Best of the Springs: 2003

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ABOUT THE BEST

CREDITS

e tallied your responses. We combed the city. And now we’re ready to present you with the results. On the following pages, you’ll find the best of the best — more than 200 of ’em. The best restaurants, the best concerts, the best art shows, the best broadcasters, the best family getaways, the best hikes and even the best use for duct tape.

In each category, you’ll see the GO! choice, selected by our panel of experts. Some of the categories also have the Readers’ Choice. These were the results of our reader poll. (The reason not every category has a Readers’ Choice is because when we ask you to fill out more than a couple dozen questions, you feel like you’re taking CSAPs.) Feel free to message us about the choices. All of this stuff is merely fodder for heated debates. And, as always, if you think of a category we should add for next year, please let us know.

Warren Epstein — GO! Editor wepstein@gazette.com

SECTION EDITOR Warren Epstein

W

WRITERS Anne Christensen, Laura Eurich, Paul Asay, Diane Wengler, Teresa Farney, Rhonda Van Pelt, Jen Mulson, Ed Sealover, Bill Reed, Mark Arnest, Warren Epstein, Rachel Sauer, Deb Acord and Bill Radford COPY EDITORS Paul Asay, Gary Houy, Alicia Hocrath, Rhonda Van Pelt, Jim Bainbridge, Linda Doty ILLUSTRATIONS, COVER AND INSIDE DESIGN Nichole Montañez

INDEX Accessible trail ........................................17 Actor ..........................................................25 Actress ......................................................25 After-dinner coffee ...............................10 Al fresco dining ........................................7 All-around ski or boarding run ..........16 Annual festival .......................................24 Antiques ....................................................19 Apple pie ....................................................7 Art in unusual venue ............................24 Art openings ...........................................24 Arts advocate ..........................................14 Auction .....................................................20 Barber ........................................................19 Home-improvement store ...................19 Baby paraphernalia ..............................20 Bagels ........................................................10 Bar ..............................................................10 Barbecue ...................................................10 Bartender ..................................................13 Bike shop .................................................20 Billboard ....................................................14 Blow-up doll .............................................13 Blues club ................................................25 Bookstore ................................................20

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THE GAZETTE

Bowling alley ...........................................17 Bread ...........................................................7 Breakfast ....................................................5 Breakfast for kids ....................................5 Brewpub ....................................................10 Buffalo burger ..........................................8 Buffalo wings ..........................................10 Buffet .........................................................10 Bumper sticker .......................................14 Burger .........................................................8 Butcher .....................................................20 Cake .............................................................7 Camping site ............................................17 Card shop ................................................20 Caterer .......................................................13 Celebrity ....................................................13 Cemetery ..................................................13 Chain restaurant ......................................5 Chapel Hills eats .................................... 10 Charity benefit ........................................12 Chinese .......................................................9 Chinese mega-buffet ..............................7 Chips and salsa ........................................6 Chocolate dessert ...................................7 Christian store .......................................20 Christmas shopping .............................20

Friday, April 25, 2003

SECTIONS Dining .................................................... 4 City Life ................................................ 11 Recreation .......................................... 15 Shopping ............................................. 18 A&E ........................................................ 21 Family .................................................. 26 Citadel eats ..............................................10 Civic-group speaker ..............................12 Climbing wall ...........................................17 Coffee place ..............................................9 Colorado cuisine ....................................10 Concert that never happened ...........22 Corporate retreat ...................................13 Country & Western club ......................23 Cover band ..............................................25 Crab cakes ................................................10 Cripple Creek casino .............................14 Customer service ...................................19 Dance club ...............................................23 Day trip ......................................................17 Day-trip ski resort for people watching ..............................16 Deli ...............................................................9

Diner ............................................................7 Dinner theater ........................................25 Disc jockey ...............................................12 Doughnut ...................................................8 Downtown dining secret ......................10 Easy mountain bike trail ......................16 Electronica club .....................................25 Electronics store ...................................20 Family day trip .......................................27 Farmers market ......................................19 Family-dining deal .................................27 Family restaurant ..................................27 Fast food ....................................................5 Father-son club ......................................27 Father-son outing ..................................27 Female TV anchor ..................................12 Fine dining .................................................5 Fishing hole ..............................................17 Free entertainment ...............................25 Free samples ...........................................10 Gallery .......................................................24 Gallery show ...........................................24 German ambience ..................................10 German food ............................................10 Getaway for dad ....................................27 Getaway for mom ..................................27

Gift shop ...................................................19 Golf course ...............................................17 Gourmet on a budget ...........................10 Gourmet shop .........................................19 Gravy ..........................................................10 Greek ..........................................................10 Green chilé ...............................................10 Guacamole .................................................6 Hair stylist ................................................19 Happy hour ..............................................10 Haunted house .......................................27 Head-bangers hangout ........................25 Hike for out-of-towners .......................16 Hike with a view .....................................17 Hike with kids .........................................27 Hobby store ............................................20 Home-decor place .................................19 Hot dog .......................................................8 Hot springs ...............................................17 Hotel room ...............................................14 Ice cream ...................................................6 Indian ..........................................................9 Insane mountain bike trail ..................16 Italian ..........................................................9 Japanese ....................................................9 SEE INDEX x PAGE 3

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INDEX FROM PAGE 2

Jukebox .....................................................14 Kiddie ride ...............................................27 Korean .........................................................9 Large classical concert .......................22 Large concert this past season ........22 Liquor store for wine ...........................20 Liquor store when you don’t know what you want ................20 Liquor store when you know what you want ............................20 Live music venue ..................................23 Local band............................................... 25 Local brew ................................................10 Local CD ....................................................23 Local restaurant with franchise potential ................................10 Local Web site .........................................12 Male TV anchor .......................................12 Margarita ...................................................8 Martini .........................................................8 Meteorologist ..........................................12 Mexican .......................................................9 Mexican market ......................................19 Mexican music venue ...........................22 Miniature golf course ...........................27 Moderate mountain bike trail ............16 Moonlit hike .............................................17 Morning radio show ..............................12 Mother-daughter outing .....................27 Mountain trail ..........................................16 Movie theater .........................................24 Museum exhibit ......................................22 Music store ..............................................20 Musical ......................................................24 Names for black-diamond ski trails .16 Natural food store .................................19 New-age store ........................................20 New construction ...................................13

New gallery .............................................24 New restaurant ........................................5 New store .................................................19 Nature walk ..............................................17 Novelty shop ............................................19 Nursery .....................................................20 Onion rings ..............................................10 Open mic ..................................................23 Opera .........................................................22 Original theater .....................................25 Other ethnic market .............................19 Parent-teen outing ................................27 Park ............................................................13 Parking garage ........................................13 Pepper steak .............................................9 Performance in a musical ..................25 Performing arts collaboration ..........22 Performing arts coup ..........................22 Picnic spot ................................................17 Pizza ............................................................7 Place for a kid’s party .........................27 Place for animé .....................................20 Place for garlic lovers ...........................6 Place for karaoke ..................................23 Place for non-smokers .........................13

Place for smokers ..................................13 Place for toddlers .................................27 Place to blow a diet ................................7 Place to blow an Atkins diet ................7 Place to buy local music ....................20 Place to dine alone .................................7 Place to eat after midnight ................10 Place to eat in Cripple Creek ...............7 Place to forget the drought ...............13 Place to get a case of diapers and dinner ..........................20 Place to get married .............................14 Place to get tribal ..................................13 Place to nosh after work .....................10 Place to see and be seen ....................12 Place to see buffalo roaming .............14 Place to take a golf widow .................14 Place to take grandkids ......................27 Place to volunteer .................................12 Place to watch the sunset ..................17 Pool hall ....................................................14 Power breakfast .......................................6 Public art .................................................25 Public pool ...............................................17 Reason for anticipation .......................13

Restoration ...............................................13 Restaurant comeback ............................5 Restrooms ................................................14 Reuben ......................................................10 Rock formation .......................................13 Romantic ambience ..............................10 Salad ............................................................6 Sale .............................................................19 Sandwiches ..............................................10 Santa Claus .............................................27 School field trip ......................................14 Seafood ......................................................8 Senior advocate .....................................14 Senior ........................................................14 Shaded hike .............................................17 Sister city .................................................13 Skateboarding ........................................27 Ski shop ...................................................20 Ski resort, big ..........................................16 Ski resort, small .....................................16 Ski resort for boarders ........................16 Skiing for beginners .............................16

Skiing for daredevils .............................16 Sledding hill .............................................17 Small concert .........................................22 Smoothies ..................................................6 Soul food ..................................................10 Soup ...........................................................10 Souvenir T-shirt ......................................14 Sporting-goods store for playing pingpong ...........................20 Sports anchor .........................................12 Sports field ..............................................17 Steak ............................................................8 Store for deal hunters .........................20 Sunday brunch .........................................6 Sushi ............................................................8 Supermarket sushi ..................................8 Take-out for two ......................................7 Taqueria ......................................................8 Tennis court .............................................17 Thai .............................................................10 Theater company ..................................24 Theatrical drama ...................................24 Toy store ..................................................27 Truth in advertising ..............................14 TV newscast .............................................12 Urban trail ................................................17 Use for duct tape ...................................14 Vegetarian green chilé .........................10 Vegetarian restaurant ............................9 Veggie burger ...........................................9 Video store for foreign and indie films .......................................20 Video store for new releases ............20 Vietnamese ..............................................10 Wait staff/everyday dining ...................5 Wait staff/fine dining ..............................5 Wine-tasting dinners .............................10 Youth arts program ..............................27

The

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THE GAZETTE

BEST3

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DINING c It’s a relative newcomer and, yes, it is part of a chain, but it’s a good chain that serves darn good food — particularly if you’re a kid and don’t want to eat anything too “weird.” The

on the walls to the people waiting for tables — illustrates it. It’s before-noon comfort food — emphasis on comfort, emphasis on food. 900 E. Fillmore St.

