First we have the Fraser/Winter Park Rec Center open for the very first day to what looks like universal approval here in the Fraser Valley.  We will be visiting this coming week and will let you know how the final product turned out.  From what I have seen it looks spectacular (I can’t wait to steam my old bones in the steam sauna).

Last night Alberto’s had a soft opening to get some of the kinks out before tonight’s official Grand Opening.  I heard that the food was terrific and the space looks just as good.  For those not on the know, Alberto’s is brought to us by the folks that own the Tabernash Tavern.  They have redone the space in Cooper Creek Square that most recently housed the Green Olive Italian steakhouse.  We will try to make it out to Alberto’s in the next week and let your know about their operation.

The Cosmic Dog Mexican Grill is also opening tonight.  I popped my head in today and the space looks pretty cool.  I got a chance to talk to Fernand, the owner, and he says they should be serving up some burritos  tonight.  He also said he was exhausted from their push to get open in time for the Winter Park holiday season.  I can’t wait to have a burrito this week.  Nice work Fernand on the space, it looks great.

Lastly there is Ziggy’s Doughnuts.  Our very own hot fresh doughnut factory located next to Fontenot’s Cajun Cafe in the Kings Crossing Retail Center.  Talked Ziggy today and he says they should be open by the 3rd of January.  Ziggy’s will have coffee, fresh donuts, and some video games set among a cool interior with counter service and tables and chairs.  Would be great if Ziggy could figure out a way to offer some wine and beer, anywho,  I’m am satisfied with hot donuts for now though.

So our little enclave of heaven up here in the Colorado Rockies just seems to be booming with all these openings.  It looks like the economy is tuning around and vacationers ans skiers are starting to return to the hills.  We got some unexpected snow the last few nights and everyone here in Winter Park is getting ready for Christmas.  All seems well in the Winter Park part of the world.

our waitress, Colleen

We had another outing to Tabernash Tavern last week and we thought we should share our experience – it was a good one!

 Sarah’s brother was in town from Minnesota with his wife and two sons plus Sarah’s neice and parents (ah, yes, a lot of family).  Thursday night was their last hurrah before heading back on Friday. 

The eight of us rolled in just in time for our reservation at 6pm. We strongly recommend making reservations at the Tavern – even on a weekday night. It is almost always packed.  We were quickly seated at a nice table in the middle of the dining room.

Colleen, our waitress, was very nice as everyone has been in there each time we go. We had incredible meals but Sarah’s was voted the best – Beef Tournedos – wow!!! And we split the calamari and cheese/meat plate for appetizers. Both excellent. They always have different cheese on the plate and it’s always interesting to try.

We skipped dessert because Sarah’s mom made pies and more dessert than we could eat in a week back in home.   I know it would not have disappointed. 

Still a top favorite – you gotta try it. Where is it? Easy – go thru Winter Park towards Fraser, pass thru Fraser and then in about 3 miles, you will get to Tabernash. It’s on the right. Only fine dining in the town – you can’t miss it, well, unless you blink. 

Note: be sure you go to the one in Tabernash. Great ambiance – rustic remodeled building.  The Tabernash Tavern at the Iron Horse is not as nice – more of a hotel-like feel and a whole different experience. It’s worth the drive to the one in Tabernash! Here’s the number: (970) 726-4430‎.

• Lime: Monday thru Friday 2pm to 6pm $3.00 house margs and draft beer (Dos XX Amber) http://www.eatatlime.com/
• Winter Park Sushi Bar: Everyday 4pm to 6pm $2.75 12 oz bottled beers and well cocktails, $4.74 small hot sake, 2 for 1 on select sushi rolls http://www.ineedsushi.com/index.html
•  The Cheeky Monk – everyday 3pm to 6pm one dollar off the first three beers on the menu I think they are Carlsberg, Blanche De Bruxelles, and Afflem Blonde (African Blonde?).  Also one dollar off house wine and cheaper awesome french fries served with lemon aoili. http://thecheekymonk.com/
• Winter Park Pub – everyday 3pm to 6pm $2.00 bud draft, $2.50 micro draft, $3.00 import draft and $2.50 well drinks and food being $.25 wings until they run out  http://www.winterparkpub.com/
• Mirasol Cantina – 4pm to 6:30 pm everyday $3.50 margaritas, $4.50 mojitos, $1.50 pbr drafts, $2.50 domestic drafts and well drinks.  http://mirasolcantina.com/
• Randi’s Irish Pub – Monday thru Friday 4pm to 6pm $2.00 well drinks and half price drafts.  http://www.igougo.com/dining-reviews-b144506-Winter_Park-Randis_Irish_Saloon.html
• Hernando’s Pizza Pub - Open at 4pm no happy hour.  http://www.hernandospizzapub.com/
• Fontenot’s - everyday 3pm to 5pm $3.00 drafts, house wine, margarita’s and bloody mary’s.  All appetizers are also $7.00 http://fontenotswp.com/Home_Page.html
• Tabernash Tavern - open at 4pm with no real happy hour http://www.wplbo.com/news/tag/tabernash-tavern/
• Ranch House Restaurant at Devil’s Thumb Ranch – No happy hour.
• Brickhouse 40 - everyday 4pm to 6pm bottle beer and house wine specials and $3.00 to $4.00 special appetizers http://www.brickhouse40.com/Home_Page.html

