Colorado Springs 2012 Annual Manual

| inSider 2012 | 5 |
WELCOME 9
Package deal 11
Its our pleasure to present you with a formal
(OK, prety informal) welcome.
Make it count 12
Planning a day, long weekend, or longer week
to remember in the Pikes Peak region.
Crowd sourcing 13
Six months of events that promise sights,
sounds and avors to savor.
Best Of Colorado Springs 16
Winners in the Independents latest Best Of
Colorado Springs readers poll.
CULTURE 19
Premiere events 20
What it looks like on stage when new blood
meets hungry masses.
The big picture 22
The Springs, a lm town? Watch and learn.
OK, go 24
Our major music venues, and recommenda-
tons for local releases to listen to at home.
Bend it like Bruce Lee 26
Because being a literary ninja takes practce.
Colorado cornucopia 28
Farmers markets, CSAs, cooking classes ...
consider this Foodie 101.
Sweat banded 30
In a city where people come from all over,
shared suering brings them together.
CIVICS 33
Walking the line 34
How to work with the government that
swears it works for you.
Stay classy 36
An educaton on local educaton, both K-
through-12 and beyond.
Aid stations 38
Who to contact when youre in need or
when youre feeling the need to give back.
CENTRAL REGION 41
Map 42 Restaurants 43
Shopping 48 Outdoors 49
Daytime hangouts 50
Nighttime hangouts 52
NORTH REGION 55
Daytime hangouts 64
SOUTH REGION 67
Daytime hangouts 73
EAST REGION 75
Daytime hangouts 80
WEST REGION 83
Daytime hangouts 93
AD INDEX 96
Gear up
Time to pick a route through this InSider
Garden of the Gods
B
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B
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CELEBRATION!
CONSCIOUS LIVING STORE
Spiritual ~ Magical ~ Metaphysical
2209 W. Colorado Ave
634-1855
www.CelebrationStore.com
GREAT BOOKS
Astounding Prices
~ Incense
~ Oils
~ Candles
~ Crystals
~ Jewelry
~ Dcor
~ & More
Find that
Unique Gift!
PSYCHIC READERS
EVERY DAY
Open 10am 6pm
Explore world spiritual paths
from shamanic to mystic
In
o
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3
4
th
Y
e
a
r!
BECOME AN
HERBALIST
P ROF E S S I ON AL
PERSONAL & HOME
The Sage Herbal Foundations Program
is now accepting applications for our
2012 Certication Course
WHEN: 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-
ed Herbalist. Formulator, Clinician & Educator,
with over 22 years in the herbal 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.com
or 719-473-9702
8th Annual
2012
W
ood
lan
d

M
u
sic Series
Ute Pass Cultural Center
210 E. Midland
Woodland Park, CO
687-5284
woodlandmusicseries.com
June 9 - 7:00 pm
Festival Orchestra Concert
Colorado 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
THANKS
While many gave tme and atenton to
this project, the Indy would specically
like to acknowledge the contributons of
the businesspeople who welcomed the
queries and requests of our photogra-
phers, writers and fact-checkers.
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WELCOME
Welcome
Colorado Springs from the air
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WELCOME
ADVOUTWEST.COM | 719.578.0935 | Reservations Required
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Balloon Flights Jeep Adventures Segway Tours ZipLines
GRAND OPENING SUMMER 2012
PIKESPEAKZIPLINES.COM
BY
THE REAL DEAL ZIPLINE ADVENTURE TOUR IN MANITOU SPRINGS
Package deal
Welcome to this city and this city guide
P
ancake 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 years InSider but, umm what was
it supposed to be?
As shes wont to do, the graphic designer explained it patiently.
Its 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 thats 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 itd 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 weve 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 scene@csindy.com.
Otherwise, remember, this guide is anything you want it to be.
And if that sounds a little new-agey, well, weve got some of that here, too
Kirk Woundy
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Act Local.
You don't have to Ieave'Color
over 80 flights a day,es pe anywhere inthe world from
your neighborhood Colorado Springs Airport in less time,
with less hassle and more convenience. flying local not
only saves money but also supports the health of your
community.
It all adds up. Find out how at www.flycos.com
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N
obody wants to seem like a newbie. Or to be
outed as a tourist. So were here to help out both
types at once.
First, theres nothing wrong with hitting all the so-
called tourist traps around town, even if youve 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). Its fun!
Second, just for you, were 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 theres so much more to do in
the Pikes Peak region than whats listed in this story. But,
hey, thats what the rest of the book is for.
24 hours
I
f 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. Youll 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 weathers crummy, (rare, but it does happen),
and youd 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
H
eres 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. Theyll land on your shoulder or poop on your
head, depending on their mood. Theres 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 youre seeking a respite, try a jaunt around the duck
pond (or a signature massage at the Spa) at The Broad-
moor (broadmoor.com). Youll 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
thats 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 citys best
views of Pikes Peak can be enjoyed from the museums
restaurant patio. If the restaurants closed, you can still
sneak in for a peek.
One week
T
hree 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 baseballs 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, Id take a hike.
The Springs is filled with lots of spots that make you
feel as if youre 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 theres
snow on the ground, take your camera, slather on some
sunscreen (as its likely still sunny), and grab some snow-
shoes or cross-country skis.
Otherwise, its time to get the heck out of Dodge.
Head south to Pueblo and its Historic Arkansas River-
walk (puebloharp.com). Or Caon 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 communitys former madams.
Finally, a drive north will take you to Denver, Boulder
and beyond.
But dont forget about us. Well be waiting here to
welcome you back. n
Make it count
How to work each hour like a longtime local
By Kirsten Akens
Cripple Creek
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WELCOME
April
rocky Mountain
Womens Film
Festival Shorts
7
Stargazers Theatre & Event
Center, 10 S. Parkside
Drive, rmwflmfest.org
A night of award-winning
short flms to beneft the full
Rocky Mountain Womens
Film Festval in November.
Celebration
Metaphysical Fair
13-15
City 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 Festival
19-22
Colorado Colleges Corner-
stone Arts Center, 825 N.
Cascade Ave.,
indiespiritflmfestival.org
The citys ffh annual indie
flm extravaganza, with an av-
erage of 100 screenings, flm-
maker talks and panels and
other movie-related magic.
Carmina Burana
Festival
April 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.
MAy
Herb Fest
5
Colorado Springs Masonic
Center, 1150 Panorama
Drive, peakherbfest.com
Up to 60 vendors on hand
and complementng classes
on all things herb: cooking
with herbs, herbal body care,
herbal remedies, etc.
MeadowGrass
Music Festival
25-27
La 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 acoustc music.
Territory Days
26-28
Old Colorado City,
shopoldcoloradocity.com
More than 180 craf, com-
mercial and food booths
packing the streets of Old
Colorado City over Memorial
Day weekend.
Colorado College
Summer Festival
of the Arts
Late May to early August
Various 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.
June
Manitou Springs
Colorado Wine
Festival
2
Memorial Park, 500 block
of Manitou Avenue,
Manitou Springs,
manitousprings.org
Twenty-fve wineries from
Colorado, as well as ven-
dor booths such as La Ba-
guete, Ruxtons Trading Post,
Pastamor and more.
Colorado renaissance
Festival & Artisans
Marketplace
June 9 to July 29, weekends
Larkspur,
coloradorenaissance.com
Entertainment in the form of
joustng, juggling, comedy, ac-
robatcs and turkey-leg-eatng,
and shopping for handmade
leather, Raku potery, sculp-
ture, and other fne art.
Heuberger Subaru
Starlight Spectacular
9
Garden of the Gods
Visitor and Nature Center,
1805 N. 30th St.,
trailsandopenspaces.org
Startng at a new tme (10:30
p.m.) this year, your chance to
ride your bike under the stars.
Themed rest stops, and pro-
ceeds supportng the Trails and
Open Space Coaliton.
Taste of the Springs
10
Care 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 Spree
16-17
Memorial 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 rodeo
30
Norris-Penrose Event
Center, 1045 Lower Gold
Camp Road, championship-
ranchrodeo.com
Bronc riding, wild cow milk-
ing and general Western-
style fun. Dont forget your
10-gallon hat and spurs for
the post-rodeo hoedown.
pikes peak Art Fest
June 30, July 1-2
America the Beautiful Park,
126 Cimino Drive,
pikespeakartfest.com
A weekend featuring local
musicians, artsts, food and
fun for all ages in the great
outdoors, rain or shine.
July
pikes peak
international
Hill Climb events
3-8
Pikes Peak Highway,
ppihc.com
Leading up to the July 8 auto
races up Pikes Peak, atrac-
tons include beer gardens, a
chili cook-of and live bands.
pikes peak
or Bust rodeo
11-14
Norris-Penrose Event
Center, 1045 Lower Gold
Camp Road,
coloradospringsrodeo.com
Traditonal 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 Bridge
21
218 W. Colorado Ave.
(under the Colorado Avenue
bridge),
bluesunderthebridge.com
A contnuaton of the annual
music festval, showcasing
blues, soul and more. Per-
formers to be announced.
rocky Mountain
State Games
20-22, 27-29
Multiple venues,
thesportscorp.org
Archery, bowling, fag football,
karate, rugby and table tennis
are just a few of the 34 sports
included in this years games.
prideFest
21-22
Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte
Ave., ppglcc.org
Highlighted by the annual LGBT
parade downtown, its the Col-
orado Springs Pride Centers
largest event of the year.
el paso County Fair
21-28
County fairgrounds, Cal-
han, elpasocountyfair.com
A summer traditon of fun-
nel cakes and carnival rides,
4H shows and rodeos, since
1905.
Crowd sourcing
Six 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 Vino
29
Rock Ledge Ranch,
3202 Chambers Way,
ddlesvittlesandvino.com
Fun to say, fun to do, with
live bluegrass music, local
food tastngs and beer and
wine galore.
AUGUST
50th Anniversary
Fire Festival
4
America the Beautiful Park,
126 Cimino Drive,
csrefestival.com
Delegates from Japan rep-
licatng the Yoshida Fire
Festval with performances,
ethnic food and spectacular
res, to celebrate our 50th
anniversary as sister cites
with Fujiyoshida.
Craft Lager Festival
4
Memorial Park,
500 block of Manitou
Avenue, Manitou Springs,
craftlagerfestival.com
A vast array of craf beers
for tastng, an onstage band
for listening, and an environ-
ment welcoming to those
even not of drinking age.
The Dirty Dash
11
Wonderland Ranch,
Hodgen and Vollmer roads,
thedirtydash.com
Teeming with beer and fam-
ily actvites, a mud-slick,
obstacle-lled race; proceeds
benet local charites.
Pikes Peak Ascent &
Marathon
Aug. 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
Challenge
20-26
Statewide, usaprocycling-
challenge.com
Seven days of professional
cyclists riding more than 500
miles. In 2012 the Challenge
will nish Stage 5, on Aug. 24,
in Colorado Springs.
Colorado State Fair
Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
State Fairgrounds, Pueblo,
coloradostatefair.com
A classic summer staple with
a 2012 theme of Horses,
Horses, Horses.
Mountain Music
Festival
24-26
Soda Springs Park, 1016
Manitou Ave., Manitou
Springs, manitousprings.org
An afernoon of bluegrass
and similarly dubbed moun-
tain music, food, crafs and
family fun.
SEPTEMBER
Commonwheel
Artists Labor Day
Arts & Crafts Festival
1-3
Memorial Park,
commonwheel.com/festival
About 110 artst booths show-
casing their nest wares, live
music all day along, and face-
paintng and balloon crea-
tures for the young.
Colorado Balloon
Classic
1-3
Memorial Park,
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 Festival
2
Douglas County Event
Center, Castle Rock,
thatsnatural.info
Guaranteed to burn your
mouth o (pleasurably) with
the avor of various roasted
chili peppers from all across
the state.
Indy Music Awards
& Festival
6
Stargazers 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 /
Bikeswap
9
Memorial Park,
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
Imagination
15
Various locations down-
town, whatif-festival.org
A takeover of downtown by
thinkers and tnkerers of all
sorts, and their contraptons.
Colorado Renaissance Festival & Artisans Marketplace
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Take a front row seat for a show of stunning natural
wonders and Colorado history as you ride, dine and
unwind aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Our
gourmet lunch and dinner trains offer Colorado-inspired,
chef-prepared menus , a full bar and well-curated wine
list. For a more casual affair , choose Coach or Vista
Dome which also offers a full view of Colorado's
grandest canyon. Call today to book your seats and
experience Colorado like never before.
COA CH VISTA DOME LUNC H DINNER MURDER MYSTERY
Canon City, Colorado
RoyalGorgeRoute .com 888 .724.5748
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WELCOME
FOOD & DRINK
American
Flatrons fatrons.biz
Appetizers/Tapas
Nosh nosh121.com
Bakery/Patisserie
La Baguete French Bakery & Caf
labaguetefrenchbistro.com
and labaguete-co.com
Bang-for-Your-Buck
Restaurant
Kings Chef Diner kingschefdiner.com
Barbecue
Front Range Barbeque frbbq.com
Biscuits & Gravy
Donut Mill 687-9793
Bread
Panera Bread panerabread.com
Breakfast
The Omelete Parlor co-spgs-omeleteparlor.com
Buffalo Wings
Bufalo Wild Wings bufalowildwings.com
Buffet
Golden Corral goldencorral.com
Burger
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers redrobin.com
Cajun/Southern
Springs Orleans springsorleans.com
Cake Bakery
Litle London Cake Shoppe litlelondoncakes.com
Chinese
P.F. Changs China Bistro pfchangs.com
Cupcakes
The Springs Cupcake Truck thespringscupcaketruck.blogspot.com
Cutting-Edge Restaurant
Nosh nosh121.com
Deli
Jasons Deli jasonsdeli.com
Dessert Destination
Marigold Caf and Bakery marigoldcoloradosprings.com
Diner
Fine Dining
The Famous thefamoussteakhouse.net
Food Truck
The Springs Cupcake Truck thespringscupcaketruck.blogspot.com
French
La Baguete French Bakery and Caf
labaguetefrenchbistro.com and labaguete-co.com
Frozen Yogurt
YoYogurt yoyogurtusa.com
German
Edelweiss German Restaurant edelweissrest.com
Gluten-Free-Friendly Eatery
Coquete Creperie coquetesbistroandbakery.com
Green Chili
Hummus
Heart of Jerusalem Caf heartoferusalemcafe.com
Ice Cream/Gelato
Josh & Johns Ice Creams joshandjohns.com
Indian/Curry
Litle Nepal lnepal.com
Italian
Paravacinis Italian Bistro paravicinis.com
Japanese/Sushi
Jun Japanese Restaurant
onebigblob.com/Jun-Japanese-Restaurant
Korean
San Chang House 598-1707
Late-Night Dining
Local Coffee House
Pikes Perk Cofee & Tea House (Downtown locaton) 635-1600
Local Coffee Roaster
Pikes Perk Cofee & Tea House pikesperkcofee.com
Local Pizza Joint
Borriello Brothers borriellobrothers.com
Local/Regional Restaurant Chain
Borriello Brothers borriellobrothers.com
Mediterranean
Jake & Tellys Greek Cuisine jakeandtellys.com
Mexican
Amandas Fonda amandasfonda.com
Middle Eastern
Heart of Jerusalem Caf heartoferusalemcafe.com
National Chain Coffee House
Starbucks starbucks.com
National Pizza Chain
Papa Murphys papamurphys.com
National Restaurant Chain
Chipotle Mexican Grill chipotle.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - Central
Shugas shugas.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - East
Rock Botom Restaurant and Brewery rockbotom.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - Manitou
Adams Mountain Caf adamsmountain.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - Monument
La Casa Fiesta lacasafesta.net
Neighborhood Restaurant - North
Salsa Brava rockymtnrg.com/salsabrava
Neighborhood Restaurant - South
Walters Bistro waltersbistro.com
Neighborhood Restaurant - West
Front Range Barbeque frbbq.com
New Restaurant (since July 1, 2010)
The Rabbit Hole rabbitholedinner.com
Overall Restaurant
The Blue Star thebluestar.net
Patio Dining
Amandas Fonda amandasfonda.com
Place to Dine Alone
Poor Richards Restaurant poorrichardsdowntown.com
Place to Eat Local/Sustainable
Power Lunch
MacKenzies Chop House mackenzieschophouse.com
Restaurant for a Wedding Reception
Briarhurst Manor Estate briarhurst.com
Restaurant for Carnivores
Restaurant for Herbivores
Restaurant for Kids That Isnt Fast Food
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers redrobin.com
Restaurant for Tourists
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. phantomcanyon.com
Restaurant Wine List
The Blue Star thebluestar.net
Salads
Souper Salad soupersalad.com
Seafood
Red Lobster redlobster.com
Smoothie
Keva Juice kevajuice.com
Soup
Panera Bread panerabread.com
Spot for a Spot of Tea
Montagues 520-0672
Steakhouse
Sunday Brunch
The Broadmoor broadmoor.com
Tacqueria
Monicas Taco Shop 597-7022
Take-Out
Chipotle Mexican Grill chipotle.com
Thai
Wild Ginger Thai Restaurant wildgingerthai.com
Vietnamese
Saigon Caf coloradosaigoncafe.com
Wait Staff
Texas Roadhouse (Eighth Street locaton) texasroadhouse.com
NIGHTLIFE
Bang-for-Your-Buck Bar
Tonys Downtown Bar
tonysdowntownbar.com
Bar Crowd
SouthSide Johnnys
southsidejohnnys.biz
Bar for a
Fancy-Pants Cocktail
Shugas shugas.com
Bar for a Margarita
The Loop theloopatmanitou.com
Bar for a Martini
V Bar 471-8622
Bar With a Smokin Patio
Oscars Oyster Bar oscarsoysterbar.com
Bartender
Ann Marie Bell, Sodo Night Club sodonightlife.com
Beer Selection on Tap
Old Chicago oldchicago.com
Club DJ
DJ G, Sodo Night Club sodonightlife.com
College Bar
Tonys Downtown Bar tonysdowntownbar.com
Domestic Beer
Budweiser budweiser.com
Gay Bar
Underground undergroundbars.com
Happy Hour
Nosh nosh121.com
Imported Beer
Guinness guinness.com
Best of Colorado Springs Top picks in our 2011 readers poll
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WELCOME
In-Store Beer Selection
Cheers Liquor Mart cheersliquormartcom
In-Store Spirits/Liquor Selection
In-Store Wine Selection
Irish Pub
Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse & Pub jackquinnspubcom
Karaoke Bar
Good Company goodcompanybarcom
Local Brewery
Bristol Brewing Company bristolbrewingcom
Local Microbrew to Drink in Summer
Bristols Beehive bristolbrewingcom
Local Microbrew to Drink in Winter
Bristols Winter Warlock bristolbrewingcom
Local Venue for Live Music
Black Sheep blacksheeprockscom
Military Bar
Hatch Cover hatchcoverbiz
Naughty Business
Peaks & Pastes peaksandpastes.com
Neighborhood Bar: Central
Tonys Downtown Bar tonysdowntownbarcom
Neighborhood Bar: East
Holy Cow Pub & Grill holycowpubandgrillcom
Neighborhood Bar: Manitou
Keg Lounge 685-9531
Neighborhood Bar: Monument
OMalleys Steak Pub omalleysbiz
Neighborhood Bar: North
Back East Bar & Grill backeastbarandgrillcom
Neighborhood Bar: South
Hatch Cover hatchcoverbiz
Neighborhood Bar: West
Meadow Mufns Bar and Grill 633-0583
New Bar (since July 1, 2010)
Zodiac zodiacvenuecom
Open Mic Night
Word Wednesdays at the V Bar 471-8622
Place to Meet Men
Club Q clubqonlinecom
Place to Meet Women
Ritz Grill ritzgrillcom
Place to Two-Step
Cowboys cowboyscscom
Sports Bar
Champps Americana champpscom
Upscale Bar
Summit at The Broadmoor broadmoorcom
Weekly Bar Event
Jack Quinns Running Club jackquinnsrunnersningcom
Wine Bar
Swirl Wine Bar swirlwineemporiumcom
SHOPPING
Antique Store
Treasure Shoppe
treasureshoppecscom
Bike Shop
Old Town Bike Shop
oldtownbikeshopcom
Computer Store
The Apple Store applecom/retail
Ethnic Market
Asian Pacifc Market 573-7500
Farmers Market
Old Colorado City 574-1283
Flower Shop
Plate Floral platefowers.com
Garden Supply / Nursery
Ricks Garden Center / Ricks Nursery ricksgardencom
Gourmet / Spice Market
Savory Spice Shop savoryspiceshopcom
Grocery Store
King Soopers kingsoopers
Jewelry Store
Luisa Graf Jewelers luisagrafewelers.com
Local Sports Store / Outdoor Outfitter
Mountain Chalet mtnchaletcom
Musical Instruments Store
Meeker Music meekermusictripodcom
National Chain Store for Womens Fashions
Kohls kohlscom
Natural Foods Store
Whole Foods Market wholefoodsmarketcom
New & Used Video Games Store
GameStop gamestopcom
New Domestic Car Dealer
Phil Long Ford phillongcom
New Foreign Car Dealer
Heuberger Motors heubergermotorscom
Non-Chain Book Store
Poor Richards Bookstore poorrichardsdowntowncom
Non-Chain Furniture Store
Domino domino80904com
Non Chain Store for Womens Fashions
Terra Verde terraverdestylecom
Place for Eyewear
ABBA Eye Care abbaeyecarecom
Place to Buy a Thoughtful, Inexpensive Gift
Yobel Market yobelmarketcom
Place to Buy a Thoughtful, Over-the-Top Gift
Place to Buy Art
The Modbo themodbowordpresscom
Place to Buy Motorcycles
Apex Sports apexsportsinccom
Place to Buy Scooters
Sportque Scooters sportquescooters.com
Place to Buy Skateboards
Blindside blindsidecoloradonet
Place to Buy Skis
The Ski Shop theskishopinccom
Place to Buy Snowboards
Blindside blindsidecoloradonet
Shoe Store
DSW dswcom
Store for Accessories
Store for Records, CDs & DVDs
Independent Records & Video beindependentcom
Thrift Store
Arc Thrif Stores arcthrif.org
Thrift Store: Infants / Children
Arc Thrif Stores arcthrif.org
Toy Store
Toys R Us toysruscom
Used Book Store
Poor Richards Bookstore poorrichardsdowntowncom
Used Car Dealer
CarMax carmaxcom
Vintage Clothing Store
The Leechpit leechpitcom
SERVICES
Bank / Credit Union
Ent entcom
Barbershop
Floyds 99 Barbershop
foydsbarbershop.com
Day Spa
VEDA Salon & Spa
coloradoavedacom
Dentist
Broadmoor Dental
broadmoordentalcom
Doctor
Aaron Smith, M.D., Plastc & Reconstructve Surgery
aaronsmithplastcsurgery.com
Financial Services Business
USAA usaacom
Grow Store
Mother Natures Sun mothernaturessunnet
Hair Salon
VEDA Salon & Spa coloradoavedacom
Hair Stylist (Name & Salon Name)
Chrystal Allen, Tangles Day Spa
onebigblobcom/TanglesDaySpa
Higher Ed For Nontraditional Students
Pikes Peak Community College ppccedu
Higher Ed for the Money
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs uccsedu
Holistic Practitioner
Valerie Blankenship, Sage Woman Herbs & Clinic
sagewomanherbscom
Human Day Care
Giving Tree Montessori School gtmschoolcom
Inexpensive Haircut
Great Clips greatclipscom
Interior Design / Home Remodeling
Tansis tansisonlinecom
Landscaper / Company
Nature Escapes Landscape & Design 330-6896
Lawyer
Vince Linden III 955-0078
Mechanic
Import Specialty Auto isarepaircom
Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Strawberry Fields Alternatve Health and Wellness
strawberryfeldsmmj.com
Nail Salon
VEDA Salon & Spa coloradoavedacom
Naturopath
Ruth Adele 636-0098
Pet Day Care
Camp Bow Wow campbowwowcom
Pet Groomer
Wag N Wash wagnwashcom
Photographer
Teresa Lee Photography teresaleephotographycom
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Import Specialty Auto
| 18 | inSider 2012 |
Piercing Parlor
West Side Tatoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . westsidetatoo.net
Place to Get Tattooed
West Side Tatoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . westsidetatoo.net
Realtor
Bobbi Price, Platnum Group Realtors . . . . bobbiprice.com
Realty Company
RE/MAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . remax.com
Tanning Salon
Tan Your Hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tanyourhide.com
Trash/Recycling Service
Bestway Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . bestwaydisposal.com
Veterinarian
Westside Animal Hospital . . . westsideanimalhospital.com
DAYLIFE
Art Exhibition
Art on the Streets . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . artonthestreets.com
Artist
Liese Chavez . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . palepreoccupaton.etsy.com
Banquet Facility
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. .
