The Best Dining in the Springs

El Tesoro Restaurant & Gallery

10 N. Sierra Madre Street (Downtown) (719) 471-0106 Southwestern. This authentic Santa Fe-style restaurant, located in a century-old lower downtown building, is “the treasure” of Sierra Madre Street. The menu features traditional red and green chile dishes of northern New Mexico and exquisite southwestern specialty entrees. Serving beer, wine and margaritas, of course. Exhibits by local and regional artists. Open Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm, with daily drink specials from 2pm - 5pm. All major credit cards. Entrées $8 - 18.

Hunan Springs

24 E Kiowa St. (Downtown) (719) 634-0800. Chinese. Authentic Chinese cuisine served in a clean, newly redecorated dining room. You will be served by a cheerful wait staff, hosted by the owner, Mei Chung. Many customers say our egg drop soup is the best they have ever had. Free delivery service anywhere within a 3 miles radius. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Located in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. Catering for parties and business meetings available. AMEX, Visa, MC, Discover. Lunch M-Sat 11am-3pm, Dinner M-Thu 3pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 3pm-10pm. Lunch $6.00. Dinner $8.50-10.

Phantom Canyon Brewing Company

2 East Pikes Peak Avenue (Downtown) (719) 635-2800 American/Pub. Handcrafted ales, fantastic food, a happenin’ billiards parlor and private banquet facilities all located in a historic downtown building, Phantom Canyon has it all–atmosphere, style and ambience! Nightly dinner specials, full-service bar and Sunday breakfast round it all out. Mon-Sat. 11am to 1:30am, Sunday breakfast starting at 9am. All major credit cards. Entrées $6.50 - $13.95

José Muldoon’s

222 N. Tejon (Downtown) (719) 636-2311 Voted best Mexican and Patio in Colorado Springs. Celebrating 30 years in 2004! Jose Muldoon’s features traditional Mexican, Southwestern and American entrees. Sample a wide variety of margaritas hand crafted by our trained staff. Sizzling Fajitas, Enchiladas, Burritos, Chimichangas and many other specials and creations highlight this affordable menu. Sunday margarita brunch starts at 9:30 am. Reservations accepted for all size parties. Live entertainment on weekends. Lunch 11-4 Mon-Sat, Dinner nightly beginning at 4 pm, late night menu available. Visa, MC & AMEX. Entrées $6-12. www.josemuldoons.com

MacKenzie’s Chop House

128 S. Tejon Street (Downtown) (719) 635-3536 American/Steaks. Winner of awards in Fine Dining, service staff, martinis and power lunch. Taking you back to a time when going out to eat meant dining, being treated to an extraordinary meal with exceptional service. Featuring regional American fare with thick cuts of steaks and chops and the freshest seafood. Fine wines complement your meal, and cigars and after-dinner drinks finish it off. Meeting and banquet rooms. Lunch Mon-Fri., dinner Mon-Sun. All major credit cards except Discover. Entrées, lunch $5.95-$13.95, dinner $12.95 and up. www.mackenzieschophouse.com

The Melting Pot

30 - A E. Pikes Peak Ave. (Downtown) (719) 385-0300. Fondue. The Melting Pot, where fun is served fondue style. Enjoy a variety of creamy cheese fondue; superb salads with homemade dressing; entrees offer lobster, filet mignon, jumbo shrimp, colossal scallops, sirloin, pork, duck and much more. Don’t forget our mouth watering chocolate fondue desserts like flaming turtle, smores and cookies n cream. Sunday-Thursday 4pm - 10pm, Friday & Saturday 4pm - 11pm. All major credit cards. Entrees average $15 - $30. Reservations recommended. www.meltingpot.com

Patty Jewett Bar & Grill

900 E. Espanola St. 719-385-6944 Salad, Sandwiches, Burgers, Steaks. Located north of downtown in the Clubhouse of historic Patty Jewett Golf Course. Fantastic views & wonderful outdoor seating. Open daily from 7am -11pm summer and 8 am until dark in the winter. Serving breakfast/lunch/and late day menu. Banquet facilities available. Entrées average $5.75. All major credit cards except AMEX

Ritz Grill

15 S. Tejon Street (Downtown) (719) 635-8484 A lively American bistro that has won numerous culinary, service, live entertainment, and bartending awards since its inception in 1987. Modeled in classic art-deco décor, the Ritz continues to be the source of excitement in the Downtown restaurant and nightclub scene. The popular Happy Hour runs daily 4:30-7:30. Private parties up to 100 are accommodated in the Elbo Room, which features a bar, 8 tv’s and a CD jukebox. Live entertainment and dancing every night except Tuesdays beginning at 9:30pm. Sidewalk patio. Lunch Monday-Saturday 11am-4:30pm, Dinner nightly at 4:30, Sunday Brunch 9:30am-2:30pm, bar open till 2am every night. Visa, MC and AMEX. Entrees $5-$22. ritzgrill.com

