north of downtown, along the North Nevada Avenue corridor. Great Storm Brewing (204 Mountain View Lane, greatstormbrewing.com) opened up in March, and features eight house beers on tap, including brewer Jeff Jacobs’ oatmeal-rum-raisin stout. The brew-ery’s open from 11 to 9, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 11 to 10, Fridays and Saturdays.
For more spirited tastes, meanwhile, be sure to check out downtown’s V Bar (19 E. Kiowa St., 471-8622). There you’ll find a strawberry gin martini — Broker’s gin, muddled strawberry and a hint of mint — along with some great deejays. (Backpack rap segued into early Can? It’s been known to happen.) Word Wednesday poetry slams and regular hip-hop and indie rock show-cases make this bar one of downtown’s most interesting.
Find more martinis at Shuga’s (702 S. Cascade Ave., shugas.com), includ-ing the exotic Blushing Geisha, which brings together lychee, lemon ginger,
Chambord and champagne. There’s also steamier fare like the Irish Monk (Frangelico, Irish cream, coffee, whipped cream), dinner, dessert, and the occasional low-key touring act.
Feeling Irish? Then head back to Tejon for two fine drinking establish-ments, McCabe’s Tavern (520 S. Tejon St., mccabestavern.com) and Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse & Pub (21 S. Tejon St., jackquinnspub.com).
Or, if you’re just looking for a great neighborhood bar, pay a visit to Tony’s (311 N. Tejon St., tonysdowntownbar.com) — where burgers, pickled eggs and fried cheese curds are washed down with house shot specials and pitchers of PBR — or Johnny’s Navajo Hogan (2817 N. Nevada Ave., 344-9593), an awesome “roundhouse” space where you can get great service and a hot dog pizza.
We will rock you
If you’re interested in original music, the kind that makes bar-goers look
at the stage as well as each other, you have options.
The highest-profile touring acts con-tinue to appear just outside the central area: The Black Sheep (2106 E. Platte Ave., blacksheeprocks.com, see p. 81) has won the Indy’s Best Venue category since it opened back in ’06. But 2011’s Best New Bar, Zodiac (230 Pueblo Ave., zodiacvenue.com) conveys a strong alt vibe, and with staging, sound, layout and furnishings that are much improved from the building’s old Rocket Room days. In addition to touring acts and some of the town’s best local bands, the venue offers theme evenings catering to geeks and goths.
Actually, goth types have two week-ly opportunities to swirl their shrouds to the sound of Siouxsie & the Ban-shees and Bauhaus. Zodiac devotes Tuesday nights to its goth-industrial Worship, while the previously men-tioned Underground has its long-run-ning Black Sunday.
A couple blocks up from Zodiac is the Triple Nickel Tavern (26 S. Wahsatch Ave., 555nickel.com), a club owned by J.J. Nobody from the venerable local punk band, the Nobodys. Cheap drinks and lots of beer make local bands sound even better, and a full schedule of out-of-town bands range from members of Drag the River (J.J.’s their bassist) to T-Model Ford.
For more metallic bands, along with regular doses of hip-hop and punk rock, drive northeast to Union Station (2419 N. Union Blvd., unionstation-rox.com). Located in a nondescript strip mall, the venue is a small world unto itself, with mostly local bands and a big sound system that tends to make earplugs advisable. n
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Go for ...... Shabu-Shabu and sushi:Jun Japanese Restaurant, p. 59
... the new retail explosion:University Village, p. 61
... UFO re-enactment as sport:Cott onwood Creek Park disc golf course, p. 63
... a true taste of cowboy culture:ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy, p. 64
... brews with unusual ingredients:Trinity Brewing Company, p. 66
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RestaurantsCompiled by Matthew Schniper
BrewpuBColorado Mountain Brewery11202 Rampart Hills View, 434-5750, cmbrew.com
Boasting new house beer re-leases at 5 p.m. every Tues-day and a new menu, year-old CMB is aggressively set to open a second location in the iconic former Van Briggle Pot-tery building. Beers and bites have been thoroughly tested and refined, virtually guaran-teeing your satisfaction. — $$
pikes peak Brewing Co.1756 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument, 208-4098, pikespeakbrewing.com
Partly brought to you by Beer Journal author Chris Wright, PPBC serves seriously good beer (highlights: Devil’s Head Red, Elephant Rock IPA) next to great giant pretzels or cold-cut platters provided by near-by caterer Taste of Life. Get the German chocolate cake with a stout sample. — $$
Trinity Brewing Company1466 W. Garden of the Gods Road, 634-0029, trinitybrew.com
Recently expanded, years ahead of schedule, Trinity has deservedly blown up thanks to top-notch, experimental saison production on top of great flagship beers like the seasonally changing Farm-house. To mitigate the buzz (from the alcohol, not the community), grab lamb slid-ers, seitan wings or the Mak’ N Bacon. — $$
Burgers & sandwiChesanother pint13860 Gleneagle Drive, 481-6446, anotherpint.net
Recently split from Coffee Cup Café and under the new ownership of its former GM, Another Pint is craft beer mecca, sporting more than 40 taps and hosting monthly beer dinners, plus unique meet-the-brewer nights. — $
City of philly Cheese steaks4747 Flintridge Drive, 265-5770
The name pretty much says it all: steaming cheese-steak sandwiches on chewy bread from Philly-based Amoroso’s Baking Co. Recently added to
the hoagies and burgers: hot wings, and fried zucchini and mushrooms. — $
Crave real Burgers7465 N. Academy Blvd., 264-7919, craverealburgers.com
Think big-ass, “crazy burg-ers.” (How crazy? One uses donuts as bun halves.) Our samplings were mixed, but we did like the Nutty Profes-sor (with peanut butter), the garlicky Love Stinks, and the sweet hoisin Dim Sum Daffy duck sandwich. Get sweet potato fries and the awe-some Amaretto shake. — $$
Oliver’s delicatessen6602 Delmonico Drive, 599-9411
Nearing 30 years’ breakfast and lunch service under the Oliver family, here the high-lights are homemade soups and traditional deli sand-wiches on fresh-baked house breads. Example: the Oliver, with succulent, hot corned beef, coleslaw, Swiss cheese and tangy Russian dressing on light rye. — $
south Jersey subs1726 Brookwood Drive, 531-5100
Take in a charming Jersey atti-tude, on and off the sub, with classic East Coast items like Tastykakes and Boylan’s Birch Beer playing backup. We like the ground Italian sausage sub a lot, heaped with grilled peppers, onions and gooey cheese. If this be your heri-tage, you’ll be at home. — $
Caféaspenpointe Café & Catering5069 N. Academy Blvd., 572-6296, aspenpointe.org
Overseen by American Cu-linary Federation trainer and chef Pete Aiello, As-penPointe teaches culinary skills to the disenfranchised (ranging from at-risk youth to people with disabilities), serving affordable and sat-isfying sandwiches and the like, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — $
Blue sage5152 Centennial Blvd., 332-1397, creativecateringsolutions.com
Open for lunch from 11 to 2 weekdays, Blue Sage’s café arm is really a front for its catering biz but stands just fine on its own. There’s lots
of locally sourced ingredi-ents from the Arkansas Valley Organic Growers, gourmet sandwiches, soups and sal-ads, plus stellar desserts. — $
Coffee Cup Café251 Front St., Monument, 488-0663
Big plates at reasonable prices, since 1978. Expect the usual suspects like huevos ranche-ros, pancakes and chicken-fried steak and eggs for break-fast, and hefty Reubens and the like for lunch. And consider chasing your meal with a lovely slice of cake. — $
La Tartine french Bistro Café1420 Kelly Johnson Blvd., 598-5550, latartinefrenchbistro.com
Split off from the La Baguette group, La Tartine still serves the award-winning French onion soup and baked goods, plus extensive salads, sandwiches, breakfast plates and delight-fully highbrow entrées like the wonderful, garlicky escargot in garlic-parsley butter. — $
r&r Coffee Café11425 Black Forest Road, Black Forest, 494-8300, rnrcoffeecafe.com
Bad-ass coffee drinks from a very competent roaster, and equally well-handled pastries and baked goods, too. See photos on Facebook for proof. Past the sweets, a big menu of sandwiches, salads, burritos and breakfast plates awaits. Seriously worth the sidetrack during any I-25 trip. — $
speedtrap84 State Hwy. 105, Palmer Lake, 488-2007, speedtrapcoffeebar.com
Under smart new ownership, with an expanded menu of soups, salads and the like joining house-baked muffins and baked goods, to be en-joyed with a Serranos coffee or Bristol beer. Try the oddly awesome buffalo bratwurst crêpe with caramelized on-ions and sharp cheddar. — $
wisdom Tea house65 Second St., Monument, 481-8822, wisdomteahouse.com
If all meals just lead to des-sert for you, check out Wis-dom’s photos on its Facebook page. (Sweet sugary mercy!) The luscious sweets are an integral part of the traditional afternoon tea service ($22.50, requires two-day notice), but
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just dropping in for a killer buf-falo burger is also wise. — $
ChineseChina Café2761 Briargate Blvd., 260-1111
Here you’ll find heaping por-tions of Chinese standards with pleasantly crunchy veg-gies, and a nice, thick, chick-en-rich hot-and-sour soup. Your adolescents will want to order the Pu Pu platter ($12), for obvious reasons. — $
Lanshing Café9475 Briar Village Point, #150, 266-8351
Co-owner Cheau Jiang says Lanshing’s style reflects all re-gions of China, from Szechuan to Cantonese and beyond, which means good versions of dishes that are by now famil-iar to you, from Kung Pao to General Tso to dark and deli-cious black bean noodles. — $
silver Pond Chinese Gourmet5670 N. Academy Blvd., 594-9343, bestsilverpondchinese.com
Taiwanese chef Jack Hu has earned a loyal Springs fol-lowing over the last 15 years, and a recent visit showed us why: an unusual and excel-lent strawberry chicken, a rewarding “create your own lunch option,” and even house-made tea-leaf boba. Plus, gluten-free options and much more. — $$
Tsing Tao house3604 Hartsel Drive, Suite C, 528-8884, tsingtaohouse.com
A Briargate take-out star, it also serves cheap lunches — $6-to-$8 entrées include soup, rice, an egg roll, a crab rangoon and tea. Dinner of-fers the typical enormous se-lection found in many Chinese eateries, everything from hot Szechuan bean curd to honey-glazed walnut shrimp. — $
Dinerrosie’s Diner11550 Ridgeline Drive, 488-4753; 411 Hwy. 105, Monument, 481-3287, eatatrosies.com
The second location just opened last year a little north of New Life Church, with the same ‘50s decor including a faux Cadillac host stand. The menu is enormous, between breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, mains and 17 milk-shakes. Find everything from chicken quesadillas to liver and onions. — $
Fine DininGThe Margarita at PineCreek
7350 Pine Creek Road, 598-8667, margaritaatpinecreek.com
Our love for the Margarita knows no boundaries. The restaurant supports local ranching and agriculture; hosts a farmers market; does bad-ass multi-course prix fixe dinners; offers a more relaxed, comfort-food-rich lounge menu; and offers a great Sunday brunch and fun patio events. Simply one of the best. — $$$
Marigold Café and Bakery4605 Centennial Blvd., 599-4776, marigoldcoloradosprings.com
The owners of this 20-year-gem studied under legend-ary French chef Paul Bocuse (Dominique) as well as at the Culinary Institute of Amer-ica (Elaine). Beyond great French bistro-style entrées, Indy readers annually award the gorgeous desserts. 2011 runner-up for Best Overall Restaurant. — $$$
moZaic443 S. Hwy. 105, Palmer Lake, 481-1800, innatpalmerdivide.com
A lodge-set dining room with a view, whose seasonal menus are to be savored for Sunday brunch, lunch or din-ner. Lunch is gourmet-afford-able with the likes of a bison burger and soft-shell crab and bacon sandwich. The Black and Bleu Ribeye ($30) reigns supreme at dinner. — $$$
sunbird230 Point of the Pines Drive, 598-8990, thesunbird.com
A renowned Sunday brunch and unbeatable city skyline view. No lunch service, but a special three-course Sunset Dinner menu available from 4:30 to 6 ($17.95 to $19.95). The prime rib and filet mi-gnon are best-sellers, but nobody will steer you away from the Australian lobster tail. — $$$
GreaTer asianindia Palace5644 N. Academy Blvd., 535-9196
For our money and culinary adoration, none of young owner Raj Kumar’s menu items beat the divine, creamy chicken makhani. Still, the stir-fry-like mixed biryani also kills, after a tangy samosa chat app. Sample most widely at the $7.95 lunch buffet. — $
Mirch Masala5047 N. Academy Blvd., 599-0003, mirchmasalacuisine.com
Holding several past Best Of victories in the last decade (and generously sharing its delicious rice pudding recipe on its website), Mirch Ma-sala’s expansive Indian lunch buffet ($8.95) rivals its com-petitors easily. As do evening entrées like curries, tandoori meats, biryani, and rich pan-eer plates. — $
Taste of india4820 Flintridge Drive, 598-3428, tasteofindiasprings.com
For most loyal guests, the all-you-can-eat lunch buf-fet ($8.95, Tuesday through Sunday) is the highlight. Since 1998, this has been a frequent Best Of winner (second place this year), with wide support from the Indian community. Butter chicken, saag paneer — it’s all here, made beautifully. — $
iTaLianMollica’s italian Market & Deli985 W. Garden of the Gods Road, 598-1088, mollicas.com
Stuffing the Springs with deli-cious carbs since 1987, Mol-lica’s is a family affair with true Italian charm: great sandwiches loaded with fine deli meats and cheeses, often meeting an au jus dip. And that’s saying nothing of the big salads and manicotti and pastas of the day. — $
The Villa75 S. Hwy. 105, Palmer Lake, 481-2222, thevillapalmerlake.com
Its history entwined with the Roman Villa, this recently re-vived Villa combines simple Italian plates and contempo-rary gourmet items under the leadership of the former B&E Filling Station owners. Start with delightful crab and craw-fish cakes, then get the ham-amped sea scallops. — $$
koreansan Chang house3659 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 598-1707
Our regular winner for Best Ko-rean, San Chang is constantly packed with members of the lo-cal Korean community, a good sign past what your senses tell you. We recently got happily punished by the spicy nakji bo-kum, octopus with crisp veggies and kimchi. Get some. — $$
MeDiTerra-neanBriar Mart1843 Briargate Blvd., 528-6869; 6799 N. Academy Blvd. (opening around late spring), caspiancafe.com
Tied by family to the Caspian
Cafe, Briar Mart is basically a tiny eatery inside an ethnic grocery store (a bonus for drink and dessert selection). It’s dished delectable, afford-able Mideast fare for the last 15 years. Get the wonderful Mazeh Platter, and look for a second location soon. — $
Greek Grille Cafe8844 N. Union Blvd., 282-7776, greekgrillecafe.com
A solid stop for falafel and kabobs, also using specialty Kronos Foods products for the non-house-made items. Go for a grilled chicken plate or fat gyro. — $
heart of Jerusalem Café4587 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 685-9554, heartofjerusalemcafe.com
The 2011 winner for Best Middle Eastern and Hummus, Heart of Jerusalem is affordable and delicious. Fun blends like the “chikofel” and “beefofel” buck the norm, but it’s hard to argue against the $8, sha-warma-loaded hummus bowl plate. Baklava mandatory. — $
MexiCan/soUThwesTBig Burrito3659 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 598-0843
Open late and dishing fit-tingly big-ass burritos, this extension of a small Arizona-based chain is quite good for its category. The carne asada fries are killer, as is the carne asada burrito with a great guacamole, and shredded dark-meat chicken taco. — $
Carlos Miguel’s9605 Prominent Point, 282-7890, carlosmiguels.com
Somewhat of a gourmet Mexican joint, worth the up-charge, Carlos Miguel’s opened its third Springs loca-tion in Briargate in mid-2011, adding to its holdings in Woodland Park and on Chey-enne Mountain Boulevard. Great margaritas, ceviche and entrées like the pollo en mole. — $$
el Padrino Mexicano13425 Voyager Pkwy., 487-2727, elpadrinos.com
Darin Vasquez of the Bean Bandit family opened this sharply decorated, upscale Tex-Mex spot in mid-2008, dishing sizable combo plates at both lunch and dinner, plus steaks and seafood plates at night. We like the green chile-smothered guacamole-and-shredded-pork burrito. — $
el super Taco1485 Jamboree Drive, 266-6633
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the second locati on open-ing outside Chapel Hills Mall last fall, El Super Taco pulls in many with its carne asada fries and variety of sweet churros for dessert. We en-joyed a perfectly pleasing Super Adobado Burrito (pork and refried beans) and carne asada chimichanga. — $
La Casa Fiesta New Mexican Restaurant230 Front St., Monument, 481-1234, lacasa� esta.net
Indy readers’ choice for Mon-ument neighborhood eatery, with 60-plus years history under the Morris family. It’s known for superior margari-tas (more than 60 tequilas are on hand), and best-sellers like the smoked pork carnitas and chipotle honey lime ribs. Also features a full gluten-free menu. — $
La Perla Tapatía Mexican Taqueria4737 N. Academy Blvd., 228-6006, laperlatapatiacs.com
Transplanted in 2011 from its original west-side spot and run by Guadalajara nati ve Sergio Laureano, “the pearl” is dynamite. You must eat one of our Top 10 picks of 2011, the tortas de pierna, a giant, smoky pork sandwich with salsa fresca, crema es-pesa and God’s blessing. — $
Pueblo Viejo5598 N. Academy Blvd., 266-1999; 5934 Stetson Hills Blvd., 638-6040
With four locati ons, includ-ing others in Fort Collins and Windsor, Pueblo Viejo is sharply decorated and on the upscale side of Tex-Mex. An extensive menu features all the usuals — chile rellenos, steak fajitas, carnitas, enchila-das — plus fat seafood plates and good margaritas. — $$
Salsa Brava Fresh Mexican Grill9420 Briar Village Point, #100, 955-6650;
802 Village Center Drive, 266-9244; rockymtnrg.com/salsabrava
Also with a Highlands Ranch locati on, Salsa Brava is the Rocky Mountain Restaurant Group’s Tex-Mex face, more upscale than most with great service. Also: good weekday happy hour deals, $5 mar-garita Mondays (4 p.m. to close), a gluten-free menu, excellent house salsas and much more. — $$
Señor Manuel’s Mexican Cuisine4660 N. Nevada Ave., 598-3033, senormanuel.com
You don’t make it 40-plus-years in this business by be-ing bland. The Hernandez family operates a “torti lla factory” below decks, mak-ing fresh masa, torti llas and house chips. Go for the unique chile rellenos: a Monterey Jack-stuff ed pepper engulfed by an egg souffl é and chile con queso puddle. — $$
PIZZAFat Boys Pizza2322 Vickers Drive, 304-5550, fatboyspizzaco.com
Now with three locati ons, including one at Fort Carson, fi ve-year-old Fat Boys does game-day food well: stupen-dous Parmesan and garlic butt er sti cks; spicy, meaty wings with a sharp vinegar tang; and great pizza, with a crunchy, then chewy, home-made dough; and sweet sauce. — $$
Joey’s Pizza1829 Briargate Blvd., 265-6922
Young Long Island nati ve Joey Stasolla has built a loyal Springs following in the handful of years he’s been slinging here. He’s good enough to have faced Gor-don Ramsay and crew on MasterChef last year, too. “Real” New York-style pizza with atti tude. — $$
PUB FOODBack East Bar & Grill9475 Briar Village Point, 264-6161, backeastbarandgrill.com
Our readers’ favorite north-side neighborhood bar, this is your spot for game day, or any day you’re in need of a pint and food ranging from New York-style pizza, burgers and pastas to a Philly steak hoagie, wings, salads and cinnamon-sugar-sprinkled sweet-potato puff s. — $
1st & 10 Sports Bar & Grill1455 Cipriani Loop, Monu-ment, 487-0737, 1stand10monument.com
While free UFC fi ghts are a draw, those with strictly culi-nary bloodlust will want the duck wings with jerk season-ing, “spicy balls” (yes, testi -cles), gator nuggets, the Fully Loaded wood-oven pizza, or excellent brats from Denver’s Conti nental Sausage. — $$