. . . . . . . phantomcanyon.com
Bed & Breakfast
Old Town GuestHouse . . . . . . . oldtown-guesthouse.com
Casino
Double Eagle Hotel and Casino . . . . . . . . .decasino.com
Caterer
Garden of the Gods Gourmet . . . . . . . godsgourmet.com
Cultural Attraction/Museum
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center . . . . . sneartscenter.org
Dance Studio
Springs Salsa and Dance Fitness Studios . . springssalsa.com
Family Fun Center
Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center (closing April 29, 2012)
Fitness Center
24 Hour Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24hourtness.com
Gallery
The Modbo . . . . . . . . . . . . themodbo.wordpress.com
Local Hotel/Motel
The Broadmoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . broadmoor.com
Movie Theater
Kimballs Peak Three Theater . . . . .kimballstwinpeak.com
National Chain Hotel/Motel
Antlers Hilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . antlers.com
Pilates Studio
ReVibe Pilates & Bodywork . . . . . . . . revibepilates.com
Place for a Blind Date
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cmzoo.org
Place for a Picnic
Garden of the Gods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . springsgov.com
Place to See Emerging Artists
The Modbo . . . . . . . . . . . . themodbo.wordpress.com
Place to Skateboard
Memorial Park Skateboard Park . . . . . . . . springsgov.com
Running Club
Jack Quinns Running Club . . . jackquinnsrunners.ning.com
Tourist Destination
Garden of the Gods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . springsgov.com
Yoga Studio
CorePower Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corepoweryoga.com
PERSONALITIES
Category We Forgot
Churches / Religion
Local Claim to Fame
Pikes Peak
Local Claim to Shame
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . lamborn.house.gov
Cultural White Knight
Susan Edmondson, Bee Vraden-
burg Foundaton . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . beevradenburgfoundaton.org
Fundraising Event
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure . . komensecolorado.org
Local Blogger
Carrie Isaac, SpringsBargains. . . . . . . springsbargains.com
Local Politician
Richard Skorman, former city councilor. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . poorrichardsdowntown.com
Local Radio Show
The Magic Morning Show With Danger and Lacie, 98.9 Magic
FM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .989magicfm.com
Local Talk Radio Personality
Richard Randall, KVOR 740 AM . . . . . . . . . . . kvor.com
Local TV News Personality
Lisa Lyden, KOAA News First 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . koaa.com
Local TV Newscast
KOAA News First 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . koaa.com
Local Twitterer
Mat Meister, KRDO NewsChannel 13. . . . @TheWxMeister
Nonprofit Organization
CASA of the Pikes Peak Region. . . . . . . . . . . casappr.org
Radio DJ
Vicky Gregor, KRCC 91.5 FM . . . . radiocoloradocollege.org
Radio Station - Music
KRCC 91.5 FM . . . . . . . . . . . . radiocoloradocollege.org
Radio Station - Talk
KRCC 91.5 FM . . . . . . . . . . . . radiocoloradocollege.org
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| 20 | inSider 2012 |
CULTURE
O
ur 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 Caball-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. Caball-Domenech was such
a hit, he was recruited into the pool of conductor
candidates, and wound up prevailing over five others.
Caball-Domenech spent most of the 2011-12 sea-
son on the road with previous commitments, though
he returned in March for the Philharms date with
virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman. In 2012-13, hell
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
E
xcellent 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 Turners Come and Gone, Church and
The 39 Steps and a visit by Shakespearean scholar
Tina Packer; itll 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 Manns 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 Bars 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 areas 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
T
he 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 citys only
burlesque troupe, for a dual show followed by a mash-
up dance. To catch Peaks and Pasties, go online for its
Premiere events
Our performing arts scene reloaded in 2011, and you get the spoils in 2012
By Edie Adelstein
Ballet Hispanico at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center
V
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| inSider 2012 | 21 |
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
mens chorus. Born in January 2006, Out Loud per-
forms often and is on the books for Julys 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
Mahlers 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-Sans, 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
B
eing geared toward the 18-and-younger bunch
doesnt mean the Colorado Springs Conservatory
(coloradospringsconservatory.org) kids cant 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 Weises cabaret-style show
Manger Avec Trois wowed crowds with its adults-only
humor, music and intimate setting.
Same goes for the Colorado Springs Childrens 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 Childrens 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 picture
Take stock of the film scene with a roundup of cinephiles and cinema spots
By Matthew Schniper
Creep! The Amazing Spider-Man
B
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I
s this a film town or not?
As I write, there are three local casting calls out:
one for Jerry Bruckheimers Lone Ranger; a feature-
length Civil War-era flick called Dutchmans Run, by a
crew of young filmmakers; and award-winning student
filmmaker Sarah Lotfis latest short, Menschen.
Then theres 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 Haskells documentary The Hollywood
Complex recently aired on Showtime.
Weve also been tracking local filmmaker Pete Schuer-
manns 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,
lets look at everything else silver-screen in the Springs.
This citys also home to professional film festivals, the
oldest of which is the Rocky Mountain Womens Film Fes-
tival (rmwfilmfest.org). It holds the proud title of North
Americas longest continuously running womens 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
groups office anytime, for a small suggested donation.
Next, theres the 13-year-old Pikes Peak Lavender Film
Festival (tinyurl.com/PPLFilmFest), planned for Sept.
21 to 23 at CCs 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 CCs 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 Kimballs 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
Rocks 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. Theres also
Picture Show discount theater (pictureshowent.com) for
last months movies, and Kimballs 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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CULTURE
I
ts 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. Todays concert industry has taken
its cues from the overall economys 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, its 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. Theres also no shortage of venues for the guys
in the vans; youll 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
T
he 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 were talking about Dis-
ney on Ice extravaganzas and college hockey games.
Regional acts rarely make it to the arena, although
Pueblos 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 thats 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
doesnt book all that much music. Youre 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 Hollywoods 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 buildings concert
legacy has run the gamut, from Little Richard with
Jimi Hendrix to Sublime with Rome. John Philip
Sousa performed there, Jehovahs 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 isnt 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. Its 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-
leges 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 whos-
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
F
or 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 Colombias Bomba Estreo, who have since
gone on to generate considerable buzz in the main-
stream music industry. Events take place on the quad
outside Colorado Colleges 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 years
event promises to be even bigger. n
OK, go
Slide into a chair, or pull up some lawn, at these concert venues
By Bill Forman
Blues Under the Bridge Indy Music Awards
F
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| inSider 2012 | 25 |
Now hear this
Local albums worth tracking down
By Bill Forman
D
id you know that musicians still make albums, and fans still buy them? Its true.
Visit a nearby music store, and youre 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. Heres a handful of recent releases that are well worth investigating.
Broken Spoke, Broken Spoke
Tom Skoras quavering voice and evocative lyrics along with co-founder Josh DeSmidts
understated approach to guitar, banjo, lap steel and harmonium gives this 2-year-old
band a kind of high, lonesome Americana sound that deserves national recognition. Down-
trodden, brokenhearted / Never seen a play that I didnt 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 Youre Awake
Che 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 Youre 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 Days
While 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
thats immediate, accessible and idiosyncratic. El Toros debut EP was released last fall; check
out the track The Chattering of Rats to sample the venue-packing bands characteristically
weird and undeniably catchy sound.
Grant Sabin, The Homesick EP
An 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, Live
Now 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 Crow
The Windchimes started out as a Pueblo trio thats since expanded to a five-piece.
Their stunning harmonies and homespun music evoke an era thats 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 Day
While showcasing the blues-rock prodigys 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 Thunderclap
The 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 thats timeless.
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CULTURE
S
o ... you want to be a lit-ninja?
Sure, and why not? Youve got books, and
youve 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
N
ow that youve got the basics, its time to branch out.
Yes, Grasshopper, youre 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 Cats
liquor license will loosen you up and get you danger-
ously well-prepared for literary battle.
Back in Colorado Springs, Poor Richards Bookstore
(320 N. Tejon St., poorrichards.biz) also offers that
loaded pairing of books and alcohol, thanks to its
brotherhood with Ricos Caf and Wine Bar. You can
also order pizza from Poor Richards Restaurant.
Like Poor Richards, 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 towns 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 dont forget to pull up a rocking
chair and enjoy a cup of coffee while youre 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.
Theres 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.
Refine your skills
T
ime to specialize.
Virtually all warrior stories include a love
interest. You can find yours at Beth Annes Book Corner
Bend it like Bruce Lee
If youve got the spine, look here to shape up your literary form
By Bret Wright
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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 thats
knowledgeable about gaming and graphic
novels. If youve got a Marvel question or
some advice about specific role-playing
games, this place will hook you up nicely.
Eds 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
W
ant 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 isnt 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,
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CULTURE
C
olorado 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,
heres everything else critical to know about Front Range
grubbin. And dont 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
E
veryones pretty up to speed on what a farmers
market offers, but heres a Colorado crop calendar
(tinyurl.com/cropcalendar), so you can time your peach
attack. Past that, heres everything we were able to glean
by press time about 2012s 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 Junctions 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 Thursdays 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 Caon City.
Wednesday:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 30 through Oct. 10,
Briargate (7610 N. Union Blvd., 592-9420). See Mon-
days 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 Saturdays 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 Mondays Acacia Park market for details.
Memorial Park (1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 574-1283).
See Saturdays 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 Mondays 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 Mondays Acacia
Park market for details.
University Village Colorado Shopping Center (5230 N.
Nevada Ave., millerfarms.net). See Mondays 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 Thursdays
Memorial Park and Saturdays 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.
Margarita at PineCreek (7350 Pine Creek Road, farman-
dartmarket.com). See Wednesdays 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 Saturdays Old Colorado City market for details.
8 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 7 through Oct. 6, U.S. Hwy.
105, Monument (behind Rosies Diner and Taco Bell,
2133323). 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,
Caon 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 Mondays 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,
Spencers Lawn & Garden Center (1430 S. Tejon St., spen-
cersgardens.com) sells produce from third- and fourth-
generation growers who deliver fresh items daily. The
stores Fountain location at 4720 Center Valley Drive also
offers a market on Fridays and Saturdays.
CSAs
C
ommunity-supported agriculture shares (CSAs)
are essentially a pre-purchase of a farms 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 cornucopia
All thats edible and enjoyable outside the brick-and-mortar
By Matthew Schniper
CSU-Pueblos Zymurgy Institute Starlight Dinners at Venetucci Farm
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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 doesnt
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
C
olorado 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-
re (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 Areas 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-
ters Hospitality Expo (ppcra.org) in early
March; and the Colorado Springs Cho-
rales Chefs 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
A
s cooking classes go, past a serious
culinary education at Pikes Peak
Community College (ppcc.edu) or Para-
gon Culinary School (coloradorestau-
rantguides.com/paragonschool), youll
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 youre 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.
APPETIZERS
Paid advertisement ~ To place your entry call 577.4545
Paid advertisement 577.4545
A ME R I C A N
CMON INN
711 Dale Street
in Fountain
382-7562
Open Daily 11am-2am. Cmon in and then come
on back! Fountains newest neighborhood tavern
(formerly the Fountain Lounge). HDTVs, pool tables,
darts and more! Were open and waiting for you to
see all the new changes ! GREAT MENU served 11am-
2am! Happy Hour 4-7 every day.
Hatchcover Bar & Grill
252 E. Cheyenne Mtn. Blvd.
(@ 115)
719-576-5223
If bars are hairstyles, Were 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 70s, our style just wont die!
South Side Johnnys
528 S. Tejon St.
444-8487
Daily 11am-2am. Its 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 Grill
15 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 Hole
101 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.
Tonys
311 N. Tejon St.
228-6566
Daily 11am- 2am. Aahhh Jeeze- Who doesnt love
a Midwestern Tavern? Pabst, Fried Cheese Curds,
Old Style, Butter Burgers, Hamms, Ruebens, Leinen-
kugles, 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 Orleans
123 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 E
Another Pint
13860 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 II
Colorado Springs
447-9888
Daily 11am-2am. Surprisingly great food! Tons of
TVs! 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 Pasta
405 N. Tejon
719-481-6888
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 & Appletons Rum Cocktails.
C A R I B B E A N
C A F E & D E L I
Nemos 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 paninis. Visit our brand new caf,
or breeze through the drive-thru if you are in a hurry!
M-F 5am-7pm, Sat 7am-2pm.
Nemos 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 paninis. Visit our brand new caf,
or breeze through the drive-thru if you are in a hurry!
M-F 5am-7pm, Sat 7am-2pm.
Cravings
1701 S. Eighth St.
635-0200
Provides sophistication to the finest events. Intimate
gatherings, weddings, holiday parties, galas. Its 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 Caf is open M-F 11am to 2pm.
Picnic Basket
1701 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
Ar r L IIL&n
E L C O E
T NY'S
| 30 | inSider 2012 |
CULTURE
G
runting and lifting weights just arent 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 Im 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,
thats not enough. He wants something more, and his
students do, too whether its a chance to laugh, an
almost-spiritual feeling, or something in between, like
a sense of community.
Whatever this umami sensation is, heres a look at
how locals are pursuing it.
Body and soul
A
lmost every waking hour, its 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 mens
organic (read: naked) yoga and a womens-only class.
If you didnt 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 youll 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
M
artial 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 youre 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. Its bound
to build community, he explains: You cant just do
that by yourself watching a DVD in the basement.
Of course, capoeiras 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 banded
To those who find solidarity in suffering: Behold our fitness communities
By Sonja Bjelland
Colorado Springs Cycling Club
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Capoeira at the Colorado Academy of Music and Dance
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| inSider 2012 | 31 |
Run, drink, run
A
ll 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 its 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 Clubs website, pprrun.org.
The most popular, Jack Quinns 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 Bravas cleverly named Nacho
Ordinary Running Club (rockymtnrg.com)
meets at 6 p.m., Tuesdays, at the restau-
rants 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 Jos Muldoons east
location (5710 S. Carefree Circle) at 5:30
p.m. for either a 5K or 10K jaunt.
Social climbing
R
unning isnt the only calorie-
burning activity where its 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
dont find what youre 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.
Its 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 groups
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 arent 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 citys
indoor climbing gyms, CityRock (21 N.
Nevada Ave., climbcityrock.com) and
Sport Climbing Center (4650 Northpark
Drive, sportclimbcs.com). CityRocks
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 havent 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
The Melting Pot
Restaurant
30-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 MA N
Briarhurst Manor
404 Manitou Ave., M/S
685-1864
briarhurst.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 Bday & Anniv offers. *Opentable.com
Manor Estate
Winfields
442 Bennett Drive
Cripple Creek
719/689-5000
Winfields 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 ME T
E A S T E R N
Seoul Tofu Grill
296 S. Academy Blvd.
Suite F
550-2000
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., 531-9368
3276 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.
Fujiyama
22 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.
COLORADOS FINEST JAPANESE
CUISINE &SUSHI BAR
Wild Ginger
Thai Restaurant
27 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.
Paravicinis Italian
Bistro
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 Francos creative originals. Sun-Thurs 11:30-
9:00, Fri-Sat. 11:30-10:00
MA R T I N I B A R
The Paradox Lounge
528 S. Tejon St.
444-8487
Downtowns 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
Johnnys building.
I T A l I A N
I R I S H
Jack Quinns
21 S. Tejon St.
385-0766
jackquinnspub.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 Famous
31 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, its The Famous! Reservations suggested.
Picnic Basket
1701 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, youll 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
MacKenzies
Chop House
128 S. Tejon St.
Historic Alamo Building
635-3536
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. Downtowns choice for quality
meats and mixed drinks. mackenzieschophouse.com
S P I R I T S
Jos Muldoons
222 N. Tejon St.
636-2311
5710 S. Carefree Cr @ Powers
574-5673
Since 1974. Features authentic Tex-Mex & Mexican
fare in contemporary Sante Fe-styled establishment.
Margaritas, over 50 tequilas & 6 flatscreen HD TVs.
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 I
975 N. Academy Blvd.
597-2422
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 WE S T E R N / ME X I C A N
Sovereignty Wines
1785 S. 8th Street, #B
719-389-0906
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
Wild
Ginger
Thai Restaurant
k- .ur.n, 6 Irixh Puh
mp
?DOOns
| 34 | inSider 2012 |
CIVICS
L
ocal government usually is viewed as one of a
communitys most stable components. But that
hasnt been the case in Colorado Springs and El
Paso County during the past year.
First, lets look at the city. Its gone through a major
overhaul since the last InSider, with Steve Bach the
citys 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
youll 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 nations 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 askcity@
springsgov.com or call the citys all-purpose number,
385-CITY. And if you click on-line services, youll
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
C
ounty governments 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 youll 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 youve 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 DAs
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
T
hat 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, youll 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, its 520-7487.
If youve faced off with a particular pothole, contact
the citys Street Division at 385-6808 or streetdivision@
springsgov.com. 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 theres 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 arent 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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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 youre 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
I
n 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 doesnt feel emergent, city police
(444-7000) or the sheriffs office (390-
5555). You wont 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 someones
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.
Its a different story in the county.
Sheriffs 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 Sheriffs
Citizen Patrol, wherein citizens help with
low-priority calls like criminal mischief,
motorist assists and traffic control.
One thing you dont need to bother the
cops with is worry about marijuana as
long as its the medical kind. In 2000,
Colorado voters approved medical mari-
juana, and the last few years have brought
it to Main Street. Youll notice green
crosses around town that signify medi-
cal marijuana businesses, where patients
must present a state-issued MMJ card
based on a physicians recommendation.
To learn more, go to cdphe.state.co.us/hs/
medicalmarijuana/index.html.
1130 W. Woodmen Road
574-5562 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),
Certied 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, Downs 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 Childrens
Waiver - Autism (CWA) 0-6, for El Paso, Park and Teller
Counties.
