Posts Tagged ‘Colorado’
24
Jul
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: access, Aspen, brownies, Colorado, Denver, disabled, freshly baked pizza, High Mountain Pies, Independence Pass, Lake County, Leadville, pies, pizza, salads, sandwiches, silver, USA, Valerie Penny. Leave a comment
Our friends had put miles onto their truck and gallons into their tank taking us up over Independence Pass on a 
memorable trip from Aspen to Denver and we stopped at High Mountain Pies, Leadville, Colorado for a late lunch. We found High Mountain Pies 
through a recommendation from a Leadville local. It was a good recommendation, everywhere else we passed was closed or closing! There is not much seating inside, so we sat outside in the sun.
The view from Leadville is beautiful. The historic city of Leadville is the Statutory City that is the county seat and the only incorporated municipality in Lake County, Colorado, USA. Leadville is situated at an elevation of 10,152 feet and is the highest incorporated city in the USA. It is a former silver mining town and lies near the headwaters of 
the Arkansas River in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and is a really interesting town to visit.
The variety of choices on the menu was not wide. However, we chose from a selection of freshly baked pizza, salads, sandwiches and pies. They also offer the most enormous brownies I have ever seen! The toppings on the pizzas are generous and the tastes are strong and fresh. The staff are friendly and courteous but service was a bit slow. There is only one rest room, but it was 
clean. Access for those who are disabled or mobility impaired was good.
If you are planning a trip through Leadville, you could do worse than stop for lunch at High Mountain Pies.
Valerie Penny
15
Jul
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: Colorado, dsabled, family-owned, inexpensive, Las Delicitas IV, Mexican food, mobility, Parker, spotlessly clean, USA, Valerie Penny. 1 comment
My friends, my husband and I were enjoying a visit to the lovely town centre of Parker, Colorado, USA. In the evening, we decided to stop for dinner instead of having to cook when we got home. Our friends suggested Las Delicitas IV, they had eaten there before and enjoyed it. This hidden gem has real authentic Mexican food. The food was pretty inexpensive and the service was fast so despite that recommendation, my husband and I did not have high expectations. We were wrong. The food was delicious! This is a bare-bones, family-owned local chain spot that serves delicious food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The decoration is simple but everything in Las Delicitas IV is spotlessly clean. Everyone in the kitchen had a hairnets. You could see them from the dining room. Also the members of staff were all friendly and helpful. We experienced great customer service. This really made us feel valued as guests: it was so good. Access for disabled people or those with mobility problems is easy too.
Food here was also excellent. The salsa was amazing, very tangy and tasty. One of our friends had a burrito and I had the guacamole tostadas. I ate some of it with a spoon so I did not miss any of the delicious guacamole. My husband had a combo and loved everything. The portions were very generous too! The different entrees had strong unique flavors and the beans were very good too. Despite the large portions we shamed ourselves and made room for fried ice cream puddings: lovely!
Las Delicitas IV is definitely a Mexican restaurant in Parker that produces delicious food and values their customers. I highly recommend it.
Valerie Penny
10
Jul
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: American dishes, beer garden, Colorado, Denver, live bands, Parker, poker, saloon, Tail Gate Tavern and Grill, USA, Valerie Penny. Leave a comment
My husband and I joined friends for a wander around the town centre in Parker, Colorado, USA on a very hot summer afternoon in June. It is a delightful, traditional town and offers the best of two worlds: small town living within striking distance of the metropolis of Denver.
We stopped at the Tail Gate Tavern and Grill for a drink and to relax because it has a beer garden from which we could watch the world go by in the fresh air and the warmth, but shaded by the big blue parasols. The Tail Gate Tavern and Grill offers a wide 
variety of beers, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. It also serves American inspired food from breakfast until dinner and features live bands from time to time. Poker, karaoke, other diversions are also on offer in the saloon atmosphere.
We enjoyed our visit to the Tail Gate Tavern and Grill. Access for disabled people is easy and the restrooms were spotlessly clean. We were not rushed by the staff and the service was friendly, although a little slower than I would have expected, given that they were not particularly busy. We liked the Tail Gate Tavern and Grill and look forward to stopping here again I am happy to recommend the Tail Gate Tavern and Grill.
Valerie Penny
6
Jul
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: A.G. Sheppard House, Aspen, Basalt, Carpenter Gothic Style, Colorado, Glenn Smith, Isaac Cooper, Taylor Creek Fly Shop, The White House Tavern, Valerie Penny, vegetarian. 1 comment
My husband and our friend Bill had shared a fine day’s fishing courtesy of Bill’s family friend Glenn Smith of Taylor 
Creek Fly Shop in Basalt, Colorado. The fellows had a great time and luckily Glenn and his lovely wife, Serena, were able to join us for dinner that evening in Aspen. Glenn recommended The White House Tavern, Aspen, Colorado. What a good choice! It was a
very long time since I had last been to Aspen and it was my husband’s first visit, so we were happy to have a recommendation from a local.