O’Malley’s Steak Pub104 State Hwy. 105, Palmer Lake, 488-0321, omalleys.biz
Grilling your own ribeye, New York strip or buff alo or beef burger is the fun schti ck here. But there’s a lot more to like at your pick for Best Neigh-borhood Bar in Monument, including a wide, well-priced beer list and complimentary shutt le-bus rides home on weekends. — $$
Wyatt’s Pub & Grill806 Village Center Drive, 598-4100
Co-owned by the folks behind Back East Bar and Grill, Wy-att ’s dishes similarly excep-ti onal pub grub. It’s got a great house guacamole; thoroughly sati sfying pizzas like the Ulti -mate with steak, bacon and jalapeños; and stellar sand-wiches like the Twister — roast beef on a pretzel roll from the local baking professionals at Wimberger’s Old World Bak-ery and Delicatessen. — $
SOUTHERN/BARBECUE/CAJUNBroken Bones Smokin’ Pit481 State Hwy. 105, Suite G, Monument, 487-0471
It’s Arizona roots with Texas fl air, mesquite- and pecan-wood-smoked barbecue, best sampled on a large com-bo platt er with three meats, two sides and a drink for less than $12. The zesty mustard barbecue sauce goes great on the brisket. — $
SUSHI/JAPANESEAi Sushi & Grill/Sushi Ai4655 Centennial Blvd., 266-5858, aisushi.us
There are three local sushi eateries (with the other two off Academy and Powers boulevards) that incorpo-rate “Ai” into their name, all owned separately. From our readers’ feedback, you won’t be disappointed at any of them. — $$
Bara Sushi & Grill1645 Briargate Pkwy., #245, 599-7330, sushibara.com
Bara, which has a second locati on in the Denver Tech Center, is a modern space with beauti ful plate presen-tati ons. Among the special rolls: the Super Spider Man and The Big Lebowski. Who’s having some fun? — $$
Jun Japanese Restaurant1760 Dublin Blvd., 531-9368
This Best Of voters’ favorite, run by meti culous sushi chef Jun Aizu, just added authenti c ramen and shabu-shabu in its fully renovated Dublin loca-ti on. Take advantage of daily happy hours from 5 to 6:30 as well as a $1 menu at lunch. We can’t recommend a single item or roll, because they’re all prett y damn stellar. — $$
Kura Japanese Restaurant3478B Research Pkwy., 282-8238, kurasushicolora-dosprings.com
For fi ve years, Song Brinck has steadily built clientele at her beauti ful, modern space. She recently added Teppanyaki service to the Japanese en-trées and sushi. Happy hours are a good ti me to visit, for buy-one-get-one drinks and $1 to $1.50 off popular items like the Research Roll. — $$
Sushi Rakkyo9205 N. Union Blvd., 645-8754, sushirakkyo.com
We’ve seldom been happier to eat so much for so litt le. You can absolutely punish the all-you-can-eat dining model for $14.95 at lunch and $24.95 at dinner. And it’s quality: The super White Fish Volcano roll earned a spot on our dishes of 2011 list, and the sashimi is as fresh as if it just rolled in out of the water. Holy nigiri overload. — $$
Tomo Sushi II8029 N. Academy Blvd., 277-0200, eatattomo.com
The same overall excellent menu serves this locati on and the original Tomo at 975 N. Academy. Though most folks go for the sushi — The Bomb and Tijuana Ninja rolls are big winners — lunch bento boxes are generous and dinner steaks in Japanese sauces, delicious. — $$
THAIBhan Thai4431 Centennial Blvd., 266-1309, bhanthai.net
Our town’s two Bhan Thai eateries are separately
owned now (also see bhan-thaico.com), but indisti n-guishable as far as most pa-trons are concerned. You’ll fi nd totally sati sfying versions of your Thai favorites for very reasonable prices. — $
Lanna Thai8810 N. Union Blvd., 282-0474, lannathaicolorado-springs.com
“Hot means hot,” promises the website. You’ll also fi nd no MSG, plenty of gluten-free opti ons, and great renditi ons of Thai standards. The tom yum goong is exemplary, and Lanna’s curries are among the best around, abundant with fl avor and fl oral herb notes. — $$
Thai Mint1725 Briargate Blvd., 598-7843, thai-mint.com
Dishing a fun, house-made Thai tea ice cream, Thai Mint is MSG-free and generally prett y good. The tod mun fi sh cake starters are bright, and the tom ka gai soup delivers proper lemongrass punch. For entrées, a nice, light op-ti on is the clear-noodle pad woon sen sti r fry. — $
VIETNAMESELemongrass Bistro6840 N. Academy Blvd., 592-1391, restauranteur.com/lemongrassbistro
Aft er the awesome beef lemon app, get a delightf ully fresh bun or classic, fragrant pho, or one of a wide entrée list, including the Lemon-grass Three Amigos: shrimp, beef and chicken in spicy lemongrass sauce. Run by Dang Truong, brother of the popular Saigon Café’s Paul Truong. — $$
Other eateries with North locations:
Arceo’s Mexican Family Restaurant,4608 Rusina Road, see p. 46Bird Dog BBQ, 1645 Briargate Pkwy., 599-4655, see p. 78Borriello Brothers, 5490 Powers Center Point; 15910 Jackson Creek Pkwy., Monument; 3240 Centennial Blvd., see p. 47Louie’s Pizza, 2771 Briargate Blvd., see p. 47 Trivelli’s Hoagies, 4547 Austi n Bluff s Pkwy., see p. 43
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NORTH
The north side offers plenty of opportunity to exercise your good taste and your pocketbook at the same time.
I’m reluctant to divulge this, my secret weapon against showing up giftless to last-minute birthday parties, but Retrospect Dry Goods (251 Front St., #8, Monument, retrodrygoods.com) is too good not to share. With Mad Men-esque dresses, Star Trek memorabilia, nostalgia-inducing candy and soda, and old-school-cool tchotchkes of every description, there’s almost no one who wouldn’t get a grin out of a present from the past.
Just a few doors down, the newly opened Keepsakes Unlimited (251 Front St., #12, 487-1647) offers the real thing: Vintage comic books vie for space with lovely old textiles, blue glass Mason jars and slightly terrifying kitchen implements from the days of yore.
As for the future, Historic Monument also now offers a destination for your favorite oenophile or home brew enthusiast. Longtime north side favorite High Country Home & Garden (243 Washington St., highcountryhg.com) is becoming Hi Country Home-brew, following the owners’ passion for home wine- and beer-making. The nursery and garden center is gone, though you can still snap up some killer deals on remaining garden supplies, but the space will be a fully operational winery by November, with grapes sourced from California and Colorado.
Speaking of a new winery, I can’t help but think of the most gorgeous birthday gift I received last year: a set of tumblers from local upcycling company Wine Punts (winepunts.com). Never has drinking your wine straight from the bottle looked so elegant. The Springs-based company (run by a former Independent employee) sells its wares directly from its website.
Just down the street from Hi Country Homebrew is Margo’s on the Alley (253 Washington St., margo-sonthealley.com), housed in one of the quirky, tiny cottages that dot the historic side of town. The venue
suits its well-curated mix of vintage and faux-vintage home décor, women’s apparel and gifts. For a chic hostess gift, choose a selection of the pretty soy candles in tall glass tumblers, which come in scents like Moroccan spice and fresh-cut grass.
Back on Front Street, the Bead Corner (251 Front St., beadcorneronline.com) is a gold mine for those look-ing for exclusive high-quality focal pieces and other beading supplies, or a ready-made gift that comes with free good karma. The shop is a hub for three different supported employment programs for adults with devel-opmental disabilities, who make and sell their work under the FLY Program label in the retail portion of the space along with other local jewelry artists. It also offers crafting help and free classes.
A few steps away, Frog on a Limb Primitives (341 Front St., frogonalimb.com/in_monument) provides another chance to do some socially conscious consumption, offering locally sourced gifts, décor and food with a log-cabin-folksy vibe. Frog is also behind the Shop Local Monument page on Facebook (facebook.com/Shop-LocalMonument), a trove of non-chain retail options in the 80132 ZIP code. Speaking of log cabins, Black Forest’s Table Rock Llamas Fiber Arts (6520 Shoup Road, tablerockllamas.com) seems to come straight out of a frontier trading post, with rich-dyed Paraguayan skeins and bundles of raw buffalo wool.
Personally, I’d rather make a steal than a shawl. So wild horses couldn’t keep me away from the April 13 opening of the Sephora store, the cult beauty chain’s first local location, at the Promenade Shops at Briar-gate (1885 Briargate Pkwy., thepromenadeshopsat-briargate.com). The Promenade Shops make a strong alternative to the venerable Chapel Hills Mall (1710 Briargate Blvd., chapelhillsmall.com), with wide side-walks, sunny storefronts, outdoor speakers blasting peppy music, and the locally owned, fashion-forward Lucy & Louise Atelier (635-2077).
The north side Discover Goodwill Southern and West-
ern Colorado retail store (1070 Kelly Johnson Blvd., goodwill-colosprings.org) offers more for those who prefer the thrill of the hunt and bang-for-the-buck over shiny presentation. It might not be local and it certainly takes the quirk factor out of thrift shopping, but nothing can steal the satisfaction of a gorgeous $5 find.
Over on the Nevada corridor, among the chains in University Village (5201 N. Nevada Ave., uvcshop-ping.com), you can also find some great bargains at XS Threadz (xsthreadz.com), a family-owned and -operated secondhand shop for name-brand clothing.
If you have to have it new, there are still other options that won’t break the bank. The Academy corridor offers plenty, including the fun Chef Sugar’s (6942 N. Academy Blvd., chefsugar.com) for those who like their gifts edible rather than wearable. One of the best-kept secrets in the outdoor gear world is the new GoLite (7160 N. Academy Blvd., golite.com) store. The Boulder-based company sells high-perfor-mance gear that’s “lite on the planet.”
We can’t miss mentioning one of the newest spots to open on the north end, cafe velo (11550 Ridgeline Drive, #102, cafevelobikes.com). As half the name indicates, this shop features bicycles — road, triath-lon and endurance MTB — cycling accessories, and mechanics on staff to care for your bikes. The other half of the name refers to the in-house coffee shop. One tune-up and a latte, please!
Other stores with North locations: Arc Thrift Store (4402 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., see p. 71); Christal’s (3737 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., see p. 71); Colorado Running Company (9275 N. Union Blvd., #120, see p. 48); Costco (5050 N. Nevada Ave., see p. 78); Meeker Music (3604 Hartsel Drive, see p. 48); Natural Gro-cers by Vitamin Cottage (7690 N. Academy Blvd., see p. 71); Veda Salon & Spa (7443 N. Academy Blvd.; 5182 N. Nevada Ave.; see p. 71); Wag N’ Wash (1234 E. Woodmen Road, see p. 88); Whole Foods Market (7635 N. Academy Blvd., see p. 78). n
ShoppingFor past times, pastimes and deals too good to pass up, the north side shines
By Claire Swinford
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This region, as we’re defining it from Garden of the Gods Road up to Larkspur, makes for an
easy trek to golfing with a Frisbee or a putter, and provides the kind of topog-raphy that’s not too imposing for new-bies and families on bikes or on foot.
That said, some trails will wipe you out. (Details on those and more can be found on smartphone applications such as AllTrails and EveryTrail as well as websites such as cospringstrails.com and trailsandopenspaces.org.) And if the hills and mountains don’t get you, the MPs might: Many of the miles of trails fall within the confines of the U.S. Air Force Academy, so be ready to have your trunk checked and have a photo ID in hand.
Two wheels, two feet
For those who enjoy two wheels in town, the Colorado Springs Parks
Department is replacing sections of torn-up asphalt with concrete on vari-ous portions of the Pikes Peak Greenway (springsgov.com). This includes the sec-tion near Criterium Bicycles (6150 Cor-porate Drive, criterium.com), where many locals stop in for a snack, bath-room break or tune-up.
Store vice president Nic Ponsor says most bicyclists on that part of the trail have been riding mountain bikes or hybrids with enough tread to navigate
the rough patches. If the city paved the whole trail, Ponsor says, it would make it more of an option for inline skaters, skateboarders and road bikers.
So where does Ponsor ride his moun-tain bike? He says, “a gorgeous place in the summer to ride or run” is the 13-mile loop single track around Ram-part Reservoir (see p. 91). And from there, riders can connect to the 13-mile Falcon Trail at the Academy. The some-what challenging trail can be too techni-cal for beginners, but is popular with skilled bikers who like the sometimes sandy, but often muddy, hairpin turns requiring you to pick a line and commit.
Riders can also hit the wide, mean-dering roads through the Academy and pick up the New Santa Fe Regional Trail (springsgov.com). It extends through the Academy by the stadium, chapel and other sites, all the way north to Palmer Lake. It also goes south, connecting with the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and on to Fountain Creek Regional Trail.
Also at the Academy, hikers can take on the popular, but taxing, Stanley Canyon and Eagle Peak trails. Stanley Canyon is known for its views, but it’ll make you work for ’em: The first mile is almost straight uphill. When it flattens out a bit, you get views of the Academy and the city, as well as spring wildflow-ers on the ground around you. Mean-while, Eagle Peak is only three miles,
but over that short distance it makes a 1,294-foot elevation gain.
Before trying the trails more likely to cause some knee-scraping, Ponsor recommends spending some time at the BMX track at Rampart High School (8250 Lexington Drive, asd20.org) or the dirt track section in the Richard “Goose” Gossage Youth Sports Complex(3225 Mark Dabling Blvd., springsgov.com). The rhythm sections and jumps help you practice handling skills, he says, upping your confidence.
An instant fix
Several city parks and open spaces bring nature closer to the masses.
Austin Bluffs Open Space (springsgov.com) combines several properties for more than 500 acres of hiking and biking trails, plus as an up-close view of Pulpit Rock (more frequently seen towering next to Interstate 25).
A ways west of there, Blodgett Peak Open Space (springsgov.com) has mul-tiple trails for hiking and running, while Ute Valley Park (springsgov.com) has some challenges laid out for moun-tain bikers. Most are short, so they’re a good option if you’re short on time.
For something a little lighter, El Paso County is fixing up several parts of Black Forest Regional Park (4800 Shoup Road, Black Forest, elpasoco.com). Construction of a pedestrian bridge
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will create a quarter-mile loop around a fishing pond, says Jason Meyer, park planner with the county commu-nity services department. That adds to upgrades on three miles of trail and the closing of 4.5 miles of trail to keep the park sustainable. Crews will also build an equestrian trailhead as well as pave the parking lot and entrance road. The county is also working to refurbish restrooms at many of the parks, Meyer says.
Farther north at Fox Run Regional Park (2110 Stella Drive, Black For-est, elpasoco.com), the county has a 5-acre dog park in the works, along with trail improvements and bathroom upgrades. It already has playgrounds, ornamental lakes and pavilions.
For those seeking an even more manicured escape, the north side has several options for picking up a putter, driver or iron.
These days, many golf clubs, includ-ing these, offer online specials. King’s Deer Golf Club (19255 Royal Troon Drive, Monument, kingsdeergolfclub.com) is semi-private but the public can still take advantage of their deals. Pleasing for a variety of golfers, tee yardages range from 5,054 yards from the forward tees to nearly 7,000 yards from the professional tees.
Gleneagle Golf Club (345 Mission Hill Way, gleneaglegolfclub.com) actually breaks the 7,000-yard bar-rier (at 7,230 yards for its “gold” tees), so it’s probably best for sin-gle-digit handicappers, unless you believe the thin air will really make your ball fly. It’s one of two public courses on the north end, along with Pine Creek Golf Club (9850 Divot Trial, pinecreekgc.com).
You probably know this already, but you don’t need a set of golf clubs to enjoy a fairway. Three disc golf courses fall into our north-side boundaries, two public and one private.
The city’s Cottonwood Creek Park disc golf course (7040 Rangewood Drive, springsgov.com) is the busiest around. And that’s just one of Cotton-wood’s draws: The park also boasts an inline skating rink and pool, mak-ing it popular among multiple groups.
For more quiet, try driving up to Larkspur: the Jellystone Park camp-ground (650 Sky View Lane, jelly-stonelarkspur.com) opened a course in 2010. Or get to know some people in the know, and see if they can help get you access to the private Sakuna Pines course in Black Forest.
For details on the more than 100 courses in Colorado, check sites such as dgcoursereview.com, the Pikes Peak Flying Disc Club (ppfdc.com),
and the Colorado Disc Sports Associa-tion (coloradodisc.com).
Pushing the limits
OK, really want to make an escape? Castlewood Canyon State Park
(off Highway 83, five miles south of Franktown, parks.state.co.us) prom-ises more variety than most state parks, including a wheelchair-friendly interpretive nature trail. Go deeper into the park, and you can take on some climbing and bouldering. Just consider buffing up your climbing skills, before you go, at Sport Climb-ing Center (4650 Northpark Drive, sportclimbcs.com.
Dogs not willing to wait for their new area at Black Forest’s Fox Run park can enjoy freedom at Devon’s Dog Park off the I-25 Greenland exit on East Noe Road. The accompanying Greenland Open Space Trail (cospring-strails.com/hikes/greenland.html) is an easy eight-mile loop with a 500-foot elevation gain; instead of the rocky canyons and cliffs elsewhere, this tours over undulating hills through native grasslands, limiting the crashing possi-bilities for bikers. Ponsor actually rec-ommends Greenland as a great place for beginners to start riding. But don’t speed through too fast — it’s also known for colorful wildflowers.
Looking for something a little steeper? The Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail (from South Valley Road near Palmer Lake, farrunner.com/Cours-es/CSTRPalmerLakeTrail.html) has an 800-foot elevation gain in the three-mile round-trip hike. It’s not the Incline (see p. 91), but it gets you up high enough for picturesque views and even ice caves in winter.
If you want a few more miles, take a side route into the Pike National Forest. The 11-acre reservoir is also a prime fishing spot for rainbow trout, and is also stocked with channel cat-fish and bluegill.
Outside of Monument on Mount Herman Road, the Monument Fire Cen-ter (fs.usda.gov) area contains 22 miles of blue- to black-rated trails, and is another of Ponsor’s recommendations. It has short one- to two-mile trails as well as six- to eight-mile trails, and they send you through scrub oak and ponderosa pines that can keep anyone on a bike, horse or their own two feet entertained for hours.
Also from Mount Herman Road, you can hit a trail to summit Mount Herman itself (everytrail.com/guide/mt-herman). With views of the east-ern plains and also lots of wildflow-ers, it’s a four-mile out-and-back with a steep climb that’s prized by locals for being wonderfully not busy. n
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Daytime hangoutsGrab the keys and kids, then hit the road
By Edie Adelstein
The good news about this part of town is that there’s a lot to do. The bad news is, you’ll need to
drive. To hit any of these places, or more than one, you’ll need transportation that caters to their scattered locations.