Intake and case management agency for the Colorado
Childrens 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 Planning
and
resource
Your best
Citizens Service Center,
1675 Garden of the Gods Road, Ste 1107
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Paid from U.S.
Department of
Labor funds. 475- 8589 . 426 SOUTH TEJON
celebrating Earth Day with a ride on the
most efficient mode of transportation ever
invented
could be better than
Old Town
Bike Shop
bicycle.
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Building a Better Workforce f or a Brighter Future!
| 36 | inSider 2012 |
CIVICS
T
he 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-
tions 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),
youll also find a good bit of information about the
10 public school districts in the area. But heres the
CliffsNotes version, with districts arranged from larg-
est to smallest.
Colorado Springs School District 11
1115 N. El Paso St., 520-2000, d11.org
Student pop.: 29,545
District 11 is the citys most central school district,
and in its approximately five dozen schools, you can
find just about anything youre 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 20
1110 Chapel Hills Drive, 234-1200, asd20.org
District 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-
tions annual accountability ratings), and features IB
academics and competitive athletic programs.
Falcon School District 49
10850 E. Woodmen Road, Falcon, 495-1100, d49.org
This 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 2
1060 Harrison Road, 579-2000, hsd2.org
Student pop.: approx. 11,147
Harrison 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 3
1820 Main St., Colorado Springs, 391-3000, wsd3.org
Located to the southeast of District 2, District 3
is home to some innovative educational approaches,
Stay classy
A snapshot of the educational scene in our metro area
By Independent staff
U.S. Air Force Academy
C
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F
A
Counterpoint School offers a unique and
vibrant environment focused on your childs
creativity. We teach children to love learning
by enriching their imaginations through art,
music, science & nature studies, and a variety
of cultural activities.
Exceptionally qualifed for Kindergarten
preparation, our teachers continually strive
to enhance social skills and encourage an
excitement for learning.
Our summer program offers weekly feld
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. 633-9880
www.counterpointschool.com
qlL
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All
We are now enrolling children, ages birth to 5,
in Head Start , Earl y Head Start and the Colorado

Preschool Program .Call for eligibility goidolinos . C-'hy PPon, hi p
to, Chifd Dawlopmenl
| inSider 2012 | 37 |
CIVICS
FVS SUMMER CAMPS
Valley 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 Schools 40-acre Mountain Campus near
Buena Vista.
Find out more at fvs.edu/summerprograms
or 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 ...
B
elow 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 College
14 E. Cache la Poudre St., 389-6000;
800/542-7214, coloradocollege.edu
Student pop.: 2,000
CCs block plan puts students in one
class at a time for 3 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 Pueblo
2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, 719/549-
2100, gocsupueblo.com
Student pop.: 5,100
CSU-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.
Theyre 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 College
Four campuses, 800/456-6847, ppcc.edu
The 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 Academy
HQ USAFA, 2400 Cadet Drive, #200,
333-2520; 800/443-9266, usafa.af.mil
Student pop.: 4,400
Besides 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 Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 255-8227;
800/990-8227, uccs.edu
Student pop.: 9,000
There 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 8
10665 Jimmy Camp Road, Fountain,
382-1300, ffc8.org
Student pop.: 7,702
With 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 38
146 N. Jefferson St., Monument,
488-4700, lewispalmer.org
Student pop.: 6,600
The 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 12
1775 LaClede St., 475-6100, cmsd12.org
Student pop.: 4,529
Cheyenne 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-2
211 N. Baldwin St., Woodland Park,
686-2000, wpsdk12.org
Woodland 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 14
405 El Monte Place, Manitou Springs,
685-2024, mssd14.org
Student pop.: 1,507
Manitou 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
ti
' 1A
A' r
U N I V E R S I T Y
of
NORTHERN COLORADO
| 38 | inSider 2012 |
CIVICS
Aid stations
When life careens off the rails, these folks will come to your rescue
D
ay-to-day living is already an uphill slog, then all of a sudden theres a layoff. Or a breakup. Or a fall, and a broken hip. Its 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 HOTLINES
Pikes Peak United Way
2-1-1, ppunitedway.org
Provides referrals for assis-
tance with rent/mortgage,
utlites or medical/prescrip-
tons, housing/shelter, senior
services and family support.
Suicide Prevention
Partnership of the
Pikes Peak Region
596-5433, pikespeaksui-
cideprevention.org
Counsels 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.org
Provides interventon, infor-
maton and community refer-
ral services to victms.
ANImAL
WELfARE
Humane Society of
the Pikes Peak Region
610 Abbott Lane, 473-1741,
hsppr.org
Handles cruelty and welfare
investgatons, and provides
adopton services.
COmmUNITy
HEALTH
While Memorial and Pen-
rose-St. Francis hospitals,
and multple urgent care
facilites, serve the whole
community, a few optons ex-
ist specifcally for those who
are low-income, uninsured or
underinsured. When in need,
start here.
El Paso County
Department of Health
and Environment
1675 W. Garden of the
Gods Road, #2044,
578-3199,
elpasocountyhealth.org
Provides health services and
referrals by appointment, of-
fering sliding-scale payments.
El Paso County
Department of
Human Services
Gods Road, 636-0000,
dhs.elpasoco.com
Ofers temporary food assis-
tance, responds to child abuse/
neglect leads, and more.
Peak Vista Community
Health Centers
Multiple locations,
632-5700, peakvista.org
Ofers medical and dental
care and behavioral services
for qualifying low-income,
uninsured and underinsured
individuals and families.
SET family
medical Clinics
776-8850, setofcs.org
Provides basic medical servic-
es, by appointment, for quali-
fying low-income, uninsured
and underinsured people.
DISASTER/
EmERgENCy
RELIEf
American Red Cross
Pikes Peak Chapter
1040 S. Eighth St.,
632-3563, pparc.org
Ofers training and aware-
ness for CPR/AED, and disas-
ter relief and training.
EmPLOymENT
ASSISTANCE
Colorado
Department of Labor
and Employment
Denver, tinyurl.com/
co-dept-employment
Accepts unemployment
claims at 800/388-5515.
Pikes Peak
Workforce Center
ppwfc.org
Inside the countys Citzens
Service Center, Provides job
listngs, training, workshops,
a resource room and rsu-
m-writng assistance.
EqUALITy
ADVOCACy
Citizens Project
4360 Montebello Drive, 520-
9899, citizensproject.org
Works in advocacy for civic
equality. Offers nonparti-
san voting guides to the
public, as well as other po-
litical information.
Colorado Springs
Branch NAACP
603 S. El Paso St., 475-
7255, coloradosprings-
naacp.org
Advocates for social, educa-
tonal and civic equality for
underrepresented persons.
Urban League of the
Pikes Peak Region
6 S. Tejon St., 8th Floor,
634-1525, ulppr.org
Advocates for the equality of
the African-American com-
munity, other minority com-
munites and the socioeco-
nomically disadvantaged.
HOmELESS
SERVICES
Interfaith Hospitality
Network of
Colorado Springs
519 N. Tejon St., 329-1244,
ihn-cos.org
Provides short-term transi-
tonal housing for families
with children in homeless
situatons.
Peak Vista Homeless
Health Center
117 W. Rio Grande St., 471-
2789, peakvista.org
Provides health/dental and
behavioral health services for
homeless persons.
Salvation Army
R.J. Montgomery New
Hope Center, 709 S. Sierra
Madre St., 578-9190,
tsacs.org/services.html
Meets day-to-day needs and
ofers meals, case manage-
ment and more for homeless
persons.
Springs Rescue mission
5 W. Las Vegas St.,
632-1822, mysrm.org
Assists the homeless through
an interdenominatonal ser-
vice program.
HUNgER
RELIEf
Care and Share food
Bank for Southern
Colorado
2605 Preamble Point, 528-
1247, careandshare.org
Provides food to hundreds of
area nonprofts; no individual
distributon, but local referrals
ofered.
marian House
14 W. Bijou St., 475-7314,
ccharitiescs.org
Serves 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
Charites of Central Colorado.
LEgAL
SERVICES
Colorado Legal
Services
617 S. Nevada Ave.,
471-0380,
coloradolegalservices.org
Helps provide access to civil
legal services for qualifying
low-income persons.
LgBTq
SERVICES
Colorado Anti-
Violence Program
Denver, 888/557-4441
(24-hour hotline), coavp.org
Provides resources and sup-
port in response to discrimi-
naton and violence within
and against the lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender and
queer (LGBTQ) communites.
Pikes Peak gay
and Lesbian
Community Center
(the Pride Center)
2508 E. Bijou St., 471-4429,
ppglcc.org
Provides health and wellness
resources and ofers HIV testng
on the third Thursday of each
month, plus an Internet caf.
mENTAL
HEALTH
SERVICES
AspenPointe
Multiple locations, 572-
6100, aspenpointe.org
Formerly 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.org
Ofers 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 Region
704 N. Tejon St., 573-7447,
pikespeaksuicidepreven-
tion.org
Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
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| inSider 2012 | 39 |
Runs a 24-7 hotline for those
contemplatng suicide (see
24-7 Hotlines above), and
provides educaton, inter-
venton and postventon,
which is grief support for
children and teens.
STI AND
INFECTIOUS
DISEASE
SERVICES
El Paso County
Department of Health
and Environment
Gods Road, #2044,
578-3199,
elpasocountyhealth.org
Provides low-income patents
with STI testng, including
rapid HIV testng, 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.org
Oers condental testng by
appointment only, as well as
client support and referral.
Raises community awareness
and educates on preventon.
VETERANS
ISSUES
American Legion
Multiple locations, legion.org
Advocates for, and provides
support and companionship
for, all veterans.
Disabled American
Veterans
6880 Palmer Park Blvd.,
591-8787, dav.org
Advocates and provides
resources for all disabled
veterans.
El Paso County
Veterans Services
5850 Championship View,
Suite D, 520-7750,
adm.elpasoco.com
Advises and assists veterans
on benets and other related
resources.
Retired Enlisted
Association
834 Emory Circle,
596-0927, trea.org
Advocates for veterans, with
chapter locatons statewide.
VA Colorado
Springs Clinic
25 N. Spruce St. and
320 E. Fontanero St.,
327-5660, va.gov/health
Provides primary care ser-
vices for veterans in the Colo-
rado Springs area.
Veterans of
Foreign Wars
Multiple locations, vfw.org
Supports and advocates for
veterans who were involved
in conicts overseas.
VICTIM
ADVOCACY
Colorado Springs
Police Victim
Advocacy Program
705 S. Nevada Ave., 444-
7777, springsgov.com
Ensures that victms under-
stand their rights and have
their needs met throughout
the criminal justce process.
Colorado
Organization for
Victim Assistance
(COVA)
Denver, 800/261-2682,
coloradocrimevictims.org
Provides advocacy, educaton
and resources for crime vic-
tms statewide.
VIOLENCE/
RAPE CRISIS
TESSA
435 Gold Pass Heights,
633-1462, tessacs.org
Runs 24-7 hotline for victms
of domestc violence and
sexual assault (see 24-7
Hotlines, above), and oers
a safehouse and advocacy
services providing all kinds of
support to victms.
YOUTH
RESOURCES
safe2tell
P.O. Box 49296, Colo-
rado Springs, CO 80949,
520-7435, 877/542-7233
(SAFE), safe2tell.org
Accepts reports from young
people about actvites or
behaviors that endanger
them or someone they know,
keeping them anonymous
and safe.
Urban Peak
423 E. Cucharras St.,
630-3223, urbanpeak.org
Helps homeless and at-risk
young people (ages 15 to 20),
providing essental services
and moving them toward
self-su 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 Prot
organization. All donations are greatly appreciated,
efciently used and tax deductable.
Call for Appointment
(719) 475-1800
3660 Citadel Drive North
www.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
Ex p l o r e
Spirituality
t hr ough t he
Nonprofit-driven
I
n 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 years top donation-getters were the Friends of Cheyenne Caon (tfocc.
org), an environmental group thats buttressed the citys beloved North Cheyenne Caon
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 youre looking for
help, or a way to help, we also urge you to check out indygive.com.
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outdoor advice and gear:
Mountain Chalet, p. 48
screaming wet children:
Uncle Wilber fountain, p. 49
straight bling:
American Numismatc Associatons
Money Museum, p. 50
lavender martnis:
Shugas, p. 43
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| inSider 2012 | 43 |
CENTRAL
Restaurants
Compiled by Matthew Schniper
AmericAn
ritz Grill
15 S. Tejon St., 635-8484,
ritzgrill.com
Voted by Indy readers as
the citys Best Place to Meet
Women, Concept Restau-
rants 25-year-old martni-
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. $$
Breweries
Judge Baldwins
Brewing company
Antlers Hilton Hotel, 4 S.
Cascade Ave., 955-5600,
antlers.com/restaurants
The Springs frst brewery (est.
1991), JBs has always been a
good happy-hour spot (4 to 7
daily), with $3 drinks and half-
of apps, weekdays. From an
updated menu featuring Kobe
burgers, green chile and lob-
ster bisque, the house-barbe-
cue-sauced chicken quesadil-
las are popular. $
Phantom canyon
Brewing co.
2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-
2800, phantomcanyon.com
A key player on our brewing
scene, making great specialty
one-ofs on top of fagship
favorites like the amber Rai-
lyard Ale. Best pool tables
in town; great happy-hour
deals; bison burgers and
meatloaf; and the forever fa-
mous Blonde Ale & Smoked
Gouda soup. $$
BurGers &
sAndwiches
BJs Velvet Freez
1511 N. Union Blvd., 633-
6365, bjsvelvetfreez.com
With three diferent owners
since 1954, this classic drive-
in has remained a Springs
staple for sof-serve treats,
including shakes, malts and
foats. 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. $
conways red Top
1228 E. Fillmore St.,
329-1445
Since 1944 and with three Col-
orado Springs locatons (Circle
Drive, North Carefree Circle
and East Fillmore Street), Con-
ways is locally noted for its
giant hamburgers: 8-ounce
pates on 6-inch buns. $
drifters hamburgers
4455 Mark Dabling Blvd.,
548-8163,
driftershamburgers.com
Our readers scolded us for not
including three-year-old Drif-
ers in a batle of the burgers
last year, promptng 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-in
2309 N. Weber St.,
633-0618
(635-0769 in off-season)
New owner and longtme 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, letuce and
tomato) with onion rings and
a sof-serve cone or sundae,
March through October, daily
for lunch and dinner. $
Patty Jewett
Bar and Grill
900 E. Espaola St.,
385-6908,
pattyjewettclubhouse.com
Recently acquired by the
folks behind The Famous,
this is essentally 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 deli
106 E. Kiowa St.,
465-2686, pbandjellies.com
Great weekly specials like half
of everything afer 2 p.m. on
Wednesdays. Quality New
York Deli-style sandwiches
with Boars Head meats. And
the highlight: PB&Js with fun
favors of house-ground pea-
nut buter (like pad Thai), lo-
cally made jellies (like cherry
jalapeo), and add-ons. $
Trivellis hoagies
2729 N. Nevada Ave.,
471-7733, trivellis.net
Its one thing, executed
beautfully since 1976: hoa-
gies. Eighteen styles, to be
exact. The sizzle of beef
(Ranch Foods Directs) and
onions on the fat-top prom-
ises true Philly-style satsfac-
ton. Varietes include house
marinara, house-cured capi-
cola ham and toppings like
sweet cherry peppers. $
cAF
caf 36
30 W. Dale St., 477-4377, cs-
fneartscenter.org/cafe36.asp
Open Tuesday through Sun-
day from 11 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. and for pre-theater din-
ing, Caf 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. Stll,
nothing beats the view. $$
The corner cafe
7 E. Vermijo Ave., 520-
1843, cornercafecs.com
An Indy go-to by virtue of
locaton and excellence.
Co-owner Bob Smoots hu-
mor shows on items like
the Trailer Trash Certfed
chicken-fried steak. Sand-
wiches are built with qual-
ity ingredients; the pork
green chile is awesome, as
is Smoots garlic habaero
ketchup. Pie anyone? $
dale street caf
115 E. Dale St., 578-9898,
mydalestreetcafe.com
Dale Street is the likeable local
equivalent of a chain outit, in
that there truly is something
for everyone on its expansive
bistro menu: salads, seafood,
pizza, pasta, burgers, sand-
wiches even Jaegerschnit-
zel. Then theres the always-
charming experience of dining
in a Victorian. $$
Gold hill Java
332 N. Tejon St., 577-4291,
goldhilljava.com
Roastng now out of its new
locaton, which occupied the
former Boulder Street Cofee
Roasters mid-2011, Wood-
land Park-launched Gold Hill
delivers great drip cofee and
sweet seasonal drinks, be
they your bag. The Kodiak is
the best sandwich choice,
with a house-baked cookie
chaser. $
Good 2 Go
2 N. Cascade Ave.,
Suite P1-A, 632-2939
Oddly located inside the Holly
Sugar Buildings frst-level
parking garage, but worth the
venture for delightul house-
made soups, sandwiches and
specials like smoked tri-tp,
and beef and lamb shep-
herds pie, complemented by
Colorado Cofee Merchants
espresso drinks. $
La Baguette
117 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 636-
5020, labaguette-co.com
From the original four, two La
Baguetes remain, both inde-
pendently owned (then the
French Bistro and La Tartne).
The Colorado Avenue shop
stll bakes for all, and gener-
ates Best Of awards for bread
and French onion soup, and as
bakery and French spots. $
Loftys
287 E. Fountain St., #100,
520-0024
Art, music and creatvity drive
passionate purveyor Josh
Kennard. Lofys is a hip stop
for Pueblos sustainable So-
lar Roast Cofee; good, Olde
World Bagel-produced sand-
wiches and pastries; and fun
cocktails with small-batch
booze, Seatles Dry Sodas and
Denvers Oogav sodas. $
montagues
1019 S. Tejon St., 520-0672
Yes, its got comfy chairs,
high-back antques with the
kind of charm that lends well
to the cozy space, with people
chatng over cute pots hold-
ing an array of fne teas. En-
joy them with stufed French
toast, turkey pot pie and/or
large-enough-to-share pieces
of cake. $
The Olive Branch
restaurant
23 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 optons, most
everything from scratch, and
fresh-squeezed OJ at break-
fast. Its a litle bit of every-
thing, done right. $$
shugas
702 S. Cascade Ave.,
328-1412, shugas.com
Decade-old Shugas is so cool
it hurts. Advice: always get
the divine, peanuty, spicy
Brazilian coconut soup, but
try a diferent drink each
visit. The award-winning
cocktails are fun, as are gi-
ant mojito carafes and the
legendary Lavender Blossom
martni. The lemon-ginger
hot tea is a treat, too. $
smileys Bakery
and cafe
323 N. Tejon St., 328-9447,
smileysbakerycafe.com
Doing so well that it expanded
into a neighboring space last
fall, nearly doubling capacity,
Smileys is your stop for tri-
berry French toast, chocolate
chip pancakes or a rich om-
La Baguette
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| inSider 2012 | 45 |
CENTRAL
The Rabbit Hole
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elet. At lunch, its house soups
and hot sandwiches, followed
by a mandatory slice of fantas-
tc house pie. $
Wooglins Deli
& Caf
823 N. Tejon St., 578-9443,
wooglinsdeli.com
Not just a haunt for Colorado
College students and faculty,
Wooglins is a fne stop for
anyone at all three meals. A
cup of Barista cofee 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. $
Chinese
2000 Wok
115 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-
tons are bigger if you get it
to go. $
China Town
326 S. Nevada Ave.,
632-5151
China Town is many down-
towners go-to for a cold-
bustng wor wonton soup,
as well as quick, generously
portoned meals that come
inexpensive and easy. $
China Village
203 N. Union Blvd.,
475-8299, menu4food.com/
chinavillage
Since 1982, this afordable
Mandarin and Szechuan
stop has earned loyalty with
its expansive menu of Chi-
nese favorites: Hunan duck
and Mongolian beef, velvet
chicken and Buddhas delight.
Free delivery nearby seals the
saucy deal. $
hunan springs
24 E. Kiowa St., 634-0800,
hunansprings.net
Its perfectly satsfying Chi-
nese on the cheap, like a full
entre 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
optons. $
Crperie
La Creperie Bistro
204 N. Tejon St., 632-0984
With 34 years in the same
family and true French roots,
this 36-seat eatery ofers
traditonal crpes like the
best-selling chicken with hol-
landaise or bechamel. Also:
gluten-free optons, includ-
ing rich seafood plates, plus
organic green salads and rich
chocolate mousse via artsan
French sourcing. $$
paris Crepe
euro Caf
218 N. Tejon St., 444-0110
People stll freak out when
they discover the clever
sweet crpes like the Smore,
cheesecake and Flufernut-
ter optons. The savories also
sidestep conventon with in-
ternatonal infuences, from a
rice-four Thai beef with pea-
nut sauce to vegetarian Med-
iterranean with tahini. $
Diner
Barneys Diner
129 W. Las Animas St.,
632-1756
Forty-seven-year-old Bar-
neys 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. $
Kings Chef Diner
110 E. Costilla St., 634-
9135; 131 E. Bijou St., 636-
5010; kingschefdiner.com
Prety much everything youve
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. $$
north end Diner
3005 N. Hancock Ave., 442-
1833, northenddiner.com
For a litle diner, it ofers a
lot of charm. A wide menu of
skillets, omelets and Mexican
items at breakfast, and Ranch
Foods Direct burgers among
lunch oferings (BOGO for
a nickel, weekends afer 2
p.m.). Homemade soups,
green chile, and a new glu-
ten-free menu as well. $
The Omelette parlor
900 E. Fillmore St.,
633-7770,
co-spgs-omeletteparlor.com
Yup its that place. The one
everyone loves, with the well-
deserved line ofen stretch-
ing out the door. Big omelets,
of course, and all the sweet
pancakes and wafes and
things that taste good under
syrup or the homemade pork
green chile. Big sandwiches
and salads, too, if youre in a
litle later. $
sheldons
Luncheonette
204 Mount View Lane, 599-
0887, sheldonslunch.com
With daily specials like meat-
loaf, barbecue and open-face
pork, turkey and roast beef
sandwiches, Sheldons supple-
ments its regular diner dishes
of simple omelets and Ameri-
can breakfast items, plus burg-
ers, melts, salads and soups.