BREAKFAST FOR KIDS GO! choice: The Egg and I

SEE DINE x PAGE 6

c Awaiting a buyer, Sencha closed briefly last spring, causing palpable angst among local foodies. But former owner Dorelle Raab-Peters finally did the right thing and sold it to the man who first breathed life into Sencha’s soul, chef Brent Beavers. Chef-ownerships don’t always work well, but chef Beavers, who saved this gem from the wrecking ball, has tiptoed up the sophistication scale, serving locally raised meats and organic veggies in innovative and tasteful preparations.

331 S. Nevada Ave., 632-8287.

nette typically sports the longest lines this side of Six Flags — and it’s nothing to do with atmosphere. Truth is, Chic-Fil-A chicken is beyond tasty — it’s addictive. The Citadel and Chapel Hills malls and the newest location at North Carefree and Powers Boulevard.

“TAKE CAMPING,HIKING OR TO THE OFFICE”

WAIT STAFF/FINE DINING

HOPPIN’ HAPPY HOUR 3pm-6pm EVERY DAY! • 1/2 Price Appetizers • $2.49 Dos Margaritas • $1.59 Drafts • $1.99 Wells/Wine Best Margarita Menu in Town!

Great variety of fine, whole-bean, coffee & one of the largest selections of fresh, loose leaf tea in the city Call Ahead For Orders in Advance

Mon - Fri 10:00-5:30 Sat 10:00-3:30 Sun 10:00-1:00

spices too...just for you COLORADO MOUNTAIN BEANERY INC. 112 1/2 E. Boulder • 634-5922 www.GEOCITIES.com/colomtnbeanery

Exec. Chef David Chartier

HEAVENLY GREEK Expertly Prepared Daily Lamb Dishes & Seafood Specials

SUPERB ATMOSPHERE AND SERVICE Bring Your Family Bring Your Friends You Deserve It!

Open Sundays Mon. 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM Tues.-Thurs. 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM Fri. 8:00 AM - 10:30 PM Sat. 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM Sun. 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM Breakfast 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM Monday - Saturday

Mother’s Day weekend - May 11

NEPTUNE’S LAKESIDE CAFE “This intimate little gem dazzles the eye, tantalizes the palate and charms the spirit.”

— Anne Christensen THE GAZETTE, Feb 28, 2003

“For a moment, I could have sworn I was at a beachside cafe on the Greek isle of Santorini.”

— Teresa Farney THE GAZETTE, Jan 15, 2003

Ouzo & Espresso Bar ➣ Gourmet Sandwiches

➣ Mediterranean Salads ➣ Smoothies & Juices ➣ Warmers & Refreshers ➣ Espresso, Frappés, and Greek Coffees

➣ Greek Pastries ➣ Haagen-Daz Ice Cream with Greek Preserves

FINE MEXICAN FOOD & COCKTAILS

Private Banquet Facilities for 50 to 200 Guests. Call for reservations.

Please call for reservations for six or more.

3071 S. Academy • 392-3000

604 S. Union Blvd. at Prospect Lake • tel. 447-9290 Friday, April 25, 2003

“All of my best wines are Greek” DIONYSOS - The God of Wine

Readers’ choice: MacKenzie’s Chop House c Nice to know our readers know quality. Service at MacKenzie’s is friendly, precise, correctly paced, well-informed and never intrusive, never FINE DINING snotty. 128 S. Tejon St. Readers’ choice: MacKenzie’s Chop GO! choice: La Petite Maison House c Good fine-dining servers know how c From the crispy, spicy calamari to to anticipate and fulfill every need of the chocolate crème brulée, with great every customer. Great servers know steaks and fresh seafood in between how to do it while remaining in the and the best cocktail menu in town — background, and that’s what puts La that’s MacKenzie’s, 128 S. Tejon St. Petite Maison’s staff among the city’s GO! choices: Sencha and Blue Star experts in the art of true service. 1015 c Yes, we love classics like the Margar- W. Colorado Ave. ita and Walter’s Bistro, but we also WAIT STAFF/EVERYDAY love the creativity of Blue Star and CHAIN RESTAURANT DINING the sheer joie de vivre of Sencha. ToGO! choice: Noodles & Co. Readers’ choice: The Ritz gether, they blow a breath — make c You feel like Thai. Your spouse feels that a gale — of fresh air onto the fine c Training produces professionals, like Chinese. The kids want spaghetti. dining scene. Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon and the Ritz proves it year after year.

Here’s a place that can satisfy every- St., and Sencha, 331 S. Nevada Ave. 15 S. Tejon St. body, with sauces that taste remarkGO! choice: Mimi’s Cafe FAST FOOD ably fresh and authentic. 7243 N. Acadc Fast, efficient, friendly, error-free.

GO! choice: Chic-Fil-A emy Blvd. A second location at the 7133 N. Academy Blvd. c Mmmmmm, chicken nuggets.

OK, Broadmoor Towne Center is planned these mall-ensconced dinettes may BREAKFAST for the fall. lack something in atmosphere, but Readers’ choice: Omelette Parlor Worthy contenders: Buca di Beppo, rule No. 1 of fast-food dining is this: GO! choice: Omelette Parlor Mimi’s Cafe, Carrabba’s Don’t expect atmosphere from a place RESTAURANT COMEBACK that “presents” your food on a plastic c It’s been a local favorite for years, and the lobby — from the certificates GO! choices: Sencha tray. There’s big reason why this di-

Destination Dos

Fresh Gourmet Coffee & Tea Brew Bags

“The prettiest and most beautiful wine menu in Colo. Spgs.” THE GAZETTE, Nov. 8, 2002

NEW RESTAURANT Readers’ choice: Southside Johnny’s c Remember the kid you knew in high school whose older brother was smart, athletic, likable? That’s Southside Johnny’s, following in the footsteps of its big brother up the street, the Ritz Grill. Former Ritz bartender Johnny Nolan (a former GO! choice for Best Bartender) offers a similar but more casual combination of bar atmosphere (enormous TV screen, video poker, concrete floor) and good food, though downscaled from Ritz fare. 528 S. Tejon St..

GO! choice: The Famous. c We love downtown’s Chicago-style steakhouse, The Famous, for its swanky, big-shouldered urban atmosphere with slippery-polished booths, sophisticated weekend entertainment and adrenaline-driven servers. We love it for its macho seafood (yes, really) and its hefty, gorgeous prime No. 1 beef. 31 N. Tejon St.

THE GAZETTE

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DINING FROM PAGE 5

POWER BREAKFAST

service is good, the atmosphere is very un-chain like, with its cozy seating areas and hand-painted wall treatments, and kids will get a kick out of “The Egg and Aye-aye-aye” Tabasco sauce and the “Egg-xit” signs. 7816 N. Academy Blvd.

GO! choice: Broadway Deli c All the best deals are made in the wee hours of the morning — when business folks are still sleepy-eyed and fuzzy-headed. Go in for the kill, but give them a false sense of security with a fresh New York-style bagel with

“Best of the Springs”

Best Burger 1999

chopped lox cream cheese, a potato knish, cheese blintz or matzo brie. 24 S. Tejon St.

SALAD GO! choice: Ambrosia Cafe c The “Field of Dreams” salad will spur you to frolic through meadows of poppies and wild flowers after indulging in mixed greens adorned with lush blackberries, strawberries and blueberries. Lavished on top are bleu cheese crumbles, slivers of red onion and almonds, dried cranberries and a sweet raspberry vinaigrette.

The “Cleopatra” and “The Kitchen Sink” also are known to induce uninhibited frolicking. 1616 S. Eighth St.

CHIPS AND SALSA

...and nothing’s changed!

California Style Hamburgers Real Ice Cream Shakes B-52 Breakfast Burritos

4825 N. Academy

535.9079

1702 S. Nevada

575.0978

GO! choice: Tres Hombres c Since it opened in 1985, one thing hasn’t changed: Tres Hombres makes salsa from all-fresh ingredients. Couple that with fresh chips, also made on the premises, and you’ve got a combo that can’t be beat. The salsa is spicy enough that fans of heat won’t complain, but not so outrageous that those with more delicate taste buds can’t handle it too. These chips and salsa pass the ultimate test: At the end of the meal when we’re so full we can’t eat another bite, we can’t resist if any chips or dip are left in the bowls. 116 1/2 W. Midland Ave., Woodland Park.

GUACAMOLE GO! choice: Marqueritaville c A server wheels a cart to your table and mashes avocados into a black stoneware bowl, and soon

you’ll swear you’re at Cabo, waves crashing and little umbrella’d drinks circulating. Limes release their juice while you watch, then homemade salsa, crushed garlic, and anything else you request. Marqueritaville in Castaways (reopening in May), 107 Manitou Ave.