The White House Tavern is quite small and is situated in the historic A.G. Sheppard House at 302 East Hopkins Avenue, Aspen. Throughout its history the building has been used for both commercial and residential 
purposes. The building was constructed in 1883 on a lot purchased from Isaac Cooper for $300 and served as a miner’s cottage at the turn of the century. It remains one of the oldest structures in Aspen. The White House Tavern is an example of the Carpenter Gothic Style. This is characterized by wooden interpretations of Gothic structures. Carpenter Gothic homes feature steeply 
pitched roofs, jig-saw cut trim elements and white color schemes with brightly coloured accents, such as the red door on The White House Tavern.
We were very impressed by the mixture of traditional and modern here. You can see into the kitchen and the lighting is strikingly modern and 
interesting in such a historic building. The White House Tavern is not large and the six of us required the largest table in the place. Due to the small size, the venue does not accept reservations. However, we arrived early so managed to avoid having to put our 
name on a waiting list, this is customary if all the tables are occupied. Bar seating is also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The White House Tavern menu offers premium sandwiches, salads and dips along with distinctive wines, beers, and cocktails. They even adapted one of their sandwiches for me to a vegetarian version. It was delicious. We all enjoyed our meals and the lively and convivial atmosphere, exhibition kitchen and interesting artworks in the warm, wood paneled space that is The White House Tavern. We all had a lovely evening and, if you are in Aspen, I highly recommend The White House Tavern.
Valerie Penny
1
Jul
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: Aspen, Aspen's best burger, burger, coffee, Colorado, free Wi-Fi, latte, Peach's Corner Cafe, USA, Valerie Penny, vegetarian. Leave a comment
It had been many years since I last visited Aspen, Colorado, USA. Many years ago I spent a vacation there and am thrilled to be able to say I have skied in Aspen. That is an expensive pursuit there, now. However, more recently when friends, my husband and I visited it was summer and we had no plans to ski. We did plan to shop but we interrupted our shopping to have lunch at Peach’s Corner Cafe.
Peach’s really appealed to us because it is bright and clean. The food is 
outstanding and they have something for everyone on their menu, even for me as a vegetarian. My husband tried the burger and was not surprised that it was recently named Aspen’s best burger. Our friends chose salads which were fresh and varied. My vegetarian panini was delicious. It contained a wide variety of roasted vegetables. The food is awesome and very affordable, especially for Aspen. The service is friendly too and we discovered that his little gem is run and owned by a local. That was a nice touch. They even have free Wi-Fi.
The Peach’s Corner Cafe does great coffee. Coffee is a big thing for my 
husband. It is one of the things that he is really fussy about. I did enjoy my latte: it was great. I also appreciated that the cost for the coffee was not extotioante. That is a real rarity for Aspen! The bright atmosphere of the store is nice, as is the decor. There s seating outdoors as well as inside and the view from the outdoor dining area is beautiful. However, we sat inside as it was a bit wet the day we were there.
The cakes and other baked goods are delicious. Apparently, Peach’s buys in from different local bakeries for different things, rather than contracting with just one bakery. That is clever as they choose the best from each. So, the coffee drinks are tasty, the food is top notch and the prices are reasonable. This is no tourist trap it is definitely a place to check out if you are in Aspen. In fact, if you are in Aspen, I would say that Peach’s Corner Cafe is a must.
Valerie Penny
26
Jun
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: Basalt, Carbondale, Colorado, Frying Pan River, Glenn Smith, Javier Gonzalez-Bringas, Madrid, Spain, Taylor Creek Fly Shop, Tempranillo, USA, Valerie Penny. 1 comment
My friend, Lisa and I had spent a happy morning wandering around shops and art galleries in Carbondale and Basalt, Colorado while our respective husbands were fighting the fish on the Frying Pan River under the guidance of Glenn Smith from Taylor Creek Fly Shop, Basalt, Colorado. After our endeavours to empty the shops, we stopped into Tempranillo for some delicious home made lemonade. Tempranillo is located in historic, downtown Basalt on Midland Avenue and we sat 
outside in the front gardens in the shade. It was lovely.
As we were there early in the summer season, the restaurant had just opened for lunch and we were the only customers during our visit. The waiter was extremely attentive and frequently refreshed our drinks. I got the feeling he was bored and glad of the company. He did tell us that he normally worked evenings, when Tempranillo is very busy. He told us that the name Tempranillo, pays homage to one of Spain’s premier grape varieties, and true to its name, the restaurant features a selection of over 
100 hand-chosen wines.