The Famous

31 North Tejon. (719) 227-7333. Colorado Spring’s finest, upscale steak house and lounge located in the center of downtown. Dine in an elegant and classic steak house environment. Award winning prime steaks, fresh seafood, premium wines and piano bar provide a provocative mix of atmosphere and entertainment. Lunch: Mon - Fri at 11am. Dinner nightly at 5pm. Visa, MC. AMEX, Diners. Reservations suggested. Entrees: $9 - $38

Front Range Barbeque

2330 West Colorado Avenue. (719) 632-2596. Located in historic Old Colorado City. Enjoy the casual and friendly atmosphere, while enjoying some of the finest BBQ West of the Mississippi. Specializing in authentic smoked and grilled meats, freshly prepared sides, mouthwatering homemade desserts. Serving all your favorites: ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, sausage, catfish. Open 11am Tues.-Sun. www.frontrangebarbeque.com. MC, Visa, DC, AMEX. Average, $7-$16.

Plate World Cuisine

9420 Briar Village Point, D-140, Colorado Springs (719) 475-8000. Plate World Cuisine offers guests an upscale dining experience in a contemporary setting. New American / Global cuisine tempts the palate in your choice of two, separate dining rooms, each exuding a relaxed ambiance and featuring exceptional views of the city. Lunch and Sunday brunch are exceptional values with dinner entrees offering exciting culinary alternatives. Open 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mon-Sat, Sun 10:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. Full bar and extensive wine list, free parking, vegetarian and children’s menus available upon request. Reservations requested. Average entrée $25. MC, Visa, AMEX, Discover.

Silver Pond Chinese Gourmet Restaurant

(719) 594-9343 5670 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs. Rated “THE BEST” Chinese Cuisine & Ambiance in the Springs 5 years in a row by the Gazette and Reader’s Choice. Serving authentic Cantonese, Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan and the most extensive selection of Vegetarian menu in town. Silver Pond’s Chef crafts memorable meals using the highest quality and freshest ingredients to prepare all different culinary foods with intense flavor and to create a new and diverse menu throughout the year. Also, offering unforgettable mouthwatering desserts. Silver Pond is always worth your trip; you will enjoy delicious meals and comfortable fine dining with reasonable prices. Banquet room, takeout, reservation, catering available. Cocktail lounge and Espresso. Open Lunch and Dinner. Entrées $6.50 - $15.00

The Blue Star

1645 S. Tejon Street (Southwest) (719) 632-1086. Eclectic Gourmet. A contemporary fine dining restaurant and upscale cocktail lounge featuring a monthly changing menu, world-class wine list and exceptional service. Voted “Best of Restaurant,” “Best of Wine List” and “Best of Wine Bar.” Private wine cellar & banquet rooms. Weekly wine tasting Thursday nights at 5:45 and 1/2 off wine every Sunday night. Locally owned and operated. Lunch M-F, Dinner Every Night. All major cards except Discover. A sleek sophisticated restaurant offering an escape from the norm. www.thebluestar.net

Carlos’ Bistro

1025 S. 21st St. (Southwest) (719) 471-2905. Continental Cuisine. Casual comfortable, yet elegant dining. Fresh fish flown in daily, our menu is from classic 80’s dishes, calves liver to fillet a la Oscar, Colorado Lamb Chops, classic veal Scallopine Marsala, fresh seafood and appetizers. Lunch; Monday - Friday 11 am to 3 pm, Dinner; Monday - Saturday 5 pm to 9 pm. West on Highway 24 to 21st St., just south across from Van Briggle Pottery. All major credit cards. Reservations Encouraged.

Cravings / Picnic Basket Catering Co.

1701-A South 8th Street (Southwest) (719) 635-0200 Full Service Catering Co. Cravings offers a more sophisticated and upscale experience for larger and more intricate events. “And when you have more taste than time...” remember The Picnic Basket. From hors d’oeuvres and party platters to elegant sit-down dinners or “boxless” lunches, we can help make your event a success and the planning effortless. All major credit cards accepted. Delivery and set-up available. Visit our website: www.pbcatering.com for more information.