Not to miss is the U.S. Air Force Academy (usafa.af.mil), a lovely campus guarded by a vast swath of land. Visitors flood the Academy for sporting events, especially football, but you can tour some of the grounds year-round. (Hey, taxpayers cover tuition and fees, after all.) The Cadet Field House, Arnold Hall, Cadet Chapel and Falcon Stadium are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Before the USAFA settled here in the ’50s, rodeos were a much larger part of our identity. The annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo still happens with all its shine and swag, but the town keeps up the tra-dition in a historic manner, too, with the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy (101 ProRodeo Drive, prorodeohalloffame.com).
You can find more era history at the Western Museum of Mining and Indus-try (225 North Gate Blvd., wmmi.org). Did you know miners faced nox-ious gases, volatile dynamite and faulty mine shafts? Ore’s neat, but harrowing deaths bring the crowds. Maybe not. Never mind.
Moving to a sunnier topic on our Old West tour, we reach the Flying W Ranch (3330 Chuckwagon Road, fly-ingw.com), a theme park of sorts with a chuckwagon dinner, songs by the Fly-ing W Wranglers and a summer-only village to explore.
Flying W may be an awesome spot for kids at company picnics, but hot
days demand modern technology. See Cottonwood Creek Recreation Center (3920 Dublin Blvd., springsgov.com/parks), a marvel of aquatic fun engi-neering. For similar water adventures, the city-run Wilson Ranch Pool (2335 Allegheny Drive, springsgov.com/parks), which has been closed due to budget cutbacks, may reopen this sum-mer. Check the website for updates. Other forms of fun are available via Shotz Lazer Tag & Billiards (4474 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., shotztag.com) and paint-your-own shops like Paint the Town (7844 N. Academy Blvd., paint-the-town.com).
Kids also will probably appreciate a trip to Peak Ranch Alpacas (19850 Beacon Lite Road, Monument, peak-ranchalpacas.com). It’s open from 10 to 4 on Saturdays, where you can get a firsthand look at the fuzzy animals and the “alpaca lifestyle,” and buy many soft things in the boutique.
Nearby in Palmer Lake, Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (304 State Hwy. 105, trilakesarts.org) is home to galleries, a shop, studios and class space. It also hosts concerts, the occasional play and a grab bag of other events, year-round.
Farther south, GOCA 1420 at the Uni-versity of Colorado Colorado Springs (1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., galleryuccs.org) is half the college’s energetic gallery program. (See more on its twin, GOCA 121, on p. 51.) While parking at UCCS is both annoying and terrifying, the gallery is worth the trouble. Take, for example, last summer’s HIVE show, based on the theme of cross-pollination. It included a giant wooden hive made from woven branches you could crawl
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Mug up
Where to get your caffeine in these parts depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s the Springs’ best coffee roaster (as voted by Indy readers) and a convenient place
to peruse your newspaper or iPad, you’ll want to hit the Pikes Perk (5965 N. Academy Blvd., pikesperkcoffee.com) up this way.
Away from the North Academy bustle, Coffee & Tea Zone (12225 Voyager Pkwy. #3; 6628A Delmonico Drive; coffeeandteazone.com) also offers strong coffee. But it may be best known for its various Boba (bubble tea) offerings, and an extensive cold-drink menu. Plus, there’s Kairos Coffee and Tea (505 Popes Bluff Trail, ywamsf.org/kairoscoffeeandtea.html), an outreach program of Christian advocacy group Youth With a Mission, which offers some sweet (and free) wi-fi along with the liquids.
For a true escape, R&R Coffee Café (11425 Black Forest Road, rnrcoffeecafe.com)has some of the better baristas in our burg, not to mention a mud color commensurate with the dirt ringing the surrounding forest trees. This spot also offers full breakfast and lunch menus, and touts an “obsessiveness” with its pastries. Also, a little farther up into a Gleneagle shopping area lies Lomer’e Fine Coffees (1070 W. Baptist Road, 487-7788).
Moving a few miles north from there, you’ll find some quality bean-slingers nestled into the cozy town of Monument. At Wesley Owens Coffee (1773 Lake Woodmoor Drive, 481-2145), one employee recommends Wesley’s Caramel, a two-to-four-shot espresso beast. And at Serranos Coffee Co. (625 State Hwy. 105, serranoscoffee.com), you can see why its roasters are called upon to distribute beans to more than a few local spots.
— Bryce Crawford
into, as well as brainy works done in encaustic (beeswax) and a video piece. Not bad, huh?
Strangely, Locals Barbershop (5230 N. Nevada Ave., #120, localscut.com)encapsulates much of what the north has to offer. Haircuts don’t work with
the metaphor, but haircuts with a beer? That’ll work anywhere. More to the point, Locals hangs artwork by area luminaries like Phil Lear, and hosts live music some evenings, and stand-up comedy here and there. Not exactly what you expected, is it? ■
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Nighttime hangoutsWhere to find the loud, proud and partying
By Bryce Crawford
Another Pint American Ale House
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Oh sure, you can go downtown. You’ll find a little dancing, a little drinking and a lot of dis-
order. You might even find a young lad or lass. But you’ll never find The Party, and that’s because it’s way north of Fill-more Street.
And why shouldn’t it be? You’ve got, like, 200 chain restaurants between the U.S. Air Force Academy and Pow-ers Boulevard, all powered by count-less 20-somethings. When they’re off work, they drink and drink and sing at Good Company Restaurant & Bar (7625 N. Union Blvd., goodcompanybar.com), a corner spot that’s probably older than the neighborhood and continually rein-vents itself. Or they go to Guthrie’s (1410 Kelly Johnson Blvd., 260-8486). It’s L-shaped with roughly the square foot-age of the car that brought you, but it’s got a dartboard at the long end.
The Dublin House (1850 Dominion Way, 265-8820) — “The Dub House” or “The Dub,” if you had my friends — teems with a mix of horny singles and couples of all ages, those who want to just drink and karaoke with fury, and rocking lovers of live music. The cops will follow you out of the parking lot, so, as at all the spots mentioned here, drink like you want to stay out of jail.
Considering you’d likely be making a drive north to hit it, that advice goes double for O’Malley’s Steak Pub (104 S. Hwy. 105, omalleys.biz) in Palmer Lake. Besides the pretty awesome fact that there’s a grill in the back for cooking your own burgers and steaks, the barn-looking bar’s got a popular vibe all its own — last year, readers voted it the Best Neighborhood Bar in the area.
Though it sometimes seems damn near impossible to find a Denver Broncos bar, those catering to sports of all types are everywhere. Indie ones include All-
American Sports Café Bar & Grill (12225 Voyager Pkwy., allamericansportscafe.com), whose wings are an Indy favorite, and Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (2809 Dublin Blvd., otsportsbar.qwestoffice.net), where you can get started with breakfast on weekend game days.
Way up north, 1st and 10 Sports Bar & Grill (1455 Cipriani Loop, 1stand10mon-ument.com) in Monument has great, great pizza and an impressive array of microbrews for the discerning drinker (which you, reader, clearly are). Farther south is Back East Bar & Grill (9475 Briar Village Point, backeastbarandgrill.com) and, toward Garden of the Gods, Hondo’s Sports Bar & Grill (4659 Centennial Blvd., hondoscoloradosprings.com).
Another Pint American Ale House (13860 Gleneagle Drive, anotherpint.net) has some the hardest-to-get brews from elsewhere. Add in monthly beer dinners, and it’s a place to keep in mind.
Now, you might have heard we have a few breweries around here. Trinity Brew-ing Co. (1466 Garden of the Gods Road, trinitybrew.com) specializes in saisons and, like any good brewer, shares its taps with a wide array of out-of-state outfits. At the new Pikes Peak Brewing Co. (1756 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument, pikespeakbrewing.com), brewer Chris Wright has already established himself as a badass. Colorado Mountain Brewery (11202 Rampart Hills View, cmbrew.com) goes the full-restaurant route while catering to the AFA crowd. That leaves national chain BJ’s Restaurant and Brew-house (5150 N. Nevada Ave., bjsbrew-house.com), whose avocado egg rolls are better than they have any right to be.
And speaking of beer, you can get some while also getting an eyeful at Fab-ulous TNT’s (4630 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., fabuloustnts.com), the rare all-nude club with a full bar. ■
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SOUTH
Go for ...... grass-fed goodness:Bingo Burger, p. 69
... naughty necessiti es:Christal’s, p. 71
... an anti cipated makeover:The new Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center, p. 72
... a bounty of blades:World Figure Skati ng Museum and Hall of Fame, p. 73
50 whiskeys:Downtown Bar, p. 74
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SOUTH
AmericAnFlatiron’s American Bar & Grill2540 Tenderfoot Hill St., 576-2540, flatirons.biz
Having graduated from Best New Restaurant to Best Amer-ican eatery in our readers’ poll, this restaurant dishes ev-erything from Sunday brunch and great daily happy-hour deals ($3 items from 3 to 6) to pastas, pizzas, burgers and steaks. — $$
BurGers & sAndwichesBingo Burger101 Central Plaza, Pueblo, 719/225-8363, bingoburger.com
One of our favorite restau-rants anywhere. It’s a sus-tainable, gourmet version of a fast-food joint, complete with grass-fed Colorado beef, locally grown produce and a great drink selection. The Pueblo chile-stuffed Bingo Burger stars, but the lamb and specialty burgers are power-houses, too. — $
Feelin’ A-Little Philly2750 S. Academy Blvd., #110, 392-5004, feelinalittlephillycs.com
Inspired by, but separate from, two like-named locations in Pueblo, Feelin’ is obviously another Philly tribute, with super-affordable subs and great French fries. Beyond hot and cold hoagie options are six Philly cheese steak rendi-tions, including one that subs chicken for steak. — $
cAFéOlde world Bagels & deli 1670 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 527-9651, oldeworldbagel.com
A testament to their quality: Olde World Bagels are served at 40-plus other eateries in the area, places that appreci-ate high-quality bagels, made from scratch. Stop in for 20-plus varieties, breakfast ba-gels, pastries, sandwiches, coffee drinks and more. — $
ski Barista124 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 576-7542
This ski lodge-themed spot makes its own soups, quiches, salads and some baked goods, with a sweets assist from Boon-zaaijer’s Dutch Bakery. Fridays
bring a cheese and/or choco-late fondue in the evenings; the coffee hails from Pittsburgh-based roaster Kiva Han. — $
chinesechopsticks Asian Bistro120 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 579-9111, chopsticksasianbistro.com
Promoting “a twist on Asian fusion,” Chopsticks is slightly upscale and pleasantly mini-malist, with food that’s clean and bright with distinct flavor and presentation. Example: The orange flavored chicken ($9) in a tangy brown sauce with orange rinds and fiery Japones peppers. — $$
dinerdad’s Kwik inn diner385 Main St., Security, 392-5063, dadskwikinn.com
Here you can find the best of two worlds: gut-bombing diner food and smoky barbecue, the result of one business absorb-ing the 50-year legacy of an-other. House-smoked brisket with house Death Metal sauce, alongside heaping burgers and all the greasy egg-stuffs that coffee complements. — $
Fine dininGThe Broadmoor dining properties1 Lake Ave., 577-5771, broadmoordining.com
The five-diamond Penrose Room is the priciest pinnacle, and simply incredible. Summit sports the same chef in a more relaxed, contemporary setting known for killer cocktails. Lake Terrace Dining Room is the superlative spot for a 100-item Sunday brunch buf-fet. Charles Court boasts truly local Colorado cuisine, and serves fantastic small plates at the adjacent West Lobby Bar. The more relaxed Tavern does delightful things with steak, seafood and a wide menu. And most relaxed, the Golden Bee is styled as a 19th-century English pub, complete with ales by the yard. — $$$
restaurant Fifteen Twentyone123 N. Main St., Pueblo, 719/542-9999, restaurant1521.com
At the pinnacle of Pueblo’s fine-dining scene, ex-Denver chef Duy Pham builds deli-cious contemporary plates with classic French influences.
It’s dinner only, with five-course chef’s tables by ad-vance request, seasonal farm-to-table events and beauties like Duck Two Ways (breast and confit). — $$$
walter’s Bistro146 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 630-0201, waltersbistrocs.com
Many people start with a cup of Walter’s locally famous Maine lobster bisque, and you should too. It’s fabulous. After that, cut into a fancy entrée such as a pumpkin-seed-and-crab-crusted Colorado striped bass with horseradish cream sauce. You get the idea how good this is. — $$$
GreATer AsiAnJulie’s Bar and Grill1863 S. Academy Blvd., 596-4019
Year-old Julie’s is (to our knowledge) the Springs’ only Filipino eatery, and it’s quite good. Catch a daily hot line, three items with rice for $6.95, that also features Ha-waiian dishes like Kalua pork from Maui native chef Romeo Arruiza. Plus an answer to our quiz: What are afritada, to-cino and pinakbet? — $
Little nepal1747 S. Eighth St., 477-6997, lnepal.com
Bestsellers at this Best Of victor, according to co-owner Muku Bhandari: the masalas, kormas and curries, all with lamb, chick-en, shrimp, and salmon options and lovely, intoxicating sauces. Catch monthly belly dances, a daily lunch buffet and a Thurs-day dinner buffet. — $$
TK’s mongolian Grill1817 S. Nevada Ave., 328-1000
It’s like HuHot Mongolian Grill, but local. Grab a bowl and choose between proteins (steak, shrimp, tofu, etc.), then noodles and vegetables (from an array of 20-some-thing options), and 15 home-made sauces. Turn it in and they wok-fry it for you; every-one walks away happy. — $
inTernA-TiOnALJamaican Flavor3016 S. Academy Blvd., 391-0142
A tiny, 15-seat eatery under Jamaican-born owner Hugh Davis, a cook since age 9. His
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jerk chicken is awesome, with allspice and nutmeg joining the scotch bonnets. For milder spice, get the aromati c coconut milk curry chicken. Adventur-ous eaters: goat or oxtail. — $
Sabores del Peru3071 S. Academy Blvd., 447-9646
Laying sole claim to Peruvian and Puerto Rican service in the Springs, Sabores is a wel-come departure from the abundance of Tex-Mex, with true, vibrant fl avors of South America and the Caribbean. Everything from ceviche and seafood with yucca fries to pork and plantains. — $$
KOREANSeoul Tofu Grill296 S. Academy Blvd., Suite F, 550-2000, seoultofugrill.com
Check out the photo menu online; the colorful dishes speak for themselves. This is excellent Korean food brought to you by the Moon family, who ran a popular south-end eatery years ago. Challenge yourself with blood sausages, bone-broth soups and more. A great lunch bento deal. — $$
PUB FOODGray’s Coors Tavern515 W. Fourth St., Pueblo, 719/544-0455
Made more famous aft er 75 years by a recent appearance on Travel Channel’s Food Wars, Gray’s is a legendary spot to try a slopper: two cheeseburgers topped in red and/or green chile, fries and chopped raw white onions. Messy, heavy, gut-bomb bliss. — $
The Hatch Cover252 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 576-5223,
hatchcover.biz
If you need to know more than all-hour 50-cent wings with house sauces like spicy plum and Thai chile, here’s this: a 40-selecti on beer menu and a huge, diverse food list that includes a giant, popular nacho plate ($9) with all the fi xins. Go for sports viewing, video karaoke and DJs. — $
SOUTHERN/BARBECUE/CAJUNColorado Smokehouse6679 Camden Blvd., Fountain, 651-1453, coloradosmokehouse.net
Colorado Smokehouse may be the size of a large shed, but its plates are larger than life, merging sauce and barbecue styles to perfecti on. The thick, chili-rubbed, sweet-sauce-slathered ribs see mesquite, then applewood smoke, then the bott om of a very pleased stomach. The tender and moist pulled pork enjoys a similar ending but starts with a a great, spicy, vinegar-laden sauce. — $
Culpepper’s Cajun Kitchen6502 S. Academy Blvd., 282-8479, culpeppers.net
“Bite the Bayou,” invites the website. Jambalaya, craw-fi sh tails, “Crabilicious Crab Balls,” spicy smoked sausage or alligator po-boys, gumbo, boudin, maque choux, and of course, beignets. Good South-ern food by good Southern people. — $$
Glad’s Original Bar-B-Q3750 Astrozon Blvd., #110, 392-4156; 1510 Chiles Ave. (Fort Carson), 576-1851; gladsbbq.com
Alabama representi ng again, this ti me via military-friendly Glad’s. This is traditi onal South-ern comfort food, like whole catf ish, Southern smothered chicken, pig feet, pork steaks, ribs, brisket, black-eyed peas, dirty rice, 7-UP cake and sweet potato pie. — $
SUSHI/JAPANESESushi Ring1861 S. Nevada Ave., 635-5550, sushiring.com
It’s another earlier-to-town, all-you-can-eat model, but lunches are $21.95, dinners $27.95. Again, you can murder the quanti ti es for what would cost you much more at the regular sushi joints. Part of the draw here is spirited owner Takashi Kishimoto, a former Elvis impersonator. — $$
THAI Taste of Thai Spice1609 Lashelle Way, 226-1999, yellowbook.com/pro� le/taste-of-thai-spice
The reason this Thai eatery has enjoyed a quiet, loyal following outside of Fort Carson soldiers for many years now, is the authen-ti c cooking of Bangkok nati ve Sumitra Kennedy. From Panang to Pad Thai, nothing is American-ized. Her homemade coconut ice cream is simply divine. — $$
Thai Satay821 Cheyenne Meadows Road, 540-8288
An expanded menu is com-ing soon, but what’s available now is beyond adequate; it’s fantasti c. A superior, perfectly textured pad Thai version rivals the simply incredible, honey-sweetened, peanutt y Panang curry. Awesome fried bananas. — $
Other eateries with South locations:
Bird Dog BBQ, 6965 Mesa Ridge Pkwy., Fountain, see p. 78Borriello Brothers, 5180 Fontaine Blvd., Building 1532, Fort Carson, see p. 47Carlos Miguel’s, 110 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 527-0500, see p. 58El Super Taco, 2890 S. Academy Blvd., see p. 58Fat Boys Pizza, 2049 B St., 576-7070, see p. 59Jorge’s Sombrero, 1319 E. Evans Ave., Pueblo, see p. 87Panino’s Restaurant, 1721 S. Eighth St., see p. 46Sushi Ai, 6552 S. Academy Blvd., see p. 59Taste of Jerusalem Café, 2810 S. Academy Blvd., see p. 46
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| inSider 2012 | 71 |
RE-Generation Teen Consignment
ShoppingTour this region of wealth, stealth and health
By Sara Michael
So, The Broadmoor (1 Lake Ave., broadmoor.com) is known for many things; the only 5-star hotel
in the Springs has hosted a wide variety of presidents and celebrities in its hal-lowed halls. But a less-discussed strength of the estate is its high-end shopping.
Find handmade jewelry, hand-blown glass and an assorted collection of other made-in-America crafts at Luma (577-5835). Gibson’s Gallery (471-6153) shares a taste of Colorado’s natural beauty turned luxurious: board games carved from petrified wood, jewelry from agate and jade, and an enviable selection of polished mineral displays.