PLACE FOR GARLIC LOVERS GO! choice: Mediterranean Café c We counted six whole garlic cloves in our scoop of artichoke salad. But it’s the garlic that you can’t see that really sneaks up on you. For evidence, look no farther than the hummus. We can’t be sure of just how much garlic goes into the hummus, but be warned: Not only would you not want to eat this delightful dip on the day of a big date, we’d suggest avoiding it a few days beforehand. 118 E. Kiowa St. and The Citadel mall food court.

out lots of food, from breakfast staples to meat-carving stations to a dessert smorgasbord. But the key to a fabulous brunch buffet is freshness and consistency, and no dishes are more difficult to serve in a buffet than the Benedicts. Fifteen minutes over a Sterno and you have hard-boiled eggs.

The Broadmoor has solved that problem by adding a separate Benedict station, where the eggs are poached to order. The cost for brunch is $25 per person and worth every penny. 1 Lake Ave.

SMOOTHIES GO! choice: Ambrosia Cafe c Large and in charge, these smoothies are the best bang for your buck. But it’s the taste that will keep you coming back for fat-free, lactosefree concoctions like the Orange or Strawberry Creamsicle. 1616 S. Eighth St.

SUNDAY BRUNCH GO! choice: The Broadmoor c It wasn’t easy to knock perennial brunch fave the Cheyenne Mountain Resort off its throne, but The Broadmoor has done it. Sure, The Broadmoor has world-class elegance and the Lake Terrace Dining Room is loaded with Old World charm. Sure, it puts

ICE CREAM GO! choice: Josh & John’s c In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s harder than ever for a small independent company to become an institution. But Josh & John’s Ice Cream has has grown fat by selling, well, fat — in deliciously provocative twists on familiar flavors such as Mint Girl Scout Cookie, Key Lime Pie and Malted Vanilla. 111 E. Pikes Peak Ave. SEE DINE x PAGE 7

Enjoy the unique dining experience of The Mona Lisa.

Flavorful cheeses, fresh vegetables & baked breads, the finest meats & seafood choices, and decadent chocolate fondues

Downtown’s Best

Dinners starting at 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Reservations are recommended.

1/2 Price Cinco De Mayo Jazz Martinis Party! Happy Hour

Come Experience the Romance

May 5th

of The Mona Lisa’s New Wine Tasting Bar

Offering a wonderful selection of wines, plus, you can enjoy the delicious cheese and chocolate fondues from The Mona Lisa.

Walk-ins for Mona’s Wine Cellar are welcome.

685 .0277

733 Manitou Avenue in Downtown Manitou Springs Experience The Mona Lisa online at monalisafondue.com BEST6

THE GAZETTE

Friday, April 25, 2003

featuring

Every Sunday Night!

Drink Specials All Night

Every Friday

128 South Tejon 635-3536

222 North Tejon 636-8484

15 South Tejon 635-8484

mackenzieschophouse.com

josemuldoons.com

ritzgrill.com

The John Flores Trio

4:30 - 7:30 pm

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DINING FROM PAGE 6

PLACE TO EAT IN CRIPPLE CREEK GO! choice: Buffalo Billy’s c The guys at The Steakhouse in Buffalo Billy’s Casino in Cripple Creek have a thing for beef. You can tell.

They love it and baby it and serve it fresh, helping make The Steakhouse the best restaurant in Cripple Creek.

The desserts there ain’t bad, either, which is why reservations are recommended. 239 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek

Pie-Eyed Pies bakes its pies fresh every morning, in a little shop full of bustle and wholesomeness. The racks of pies the bakers turn out hold wonders ranging from a French silk that tastes like chocolate butter to that tasty slice of Americana known as the apple pie. 2378 Academy Place.

friends home and dig in! We suggest trying a pizza to start, some garlic bread, a pasta dish and finish with bread pudding. Yeah, that’ll put an end to the downward spiral on the scale. 7252 N. Academy Blvd.

watching children play under the whimsical Uncle Wilber fountain. 204 N. Tejon St.

PLACE TO DINE ALONE

GO! choice: The Pantry c All too often, dining alone gets a PLACE TO BLOW AN bad rap. Fellow diners make assumpATKINS DIET tions and bestow pitying glances on CAKE GO choice: Breadheads you, but heck, most of the time we’re c Just saying the name is enough to GO! choice: Boonzaaijer’s loving every second of it! No strugmake you gain back a few of the c Whether you want a pretty wickergling for conversation, no talking with pounds you lost on your low-carb diet. a full mouth, no divvying up the bill. basket-frosted cake with spring flowEven the salads are loaded with ers or an elegant silver fondant-covThe cozy counter in this mountain bread. 729 Manitou Ave. and 154 E. ered masterpiece, this Dutch bakery joint is ideal for you and that plate of Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. makes it just right. 4935 Centennial homemade cinnamon-raisin French CHINESE MEGA-BUFFET toast to get to know each other a litBlvd.

BREAD tle bit better. 6980 Lake St., Green GO! choice: Super China Buffet Mountain Falls GO! choice: Breadheads c The Chinese mega-buffet isn’t for c Louis Borochaner, former executive the snooty gourmet, the clogged of DINER heart or the small of stomach. Super patissier (baker) at The Broadmoor GO! choice: Barney’s China Buffet is about consuming mass hotel, opened the artisanal bakery c This place is great anytime for a Breadheads in Manitou Springs a cou- quantities, baby! More than 100 items burger-and-fries that won’t break the ple of years ago. Now he’s back in The (crab legs included) are stacked up in bank. But Barney’s rules on the first row after row of industrial steel food Broadmoor neighborhood, expanding Wednesday of every month — Chicken bars, and almost all of it is pretty into the former location of the CerDay, featuring crispy, perfectly seaulean Grill. Hardly a speck of yeast in tasty to boot. These folks have a way soned fried chicken that will make with chicken. And where else in the the place — Borochaner carefully you weep. 129 W. Las Animas St. tends his sourdough cultures with un- world can you find General Tao’s chickCHOCOLATE DESSERT Worthy contenders: King’s Chef and en next to little weenies wrapped inbromated flour and purified water, Rosie’s GO! choice: Sencha and the breads are heavenly. 729 Mani- side bacon . . . mmm, porkalicious.

TAKE-OUT FOR TWO c Will anyone ever match Sencha’s stra- tou Ave., Manitou Springs and 154 E. 3835 N. Academy Blvd. ta? For sheer theobromine indulgence, Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

GO! choice: Picnic Basket AL FRESCO DINING it’s hard to beat a cylinder of pure c We still miss the Picnic Basket resWorthy contender: Panera GO! choice: La Creperie chocolate leaf with edible gold print, PLACE TO BLOW A DIET c Nothing lightens the heart like whilfilled with layers of hazelnut chocolate ing away an afternoon at La Crepetorte, chocolate mousse and raspberry GO! choice: Buca di Beppo rie’s sidewalk tables. Savor a seafood c The normal game plan for visiting coulis. 331 S. Nevada Ave. te ion crêpe and a glass of wine, followed by this family-style Italian restaurant is s APPLE PIE a crêpe Suisse with its intense bitterto bring a few friends. That way you Ta dit GO! choice: Pie-Eyed Pies sweet chocolate sauce and airy a can actually make a dent in their kingc The flaky crust, the heavenly aroma, size portions. Looking to blow your whipped cream or a tart, summery Tr the cinnamon-soaked slices of apple. crêpe framboise (raspberry), while diet? Leave a few (or all) of the

Voted “The Best”

Chinese Cuisine & Ambiance in The Springs by Readers’ Choice & The Gazette Elegant Fine Dining and Lounge

Celebrating Our 7th Anniversary!

Thank You for Your Continued Patronage!

Voted “Best Diner in America” Magellan Press

110 E. Costilla St. Downtown Voted “Best Diner” Independent Newspaper

Mon - Fri 7am till 2:00

Sat 8am - 2:00 • Sun 9am - 2:00 Voted “Best Diner” The Gazette

We Have Been Serving Breakfast And Lunch To Downtown Since 1956

PIZZA Readers’ choice: Old Chicago c What started about 25 years ago as a modest pizza joint/sports bar has exploded into a national phenomenon with 50 restaurants in a dozen states.

Is it because of the pizza or the 110 brews? Hmmm. This may require more research.

GO! choice: Poor Richard’s c Owned by Councilman Richard Skorman, Poor Richard’s has been a local SEE DINE x PAGE 8

ALL FRESH ALWAYS!

A REAL DINING EXPERIENCE NOW OPEN SUNDAYS

taurant. But here’s some good news, you don’t need to have a huge event catered to enjoy their delicious foods.

The Picnic Basket offers a romantic four-course dinner for two. You can pick up or have it delivered, and all the food comes ready to heat in microwave-safe containers. Your $99 will buy you St. Andre Cheese Gratin, Cider House Salad, Braided Basil Bread, a Black Forest Trifle and the choice of two entrees (We’d like to list all the choices, but we’re afraid the drool dripping on the keyboard might do some damage — so here’s a couple: orange and lemongrass-marinated diver scallops or fresh salmon and tilapia weave with mustard chervil sauce).

Call 635-0200.

Specializing in Hunan, Cantonese, Szechuan & Mandarin Full Selection Vegetarian Menu • Gift Certificates Available • Open 7 Days Lunch & Dinner • Banquet Facilities Available for Parties or Business Meetings • Reservations Suggested

594-9343 • 5670 N. Academy Blvd.

West Side of Academy, Please call for directions

Family fiesta by the pound!

Includes 1lb. chicken/beef fajita, i pint barracho beans, 1 pint rice, 1/2 pint salsa, 1/2 pint guacamole and 1 dozen flour or corn tortillas.

