My favorite date nights with Ted include discovering new restaurants!
When we become empty nesters and have more time on our hands, I would love to visit every single restaurant in Colorado Springs (and beyond!).
I could be like Julie in Julie and Julia (I love this movie!)
Julie took a year and cooked her way through Julia Child’s cookbook and wrote about the recipes in her blog.
I could eat my way through Colorado Springs and write about it. And will someone remind me of this in about 15 years when our littlest one is out of the house? Who would like to join me in this future endeavor?!
Also – the year after I try all of the restaurants…
… I will be trying all of the gyms …
… to lose all of the weight!
Anyway …. I haven’t yet tried every restaurant in The Springs. (Not Yet!) But of all the ones we’ve tried so far, here are the ones that keep us coming back.
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Cork and Cask – This is an amazing place to come for an appetizer and a drink. The decor is fabulous.
– If you want to do a “Progressive Dinner” – Dos Santos Mexican and Frozen Gold are next door.
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2. Hacienda – Great tex-mex with a fabulous view (if you sit on the top floor).
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3. Rabbit Hole – This is an EXPERIENCE! You go down a little staircase in the middle of downtown – and find a delightful restaurant underground!
Dinner with friends at the Rabbit Hole
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4. King Chefs Diner – Come wearing your baggy pants because you will be served a BIG breakfast!
This place has two locations. I recommend the original – it’s a tiny castle with only about 20 seats inside. It’s a fun EXPERIENCE! My oldest son loves their burgers (I had a bite and they were amazing!) Another son loves their french toast – it’s delicious too! My favorite thing, though, are their HUGE breakfast burritos smothered in green chili. Food Network called this meal the best breakfast in Colorado and I’d have to agree! (Note – they only accept cash!) Oh, and the coffee is great too!
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5. Viewhouse – Great happy hour with a fantastic view!
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6. Modern Market – I wrote 7 things I love about this place here.
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7. Ivywild – A historic school that has been transformed into several restaurants.
They have a whiskey bar with live music in one section, coffee bar and baked goods in another section, then a full restaurant and brewery in a third section. This place is worth a visit! My seven year old disappeared the last time I was there. I found him sitting at the whiskey bar, chatting with the bartender, snacking on maraschino cherries.
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8. Pepper Tree Restaurant -This restaurant served the best steaks I’ve ever tasted in my entire life.
I had one of their signature steaks, and my husband had the filet. They were both amazing. It’s the PERFECT spot for a birthday or anniversary. Dinner for two will cost around $100 (not including appetizers, drinks or dessert), but it is OH so good! You should make a reservation because the dining room is small. The restaurant is unassuming from the outside, but once you get inside, the view is beautiful! I love that they cook your steak right next to your table. I honestly can’t wait to go back. How many more days til my Birthday?
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9. Restaurant 1858 (Seven Falls) – Dining at this restaurant is a memorable experience.
Park at the Broadmoor (near The Golden Bee). The shuttle will take you to Seven Falls. Enjoy a beautiful walk up to the restaurant. Some of the delicious food at 1858 is Broadmoor is served in a cast iron skillet like they would have used in 1858! I recommend the Chili Con Queso nachos! They were incredible and made from scratch (homemade wild boar chili, chips, cheese and pickled jalapeños … yum!) Loved our experience there!
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10. Shuga’s-This is a fun little date place. You MUST try the Spicy Brazilian Shrimp soup.
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11. Carrabbas Italian Grill – I love trying local, authentic restaurants but I keep coming back to this place.
I love the warm bread with the oil (and that special seasoning). I love their house salad. And the chicken marsala just melts in your mouth and has SO much flavor. I’ve ordered the marsala dishes at so many other places and it’s never the same. I’m getting hungry just typing this. Something handy we occasionally use is their carside carryout. I order online, drive up, they bring it out to my car! If you eat here, sign up for the Dine Rewards Program. You get 50% off every fourth visit.
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12. The Broadmoor Hotel – There are many places to visit at this Historic Hotel.. and each is special for different reasons.
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- The Broadmoor Brunch is an EVENT and so delicious! The Sunday brunch is about 50 dollars per person, but there’s a similar brunch on Saturday for half the price.
- The Golden Bee – Come for the good Irish food, stay for the “sing-a-long” – lyrics provided!