Inside, Tempranillo warm and welcoming. It is notable for its rich colors, dual fireplaces, and community gathering table – all reflecting the equally rich depth of flavors and influences which are created by its internationally acclaimed chef Javier Gonzalez-Bringas, a native of Madrid, Spain combines an old-world style with a new-world flair in his signature cuisine.
The service was impeccable, the restaurant was spotlessly clean and I look forward to heading back to Tempranillo in Basalt, Colorado, USA for a meal, soon.
Valerie Penny
25
Jun
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: Colorado, Glenn Smith, Taylor Creek Fly Shop, The Frying Pan River, The Two Rivers, The Two Rivers Restaurant, USA, Valerie Penny. Leave a comment
My husband and a friend were booked to go fishing for the day with Glenn Smith of Taylor Creek Fly Shop on The Frying Pan River in Colorado, USA. However arrived a little early, so Glenn recommended that we stop into The Two Rivers Restaurant for breakfast. What a good idea it was!.
There is a bar in this establishment too and we got slightly confused as we had to enter the restaurant through the bar. However, when we did get in we were seated quickly by a friendly waitress who swiftly poured our coffees and made a point of keeping these topped up.
All four of us ordered traditional breakfasts. I had eggs over easy with home fries and toast. My husband had scrambled eggs, sausage and pancakes. He had never had pancakes with his breakfast before and really enjoyed them. One of our friends had a spinach omelette and the other chose eggs, bacon and hash browns.
The meals were not fine dining but were very tasty. The staff are attentive and meet your needs, indeed, our waitress was delightful and the rest rooms were spotlessly clean. Not only is the food good but the meals are reasonably priced too. I was very satisfied with everything about this place, I recommend The Two Rivers Restaurant and I will be back.
Valerie Penny
22
Jun
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: Carbondale, Chris and Terry Chacos, Colorado, Garfield County, Mexican dishes, Mount Sopris, Roaring Fork Valley, Rocky Mountains, The Village Smithy, United States, USA, Valerie Penny. 1 comment
My friend and I took time out from shopping and stopped into The Village Smithy in Carbondale, Colorado, USA. What a lovely little place and such a nice setting! The Village Smithy is situated in the Roaring Fork Valley and is known for providing some of the best breakfasts available in the region. The popular breakfast dishes run the gamut 
from familiar favorites, from the Applewood Bacon & Egg to the delightfully unexpected Fresh Spinach and Wild Mushroom omelette. Certainly we found this bistro to be very clean, our choices to be delicious and the staff exceptionally friendly. An old sign in the restaurant says is all: “We reserve the right to serve everyone.”
The town of Carbondale is a Home Rule Municipality in Garfield County, Colorado, USA. The town population was 6427 at the 2010 United States Census. It is a town located 170 miles west of Denver and 30 miles from Aspen in the heart of Colorado’s central Rocky Mountains. At an altitude of 6,181 feet, and resting in the magnificent shadow of 12,953-foot Mount Sopris, Carbondale is characterized by an average of 295 days of sunshine, low humidity, cold but mild winters and comfortable summers.
The Village Smithy restaurant was opened in 1975 by Chris and Terry Chacos who moved to Carbondale to escape a 
Aspen. They had always nourished the idea of opening a restaurant and decided to turn this charming black smith building into a community restaurant. With the help of friends and many talented locals, they created The Village Smithy. Today, this is still a place where the community goes for a quality meal or to meet with friends. It is now run by their son.
We stopped in mid-morning for a snack and a drink. We sat on the large open air deck, surrounded by gardens. The fresh air let us soak up the sun, the fresh Colorado’s Rocky Mountain and the beautiful atmosphere. My 
friend had a green tea and I had a freshly squeezed lemonade. Both were lovely and we lingered over them, enjoying the surroundings and the ambiance of this unique little bistro.
We noticed that for lunch The Village Smithy offers a wide selection of entrees including salads, sandwiches, burgers and Mexican dishes. The Asian Chicken Salad with its homemade Tarmari dressing is, we were told a great favourite. However, we could not stop for lunch as we had to return to the serious business of shopping but we enjoyed our visit to The Village Smithy in Carbondale, Colorado and recommend it.
Valerie Penny
19
Jun
Posted by Val Penny in Hotel Review. Tagged: Aspen, Basalt, Colorado, Glenn Smith, National Register of Historic Places, Redstone, Redstone Inn, Rocky Mountains, Taylor Creek Fly Shop, USA, Valerie Penny. 5 comments
On a recent visit to Colorado our friends took my husband and me up into the mountains. They shared with us a 
favourite place of theirs, Redstone Inn, Redstone, Colorado, USA. When you come upon the Redstone Inn, you will find a tiny mountain village hidden surprisingly beneath massive red cliffs. There is no way we would have found it on our own.
