One of the best parts of visiting a new area is checking out its local restaurants. An even better part of visiting a new area, is knowing which local restaurants are worth checking out. So here is a little guidance.
Breckenridge Dining
With more than 100 bars and restaurants, Breckenridge offers something for everyone. Two of my favorite historic — and upscale — restaurants are Hearthstone, at 130 S. Ridge St., and Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon, at 109 Lincoln Ave.
- Hearthstone Restaurant’s multi-level, 125-year-old Victorian house overlooks Breckenridge Ski Area, but its ambiance isn’t the only reason locals vote it as one of the best dining establishments in the area. It’s known for serving some of the finest hand-cut steaks, wild game and seafood.
- At Briar Rose, you can sample fare with its small plates menu, which includes everything from prime rib sliders to chorizo stuffed mussels, plus a variety of cocktails. The dinner menu ranges from steaks and buffalo short ribs to trout, Australian lobster tail and elk medallions. Look for early-bird specials in the free Summit Daily News.
- Another top Breckenridge pick includes Spencer’s, at the base of Peak 9, which offers extensive breakfast and lunch buffets and certified Angus beef.
- For quick bites, try the long-established Downstairs at Eric’s, a locals’ hangout, Empire Burger or My Thai, all on Main Street.
- If you’re looking for a historic or Western-flair saloon, check out the Gold Pan or Salt Creek Saloon.
Keystone Dining
Given Keystone’s reputation of AAA Four-Diamond awards, the resort is definitely a don’t-miss dining experience (and of course there is the usual assortment of pizza and steak joints).
- Two breathtaking gondola rides deliver you to the Alpenglow Stube, where brunch guests trade in ski boots for cozy slippers and enjoy a mouth-watering buffet. Dinners feature rich, AAA Four-Diamond cuisine.
- Der Fondue Chessel also lies at the top of the mountain, but it’s a more casual fondue experience, complete with live Bavarian-style music.
- Keystone Ranch is a historic homestead built in the 1930s. Its six-course dinner provides a taste of Colorado fine dining, within rustic elegance.
- The Ski Tip Lodge is a historic, intimate log cabin in which to enjoy a four-course meal.
Dillon Dining
- Pug Ryan’s is legendary for its prime rib, fresh seafood and award-winning microbrews.
- Just down the hill, the Dillon Dam Brewery is always crowded on weekends.
- Jersey Boys Pizza & Deli is a local favorite for casual eating.
- Nozawa features a fun-filled Teppanyaki grill, along with tasty Japanese dishes.
- Arapahoe Café serves up historic ambiance with its great meals.
- If you’re looking for Italian, try Marcello’s.
Silverthorne dining
- Silverthorne restaurants include your basic Village Inn (great for breakfast and dessert), Asian Oven (a tasty and reasonably priced restaurant with Indian and Asian dishes) and The Mint, a casual, historic joint where you fire up your own steaks, tuna, chicken and shrimp on community grills.
- Sunshine Café is tucked away in a strip mall (across from Office Max), but it certainly doesn’t serve the usual fare. It offers breakfast until 3 p.m., when it closes. Standout dishes include trout, salmon, crepes, burritos, sautéed vegetables over rice and pasta dishes.
- Silverthorne also has the most fast-food stops.
Frisco dining
- The Boatyard, on Main Street, is the hot spot for business luncheons, because it offers upscale pasta dishes, wraps and salads.
- Silverheels presents the rustic, yet elegant ambiance of an old Spanish hacienda, and longtime local owner Bobby Starekow never skimps on quality, be it fresh fish or Black Angus steaks. Next door, Kemosabe rolls fresh sushi.
- The Blue Spruce Inn ensures great service and excellent cuisine in its historic restaurant and bar.
- Another unsuspecting local secret sits unsuspectingly in the strip mall anchored by Wal-Mart and Safeway. Food Hedz World Café’s owner David Welch was an award-winning chef at Keystone, so he has connections to the freshest purveyors nationwide. His daily creations, from signature soups to fresh seafood, meats and vegetarian dishes, are delectable.
Photo courtesy of Roger Lim
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