Only

$20.00

3504 N. Academy Blvd.

719.574.1499 Fax 719.574.2457 Sun.- Thurs. 7 am -9 pm; Fri. & Sat. 7 am - 10 pm

4295 N. Nevada Ave. (Drive-thru window) 719.599.7829 Fax 719.599.0078 Sun.- Thurs. 7 am -9 pm; Fri. & Sat. 7 am - 10 pm

306 S. 8th St. at Hwy. 24

(Drive-thru window) 719.633.9616 Fax 719.633.6653 SUN. - THURS. 7 am -9 pm; FRI. & SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM

Voted “Best Green Chile”

Friday, April 25, 2003

THE GAZETTE

BEST7

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DINING FROM PAGE 7

institution since it was Poor Richard’s Feed and Read in the ’70s. Today it specializes in brick-oven New Yorkstyle pizza, the kind that folds in your hand and sends oil dripping down to your elbows. 324 1/2 Tejon St.

TAQUERIA

Readers’ choice: La Casita c The grande dame of taquerias, here before the local taqueria explosion, La Casita still serves some of the finest beef fajitas this side of the border.

306 S. Eighth St., 3504 N. Academy Blvd., 4295 N. Academy Blvd.

GO! choice: Carniceria Leonela The forests of cilantro that inhabit the

2002 Voted #1 Best of Springs GO! Choice

AKASAKA Japanese Restaurant

Ask ur O Aboutards w e R am Progr

Business Hours: Lunch: M - Sat 11am - 2:30pm Dinner: S - Th 5pm - 9pm, F - Sat 5pm-10pm

Academy

Sushi • Sashimi • Tempura • Teriyaki • Shabu-Shabu Union Flintridge

✪ Austin Bluffs

4737 N. Academy • 272-7301 in the Flintridge Plaza (behind Denny’s)

Consistently Serving You the Best!

Winner of the Chef’s Gala People’s Choice Award 2002 & 2003

soft tacos (which are only 99 cents) are so fresh, you’d think this place was attached to a Mexican market.

Oh, wait — it is. 3736 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

HOT DOG GO! choice: Spud Melvin’s c It’s tasty. It’s weird. It’s cheap.

We’re talking Vienna-brand all-beef Chicago dogs ($1.50), prepared by a guy who takes your money with a dustpan. Circle Drive at Palmer Park Boulevard.

BURGER GO! choice: The Depot Restaurant c Many places cook burgers the way you like ’em around town, but few can match the charbroiled flavor of these Tri-Lakes classics. The grilled Memorial Day taste of these beauties takes on an extra-savory tang when eaten in the middle of winter. Bonus points: Buying a burger will get you your choice of TWO side dishes — including yummy batter-dipped fries. 11 Primrose St. (at Highway 105), Palmer Lake.

BUFFALO BURGERS GO! choice: The Wines of Colorado c Once you try this lean char-broiled delight, you may never go back to cow. 8045 W. Highway 24, Cascade.

MARGARITA GO! choice: El Tesoro c The nine margaritas on El Tesoro’s menu range from the original — a tart concoction that’s basically a shot and a twist tidied up for public consumption — to the deceptively smooth 1800 Anejo. 10 N. Sierra

Madre St.

gus. 4655 Centennial Blvd.

MARTINI

SUPERMARKET SUSHI

GO! choice: 15C c After extensive research, we’ve concluded that martini lovers will find whatever they want — from traditional to exotic — at the little bar with the big book of martinis. If that doesn’t excite you, there’s always the flaming Voodoo Priestess. Now get us some new livers, pronto! 15 E. Bijou St.

GO! choice: Super Target c You gotta love a supermarket superstore that employs its own sushi chef.

Not only does this place have great sushi and maki, it’s conveniently located next to Cinemark. So if you’re running late for a movie, instead of fast food, try some sushi in the parking lot. At Carefree Circle and Powers Boulevard.

DOUGHNUT GO! choice: Woody’s Continental Bakery c Used to be you had to wait until Friday to get applesauce cake doughnuts at Woody’s, but no more. They’re available every day until sold out. 2226 N. Wahsatch Ave.

SEAFOOD

Readers’ choice: Red Lobster c From yummy skewered “lobster chops” to those huge, sinful plates of deep-fried everything-under-the-sea, count on Red Lobster for consistency.

We’ve never had a bad meal there, SUSHI and apparently neither have our readers. 4925 N. Academy Blvd., 275 S. Readers’ choice: Jun Japanese ResAcademy Blvd. taurant c Jun continues to be a readers’ favor- GO! choice: Steel City Diner c Joe Coleman’s Cerulean Grill was a ite. Why? Super-fresh fish at affordlock for this category, but it’s already able prices, especially during happy gone. Guess we’ll have to go to center hour, which runs 5 to 6:30 p.m. daily, with additional late-night happy hours of the seafood universe: Pueblo. Steel 9 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It’s City Diner serves different fish each week, but each one starts out superbhard to beat this kind of sushi for ly fresh and gets bathed in TLC and ex$1.50 a piece. 1670 Dublin Blvd. pertise from airplane to tabletop. 121 GO! choice: Ai Sushi & Grill W. B St., Pueblo. c When fish is this fresh, it has a subSTEAK tle sweetness to it that’s terrifically Readers’ choice: Steaksmith complemented by some soy-soaked c It’s not the fanciest steak in town, wasabi. But Ai Sushi doesn’t stand out but it’s the best steak for the money, just because of its freshness. The sushi chefs here cut some of the most whether you’re going for a nice, tencreative rolls, or maki, you’ll find east der piece of sirloin or a perfect filet mignon. 3802 Maizeland Road. of San Francisco. Check out the Ai Roll, with salmon, bacon and asparaSEE DINE x PAGE 9

Chef’s Gala First Place Entree 2003

VOTED BEST...

331 S. Nevada Avenue

719.632.8287 Lunch Mon-Fri 11-3 Dinner Tues-Thurs 5-10 Fri-Sat 5-12 BEST8

THE GAZETTE

SALAD - Gazette 2001 NEW RESTAURANT - Gazette 2002 DESSERT - Gazette 2000, 2001

Friday, April 25, 2003

4 South Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 • 719-473-5600 All Adam’s Mark hotels and facilities provide service to all persons, without regard to race or color, and Adam’s Mark is committed to providing quality service and treatment to all of its guests and patrons. If you believe that you have experienced discrimination or have been treated unequally because of your race or color, Adam’s Mark urges you to share your concerns with our compliance officer by calling the toll-free number at 877-754-9940.

GAZETTE LAYER:Composite --- 04/23/03

23:33

DINING FROM PAGE 8

c From the teriyaki to tempura to sushi, Jun covers all the bases with style.

GO! choice: Akasaka c Two words for you: butterfish misoyaki. It’s like buttah! We also love the sushi and tempura here. 4735 N. Academy Blvd.

meats we crave. The quality is consistently high, the ambience is fun, and you can converse without shouting.

GO! choice: The Famous 2815 Geyser Drive near the World c Carnivores, sharpen those steak Arena, 7120 Campus Drive off Woodknives. Finally, Colorado Springs has a men Road near Academy Boulevard. high-end beef joint that puts the GO! choice: Café Giovanna chains to shame. 31 N. Tejon St. PEPPER STEAK c The best thing about Italian cuisine is that it lends itself equally well to MEXICAN GO! choice: The Peppertree the fun, casual approach of Carrabba’s c About half the people who dine at Readers’ choice: Jose Muldoon’s the Peppertree order the restaurant’s c Restaurants don’t last for nearly 30 (and similar chains) and the quiet, intimate spots where food is an art. At signature pepper steak, cooked table- years (that’s right 30! Jose’s opened Café Giovanna, candlelight glows on side and covered in a sweet chutney in 1974) without gaining a large followfamily-heirloom antiques and reflects sauce. There’s a reason. 888 W. ing. With incentives like happy hour in glasses of carefully selected Italian Moreno Ave. from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday wines while you indulge in exquisitely DELI ($2.50 is the magic number for drafts, tender hand-rolled pastas, perfectly house margaritas and well drinks), a GO! choice: Broadway Deli seasoned meats and luscious, incredisalsa bar to accompany happy hour c Matzo ball soup that would make a bly creative sauces. 773 W. Garden of on Fridays, and a patio area that’s perJewish grandma proud and a corned the Gods Road. beef sandwich the size of a Buick. This fect for sipping margaritas on sumWorthy contender: Fratelli’s is our kind of place. Most importantly mer afternoons, it’s no wonder this CHINESE Concept Restaurant has been around for a true deli, the pickles are firm.

Readers’ choice: Silver Pond so long — and gets your pick for the And now that Broadway Deli has a secbest Mexican restaurant in Colorado GO! choice: Silver Pond ond, and larger, location on North Springs. 222 N. Tejon St. Academy that has a liquor license, c It took hundreds of years to estabyou can have a beer with your knish.

GO! choice: El Mariachi Loco lish the Ming Dynasty and the Tang Dy24 S. Tejon St. and 7170 N. Academy nasty, but we’ve already declared this c Start with the brown molé — which Blvd. rides up to the border of sweet, flirts decade the Silver Pond Dynasty. This VEGETARIAN with tangy and then snaps at you with elegant, black-lacquered spot has RESTAURANT been our favorite since the day it a feisty little spice. Then, let them opened seven years ago, for its tender know when you’re ready to graduate GO! choice: Organic Earth Café beef with crisp broccoli, its crisp to the carne en salsa chipotle, which c “Have a beautiful day,” they say. lemon chicken with aromatic sauce, looks like an unassuming stew but And you will, once you fill your belly its pork in mellow-spicy garlic sauce, serves as a culinary trip to the heart with their 100 percent organic and its luxurious avocado shrimp and its of Mexico.