Edelweiss Restaurant

34 E. Ramona, Colorado Springs (719) 633-2220 German & Continental. Located near the Broadmoor area. Take a quick trip to Germany with our authentic food and atmosphere. Enjoy our Beirgarten in the summer and stay warm by the fireplaces in the winter. Dining hours Mon - Fri 11:30-9 pm, Sat 5-9:30 pm, Sun 12-9 pm Full bar featuring many imported beers and wines. Live music Fri & Sat starting at 6 pm. Entrées average $15. Visa, MC, DC, AMEX, Diners

SUMMIT at The Broadmoor

19 Lake Circle (719) 577-5896 or (800) 634-7711. An exciting new addition to the existing Broadmoor restaurants, this American Brasserie, located just east of the hotel adjacent to Broadmoor Hall, blends European finesse with American originality. Under the guiding hand of Executive Chef Bertrand Bouquin, each item on the Brasserie’s menu starts with classical cooking techniques, adding the finest American produce to be found from throughout the country. The relaxing lounge, complete with a striking glass turret housing over 2,000 bottles of wine, is open daily from 4 pm to 11 pm with dinner served in the restaurant from 5 pm to 9:30 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Entrees range from $17 - $26. Valet parking. All major credit cards accepted.

Walter’s Bistro

146 East Cheyenne Mtn. Blvd. in Country Club Corners. (719) 630-0201. Regional American/Continental Cuisine. Featuring fish flown in from all over the world. We proudly support Colorado farmers and offer organic fruits and vegetables, as well as organically raised meats. Committed to supporting sustainable agriculture. Reservation suggested. www.waltersbistro.com. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11am-1:30pm, Dinner: 5-9pm Mon-Sat. All major credit cards. Entrées $14.00 - $26.00

Margarita at PineCreek

7350 Pine Creek Road (Northwest) (719)598-8667 Continental /Southwestern. Since 1969 fine dining has been the hallmark at Margarita at PineCreek. Exquisite, tantalizing cuisine is offered for each meal. Continental dining on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Voted “Best Ambience” in Colorado Springs. Call for seating time and menu. Full service a la carta bar. Lunch, Tues-Fri 11:30am-2pm. Dinners Tues-Sat 6-8:30pm, Sun 5-8:30pm. www.restaurateur.com/margarita. All major credit cards.

Ranch Steak House and Market

575 Garden of the Gods Road (719)593-1955. Voted “Best Steaks” in the Gazette’s 2006 readership poll, this popular steakhouse offers all natural, organic foods from homemade breads, soups and desserts to its highly sought after Ranch Food Direct beef. Not a beefeater? Organic chicken, fish and vegetarian entrees are likewise available. Open Monday – Thursday 11am to 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 11 am to 10 pm, and Sundays 11 am to 9 pm with live music Thursdays and Fridays. Entrees average $8 - $43. All major credit cards accepted

Lombard’s

442 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek (Double Eagle Hotel & Casino) (719) 689-5041. Over 150 rooms including full complimentary breakfast. Free parking garage and valet. Italian menu including steaks, seafood, senior and children’s menu. Sun-Thurs 6:30am to 10pm, Fri. & Sat. 6:30am until 11pm. No reservations. All major credit cards. Entrées $4.95-29.95

Cliff House Dining Room

306 Canon Avenue, Manitou Springs (719) 785-2415 www.TheCliffHouse.com. The Cliff House Dining Room is one of the premier dining experiences in Colorado. We call our cuisine Continental Nouveau, which pays tribute to the Master Chefs. Our team of culinarians use a wealth of local ingredients and cross-cultural techniques to provide a unique Colorado culinary experience. The service is prompt, informative, & discreet. Our wine list has recently exceeded 850 selections. We provide memorable dining in an elegant setting. Entrees start at $9 for lunch, $19 for dinner. Reservations recommended. Music - Franz Albert - most Fri and Sat nights 7:30 pm to 10 pm. Restaurant hours: breakfast 6:30 am to 10:30 am, lunch 11:30 am to 2:30 am, dinner 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. All major credit cards accepted, handicap accessible, non-smoking, outdoor “veranda” dining (seasonal), children’s menu available, vegetarian and vegan friendly, free valet parking available, extensive wine list and premium liquors available.

Craftwood Inn

404 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs (719) 685-9000 Colorado Cuisine. Craftwood Inn is located in historic Manitou Springs nestled in the spectacular foothills of Pikes Peak just minutes from downtown Colorado Springs. We feature Colorado produce, wild game, steaks and seafood. A true taste of Colorado. Open 5:30 pm Nightly. Entrées average $25. Visa, MC, DC, AMEX, Diners