Two locatons and many years
in biz say a lot. $
Fine Dining
The Blue star
1645 S. Tejon St., 632-1086,
thebluestar.net
Winner for our towns Best
Overall Restaurant for a
fourth year running. Nuf
said, but heres more any-
way: superstar bartender
Nate Windham; divine pastry
chef Alicia Prescot; a trio of
talented chefs pushing ever-
changing menus; and big
plans for the adjacent Ivywild
School project. $$$
Conscious Table
26 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 entres; the Sencha salad.
Cheaper at lunch, plus $8 late-
night menu. Oh and cooking
classes. $$$
The Famous
31 N. Tejon St., 227-7333,
thefamoussteakhouse.net
Your favorite steakhouse, all
swank and no BS. Home of
a killer $12.95 cheeseburger
that handily won our burger
food fght last year, plus gi-
ant, pricey steak and seafood
plates with hearty, family-style
side portons. On top of weekly
specials, look for new lunch
promotons in 2012. $$$
MacKenzies
Chop house
128 S. Tejon St., 635-3536,
mackenzieschophouse.com
Subterranean swank, courtesy
Concept Restaurants. Dark
wood, deep martnis, burly
steaks and a weekly fresh
sheet that proves longtme
Springs chef Pete Moreno
hasnt fallen asleep on the
job. For us: Ahi salad at lunch,
and Colorado rack of lamb at
dinner, please. $$$
The Melting pot
30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave.,
385-0300, meltingpot.com
Its a chain with a locals
feel and an expansive, qual-
ity wine list. The answer to
all special-occasion needs,
the fondue setup allows for
jointly dipping breads and
fruits into molten cheese (or
chocolate), and fne meats
and veggie hunks into boiling
broths. $$$
nosh
121 S. Tejon St., 634-6674,
nosh121.com
Your pick for fve Indy Best Of
nods, including Cutng-Edge
Menu and Happy Hour. Youll
also love the crispy Korean
wings, the garli-miso-basil
caulifower (seriously) and
the spicy bison sandwich.
Anyone else you know serv-
ing elderfower sangria?
Didnt think so. $$
The rabbit hole
101 N. Tejon St., 203-5072,
rabbitholedinner.com
Racking up a respectable
number of Best Of awards in
its frst year, including Best
New Restaurant, Rabbit Hole
is the go-to for: great cock-
tails; a big Colorado craf beer
list; full menu service untl
1:30 a.m.; half-of-app happy
hours; and playfully dressed,
creatve mains. $$$
The Warehouse
restaurant and gallery
25 W. Cimarron St.,
475-8880,
thewarehouserestaurant.com
Whats it gonna be? Cofee-
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-of-app-and-
beer happy hours? $$$
gerMan
edelweiss german
restaurant
34 E. Ramona Ave., 633-
2220, edelweissrest.com
A Springs fxture: authentc
German with more than 40
years local history. All your
great German beers on tap,
everything awesome and
meaty that ends in -schnit-
zel or -braten, and won-
derful house sweets like
Stollen and a dozen torte
varietes. Bonus: lovely pato
dining. $$
Uwes german
restaurant
31 Iowa Ave., 475-1611
A tucked-away treasure that
dishes authentc German cui-
sine, this is a great stop for a
giant helping of Warsteiner
beer over schnitzel, sptzle or
sauerbraten. Another great
entre: the rouladen, with
thin beef slivers enveloping
bacon, pickle and onion with
mustard and spices. $
greaTer
asian
The Curry Leaf
restaurant
321 N. Tejon St., 447-0608,
curryleafrestaurant.com
The recently relocated Curry
Leaf is simply a world-beat-
er. Sri Lanka natve Lana
Hillstrom cooks true to her
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CENTRAL
In & Out Gyros
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culture, using an array of in-
toxicatng spices that lead to
knockout plates, from a rich,
brilliant eggplant curry to
sweet and spicy mango curry.
This, you will love. $
Everest Nepal
Restaurant
28 E. Bijou St., 473-3890,
everesttibetimports.com/
restaurant.html
Youve shopped in the hand-
ful of Tibetan import stores
around town, now dig the
restaurant, perhaps for the
wholly satsfying $8.99 lunch
bufet. Then or at dinner, of-
ferings include Indian and
Nepali plates vibrant daal,
curry and the like best with
a mango lassi. $
INtERNa-
tIoNal
Island Grill take out
1107 S. Nevada Ave., #101,
578-1468, islandgrilltake-
out.com
Since 2003, Jamaican natve
Randal Whyte has solo-run
this tny gem of jerk good-
ness, focusing on favor over
empty heat. Its simply awe-
some, from coconut-milk rice
and sweet plantains to but-
tery cabbage, curry goat, jerk
chicken and ackee, and cod
fsh. $
laaus taco Shop
830 N. Tejon St., #110, 578-
5228, laaustacoshop.com
With island infuences from
Hawaii to Indonesia, Laaus
ofers more fresh crunch than
the average taco stop (think
mango and papaya toppings),
though theres hearty pork,
steak and chicken optons, too.
Nobody beats the all-day hap-
py hours: two Bristols for $5,
$1.50 PBRs, $3 margaritas. $
Rasta Pasta
405 N. Tejon St., 481-6888,
rastapastacs.com
One love: always. Two-for-one
Bristol beers: Tuesday only.
Jerk seasoning abounds, with
optons to turn up the heat
on any pasta. Gluten-free and
vegan optons, too. Well never
get over the great, fruit-bear-
ing Tortellini Jamaica Mon,
though others go for the ttular
jerk chicken plate. $
Spice Island Grill
10 N. Sierra Madre St., 473-
8280, spiceislandgrill.com
Inhabitng El Tesoros old
haunt, this Jamaican gem
is burstng with favor. 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. $$
ItalIaN
Ficcos little Italy
1105 S. Tejon St., 434-7868
Just opened, Ficcos is stll
getng on its feet with a
small lunch menu; dinner
menu coming shortly. From
the homemade Italian dishes
that date back to the owners
grandmothers recipes, get
The Lucky, a grinder with
Denvers Polidori Sausage.
Finish with superb cannoli
and banana cream pie. $
Fratelli Ristorante
Italiano
124 N. Nevada Ave., 575-
9571, fratelliristorante.com
When the USA Pro Cycling
Challenge arrived, the Ital-
ian team ate here. The outit
shines with well-executed,
classic Italian plates, plus spe-
cials and new menu items like
risoto primavera or bufalo
mozzarella with prosciuto
and pears. Homemade des-
serts, happy hours, gluten-
free optons. Yum. $$
luigis Homemade
Italian Food
947 S. Tejon St., 632-7339,
luigiscoloradosprings.com
A 50-plus-year family legacy
restaurant, Luigis is classic,
down to checkered table-
cloths, empty Chiant botles
and faux vines. Popular en-
tres like the homemade, b-
chamel-rich tortellacci come
with salad or soup. Theres
also pizzas, pastas, sandwich-
es and more loveliness; din-
ner service only. $$
Paninos Restaurant
604 N. Tejon St., 635-7452,
paninos.com
Keep it fresh with Facebook
coupons for weekly featured
Panino sandwiches (some
30, unique rolled-dough cre-
atons). And remember: fat cal-
zones plus all-you-can-eat pizza
Tuesdays ($7.99), and spaghet-
t Wednesdays ($8.99). $
Roman Villa Pizza
635-1806
Turning 53 this year under
the Biondi family, 14-table
Roman Villa is legend, for
good reasons. Heres one:
homemade pastas like the
outstanding three-cheese
and spinach tortellacci in a
caramelized onion-spiked,
creamy tomato sauce. Great
pizzas and house sausage,
too. $$
MEdItERRa-
NEaN
arabica Caf
12 S. Tejon St., 471-2444,
cravearabica.com
Arabica Caf came under new
ownership last June, but the
recipes are stll made in the
former owners style from
Palestne. The hummus and
shawarma are reportedly
great, with bright citrus and
spice notes, respectvely. $
Caspian Caf
4375 Sinton Road,
528-1155, caspiancafe.com
Go Friday or Saturday night
to enjoy belly dancing next
to distnctve Mediterranean
food at a good price. Its mul-
tnatonal menu ranges from
gyros and moussaka to fsh,
vegetarian plates and excel-
lent desserts. $$
In & out Gyros
36 E. Bijou St., 635-7749
Kronos Foods provides the
gyro meat and baklava, but
owner Behnam Gilanpour
(who ran the Persian Grill here,
before the brief Rumis Kabab
era) makes most everything
else, including yogurt for the
house tzatziki. Get the veggie
plater. Bonus: open late. $
Mediterranean Caf
118 E. Kiowa St., 633-0115,
medcafe-co.com
Consistently excellent, Med
Caf nails the cuisine with
bright spices and garlic fa-
vors and standout renditons
of hummus, baba ghanouj
and tzatziki. For the discern-
ing yet indecisive, theres the
awesome Half & Half: gyro
and falafel with feta, tahini
and hot sauce. $$
taste of Jerusalem
Caf
15 E. Bijou St., 477-1777,
tasteofjerusalemcafe.com
Afer splitng from Heart of
Jerusalem Caf in 2009, Yemini
owner Abdul Nasser added his
own accents to the Mediter-
ranean menu like stufed
pita sambusa and mishkool,
seasoned rice and veggies
which includes Halal items for
observant Muslims. Also great
shawarma, falafel, etc. $
MExICaN/
SoutHwESt
alices Mexican
Cuisine
578-8882,
alicesmexicancuisine.com
Turning fve soon in the al-
leyway behind Josh & Johns,
Alices does right by Tex-Mex,
startng with a nice, warmed
house salsa with pleasant
bite. The chimichangas plate
arceos Mexican
Family Restaurant
4608 Rusina Road,
264-0143, arceos.biz
Two locatons 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-jalapeo 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 Bandit
634-9946
The Vasquez familys Circle
Drive locaton turns 46 this
year (see p. 78), which says
plenty. This second spot just
opened in early January.
Youll fnd 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 Rey
330 E. Colorado Ave.,
475-9722, eltacorey.com
Another longtme Springs fx-
ture run by the capable Agui-
lar family. Lines out the door;
the locally legendary pork-
avocado burrito; loaded daily
specials and hefy combo din-
ners for about $8; tres leches
cake to fnish. Done. $
Jos Muldoons
222 N. Tejon St., 636-2311,
josemuldoons.com
It racked up a handful of
second-place fnishes in
the 2011 Indy Best Of, and
30-plus-year-old Joss 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. $$
la Carreta
Mexican Restaurant
35 Iowa Ave., 477-1157
A popular lunch spot for pub-
lic ofcials, La Carreta dishes
everything from authentc
Caldo de Res (beef soup) to
chicken mole, Tacos al Pastor,
and reportedly wonderful
chile rellenos and margaritas.
Youll also fnd fajitas, enchi-
ladas and Tex-Mex faves. $
la Casita
Mexican Grill
7829, lacasitamexigrill.com
You cant miss the bright
pink stucco on Eighth Street,
North Nevada Avenue or
Woodmen Road. And you
shouldnt miss deals like
Taco Tuesdays from 4 to 9
p.m., with BOGO half-of. Or
the periodic all-you-can-eat
breakfast ($5.99), lunch or
dinner ($7.99) deals. $
Monicas taco Shop
30 E. Fillmore St., 473-1996
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| inSider 2012 | 47 |
CENTRAL
Yummy Yaki Japanese Restaurant
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Il Vicino
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So there I am, driving to Den-
ver with a fresh Monicas
breakfast burrito steaming in
my hand, burning my mouth
each tme I bite, yet I cant
stop or wait for it to cool.
Im inexplicably compelled to
sufer gloriously onward. Is it
the chorizo? The salsa verde?
Who cares. It is epic. $
Salsa Latina
28 E. Rio Grande St.,
328-1513
Open weekdays only and re-
lated by family to nearby El
Taco Rey, Salsa Latna makes
everything from scratch in
the mornings, like its lauded
green chile, from fresh Ana-
heims. Go for the Friday-only
chile relleno burrito, a long-
tme obsession of at least
one Indy employee. $
Sonterra Innovative
Southwest Grill
28B S. Tejon St., 471-9222,
rockymtnrg.com/sonterragrill
Owned by the folks behind
Slaytons and Salsa Brava, Son-
terra is the seafood-centric
operaton (think coriander-
seared scallops and blackened
sea bass), with fne steak cuts
as well, plus dressy tacos and
enchiladas. As at its sister lo-
catons, generous happy hour
deals here are worth a well-
tmed visit. $$
Vallejos Restaurant
111 S. Corona St.,
635-0980
Located just behind the Cot-
tonwood Center for the Arts
and celebratng 50 years in
2012, Vallejos ofers a lot of
charm via the Martnez 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. $
PIzza
Borriello Brothers
215 E. Platte Ave., 884-
2020, borriellobrothers.com
Our readers longtme favor-
ite local pizza, with eight lo-
cal locatons. Think kick-ass,
hand-tossed New York-style
creatons, backed by salads,
heros, calzones and more.
Borriello even has its own
iPhone/Android app now. $
Il Vicino
11 S. Tejon St., 475-9224,
ilvicino.com
Though it spans 10 locatons
across three states, Il Vicino
maintains a mostly non-cor-
porate vibe and local feel,
with fantastc wood-oven
pizzas and good craf beers
shipped from the Albuquer-
que brew hub. The Pizza
Margherita is simple beauty
next to a pint. $
Louies Pizza
333 N. Tejon St., 635-5565;
1146 E. Fillmore St., 473-
0060; louies-pizza.com
The Sciarrata family has tossed
pies in the Springs datng back
to 1985. Now there are fve
locatons for your chicken al-
fredo or chicken taco pizza fx,
plus dyno-mite wings and
popular cinnamon-sugar crust
dessert pizzas. Look for new
take-n-bake stores sometme
soon. $
Poor Richards
Restaurant & Ricos
Caf and Wine Bar
322-324 N. Tejon St.,
578-5549, poorrichards.biz
A downtown dynasty and
perennial Best Of winner,
with atached toy and book
stores, this is the spot for ev-
erything from kick-ass pizzas
(even spelt optons) and sal-
ads to fne wine, cocktails, lo-
cal spirits, cofee drinks, tea,
sipping chocolate and live
music on the weekends. $
PuB Food
Jack Quinn Irish
alehouse & Pub
21 S. Tejon St., 385-0766,
jackquinnspub.com
Guinness check. Tradi-
tonal Irish music sessions
check. Fish & chips, Irish
stew, seafood boxty check.
Everything youd expect is
here, but also a much wider
and hearty food menu, plus
a weekly pub quiz and run-
ning club. Its a warm home
away from home, especially
if brogue be your lingo. $$
Johnnys Navajo
Hogan
344-9593
Thats Johnny Nolan of South-
Side Johnnys, so youre in
good hands, especially with
expansive Sunday-through-
Tuesday happy hours featuring
$2-to-$3.50 drinks. The his-
toric building has never looked
beter, and the broasted chick-
en is already legend. Pizzas are
strong, too. $
McCabes Tavern
520 S. Tejon St., 633-3300,
mccabestavern.com
My colleague remains en-
amored with McCabes rose-
mary-laced Guinness lamb
stew with soda bread (yeah,
I felt warm inside just writng
that), but theres much more
to love here, from beer-fueled
pub quiz nights to a stellar
Irish whiskey selecton, Scotch
eggs and Guinness chocolate
cake. $$
oscars Tejon Street
333 S. Tejon St., 471-8070,
oscarsoysterbar.com
Oysters in the Springs? Why
yes, please and thank you
they do em right here.
Oscars also channels the sea
via good Creole entres, a
tght gumbo and Louisiana-
style po-boys. Past that, its
your favorite smoking pato,
with bountful happy hours
and live music. $$
SouthSide Johnnys
528 S. Tejon St., 444-8487,
southsidejohnnys.biz
From the man whos saved
the Navajo Hogan comes the
original Johnnys: an always-
hoppin spot with live music
and a good crowd from bikers
to businessmen. The diverse
and overall delectable menu
ranges from burgers and sand-
wiches at lunch to ribeyes and
tuna steaks at night. $$
Tonys Bar
311 N. Tejon St., 228-6566,
tonysdowntownbar.com
Tonys, 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;
hed rather have had the fa-
mous cheese curds. $
underground
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 Brewers Republic (one
of the towns fnest craf brew
scenes) can also order from the
Undergrounds menu. $
Wills Sports Pub
424 S. Nevada Ave., 475-
2122, liquidcommon.com/
willssportspub
Wills has experienced a
number of kitchen overhauls
in recent years, testng ev-
erything from bar-gourmet
to Tex-Mex. It most recently
setled 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/
CaJuN
Slaytons Tejon
Street Grill
28A S. Tejon St., 471-2311,
rockymtnrg.com/
slaytonsbbq
Great weekend happy
hours ofer $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 catish fngers. $$
Springs orleans
520-0123,
springsorleans.com
Already your pick for Best
Cajun/Southern eats, this
newbie is the luscious, lardon-
laden lead-up to the eventual
opening of the adjacent Min-
ing Exchange hotel. Longtme
lauded Blue Star chef James
Davis and crew sling all things
requiring roux and blackening
agents. Got it, po-boy? $$
SuSHI/
JaPaNeSe
Fujiyama
22 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 anytme; hiba-
chi service by reservaton; and
an unbeatable half-of-every-
thing happy hour from 5 to 6
on Mondays. New vegetarian
menu recently added. $$
Yoo Mae
21 E. Kiowa St., 473-8105,
yoomae.com
Check out the photos on its
website, and you may not
queston the claim that Yoo
Mae is no doubt the best su-
shi in Colorado Springs. Live-
ly chef JJ Kim, having fnished
his 50-state roll tribute (cool
map online also), recently
began a car series; so far, the
Jaguar and Ferrari are selling
well. $$
Yummy Yaki
Japanese Restaurant
1534 S. Nevada Ave.,
227-0214
Afer 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,
its prety damn good. $
VIeTNaMeSe
Saigon Caf
20 E. Colorado Ave.,
633-2888,
coloradosaigoncafe.com
Evidenced by its constant
trafc, expansion and annual
Best Of win its 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 platers. Al-
ways a safe bet. $$
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| 48 | inSider 2012 |
Shopping
The citys core promises a treat for the senses
By Sara Michael
A
ny seasoned shopper will tell you that true
shopping isnt just an errand run; its 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 youre lured in the door by the
breeze of cinnamon and cloves that wafts from inside,
youll 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, its 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,
theres a special Made in Colorado section filled
with Always Azul Pottery from Villa Grove, beyond
Caon City.
Wander unwarily into Terra Verde (208 N. Tejon
St., terraverdestyle.com) youll 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 womens 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 Leechs assortment of records and general
pop-culture flotsam.
Also full of color and flair is Zeezos (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 were perhaps wandering too
far afield here; for more straightforward fashion, try
Kirk and Hill (129 N. Tejon St., 635-7038) or Lucys
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
Browns 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, theres 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, youll 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 potters 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
Richards Bookstore (320 N. Tejon St., poorrichards-
downtown.com), which conveniently adjoins Ricos
Caf 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 shouldnt 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 cant wrap up a section on tickling the senses
without including flowers. With imports from Hawaii
and Bangkok, Gentrys 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 (125 N. Tejon St., see p. 88). n
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CENTRAL
Outdoors
If downtowns skyline doesnt grab you, its recreational resources just might
By Debbie Kelley
P
eople 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. Its 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
thats 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. Its 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.). Its 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 Evergreens 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.
Memorial Skate Park Evergreen Cemetery
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CENTRAL
O
K, lets start by getting cultural.
Some of our citys 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 Langes 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 areas 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-
ations Money Museum (818 N. Cascade
Ave., money.org) for monthly demon-
strations of its Mini-Mint, a small coin
minter. While youre there, laugh at some
of the faces that made it onto coinage (its
OK, really), and view money from the
Civil War.
Gallery city
I
n keeping with the cultural bent, down-
town is home to many art galleries,
a few of which well 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 hangouts
Where artistic masters, hungry students and fearless paintballers rub elbows
By Edie Adelstein
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Mug up
F
or as long as I can remember, Montagues (1019 S. Tejon St., 520-0672) has
owned the market on patterned chairs and couches you could find in Grandmas
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 thats 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 youre 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 Ricos Coffee, Chocolate & Wine Bar (322 N. Tejon St.,
poorrichards.biz). Gold Hills the second location after the original in Woodland Park and
sports a huge selection of fudge and strong black stuff, while Ricos is the rare spot where
you can comfortably eat lunch alone, then return at night for a date on the patio. The
foods great, the variety of chocolates impressive, and the drink specials divine.