2600 E. Platte Place. vegan food. Hemp waffles with veggie summery strawberry chicken, such a ITALIAN butter, a Peaceful Warrior Burger treat in the dead of winter (and check made of vegan Canadian bacon and Readers’ choice: Carrabba’s out the new mango chicken, too). Dishtopped with tofu cheese and soy ice c The aromas coming off that grill es from the healthy section of the cream sandwiches. Get your chi in can draw us in from blocks away, menu are just as goodand everything flow here, then go home and feng whether it’s pizza, pasta or grilled shui away. 1124 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs.

is presented beautifully, each plate adorned with a vegetable hand-carved into a Chinese character. 5670 N. Academy Blvd.

of side dishes, and we love Yetchon for its lovely interior, spicy soups and great jap chae, the noodle dish that’s as much fun to eat as it is to say out loud. San Chang, 3659 Austin Bluffs Parkway; Yetchon, 2338 S. Academy Blvd.

KOREAN GO! choice: Tie — San Chang and Yetchon c It’s a safe guess that most Gazette readers don’t speak Korean, so we’ll make menu translations a factor when selecting the “Best Korean” restaurant. We love San Chang, one of the first to offer in-table grills, for its lean, tender meats and great variety

INDIAN Readers’ choice: Taste of India c It’s easy to understand why readers picked Taste of India. It’s those luscious curries — especially the mild, velvety butter chicken — and the moist, SEE DINE x PAGE 10

VOTED “BEST GREEK RESTAURANT” IN 2002!

JA K E &

T E L LY’S GREEK CUISINE

WINE SPECTATOR

Welcome to Jake & Telly’s Greek Cuisine, offering succulent Greek and Mediterranean dishes, fine wines and an innovative bar since 1997.

“AWARD OF EXCELLENCE”

2616 W. Colorado Avenue Colorado Springs

2001 & 2002

(719) 633-0406

VEGGIE BURGER GO! choice: Adam’s Mountain Café c The huge slab of blended brown rice, roasted nuts, cheese and veggies arrives on two slices of heavy wholegrain bread. The rough, grainy patty melts in your mouth as its warm flavor reverberates through your taste buds. 110 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs.

COFFEE PLACE GO! choice: Black Bear Coffee and Tea Lodge c Jonesing for a decent joe? Four brews are offered daily along with a plethora of fancy-schmancy coffee drinks for those who can’t quite take the full bean. Sink into a cozy couch in front of the fireplace or pull up a table for your coffee klatch. 6550 S. Academy Blvd.

Worthy contenders: Pikes Perk and Coffee Warehouse

JAPANESE Readers’ choice: Jun Japanese Restaurant

JUN

Japanese Restaurant

Voted “Readers’ Choice” 3 Years in a Row

The Best

Sushi in the Springs!

531-9368 1760 Dublin Blvd.

Friday, April 25, 2003

THE GAZETTE

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DINING FROM PAGE 9

BARBECUE

Readers’ choice: Howard’s Pit perfectly seared tandoori meats, plus c There’s pit barbecue and there’s a lunch buffet that’s quick, inexpensmoker barbecue, and they really sive and dependable. 4820 Flintridge ought to be two different categories.

Drive.

Howard’s Pit is genuine pit barbecue — GO! choice: Mirch Masala the meat has incomparable flavor c We like the new kid in town for its from the natural charcoal that forms classics like chicken saagwala (in spin- in the pit, especially the little charred ach purée) and subits on the outside perb lamb rogan josh of the ribs, so deep as well as its grilled and true that smoke kebabs and great seseasoning would be lection of vegetarian pure sacrilege. 114 S. dishes. Many dishes Sierra Madre St. and are a bit spicier here 3350 N. Chestnut St. than at other local In(formerly County dian restaurants, but Line Barbeque) we’ve never had one GO! choice: Front we didn’t like. 5047 Range N. Academy Blvd. c Waiting for a table THAI recently at Front Readers’ choice: Range, we accosted Wild Ginger Thai some tourists on their way out. “Have a good meal?” Yes, they said, they c It’s hard to quibble with readers were from Tennessee and considered who pick one of our favorite spots. themselves barbecue experts. They folWild Ginger’s special coconut milkbased soups can set our hearts aglow, lowed their noses into Front Range and thought it was some of the best and the curries are always well-balbarbecue they’d ever had! We’re from anced with that distinctive Thai all over the country, and we think so sweet/tart touch. 3020 W. Colorado too. The ribs slide right off the bone Ave. into your waiting mouth, the brisket GO! choice: Royal Thai gets a real wake-up call from the pepc More Thai experience, with pleasant pery sauce, and the pulled pork is music, modified Thai-style seating, sweet and tender. 2330 W. Colorado and more Thai heat — most dishes will Ave. send shivers of pleasure up your VIETNAMESE spine. We love the spicy cold som dum GO! choice: Saigon Café green papaya salad, the bodaciously herby green curries, and the best yel- c A calm celadon-green interior belies the excitement that awaits your pallow curry ever served in these parts. ate just off Restaurant Row. Start with 3725 Austin Bluffs Parkway. a piquant soup and a soft spring roll GREEK with bright pink shrimp peeking GO! choice: Neptune’s Café through the rice paper, then hoist a c Sipping a shot of ouzo over ice, comforting bowl of noodles and meat munching on Greek savories like span- called a “bun” or try a more exotic akopita and Mediterranean pizza, eye- dish like Ha-Noi chicken wings, exploding pastries like baklava and yogurt ing with citrus-sweet sesame sauce or cake — except for the spring chill in the spicy squid with lemon grass. the air, you’ll swear you’re in a street- Saigon Café, 20 E. Colorado Ave. side café in Greece. The ancient and LOCAL FOOD TREND the new mix just as easily here, where GO! choice: Chinese places going Vietlongtime Springs businessman and namese Greek immigrant Costas Rombocos shows off an eclectic collection of arti- c Not to put down Chinese, but enough is enough already. We facts and an equally eclectic menu (limited hours until summer). 970 Pros- smoothed down our chopsticks when Hunan Dragon, a decent Chinese pect Lake Drive. place, turned into an outstanding VietSOUL FOOD namese place called Saigon Stars.

Readers’ choice: Sweet Georgia Now, China Gardens at Flintridge AveBrown nue and Academy Boulevard has GO! choice: Sweet Georgia Brown changed to Little Saigon, and you c This popular west-side eatery has must try the noodle bowls. (Both placmoved to the east side, but the food es still offer Chinese.) is as soulful as ever, from the smoked GOURMET ON A BUDGET ribs to the homemade collard greens.

GO! choice: European Crystal 3609 E. Galley Road. c OK, we made up this category just

BEST10

THE GAZETTE

Friday, April 25, 2003

QUICK HITS GREEN CHILÉ: El Taco Rey, 330 E. Colorado Ave. VEGETARIAN GREEN CHILÉ: King’s Chef Diner, 110 E. Costilla St. REUBEN: The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St. ONION RINGS: Utopia Cafe, 117 E. Bijou St. WINE-TASTING DINNERS: Gertrude’s, 2625 W. Colorado Blvd.

BUFFET: Mirch Masala, 5047 N. Academy Blvd.

BAGELS: Brooklyn Bagels, 132 N. Tejon St. CRAB CAKES: The Cliff House, 306 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs AFTER-DINNER COFFEE: The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St. ROMANTIC AMBIENCE: The Briarhurst Manor, 404 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs CITADEL EATS: Mediterranean Café CHAPEL HILLS EATS: Page’s Deli DOWNTOWN DINING SECRET: 3 Doors Down, 26 E. Kiowa St. GERMAN FOOD: Mannheim 99, 3338 Austin Bluffs Parkway GERMAN AMBIENCE: Edelweiss, 34 E. Ramona Ave. PLACE TO NOSH AFTER WORK: The Warehouse, 25 W. Cimarron St. PLACE TO EAT AFTER MIDNIGHT: The Pita Pit (open until 3 a.m. weekends), 8 E. Bijou St. so we could tell you one more time about European Crystal, tucked away in a hard-to-find Ramada Inn north of the Fillmore Street/I-25 interchange.

It’s fine Continental cuisine on the cheap. 3125 Sinton Road.

chine. “Ding-ding!” goes the bell. And it’s ’tini time, folks! Head downtown to this swanky joint and drink it all off with half-price martinis and $2.50 wines, wells and drafts during the week from 4-7 p.m. 128 S. Tejon St. GO! choice: Blue Star LOCAL RESTAURANT WITH FRANCHISE c Star light, star bright, POTENTIAL first blue star we see tonight Wish we may, wish we might GO! choice: Solo’s c Eat under the sheltering wing of the For the best darn drink specials in sight. Monday through Saturday from KC-97 so you can fantasize about fly4-7 p.m. and all night on Wednesdays, ing the dozens of model airplanes Bristol beers are $2.50, glasses of that dangle from the ceiling (the wine are $3, wells are $1 off and cheap soundtrack in the restrooms helps with that) or climb the stairs to eat in appetizers ($4-$6), such as hummus, smoked salmon quesadillas and brusthe fuselage itself. It’s a concept restaurant whose time has come. 1665 N. chetta rule the roost. 1645 S. Tejon St. LOCAL BREW Newport St. Readers’ choice: Laughing Lab Worthy contender: Deenz c Winner of the Silver in the Scottish BAR Ale category at the 1996 World Beer Readers’ choice: The Ritz Cup, the 2000 Gold Medal, the 2002, c The place to be. The Ritz has gone through many changes in the past few 2001, and 1996 Silver Medals and the years, but what hasn’t changed is the 1994 Bronze Medal in the Scottish Ale vibe. This is still a bar (and restaurant category at the Great American Beer Festival, Bristol Brewing Co.’s malty, and nightclub) that’s all about meetsmooth Laughing Lab is a faithful coming that special someone. Or maybe panion to any meal or any occasion. not so special. But someone. 15 S. GO! choice: Demolition Cream Ale, Tejon St. Phantom Canyon Brewery GO! choice: 32 Bleu c Like warm days in winter, this beer c The Springs newcomer has vastly only pokes its head out of the barrel improved the downtown music since since its October opening, drawing rea- several times a year, typically in fall and winter. But it’s as refreshing as a sonably priced well-known acts in coatless walk in January. Demolition indie rock, blues, hip-hop and even Christian contemporary. A solid selec- Cream is smooth with a subtle hops tion of microbrews complements a top- presence and a lightly bitter tinge shelf bar crew. One suggestion: Please cloaked in a mellow sweetness. bring back the extended happy hour.

