Tag: Colorado Springs

Not far from The Broadmoor hotel is a privately owned attraction called Seven Falls. These seven cascading waterfalls from the South Cheyenne Creek have been entertaining guests since the 1800s.

There are climbing paths and zip line activities that can be done during the day. It is a fun place for the whole family.

I was lucky enough to have a private dinner there. We were set up outside at the based of one of the waterfalls. It was a spectacular view, especially once it was lite up with colorful lights.

The meal started with an appetizer of Wild Mushroom Risotto. The risotto was amazing. I wanted more of this dish, I could not get enough of it. The earthy wild mushrooms were chopped up and mixed in a Parmigiano Reggiano broth and aged Carnaroli rice. The rice was tender and soaked up the flavor of the broth, which was creamy.

Out next was a salad. This was baby greens with Prosciutto di Parma, melon, and herb mascarpone cheese. There was a delicious lemon vinaigrette tossed on the salad. The prosciutto and melon combination went so well together. It is the yin and yang of sweet and salty. The mascarpone cheese added a creaminess that balanced out the tanginess from the vinaigrette.

For the entrée, we got a grilled beef tenderloin and garlic poached jumbo prawns. The tenderloin was cooked perfectly and was tender. On top there was wilted greens, broccolini, an apple chutney, and a cider scented beef jus.

The slight bitterness from the greens went well with the garlic in the prawns. There was a sweet potato cake also on the plate. It was hidden a little underneath the tenderloin. It soaked up some of the beef jus. The sweetness of the potato made this a welcomed flavor in the mist of the salty accents from the steak. The apple chutney also added a slight sweetness with a hint of cinnamon.

I made sure to leave room for dessert. It was Death by Chocolate Cake. The cake was a flourless chocolate biscuit with a creamy milk chocolate cremeux. Cremeux is a French dense, soft pudding. They layered the chocolate biscuit with the cremeux, making three layers. It was very rich. I enjoyed it with a nice cappuccino. The cremeux was very creamy and rich with milk chocolate tastes.

I really enjoyed my dinner under the starts and waterfalls. It did get chilly as the sun went down. I would recommend taking a jacket. If you have a chance to visit Seven Falls, you will love the views. Being able to get in does depend on the time of year, so plan accordingly.

Visit the hotel website to learn more at www.broadmoor.com

Enjoy!

T

Colorado is a beautiful state. There are so many activities that can be done outside from hiking, skiing, fishing, and exploring all the national parks across the state. Garden of the Gods is one of those parks located in Colorado Springs. This park has acres and acres of Red Rock formations. You can hike, drive or even take a jeep tour to the structures and learn about what the native Americans felt about these natural wonders.

When the sunlight hits these rocks the color just glows. It is breathtaking and pictures do not do the color justice.

When I visited, I got to have lunch on the patio of the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. Their views are spectacular.

While I was enjoying the view from the patio, a deer wondered up and started feeding on some bushes. This was the one thing I noticed a lot in Colorado, the wild animals and the humans live in harmony.

 

The lunch I got to enjoy was a pre-fixed menu. I was looking forward to what the chef selected for us. We started off with a fresh salad. The lettuce was topped with cheese, bacon, and cucumber slices. They served a balsamic vinaigrette dressing that added a nice tangy taste to the salad. I enjoyed the crunch of the cucumbers and the saltiness of the bacon pieces.

For the main dish we got a chicken thigh with pineapples and peppers. The fresh pineapple was grilled which had great flavor. The smokiness from the grill enhanced the sweetness of the pineapple. The peppers also added a sweetness and paired perfectly with the pineapple. The chicken thigh was tender and juicy. The entire dish had a tropical feel to it.

For dessert we got a key lime tart that was topped with fresh blueberries and raspberries. The filling was creamy and had a nice tart flavor. The berries were sweet and complemented the tartness. It was a great dessert to enjoy outside with a glass of wine.

The views from the patio made this lunch even more enjoyable. The Garden of the Gods is a wonderful place to visit and will make a lasting impression.

Check out the resort at www.gardenofthegodsresort.com

To learn about the park, visit www.gardenofgods.com

Enjoy!

T

The Broadmoor is an iconic hotel resort in Colorado Springs. It opened its doors over 100 years ago in 1918. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking. There are wonderful views of the mountains.  There are beautiful lakes and wild animals everywhere.

This hotel has over 17 different restaurants and cafes, plus 2 legendary golf courses. One of the restaurants I checked out was The Hotel Bar. The original bar opened in 1936 at the end of prohibition. I was later restored in 2002. There is a rich history of how this bar got started, in the 1920s by an exclusive group of prominent hoteliers You can read all about their history on the menu or visit their website.

I sat outside so I could enjoy the beautiful surrounding mountains.

I was visiting for lunch, so I ordered a Cobb Salad. The salad was large. It was served beautifully with a rainbow of all the toppings. All the ingredients were fresh. It was nice with the vinaigrette that I chose as my dressing. It is a filling salad by itself.

I also got to try their classic cheeseburger. The melted cheddar cheese has a sharp taste that paired well with the grilled flavor of the burger meat. It was cooked perfectly medium, so it was still juicy. It came with all the classic sides of French fries and coleslaw.

I enjoyed my meal and the environment at The Hotel Bar. It is also a great place to grab a cocktail in the evening and warm by one of the fire pits.

Check out their history at www.broadmoor.com

Enjoy!

T