Off the main street, next to the bus stop, lies Caf 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 Youre Looking for Them category sit Loftys
(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 thats full by mid-morning, and
offers a nice selection of grub for the breakfast and lunch crowd.
Ravens Nest Coffee (330 N. Institute St., ravensnestcoffee.com), another neigh-
borhood spot, describes itself as an environment of complete sensory immersion.
While I cant 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 Jasmines Coffee and Tea Caf
(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
Earthen art at Marmalade at Smokebrush
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| inSider 2012 | 51 |
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 Marmalades 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 Colleges 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 years 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. Theres 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, dont count out the Downtown
Studio at Pikes Peak Community College
(100 W. Pikes Peak Ave., ppcc.edu/
departments/art/pppcc-art-gallery).
PPCCs 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 years docket included a show
based on the theme of the chrysalis and
cross-pollination.
And by the way, strewn about down-
town streets youll 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
P
lenty 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 Dragonmans. (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, Kimballs Peak Three (115 E. Pikes
Peak Ave., kimballspeakthree.com).
Catch independents, foreigns and an
occasional blockbuster at Kimballs,
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 nights
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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CENTRAL
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o whatll 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 doesnt 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 thats racked
up enough national media attention to justify its
proud slogan. Theres 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 Carters Strokin
or Trace Adkins Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.
Step outside Cowboys and you wont 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 G) also frequent SODO
(527 S. Tejon St., sodonightlife.com).
For more low-key revelry, Oscars Tejon Street (333 S.
Tejon St., oscarstejonstreet.com) and SouthSide Johnnys
(528 S. Tejon St., southsidejohnnys.biz) host live music
that leans more toward blues, Motown and rockabilly.
More drinking, less dancing
I
f you prefer a higher beer-to-bro ratio, there are
plenty of central Springs establishments to cater to
your needs.
Lets 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 hangouts
Bar bands, breweries and indie rock take over downtown after dark
By Bill Forman
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fried chicks diners
sprng/fau Jwws $'1--sac 5-8pm o soil 1-7pm
summer }lour' thw-sat 5-8pm o s1W 1-lpm
tab
| inSider 2012 | 53 |
Tourists staying at the Antlers Hilton
will find Judge Baldwins (4 S. Cascade
Ave., 473-5600) right off the hotel
lobby. The brewery can lay claim to
being the citys oldest, established back
in 1991. OK, not exactly gold-rush era,
but stay with us. Baldwins 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
citys 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
its gone; its 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-
erys 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 downtowns V Bar
(19 E. Kiowa St., 471-8622). There
youll find a strawberry gin martini
Brokers gin, muddled strawberry and
a hint of mint along with some great
deejays. (Backpack rap segued into
early Can? Its been known to happen.)
Word Wednesday poetry slams and
regular hip-hop and indie rock show-
cases make this bar one of downtowns
most interesting.
Find more martinis at Shugas (702
S. Cascade Ave., shugas.com), includ-
ing the exotic Blushing Geisha, which
brings together lychee, lemon ginger,
Chambord and champagne. Theres
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, McCabes Tavern (520 S. Tejon
St., mccabestavern.com) and Jack
Quinn Irish Alehouse & Pub (21 S. Tejon
St., jackquinnspub.com).
Or, if youre just looking for a great
neighborhood bar, pay a visit to Tonys
(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 Johnnys 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
I
f youre 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 Indys Best Venue category
since it opened back in 06. But 2011s
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 buildings old Rocket Room
days. In addition to touring acts and
some of the towns 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
Come join us for cheese fondue, chocolate fondue
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Sunday-Thursday | 9 p.m.-10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday | 10 p.m.-11 p.m.
Colorado Springs
30-A East Pikes Peak Avenue | 719.385.0300 | www.meltingpot.com
Late Night Special
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| 56 | inSider 2012 |
Go for ...
... Shabu-Shabu and sushi:
Jun Japanese Restaurant, p. 59
... the new retail explosion:
University Village, p. 61
... UFO re-enactment as sport:
Cotonwood 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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NORTH
Restaurants
BrewpuB
Colorado Mountain
Brewery
11202 Rampart Hills View,
434-5750, cmbrew.com
Boastng 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 locaton in the
iconic former Van Briggle Pot-
tery building. Beers and bites
have been thoroughly tested
and refned, virtually guaran-
teeing your satsfacton. $$
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: Devils Head
Red, Elephant Rock IPA) next
to great giant pretzels or cold-
cut platers provided by near-
by caterer Taste of Life. Get
the German chocolate cake
with a stout sample. $$
Trinity Brewing
Company
trinitybrew.com
Recently expanded, years
ahead of schedule, Trinity has
deservedly blown up thanks
to top-notch, experimental
saison producton on top of
great fagship beers like the
seasonally changing Farm-
house. To mitgate the buzz
(from the alcohol, not the
community), grab lamb slid-
ers, seitan wings or the Mak
N Bacon. $$
Burgers &
sandwiChes
another pint
13860 Gleneagle Drive,
481-6446, anotherpint.net
Recently split from Cofee
Cup Caf and under the new
ownership of its former GM,
Another Pint is craf beer
mecca, sportng more than
40 taps and hostng monthly
beer dinners, plus unique
meet-the-brewer nights. $
City of philly
Cheese steaks
4747 Flintridge Drive,
265-5770
The name prety much says
it all: steaming cheese-steak
sandwiches on chewy bread
from Philly-based Amorosos
Baking Co. Recently added to
the hoagies and burgers: hot
wings, and fried zucchini and
mushrooms. $
Crave real Burgers
7465 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 Nuty Profes-
sor (with peanut buter), the
garlicky Love Stnks, and the
sweet hoisin Dim Sum Dafy
duck sandwich. Get sweet
potato fries and the awe-
some Amareto shake. $$
Olivers delicatessen
6602 Delmonico Drive,
599-9411
Nearing 30 years breakfast
and lunch service under the
Oliver family, here the high-
lights are homemade soups
and traditonal 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 subs
1726 Brookwood Drive,
531-5100
Take in a charming Jersey at-
tude, on and of the sub, with
classic East Coast items like
Tastykakes and Boylans 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, youll be at home. $
Caf
aspenpointe
Caf & Catering
572-6296, aspenpointe.org
Overseen by American Cu-
linary Federaton trainer
and chef Pete Aiello, As-
penPointe teaches culinary
skills to the disenfranchised
(ranging from at-risk youth
to people with disabilites),
serving afordable and sat-
isfying sandwiches and the
like, weekdays from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. $
Blue sage
332-1397,
creativecateringsolutions.com
Open for lunch from 11 to 2
weekdays, Blue Sages caf
arm is really a front for its
catering biz but stands just
fne on its own. Theres lots
of locally sourced ingredi-
ents from the Arkansas Valley
Organic Growers, gourmet
sandwiches, soups and sal-
ads, plus stellar desserts. $
Coffee Cup Caf
251 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 hefy Reubens and
the like for lunch. And consider
chasing your meal with a lovely
slice of cake. $
La Tartine french
Bistro Caf
1420 Kelly Johnson Blvd.,
598-5550,
latartinefrenchbistro.com
Split of from the La Baguete
group, La Tartne stll serves the
award-winning French onion
soup and baked goods, plus
extensive salads, sandwiches,
breakfast plates and delight-
fully highbrow entres like the
wonderful, garlicky escargot in
garlic-parsley buter. $
r&r Coffee Caf
11425 Black Forest Road,
Black Forest, 494-8300,
rnrcoffeecafe.com
Bad-ass cofee 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. $
speedtrap
84 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 mufns
and baked goods, to be en-
joyed with a Serranos cofee
or Bristol beer. Try the oddly
awesome bufalo bratwurst
crpe with caramelized on-
ions and sharp cheddar. $
wisdom Tea house
65 Second St.,
Monument, 481-8822,
wisdomteahouse.com
If all meals just lead to des-
sert for you, check out Wis-
doms photos on its Facebook
page. (Sweet sugary mercy!)
The luscious sweets are an
integral part of the traditonal
afernoon tea service ($22.50,
requires two-day notce), but
The Villa
Margarita at PineCreek
Crave Real Burgers
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NORTH
just dropping in for a killer buf-
falo burger is also wise. $
Chinese
China Caf
2761 Briargate Blvd., 260-1111
Here youll fnd heaping por-
tons 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 plater ($12),
for obvious reasons. $
Lanshing Caf
9475 Briar Village Point,
#150, 266-8351
Co-owner Cheau Jiang says
Lanshings style refects 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 Gourmet
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 opton, and even
house-made tea-leaf boba.
Plus, gluten-free optons and
much more. $$
Tsing Tao house
3604 Hartsel Drive,
Suite C, 528-8884,
tsingtaohouse.com
A Briargate take-out star, it
also serves cheap lunches
$6-to-$8 entres include
soup, rice, an egg roll, a crab
rangoon and tea. Dinner of-
fers the typical enormous se-
lecton found in many Chinese
eateries, everything from hot
Szechuan bean curd to honey-
glazed walnut shrimp. $
Diner
rosies Diner
11550 Ridgeline Drive,
488-4753; 411 Hwy. 105,
Monument, 481-3287,
eatatrosies.com
The second locaton just
opened last year a litle 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 DininG
The 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 mult-course prix
fxe dinners; ofers a more
relaxed, comfort-food-rich
lounge menu; and ofers a
great Sunday brunch and fun
pato events. Simply one of
the best. $$$
Marigold Caf
and Bakery
599-4776,
marigoldcoloradosprings.com
The owners of this 20-year-
gem studied under legend-
ary French chef Paul Bocuse
(Dominique) as well as at the
Culinary Insttute of Amer-
ica (Elaine). Beyond great
French bistro-style entres,
Indy readers annually award
the gorgeous desserts. 2011
runner-up for Best Overall
Restaurant. $$$
moZaic
443 S. Hwy. 105,
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-aford-
able with the likes of a bison
burger and sof-shell crab and
bacon sandwich. The Black
and Bleu Ribeye ($30) reigns
supreme at dinner. $$$
sunbird
230 Point of the Pines
Drive, 598-8990,
thesunbird.com
A renowned Sunday brunch
and unbeatable city skyline
view. No lunch service, but a
special three-course Sunset
Dinner menu available from
4:30 to 6 ($17.95 to $19.95).
The prime rib and flet mi-
gnon are best-sellers, but
nobody will steer you away
from the Australian lobster
tail. $$$
GreaTer
asian
india Palace
535-9196
For our money and culinary
adoraton, none of young
owner Raj Kumars menu
items beat the divine, creamy
chicken makhani. Stll, the
str-fry-like mixed biryani also
kills, afer a tangy samosa
chat app. Sample most widely
at the $7.95 lunch bufet. $
Mirch Masala
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-
salas expansive Indian lunch
bufet ($8.95) rivals its com-
pettors easily. As do evening
entres like curries, tandoori
meats, biryani, and rich pan-
eer plates. $
Taste of india
4820 Flintridge Drive,
598-3428,
tasteofndiasprings.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. Buter chicken,
saag paneer its all here,
made beautfully. $
iTaLian
Mollicas italian
Market & Deli
985 W. Garden of the Gods
Road, 598-1088,
mollicas.com
Stufng the Springs with deli-
cious carbs since 1987, Mol-
licas is a family afair with
true Italian charm: great
sandwiches loaded with fne
deli meats and cheeses, ofen
meetng an au jus dip. And
thats saying nothing of the
big salads and manicot and
pastas of the day. $
The Villa
75 S. Hwy. 105,
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 Staton owners. Start
with delightul crab and craw-
fsh cakes, then get the ham-
amped sea scallops. $$
korean
san Chang house
3659 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.,
598-1707
Our regular winner for Best Ko-
rean, San Chang is constantly
packed with members of the lo-
cal Korean community, a good
sign past what your senses tell
you. We recently got happily
punished by the spicy nakji bo-
kum, octopus with crisp veggies
and kimchi. Get some. $$
MeDiTerra-
nean
Briar Mart
1843 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
tny eatery inside an ethnic
grocery store (a bonus for
drink and dessert selecton).
Its dished delectable, aford-
able Mideast fare for the last
15 years. Get the wonderful
Mazeh Plater, and look for
a second locaton soon. $
Greek Grille Cafe
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 Caf
685-9554,
heartofjerusalemcafe.com
The 2011 winner for Best
Middle Eastern and Hummus,
Heart of Jerusalem is afordable
and delicious. Fun blends like
the chikofel and beefofel
buck the norm, but its hard
to argue against the $8, sha-
warma-loaded hummus bowl
plate. Baklava mandatory. $
MexiCan/
soUThwesT
Big Burrito
598-0843
Open late and dishing ft-
tngly 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 Miguels
9605 Prominent Point, 282-
7890, carlosmiguels.com
Somewhat of a gourmet
Mexican joint, worth the
up-charge, Carlos Miguels
opened its third Springs loca-
ton in Briargate in mid-2011,
adding to its holdings in
Woodland Park and on Chey-
enne Mountain Boulevard.
Great margaritas, ceviche
and entres like the pollo en
mole. $$
el Padrino Mexicano
13425 Voyager Pkwy.,
487-2727, elpadrinos.com
Darin Vasquez of the Bean
Bandit family opened this
sharply decorated, upscale
Tex-Mex spot in mid-2008,
dishing sizable combo plates
at both lunch and dinner, plus
steaks and seafood plates at
night. We like the green chile-
smothered guacamole-and-
shredded-pork burrito. $
el super Taco
1485 Jamboree Drive,
266-6633
Popular enough to warrant
Rosies Diner
Speedtrap
Big Burrito
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NORTH
the second locaton open-
ing outside Chapel Hills Mall
last fall, El Super Taco pulls
in many with its carne asada
fries and variety of sweet
churros for dessert. We en-
joyed a perfectly pleasing
Super Adobado Burrito (pork
and refried beans) and carne
asada chimichanga. $
La Casa Fiesta New
Mexican Restaurant
230 Front St., Monument,
481-1234, lacasaesta.net
Indy readers choice for Mon-
ument neighborhood eatery,
with 60-plus years history
under the Morris family. Its
known for superior margari-
tas (more than 60 tequilas
are on hand), and best-sellers
like the smoked pork carnitas
and chipotle honey lime ribs.
Also features a full gluten-
free menu. $
La Perla Tapata
Mexican Taqueria
228-6006,
laperlatapatiacs.com
Transplanted in 2011 from its
original west-side spot and
run by Guadalajara natve
Sergio Laureano, the pearl
is dynamite. You must eat
one of our Top 10 picks of
2011, the tortas de pierna, a
giant, smoky pork sandwich
with salsa fresca, crema es-
pesa and Gods blessing. $
Pueblo Viejo
266-1999; 5934 Stetson
Hills Blvd., 638-6040
With four locatons, includ-
ing others in Fort Collins
and Windsor, Pueblo Viejo is
sharply decorated and on the
upscale side of Tex-Mex. An
extensive menu features all
the usuals chile rellenos,
steak fajitas, carnitas, enchila-
das plus fat seafood plates
and good margaritas. $$
Salsa Brava Fresh
Mexican Grill
#100, 955-6650;
802 Village Center Drive,
266-9244;
rockymtnrg.com/salsabrava
Also with a Highlands Ranch
locaton, Salsa Brava is the
Rocky Mountain Restaurant
Groups 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. $$
Seor Manuels
Mexican Cuisine
598-3033, senormanuel.com
You dont make it 40-plus-
years in this business by be-
ing bland. The Hernandez
family operates a tortlla
factory below decks, mak-
ing fresh masa, tortllas
and house chips. Go for
the unique chile rellenos:
a Monterey Jack-stued
pepper engulfed by an egg
sou and chile con queso
puddle. $$
PIZZA
Fat Boys Pizza
2322 Vickers Drive, 304-
5550, fatboyspizzaco.com
Now with three locatons,
including one at Fort Carson,
ve-year-old Fat Boys does
game-day food well: stupen-
dous Parmesan and garlic
buter stcks; spicy, meaty
wings with a sharp vinegar
tang; and great pizza, with a
crunchy, then chewy, home-
made dough; and sweet
sauce. $$
Joeys Pizza
1829 Briargate Blvd.,
265-6922
Young Long Island natve
Joey Stasolla has built a
loyal Springs following in the
handful of years hes been
slinging here. Hes good
enough to have faced Gor-
don Ramsay and crew on
MasterChef last year, too.
Real New York-style pizza
with at tude. $$
PUB FOOD
Back East Bar & Grill
264-6161,
backeastbarandgrill.com
Our readers favorite north-
side neighborhood bar, this
is your spot for game day, or
any day youre 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 pus. $
1st & 10 Sports Bar
& Grill
1455 Cipriani Loop, Monu-
ment, 487-0737,
1stand10monument.com
While free UFC ghts are a
draw, those with strictly culi-
nary bloodlust will want the
duck wings with jerk season-
ing, spicy balls (yes, test-
cles), gator nuggets, the Fully
Loaded wood-oven pizza, or
excellent brats from Denvers
Contnental Sausage. $$
OMalleys Steak Pub
104 State Hwy. 105, Palmer
Lake, 488-0321, omalleys.biz
Grilling your own ribeye, New
York strip or bualo or beef
burger is the fun schtck here.
But theres a lot more to like
at your pick for Best Neigh-
borhood Bar in Monument,
including a wide, well-priced
beer list and complimentary
shutle-bus rides home on
weekends. $$
Wyatts Pub & Grill
806 Village Center Drive,
598-4100
Co-owned by the folks behind
Back East Bar and Grill, Wy-
ats dishes similarly excep-
tonal pub grub. Its got a great
house guacamole; thoroughly
satsfying pizzas like the Ult-
mate with steak, bacon and
jalapeos; and stellar sand-
wiches like the Twister roast
beef on a pretzel roll from the
local baking professionals at
Wimbergers Old World Bak-
ery and Delicatessen. $
SOUTHERN/
BARBECUE/
CAJUN
Broken Bones
Smokin Pit
481 State Hwy. 105, Suite
G, Monument, 487-0471
Its Arizona roots with Texas
air, mesquite- and pecan-
wood-smoked barbecue,
best sampled on a large com-
bo plater with three meats,
two sides and a drink for less
than $12. The zesty mustard
barbecue sauce goes great on
the brisket. $
SUSHI/
JAPANESE
Ai Sushi & Grill/
Sushi Ai
266-5858, aisushi.us
There are three local sushi
eateries (with the other two
o Academy and Powers
boulevards) that incorpo-
rate Ai into their name, all
owned separately. From our
readers feedback, you wont
be disappointed at any of
them. $$
Bara Sushi & Grill
1645 Briargate Pkwy., #245,
599-7330, sushibara.com
Bara, which has a second
locaton in the Denver Tech
Center, is a modern space
with beautful plate presen-
tatons. Among the special
rolls: the Super Spider Man
and The Big Lebowski. Whos
having some fun? $$
Jun Japanese
Restaurant
1760 Dublin Blvd., 531-9368
This Best Of voters favorite,
run by metculous sushi chef
Jun Aizu, just added authentc
ramen and shabu-shabu in its
fully renovated Dublin loca-
ton. Take advantage of daily
happy hours from 5 to 6:30
as well as a $1 menu at lunch.
We cant recommend a single
item or roll, because theyre all
prety damn stellar. $$
Kura Japanese
Restaurant
3478B Research Pkwy.,
282-8238, kurasushicolora-
dosprings.com
For ve years, Song Brinck has
steadily built clientele at her
beautful, modern space. She
recently added Teppanyaki
service to the Japanese en-
tres and sushi. Happy hours
are a good tme to visit, for
buy-one-get-one drinks and
$1 to $1.50 o popular items
like the Research Roll. $$
Sushi Rakkyo
9205 N. Union Blvd.,
645-8754, sushirakkyo.com
Weve seldom been happier
to eat so much for so litle.
You can absolutely punish
the all-you-can-eat dining
model for $14.95 at lunch
and $24.95 at dinner. And its
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. $$
Tomo Sushi II
277-0200, eatattomo.com
The same overall excellent
menu serves this locaton and
the original Tomo at 975 N.
Academy. Though most folks
go for the sushi The Bomb
and Tijuana Ninja rolls are big
winners lunch bento boxes
are generous and dinner
steaks in Japanese sauces,
delicious. $$
THAI
Bhan Thai
266-1309, bhanthai.net
Our towns two Bhan Thai
eateries are separately
owned now (also see bhan-
thaico.com), but indistn-
guishable as far as most pa-
trons are concerned. Youll
nd totally satsfying versions
of your Thai favorites for very
reasonable prices. $
Lanna Thai
0474, lannathaicolorado-
springs.com
Hot means hot, promises
the website. Youll also nd
no MSG, plenty of gluten-free
optons, and great renditons
of Thai standards. The tom
yum goong is exemplary, and
Lannas curries are among
the best around, abundant
with avor and oral herb
notes. $$
Thai Mint
1725 Briargate Blvd.,
598-7843, thai-mint.com
Dishing a fun, house-made
Thai tea ice cream, Thai Mint
is MSG-free and generally
prety good. The tod mun sh
cake starters are bright, and
the tom ka gai soup delivers
proper lemongrass punch.