32 S. Tejon St.

HAPPY HOUR Readers’ choice: MacKenzie’s Chop House c “Kerchunk!” goes the time-card ma-

Blvd. and 5012 N. Academy Blvd.

BREW PUB GO! choice: Phantom Canyon Brewery c Not every beer Phantom brews is a Dali-esque masterpiece. But between its smoky Zebulon’s Peated Porter, solid Railyard Ale — a light amber ale — and easy Queen’s Blonde Ale, there’s a beer here for everyone. The food is decent and the upstairs offers foosball, pool and a couple of giant TVs perfect for Broncos games. 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

SANDWICHES GO! choice: Sheldon’s Luncheonette c Sheldon’s is a throwback to a bygone era, when men were men, women were women, and sandwiches were sandwiches. Try the “president”-sized open-faced turkey sandwich ($7.60), the special on Thursday and Friday. 204 Mountain View Lane, 310 S. Eighth St., 1512 N. Academy Blvd.

Worthy contenders: Manitou Natural and Neptune’s Café

SOUP GO! choice: Shuga’s c Imagine a wintery afternoon, warming your tummy with a Brazilian shrimp and coconut soup, a concoction accented with peanuts, ginger, cilantro and lime. 702 S. Cascade Ave.

COLORADO CUISINE GO! choice: Black Bear Restaurant c Who are we to argue with the Governor’s Symposium, which chose the Black Bear to represent Colorado cuisine in Washington, D.C.? Chef Victor Matthews knows just how to show off the superiority of locally raised foods: Pueblo’s “clean pork” ribs and chops; the Springs’ own G&C specially coldrinsed, naturally sweet beef; heirloom and organic fruit and veggies. 10375 Ute Pass Ave., Green Mountain Falls.

FREE SAMPLES GO! choice: Par Avion Finer Foods Emporium c Par Avion touts itself as a place for the wandering palate. Our palates like to wander over to a little circle of love known as the sample table: gourmet cheese and crackers, paté, herbed brie or maybe even red pepper jelly.

4510 Oro Blanco Drive.

BUFFALO WINGS

GRAVY

GO! choice: Wild Bill’s c Variety and flavor, thy name is Wild Bill’s. Other joints are content to crank up the heat, but this easily overlooked wing-only shack wins with the best variety of flavors in town. 3869 Astrozon

GO! choice: Mountain View Restaurant c We especially like the tangy elixir on the beef roulade and the comforting stuff on the pork dishes — perfect for sopping up with the light, spongy dumplings! 955 N. Powers Blvd.

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CITY LIFE

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CITY LIFE MORNING RADIO SHOW

PLACE TO VOLUNTEER

Readers’ choice: KVOR (740 AM) c Jim Arthur and Laurie White do the kind of solid nuts-and-bolts local and national news show that our NPR affiliate KRCC (91.5 FM) should be doing.

GO! choice: KRDO (95.1 FM) c It’s the most idiotic quiz imaginable: “Fifty thousand Americans do this every weekend . . .?” But somehow Brian Kulis and Mark Goldberg keep “The Peak Puzzler” interesting and oddly suspenseful. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the shock jocks.

Readers’ choice: Silver Key c You can help a senior live a fuller, more independent life. How cool is that? In some cases, Silver Key volunteers provide transportation. In other cases, they just may just provide an attentive ear. Call 632-1521.

GO! choice: Youth soccer c Our city recreation programs are experiencing a serious lack-of-coaches crisis. What a great way to be a local hero. Anyone interested, call 385-6005.

DISC JOCKEY

CHARITY BENEFIT

GO! choice: Vicky Gregor on KRCC (91.5 FM) c Gregor has returned to her “Morning Freeform Show” on KRCC after maternity leave. “Your friend and neighbor Vicky” mixes that kind, familiar voice with an eclectic taste in acoustic and electronica that always keeps us guessing.

TV NEWSCAST Readers’ choice: KKTV/Channel 11 c The “News You Can Count On” has pulled ahead in the ratings race and continues to produce a show that feels like a big-city newscast.

GO! choice: KOAA/Channels 5 & 30 c With new news director Cindy Aubrey, KOAA/Channels 5&30 has become more aggressive, making “News First” the place for the most scoops and moving features.

forting figures on the local news scene, she also has developed the most credibility.

GO! choice: Jeannette Hynes on KKTV c Hynes, a consumer reporter and weekend anchor, has the look, the style and the steadiness to be the next Heidi Collins. Don’t be surprised if, in two or three years, she’s on CNN or one of the broadcast networks.

MALE TV ANCHOR

Readers’ choice: Eric Singer on KKTV c Singer continues to be among the most popular anchors on TV. Is it the melodious voice? The friendly, confident anchorman persona? His use of hand gestures? Probably all of the FEMALE TV ANCHOR Readers’ choice: Lisa Lyden on KOAA above. c This is one of those times when fa- GO! choice: Tim Glenn at KRDO/Chanmiliarity breeds content. Lyden has be- nels 13 come not only one of the most comc Glenn is our pick for the male an-

chor who’s most ready for the bigger desk. His combination of personality and professionalism boosts him above the crowd. Our respect for Glenn only grew stronger when we learned he wears a Superman T-shirt under his suit when he does the news.

SPORTS ANCHOR GO! choice: Vince Greco at KRDO c Even though Greco is coming close to the title of “seasoned” anchor (in September, he’ll have 13 years at Channel 13), and you can see that experience in his growing knowledge of sports, he still retains his passion for the game. His excitement is contagious.

METEOROLOGIST GO! choice: Mark Nelson on KRDO c For a weather reporter, Nelson is pretty low on the dork meter. His

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GO choice!: The Colorado Springs Dance Theatre’s Wine Festival c Whether you’re a wine snob or someone who relishes good conversation and great food, the Colorado weather reports are descriptive, infor- Springs Dance Theatre’s annual Wine Festival is one not to miss. The twomative, and the guy actually seems day festival begins with a grand tastcontrite when his reports are off the ing of more than 300 premium wines mark. and gourmet hors d’oeuvres from the CIVIC-GROUP SPEAKER region’s finest restaurants and caterGO! choice: Teller County Sheriff ers. If you haven’t had enough wine, Frank Fehn the featured vintners offer seminars c His talk about the capture of the the next day. The finale is the GourTexas Seven has been the hit of the met Winemaker Dinner & Live Auction civic-group circuit. that pairs a fabulous gourmet dinner PLACE TO SEE with choice wines from the guest wineAND BE SEEN makers. Then you can sit back, relax Readers’ choice: The Ritz and watch Christie’s principal wine c On a Friday or Saturday night, The auctioneer whip the crowd into a Ritz is packed with the young, the rest- froth bidding on priceless wine, chamless, the middle-aged, the hot, not-so- pagne and getaway packages. Divine! hot. It’s the place to be. 15 S. Tejon St. LOCAL WEB SITE GO! choice: 32 Bleu GO! choice: Lets-Eat-Out.com c It’s where the younger “in” crowd c Randy Filkin’s unsponsored labor of goes. 32 S. Tejon St. SEE CITY x PAGE 13

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BEST12

THE GAZETTE

M-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm

Friday, April 25, 2003

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CITY LIFE FROM PAGE 12

PARK

Readers’ choice: Bear Creek Park love is an invaluable resource for peo- c Whether you’re looking for a place ple who like to eat. Filkin is a one-man to walk your dog off leash at the dog operation, keeping 389 restaurant park, play tennis or just go for a stroll menus updated on his interactive Web along a creek, this wonderful park is site, organized by area and type of cui- the place to go. It’s part urban retreat, sine. Looking for Italian food? Let’spart back-country adventure. At West Eat-Out will give you 18 options in Col- 21st and West 26th streets. orado Springs alone with hours of opROCK FORMATION eration, phone number, directions and GO! choice: Dome Rock a menu with prices. www.lets-eat-out. c If you like your rock formations accom/msie.htm

a classy guy serving classy drinks in a classy environment.

GO! choice: Michael Shanks at 15C c Michael Shanks pours a mean — and always ice-cold — martini. And his knowledge is thorough of gin, vodka or your intoxicant of choice, as well as the cigars filling the 15C humidor.

What cigar goes best with Pine Knob whiskey, Mike? Try him sometime.