Hunting designer? Find Kate Spade and Diane Von Furstenberg at the Bou-tique at The Broadmoor (577-5860), an intimidatingly chic storefront off the main drive with clothing, jewelry and purses in excess. Almost equally striking men’s clothing is housed at The Broadmoor Hab-erdashery (577-5751), a few steps inside the main hotel. Rounding out the luxury experience are Tory Burch, Toms Shoes and UGGs at Yarid’s Shoes (yarids.com).
Those of us with (ahem) budgetary constraints can find a little token at The Library (471-6269), an eclectic yet homey book and gift store stocking not only beautiful copies of the classics, but Colo-rado-themed travel books and stationery. Or we can just enjoy the stone Schnauzer lounging outside The Broadmoor Pet Bou-tique (577-5788) — although one step inside the store is guaranteed to tempt gift-buying for your four-legged pal.
Even if it’s just to play pretend, The Broadmoor is worth a visit. But if you’ll feel more at home outside the manicured grasses and burbling fountains, the south end is a paradise for bargain shoppers.
Two of Colorado Springs’ thrifting megastores have branches in the area; hunt through the stores of Discover Good-
will of Southern and Western Colorado (2007 S. Circle Drive; 6725 Camden Blvd., Fountain, goodwill-colosprings.org) or Arc Thrift Stores (2780 S. Acad-emy Blvd., arcthrift.com).
Other gems include RE-Generation Teen Consignment (118½ E. Cheyenne Road, regenerationteen.com), a classy little bou-tique that offers store credit to trade in your old look for a new one. Browse through the racks or set a consignment appointment to update your wardrobe.
Just up the street, Summerland Gardens (124 E. Cheyenne Road, summerlandgar-dens.com) stocks a large number of indoor and outdoor plants and housewares, hosts low-cost gardening classes, and features local artists in an upstairs gallery.
For more all-natural shopping options, visit the aptly named Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (1825 S. Nevada Ave., vitamincottage.com). You can also drop by Sage Woman Herbs & Clinic (108 E. Chey-enne Road, sagewomanherbs) and peruse its herbal pharmacy or schedule a consulta-tion with owner Valerie Blankenship.
Health isn’t all about the pills and organics, however. If you drive down the chain-store-laden North Academy Boulevard, consider a stop at Christal’s (2582 S. Academy Blvd., christals.com)to peruse its full selection of edible body-decorations and other nightstand toys.
Finally, finish your shopping venture in the Southgate area by pampering yourself with a massage, blowout or lip plump (!) at Veda Salon and Spa (2110 Southgate Road, coloradoaveda.com). Hey, you’re worth it, and so is Veda — one of the city’s most community-minded businesses.
Other stores with South locations: Big R (165 Fontaine Blvd., see p. 78); Inde-pendent Records & Video (5680 Highway 85/87, Fountain, see p. 48); Meeker Music (6330 S. Hwy. 85/87, Fountain, see p. 48). ■
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The south of Colorado Springs is flagged by the antennas atop tree-covered Cheyenne Moun-
tain. And when discussing this area, a good place to start is just downhill at North Cheyenne Cañon Park (2110 N. Cheyenne Cañon Road, springsgov.com, tfocc.org).
The 1,600-acre regional park boasts eight hiking, biking and equestrian trails, plus rock-climbing locales for those who have a permit. Maps and more about the area — which also includes 318-acre Stratton Open Space — are available at Starsmore Discovery Center (2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Road). Come this sum-mer, you can also look for a new Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center (3440 N. Chey-enne Cañon Road), a much-anticipated replacement for a century-old building razed in March.
The Seven Bridges trail is a good start for first-timers, with a stream running the length of the trail. Among families and photographers, Helen Hunt Falls and Silver Cascade Falls (both under a mile, round-trip, with easy access from a single parking lot) are popular. The tougher, five-plus-mile hike to St. Mary’s Falls is a local favorite. Mean-while, the challenging switchbacks of Captain Jack’s draw in technically skilled mountain bikers.
Farther south comes Cheyenne Moun-tain State Park (410 JL Ranch Heights, parks.state.co.us), a 1,680-acre park with 20 miles of well-manicured trails for hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and bird watching near Fort Carson. Areas for camping and picnicking are available, as well as the Prairie Skipper and Prairie Falcon event facilities, each of which can be reserved for up to 200 people.
OK, OK, there’s plenty off NORAD’s old mountain, too. For instance, the Fountain Creek Nature Center (320 Pep-pergrass Lane, Fountain, adm.elpasoco.com/parks). Children’s programs and
interpretive hikes are among the ways to learn about the ponds and creek, and the white-tailed deer, muskrats, beavers, lizards and birds nearby. Foun-tain Creek Regional Trail starts at the center and heads north, joining the Pikes Peak Greenway and the New Santa Fe Regional Trail, which extends to Palmer Lake. Wander to the nearby Duckwood Active Use Area for volleyball, soccer or horseshoes, or just horse around on the playground equipment. Want a little less nature and a little more sport? Visit the 17-acre Widefield Community Park (Fon-taine Boulevard at Drury Lane, adm.elpasoco.com) for tennis and basketball courts, softball and soccer fields, a play-ground and one of the area’s few disc golf courses. Another one happens to be in the south, too, at Cumberland Green Open Space (Campground Drive and Jimmy Camp Road, ci.fountain.co.us) in Fountain.
Also visit Cheyenne Meadows Park (3868 Glen Meadow Drive, springs-gov.com) for a playground, soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court, horseshoes and walking paths. At the dog park there, the pups can host their weekly pick-up soccer game.
Kids will enjoy the inline skating rink and batting cages at El Pomar Youth Sports Park (2212 Executive Circle, csyouthsports.org), as well as baseball/softball fields, soccer/lacrosse fields and a synthetic turf field. If you let them, they might also enjoy the skate park and BMX jumping track among other offerings at John Metcalfe Memo-rial Park (704 E. Ohio St., ci.fountain.co.us). But the biggest hit, at least dur-ing summer months, may be Deerfield Hills Park (4290 Deerfield Hills Road, springsgov.com), with its 16 water fea-tures at the outdoor “spray ground,” as well as a garden and greenhouse.
For more water activities, visit Quail Lake Park (Cheyenne Mountain Boule-
vard and Quail Lake Road, springsgov.com), which offers non-motorized boat-ing, fishing and sledding, as well as volleyball and basketball courts and the Quail Lake Fitness Trail. Or Big Johnson Reservoir/Bluestem Prairie Open Space (South Powers Boulevard and Bradley Road, springsgov.com), which teems with different species of birds during migration season.
Farther south, Lake Pueblo State Park (640 Pueblo Reservoir Road, Pueblo, parks.state.co.us) is the closest thing we’ve got to an ocean around here. The 4,600 surface acres of water can be used for sailing, motor-boating, water-skiing, river tubing and fishing; the 60 miles of shoreline and almost 10,000 acres of land also include three camp-grounds and a swim beach.
There are a few options for more “refined” sports in this area, as well. Her-shey’s Heavenly Horses (hersheysheaven-lyhorses.com) offers boarding, lessons, training workshops, trail rides, multi-day trail camps and day camps. Then there’s Fountain’s MM Equestrian Cen-ter (12393 Squirrel Creek Road, mme-questrian.com), with its lighted outdoor arena, looping track, derby field and miles of riding trails. It offers lessons, boarding and training, schooling shows and clinics.
For golf, the Broadmoor Golf Club (1 Lake Ave., broadmoor.com) has three courses, all with mountain views. And yes, it’s pricey, with greens fees ranging from $75 to $245, depending on time of year and course played. There are also six tennis courts, two covered by a lit, heated dome for playing in the cold, which host some lessons and camps.
Finally, coming back to the mountain where we started, Cheyenne Mountain Resort (3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, cheyennemountain.com) boasts an 18-hole course, and even golf instruction, perched next to a private 35-acre lake. ■
OutdoorsThe Springs’ other famous mountain makes this a true playland
By Cherise Fantus
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| inSider 2012 | 73 |
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk
Mug upIf you head west on Cheyenne Boulevard, just past the houses
and before you hit the clouds, you’ll find Sacred Grounds (1801 W. Cheyenne Blvd., sacredgroundscoffeeinthecan-yon.biz), the spot to find “coffee in the canyon,” as the sign attests. Its cozy, wood-happy interior and strong espresso drinks make it a sweet place to work, do homework or sleep on your laptop’s keyboard if the coffee fails you.
Running farther south is Black Bear Coffee & Tea Lounge (6550 S. Academy Blvd., 226-2327), which brightens up a Safe-way-anchored shopping center. If you go, grab the Mocha Polar Java: There’s espresso, there’s ice cream, there’s frozen delight.
Cowboy Espresso Café (105 S. Santa Fe Ave., cow-boyespressocafe.biz) calls Fountain home and, just as you’d imag-
ine, serves a boot-scootin’ cup o’ joe. The spot recently changed ownership, adding an expanded breakfast menu along the way. Check out the homey interior of tile floors and mismatched chairs.
Or take the trail all the way down to Pueblo and run into one of the coolest roasters around: Solar Roast Coffee (226 N. Main St., solarroast.com), brothers Michael and David Hart-kop’s in-house mud station and purveyor of fine coffees roasted with the brand-new photovoltaic-powered Helios 5. Not to be ignored is Wireworks Coffeehouse on the Riverwalk (103 S. Union Ave., #110, 719/543-3000), which, as the name implies, has a hell of a view (and heaven for a kitchen).
— Bryce Crawford
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Daytime hangouts
Hidden treasures abound between here and Pueblo By Molly Mrazek
No question, when it comes to pure land area and the pub-lic consciousness, Fort Carson
(carson.army.mil) grabs more than its share of southern sunlight. And the raft-ing options in Cañon City are rightfully celebrated, too. But wait, there’s more.
For starters, there’s The Broadmoor (1 Lake Ave., broadmoor.com), the coun-try’s longest-running winner of con-secutive Five-Star and Five-Diamond awards from Forbes Travel Guide and AAA, respectively. The hotel itself is a beautiful site to see, not just for the duck pond, but also for the Hayden Hays Gallery (haydenhaysgallery.com) and a handful of lauded dining estab-lishments (see p. 69).
On the first Monday of the month, you can tour the Penrose House (1661 Mesa Ave., elpomar.org), the beautiful former home of Spencer and Julie Pen-rose and now a conference center of the El Pomar Foundation. Just don’t crash it; e-mail [email protected], or call 577-7000.
Another place not to crash is the Starr Kempf House (2057 Pine Grove). The late Kempf’s gorgeous metal sculptures can be viewed respectfully from the street, much like lights strung around the holidays.
On the other hand, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (4250 Cheyenne Moun-tain Zoo Road, cmzoo.org) is open 365 days a year. (OK, 366 this year.) Rising to about 7,000 feet above sea level with its mountainside layout, it’s home to giraffes and birds you can feed, plus all kinds of other animals, from bears to tigers to penguins. Paid admission there also gets you access to the Will Rog-ers Shrine of the Sun, 1.4 miles up the mountain from the zoo. Built by Spen-cer Penrose in memory of his famous friend, the shrine sits at 8,136 feet and affords some breathtaking views.
From there you may be able to see Venetucci Farm (5210 S. U.S. Hwy. 85, ppcf.org/venetucci), where you can pick up a pumpkin in the fall, catch a Star-light farm-to-table dinner in late sum-mer, or shop its farmstand throughout the growing season.
A relatively little-known treasure is the World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame (20 First St., worldskat-ingmuseum.org). The only museum of its kind, it not only honors big names in figure skating, but also displays artwork such as that of Andy Warhol. Other museums and centers in the area include the John May Museum (710 Rock Creek Canyon Road, may-
museum-camp-rvpark.com) and the El Pomar Foundation Carriage Museum (11 Lake Circle, elpomar.org).
Heading south on Interstate 25 from Colorado Springs, you’ll see the Pikes Peak International Raceway (16650 Mid-way Ranch Road, Fountain, ppir.com). Check its calendar for racing events to watch, as well as for opportunities to actually climb behind the wheel yourself.
Keep going, and you’ll find yourself in Pueblo. Stroll down the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk (Welcome Center at 101 S. Union Ave., puebloharp.com) and enjoy the restaurants and shops alongside it. Pueblo City Park (800 Goodnight Ave., pueblo.us) is a beautiful gem, with attractions such as bicycling and walking paths, bocce courts, a pool, Historic Carousel #72, the Pueblo Zoo, Sgt. Blake A. Harris Skateboard Park and more.
The Sangre de Cristo Arts Center (210 N. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, sdc-arts.org) is also worth a visit with its art classes, performances and exhibitions; check its website for programming info. And finally, the Buell Children’s Museum (sdc-arts.org/buellchildrensmuseum.html), which is connected to the San-gre, has lots of hands-on exhibits for children to enjoy. ■
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To our west is Pikes Peak. To the north, God and the Air Force. And to the east we have ... um ...
well ... New York.But drinking and music, those things
can be found in most any direction. And the landscape that extends from downtown Colorado Springs to Pueblo is certainly no exception.
Let’s start with Pueblo’s Downtown Bar (103 Central Plaza, 719/544-1499), which brings together the best of both worlds. It was here that the Haunted Windchimes played some of their first gigs, back before they became A Prairie Home Companion celebrities. The bar also has great taste in beer: Coors and Coors Light are conspicuously absent, in deference to a rotating selection of Colo-rado microbrews on tap. At any given time, some 50 whiskeys are on-hand, and as owner and general manager Adam Gazzola points out, his venue gets musical acts who can’t play the Springs because of contract agreements with Denver booking agents.
Other venues with that geographic advantage include Kim’s Pixie Inn (440 S. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, 719/542-8370), where internationally acclaimed bashers like the Adicts and Agent Orange hold court. The same goes for Phil’s Radiator (109 E. C St., 719/671-5503), which is ensconced in an old mechanic’s shop that comes complete with beer garden.
You’ll also find live music and liba-tions at Pueblo’s Senate Bar (219 S. Grand Ave., 719/545-8501), and Smit-ty’s Greenlight Tavern (227 N. Santa Fe Ave., 719/543-2747).
Moving to the burgeoning world of Colorado breweries, Pueblo’s Shamrock Brewing Company (108 W. Third St., shamrockbrewing.com) sits in a lov-ingly restored century-old building that housed a 1940s auto dealer, a cigar shop and a pool hall. Take a seat at the vintage mahogany bar and order the Belgian White — a gold-medal win-
ner at the 2010 Colorado State Fair’s Foamfest — or the silver-medal-win-ning Instigator Doppelbock. Shamrock brews also find their way into a menu that includes Irish Ale Cheese Soup and Black Forest Porter Cheese Cake.
Also keep an eye out for the Royal Gorge Brewing Co. (413 Main St., Cañon City, royalgorgebrewing.com). Brewer Jeff Lockhart, formerly of Ouray’s Ouray Brewery, is handling the beer, which is accompanied by a standard brewpub menu.
OK, enough with the beer. If you need polished classic rock in a posh atmosphere, the Tavern at The Broad-moor (1 Lake Ave., broadmoor.com)is your destination of choice. Each Thursday through Sunday, the seriously talented guitarist Lewis Mock leads the Tavern Orchestra through renditions of hits by the Beatles, Beach Boys and the Monkees that’ll have you forgetting the last several decades ever happened. Or if you prefer a more piano-bar atmo-sphere, The Broadmoor’s Golden Bee (1 Lake Ave., broadmoor.com) will enter-tain you with Scott Joplin tunes and encourage you to croon along to “Mar-garitaville” and, yes, “Piano Man.”
Got a thing for bikers and blues? The Shovelhead Saloon (4130 S. U.S. Hwy. 85/87, shovelheadsaloon.net), a “fun family friendly biker bar,” offers both. Located near the Security/Wide-field area, the Shovelhead features live blues every Monday night, karaoke on Friday, and $1.50 PBRs and Schnapps shots during weekday happy hours.