For entres, a nice, light op-
ton is the clear-noodle pad
woon sen str fry. $
VIETNAMESE
Lemongrass Bistro
592-1391, restauranteur.
com/lemongrassbistro
Afer the awesome beef
lemon app, get a delightully
fresh bun or classic, fragrant
pho, or one of a wide entre
list, including the Lemon-
grass Three Amigos: shrimp,
beef and chicken in spicy
lemongrass sauce. Run by
Dang Truong, brother of the
popular Saigon Cafs Paul
Truong. $$
Other eateries with North locations:
Arceos Mexican Family Restaurant,4608 Rusina Road, see p. 46
Bird Dog BBQ, 1645 Briargate Pkwy., 599-4655, see p. 78
Borriello Brothers, 5490 Powers Center Point; 15910 Jackson
Creek Pkwy., Monument; 3240 Centennial Blvd., see p. 47
Louies Pizza, 2771 Briargate Blvd., see p. 47
Trivellis Hoagies, 4547 Austn Blus Pkwy., see p. 43
www.shopresalecoloradosprings.com
Resale
Shopping
Guide
COLORADO SPRINGS
Clothing
(Mens, Womens,
Childrens, Teens,
Western Wear)
Jewelry
Bridal
Retro/Vintage
Sporting Goods
Books
Home Dcor
Outdoor Equipment
AND MUCH MORE
Your One Stop Guide to Resale Shopping in Colorado Springs
8 mi.
Rockrimmon Campus Woodmen Heights Campus
Rockrimmon Campus
290 E. Woodmen Road, 80919
Woodmen Heights Campus
8292 Woodmen Valley View, 80908
Exploring, Experiencing, Expressing Gods Grace
Woodmen Valley Chapel
One Church, Multiple Locations
719.388.5000
For service times and
other info, visit us online
at woodmenvalley.org.
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| inSider 2012 | 61 |
NORTH
T
he north side offers plenty of opportunity to
exercise your good taste and your pocketbook
at the same time.
Im 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,
theres almost no one who wouldnt 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 cant 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 Margos 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 dcor, womens 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, dcor 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
Forests 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, Id rather make a steal than a shawl. So
wild horses couldnt keep me away from the April 13
opening of the Sephora store, the cult beauty chains
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 wont break the bank. The Academy
corridor offers plenty, including the fun Chef Sugars
(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 thats lite on the planet.
We cant 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); Christals (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
Shopping
For past times, pastimes and deals too good to pass up, the north side shines
By Claire Swinford
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| 62 | inSider 2012 |
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his region, as were 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 thats 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 dont 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
F
or 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 itll
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
S
everal 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 theyre
a good option if youre 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
Outdoors
Dont let the flyovers fool you it aint just the Academy up here
By Sonja Bjelland
Fox Run Regional Park Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail
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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. Kings
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 its probably best for sin-
gle-digit handicappers, unless you
believe the thin air will really make
your ball fly. Its 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 dont 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 citys Cottonwood Creek Park
disc golf course (7040 Rangewood
Drive, springsgov.com) is the busiest
around. And thats just one of Cotton-
woods 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
O
K, 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 Forests Fox Run
park can enjoy freedom at Devons
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 dont
speed through too fast its 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. Its 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 Ponsors 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, its a four-mile out-and-back with
a steep climb thats prized by locals
for being wonderfully not busy. n
THE SPRINGS CHURCH
SUN: 9 + 1 lam
(Children's ministry available for infants - 6th grade)
WED: 7pm (Prayer + Youth Services)
THU: 7pm (Young Adults)
The Springs Church is a non-denominational
charismatic church led by Gary Wilkerson, son
of famed evangelist David Wilkerson.
(719) 488-8331
1515 Auto Mall Loop
thespri ngschurch.com
Where awe and
inspiring meet
every day.
181 vertical feet . Seven waterfalls .
C
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Two miles of nature trails . One place. ),
? Start at sevenFalls.com. A
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Scan this QR code
to elevate your
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//
| 64 | inSider 2012 |
Daytime hangouts
Grab the keys and kids, then hit the road
By Edie Adelstein
T
he good news about this part of
town is that theres a lot to do.
The bad news is, youll need to
drive. To hit any of these places, or more
than one, youll 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? Ores 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). Its 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 colleges 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 summers HIVE show,
based on the theme of cross-pollination.
It included a giant wooden hive made
from woven branches you could crawl
Peak Ranch Alpacas GOCA 1420
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| inSider 2012 | 65 |
Mug up
W
here to get your caffeine in these parts depends on what youre looking for. If its
the Springs best coffee roaster (as voted by Indy readers) and a convenient place
to peruse your newspaper or iPad, youll 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, theres 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 Caf (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 Lomere Fine Coffees (1070 W. Baptist Road, 487-7788).
Moving a few miles north from there, youll 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 Wesleys 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 dont work with
the metaphor, but haircuts with a beer?
Thatll 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?
JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-2 Sat Noon - 3 Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5-9 Fri-Sat 5-10
3276 Centennial Blvd. 227-8690
1760 Dublin Blvd 531-9368
THE BEST SUSHI
16 Years in a row!
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for a studio of your own.
427 E. Colorado Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 520-1899 www.CottonwoodCenterfortheArts.com
Open Tuesday Friday: 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
2012 Cottonwood Insider Ad.indd 1 3/25/12 7:34 PM
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| 66 | inSider 2012 |
Nighttime hangouts
Where to find the loud, proud and partying
By Bryce Crawford
Another Pint American Ale House
C
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B
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O
h sure, you can go downtown.
Youll find a little dancing, a
little drinking and a lot of dis-
order. You might even find a young lad
or lass. But youll never find The Party,
and thats because its way north of Fill-
more Street.
And why shouldnt it be? Youve got,
like, 200 chain restaurants between
the U.S. Air Force Academy and Pow-
ers Boulevard, all powered by count-
less 20-somethings. When theyre off
work, they drink and drink and sing at
Good Company Restaurant & Bar (7625
N. Union Blvd., goodcompanybar.com),
a corner spot thats probably older than
the neighborhood and continually rein-
vents itself. Or they go to Guthries (1410
Kelly Johnson Blvd., 260-8486). Its
L-shaped with roughly the square foot-
age of the car that brought you, but its
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 youd likely be making
a drive north to hit it, that advice goes
double for OMalleys Steak Pub (104
S. Hwy. 105, omalleys.biz) in Palmer
Lake. Besides the pretty awesome fact
that theres a grill in the back for cooking
your own burgers and steaks, the barn-
looking bars 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 Caf 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, Hondos
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 its 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 BJs 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 TNTs (4630 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.,
fabuloustnts.com), the rare all-nude
club with a full bar.
123 E. Pikes Peak Ave. | 520-0123 | springsorleans
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| 68 | inSider 2012 |
SOUTH
Go for ...
... grass-fed goodness:
Bingo Burger, p. 69
... naughty necessites:
Christals, p. 71
... an antcipated makeover:
The new Helen Hunt Falls Visitor
Center, p. 72
... a bounty of blades:
World Figure Skatng Museum
and Hall of Fame, p. 73
50 whiskeys:
Downtown Bar, p. 74
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| inSider 2012 | 69 |
SOUTH
AmericAn
Flatirons American
Bar & Grill
2540 Tenderfoot Hill St.,
576-2540, fatirons.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. $$
BurGers &
sAndwiches
Bingo Burger
101 Central Plaza, Pueblo,
719/225-8363,
bingoburger.com
One of our favorite restau-
rants anywhere. Its a sus-
tainable, gourmet version of
a fast-food joint, complete
with grass-fed Colorado beef,
locally grown produce and
a great drink selecton. The
Pueblo chile-stufed Bingo
Burger stars, but the lamb and
specialty burgers are power-
houses, too. $
Feelin A-Little Philly
2750 S. Academy Blvd.,
#110, 392-5004,
feelinalittlephillycs.com
Inspired by, but separate from,
two like-named locatons in
Pueblo, Feelin is obviously
another Philly tribute, with
super-afordable subs and
great French fries. Beyond hot
and cold hoagie optons are
six Philly cheese steak rendi-
tons, including one that subs
chicken for steak. $
cAF
Olde world Bagels
& deli
1670 E. Cheyenne
Mountain Blvd., 527-9651,
oldeworldbagel.com
A testament to their quality:
Olde World Bagels are served
at 40-plus other eateries in
the area, places that appreci-
ate high-quality bagels, made
from scratch. Stop in for 20-
plus varietes, breakfast ba-
gels, pastries, sandwiches,
cofee drinks and more. $
ski Barista
124 E. Cheyenne Mountain
Blvd., 576-7542
This ski lodge-themed spot
makes its own soups, quiches,
salads and some baked goods,
with a sweets assist from Boon-
zaaijers Dutch Bakery. Fridays
bring a cheese and/or choco-
late fondue in the evenings; the
cofee hails from Pitsburgh-
based roaster Kiva Han. $
chinese
chopsticks Asian
Bistro
Blvd., 579-9111,
chopsticksasianbistro.com
Promotng a twist on Asian
fusion, Chopstcks is slightly
upscale and pleasantly mini-
malist, with food thats clean
and bright with distnct favor
and presentaton. Example:
The orange favored chicken
($9) in a tangy brown sauce
with orange rinds and fery
Japones peppers. $$
diner
dads Kwik inn diner
385 Main St., Security,
392-5063, dadskwikinn.com
Here you can fnd 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-stufs that
cofee complements. $
Fine dininG
The Broadmoor
dining properties
1 Lake Ave., 577-5771,
broadmoordining.com
The fve-diamond Penrose
Room is the priciest pinnacle,
and simply incredible. Summit
sports the same chef in a more
relaxed, contemporary setng
known for killer cocktails.
Lake Terrace Dining Room
is the superlatve spot for a
100-item Sunday brunch buf-
fet. Charles Court boasts truly
local Colorado cuisine, and
serves fantastc small plates at
the adjacent West Lobby Bar.
The more relaxed Tavern does
delightul 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. $$$
restaurant Fifteen
Twentyone
123 N. Main St., Pueblo,
719/542-9999,
restaurant1521.com
At the pinnacle of Pueblos
fne-dining scene, ex-Denver
chef Duy Pham builds deli-
cious contemporary plates
with classic French infuences.
Its dinner only, with fve-
course chefs tables by ad-
vance request, seasonal farm-
to-table events and beautes
like Duck Two Ways (breast
and conft). $$$
walters Bistro
Blvd., 630-0201,
waltersbistrocs.com
Many people start with a cup
of Walters locally famous
Maine lobster bisque, and you
should too. Its fabulous. Afer
that, cut into a fancy entre
such as a pumpkin-seed-and-
crab-crusted Colorado striped
bass with horseradish cream
sauce. You get the idea how
good this is. $$$
GreATer
AsiAn
Julies Bar and Grill
596-4019
Year-old Julies is (to our
knowledge) the Springs only
Filipino eatery, and its quite
good. Catch a daily hot line,
three items with rice for
$6.95, that also features Ha-
waiian dishes like Kalua pork
from Maui natve chef Romeo
Arruiza. Plus an answer to our
quiz: What are afritada, to-
cino and pinakbet? $
Little nepal
1747 S. Eighth St.,
477-6997, lnepal.com
Bestsellers at this Best Of victor,
according to co-owner Muku
Bhandari: the masalas, kormas
and curries, all with lamb, chick-
en, shrimp, and salmon optons
and lovely, intoxicatng sauces.
Catch monthly belly dances, a
daily lunch bufet and a Thurs-
day dinner bufet. $$
TKs mongolian Grill
328-1000
Its 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 optons), and 15 home-
made sauces. Turn it in and
they wok-fry it for you; every-
one walks away happy. $
inTernA-
TiOnAL
Jamaican Flavor
391-0142
A tny, 15-seat eatery under
Jamaican-born owner Hugh
Davis, a cook since age 9. His
Restaurants
Thai Satay
Bingo Burger
Flatirons American Bar & Grill
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| 70 | inSider 2012 |
jerk chicken is awesome, with
allspice and nutmeg joining
the scotch bonnets. For milder
spice, get the aromatc coconut
milk curry chicken. Adventur-
ous eaters: goat or oxtail. $
Sabores del Peru
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 avors of South
America and the Caribbean.
Everything from ceviche and
seafood with yucca fries to
pork and plantains. $$
KOREAN
Seoul Tofu Grill
296 S. Academy Blvd., Suite F,
550-2000, seoultofugrill.com
Check out the photo menu
online; the colorful dishes
speak for themselves. This is
excellent Korean food brought
to you by the Moon family,
who ran a popular south-end
eatery years ago. Challenge
yourself with blood sausages,
bone-broth soups and more. A
great lunch bento deal. $$
PUB FOOD
Grays Coors Tavern
515 W. Fourth St., Pueblo,
719/544-0455
Made more famous afer 75
years by a recent appearance
on Travel Channels Food Wars,
Grays 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 Cover
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, heres
this: a 40-selecton beer menu
and a huge, diverse food list
that includes a giant, popular
nacho plate ($9) with all the
xins. Go for sports viewing,
video karaoke and DJs. $
SOUTHERN/
BARBECUE/
CAJUN
Colorado Smokehouse
6679 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 perfecton. The thick,
chili-rubbed, sweet-sauce-
slathered ribs see mesquite,
then applewood smoke, then
the botom 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. $
Culpeppers Cajun
Kitchen
282-8479, culpeppers.net
Bite the Bayou, invites the
website. Jambalaya, craw-
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. $$
Glads Original
Bar-B-Q
3750 Astrozon Blvd., #110,
392-4156; 1510 Chiles Ave.
(Fort Carson), 576-1851;
gladsbbq.com
Alabama representng again,
this tme via military-friendly
Glads. This is traditonal South-
ern comfort food, like whole
catish, Southern smothered
chicken, pig feet, pork steaks,
ribs, brisket, black-eyed peas,
dirty rice, 7-UP cake and sweet
potato pie. $
SUSHI/
JAPANESE
Sushi Ring
635-5550, sushiring.com
Its another earlier-to-town,
all-you-can-eat model, but
lunches are $21.95, dinners
$27.95. Again, you can murder
the quanttes for what would
cost you much more at the
regular sushi joints. Part of the
draw here is spirited owner
Takashi Kishimoto, a former
Elvis impersonator. $$
THAI
Taste of Thai Spice
1609 Lashelle Way, 226-
1999, yellowbook.com/
prole/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-
tc cooking of Bangkok natve
Sumitra Kennedy. From Panang
to Pad Thai, nothing is American-
ized. Her homemade coconut ice
cream is simply divine. $$
Thai Satay
821 Cheyenne Meadows
Road, 540-8288
An expanded menu is com-
ing soon, but whats available
now is beyond adequate; its
fantastc. A superior, perfectly
textured pad Thai version
rivals the simply incredible,
honey-sweetened, peanuty
Panang curry. Awesome fried
bananas. $
Other eateries with South locations:
Bird Dog BBQ, 6965 Mesa Ridge Pkwy., Fountain, see p. 78
Borriello Brothers, 5180 Fontaine Blvd., Building 1532, Fort Carson, see p. 47
Carlos Miguels, 110 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 527-0500, see p. 58
El Super Taco, 2890 S. Academy Blvd., see p. 58
Fat Boys Pizza, 2049 B St., 576-7070, see p. 59
Jorges Sombrero, 1319 E. Evans Ave., Pueblo, see p. 87
Paninos Restaurant, 1721 S. Eighth St., see p. 46
Sushi Ai, 6552 S. Academy Blvd., see p. 59
Taste of Jerusalem Caf, 2810 S. Academy Blvd., see p. 46
Habitat for Humanity of Teller County and J & J New Beginnings Inc.
are conducting a
Will pick up and remove any
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clean up that pile of junk!
Call: Santa Joe 964-1394,
Habitat o ce 687-4447,
or J & J o ce 227-8853
Judith Valentine
1020 South Tejon 630-1212
Across from Montagues on Tejon Street
Quality Integrity Trust
Customer Education
Why Come to
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Come in for a free consultation.
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| inSider 2012 | 71 |
RE-Generation Teen Consignment
Shopping
Tour this region of wealth, stealth and health
By Sara Michael
S
o, 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). Gibsons Gallery (471-6153) shares
a taste of Colorados 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 mens
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 Yarids 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 its just to play pretend, The
Broadmoor is worth a visit. But if youll
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 (118 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 isnt all about the pills and
organics, however. If you drive down
the chain-store-laden North Academy
Boulevard, consider a stop at Christals
(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, youre
worth it, and so is Veda one of the citys
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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| 72 | inSider 2012 |
T
he 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 Caon Park (2110 N.
Cheyenne Caon 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 Caon Road). Come this sum-
mer, you can also look for a new Helen
Hunt Falls Visitor Center (3440 N. Chey-
enne Caon 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.
Marys Falls is a local favorite. Mean-
while, the challenging switchbacks
of Captain Jacks 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, theres plenty off NORADs
old mountain, too. For instance, the
Fountain Creek Nature Center (320 Pep-
pergrass Lane, Fountain, adm.elpasoco.
com/parks). Childrens 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 areas 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
weve 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-
sheys Heavenly Horses (hersheysheaven-
lyhorses.com) offers boarding, lessons,
training workshops, trail rides, multi-
day trail camps and day camps. Then
theres Fountains 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, its 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.
Outdoors
The Springs other famous mountain makes this a true playland
By Cherise Fantus
Lake Pueblo
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| inSider 2012 | 73 |
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk
Mug up
I
f you head west on Cheyenne Boulevard, just past the houses
and before you hit the clouds, youll 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 laptops 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: Theres espresso, theres ice cream, theres frozen delight.
Cowboy Espresso Caf (105 S. Santa Fe Ave., cow-
boyespressocafe.biz) calls Fountain home and, just as youd 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-
kops 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
K
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Daytime hangouts
Hidden treasures abound between here and Pueblo
By Molly Mrazek
N
o 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 Caon City are rightfully
celebrated, too. But wait, theres more.
For starters, theres The Broadmoor (1
Lake Ave., broadmoor.com), the coun-
trys 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 dont crash
it; e-mail penrosehouse@elpomar.org,
or call 577-7000.
Another place not to crash is the
Starr Kempf House (2057 Pine Grove).
The late Kempfs 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, its 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, youll 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 youll 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 Childrens 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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T
o 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.
Lets start with Pueblos 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 cant play the Springs
because of contract agreements with
Denver booking agents.
Other venues with that geographic
advantage include Kims 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 Phils Radiator
(109 E. C St., 719/671-5503), which is
ensconced in an old mechanics shop that
comes complete with beer garden.
Youll also find live music and liba-
tions at Pueblos Senate Bar (219 S.
Grand Ave., 719/545-8501), and Smit-
tys Greenlight Tavern (227 N. Santa Fe
Ave., 719/543-2747).
Moving to the burgeoning world of
Colorado breweries, Pueblos 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 Fairs
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.,
Caon City, royalgorgebrewing.com).
Brewer Jeff Lockhart, formerly of
Ourays 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 thatll have you forgetting the
last several decades ever happened. Or
if you prefer a more piano-bar atmo-
sphere, The Broadmoors 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, youll 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 weeks worst customers, youll be
surrounded by people who have bar
etiquette and know how to tip.
Nighttime hangouts
Being miles from Denver can be a plus
By Bill Forman
Golden Bee
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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:
Dragonmans compound, p. 79
... a hoarders paradise:
Colorado Springs Flea Market, p. 80
... Cat Fight Nights:
Club Q, p. 81
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EAST
Nemos Coffee
Stadium Bar and Grill
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Nemos Coffee
635-2745, nemoscoffee.com
Five-year-old Nemos recently
moved a block from its old
spot, expanding into drive-
through service. Theyre
proud of from-scratch every-
thing, including sweet baked
goods in the a.m., breakfast
burritos, and hot and cold
sandwiches untl 7. Beans
from Boulders Ozo Cofee
Co. $
Rudiments Caf
5863 Palmer Park Blvd.,
434-5999, rudimentscafe.com
Dishing contemporary crpes,
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 afordable, easygoing
place, especially good during
its open mic nights. $
Wades Caf
596-8122, wades-cafe.com
Now in its 59th year, Wades
contnues to serve popular
breakfast and lunch menus.
Three-egg omelets come with
three delicious butermilk
pancakes (or toast or hash
browns, for people who dont
like fun). Daily lunch specials,
such as chicken and noodles,
plus a salad, cost only $6.19.
$
ChiNese
Jasmine Caf
6064 Stetson Hills Blvd.,
591-9898,
jasminecaferestaurant.com
This restaurant blew us away
when it opened in 2010, a
bright, favorful step above av-
erage Chinese cuisine. There
are excellent renditons of all
the standards, plus a small
Thai ofering, lunch plates
(with egg roll, rice and soup)
topping out at $6.55, and a
gorgeous wonton soup. $$
fiNe DiNiNg
steaksmith
3802 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 atracton, along with
an extensive seafood menu
including selectons like mahi
mahi in a spicy macadamia
nut buter. $$$
geRmaN
schnitzel fritz
4037 Tutt Blvd., 573-2000,
schnitzelfritz.com
Schnitzel Fritz is brought to
you by the folks behind the
excellent Elkes German Deli
in Fountain and the new Old
German Bakery wholesale
operaton complete with
master German pastry chef.