Shanks is also easy to chat with when cigars and liquor aren’t the topic. It makes a difference when one of the establishment’s owners is also the guy behind the bar.

you’re not exactly seeing much yourself. 1005 S. Hancock Ave.

PLACE TO FORGET THE DROUGHT GO! choice: Fountain Creek Nature Center c Meander the path through the nature center, stopping to peer quietly at the Nature Center Pond for bullfrog or turtle sightings. The center is designated as a wetland, specifically the Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area, and is home to more than 255 species of birds and 40 other animal species.

320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain.

city and theirs are in the middle of a mural exchange program. Manitou artist Steve Wood and other volunteers just returned from Nueva after having created a mural on the main government building there. In July, folks from Nueva will return the favor and paint a mural for us.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

GO! choice: Super Target and Super Walmart c These two massive centers east BLOW-UP DOLL along Powers Boulevard are superGO! choice: Twinkie the Kid duper. Spicy tuna roll? Check. Clairol c The giant inflatable Twinkie donning Natural Instincts hair color in shade REASON SISTER CITY a cowboy hat that sways atop the Won“Hawaiian Sunrise”? Check check.

FOR ANTICIPATION GO! choice: Nuevo Casas Grandes, der Bread convenience store at Platte Shaggy orange toilet lid cover? Triple GO! choice: Shops at Briargate Mexico Avenue and Institute Street is just check, and we are outta there. Super c Get out your black turtlenecks: Colo- c Gotta love a town called New Big goofy and annoying enough to have rado Springs is gettin’ city-fied. Some Houses. But our sister city in Mexico is Walmart, 1575 Space Center Drive. major kitsch value.

Super Target, 3810 Bloomington St. would argue we’ve been a city for more than just a nifty name. Artists, CORPORATE RETREAT quite some time — 500,000 folks in kids and community volunteers in our SEE CITY x PAGE 14 GO! choice: The Challenger Learning the metro community can’t be wrong Center — but with several popular, high-end c You want team-building? Nothing retailers and restaurants scheduled to gets that teamwork thing going like a open at Shops at Briargate (think Potday at Challenger, solving problems tery Barn, The Sharper Image, P.F. cessible by car, Dome is the one for that simulate those astronauts face.

Chang’s, California Pizza Kitchen), you. Just head west on U.S. Highway This isn’t just for space cadets. 10215 Springs urbanites have less reason to 24 and turn left on Teller County Road Lexington Drive, Suite 110.

1. Watch for Dome on your way to Crip- drive to Denver.

PLACE FOR SMOKERS CELEBRITY ple Creek. You can’t miss it — it looks Readers’ choice: Outside remarkably like a dome, perhaps craft- GO! choice: Spencer, the old English sheepdog ed by a kindergartner with lots of c No hostility there. modeling clay. c Spencer, whose real name is ChampiGO! choice: Jack’s Attic at Jack WORLD CLASS DINING AT THE BROADMOOR on Bugaboo’s Talk’n Out Loud, took RESTORATION Quinn’s best-in-breed in February’s WestminGO! choice: The Broadmoor c You can smoke at will without getc Folks at The Broadmoor call Broad- ster Kennel Club Dog Show. Spencer ofNowhere else will you find so ting any nasty looks. 21 S. Tejon St. ficially belongs to Doug and moor Main the Grande Dame. But, many extraordinary restauPLACE after 80 years of service, the lady was Michaelanne Johnson of Colorado FOR NONSMOKERS rants. showing a little age. So they shut her Springs and Bridgette Callahan of WyoReaders’ choice: Boulder The contemporary charm of down — not for a little face-lift but for ming, but after his big win, he really c The enlightened burg to the north belongs to the world.

Charles Court. The savory, a multi-organ transplant. During the is on the cutting edge again, this time wood-grilled fare of The $36 million renovation, workers inCATERER outlawing smoking from all restaustalled 45,850 square feet of Spanish Tavern. Magnificent brunchGO! choice: The Food Designers rants. If you want to drive 90 minutes, marble, 160,000 square feet of carpet, c Whether you’re looking at having es at the Lake Terrace Dining it’s a nonsmokers paradise of clean 47,000 pounds of ductwork and 111 Room. the boss and few friends over for dinair and deep breaths. Watch out for miles of new wiring. Guest rooms ner or your daughter’s wedding guest the Denver smog though.

Award-winning fine wines were modernized and the public list includes 500 of her dearest GO! choice: eCity and distinctive charm at The rooms were returned to their original friends, you’ll want to select a caterer c This restaurant and bar on the Penrose Room. Traditional glory. 1 Lake Ave. with the experience to create the city’s northwest side is pulling in good favorites and fun of Café PARKING GARAGE “wow” factor. In Colorado Springs that regional blues, jazz and R&B talent.

Julie, The Golden Bee, GO! choice: The Cascade Garage would be The Food Designers. It is a For those who want food, drinks and and more. c This new city garage on the north- full-service catering company, which, music without the cloud of cigarette west side of downtown is actually pret- with the creative direction of owner Join us in the tradition of smoke, it’s the perfect place. (Don’t ty. The green awnings. The brick faHelen Maxson, has been working out world-class excellence. worry, though, smokers in the group cade. The nice arched sign. Gee, you’d party details for 18 years. To get a have a nice deck with a mountain think you were in Aspen. On Cascade glimpse of its capabilities, visit fooddeview where they can light up.) 4659 Avenue at Bijou Street. signers.com. 115 S. 25th St. or call Centennial Blvd.

632-5414.

BARTENDER PLACE Readers’ choice: Dan Kinney at MacKCEMETERY TO GET TRIBAL enzie’s Chop House GO! choice: Evergreen Cemetery GO! choice: The Organic Earth Café c Meet Dan Kinney, the marquis barc The burial roster reads like a who’s c You don’t wanna work. You wanna tender in the Concept Restaurants em- who for Springs movers and shakers: bang on the drum all day. Amid the pire since The Ritz’s Johnny Nolan be- William Jackson Palmer himself is burCall Dining Reservations lava lamps in the vegan cafe’s Cosmic atThe Broadmoor came a big-shot owner at Southside ied here (but not his horse, as far as Earth Room, you can bang until the 719-577-5733 Johnny’s. Along with the sizzling we know), Winfield Scott Stratton . . . cows come home — or at least from 9 steaks and fat cigars at MacKenzie’s, you name it, they’re planted here. It’s www.broadmoor.com p.m. to midnight on Mondays. 1124 Manthere are plenty of drinks coming the place to be to be seen — even if itou Ave. across the wide wooden bar. Kinney is

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CITY LIFE FROM PAGE 13

PLACE TO TAKE A GOLF WIDOW GO! choice: The Broadmoor Golf Club and Spa c Been spending a little too much time playing golf? Here’s our suggestion on how to bring peace to the homefront AND get even more time on the links: Book a weekend at The Broadmoor hotel. While you make your way through the five-star hotel’s three courses, the wife can pamper herself at The Spa at The Broadmoor.

Sure, it might be a pricey solution, but isn’t your marriage worth it?

SCHOOL FIELD TRIP GO! choice: Western Museum of Mining and Industry c OK, so maybe it’s not Athens, the popular field-trip destination for kids

at the Colorado Springs School. It’s not a ski resort, a favorite for seventhgraders at Woodland Park Middle School. But the mining museum is a fun way to learn about our Western heritage and play in the mud at the same time. 225 North Gate Road, Gleneagle.

CRIPPLE CREEK CASINO GO! choice: The Double Eagle Hotel & Casino c This place took its cues from Vegas with its courteous staff, room to move around, gambling variety and entertainment options. It’s the best casino in Cripple Creek, despite its imposing brick exterior. It’s filled with natural light that mixes with the neon, wide aisles between the slot machines, accents reminiscent of the Old West and an overall good vibe.

USE FOR DUCT TAPE GO! choice: Art by Jan Haley c A self-described duct-tape artist, Haley has built a headless horseman, a kite-flying chicken and more. Stop her before she ducts again.

ARTS ADVOCATE GO! choice: David Sckolnik c Even though KCME (88.7 FM) canceled his show “ArtsPeak,” (boo! hiss!)

Sckolnik has continued to be a persistent cheerleader for the arts community.

SENIOR ADVOCATE GO! choice: Mikki Kraushaar c Kraushaar founded Silver Key Senior Services 30 years to help older people live better lives. You’d think she’d be burned out by now. But attend a Silver Key function and you’ll see that her passion for helping seniors is as strong as ever.

QUICK HITS RESTROOMS: The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave. PLACE TO GET MARRIED: Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St. BILLBOARD: The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s “Butterfly Experience” HOTEL ROOM: The Buffalo Bill room at The Cliff House, 306 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs SOUVENIR T-SHIRT: “Manitou Springs — A drinking town with a serious hiking problem” at the Manitou Springs T-Shirt Co., 744 Manitou Ave. BUMPER STICKER: “Eat lamb. 50,000 coyotes can’t be wrong.”

Worthy contender: “Fish tremble at the sound of my name.”

SENIOR GO! choice: Bill Bowers c We should all hope that, when we turn 100, we’re another Bill Bowers instead of another handful of ashes.

Bowers hasn’t had a sugar-coated life, but he’s still outgoing, still forwardlooking — and heck, even still working, as staff photographer at the Fine Arts Center.

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING GO! choice: Eternal Tattoo and Piercing c Not sure about getting illustrated?

This tattoo parlor on North Academy Boulevard won’t let you forget the commitment you’re making: It’s with you forever — or until you save the money for the laser removal. 5927 N. Academy Blvd.