And finally, if you work in the ser-vice industry, you’ll want to visit the Hatch Cover (252 E. Cheyenne Moun-tain Blvd., hatchcover.biz). Sunday and Monday “industry nights” reward your hard work with drink specials starting at 9. Not only can you vent about the past week’s worst customers, you’ll be surrounded by people who have bar etiquette and know how to tip. ■
Nighttime hangoutsBeing miles from Denver can be a plus
By Bill Forman
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FREE Sage Tea and Baklava with purchase Sage Tea and Baklava with purchase
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| 76 | inSider 2012 |
Go for ...... pad Thai in an egg purse:Arharn Thai, p. 78
... cheap Larabars:Extreme Bargains, p. 78
... deadly force:Dragonman’s compound, p. 79
... a hoarder’s paradise:Colorado Springs Flea Market, p. 80
... Cat Fight Nights:Club Q, p. 81
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EAST
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CaféNemo’s Coffee2114 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-2745, nemoscoffee.com
Five-year-old Nemo’s recently moved a block from its old spot, expanding into drive-through service. They’re proud of from-scratch every-thing, including sweet baked goods in the a.m., breakfast burritos, and hot and cold sandwiches until 7. Beans from Boulder’s Ozo Coffee Co. — $
Rudiments Café5863 Palmer Park Blvd., 434-5999, rudimentscafe.com
Dishing contemporary crêpes, basic omelets, good wraps like the Chicken Pickin’ (with caramelized onions, provolo-ne and honey mustard), plus soups, salads, sandwiches and daily specials, Rudiments is an affordable, easygoing place, especially good during its open mic nights. — $
Wade’s Café3504 N. Academy Blvd., 596-8122, wades-cafe.com
Now in its 59th year, Wade’s continues to serve popular breakfast and lunch menus. Three-egg omelets come with three delicious buttermilk pancakes (or toast or hash browns, for people who don’t like fun). Daily lunch specials, such as chicken and noodles, plus a salad, cost only $6.19. — $
ChiNeseJasmine Café6064 Stetson Hills Blvd., 591-9898, jasminecaferestaurant.com
This restaurant blew us away when it opened in 2010, a bright, flavorful step above av-erage Chinese cuisine. There are excellent renditions of all the standards, plus a small Thai offering, lunch plates (with egg roll, rice and soup) topping out at $6.55, and a gorgeous wonton soup. — $$
fiNe DiNiNgsteaksmith3802 Maizeland Road, 596-9300, steaksmith.com
Catch happy hours and a cheap small-plate menu in the Fireside Lounge, plus spe-cials like a recent four-course rib eye dinner for $29.95. The house-aged steaks are the main attraction, along with
an extensive seafood menu including selections like mahi mahi in a spicy macadamia nut butter. — $$$
geRmaNschnitzel fritz4037 Tutt Blvd., 573-2000, schnitzelfritz.com
Schnitzel Fritz is brought to you by the folks behind the excellent Elke’s German Deli in Fountain and the new Old German Bakery wholesale operation complete with master German pastry chef. (Sweets are to be found at both eateries.) Enjoy Ranch Foods Direct meats; schnitzel plates and much more. — $
gReateR asiaN Royal Buffet3680 Citadel Drive North, 574-6666, royalbuffetcolo-radosprings.com
Spawned by two similar op-erations in Kansas, owner Linda Lu’s expansive buffet offers all-you-can-eat lunches ($6.99) and dinners ($10.99). You’ll find more than 100 items, ranging from sushi and hibachi plates to Chinese Szechuan offerings and Amer-ican steaks. — $
italiaNBambino’s Pizzeria2849 E. Platte Ave., 630-8121, bambinospizza.com
A major draw: the $7.95 all-you-can-eat lunch buffet (re-peated Wednesday and Sun-day nights), complete with soups, salads, pizza, pastas and desserts. Oh, and it’s ac-tually quite good. Also known as a sports bar. — $
Rocco’s italian Restaurant3878 Maizeland Road, 574-1426, roccoscolorado.com
Turning 30 this year, Rocco’s offers noticeably warm ser-vice for its mostly homemade menu. The house sauce is pleasantly garlicky and mildly sweet, and great on dishes like the breaded-chicken lin-guine Parmigiano. Pizzas and seafood, too, but save room for Italian cream cake. — $$
KoReaNCafé Banzai2917 Galley Road, 622-0333
When he took over the long-time Lettuce Head location
last year, chef Kwi Kim ex-panded his space and menu, featuring affordable plates like $5.99 lunch specials and $5 chicken teriyaki bowls, in addition to a rockin’ bulgogi rendition. Try the oyako don-buri for simple goodness. — $
halla san Korean Barbecue1231 N. Academy Blvd., 622-9595, hallasanbbq.com
Decade-old Halla San will, like pretty much all of our local Korean eateries, win your affection with generous banchan (side bowls) and delicious renditions of Ko-rean standards — everything from a yummy stone-bowl bibimbab to sweet, cast-iron-served bulgogi. — $$
Jin go gae1825 Peterson Road, 574-2060
Formerly the Orange Plate Café. Korean-born owner Ra-mona Burns’ Asian accents to the American menu became so popular, she went to a full Korean menu in 2011. Catch a $6.99 bulgogi special daily, plus great lunch deals and staple Korean entrées. — $
meDiteR- RaNeaNgreek Cafe4343 Integrity Center Point, 591-8294
Iran native Said Rishsefid, fam-ily member of the Greek Grill’s owners, serves a number of satisfying Kronos Foods prod-ucts from Chicago, including good gyros, spanakopita and baklava. He makes his own de-licious tzatziki. — $
mexiCaN/southWestel Poblano908 N. Circle Drive, Suite A, 632-1971
Winner of our 2010 “taco truck throwdown” in its mo-bile version, El Poblano’s sit-down location is great for a wider selection of Mexican staples. Make a visit for the mole poblano or mole enchi-ladas, both bearing chicken soaked in the sweet, creamy, earthy, mildly spicy sauce. — $
fiesta Jalisco6074 Stetson Hills Blvd., 573-8813, fiestajalisco.net
Actually a small Colorado chain with 10 locations, in-cluding ski towns, Fiesta Jalisco supposedly serves the
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EASTflavors of Jalisco, Mexico. It’s a huge list with everything from tostadas and fajitas to great soups like the clear sopa de albondigas with pork and beef meatballs. — $
Los Compadres2237 E. Platte Ave., 473-2524
New owner and Acapulco-na-tive Baltazar Rosas changed the name from La Costa Chica in December, but the food re-mains great in the way taco-truck food is. Fatty tripe and tender steak tacos; sopes rich with cheesy masa; and a great torta adobada sand-wich of marinated pork. — $
PUb FoodFrankie’s/Frankie’s Too7376 McLaughlin Road, Falcon, 495-8707; 945 N. Powers Blvd., 574-4881, frankiesbargrill.com
It’s Tuesday, so what are you doin’? Two-buck premium pints plus a $9.99 steak din-ner at Frankie’s or Frankie’s Too, that’s what. Both of Frankie Patton’s bars are comfortable eastern hang-outs for games or a quick, quality bite. Burgers, Tex-Mex and much more. — $
Holy Cow Pub & Grill5885 Stetson Hills Blvd., 465-1704, holycowpubandgrill.com
Your pick for Best Neighbor-hood Bar on the east side, Holy Cow offers generous happy hours, plus poker, ka-raoke and live country and rock music nights past regu-lar lunch and dinner service. The three-patty bacon and cheese Holy Cow burger ($15) almost says it all. — $
Maggie Mae’s2405 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 475-1623
Open since 1971, it’s still dishing classic American breakfast items from omelets and pancakes to Mexican items like chorizo and huevos rancheros. Then more Mexi-can favorites join the menu at lunch alongside burgers, sandwiches, and a right-de-cent chicken-fried steak. Also serving neighboring Twisted Knickers Pub. — $
Stadium bar & Grill6120 Barnes Road, 302-0969, barandgrillcolorado.com
An indie split-off from a former Indigo Joe’s, this is a great game spot with TVs literally everywhere. Drink prices are good, and the food is, too. The Caesar chicken wrap and kick-ass Inferno Burger pleased us, as did perfect sweet potato fries and delicious desserts. Keep an eye on interesting menu options, like a ceviche appetizer. — $
Nawlins barbQ and Seafood3317 Cinema Point Drive, 571-9777, nawlinsbarbq.com
Launched by a Hurricane Katrina transplant and bear-ing an authentic Cajun taste, Nawlins recently changed hands — but the menu re-mains unchanged and may expand. Great étouffée and jambalaya plus a fun alliga-tor and pork green chile, po-boys, giant muffulettas and more. — $$
SoUTHerN/barbeCUe/CajUNbird dog bbQ5984 Stetson Hills Blvd., 596-4900; birddogbbq.com
Bird Dog turns eight this year, its popularity buoying three locations now: in Fountain, Briargate and off Powers Bou-levard. You’ll find delightful homemade barbecue sauces, including a Wasabi-Q sauce, served on the side of great, oak-smoked Oklahoma-style barbecue. — $
english dockside2220 N. Academy Place, 380-7732, englishdockside.com
Arguably the city’s most worthy seafood-centric spot, run by Mobile, Ala. native Thomas English and his fam-ily. Attractions include a but-ter-sautéed, secret-seasoned blue crab po-boy, gumbo, a lobster roll and all-you-can-eat fish Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. ($13.95 with a drink purchase). — $$
SUSHi/ jaPaNeSe Zen Fusion Sushi & bistro4359 Integrity Center Point, 375-3288, zenfusionsushi.com
Super-talented sushi chef Young Min Kim spent nearly a decade at the Centennial Boulevard Ai location before leaving to open Zen last year. Here, he’s dishing excellent Korean entrées like a divine pork belly plate, plus fantas-tic sushi rolls, often incorpo-rating odd elements such as fruit. — $$
THaiarharn Thai3739 Bloomington St., 596-6559, arharnthai.net
Run by a Bangkok native who goes by the name of Pong, gluten-free friendly Arharn has remained consistently excellent since its early 2009 opening, and its prices are perhaps the fairest among its peers, especially for the high quality. — $
Thai eats640-B S. Academy Blvd., 380-0535, thai-eats.com
Part Thai grocery and Thai cooking school, Thai Eats of-fers great lunch deals from its daily hot-line selection, like a killer Panang curry version made from the freshest curry paste we’ve encountered. Weekly specials and special requests accommodated — the classes are fun and infor-mative. — $
Thai Lily Cuisine and Yakitori 8319 N. Chelton Road, 597-8374, thaililycuisine.com
Thai Lily recently launched 10 p.m.-to-4 a.m. late-night dining and entertainment; it’s also got Yakitori specials and free Wi-Fi for business lunchers. The regular menu is expansive, and from our sat-isfied sampling, it’s also well-executed. Lots of vegetarian and seafood options, too. — $
VieTNaMeSePho Viet 13712 Galley Road, 597-6559
It meets all the criteria for superior pho: lots of fresh herbs, generous meat, staple condiments like Sriracha and hoisin sauce, and strong sup-port from the Vietnamese community. The larb-like shrimp and pork salad is great, and so are the fun-flavored tapioca-ball boba milkshakes. — $
other eateries with east locations:
Ai Sushi & Grill, 3215 Cinema Point, 622-8866, see p. 59 Bean Bandit, 320 N. Circle Drive, see p. 46Bhan Thai, 1025 N. Academy Blvd., see p. 59 Borriello Brothers, 4750 Barnes Road; see p. 47Conway’s Red Top, 390 N. Circle Drive, 3589 N. Carefree Circle; see p. 43Fat Boys Pizza, 4379 Airport Road, 573-6070, see p. 59José Muldoon’s, 5710 S. Carefree Circle, see p. 46Louie’s Pizza, 4815 Barnes Road; 5996 Stetson Hills Blvd., see p. 47Monica’s Taco Shop, 5829 Palmer Park Blvd., see p. 47Tomo Sushi, 975 N. Academy Blvd., 597-2422, see p. 59
ShoppingThink outside (and inside) the big boxes
By Claire Swinford
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Out east, where “buying local” can be a challenge, “buying creative” is no problem at all.
Everyone knows Asian Pacific Market (615 Wooten Road, #160, 573-7500) is the place for obscure produce, cheap Ataulfo mangos and 80 square feet of frozen seafood. But what about unique birthday party decorations, co-worker gifts or bridal shower finds? A Saturday morning spree turned up prettily pack-aged oolong-infused candied plums, gorgeous live dahlias, funky printed joss paper and Thai votive candles, and a few eye-catching kitchen tools.
For those feeding foodie aspirations on the cheap, Extreme Bargains (2727 Palmer Park Blvd., #300, 448-0757) combines the fun of gourmet shop-ping with the thrill of a rummage sale. You’ll find deep discounts on grocery store staples as well as Mighty Leaf tea, Larabars, and blood orange bitters that make a kickass Old Fashioned.
If you’re looking for other ways to keep your dollars in the local economy, Lorig’s (15 N. Union Blvd., lorigscolo-rado.com) or Big R (14155 E. Hwy. 24, Peyton, bigronline.com) will happily sell you two-pound belt buckles and other Western wear. But you’re probably going to wind up back among the Powers Bou-levard chains sooner or later.
Whole Foods Market is one of the better alternatives here, since it sources its produce and many retail items from local producers. At the 3180 New Cen-ter Point site, look for Love+Toast, a blithe, breezy scent and body product line out of Boulder. And you might as well visit Cost Plus World Market (2985 New Center Point, worldmarket.com). Whether you’re a candy connoisseur,
an accessories maven or a home-decor hound, the part of you that likes to think you’re Elizabeth Gilbert will love this place.
Just up the road, a recent trip to Costco (5885 Barnes Road, costco.com) recently turned up the mother of all bridesmaid gifts. A staffer at the liquor store, which doesn’t require a Costco membership to get in, cheerful-ly divulged that she’d given each of her wedding party a bottle of Bitch South Australian grenache ($9). It comes in a delightfully girly pink-labeled bottle with a cheerful hearts ’n daggers motif.
If you’re digging the “bitch” theme, the massive Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store (3795 Bloomington St., joann.com) is your next stop. Pick up a copy of Stitch ’N Bitch by Debbie Stoller: With pat-terns for holographic alien scarves as well as the obligatory seed-stitch bikini, it’s guaranteed to make you love knitting no matter how young, over-the-DIY-trend or masculine you are.
You can call your friends childish, but that’s probably a compliment at the Imagination Space at Citadel Mall (750 Citadel Drive East, 597-3344). The all-ages venue provides free hands-on activities ... but also sells dragon hats! And if that doesn’t win your alienated bitchy friends over, well, there’s always The Couture Cupcake Company (3347 Cinema Point, springscupcakes.com). Nothing says “sorry” like a tower of strawberry cheesecake cupcakes.
Other stores with East locations: Discov-er Goodwill retail center (2655 Waynoka Place, see p. 71); Independent Records & Video (3030 E. Platte Ave., see p. 48); Lucy’s Consignment Paradise (3373 N. Academy Blvd., see p. 48). n
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EAST
With beautiful Pikes Peak out west, and all its hiking and biking trails, waterfalls and rocks to climb, it’s easy to assume that the
east is nothing but a flat expanse of plains smattered with suburban housing. But remember what they say about those who assume.
In this area, there are hidden oases for nature-lovers and even activities to titillate thrill-seekers. Let’s start with the hidden oases, also known as parks.
The first one that comes to mind is Palmer Park (3650 Maizeland Road), a serene swath of nature smack in the middle of commerce and modernity. Sprawled over more than 730 acres, the trails are winding and challenging, especially for those on two wheels. They can be confus-ing, too, so if you’d rather save your legs from possible backtracking, you can navigate on horseback.
Kids and science-loving types may pay close attention to the rock formations and fossils — to include shark teeth — in the sedimentary rock layers. Traditional athletes can enjoy baseball, soccer and football fields, and volleyball courts. And canines get a fenced dog park, with a water fountain that operates during the summer months.
A little farther east but still in the Springs (meaning that there’s info at springsgov.com/parks), a few neigh-borhood parks liven up the suburban landscape. Laura Gilpin Park (7415 Kettle Drum St.) features a large grassy area for picnics, football or fetch with Fido. The basketball court doubles as an inline skating rink, and skaters will also dig the half-pipe and tabletop.
Pring Ranch Park (5264 Prairie Grass Lane) also offers a basketball court that welcomes inline skating, plus multi-use fields and a tee-ball field for the little sluggers. Sandstone Park (4650 Pring Ranch Road)
flaunts tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, as well as a baseball field and a grassy area that can be used for the shenanigans listed above. The perimeter path is also perfect for walking and jogging.
Going beyond city limits (and into the online realm of adm.elpasoco.com/parks), you find Paint Mines Interpretive Park (29950 Paint Mine Road, Calhan). The drive isn’t exciting, but the destination is: The exposed sedimentary layers tell the stories of millions of years of the area’s history. Stand back to view the full palette of colors — yellows, whites, pinks and purples — that paint the twisted chasms and oddly shaped rock formations. Or spend the day wandering through crevices and examining the layers.
Equally secluded but with more activities is Home-stead Ranch Regional Park (16444 Gollihar Road, Pey-ton). It was a homestead site first settled in 1874, and the original owners were certainly never bored. With bluffs for hiking, you might run into some natural wild-life or even have some opportunities for bird-watching. Fishing poles are recommended at the spring-fed pond, and it’d be possible to grill up your catches at the picnic pavilion. Rugrats can mess around on the playground, or bring a ball to toss in the grass.
By the way, if “ball” + “grass” = golf in your world, there are a number of options: city-owned Valley Hi Golf Course (610 S. Chelton Road, valleyhigolfcourse.com), as well as Antler Creek (9650 Antler Creek Drive, Peyton, antlercreekgolf.com) and Cherokee Ridge (1820 Tuskegee Place, cherokeeridgegolfcourse.com).
But back to less manicured attractions. The Rock Island Trail runs east-west from Powers Boulevard, just south of Constitution Avenue (there’s also parking
there) to North Nevada Avenue, where it meets up with Shooks Run. It’s mostly concrete and asphalt, and the complete trip covers about 12 miles. For a north-south venture, the Homestead Trail demands more than 16 miles round-trip, with asphalt, concrete and gravel. And if you get bored with either trail, they meet up around Academy Boulevard, so you can always veer off in a different direction.
Now, for those of you with a penchant for danger, thrills were mentioned earlier. At the Dragonman com-pound (1200 Dragon Man Drive, dragonmans.com), you can engage in guerilla warfare — well, that’s what it’ll feel like, anyway. In reality, it’s scenario-style paintball. If you prefer brass to paint, you can bring your own guns and shoot targets (rather than your friends). The compound also has a 25-acre dirt bike park for dirt bikes, quads and four-wheelers. With 50-plus jumps, it’s hard to keep calm.
Speaking of jumps … never mind. Feet should stay firmly planted in a hot air balloon basket. Pretty low on the adrenaline scale, but still butterfly-inducing, hot air balloon tours are a great way to see the Springs and experience the outdoors from a different vantage point. High But Dry Balloons (4164 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., highbutdryballoons.com) offers one-hour balloon rides around the Colorado Springs area and Palmer Park.
Or, enjoy the area at a faster pace on a helicopter tour. Colorado Vertical Adventures (1587 Aviation Way, coloradovertical.com) will zip you around Garden of the Gods, America the Beautiful Park, the Cripple Creek historic gold mines or Pikes Peak for 30 minutes to an hour. Just be prepared to pay $160 to $300, and make reservations in advance. ■
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Daytime hangoutsWelcome to the land of pop flies and furry friends
By Molly Mrazek
Colorado Springs Flea MarketKin
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Mug upYou ask me to find you coffee in the eastern half of the city, and I
shall point you to the hospital — the St. Francis Medical Center, to be specific. There you’ll find the fully stocked Healing Grounds Coffee Bar (6071 E. Woodmen Road) open weekdays on the first floor; find Seattle’s Best Coffee, and a whole lot of niceness.
Otherwise, Nemo’s Coffee Shop (2114 E. Pikes Peak Ave., nemoscoffee.com) is making good use of a new location with a drive-through window, having added an expensive Synesso espresso machine that churns out blazing cups of goodness. Grab a Southwestern-themed meatless burrito in the morning.
A good option for afternoon or evening, especially if you’re wanting to talk about the matinee you just saw at Cinemark 16, is the newest Coffee & Tea Zone (3245 Cinema Point, coffeeandteazone.com). Those scared of nighttime caffeine can always go for a Zoneberry frozen yogurt, modeled after the popular Pinkberry offering elsewhere.
Finally, when in the North Academy area, you might hit Cop-per Creek Coffee (3315 Carefree Circle West, 597-4189) which has been doing God’s work for the past eight years or so.
— Bryce Crawford
.
With so much to do and seein downtown Colorado Springs,you can create your own story.
Find out where to start at
PHOTOGRAPHY • POTTERY • JEWELRYPAINTINGS • SCULPTURE • WEARABLES
Established 1974
Commonwheel ArtistsCooperative
102 Cañon Avenue • Manitou Springs • 685-1008Open Daily • www.commonwheel.com
FEATURING ART BY MORE THAN 35 LOCAL ARTISTS
There’s something to be said for returning to your childhood roots: It can involve a lot of
hands-on projects, sugar and excite-ment. Just like the east side of Colorado Springs by day.
If you plan ahead and secure a slot, you can start off with art classes at Kids Can Draw (3617 Betty Drive, Suite S, kidscandraw.info). Or just drop into the Imagination Space (Citadel Mall, 750 Citadel Drive East, 387-9015), where the brilliant folks behind Imagi-nation Celebration (imaginationcele-bration.org) promise daily hands-on activities, for free, ranging from danc-ing to robotics.
Then keep the energy flowing by catching a Sky Sox game at Security Ser-vice Field (4385 Tutt Blvd., milb.com). Our Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies is an easy, budget-friendly draw that offers plenty of ancillary events (fireworks displays, random giveaways, etc.) in the summertime. Alternatively, if you’re more of an indoor-gaming rather outdoor-gaming family, you can stop by iT’Z Family Food & Fun (3035 New Center Point, itzusa.com) and engage in a game of 10-pin bowling, bumper
cars and more. Or see what’s playing at Cinemark 16 and its IMAX theater (3305 Cinema Point, cinemark.com).
Also along the Powers Boulevard corridor, you can schedule a visit to the National Museum of World War II Avia-tion (765 Aviation Way, worldwari-iaviation.org) even before it officially opens, via a reservation through its website. Not only will you see the facil-ity as-is, but also the adjacent site where World War II planes are restored.
Heading out more toward the plains, you’ll come upon the large cats of Serenity Springs Wildlife Center (24615 Scott Road, Calhan, serenityspring-swildlife.org), the largest federal- and state-licensed big-cat facility in the state. Visit lions, tigers, cougars and other species, many of which are res-cues. You can even see the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ mascot, Clyde the mountain lion.