(Sweets are to be found at
both eateries.) Enjoy Ranch
Foods Direct meats; schnitzel
plates and much more. $
gReateR
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Royal Buffet
3680 Citadel Drive North,
574-6666, royalbuffetcolo-
radosprings.com
Spawned by two similar op-
eratons in Kansas, owner
Linda Lus expansive bufet
ofers all-you-can-eat lunches
($6.99) and dinners ($10.99).
Youll fnd more than 100
items, ranging from sushi
and hibachi plates to Chinese
Szechuan oferings and Amer-
ican steaks. $
italiaN
Bambinos Pizzeria
2849 E. Platte Ave., 630-
8121, bambinospizza.com
A major draw: the $7.95 all-
you-can-eat lunch bufet (re-
peated Wednesday and Sun-
day nights), complete with
soups, salads, pizza, pastas
and desserts. Oh, and its ac-
tually quite good. Also known
as a sports bar. $
Roccos italian
Restaurant
3878 Maizeland Road, 574-
1426, roccoscolorado.com
Turning 30 this year, Roccos
ofers notceably warm ser-
vice for its mostly homemade
menu. The house sauce is
pleasantly garlicky and mildly
sweet, and great on dishes
like the breaded-chicken lin-
guine Parmigiano. Pizzas and
seafood, too, but save room
for Italian cream cake. $$
KoReaN
Caf Banzai
2917 Galley Road, 622-0333
When he took over the long-
tme Letuce Head locaton
last year, chef Kwi Kim ex-
panded his space and menu,
featuring afordable plates
like $5.99 lunch specials and
$5 chicken teriyaki bowls, in
additon to a rockin bulgogi
renditon. Try the oyako don-
buri for simple goodness. $
halla san
Korean Barbecue
622-9595, hallasanbbq.com
Decade-old Halla San will,
like prety much all of our
local Korean eateries, win
your afecton with generous
banchan (side bowls) and
delicious renditons of Ko-
rean standards everything
from a yummy stone-bowl
bibimbab to sweet, cast-iron-
served bulgogi. $$
Jin go gae
1825 Peterson Road, 574-2060
Formerly the Orange Plate
Caf. 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 entres. $
meDiteR-
RaNeaN
greek Cafe
4343 Integrity Center Point,
591-8294
Iran natve Said Rishsefd, fam-
ily member of the Greek Grills
owners, serves a number of
satsfying Kronos Foods prod-
ucts from Chicago, including
good gyros, spanakopita and
baklava. He makes his own de-
licious tzatziki. $
mexiCaN/
southWest
el Poblano
908 N. Circle Drive,
Suite A, 632-1971
Winner of our 2010 taco
truck throwdown in its mo-
bile version, El Poblanos sit-
down locaton is great for a
wider selecton 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 Jalisco
573-8813, festajalisco.net
Actually a small Colorado
chain with 10 locatons, in-
cluding ski towns, Fiesta
Jalisco supposedly serves the
Restaurants
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| 78 | inSider 2012 |
EAST
favors of Jalisco, Mexico. Its
a huge list with everything
from tostadas and fajitas to
great soups like the clear
sopa de albondigas with pork
and beef meatballs. $
Los Compadres
2237 E. Platte Ave., 473-2524
New owner and Acapulco-na-
tve Baltazar Rosas changed
the name from La Costa Chica
in December, but the food re-
mains great in the way taco-
truck food is. Faty tripe and
tender steak tacos; sopes
rich with cheesy masa; and
a great torta adobada sand-
wich of marinated pork. $
PUb Food
Frankies/Frankies Too
7376 McLaughlin Road,
Falcon, 495-8707; 945 N.
Powers Blvd., 574-4881,
frankiesbargrill.com
Its Tuesday, so what are you
doin? Two-buck premium
pints plus a $9.99 steak din-
ner at Frankies or Frankies
Too, thats what. Both of
Frankie Patons bars are
comfortable eastern hang-
outs for games or a quick,
quality bite. Burgers, Tex-Mex
and much more. $
Holy Cow Pub & Grill
465-1704,
holycowpubandgrill.com
Your pick for Best Neighbor-
hood Bar on the east side,
Holy Cow ofers generous
happy hours, plus poker, ka-
raoke and live country and
rock music nights past regu-
lar lunch and dinner service.
The three-paty bacon and
cheese Holy Cow burger
($15) almost says it all. $
Maggie Maes
475-1623
Open since 1971, its stll
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 & Grill
6120 Barnes Road, 302-0969,
barandgrillcolorado.com
An indie split-of from a
former Indigo Joes, 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 interestng
menu optons, like a ceviche
appetzer. $
Nawlins barbQ
and Seafood
3317 Cinema Point Drive,
571-9777, nawlinsbarbq.com
Launched by a Hurricane
Katrina transplant and bear-
ing an authentc Cajun taste,
Nawlins recently changed
hands but the menu re-
mains unchanged and may
expand. Great toufe and
jambalaya plus a fun alliga-
tor and pork green chile, po-
boys, giant mufuletas and
more. $$
SoUTHerN/
barbeCUe/
CajUN
bird dog bbQ
596-4900; birddogbbq.com
Bird Dog turns eight this year,
its popularity buoying three
locatons now: in Fountain,
Briargate and of Powers Bou-
levard. Youll fnd delightul
homemade barbecue sauces,
including a Wasabi-Q sauce,
served on the side of great,
oak-smoked Oklahoma-style
barbecue. $
english dockside
2220 N. Academy Place,
380-7732,
englishdockside.com
Arguably the citys most
worthy seafood-centric spot,
run by Mobile, Ala. natve
Thomas English and his fam-
ily. Atractons include a but-
ter-sauted, secret-seasoned
blue crab po-boy, gumbo, a
lobster roll and all-you-can-
eat fsh Fridays from 5 to 9
p.m. ($13.95 with a drink
purchase). $$
SUSHi/
jaPaNeSe
Zen Fusion
Sushi & bistro
4359 Integrity Center Point,
375-3288, zenfusionsushi.com
Super-talented sushi chef
Young Min Kim spent nearly
a decade at the Centennial
Boulevard Ai locaton before
leaving to open Zen last year.
Here, hes dishing excellent
Korean entres like a divine
pork belly plate, plus fantas-
tc sushi rolls, ofen incorpo-
ratng odd elements such as
fruit. $$
THai
arharn Thai
3739 Bloomington St., 596-
6559, arharnthai.net
Run by a Bangkok natve 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 eats
640-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 selecton, like
a killer Panang curry version
made from the freshest curry
paste weve encountered.
Weekly specials and special
requests accommodated
the classes are fun and infor-
matve. $
Thai Lily Cuisine
and Yakitori 8
319 N. Chelton Road, 597-
8374, thaililycuisine.com
Thai Lily recently launched
10 p.m.-to-4 a.m. late-night
dining and entertainment;
its also got Yakitori specials
and free Wi-Fi for business
lunchers. The regular menu is
expansive, and from our sat-
isfed sampling, its also well-
executed. Lots of vegetarian
and seafood optons, too. $
VieTNaMeSe
Pho Viet 1
3712 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-
favored 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. 46
Bhan Thai, 1025 N. Academy Blvd., see p. 59
Borriello Brothers, 4750 Barnes Road; see p. 47
Conways Red Top, 390 N. Circle Drive, 3589 N. Carefree Circle; see p. 43
Fat Boys Pizza, 4379 Airport Road, 573-6070, see p. 59
Jos Muldoons, 5710 S. Carefree Circle, see p. 46
Louies Pizza, 4815 Barnes Road; 5996 Stetson Hills Blvd., see p. 47
Monicas Taco Shop, 5829 Palmer Park Blvd., see p. 47
Tomo Sushi, 975 N. Academy Blvd., 597-2422, see p. 59
Shopping
Think outside (and inside) the big boxes
By Claire Swinford
Lorigs
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ut 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.
Youll 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 youre looking for other ways to
keep your dollars in the local economy,
Lorigs (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 youre 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 youre a candy connoisseur,
an accessories maven or a home-decor
hound, the part of you that likes to
think youre 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 doesnt require a
Costco membership to get in, cheerful-
ly divulged that shed 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 youre 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,
its 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 thats 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 doesnt win your alienated
bitchy friends over, well, theres 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);
Lucys Consignment Paradise (3373 N.
Academy Blvd., see p. 48). n
AMR*
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| inSider 2012 | 79 |
EAST
W
ith beautiful Pikes Peak out west, and all
its hiking and biking trails, waterfalls and
rocks to climb, its 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. Lets 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 youd 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 theres 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 isnt exciting, but the destination is: The
exposed sedimentary layers tell the stories of millions
of years of the areas 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 itd 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 (theres also parking
there) to North Nevada Avenue, where it meets up
with Shooks Run. Its 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, thats what
itll feel like, anyway. In reality, its 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, its 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.
Outdoors
Awesome rock, places to roll, and ways to get higher than you thought possible
By Cherise Fantus
Colorado Vertical Adventures
C
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C
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633-2220 | 34 E. Ramona
between South Nevada & Tejon
www.edelweissrest.com
1/2 OFF Draft beers for Happy Hour
Strolling musicians Friday and Saturday nights.
Newly remodeled Ratskeller.
Fireplaces in winter, Biergarten in summer.
German &
Continental
cuisine.
CELEBRATING MORE
THAN 40 YEARS!
VOTED
BEST
German
Restaurant
16 yrs. &
counting!
Try our Colorado made, Gluten Free,
Craft Hard Ciders. A great
sidestep in the craft drink
market. Pairs well with food
or just have a pint with friends.
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| 80 | inSider 2012 |
Daytime hangouts
Welcome to the land of pop flies and furry friends
By Molly Mrazek
Colorado Springs Flea Market
K
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Mug up
Y
ou 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 youll find the fully stocked Healing Grounds
Coffee Bar (6071 E. Woodmen Road) open weekdays on the
first floor; find Seattles Best Coffee, and a whole lot of niceness.
Otherwise, Nemos 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 youre
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 Gods work for the past eight years or so.
Bryce Crawford
PHOTOGRAPHY POTTERY JEWELRY
PAINTINGS SCULPTURE WEARABLES
Established 1974
Commonwheel Artists
Cooperative
102 Caon Avenue Manitou Springs 685-1008
Open Daily www.commonwheel.com
FEATURING ART BY MORE
THAN 35 LOCAL ARTISTS

T
heres 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
youre more of an indoor-gaming rather
outdoor-gaming family, you can stop
by iTZ Family Food & Fun (3035 New
Center Point, itzusa.com) and engage
in a game of 10-pin bowling, bumper
cars and more. Or see whats 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,
youll 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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With so much to do and see
in downtown Colorado Springs,
you can create your own story.
Find out where to start at
DOWNTQWN8O9O3.COM.
1
| inSider 2012 | 81 |
Nighttime hangouts
For drinking and dancing, the easts a beast
By Bryce Crawford
M
any 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 youre heading east we think
youll find its worth it. And if youre already out there, you may not want to leave.
The citys 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, theres 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 its 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 Rhinos 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
Rhinos 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 Frankies Bar & Grill (945 N. Powers Blvd., frankiesbargrill.com),
Frank Pattons 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 BOODADS 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 theres Copperhead Road (3330 N. Academy Blvd., copperheadroadbar.
com). You might not be a country-music lover, but I bet youre interested in the
energetic-and-wiggly, and youll find that in spades here. Besides, the clubs feel is
more rebel-Willie Nelson than punch-me-in-the-face-before-I-hear-another-note-of-
Conway-Twitty.
If shaking your bon-bons 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, Im pretty sure youll 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 outputs 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 PTs 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 latters a staple of Platte Avenue a good
road to know in this town.
Copperhead Road
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EVEREST
TIBET
I M P O R T S
Colorado Springs
Largest Selection of
Authentic Nepalese,
Tibetan and Indian
goods!
23 E. BIJOU
632-4815
2623 W. COLORADO AVE.
Old Colorado City
227-1963
CHAPEL HILLS MALL
Lower Level Across From GNC
599-8961
www.everesttibetimports.com
everest.imports
Everest
Nepal
R E S T A U R A N T
Discover the deliciously
exotic avors of traditional
Nepalese cuisine, in an
inviting and peaceful
environment.
473-3890
28 E. BIJOU STREET
www.everestnepalrestaurant.com
All You Can Eat
Lunch Buffet
just $8.99
LUNCH BUFFET Mon - Sat 11am - 3pm
DINNER Mon - Sat 4:30pm - 9:30pm, Sun 4 pm - 9 pm
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Go for ...
... killer margaritas:
Crystal Park Cantna, p. 87
... 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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| inSider 2012 | 85 |
WEST
AmericAn
The mason Jar
2925 W. Colorado Ave., 632-
4820, masonjarcolorado.com
Boastng more than a million
chicken-fried steaks served
since 1982 (take that, American
Heart Associaton!), the Mason
Jar is comfort food, embodied
and emboldened. But its not
all burgers and prime rib: Catch
daily specials like Rocky Moun-
tain Rainbow Trout, too. $$
Stagecoach inn
702 Manitou Ave.,
Manitou Springs, 685-9400,
stagecoachinn.com
A classic Manitou destnaton
for tourists and locals, Stage-
coach serves satsfying specials
like a wild game meatloaf (elk,
venison and beef), and its regu-
lar lunch and dinner menus
feature smoked pheasant
chowder plus equally hearty
burgers (bufalo and turkey op-
tons), sandwiches, steaks and
seafood entres. $$
The Wines of colorado
8045 W. U.S. Hwy. 24,
Cascade, 684-0900,
winesofcolorado.com
Serving a wonderful array of
state-grown or -produced
wines (you dont say!), this is
a charming creekside eatery
warmed by an iron stove and
scented by an on-site smoker
that favors everything from
salmon to prime rib. Get a rib-
eye sandwich, Reuben or green
chile veggie burger. $$
BreWpuB
BierWerks Brewery
121 E. Midland Ave.,
Woodland Park, 686-8100,
bierwerks.com
A taste of the Alps in the Rock-
ies: exceptonal traditonal Ger-
man lagers like a dunkel, weiss-
bier and helles, plus seasonal
specialtes, served alongside
giant salted pretzels and basic,
hearty cold-cut platers. $
BurgerS &
SAndWicheS
cys drive-in
1833 W. Uintah St., 630-7008
A classic drive-in since 1953
(then under diferent own-
ers), Cys is your stop for
nostalgia but also great burg-
ers made from Ranch Foods
Direct meat. A longtme fa-
vorite is the Alaskan Burger,
a Thousand Island-laced
double-decker cheeseburger.
Also look for house-made
brisket and green chile. $
Joanies mountain
gourmet deli
110 E. U.S. Hwy. 24,
joaniesdeli.com
Run by the capable former
owners of The Pantry in Green
Mountain Falls, Joanies stands
out at lunch with Boars Head-
built sandwiches like rots-
serie chicken pesto melt, plus
house-made specials like pork
green chile inside a cornbread
crust. And house pies. $
mountain Shadows
restaurant
2223 W. Colorado Ave,
633-2122, mountainshad-
owsrestaurant.com
This 21-year-old breakfast spot
stands a head higher than the
pack. Meet the inventve Reu-
ben Omelet with corned beef
and sauerkraut. Lunch and
dinner sport awesome Ranch
Foods Direct steaks and burg-
ers. For those whove lef the
big-boy pants at home: bright
salads and wraps $
pantry restaurant
6980 Lake St., Green
Mountain Falls, 684-9018
Really, who could possibly not
love a French toast renditon
constructed out of a house-
baked cinnamon roll? (Hello,
sugar!) Theres also the locally
famous cinnamon raisin toast,
plus lunch items like burgers
and sandwiches great for
pato dining in the summer. $
pJs Bistro
819 Manitou Ave.,
Manitou Springs, 685-1195
Operated by the son of the
European Cafs owner, PJs
sports some Eastern Europe-
an highlights like the bestsell-
ing pierogi and potato pan-
cake plates. But sitng on the
excellent pato space in sum-
mer, its all about happy hour
with a burger and beer. $$
cAf
Bon Tons caf
2601 W. Colorado Ave.,
634-1007, bontonscafe.com
Its breakfast all day on a cute
pato, with lunch optons
too, daily, 6 untl 3. Service-
able pancakes, omelets and
Southwest plates like huevos
rancheros, or melts, burgers
and sandwiches like shrimp
po-boys. $
Bona dea
Boutique & Tea
8322, bonadeateahouse.com
Set in a cute Victorian with local
art, clothing and accessories for
sale, Bona Dea ofers a wide ar-
ray of loose-leaf teas, available
with high tea service by reser-
vaton. As for the food: dainty
and delightul puf pastry en-
tres and rich desserts. $
cucuru gallery cafe
9900, cucuru.santuario.com
An eclectc stop for art,
music, wine, High Rise Cof-
fee drinks and a light tapas
and sandwich menu. Go for
owner Guillermo Alvarados
Cuban sandwich renditon: a
panini pressed with thick-cut,
house-Mojo-sauce-marinat-
ed pork tenderloin, with the
classic accompaniments. $
donut mill
310 W. Midland Ave.,
Woodland Park, 687-9793
Your pick for Best Biscuits &
Gravy sausage gravy all the
tme; special bacon gravy on
weekends and a great ski-
drive stop-in for pastries and
cofee. Monstrous 12-inch
cinnamon rolls and bear-paw-
sized, chocolate-dipped bear
claws, plus 28 favors of Blue
Bell ice cream. $
european restaurant
& caf
935 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 crpes at breakfast. Piero-
gi by reservaton. $
faerie Tales Bakehouse
and catering
375-5651, faerietalesbake-
houseandcatering.com
Complete with a fantastc
pato in the former La Pette
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 thats
just the beginning. $$
La Baguette
french Bistro
4440 N. Chestnut St., 599-0686,
labaguettefrenchbistro.com
Youll eventually tre of hear-
ing us fawn over the gorgeous
Parisian Croque Madame
sandwich here, unless youve
had one and you get it. This
is a more upscale/gourmet
split-of from the La Baguete
chain, operated by Europe-
ans, but stll serving the well-
established winning soup,
breads and pastries. $$
mucky duck
10530 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 beautful eggs
Benedict plates. $$
naturallys market
& cafe
110 Caon Ave., Manitou
Springs, 685-0555,
naturallys.net
The best-sellers are the grilled
Caprese sandwich on home-
made rosemary foccacia and
the Black Diamond Burrito
complete with quinoa, millet,
basmat rice and adzuki beans
a vegetarians feast. If those
ingredients are Greek to you,
stck with the bufalo or salm-
on burgers. $
Spice of Life
727 Manitou Ave.,
manitouspiceofife.com
Dry goods like cofees, teas
and spices line the dining room
as a mini market, but locals go
for satsfying breakfast and
lunch plates constructed with
quality ingredients: breads
from Great Harvest; pastries
from Boonzaaijers; cold cuts
from Denvers Italco a step
above Boars Head. $
Swirl Wine Bar
717 Manitou Ave.,
swirlwineemporium.com
Located behind Swirl Wine
Emporium, which will soon
shrink a bit to make room for
more bar space (and expand-
ed tapas), your favorite wine
bar serves simple but good
meat-and-cheese platers,
with rare and unique drink
optons. The parlor room and
pato equally charm. $$
Terrazza grill
1933, blacktiegourmet.com
Part of Black Tie Gourmet ca-
tering, Terrazza Grill serves all
three meals: gourmet omelets
at breakfast; wraps, salads, and
Joanies Mountain Gourmet Deli
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Faerie Tales Bakehouse and Catering
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Restaurants
WEST
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| 86 | inSider 2012 |
WEST
sandwiches at lunch; and more
of the lunch menu at dinner,
plus pastas, steaks and seafood
in the $12-to-$15 range. $$
Chinese
Coal Mine Dragon
Restaurant
1720 W. Uintah St., 578-5430
Abundant portons for the right
price on lo mein, sesame chick-
en and all the standards. Go for
the spicy hot-and-sour soup,
followed by crispy cheese won-
tons and the duck with black
mushrooms, bamboo and
broccoli in a brown sauce. $$
CRpeRie
Coquettes Bistro
and Bakery
915 Manitou Ave.,
coquettecreperie.com
Gluten-free nirvana. That
about covers it. Crpes, apps,
breakfast plates, sandwiches
and a wide boozy and non-
alcoholic drink list, all with
attude. Oh, and retail GF
products like four and baked
goods, plus an expansion
planned for spring with an ar-
ray of new menu items. $$
DineR
hungry Bear
111 E. Midland Ave.,
hungrybearcolorado.com
A breakfast and lunch staple
up Ute Pass, with bear-
themed everything (bear ne-
cessites, and a baby bear
kids menu). The homemade
butermilk pancakes star in
the early hours, next to steak
breakfast burritos. The pot
roast French dip with melted
Swiss sells best at lunch. $
Omelets etc.
