I take restaurant recommendations very seriously because I love good food and a good restaurant experience. I have a background in restaurants, having managed The Tavern at Colorado Springs’ five-star Broadmoor Hotel, Jacmel in Hammond, Louisiana and the Chimney Rock Grill at Schweitzer Mountain.
When clients ask me where they should eat, it always depends on what they are looking for.
Here are some of my favorites and why:
Eichardt’s: You just can’t go wrong with Eichardt’s ever. The pub fare is consistently well executed and the daily specials are always fresh and delicious. This is where you’ll find the locals. Live music at nights. The cozy atmosphere lends itself better to cold wintry nights, but we miss the awesome garlic fries in the summer so we’ll stop in even when we are sometimes in the mood to go find a place to sit outside, which Eichardt’s does not have.
Baxter’s on Cedar: Great atmosphere with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and fresh food with a few tables outside on the sidewalk. We love the meatloaf. My friend Amanda likes the lobster roll.
Beet and Basil – We love the back patio at Beet and Basil as well as “global flavors, local flare” menu. the Kung Pao cauliflower is delicious as a starter. So are their masa cakes. Lisa usually gets the Chicken Vindaloo and I like the Mole Cerdo.
Joel’s Mexican Restaurant: Takeout counter with outside seating and limited inside seating. Authentic Mexican food done so well. I love this place. Open only for breakfast and lunch, never on Sundays.
Trinity at City Beach: This is the choice if you want to sit outside and have a view of the lake. The varied menu isn’t super innovative but their salads, fish, and steak are consistently good.
Squeeze Inn: This is a quirky old house with an outdoor patio, funky fixtures and strings of white lights. Run by a family – I think it’s a mom and her two daughters who travel during the winter months when the restaurant is closed and create the summer menu inspired by their international travels. Highly worth the drive out there.
Joels: Joel started in a food truck and now has a permanent location downtown with a great vibe for take-out or sit out on their patio. Friends in Spokane drive up here just for the great Mexican food. Check out the Google Reviews – 4.8 rating with 399 reviews? Not bad. Amanda says to get the Rebecca Breakfast Burrito if you have a big day ahead of you, or had a big night last night.
Of course, there are many others to choose from. What would you add to the list? Love to know your favorites.
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