• Backcountry Grill - No happy hour.
• Untamed Brewhouse and Grill -  ????????  http://www.wildcreekbrewingcompany.com/index.htm
• Derailer - Well I would like to tell you what they have but the very helpful Intrawest representative informed me they have well drink and draft specials and no food specials.They would offer no specifics.
• Doc’s - Again I was told by the Intrawest representative they have well drink and draft specials and no food specials.  They would offer no specifics.
• The Club Car at Mary Jane - Another Intrawest operation and I was told they have well drink and draft specials and no food specials.  They would offer no specifics.
• The Crooked Creek Saloon – Monday thru Friday 3pm to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm $2.00 wells and domestic drafts http://www.crookedcreeksaloon.com/
• Smokin Moe’s - no happy hour http://www.smokinmoes.com/
• Gasthause Eichler - no drink specials but they have an all inclusive dinner that is $18.50.  Food is very good and this sounds like a great deal.
• Carvers Bakery Cafe – open 7am to 2pm everyday so I think that may even be a little bit to early to drink for me!  http://carvers-wp.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-home.cgi?d=chef-duncan-inc
• Star of India - no drink specials yet but they may after winter park resort closes for the year.  http://www.starofindiawp.com/starwp.swf
• Carlos and Maria’s - 3:30pm to 6pm everyday.  $12.00 house margarita pitchers and $2.00 tacos.  http://www.igougo.com/dining-reviews-b144501-Winter_Park-Carlos_and_Marias.html
• Deno’s Mountain Bistro - everyday 3pm to 7pm $1.00 off domestic drafts, micro brew drafts, house wines and well drinks. http://www.denosmountainbistro.com/
• Moffat Station Brewery - 3pm to 5pm $2.00 off the two microbrews that are brewed at the brewery.
• Buckets - Laundry by day and bar by night.  No happy hour though.
• Grand Lake Brewing Company – no happy hour.  http://www.grandlakebrewing.com/
• The Historic Riverside Hotel, Bar & Restaurant – In Hot suppher Springs but they have no happy hour.
• Freestyle’s Tavern – More of a nightclub with no happy hour.  http://www.myspace.com/freestyleswinterpark
• Azteca Mexican Restaurant - No happy hour.  http://www.wplbo.com/news/tag/azteca/

Makes we want to go and try all the Winter Park happy hours!

1. Tabernash Tavern - upscale comfort food with quality that you can’t believe here in Tabernash.  Great atmosphere also.  It has taken over from Devil’s Thumb Ranch as our upscale favorite!  Cheaper too!!
2. Hernando’s Pizza - an old time favorite that just seems to keep getting it right.  They have the all time best Hawiian Pizza with sliced almonds.
3. Mirasol Cantina - Great margaritas and a dynamite salsa bar.  Try the lamb tacos, they are fantastic!
4. Sushi Bar - Great sushi in the mountains and the best staff around.  Say hey to Jill our favorite bartender.  She can whip up a mean Maker’s Mark Manhattan.
5. The Winter Park Pub  - Sometimes you need to get down and dirty with some live music and draft beer.  If it was an epic day on the slopes don’t forget the Jager.  Give Jeff, the owner, a holler tell him his WPLBO neighbors sent you over.
6. Azteca Mexican Restaurant  – Family style mexican with good margaritas.  They have a nice patio for the summer and great salsa.
7. Rudi’s Deli - Best sandwiches in Winter Park and Tim the owner is a great guy.  Talk a little politics with Tim as you chow down your “Holiday on a bun” – my favorite.
8. Fontenot’s – A little cajun up in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  Great gumbo and jambalaya and they put up with our food throwing twins!
9. Lime – They were one of our competitors in Denver but now I’m outta that biz we can recommend them freely.  Brand new in the Winter Park Village but the three times we’ve been there food and margs have been great.  They do need to figure out their heat/cold issues with the front door though.
10. The Cheeky Monk  - They opened Feb 28th and we tried it out already. AWESOME! Big red walls with vaulted ceilings and Belgium-like chandeliers, it really does feel like a Belgium ski lodge. Hang on, is there skiing in Belgium?  Anyway, it’s worth going and mention Winter Park Lodging By Owner.  You get a free Blanche De Bruxelles draft with any purchase when you mention our name.   

For anyone who has spent time in Tabernash (little town near Winter Park, Colorado) would not expect a fancy, fabulous restaurant to be downtown, but that’s just what has appeared in the last few months. Chris and I went there last week and were astonished – great decor, fabulous food, and fun service. I got the pork tenderloin and it was really tasty. We started with a cheese plate. Felt like I was in France again (with ski stuff all around). Delicious with some red wine we had to celebrate Chris’s 41st birthday! Oops, don’t tell him I gave away his young age. Definitely recommend it. I’ll post a photo and menu of it here soon when I get one.