While in Calhan, home to an abun-dance of activities at our El Paso County Fair (366 10th St., elpasocountyfair.com) in July, take note of the El Paso County Speedway (366 10th St., elpa-socountyspeedway.com), home to the racing of everything from “High Plains
Midgets” to “Colorado Dwarf Cars.”Heading back into town, there are
two places right off of Platte Avenue to be aware of. First is Asian Pacific Market (615 Wooten Rd., 573-7500), where you can meet all your Asian cooking needs, such as deep-frying supplies, huge woks, lobsters, fish and crab. You can also get your sweet tooth satisfied with a bottle of Ramune, which is in a bottle sealed with a glass bead — otherwise known as hours of entertainment.
Across the street from that is the Colorado Springs Flea Market (5225 E. Platte Ave., csfleamarket.com) open every weekend at 7 a.m.; for a $2 entrance fee (12 and under free), you can browse new and vintage merchan-dise. You may also find bounce houses for the kids in the summer.
Not so kid-friendly, but definitely a welcome choice for the brewing enthu-siast, the Rocky Mountain Brewing Com-pany (625 Paonia St., rockymountain-brews.com) offers “brew on premises” on Saturdays, during which you can use its equipment and guidance to create your own beer. See, sometimes it pays to be an adult. n
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| inSider 2012 | 81 |
Nighttime hangoutsFor drinking and dancing, the east’s a beast
By Bryce Crawford
Many years ago, the fathers of Colorado Springs laid out the city in a perfectly navigable fashion, offering easy transitions from west to east and back again. Ha, just kidding: Only downtown is laid out logically.
Everything else requires knowledge of back roads, or at least a sense of how to drive down Platte Avenue.
Going either direction can be a pain in the ass, but if you’re heading east we think you’ll find it’s worth it. And if you’re already out there, you may not want to leave.
The city’s leading venue for touring acts is out this way, in the form of the Black Sheep (2106 E. Platte Ave., blacksheeprocks.com). Although its all-ages, there’s a full bar for the old folks, and a roster of performers that keeps improving: Fitz & the Tantrums, Tech N9ne, Conor Oberst, Ozomatli, Cannibal Corpse. Just be aware that it’s dark on nights without live music.
On nights like those, try spots like the Stadium Bar and Grill (6120 Barnes Road, barandgrillcolorado.com), which has morphed from a chain restaurant into a locally owned behemoth. An entire wall is covered with TVs, while the food trends toward the more exotic (ceviche at a sports bar?) and is pulled off admirably.
A few miles away sit Holy Cow Pub & Grill (5885 Stetson Hills Blvd, holycow-pubandgrill.com) and Rhino’s Sports & Spirits (4307 Integrity Center Point Place, rhinosbar.com). With large seating areas, a variety of national and local brews on tap, and stage space for rocking (assuming you dig hits from the ’80s, ’90s and today), the two are practically twins. Sure, Holy Cow has a rooftop patio, while Rhino’s offers more electronic gaming options than your average arcade. In my mind, the differences only bring the two closer together.
Those interested in a more relaxed approach and some salt-of-the-earth company should head to Frankie’s Bar & Grill (945 N. Powers Blvd., frankiesbargrill.com), Frank Patton’s spot that sports a second location in Falcon (7376 McLaughlin Road), or the karaoke-loving Hideout Lounge (6437 Omaha Blvd., 596-9771). Those need-ing to pound sand can try the new BOODAD’S Beach House Grill (5910 Omaha Blvd., boodadsbeachhouse.com), which offers a patio bar and all the volleyball and Corona Extra one can afford — mentally, physically, monetarily, etc.
Then there’s Copperhead Road (3330 N. Academy Blvd., copperheadroadbar.com). You might not be a country-music lover, but I bet you’re interested in the energetic-and-wiggly, and you’ll find that in spades here. Besides, the club’s feel is more rebel-Willie Nelson than punch-me-in-the-face-before-I-hear-another-note-of-Conway-Twitty.
If shaking your bon-bon’s the goal, Latin Quarters (1865 N. Academy Blvd., lqnightlife.com) is your go-to, while alternative types might also enjoy Club Q (3430 N. Academy Blvd., clubqonline.com). With LGBT-themed events like Cat Fight Night on Sundays, I’m pretty sure you’ll find a good time.
Speaking of good times, what could be better than quaffing freshly brewed beer? Rocky Mountain Brewery (625 Paonia St., rockymountainbrews.com) is the east-side local. With a tasting room that could double as a garage, the guys take a casual approach. Still, their output’s no joke — try anything with peaches in it, or the cherry-pie-themed Da’ Yoopers. Also find Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery (3316 Cinema Point Drive, rockbottom.com), which is a chain spot, but makes all its beer locally.
Lastly, for those with more prurient interests, the east side contains PT’s Show-club (5975 Terminal Ave., vcgh.com) and Baby Dolls (2354 E. Platte Ave., baby-dollsgentlemensclub.com). The former recently switched to an all-nude format and supports bring-your-own-beer, while the latter’s a staple of Platte Avenue — a good road to know in this town. ■
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... socially responsible shopping:Yobel Market, p. 88
... an easy escape:Red Rock Canyon Open Space, p. 90
... a Jurassic jaunt:Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center, p. 93
... exclusive vinos:Swirl Wine Bar, p. 94
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WEST
AmericAnThe mason Jar2925 W. Colorado Ave., 632-4820, masonjarcolorado.com
Boasting more than a million chicken-fried steaks served since 1982 (take that, American Heart Association!), the Mason Jar is comfort food, embodied and emboldened. But it’s not all burgers and prime rib: Catch daily specials like Rocky Moun-tain Rainbow Trout, too. — $$
Stagecoach inn702 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-9400, stagecoachinn.com
A classic Manitou destination for tourists and locals, Stage-coach serves satisfying specials like a wild game meatloaf (elk, venison and beef), and its regu-lar lunch and dinner menus feature smoked pheasant chowder plus equally hearty burgers (buffalo and turkey op-tions), sandwiches, steaks and seafood entrées. — $$
The Wines of colorado8045 W. U.S. Hwy. 24, Cascade, 684-0900, winesofcolorado.com
Serving a wonderful array of state-grown or -produced wines (you don’t say!), this is a charming creekside eatery warmed by an iron stove and scented by an on-site smoker that flavors everything from salmon to prime rib. Get a rib-eye sandwich, Reuben or green chile veggie burger. — $$
BreWpuBBierWerks Brewery121 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, 686-8100, bierwerks.com
A taste of the Alps in the Rock-ies: exceptional traditional Ger-man lagers like a dunkel, weiss-bier and helles, plus seasonal specialties, served alongside giant salted pretzels and basic, hearty cold-cut platters. — $
BurgerS & SAndWicheScy’s drive-in1833 W. Uintah St., 630-7008
A classic drive-in since 1953 (then under different own-ers), Cy’s is your stop for nostalgia but also great burg-ers made from Ranch Foods Direct meat. A longtime fa-vorite is the Alaskan Burger, a Thousand Island-laced double-decker cheeseburger. Also look for house-made brisket and green chile. — $
Joanie’s mountain gourmet deli110 E. U.S. Hwy. 24, Woodland Park, 686-9091, joaniesdeli.com
Run by the capable former owners of The Pantry in Green Mountain Falls, Joanie’s stands out at lunch with Boar’s Head-built sandwiches like rotis-serie chicken pesto melt, plus house-made specials like pork green chile inside a cornbread crust. And house pies. — $
mountain Shadows restaurant2223 W. Colorado Ave, 633-2122, mountainshad-owsrestaurant.com
This 21-year-old breakfast spot stands a head higher than the pack. Meet the inventive Reu-ben Omelet with corned beef and sauerkraut. Lunch and dinner sport awesome Ranch Foods Direct steaks and burg-ers. For those who’ve left the big-boy pants at home: bright salads and wraps — $
pantry restaurant6980 Lake St., Green Mountain Falls, 684-9018
Really, who could possibly not love a French toast rendition constructed out of a house-baked cinnamon roll? (Hello, sugar!) There’s also the locally famous cinnamon raisin toast, plus lunch items like burgers and sandwiches — great for patio dining in the summer. — $
pJ’s Bistro819 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1195
Operated by the son of the European Café’s owner, PJ’s sports some Eastern Europe-an highlights like the bestsell-ing pierogi and potato pan-cake plates. But sitting on the excellent patio space in sum-mer, it’s all about happy hour with a burger and beer. — $$
cAféBon Ton’s café2601 W. Colorado Ave., 634-1007, bontonscafe.com
It’s breakfast all day on a cute patio, with lunch options too, daily, 6 until 3. Service-able pancakes, omelets and Southwest plates like huevos rancheros, or melts, burgers and sandwiches like shrimp po-boys. — $
Bona dea Boutique & Tea1824 W. Colorado Ave., 473-8322, bonadeateahouse.com
Set in a cute Victorian with local art, clothing and accessories for sale, Bona Dea offers a wide ar-ray of loose-leaf teas, available with high tea service by reser-vation. As for the food: dainty and delightful puff pastry en-trées and rich desserts. — $
cucuru gallery cafe2332 W. Colorado Ave., 520-9900, cucuru.santuario.com
An eclectic stop for art, music, wine, High Rise Cof-fee drinks and a light tapas and sandwich menu. Go for owner Guillermo Alvarado’s Cuban sandwich rendition: a panini pressed with thick-cut, house-Mojo-sauce-marinat-ed pork tenderloin, with the classic accompaniments. — $
donut mill310 W. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, 687-9793
Your pick for Best Biscuits & Gravy — sausage gravy all the time; special bacon gravy on weekends — and a great ski-drive stop-in for pastries and coffee. “Monstrous” 12-inch cinnamon rolls and bear-paw-sized, chocolate-dipped bear claws, plus 28 flavors of Blue Bell ice cream. — $
european restaurant & café935 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-3556, europeancafemanitou.com
Operated by Polish chef/owner Bozena Jakubczyk, this Manitou staple is equal parts American and European, with burgers and classic sandwiches paired with brats, goulash and the like at lunch, and omelets with crêpes at breakfast. Piero-gi by reservation. — $
faerie Tales Bakehouse and catering1015 W. Colorado Ave., 375-5651, faerietalesbake-houseandcatering.com
Complete with a fantastic patio in the former La Petite Maison space, Faerie Tales of-fers a delicious, diverse pastry list that shows its cake and catering roots. But the savory menu excels, too: crab cakes Benedict at brunch, steak lol-lipops at dinner ... and that’s just the beginning. — $$
La Baguette french Bistro4440 N. Chestnut St., 599-0686, labaguettefrenchbistro.com
You’ll eventually tire of hear-ing us fawn over the gorgeous Parisian Croque Madame sandwich here, unless you’ve
had one and you get it. This is a more upscale/gourmet split-off from the La Baguette chain, operated by Europe-ans, but still serving the well-established winning soup, breads and pastries. — $$
mucky duck10530 Ute Pass Ave., Green Mountain Falls, 684-2008, muckyduckco.com
Featuring a nightly chalkboard menu that rotates through gourmet goodies like duck breast and rack of lamb, as well as seafood and pasta items, and a sandwich-focused lunch list from which the pop-ular French Dip hails. Brunch on Sundays with beautiful eggs Benedict plates. — $$
naturally’s market & cafe110 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-0555, naturallys.net
The best-sellers are the grilled Caprese sandwich on home-made rosemary foccacia and the Black Diamond Burrito complete with quinoa, millet, basmati rice and adzuki beans — a vegetarian’s feast. If those ingredients are Greek to you, stick with the buffalo or salm-on burgers. — $
Spice of Life727 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-5284, manitouspiceoflife.com
Dry goods like coffees, teas and spices line the dining room as a mini market, but locals go for satisfying breakfast and lunch plates constructed with quality ingredients: breads from Great Harvest; pastries from Boonzaaijer’s; cold cuts from Denver’s Italco — “a step above Boar’s Head.” — $
Swirl Wine Bar717 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-2294, swirlwineemporium.com
Located behind Swirl Wine Emporium, which will soon shrink a bit to make room for more bar space (and expand-ed tapas), your favorite wine bar serves simple but good meat-and-cheese platters, with rare and unique drink options. The parlor room and patio equally charm. — $$
Terrazza grill1005 W. Colorado Ave., 487-1933, blacktiegourmet.com
Part of Black Tie Gourmet ca-tering, Terrazza Grill serves all three meals: gourmet omelets at breakfast; wraps, salads, and
Joanie’s Mountain Gourmet DeliFile
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RestaurantsCompiled by Matthew Schniper
WEST
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| 86 | inSider 2012 |
WESTsandwiches at lunch; and more of the lunch menu at dinner, plus pastas, steaks and seafood in the $12-to-$15 range. — $$
ChineseCoal Mine Dragon Restaurant1720 W. Uintah St., 578-5430
Abundant portions for the right price on lo mein, sesame chick-en and all the standards. Go for the spicy hot-and-sour soup, followed by crispy cheese won-tons and the duck with black mushrooms, bamboo and broccoli in a brown sauce. — $$
CRêpeRieCoquette’s Bistro and Bakery915 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-2420, coquettecreperie.com
Gluten-free nirvana. That about covers it. Crêpes, apps, breakfast plates, sandwiches and a wide boozy and non-alcoholic drink list, all with attitude. Oh, and retail GF products like flour and baked goods, plus an expansion planned for spring with an ar-ray of new menu items. — $$
DineRhungry Bear111 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, 687-5912, hungrybearcolorado.com
A breakfast and lunch staple up Ute Pass, with bear-themed everything (“bear ne-cessities,” and a “baby bear” kids menu). The homemade buttermilk pancakes star in the early hours, next to steak breakfast burritos. The pot roast French dip with melted Swiss sells best at lunch. — $
Omelets etc.1616 S. Eighth St., 634-7321, omeletsetc.com
A bright, modern space with equally bright diner fare. For instance: house green chile-soaked burritos and omelets; good pies and baked goods over bottomless coffee; nice, savory daily specials from a large chalkboard; and classic American sandwiches. — $
susie’s Westside Cafe1686 S. 21st St., 442-0090
With another great city view, overlooking Gold Hill Mesa, Susie’s serves Ranch Foods Direct meat, a great biscuits-and-gravy rendition, a good green chile, and really won-derful house-baked pies. Lit-eral sister operation (though separately owned): My Sis-ter’s Kitchen in Knob Hill. — $
Fine DiningAdam’s Mountain Café934 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1430, adamsmountain.com
Think local, sustainably raised, slow and simply amaz-ing food. Adam’s is an annual shoo-in to our Best Of issues, with highly loyal clientele for plates like orange almond French toast (breakfast), the veggie Planet Burger (lunch) and stupendous Senegalese Vegetables (dinner). — $$
The Black Bear10375 Ute Pass Ave., Green Mountain Falls, 684-9648, blackbearrestaurant.com
Currently open for winter hours only, Thursday through Saturday, the Bear is the culi-nary playground of chef Victor Matthews and his Paragon Cu-linary School students. Catch expansive chef tables, but also à la carte comfort food and special events. — $$$
Briarhurst Manor estate404 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1864, briarhurst.com
Have a prix fixe four-course meal in the cozy castle, per-fect also for periodic mur-der mystery dinners. Savory items include decadently prepared game meats like red deer with mushroom duxelle; sweets include well-executed classics. — $$$
Carlos’ Bistro1025 S. 21st St., 471-2905
It’s premier and pricey, dinner only, and actually “old-fash-ioned,” in the words of hands-on owner Carlos Echeandia. That means French-inspired continental cuisine, daily fish specials, and fresh wild game Wednesdays. — $$$
The Cliff house at pikes peak306 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-3000, thecliffhouse.com
Depending on the season, you have three dining options: the super-view veranda, the casual Red Mountain Bar and Grill, or the more formal but comfort-able main dining room. Prices range, but are fair for the high-quality eats. Think steaks and game meats down to build-your-own pizzas. — $$$
Craftwood inn404 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, 685-9000, craftwood.com
Craftwood Inn’s menu is like a foodie’s dirty magazine: lots of eye candy. But at some point you have to quit ogling and choose between the apple-cherry wild boar spare ribs and the pumpkin seed antelope with pear-berry salsa and agave whiskey reduction. — $$$
gertrude’s2625 W. Colorado Ave., 471-0887, gertrudesrestaurant.com
Under different owners but well trafficked since 1980, Gertrude’s dishes gourmet Benedicts and the like on weekends; and solid sand-wiches, pastas, steaks and seafoods across lunch and dinner. Think creamy spin-ach-walnut tortellini, or a smoked cheddar buffalo burger on ciabatta. — $$$
Joseph’s Fine Dining1606 S. Eighth St., 630-3631, josephsdining.com
Entering its fifth year of fine-dining flair, Joseph’s main-tains its evening popularity for tableside flambéed items: fantastic Hot Spinach Pernod salads, pepper steaks and Ba-nanas Foster and Cherries Ju-bilees. But past the lamb, trout and veal, you’ll find an afford-able gourmet lunch. — $$$
The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant733 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-0277, monalisafondue.com
Giving the phrase “wine flights in the cellar” a good reputa-tion since at least the last time you craved a full fondue cours-ing. You can get fondue dinners for two ($40 to $49 each) or cheese, entrée and chocolate varieties à la carte. Wild game platters and liqueur-enhanced desserts are highlights. — $$$
Motif2432 W. Cucharras St., 635-5635, motifwest.com
Equal parts music, marti-nis and upscale munchies, catering-biz spin-off Motif is simply cool, but open Thurs-day through Saturday only. From the small plate menu with big flavors, the white truffle fries are a no-brainer, and the Kobe brioche sliders a fine companion piece. — $$
The pepper Tree888 W. Moreno Ave., 471-4888, peppertreecs.com
Serving dinner only with a tre-mendous view over the city, this is a sister restaurant to Woodland Park’s Swiss Chalet. Its “pride and joy” are the pep-per steaks: filet cuts with man-go chutney, flambéed in brandy ($34.95 to $49.95). All else is equally haute, from Colorado lamb to Maine lobster. — $$$
swiss Chalet19263 E. U.S. Hwy. 24, Woodland Park, 687-2001, swisschaletofwoodland-park.com
Sister outfit of the Pepper Tree, Swiss Chalet is equally regal, with another great view and a weekly chalkboard menu. Lunch bears a small list of soups, salads and sandwiches like a Reuben. Dinner blows it up with dishes like an escargot starter, steaks, lamb, scallops and Jager Schnitzel. — $$$
Tabeguache steakhouse407 E. U.S. Hwy. 24, Woodland Park, 687-8536
Now featuring wines of the week with special pricing, Tabe-guache is a straightforward steakhouse proud to support and serve Ranch Foods Direct. Get a salad course before slic-ing into a filet or New York strip, and finish it off with a dessert prepared tableside. — $$$
