Looking Back

While an undue amount of navel-gazing is rarely healthy, after fifteen months of exploring our beloved Colorado Springs—eating here, drinking there, tinkering with numerous recipes—it’s time to engage in some introspection.

There have been far more highlights than lowlights throughout our culinary adventures. What began as skepticism of the Springs’ ability to offer enough restaurants to fully engage a food writer, has transformed into advocacy in support of the current culinary climate and a belief that quality is on the rise and diversity on the bloom. No, we are not a world-class food-city, nor are we able to offer a Denver-esque assortment of eateries. Nonetheless, we are being buoyed by the rising tide of gentrification that—gustatorily speaking—lifts all boats. New restaurant ventures are popping up. Café culture is being embraced. Coffee has exploded. Distilleries are multiplying. Better wine is being poured. We are in love and could hardly be more sanguine on the Springs’ food future.

True, it hasn’t been all rave reviews—certain establishments continue to cater to those whose priorities elevate cheap food over good food. And to this we wish to proselytize a worldview that understands quality food as a path to better health and part of the longterm solution to lower healthcare costs.

Further, we are distraught over the rising trend of incorporating a mandatory gratuity into either menu prices or as a line-item on the final bill. Human condition is all but intractable; without incentives (and often the most compelling incentive is monetary) there is little to motivate extraordinary service. In the relatively short span of fifteen months, we have witnessed a marked drop in service at particular establishments that have chosen to adopt this type of built-in-gratuity policy.

Quibbles aside, we value the ability to “vote with one’s pocketbook.” The Springs is home to a growing array of restaurants and cafés and breweries and wine bars that are providing superb products and services. Find these places and support them with your business. Find what you love and then tell these pioneering entrepreneurs how much you love it. Encourage them with your words and your patronage.

We have our own favorites. These are the places that we return to on our own dime. These are the places we love telling others about. It’s no secret that we were pleasantly shocked at the uniqueness of La Cava’s fine Mexican cuisine. We were delighted by the mixology skills at both Brooklyn’s On Boulder and the new Sakura speakeasy. We revel in the Italian authenticity of Del Lago, and savor the real-deal sushi at Bada Japanese. The imagination at 503W compels us. Sunday brunch at the Broadmoor boggles the mind. The diverse excellence at the Caspian Cafe has done its part to inspire our own Mediterranean travels (look for coverage in spring of next year). Drifters has us returning numerous times for quick burger fixes. And don’t get us started on our love affair with Springs’ coffee.

We all are fortunate to live in such a culinary landscape. So, get out there. Explore more. Eat more. Drink more. Live more. Be thankful that you can. And be assured that we will continue doing the same.

For additional food-centric reviews and tips, or to make a comment, email On The Table at OnTheTableReviews@gmail.com, or visit facebook.com/onthetablereviews.