San Luis Valley Brewing Company

Gary James Dispensaries are grabbing the headlines, but Colorado continues to rank high in terms of gross beer production, thanks to the state’s 200 or so microbreweries. And there’s a gem in Alamosa— the San Luis Valley Brewing Company, where old floors, exposed brick and a 5,000-pound vault door serve as visual reminders of the … Read more

Cocktail with a Kick: Cherry Hills Moscow Mule

Marina Beach Both Cherry Hills Country Club and the Moscow Mule enjoy a rather spirited history. And as the 92-year-old club prepares to host this year’s BMW Championship, it’s fitting that this classic vodka cocktail serves as the signature drink. The BMW will be Cherry Hills’ 12th national championship, a run that began with the … Read more

Bender’s Sports Bar and Grill

Gary James Your humble food scribe is a veteran of the fabulous newspaper biz. One of my biggest influences was the great Ralph Moore, my eighth-grade football coach at St. Anne’s in Arvada who covered golf for The Denver Post to award-winning effect. Current conditions at newspapers are difficult, and I mourn the recent casualties—especially … Read more

Ciancio’s | Hyland Hills Golf Course

Gary James The Ciancio family has been in the hospitality business for more than 30 years, with 16 of them coming at their location at Hyland Hills Golf Course. The clubhouse facility is beautiful, and Ali, our youthful server, said working for the family was a delight. Donna bought it from her dad when he … Read more

Kachina Southwestern Grill

Gary James Entering Kachina Southwestern Grill at the Westin Westminster, you might expect standard southwest/Tex-Mex fare. You would be wrong. This associate of Sage Hospitality isn’t reliant on hotel capacity. Kachina likes regulars, and word-of-mouth has been building for a year and a half. The decor is impressive, best described as “contemporary Mexican adobe,” and … Read more

Breakfast of Champions

The perfect Bloody Mary Marina Beach The countdown has begun for golf’s oldest major, the British Open. While fans across the Atlantic raise a glass to Pimm’s o’clock on the big day, golf enthusiasts here can mix some Bloody Marys for the early-morning programming. Appropriately enough, one of the best recipes comes from Holyoke (not … Read more

Sunshine Cafe | Silverthorne

Gary James For 30 years, this classic breakfast place, located in the Summit Place Shopping Center, has been known for simple décor, good prices and a lot of food. Accordingly, it attracts all types. You can’t go wrong facing the day with a huge, delectable three-egg omelet (my fave is the Santa Fe, topped with … Read more

Adriano’s Bistro | Dillon

Gary James So the first thing I notice at Adriano’s Bistro is the rules. Posted on a chalkboard at the door: no gluten-free options (you are referred to a neighboring eatery). The menu spells things out further: no separate checks, a split-plate fee. Just when I’m expecting to get some Italian tough love, a sweet-faced … Read more

Le Petit Paris | Breckenridge

Gary James For those who like to overindulge in French food—or just go hard on relaxing, hearty food and drink—there’s nothing like Le Petit Paris, Summit County’s only French restaurant, located just a half block east of Breckenridge’s historic Main Street. It’s got the warm and friendly atmosphere of an old-fashioned bistro, with mouthwatering aromas … Read more

Recipe: Pinehurst’s Veal Demi-Glace

Pinehurst Country Club Try making your own Veal demi-glace at home! 5 lbs. veal bones 3 Tsp. tomato paste 2 cloves garlic 1 large onion, diced 1 large carrot, diced 2 stalks celery, plus leaves 2 Tsp. thyme 2 cups merlot wine 2 bay leaves 2 qt. cold water Kosher salt and fresh ground black … Read more