Broadmoor Gets Natural

NATURAL EPICUREAN
1 Lake Ave
www.broadmoor.com/dining/natural-epicurean
(719) 577-5733
Hours: 6am-4pm daily
Prices: $12-$25
What you need to know: Natural health food for all food persuasions

The Broadmoor continues to excel as the only Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort in the state, augmented by nearly a dozen diverse dining destinations—a standout among them being the Natural Epicurean. Highly health conscientious culinary connoisseurs will be attracted to the menu of the Epicurean, with its self-professed focus on fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients.

The eatery has two appealing yet distinct ambiances, found inside and out. With the indoor space emitting the feel of a high-end, casual café that exhibits for show all its food preparation and the requisite ingredients therein. As an alternative, venture outside to dine al fresco upon the extensive, stone patio with stunning mountain views and an almost Côte d’Azur feel.

Menu offerings are nearly what one might expect from a dining destination that purports to fixate upon healthy and organic offerings. Cold-pressed juices, kale salads, entrees filled with brown rice, tofu and quinoa—none of this surprises. What does surprise, however, is the sheer delectability of said health food—flavors that few understand can come from vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The cold-press, raw, vegan and gluten-free Tropical Energy Booster ($7) is exceedingly refreshing and flavorful, with coconut water and papa adding a luscious body. The Buddha Bowl ($17) is both gluten free and vegan, and yet a filling entrée with which any hamburger lover would be impressed and satisfied.

Following the juice was a surprising showing from a rosé of the ganache varietal, (from Texas!), one that proved refreshingly dry, yet floral—perfect for al fresco lunch dining ($9, glass).The Greek salad evoked a brief spell of salad envy after gazing longingly at a neighboring table’s order of the Vietnamese Kale salad, generously piled high with various, brightly colored ingredients. Nonetheless, the Greek iteration pleased in a mostly expected manner, with a standout being the slightly piquant vinaigrette that added some needed flavor to the tomatoes. That Buddha Bowl—a zen-garden arrangement of assorted produce, both fresh and grill-charred—was a convincing proselyter for vegetarianism. A mound of stupid good mushrooms nestled alongside thick slices of sweet potato and grilled tofu. Yes, tofu.

Lest the long-swore omnivore shudder in protest at the mention of soy bean curd, let it be know that, coming from an experienced chef, tofu can be both flavorful and even appealing. Here, the chefs must be believers, for the Buddha’s tofu is outstandingly tender yet firm with a depth from the grill and a unctuousness from the glaze that managed to surpass the only meat dish of the afternoon.

The Tiger Prawn Massaman Curry ($25) consists primarily of brown rice, curry sauce, roasted vegetables and a few shrimp, with the predominant flavor, understandably, coming from the Massaman. A satisfying dish to be sure, but one that was surprisingly eclipsed by its vegetarian counterpart.

The Broadmoor’s accumulated accolades do not extend to their white-table clothed restaurants alone. Natural Epicurean is a worthy experience not to be relegated to just health-food junkies, nor just vegans, nor just vegetarians. Come one, come all.

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