1616 S. Eighth St.,
634-7321, omeletsetc.com
A bright, modern space with
equally bright diner fare. For
instance: house green chile-
soaked burritos and omelets;
good pies and baked goods
over botomless cofee; nice,
savory daily specials from a
large chalkboard; and classic
American sandwiches. $
susies Westside Cafe
1686 S. 21st St., 442-0090
With another great city view,
overlooking Gold Hill Mesa,
Susies serves Ranch Foods
Direct meat, a great biscuits-
and-gravy renditon, a good
green chile, and really won-
derful house-baked pies. Lit-
eral sister operaton (though
separately owned): My Sis-
ters Kitchen in Knob Hill. $
Fine Dining
Adams Mountain Caf
934 Manitou Ave., Manitou
Springs, 685-1430,
adamsmountain.com
Think local, sustainably
raised, slow and simply amaz-
ing food. Adams is an annual
shoo-in to our Best Of issues,
with highly loyal clientele for
plates like orange almond
French toast (breakfast), the
veggie Planet Burger (lunch)
and stupendous Senegalese
Vegetables (dinner). $$
The Black Bear
10375 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
Mathews and his Paragon Cu-
linary School students. Catch
expansive chef tables, but also
la carte comfort food and
special events. $$$
Briarhurst Manor
estate
404 Manitou Ave.,
briarhurst.com
Have a prix fxe four-course
meal in the cozy castle, per-
fect also for periodic mur-
der mystery dinners. Savory
items include decadently
prepared game meats like
red deer with mushroom
duxelle; sweets include well-
executed classics. $$$
Carlos Bistro
1025 S. 21st St., 471-2905
Its premier and pricey, dinner
only, and actually old-fash-
ioned, in the words of hands-
on owner Carlos Echeandia.
That means French-inspired
contnental cuisine, daily fsh
specials, and fresh wild game
Wednesdays. $$$
The Cliff house
at pikes peak
306 Caon Ave.,
thecliffhouse.com
Depending on the season, you
have three dining optons: the
super-view veranda, the casual
Red Mountain Bar and Grill, or
the more formal but comfort-
able main dining room. Prices
range, but are fair for the high-
quality eats. Think steaks and
game meats down to build-
your-own pizzas. $$$
Craftwood inn
404 El Paso Blvd.,
craftwood.com
Crafwood Inns menu is like a
foodies 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 reducton. $$$
gertrudes
471-0887,
gertrudesrestaurant.com
Under diferent owners but
well trafcked since 1980,
Gertrudes dishes gourmet
Benedicts and the like on
weekends; and solid sand-
wiches, pastas, steaks and
seafoods across lunch and
dinner. Think creamy spin-
ach-walnut tortellini, or a
smoked cheddar bufalo
burger on ciabata. $$$
Josephs Fine Dining
1606 S. Eighth St., 630-
3631, josephsdining.com
Entering its ffh year of fne-
dining fair, Josephs main-
tains its evening popularity
for tableside fambed items:
fantastc Hot Spinach Pernod
salads, pepper steaks and Ba-
nanas Foster and Cherries Ju-
bilees. But past the lamb, trout
and veal, youll fnd an aford-
able gourmet lunch. $$$
The Mona Lisa
Fondue Restaurant
733 Manitou Ave.,
monalisafondue.com
Giving the phrase wine fights
in the cellar a good reputa-
ton since at least the last tme
you craved a full fondue cours-
ing. You can get fondue dinners
for two ($40 to $49 each) or
cheese, entre and chocolate
varietes la carte. Wild game
platers and liqueur-enhanced
desserts are highlights. $$$
Motif
2432 W. Cucharras St., 635-
5635, motifwest.com
Equal parts music, mart-
nis and upscale munchies,
catering-biz spin-of Motf is
simply cool, but open Thurs-
day through Saturday only.
From the small plate menu
with big favors, the white
trufe fries are a no-brainer,
and the Kobe brioche sliders
a fne companion piece. $$
The pepper Tree
888 W. Moreno Ave., 471-
4888, peppertreecs.com
Serving dinner only with a tre-
mendous view over the city,
this is a sister restaurant to
Woodland Parks Swiss Chalet.
Its pride and joy are the pep-
per steaks: flet cuts with man-
go chutney, fambed in brandy
($34.95 to $49.95). All else is
equally haute, from Colorado
lamb to Maine lobster. $$$
swiss Chalet
19263 E. U.S. Hwy. 24,
swisschaletofwoodland-
park.com
Sister outit 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. $$$
Tabeguache steakhouse
407 E. U.S. Hwy. 24,
Woodland Park, 687-8536
Now featuring wines of the
week with special pricing, Tabe-
guache is a straightorward
steakhouse proud to support
and serve Ranch Foods Direct.
Get a salad course before slic-
ing into a flet or New York strip,
and fnish it of with a dessert
prepared tableside. $$$
TApAteria
471-8272, tapateria.com
Pizzeria Rustcas 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-
stufed bell peppers, next to a
great drink selecton. $$
inTeRnA-
TiOnAL
Tajine Alami
10 Old Mans Trail,
tajinealami.com
Our only Moroccan eatery, fea-
turing weekend bellydancing
and mult-course meals that
include cous-cous, clay pot-
cooked meats, seafood and
vegetables, warming soups
and phyllo pastries. Take of
your shoes and let orange and
rose blossom water prepare
your hands for feastng. $$
Uchenna
2501 W. Colorado Ave., #108,
634-5070, uchennalive.com
The sole stop for Ethiopian in
the Springs, via warm Ethiopia
natve Maya Hetman, Uchen-
na is simply incredible. Take
fermented tef-four bread and
scoop marvelously seasoned
lentls, favas, chickpeas, lamb,
beef, chicken or shrimp with
intoxicatng spices. Remem-
ber: Its Slow Food. $$
iTALiAn
Mangia Mangia
407 E. Grace Ave., Wood-
land Park, 687-3400,
mangiamangiawp.com
The answer to Italian cravings
up Ute Pass, where locals re-
ally are known by name. Ser-
viceable sandwiches at lunch
with daily specials, and most-
ly pasta plates at night, with
a litle seafood thrown in. We
found success in the sausage
putanesca and beurre blanc
salmon on our last visit. $$
paravicinis italian
Bistro
471-8200, paravicinis.com
Your pick again for the Springs
Best Italian. Lets examine a
sample meals progression:
Craftwood Inn
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spicy tomato eggplant fries,
then wedding soup, followed
by garlicky capellini Pomodoro
and scallops alla pesto. Home-
made tramisu for dessert, or
the chocolate cheesecake with
brandy-cherry sauce. $$
Mediterra-
nean
Jake & tellys
Greek taverna
633-0406, jakeandtellys.com
The Topakas brothers branched
out to Denver in 2011 with
Axios Estatorio, but their fag-
ship eatery remains a very wise
choice when Springs-bound.
Great versions of Greek and
Mediterranean classics plus
creatve specials, bountful
happy hours and excellent wine
dinners. Yes opa! $$
Pegasus
Mediterranean Caf
19251 E. U.S. Hwy 24,
pegasuscafewp.com
Mediterranean with a Leba-
nese infuence, Pegasus serves
one of our favorite dishes of
last year: a spicy gyro com-
plete with the usual fxins, plus
jalapeos and Sriracha. Other
fun touches include foral rose-
water in the lemonade and
orange-blossom syrup on the
house baklava. $$
Sahara Caf
954 Manitou Ave.,
thesaharacafe.com
In the space of the former Nile
Caf, Jordanian owner Sam
Ayaad delivers touches of his
home cuisine, plus Syrian, Leb-
anese and Palestnian favors.
Youll mostly recognize the
familiar and well-made falafel,
gyros and so forth, but go to
discover fatoush, maamoul
and sage tea. $
Westside international
restaurant, deli
& Mart
227-9400
As the name implies, theres
more than just dining to be
had here. You can shop for
imported dry goods or even
glass pipes. But when its eatn
tme, Egyptan owner Michael
Ezzat will personally take good
care of you: Egyptan tea, gy-
ros, mixed grill plates and a
great falafel plater. $
MexiCan/
SouthWeSt
amandas Fonda
227-1975
Amandas is a 12-tme Best Of
winner in a tme of transiton:
It was sold mid-year to a guy
who owns a handful of Wen-
dys, and hes been talking
growth. Regardless, our visit
soon afer the sale was full of
largely satsfying southwest-
ern dishes, and youll never be
disappointed by the creekside
pato. $
Crystal Park Cantina
178 Crystal Park Road,
crystalparkcantina.com
A favorite newbie of 2011, run
by ex-Denver Bronco Justn
Armours family. Highlights:
the jalapeo Cantna Burger,
Southwestern standards with a
coastal Mexican fair, and stun-
ning fresh margaritas like the
sangria and jalapeo-cilantro.
Newly expanded menu; ex-
panded hours soon. $$
estelas Mexican
restaurant
925 S. Eighth St., 575-0244
From the folks behind Pueblos
legendary Mill Stop Caf, and
bearing its own legacy in the
Springs, Estelas is your stop for
spot-on, house red and green
chiles smothering popular
plates like the El Burro burrito.
Free sopapillas at meals end,
plus a new, 33-tequila custom
margarita bar. $
Jorges
634-9031,
jorgessombrero.com
When Barack Obama passed
through Pueblo days before the
electon in 2008, his family ate
at quarter-century-old Jorges
Sombrero. Owner Jorge Ayala
just sank half a million dollars
into the newly renovated, ex-
panded and reopened Springs
locaton. Its stll all about mar-
garitas and tacos. $$
La unica
633-7499
With 14 years on the west side
afer fve on Plate Avenue, the
Barraza familys charmingly
decorated eatery ofers slightly
upscale Tex-Mex. The house
salsa is surprisingly hot and
delicious, as is the house gua-
camole. The enchiladas bear a
delicious red sauce with cinna-
mon hints. $$
the Loop
965 Manitou Ave.,
theloopatmanitou.com
Champion in the contentous
Bar for a Margarita Best Of
category, ofering around 30
tequilas and new creatons like
The Skinny, a clean agave and
lime margarita. Past a huge
menu of Tex-Mex staples, fnd
specials like the stone-bowl
Molcajete: pork, chicken and
steak in poblano sauce. $$
rudys Little hideaway
945 S. Eighth St., 632-9527
We once described Rudys as a
Dennys in a sombrero, basically
ofering a mix between Ameri-
can diner classics and Mexican
comfort food. For example,
take this recent special, the Vol-
cano ($7.50): homefries with
jalapenos, onions, a hamburger
paty smothered in green chili,
two eggs and tortllas. $
Pizza
Billys old World Pizza
308 S. Eighth St., Suite E,
630-3400, billyspizza.net
An Italian bufet for the hur-
ried, and slow, stone-baked,
Chicago-style, deep-dish pizzas
for everyone else. Everything
from-scratch, including house-
ground meats and house-
stufed sausages. $$
Marilyns Pizza house
964 Manitou Ave.,
Its 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-
tchoke hearts and garlic sauce
on thin crust. $
Pizzeria rustica
632-8121, pizzeriarustica.com
One of our towns sustainability
stars Green Restaurant Cer-
tfed 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. $$
ruffranos hells
Kitchen Pizza
9 Ruxton Ave.,
hellskitchenmanitou.com
The owner trained at a Hells
Kitchen joint, bringing its reci-
pes here. The Hellfre (hot sau-
sage, pepperoni, cherry pep-
pers) is a standout, and some
go for the goofy mac-and-
cheese pie. Gluten-free optons
plus garlic, cinnamon or Hellfre
knots for a diferent twist. $$
Savellis
301 Manitou Ave.,
savellispizza.com
Catch all-you-can-eat Spaghet
Tuesdays ($8.99), profciently
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 Food
ancient Mariner
962 Manitou Ave.,
hmsancientmariner.net
Also a major Manitou music
venue, the Mariners a good
bet for a pint and anything from
a po-boy to a burger, pizza or
homemade soups. Wednesday
is half-of pizza day; Monday,
half-of burger day. The Reuben
with a secret captains sauce
is a go-for item. $
dutch Mill tavern
471-3370
Korean-born owner Mi Lee
took over 16 years ago and has
added Eastern infuences like
Asian kebabs and the new kim-
chi burger (with spicy cabbage
inside the meat), as well as a
Thursday Korean dinner. Oth-
erwise, its bar norms for break-
fast, lunch and dinner. $
Keg Lounge
730 Manitou Ave.,
When you menton the Keg,
everyone talks up the bufalo
cheeseburger and the berry
salad, but theres also Ranch
Foods Direct steaks and daily
specials. Atmosphere-wise, its
Manitou through and through,
which is to say full of twisted,
homey bar charm. $$
McGintys Wood
oven Pub
11115 W. U.S. Hwy. 24,
Divide, 686-7703,
mcgintyswoodovenpub.com
Its a mind-blowing Friday-
night fsh-and-chips with de-
licious house chowder (one
of our dishes of the year), or
the Paddy OReilly pizza with
corned beef, braised cabbage
and creamy horseradish. Plus
an exclusive Bristol-blended
house ale and bangin sand-
wiches. A must-go. $$
Meadow Muffns
633-0583
Winner again for Best Neigh-
borhood Bar on the west side,
The Muf 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 dont disappoint. $
Silver tongue
devil Saloon
10530 Ute Pass Ave., 684-
2555, Green Mountain Falls,
thesilvertonguedevil.com
This lively drink house with live
music far surpasses bar-food
expectatons. We always freak
out over the stupefyingly good
egg-roll-wrapped jalapeo
poppers (now with habaero
opton called Bombas), but
the bufalo and barbecue
wings are great, too, as are the
house-made pizzas. $$
thunder & Buttons ii
447-9888,
thunderandbuttons.com
Catch daily food specials like
steak sliders and blackened
shrimp fetuccine, beyond a
other eateries with West locations:
Borriello Brothers, 229 S. Eighth St., see p. 47
Carlos Miguels, 730 E. U.S. Hwy. 24, Woodland Park, see p. 58
Colorado Mountain Brewery, 600 S. 21st St. (coming early
summer), see p. 57
Gold Hill Java, 757 Gold Hills Place, Woodland Park, see p. 43
Heart of Jerusalem Caf, 718 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs,
see p. 58
Jun Japanese Restaurant, 3276 Centennial Blvd., 227-8690, see
p. 59
La Baguete, 2417 W. Colorado Ave., 577-4818, see p. 43
Sheldons Luncheonete, 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/
CaJun
Buster oBrians
727 Gold Hill Place,
busterobrians.com
Traditonal 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, toufe, Cajun seafood
pasta and baked desserts. $
Firehouse Southern
Style BBQ
447-8829
Firehouse came under new
ownership last fall, but the
menu hasnt changed. Thats
good, considering they won
our ribs food fght in mid
2010. Think great smoked
meats with delicious house
sauces. Look for the separately
owned split-of, Firehouse on
the Run, in Black Forest. $
Front range Barbeque
2596, frontrangebbq.com
Killer craf beer tap selecton,
natonal music acts, great pato,
and then theres the Alabama-
natve-driven menu: qual-
ity smoked ribs, brisket, pulled
pork, po-boys, burgers, catish,
Cajun specialtes and, of course,
homemade pecan pie. $
the Smokin Q
11027 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 fve-person family
meal for $42 (including brisket,
ribs and more). $$
SuShi/
JaPaneSe
Shinjis 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 afordable bento boxes
plus a crazy 18-piece Califor-
nia roll for $2.95. $$
thai
Pho-n-thai
125 N. Spruce St.,
329-0705,
yourhoodz.com/phonthai
Pho-N-Thai, as the name sug-
gests, blends Vietnamese and
Thai classics, along with an
American secton. One high-
light is three free reflls of Thai
Iced Tea ($2.50); another is the
awesome green curry, which,
when ordered hot, we called
a velvet-wrapped hammer of
lip-numbing goodness. $
Wild Ginger thai
restaurant
27 Manitou Ave.,
wildgingerthai.com
Wild Ginger earns our read-
ers vote for Best Thai year af-
ter year, which in a town now
overrun with Thai optons, says
more than descriptons of fa-
miliar dishes like pad Thai and
coconut milk green curry. Suf-
fce to say, then, that this place
is simply grand. $
VietnaMeSe
house of Saigon
1014 S. 21st St., Suite A,
473-6707
A highlight here is generous
helpings of crisp vegetables like
broccoli and green bell peppers,
which freshen dishes like the
vegetable noodle bowl (your
basic bun) and the spicy, ginger-
y squid lemongrass entre. $
Vietnamese Garden
3043 W. Pikes Peak Ave.,
520-9299,
vietnamesegarden.net
Dung My Trams Vietnamese
menu stands out from others,
with items you dont see else-
where, like a fantastc potato
friter appetzer and delicious
mung bean and cassava cake
desserts. Her noodle soups and
grilled meat entres are also
excellent. Weekly specials are
worth a look, too. $$
| 88 | inSider 2012 |
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Patsys Candies American Toy Store
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Shopping
Think youve seen it all, in other parts of town? Not a chance
By J. Adrian Stanley
T
he 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 dont carry this
stuff. And theyre worse off for it.
Wearables and edibles
T
heres 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), Eves 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. Theres another
Piramide at 106 Caon 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 dont forget Ten Spot (742 Mani-
tou Ave., 685-1545): Its usually packed with accesso-
ries, and everything is $10.
Good job. Hungry yet?
From the salt-water taffy at Patsys Candies (1540 S.
21st St.; 930 Manitou Ave., patsyscandies.com), to the
baked goods at Mya Bella Cupcakes (2524 W. Colorado
Ave., myabellacupcakes.com) and La Baguette (2417 W.
Colorado Ave., labaguette-co.com), your sweet tooth is
covered. But dont completely pass by Manitous Pikes
Peak Chocolate Company (805 Manitou Ave., pikespeak-
chocolate.com) and Goldminers Nuts and Candy (10
Caon 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 jalapeo.)
You can get vegetables that arent 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 Naturallys Market
& Cafe (110 Caon 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
Manitous 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 DVine 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
O
K, about the kids.
If youre 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 Anglers
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 Gigis (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 Caon 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 its your homes energy thats lacking, a very
peaceful staffer at Celebration Conscious Living Store
(2209 W. Colorado Ave., celebrationstore.com) can
likely help you work it out.
Finally, youre not a true west-sider until you have
a wooden bear carved with a chainsaw. No no knows
why this is, and its probably better not to ask. Instead,
just visit Manitous 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
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elieve it or not, its 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 youre 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?
Youre 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 parks website for details on
whats not allowed.
Also, multiple places offer guided climbs for begin-
ners. Its 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, isnt fully natural like its neighbor up the
road, because it was quarried to build much of Old
Colorado City. But its 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
Countys community services department. When its
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. Its known
for wildflowers and sightings of, well, bears. Stop in
at Bear Creek Nature Center to find out whats been
spotted lately.
Work your way up
I
f youd prefer to experience the wild from more of a
distance, consider some city parks: In Old Colorado
City, theres 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
Outdoors
That big mountain shouldnt be the only thing to pique your interest
By Sonja Bjelland
Bear Creek Nature Center
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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 youll 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
wont loop you back.
Finally, looking way west beyond
Woodland Park, youll 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-
voirs 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
N
ow, 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, its 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 youre bent on summiting the Peak,
youre 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
youll 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, its 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
youll 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, thatll also
take you up the mountain, for a fee, with-
out you setting foot on a trail. If youre
into that. Which, if youve read this far,
you probably arent.
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| inSider 2012 | 93 |
WEST
Daytime hangouts
With galleries and kids stuff galore, the main drags are anything but
By Rhonda Van Pelt
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
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ell 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, Mat Factor
(966 Manitou Ave., 685-3235). Even the innards of Venue 515 boast their own Can-
vas Caf (515 Manitou Ave., 685-1861).
But lets backtrack a minute to Marikas Coffeehouse (739 Manitou Ave., mari-
kascoffeehouse.com), because its 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 theyre 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 wed
also recommend you grab the Hot Man Sandwich.
Old Colorado Citys also doing just fine in the bean area. Youve got the Agia Sophia
Coffee Shop & Bookstore (2902 W. Colorado Ave., agiasophiacoffeeshop.com),
where Ive 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
L
ong 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 Societys
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 Carnegies 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,
youll 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 McFaddens
third dimension photography.
Stay on the north side of Colorado
Avenue as you continue to the 2500
block, where youll 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 youre 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 its 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 childrens 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 areas
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 Caon 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
youre 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 Santas
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,
youll 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 regions past. n
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| 94 | inSider 2012 |
WEST
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es, 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 youll find lively crowds on football Sundays,
open mics and the occasional pole dancing contest.
Meanwhile, just across the street comes another you
wont 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 Tonys karaoke craziness.
The west-side dive-bar title probably belongs to
Bennys 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. Thats when
live bands, including touring acts, play the homey venue.
Its tough to beat a summer show on FRBBQs patio.
Next door, youll find another outlet for an artistic
night out. At the Cucuru Gallery Cafe (2332 W. Colora-
do Ave., cucuru.santuario.com), youre 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, its
the ideal spot to hang out with a well-heeled crowd and
enjoy an evening of some of the regions best jazz acts.
Staying with the highbrow theme, weve 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.
Monas 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 Id rather have a beer. If so,
theyve probably wound up in Kinfolks Mountain Shop
(950 Manitou Ave., kinfolksmanitou.com), just your
average outdoor-store-with-a-craft-beer-stocked bar. Or
theyve 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,
theyve completely committed to the theme.
Now, heading up U.S. Highway 24, theres 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.
Bucks 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 theres an open mic.
Nighttime hangouts
Dive bars, wine bars and virtually everything in between
By Chet Hardin
Silver Tongue Devil Saloon
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| inSider 2012 | 5 |

- TED BEST CATERER I THE P IN S 1 CONSECUTIVE YE RS.

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