The entire tiny village of Redstone is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Redstone Inn offers a unique sanctuary for those looking to get away. There is only one street in the village. Some of its historic cottages have been transformed into unique shops, galleries and cafes. The Redstone Inn is a historic turn of the
century style resort in the Rocky Mountains about 50 miles from Aspen. The Inn is an early 20th-century Tudor-style property. There are several antique pieces of furniture, lots of interesting artifacts and fine paintings.
Our room was on the corner of the ground floor. It had two windows and was really light and bright. The en-suite bathroom had lovely old-fashioned tiles, but it had all the modern facilities including a full bath and shower and everything was spotlessly clean. The bed was a full king size bed and our room also boasted a table and comfortable chairs. There was even a fancy writing desk. Rooms all have traditional-style decor, free WiFi and TVs with cable channels. We were thoroughly impressed.
Nearby is the Redstone Park and where you can relax in the sun and watch the Crystal River, or at the end of the road you can examine the old coke ovens. This resort hotel in a wooded valley is also only a 15-minute walk from Redstone Castle. Within minutes of Redstone Inn you can also enjoy a number of breath taking hikes along cascading creeks and into high-alpine meadows exploding with wild flowers and teeming with wildlife. It is a truly lovely setting and we were thrilled to visit.
The grill and restaurant is open all day. There is an outdoor pool, a hot tub and gym all available. There is also a business center, but we found there was no cellphone coverage. It was lovely and peaceful. On our first evening we had dinner in the bar and sat watching the humming birds flit to and from the feeder. The meal was delicious, the 
wait staff were courteous and the setting was idealic.
The first morning we left early, so the boys could go fishing. Complementary tea and coffee was available in the bar. They went fishing at the Frying Pan River with Glenn Smith of Taylor Creek Fly Shop, Basalt, Colorado. What a terrific guide Glenn is. They had a great time. On our second morning at the Redstone Inn, we had breakfast. A full choice was on offer and, again we all enjoyed our meals and the surroundings.
If you have a chance to visit the Redstone Inn, please take it. You will enjoy it. My husband and I looked to find fault. 
I decided that the only ones I could find were that there was no room service and the reception was not open 24 hours. In reality neither of these affected us. My husband is a tall man and the only fault he could find was that our shower was set at 6 feet. He really needs the height to be at least 6’6″. That was all we could come up with! This is a wonderful place. I highly recommend it.
Valerie Penny
18
Jun
Posted by Val Penny in Restaurant Review. Tagged: child friendly, Colorado, Greek, Italian, Parker, Rocky Mountains, Spanish, Stone Gate Cafe, USA, Valerie Penny. Leave a comment
On a recent visit to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, my husband and I stopped for brunch with friends at the Stone Gate Cafe in Parker. It was late in the morning during the week and the cafe was quiet, so we were shown to a booth right away by a friendly waitress who took our orders for water and coffee almost before we sat down!. The 
Stone Gate Cafe is a clean, bright, local establishment. The menu was varied. It included some Greek dishes, an Italian plate and dishes with Spanish sausage.
One of our friends and I both decided to have the spinach omelette. It was cooked to order exactly as we had asked. The home fries and toast were also fresh and tasty while coffee refills arrived without request. Our other friend ordered the hash browns, eggs and bacon, which he loved. My husband had scrambled eggs, sausage and home 
fries. He enjoyed that very much too.
While we were having our meal several other people arrived. Amongst the groups were some older folks who were offered smaller portions for smaller appetites. There was also a larger family group with children. Although they did have to wait briefly for a table, space was made to sit them together and the children were also treated with as much courtesy as the adults. The cafe is certainly child friendly.
There is lots of parking available near the cafe. The Stone Gate Cafe offers good food at a fair price and without all the gimmicks of the national chain. We all thoroughly enjoyed our brunch and the ambiance of this little gem. It was a very reasonably priced meal. I have no hesitation in recommending it to you.
Valerie Penny
memorable trip from Aspen to Denver and we stopped at High Mountain Pies, Leadville, Colorado for a late lunch. We found High Mountain Pies 
through a recommendation from a Leadville local. It was a good recommendation, everywhere else we passed was closed or closing! There is not much seating inside, so we sat outside in the sun.
the Arkansas River in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and is a really interesting town to visit.
The variety of choices on the menu was not wide. However, we chose from a selection of freshly baked pizza, salads, sandwiches and pies. They also offer the most enormous brownies I have ever seen! The toppings on the pizzas are generous and the tastes are strong and fresh. The staff are friendly and courteous but service was a bit slow. There is only one rest room, but it was 
clean. Access for those who are disabled or mobility impaired was good.
Val Penny's Hotel and Restaurant Reviews 