TApAteria2607 W. Colorado Ave., 471-8272, tapateria.com
Pizzeria Rustica’s Spanish sis-ter, this Barcelona-inspired tapas joint, now under lauded chef Jay Gust, is totally gluten-free, half vegetarian and a quarter vegan. Catch delicious small items that range from gazpacho shooters to wild salmon tartare and manchego-stuffed bell peppers, next to a great drink selection. — $$
inTeRnA-TiOnALTajine Alami10 Old Man’s Trail, Manitou Springs, 685-1119, tajinealami.com
Our only Moroccan eatery, fea-turing weekend bellydancing and multi-course meals that include cous-cous, clay pot-cooked meats, seafood and vegetables, warming soups and phyllo pastries. Take off your shoes and let orange and rose blossom water prepare your hands for feasting. — $$
Uchenna2501 W. Colorado Ave., #108, 634-5070, uchennalive.com
The sole stop for Ethiopian in the Springs, via warm Ethiopia native Maya Hetman, Uchen-na is simply incredible. Take fermented teff-flour bread and scoop marvelously seasoned lentils, favas, chickpeas, lamb, beef, chicken or shrimp with intoxicating spices. Remem-ber: It’s Slow Food. — $$
iTALiAnMangia Mangia407 E. Grace Ave., Wood-land Park, 687-3400, mangiamangiawp.com
The answer to Italian cravings up Ute Pass, where locals re-ally are known by name. Ser-viceable sandwiches at lunch with daily specials, and most-ly pasta plates at night, with a little seafood thrown in. We found success in the sausage puttanesca and beurre blanc salmon on our last visit. — $$
paravicini’s italian Bistro2802 W. Colorado Ave., 471-8200, paravicinis.com
Your pick again for the Springs’ Best Italian. Let’s examine a sample meal’s progression:
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WESTspicy tomato eggplant fries, then wedding soup, followed by garlicky capellini Pomodoro and scallops alla pesto. Home-made tiramisu for dessert, or the chocolate cheesecake with brandy-cherry sauce. — $$
Mediterra-neanJake & telly’s Greek taverna2616 W. Colorado Ave., 633-0406, jakeandtellys.com
The Topakas brothers branched out to Denver in 2011 with Axios Estiatorio, but their flag-ship eatery remains a very wise choice when Springs-bound. Great versions of Greek and Mediterranean classics plus creative specials, bountiful happy hours and excellent wine dinners. Yes — opa! — $$
Pegasus Mediterranean Café19251 E. U.S. Hwy 24, Woodland Park, 687-4584, pegasuscafewp.com
Mediterranean with a Leba-nese influence, Pegasus serves one of our favorite dishes of last year: a spicy gyro com-plete with the usual fixins, plus jalapeños and Sriracha. Other fun touches include floral rose-water in the lemonade and orange-blossom syrup on the house baklava. — $$
Sahara Café954 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-2303, thesaharacafe.com
In the space of the former Nile Café, Jordanian owner Sam Ayaad delivers touches of his home cuisine, plus Syrian, Leb-anese and Palestinian flavors. You’ll mostly recognize the familiar and well-made falafel, gyros and so forth, but go to discover fattoush, ma’amoul and sage tea. — $
Westside international restaurant, deli & Mart1502 W. Colorado Ave., 227-9400
As the name implies, there’s more than just dining to be had here. You can shop for imported dry goods or even glass pipes. But when it’s eatin’ time, Egyptian owner Michael Ezzat will personally take good care of you: Egyptian tea, gy-ros, mixed grill plates and a great falafel platter. — $
MexiCan/SouthWeStamanda’s Fonda3625 W. Colorado Ave., 227-1975
Amanda’s is a 12-time Best Of winner in a time of transition: It was sold mid-year to a guy who owns a handful of Wen-dy’s, and he’s been talking
growth. Regardless, our visit soon after the sale was full of largely satisfying southwest-ern dishes, and you’ll never be disappointed by the creekside patio. — $
Crystal Park Cantina178 Crystal Park Road, Manitou Springs, 685-5999, crystalparkcantina.com
A favorite newbie of 2011, run by ex-Denver Bronco Justin Armour’s family. Highlights: the jalapeño Cantina Burger, Southwestern standards with a coastal Mexican flair, and stun-ning fresh margaritas like the sangria and jalapeño-cilantro. Newly expanded menu; ex-panded hours soon. — $$
estela’s Mexican restaurant925 S. Eighth St., 575-0244
From the folks behind Pueblo’s legendary Mill Stop Café, and bearing its own legacy in the Springs, Estela’s is your stop for spot-on, house red and green chiles smothering popular plates like the El Burro burrito. Free sopapillas at meal’s end, plus a new, 33-tequila custom margarita bar. — $
Jorge’s2427 W. Colorado Ave., 634-9031, jorgessombrero.com
When Barack Obama passed through Pueblo days before the election in 2008, his family ate at quarter-century-old Jorge’s Sombrero. Owner Jorge Ayala just sank half a million dollars into the newly renovated, ex-panded and reopened Springs location. It’s still all about mar-garitas and tacos. — $$
La unica3317 W. Colorado Ave., 633-7499
With 14 years on the west side after five on Platte Avenue, the Barraza family’s charmingly decorated eatery offers slightly upscale Tex-Mex. The house salsa is surprisingly hot and delicious, as is the house gua-camole. The enchiladas bear a delicious red sauce with cinna-mon hints. — $$
the Loop965 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-9344, theloopatmanitou.com
Champion in the contentious Bar for a Margarita Best Of category, offering around 30 tequilas and new creations like The Skinny, a clean agave and lime margarita. Past a huge menu of Tex-Mex staples, find specials like the stone-bowl Molcajete: pork, chicken and steak in poblano sauce. — $$
rudy’s Little hideaway945 S. Eighth St., 632-9527
We once described Rudy’s as a Denny’s in a sombrero, basically offering a mix between Ameri-
can diner classics and Mexican comfort food. For example, take this recent special, the Vol-cano ($7.50): homefries with jalapenos, onions, a hamburger patty smothered in green chili, two eggs and tortillas. — $
PizzaBilly’s old World Pizza308 S. Eighth St., Suite E, 630-3400, billyspizza.net
An Italian buffet for the hur-ried, and slow, stone-baked, Chicago-style, deep-dish pizzas for everyone else. Everything from-scratch, including house-ground meats and house-stuffed sausages. — $$
Marilyn’s Pizza house964 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-9104
It’s a Manitou tribute to ‘50s icon Marilyn Monroe, owned by the same folks as the Ancient Mariner. The pies are pleasant enough, as recently evidenced by the 10-inch Manitou ($9.75) with feta, mozzarella, olives, ar-tichoke hearts and garlic sauce on thin crust. — $
Pizzeria rustica2527 W. Colorado Ave., 632-8121, pizzeriarustica.com
One of our town’s sustainability stars — Green Restaurant Cer-tified and sourcing a lot locally — this is the spot for top-notch wood-oven pies featuring house-made mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes and gour-met toppings like venison sau-sage. Killer desserts, too. — $$
ruffrano’s hell’s Kitchen Pizza9 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-4355, hellskitchenmanitou.com
The owner trained at a Hell’s Kitchen joint, bringing its reci-pes here. The Hellfire (hot sau-sage, pepperoni, cherry pep-pers) is a standout, and some go for the goofy mac-and-cheese pie. Gluten-free options plus garlic, cinnamon or Hellfire knots for a different twist. — $$
Savelli’s301 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-3755, savellispizza.com
Catch all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Tuesdays ($8.99), proficiently made subs like the Grinder (of house-made Italian sau-sage, green peppers, onions, provolone and house tomato sauce) and the specialty bacon cheeseburger pizza or chicken garlic ranch pizza. — $
PuB Foodancient Mariner962 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-5503, hmsancientmariner.net
Also a major Manitou music venue, the Mariner’s a good bet for a pint and anything from
a po-boy to a burger, pizza or homemade soups. Wednesday is half-off pizza day; Monday, half-off burger day. The Reuben with a secret “captain’s sauce” is a go-for item. — $
dutch Mill tavern503 W. Colorado Ave., 471-3370
Korean-born owner Mi Lee took over 16 years ago and has added Eastern influences like Asian kebabs and the new kim-chi burger (with spicy cabbage inside the meat), as well as a Thursday Korean dinner. Oth-erwise, it’s bar norms for break-fast, lunch and dinner. — $
Keg Lounge730 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-9531
When you mention the Keg, everyone talks up the buffalo cheeseburger and the berry salad, but there’s also Ranch Foods Direct steaks and daily specials. Atmosphere-wise, it’s Manitou through and through, which is to say full of twisted, homey bar charm. — $$
McGinty’s Wood oven Pub11115 W. U.S. Hwy. 24, Divide, 686-7703, mcgintyswoodovenpub.com
It’s a mind-blowing Friday-night fish-and-chips with de-licious house chowder (one of our dishes of the year), or the Paddy O’Reilly pizza with corned beef, braised cabbage and creamy horseradish. Plus an exclusive Bristol-blended house ale and bangin’ sand-wiches. A must-go. — $$
Meadow Muffins2432 W. Colorado Ave., 633-0583
Winner again for Best Neigh-borhood Bar on the west side, “The Muff” is a 30-plus-year go-to for games, karaoke, beer bingo, DJs and drinks. The standard pub fares span the fa-miliar burger, sandwich, pizza and wing territories, and obvi-ously don’t disappoint. — $
Silver tongue devil Saloon10530 Ute Pass Ave., 684-2555, Green Mountain Falls, thesilvertonguedevil.com
This lively drink house with live music far surpasses bar-food expectations. We always freak out over the stupefyingly good egg-roll-wrapped jalapeño poppers (now with habañero option called “Bombas”), but the buffalo and barbecue wings are great, too, as are the house-made pizzas. — $$
thunder & Buttons ii2415 W. Colorado Ave., 447-9888, thunderandbuttons.com
Catch daily food specials like steak sliders and blackened shrimp fettuccine, beyond a
other eateries with West locations:
Borriello Brothers, 229 S. Eighth St., see p. 47Carlos Miguel’s, 730 E. U.S. Hwy. 24, Woodland Park, see p. 58Colorado Mountain Brewery, 600 S. 21st St. (coming early summer), see p. 57Gold Hill Java, 757 Gold Hills Place, Woodland Park, see p. 43Heart of Jerusalem Café, 718 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, see p. 58Jun Japanese Restaurant, 3276 Centennial Blvd., 227-8690, see p. 59La Baguette, 2417 W. Colorado Ave., 577-4818, see p. 43Sheldon’s Luncheonette, 310F S. Eighth St., 520-1654, see p. 45
sizeable sandwich and salad menu. See their website for daily happy hour and late-night drink specials. Also open mic comedy night, Geeks Who Drink and live music. — $
Southern/BarBeCue/CaJunBuster o’Brians727 Gold Hill Place, Woodland Park, 686-8098, busterobrians.com
Traditional Cajun and more, from scratch, with personality. Enjoy a fresh salad bar, included in some meals, plus a newly expanded menu of po-boys and hearty bread bowls. Also: breakfast plates, beignets, gum-bo, étouffée, Cajun seafood pasta and baked desserts. — $
Firehouse Southern Style BBQ817 W. Colorado Ave., 447-8829
Firehouse came under new ownership last fall, but the menu hasn’t changed. That’s good, considering they won our ribs “food fight” in mid 2010. Think great smoked meats with delicious house sauces. Look for the separately owned split-off, Firehouse on the Run, in Black Forest. — $
Front range Barbeque2330 W. Colorado Ave., 632-2596, frontrangebbq.com
Killer craft beer tap selection, national music acts, great patio, and then there’s the Alabama-native-driven menu: qual-ity smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, po-boys, burgers, catfish, Cajun specialties and, of course, homemade pecan pie. — $
the Smokin’ Q11027 U.S. Hwy. 24, Divide, 687-5800, thesmokinq.com
Using hormone-free meats and rainbow trout from a Bue-na Vista farm, this worthwhile Divide detour handles smoke well. Cherry and applewood in-form the loaded trout burrito. Sample the great pulled pork as part of a five-person family meal for $42 (including brisket, ribs and more). — $$
SuShi/ JaPaneSeShinji’s Sushi Bar
308-M S. Eighth St., 475-0669
Shinji Shibuya is a gracious su-shi chef whose warmth equals that of his awesome miso ra-men bowl ($9.50). His special-ty rolls are fabulous, and the good news is that he recently added lunch hours, complete with affordable bento boxes plus a crazy 18-piece Califor-nia roll for $2.95. — $$
thaiPho-n-thai125 N. Spruce St., 329-0705, yourhoodz.com/phonthai
Pho-N-Thai, as the name sug-gests, blends Vietnamese and Thai classics, along with an American section. One high-light is three free refills of Thai Iced Tea ($2.50); another is the awesome green curry, which, when ordered hot, we called a “velvet-wrapped hammer of lip-numbing goodness.” — $
Wild Ginger thai restaurant27 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 634-5025, wildgingerthai.com
Wild Ginger earns our read-ers’ vote for Best Thai year af-ter year, which in a town now overrun with Thai options, says more than descriptions of fa-miliar dishes like pad Thai and coconut milk green curry. Suf-fice to say, then, that this place is simply grand. — $
VietnaMeSe house of Saigon1014 S. 21st St., Suite A, 473-6707
A highlight here is generous helpings of crisp vegetables like broccoli and green bell peppers, which freshen dishes like the vegetable noodle bowl (your basic bun) and the spicy, ginger-y squid lemongrass entrée.— $
Vietnamese Garden3043 W. Pikes Peak Ave., 520-9299, vietnamesegarden.net
Dung My Tram’s Vietnamese menu stands out from others, with items you don’t see else-where, like a fantastic potato fritter appetizer and delicious mung bean and cassava cake desserts. Her noodle soups and grilled meat entrées are also excellent. Weekly specials are worth a look, too. — $$
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ShoppingThink you’ve seen it all, in other parts of town? Not a chance
By J. Adrian Stanley
The last time I shopped over here, I bought an organic cotton baby toy shaped like a pea pod, barely resisted a handcrafted lawn sculpture, and
downed a creamy, raspberry-topped confection known as Schausse. I was also tempted by vintage coffee cups, imported silk scarves, and a bracelet of strung pennies.
Needless to say, chain stores just don’t carry this stuff. And they’re worse off for it.
Wearables and edibles
There’s plenty to justify a girls’ day out. In Old Colorado City, check out Call to Life (2502
W. Colorado Ave., acalltolife.com), Envi (2605 W. Colorado Ave., envi.biz), Barracuda Bazaar (2603 W. Colorado Ave., barracudabazaar.com), Eve’s Revolu-tion (1312 W. Colorado Ave., evesrevolution.com), and SWISH (1816 W. Colorado Ave., swishvintage.com). These clothing and accessories stores convey the eco-and-style-conscious vibe. Yobel Market (2528 W. Colorado Ave., yobelmarket.com) takes it further, with all-fair-trade wearables and gifts.
Walk a little further on the wild side? Try Nice ’N Naughty (2504 W. Colorado Ave., 633-7277) for that perfect lace corset. More subdued? Piramide Clothing Company (2516 W. Colorado Ave., piramidenf.com) promises a laid-back, natural look. There’s another Piramide at 106 Cañon Ave. in Manitou Springs, which brings us to a whole other shopping wonderland. For the girly-girl, hit Safron of Manitou (720 Manitou Ave., manitoubooks.com), which brims with ornamented frocks and one-of-kind jewelry. Women who lean “crunchy” will enjoy La Henna Boheme (801 Manitou Ave., 636-2626). And don’t forget Ten Spot (742 Mani-tou Ave., 685-1545): It’s usually packed with accesso-ries, and everything is $10.
Good job. Hungry yet?From the salt-water taffy at Patsy’s Candies (1540 S.
21st St.; 930 Manitou Ave., patsyscandies.com), to the baked goods at Mya Bella Cupcakes (2524½ W. Colorado Ave., myabellacupcakes.com) and La Baguette (2417 W. Colorado Ave., labaguette-co.com), your sweet tooth is covered. But don’t completely pass by Manitou’s Pikes Peak Chocolate Company (805 Manitou Ave., pikespeak-
chocolate.com) and Goldminers Nuts and Candy (10 Cañon Ave., Suite B, goldminersnutsandcandy.com) — a shop that draws you in with the scent of roasted cinna-mon almonds and keeps you with old-fashioned candies, licorice imports and fudge. (Try the jalapeño.)
You can get vegetables that aren’t covered in chocolate (plus other healthy groceries) at Mountain Mama Natural Foods (1625 W. Uintah St., Suite A, mountainmama-naturalfoods.com) or, in Manitou, at Naturally’s Market & Cafe (110 Cañon Ave., naturallys.net).
For specialties, try Garden of the Gods Gourmet (2528 W. Cucharras St., godsgourmet.com) for a unique sea-soning blend or some takeout. Along the same lines is Manitou’s Spice of Life (727 Manitou Ave., manitous-piceoflife.com), with a great menu and gobs of kitchen gadgets. Try Organica Herb & Tea Co. (12 S. 25th St., 344-3213) if you need unusual herbs, or the Olive Tap (906 Manitou Ave., #103, theolivetap.com) for gourmet oils, vinegars and spices. Also consider D’Vine Wine (934 Manitou Ave., winerycolorado.com), where you can design your own blend, and the bee-themed Honey Cot-tage (2429 W. Colorado Ave., 329-0525).
Adventures of all kinds
OK, about the kids.If you’re expecting, Baby Cotton Bottoms (1301
W. Colorado Ave., babycottonbottoms.com) will hook you up with everything for natural parenting, from cloth diapers to carriers. For those already outside the belly, Mountain Moppets (2532 W. Colorado Ave., mountainmoppets.com) and Recess (1721 W. Colo-rado Ave., recessconsign.com) sell way-cute duds.
Is your child into toys? In Manitou, buy her a yo-yo at YoYo Loco (744 Manitou Ave., yoyoloco.com) or a rubber-band gun at American Toy Store (906 Manitou Ave., #104, americantoystore.com), where every dollar supports U.S. manufacturing jobs. Rubber duckies can be had at The Quacker (738 Manitou Ave., quackergiftshop.com).
Older kids and adventurous adults will enjoy Blind-side (293 S. 21st St. at press time, but moving soon, blindsidecolorado.net) where you can pick up a skate-board or snowboard, or just a bunch of stickers. Bike-riders will find high-end products at ProCycling (600 S.
21st St., #120, procyclingwarehouse.com), and a more casual atmosphere at CS West Bikes (3020 W. Colorado Ave., cswestbikes.com). Fishermen can visit Angler’s Covey (295 21st St., anglerscovey.com).
Otherwise, head to Manitou for Mountain High Sportswear (958 Manitou Ave., mountainhighsport-wear.com) or Kinfolks (950 Manitou Ave., kinfolks-manitou.com), a combination bar-and-outdoor shop.
Those whose adventurous side is musical should duck into the Dulcimer Shop (740 Manitou Ave., dulcimer.net) for hand-crafted instruments, or Earth Pig Music (1953 W. Uintah St., 575-9847) for CDs and more.
If you have a furry “kid” in need of spoiling, visit Republic of Paws (2411 W. Colorado Ave., republicof-paws.com), Wag N’ Wash (1625 W. Uintah St., wag-nwash.com), or Gigi’s (728 Manitou Ave., gigisshop.com).
For the home, try Earthen Artisan House (2611 W. Colorado Ave., earthenartisanhouse.com), where you can work on building a natural, wholesome nest; Domino (10 S. 25th St., domino80904.com), for mint-condition retro finds; and Olive Tree Traders (2526 W. Colorado Ave.; 906 Manitou Ave., olivetreetraders.com) for exotic, embroidered bedspreads or Turkish mosaic lanterns.
In Manitou, be sure to visit Commonwheel Artists Co-op (102 Cañon Ave., commonwheel.com) for a great selection of local ceramic pieces. Cooks and bak-ers should also stop by the Manitou Kitchen Shop (906 Manitou Ave., #102, 685-9900) and Whickerbill (742 Manitou Ave., 685-1540) for kitchen gadgets and dishes.
If it’s your home’s energy that’s lacking, a very peaceful staffer at Celebration Conscious Living Store (2209 W. Colorado Ave., celebrationstore.com) can likely help you work it out.
Finally, you’re not a true west-sider until you have a wooden bear carved with a chainsaw. No no knows why this is, and it’s probably better not to ask. Instead, just visit Manitou’s Nature of Things Chainsaw Art (347 Manitou Ave., natureofthingschainsawart.com).
Other stores with West locations: Arc Thrift Store (1830 W. Uintah St., see p. 71); Discover Goodwill retail store (2304 W. Colorado Ave., 721 Gold Hill Square, Woodland Park; see p. 71); Independent Records (3040 W. Colorado Ave., see p. 48). n
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Believe it or not, it’s not all about Pikes Peak (visitpikespeak.com) over here.
In fact, the best place to start in the western part of town may be the Indy readers’ perennial pick for Best Tourist Destination: Garden of the Gods (1805 N. 30th St., gardenofgods.com). Pick up a map at the Visitor and Nature Center, and set out to find your trail. The biggest complaint at this gorgeous red-rock playground tends to be the crowds — 2 million people visit annually — but the three-mile Chamber/Bretag/Palmer trail loop takes you by many of the formations while keeping you out of traffic.
If you’re short on time or just want to find your inner cowboy or cowgirl, you can set out on horse-back with Academy Stables (4 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, arsriding.com) just like in the Old West. Or you can find the New West with a Segway tour by Adventures Out West (adventuresoutwest.com).
See white chalk and black shoe marks around? You’re probably seeing a favorite spot for bouldering. Clips secured in the rocks reveal the climbing routes, but those wanting to test their grips should register at the Visitor and Nature Center to avoid the $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Both climbers and boulderers should also look at the park’s website for details on what’s not allowed.
Also, multiple places offer guided climbs for begin-ners. It’s a good idea to get a little practice in at a local climbing gym, such as CityRock (21 N. Nevada Ave., climbcityrock.com) or Sport Climbing Center (4650
Northpark Drive, sportclimbcs.com), where you can also hook up with group trips off-site.
On the south side of Highway 24 is another won-derland of red rocks with plenty of foot traffic but no tour buses. Red Rock Canyon Open Space (Ridge Road, springsgov.com) considered the Garden of the Goddesses, isn’t fully natural like its neighbor up the road, because it was quarried to build much of Old Colorado City. But it’s still a true escape: Mountain bikers, boulderers and hikers dance around each other when the trails get busy.
Hikers can avoid bikers by taking the Contemplative Trail that winds through towering rocks. Bikers, mean-while, can test their skills on teeter-totters, berms and beams in the freeride area near the parking lot, or catch the Hogback Trail around the edges for a long ride. The easy terrain and well-worn paths make for safe exploring and a good option for families. The leash-free section also gives dogs a little play after dragging their owners up rocky trails and around the pond.
That said, maybe the best place around for pups is Bear Creek Dog Park (21st and West Rio Grande streets, elpasoco.com). Along with meandering hills and low grasses, new construction in the 25-acre area promises a dog wash, drinking fountains and rest-rooms, says Jason Meyer, park planner with El Paso County’s community services department. When it’s all finished, dogs will be able to paddle in special sec-tions of the creek, and boulders will secure the sides.
The rest of Bear Creek Regional Park (21st Street and
Argus Boulevard, elpasoco.com), with its sweeping vis-tas of the city and several miles of trails, is also getting a cleanup, Meyer says. The portion below 21st Street is easier for hiking and biking and is a popular horse trail; the upper half is more likely to have late-season ice in shady parts and offers a more technical ride for bikers.
One suggested route: from the main parking lot on Argus Boulevard up to Gold Camp Road and back down. Over that four-mile round trip, the terrain morphs from open grasslands to forest. It’s known for wildflowers and sightings of, well, bears. Stop in at Bear Creek Nature Center to find out what’s been spotted lately.
Work your way up
If you’d prefer to experience the wild from more of a distance, consider some city parks: In Old Colorado
City, there’s Bancroft Park (24th Street and Colorado Avenue), site of an excellent summertime farmers market and outdoor entertainment, and Thorndale Park (2310 W. Uintah St., springsgov.com), with kids’ stuff, tennis and basketball courts. In Manitou, you get Soda Springs Park (1016 Manitou Ave.) and its amphitheater; Memorial Park (500 block of Manitou Avenue) and its “Manizoo” sandbox; and The Fields Park, creekside at Beckers Lane and El Paso Boule-vard, with its popular skate park.
Ah, yes: tennis, basketball, skateboarding ... the adrenaline is starting to pick up. Time to get back into the wild. (By the way, remember that smartphone
OutdoorsThat big mountain shouldn’t be the only thing to pique your interest
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applications such as AllTrails and web-sites from trailsandopenspaces.org to cospringstrails.com will hook you up with more details on the places men-tioned below.)
Views of Pikes Peak from the Waldo Canyon Loop Trail (U.S. Highway 24, two miles west of Cave of the Winds)remind you that the mountain is lurk-ing. At seven miles, this trail is consid-ered moderately difficult, but gets more challenging if you veer off the loop.
Keep heading west on Highway 24, and you’ll find more trails in the North Slope Recreation Area (springsgov.com). Off the Pikes Peak Toll Road, three res-ervoirs and a visitors center sit within the 2,200-acre North Slope Recreation Area. Swimming is prohibited, but you can hike and bike and even fish from shore, from non-gasoline-powered boats, or by belly boating (fishing in a protected, inner-tube-like contraption).
Farther west still, Green Mountain Falls does, in fact, lead to falls. Park on Hondo Avenue and hike the steep ascent to Catamount Falls. Continuing on, you can hook up to a web of other trails. One heads to Crystal Falls for a larger loop hike, while more routes snake around into a meadow called the Garden of Eden and on to South Catamount Reservoir. For a longer hike, connect to the 57-mile Ring the Peak trail system (fotp.com/ringthepeak) and head to Pancake Rocks; just know it won’t loop you back.
Finally, looking way west beyond Woodland Park, you’ll find Rampart Res-ervoir (via Rampart Range Road), just outside of town. The reservoir allows boating and fishing, while an 11.6-mile single track loop trail along the reser-voir’s shores offers small hills and some tricky obstacles. Less advanced riders can walk the difficult sections, but all are asked to ride the trail clockwise.
Head for the summit
Now, about that mountain.One way to get your legs ready
for Pikes Peak is to climb the Manitou Incline. A 2,000-foot elevation gain in 1.5 miles, it’s more a heap of stairs (or old railroad ties) on Mount Manitou than a hike. Park on Ruxton Avenue near the Pikes Peak Cog Railway — just not in that parking lot — and go. As of this writing, the climb was tech-nically illegal, but local governments were nearing an agreement to open it up officially.
Of course, you could do the Incline daily (and some people seem to), but cresting at 9,000 feet is still going to be a lot different than 14,000-plus. So if you’re bent on summiting the Peak, you’re going to need multiple layers of clothing, emergency supplies, etc. And
you should do whatever you can to accli-mate to the altitude: Stories of trailside cookie-tossing on Pikes Peak are not rare, and that flu-like feeling causes many hik-ers to turn around.
You can traverse the backside by trekking from the Crags Campground in Pike National Forest, four miles south of Divide on U.S. 67, then east on Teller 62. It starts at nearly 10,000 feet, so the climb to the top is around half the distance of traditional options, and you’ll see intriguing rock formations and relatively few people. In the same neigh-borhood, and for the somewhat less driven, is Mueller State Park (parks.state.co.us/parks/Mueller) with 55 miles of woodland and meadow trail, camping, picnicking and nature ogling, with hot showers and flush toilets in the warm months. Parks pass required.
But you may have your heart set on Barr Trail. At nearly 13 miles, climbing more than 7,800 vertical feet, it’s a sig-nature Colorado mountain challenge. Start where Ruxton Avenue ends in Manitou Springs with a special parking lot just for this trail on Hydro Street.
Some people get out there early (4 a.m. is not out of the question), and go up and down in a day. But you do have the option to stay overnight, thanks to 88-year-old Barr Camp (barrcamp.com). On-site, you can find beds, meals, out-houses and tent space.
Current caretaker Neal Taylor says visitors should check the website for what to bring. (For instance, the area has a stream but not purified water, so you’ll have to pack your own purifica-tion system.) Weekend reservations for summer can fill up before spring, and requests must be made 48 hours in advance — by e-mail, because they do not have a phone.
“Local hikers are famous for thinking they will get to camp faster than they are able,” Taylor says in an e-mail. “People who routinely hike up with a small day-pack quickly find out how difficult it is to hike with an overnight pack.”
He advises planning to hike slower and to make camp by 6 p.m., in time for the dinner deadline.
In the six miles after the camp, the trail becomes more steep and above the treeline morphs into gravel. The last mile, as it always seems, is the hard-est. But then you can hop on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway (515 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, cograilway.com) for an easy trip down, or head back the same way you came, maybe even with another night at Barr Camp.
Oh, about the railway: Yes, that’ll also take you up the mountain, for a fee, with-out you setting foot on a trail. If you’re into that. Which, if you’ve read this far, you probably aren’t. ■
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Daytime hangoutsWith galleries and kids’ stuff galore, the main drags are anything but
By Rhonda Van Pelt
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource CenterColorado Wolf and Wildlife Center Kin
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Mug upWe’ll start in Manitou Springs, because you can barely go five feet without run-
ning into a coffee spot, or something like a coffee spot — hello, Maté Factor (966 Manitou Ave., 685-3235). Even the innards of Venue 515 boast their own Can-vas Café (515 Manitou Ave., 685-1861).
But let’s backtrack a minute to Marika’s Coffeehouse (739 Manitou Ave., mari-kascoffeehouse.com), because it’s going to meet most of your needs. The Georgopou-los co-owners are frequently behind the counter, making a drink you can take with you as you enjoy hanging artwork by local luminaries, check your Pinterest on the free-to-use computers, or spend a minute on the piano.
FRIENDS Coffee & Espresso (934 Manitou Ave., friendscoffeeandespresso.com), across from the endlessly thrilling Manitou Arcade, offers parents a little pick-me-up when the little ones have decided they’re NOT setting the light gun down on
Area 51. Lastly, for a damn decent mocha, hit Spice of Life (727 Manitou Ave., manitouspiceoflife.com). It does more herbs, flavorings and food than java, so we’d also recommend you grab the Hot Man Sandwich.
Old Colorado City’s also doing just fine in the bean area. You’ve got the Agia Sophia Coffee Shop & Bookstore (2902 W. Colorado Ave., agiasophiacoffeeshop.com), where I’ve lost more than a few games of chess on the inlaid table downstairs. Addi-tionally, the upper level offers some of the best and most distinctive corners in the city for meeting and studying. (Check out the 360-degree views on the website.)
Jives Coffee Lounge (16 Colbrunn Court, jivescoffeelounge.com) is another OCC haunt with wood floors, live music and great personality.
— Bryce Crawford
Long before Old Colorado City was “Old,” it was the first (unof-ficial) capital of the Colorado
Territory. So dismiss any urge to skip the Old Colorado City Historical Society’s History Center (1 S. 24th St., occhs.org); this free museum will set you up right before you start your stroll. You also may want to check out the Old Colorado City Library (2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., ppld.org/old-colorado-city-library), part of Andrew Carnegie’s legacy.
Then get ready for some art. Cucuru Gallery Cafe (2332 W. Colora-
do Ave., cucuru.santuario.com) deftly mixes its works with music and food. Moving west on Colorado Avenue, you’ll find old-timey little sculptures at the Michael Garman Museum (2418 W. Colorado Ave., michaelgarman.com); keep in mind that above the shop, 20 completely separate artists’ studios (thesecondfloorstudios.com) open up from 5 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of every month. Also, the Range Gallery (2428 W. Colorado Ave., longshotphotog-raphy.com) displays gorgeous camera art — including Kathleen McFadden’s “third dimension” photography.
Stay on the north side of Colorado Avenue as you continue to the 2500 block, where you’ll see the Velez (2506
W. Colorado Ave., velezgalleries.com) and Hunter-Wolff (2510 W. Colorado Ave., hunterwolffgallery.com) galleries. The Laura Reilly Fine Art Gallery (2522A W. Colorado Ave., laurareilly.com) may hold more paintings per square inch than anywhere on the planet.
If you’re inspired at this point to cre-ate your own art, stop by Puttin’ on the Paint (2616 W. Colorado Ave. #21, 633-5330) and glaze a few ceramic pieces.
But then it’s time to cross the street to El Dorado Gallery (2627 W. Colorado Ave., eldoradogallery.net) and Studio 101 (2609 W. Colorado Ave., studio101.biz), the latter of which offers children’s art classes. On to the Squash Blossom (2531 W. Colorado Ave., squashblossom.com), then Arati Artists Gallery (2425 W. Col-orado Ave., aratiartists.com) and the puppet-loving Simpich Showcase Theatre (2413 W. Colorado Ave., simpich.com).
South of OCC, the Ghost Town Muse-um (400 S. 21st St., ghosttownmuseum.com) gives kids the chance to pan for gold during the summer. West of the Garden of the Gods Visitors Center, Rock Ledge Ranch (3105 Gateway Road, rock-ledgeranch.com) re-creates the area’s past; check the site for information on docents and special events including, but not limited to, sheep shearing.
Just minutes farther north, Glen Eyrie (3820 N. 30th St., gleneyrie.org) is a castle that was home to Colorado Springs’ founder, William Jackson Palm-er. Tours and teas are readily available.
Heading into Manitou Springs, the first daytime attraction you might see is the Business of Art Center (513 and 515 Manitou Ave., thebac.org), a cre-ative hub that hosts exhibits, studios, a gift shop and much more. (Disclosure: I do PR there.) The Manitou Springs Library (701 Manitou Ave., manitous-prings.colibraries.org) will follow, as will Green Horse Gallery (729 Mani-tou Ave., greenhorsegallery.com) and Mountain Living Studio (741 Manitou Ave., mountainlivingstudio.com). They display local artists’ work, as does the venerable Commonwheel Artists Co-op (102 Cañon Ave., commonwheel.com). At Mountain Living, look for paintings by Liese Chavez, Indy readers’ pick for Best Local Artist.
A few blocks west, find more paint-ings at Darpino Studio Gallery (934 Manitou Ave., darpinostudiogallery.com), Duryea Fine Art (1003 Manitou Ave., duryeafineart.com) and Fare Bella Studio & Gallery (16 Ruxton Ave., fare-bella.wordpress.com). Miramont Castle Museum (9 Capitol Hill Ave., mira-
montcastle.org) is a must-see — unless you’re drawn instead to the Manitou Arcade (930 block of Manitou Avenue, 685-9815), with its brightly painted animal rides, classic photo booth, and dozens of old-school arcade games.
Head west on Highway 24, tak-ing note of the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop (5050 Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade, santas-colo.com) amid other tourist spots, and watch for the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center (201 S. Fairview St., rmdrc.com) and its displays of the herbivores and car-nivores whose bones have been found around these parts. Also be aware that Seven Arrows Gallery (118 W. Midland Ave., 7arrowsgallery.com) is the unof-ficial headquarters for the art scene in “The City Above the Clouds.”
Back on the highway, continue west to Divide. Just 1.5 miles past the stoplight, you’ll see a sign on the left for the Colo-rado Wolf and Wildlife Center (wolfeduca-tion.org); go another 1.5 miles on Twin Rocks Road. The CWWC, which houses a sanctuary, offers walking tours with knowledgeable guides, by reservation only. And beyond Divide, the Florissant Fossil Beds (15807 Teller County Road 1, Florissant, nps.gov/flfo) take you even further into the region’s past. n
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‘Yes, I believe that the name is a euphemism for manure.”
See, it really is different on the west side.The above quote comes from Todd Delahanty, when
asked about the namesake for the bar he owns. Meadow Muffins (2432 W. Colorado Ave., 633-0583) has been a staple of downtown Old Colorado City since it opened its doors in 1979, and today amid the old Hollywood props you’ll find lively crowds on football Sundays, open mics and the occasional pole dancing contest.
Meanwhile, just across the street comes another “you won’t find this anywhere else”: Thunder & Buttons II (2415 W. Colorado Ave., thunderandbuttons.com) is named for a pair of local elk from the 1880s. It features Wednesday $5 pitchers of the High Life and three nights of Crazy Tony’s karaoke craziness.
The west-side dive-bar title probably belongs to Benny’s Restaurant & Lounge (517 W. Colorado Ave., 634-9309). Satisfying bar food, cheap pours and a great range of musical acts bring to life this straight-from-a-movie locale. As Yelp commenter Damien B puts it: “Sit back and enjoy the show.”
You can do the same, over ribs or a buffalo burger, at Front Range Barbeque (2330 W. Colorado Ave., frbbq.com) on Wednesday or Saturday evenings. That’s when live bands, including touring acts, play the homey venue. It’s tough to beat a summer show on FRBBQ’s patio.
Next door, you’ll find another outlet for an artistic night out. At the Cucuru Gallery Cafe (2332 W. Colora-do Ave., cucuru.santuario.com), you’re going to meet an eclectic, engaging clientele in an intimate setting that often features jazz, blues and even some crooning.
Along similar lines comes the more-than-hip Motif (2432 W. Cucharras St., motifwest.com). Tucked off the main strip, with a welcoming patio and chic decor, it’s the ideal spot to hang out with a well-heeled crowd and enjoy an evening of some of the region’s best jazz acts.
Staying with the highbrow theme, we’ve got a couple welcoming Manitou offerings for wine aficionados.
Swirl Wine Bar (717 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, swirlwineemporium.com) provides a meticulously curated menu in a chic, comfy setting, with a charming courtyard in the back for evenings of long conversation.
Mona’s Wine Cellar (733 Manitou Ave., monalisafon-due.com) has an impressive wine selection, and a food menu featuring tempting cheese fondue entrees and chocolate fondue desserts.
Looking up the road, people have at some point walked up to the foot of Barr Trail and thought to them-selves, “You know, maybe I’d rather have a beer.” If so, they’ve probably wound up in Kinfolks Mountain Shop (950 Manitou Ave., kinfolksmanitou.com), just your average outdoor-store-with-a-craft-beer-stocked bar. Or they’ve gone to the Townhouse Lounge (907 Manitou
Ave., thetownhouselounge.com), where the colorful exterior is rivaled only by the colorful clientele.
A little farther west you find the Ancient Mariner (962 Manitou Ave., hmsancientmariner.net), an odd choice of a name for a bar so far from the sea. Rest assured, they’ve completely committed to the theme.
Now, heading up U.S. Highway 24, there’s the Silver Tongue Devil Saloon (10530 Ute Pass Ave., thesilver-tonguedevil.com), Green Mountain Falls’ pick for tour-ing rock bands and excellent gourmet pizzas made with homemade dough. The Crystola Roadhouse (20918 U.S. Hwy. 24, Woodland Park, 687-7879) is another solid music venue with a steady supply of touring blues acts.
Buck’s Mountain Saloon & Grill (116 W. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, 686-1212) is a bar that knows its cli-entele. Neon beer signs are the decorating motif for a no-pretense watering hole offering a good, boozy time.
Meanwhile, the people behind BierWerks Brewery (121 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, bierwerks.com)know their beer. From the apple cider aplfelbier to the black lager schwarzbier, brewmaster James McGraw crafts top-notch Bavarian and German creations.
Finally, Ute Inn (204 W. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, uteinn.com) recalls an old Western saloon, just with wood paneling and a strong mountain-pride vibe. Friday nights feature live musical acts, and every Wednesday there’s an open mic. ■
Nighttime hangoutsDive bars, wine bars and virtually everything in between
By Chet Hardin
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