Colorado Springs Best Source For Bikes and Accessories

JUKEBOX GO! choice: Benny’s c The music in a jukebox should mean something beyond nostalgia. That’s why the best jukebox in Colorado Springs is at Benny’s. It’s squat, brown and unpretty, but the music is the finest tear-in-your-beer stuff. There’s Hank Williams whining about cheating hearts and the Eagles celebrating a peaceful, easy feeling. There’s old country peppered with some new, select classic rock and, well, can you really have too much old country? It’s music to drink to and dance to and sigh over, music heavy on steel guitar and meaning. 517 W. Colorado Ave.

PLACE TO SEE BUFFALO ROAMING

POOL HALL

GO! choice: Phantom Canyon GO! choice: U.S. Highway 24 near Hart- c Great beer, a great view and, most sel importantly, 13 tables on which to c We’re not talking about the giant show your skills with the stick. You shaggy beasts roaming in the fields can rack ’em up for free (with your on either side of the highway that slic- lunch) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. 2 E. Pikes es through South Park. No, these crit- Peak Ave.

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RECREATION

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RECREATION ning mountain bikers who want to get used to their machine but don’t feel ready for forest trails. Start at the trailhead, where Midland Avenue meets Colorado Highway 67 in Woodland Park and start riding north. Trail ends at Manitou Lake Recreation Area.

NAMES FOR BLACKDIAMOND SKI TRAILS GO! choice: Breck, Telluride and Steamboat c Let’s face it. Most resorts sugarcoat their double blacks with innocuous names like Billy’s Run or Forest View.

But we do like Quiver, Vertigo and High Anxiety at Breckenridge; Kant Make M, Giant Steps and Plunge at Telluride; and Twister, Hurricane and Tornado at Steamboat.

MODERATE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

DAY-TRIP SKI RESORT FOR PEOPLE WATCHING GO! choice: Beaver Creek c You’ve got your high-priced art stores with your high-priced art, and your guests who can afford it. Beaver Creek isn’t as Hollywood glitzy as Aspen, but you might find yourself on a chairlift with a movie studio president, a rock star’s kid, or perhaps even former President Gerald R. Ford.

Just park your car in the underground garage ($20 for a day) and wander, spending long moments with a latte at one of the outdoor picnic tables.

And once you get on the slopes, you have the same access as the moneyed crowd to world-class skiing.

SKI RESORT, SMALL

SKI RESORT, BIG

GO! choice: Ski Cooper c Partly because the closest town, Leadville, has a museum of hardware and more ghosts than you can fit in your SUV. Partly because some of the ski school teachers are actually over 25 years old. Partly because of the history of this place — you’re reminded by the 10th Mountain Division plaques and artifacts that decorate the lodge.

But mostly because you can ski here on a Saturday in soft, all-natural snow and have an entire trail to yourself.

That’s why we like Cooper.

GO! choice: Copper Mountain c Vail Resorts gets all the press, but Copper is right there as well — just past Breckenridge and Keystone and not as far as Vail or Beaver Creek.

Copper is big, really big, and it appeals especially to skiers and boarders who like to get the most for their money — riders who boast of days in vertical feet instead of number of chairlift rides. And the newly designed base, with bars, nightclubs and even a make-your-own pottery place, is almost fun enough to make you take a day off from the slopes.

SKI RESORT FOR BOARDERS

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READER’S choice: Breckenridge GO! choice: Breckenridge c It’s big, a plus for the all-mountain dudes. It’s got one of the most popular half-pipes in the country, for the 720 dudes and dude-ettes. And it’s got a massive terrain park where the world’s best regularly compete.

SKIING FOR BEGINNERS GO! choice: Keystone c One of the hardest things about learning to ski is getting on and off the chairlift. Keystone not only has a first-rate ski school and giant learn-

GO! choice: Trails in Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area c You have to drive to get there, but once you start riding, you’ll understand the term “area.” This network of trails sprawls in the Pike National Forest, just off County Road 126 near the ing hill, but it also features a chairlift tiny town of Buffalo Creek. It offers JUST for beginners. something for every rider’s taste: SKIING FOR DAREDEVILS deep sand (left from the Buffalo Creek GO! choice: Silverton Mountain fire and flood years ago), narrow forc This is a no-brainer — if you’re not est paths and wide gravel roadbeds. an expert skier, go somewhere else.

From Woodland Park, take Colorado Silverton Mountain boasts the steep- Highway 67 to Deckers; turn left on est, most powder-filled skiing this side 126 and drive to the sign just south of of Valdez, Alaska. Its easiest run is Buffalo Creek. pitched at 30 degrees (the angle of INSANE MOUNTAIN BIKE most of the steepest runs at your avTRAIL erage ski resort) and its steepest run GO! choice: The Chutes outside Cheyis tilted at 55 degrees. enne Canyon

ALL-AROUND SKI OR BOARDING RUN GO! choice: Peak 7 at Breckenridge c The seven trails on Peak 7 opened at Breck this season. Choose any of them, and you’ll get rolls, glades and routes that wind and drop and never fail to amuse. For blue skiers and boarders (Those who love blacks should stay on the T-bar above 7).

EASY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL GO! choice: Centennial Trail outside Woodland Park c It’s wide — about 8 feet. It’s paved — most of the way. And it winds up and down, never offering an incline that’s too hard or a downhill section that’s too fast. This is a great trail for begin-

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HIKE FOR OUT-OF-TOWNERS GO! choice: Mount Cutler in Cheyenne Canyon c Flatlanders love to say they climbed a mountain. Here’s one they can climb without taking along the oxygen tank.

A little more than a mile up from the trailhead it reaches a bona fide summit with impressive views of Seven Falls and a sweeping expanse of Pike National Forest.

MOUNTAIN TRAIL Readers’ choice: Barr Trail c This is the mother of all trails in the Pikes Peak region — a 7,200-foot elevation gain over 12.7 miles makes it the longest and most difficult fourteener climb in the state. But there are options, many options: Take the trail to the top and walk down; walk up and stay overnight at Barr Camp, a comfortable but appropriately primitive camp halfway up; or walk up to Barr Camp and back down. Any way you do it, you’ll be glad you did. It’s the quintessential Colorado Springs experience.

GO! choice: Catamount Trail c What can you say about a trail that takes you through a place called the Garden of Eden? You can say “wow.”

This trail starts in the town of Green Mountain Falls and zigzags its way up the hillside behind the houses. After about a mile, it opens to the Garden, a hidden hanging valley, and continues to South Catamount Reservoir, a part of the North Slope Recreation Area. To get there, park in the city lot by the SEE RECREATION x PAGE 17

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RECREATION check out the gas chamber at the Museum of Colorado Prisons; shutterbugs can check out the vistas of SkyPUBLIC POOL: Wilson Ranch Park Pool, 2335 Allegheny Drive line Drive or the forests of nearby TENNIS COURTS: Bear Creek Park, 21st Street at Bear Creek Road SPORTS FIELD: Goose Gossage Youth Sports Complex, Mark Dabling Boule- Phantom Canyon; kids can soak in atmosphere at Buckskin Joe Frontier vard Town. Oh, yeah, there’s that Royal HOT SPRINGS: Strawberry Park, north of Steamboat Springs; (970) Gorge thing, too.

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QUICK HITS

SLEDDING HILL: Outlook Ridge, Mueller State Park FROM PAGE 16

lake in GMF and walk up Ute Pass Avenue to Hondo. At the end of Hondo, you’ll find the trailhead.

MOONLIT HIKE GO! choice: Horsethief Park c To take advantage of the moonlight, you need some open spaces.

Horsethief Park offers a broad, bowlshaped meadow, far enough from the city lights to take full advantage of a full moon. Take U.S. Highway 24 west to Divide; Highway 67 south toward Cripple Creek. Park in the turnout just past the old Little Ike Tunnel and hike up three-fourths of a mile. When the trail levels out, watch for a place to cross the creek to your left — you’ll find yourself in Horsethief Park.

SHADED HIKE GO! choice: Monument Valley Park c OK, this is more of a stroll than a hike, but we challenge you to walk through the park without stopping by the fish pond, reclining on the thick green grass and gazing at the giant cottonwoods overhead. Pick up the trail at Cache La Poudre Street and head north.

URBAN TRAIL GO! choice: Shooks Run c It’s new, it’s improved, so we love it.

The newest segment of Shooks Run Trail was months in the making, and the result is an engineering marvel rivaling the Panama Canal. Pick it up at Costilla Street, just east of Wasatch Avenue, and head north under Pikes Peak Avenue. Be sure to ooh and aah at the rock wall constructed by hand.

ACCESSIBLE TRAIL GO! choice: Fountain Creek Regional Park Nature Trail c More than 260 species of birds await you on this wide gravel trail.

The 0.6-mile path winds through Fountain Creek Nature Center, where Canada geese sun and butterflies sparkle in the sunshine. Stop by the cattail marsh and see if you can see the park’s most famous visitor — the great blue heron, fishing in the pond. The first portion of this trail is accessible; you might want to turn wheelchairs around before the steeper uphill.

HIKE WITH A VIEW GO! choice: Mount Rosa

c Stand downtown and look toward the mountains. Now, shift your gaze to the left, to the two smaller peaks that look like, well, pointy breasts.

Mount Rosa is the one on the left.

This is one of the most primitive hikes close to the city — there’s no trailhead sign, and sometimes barely a trail. But once you reach the top, you’ll marvel at the views. Take Old Stage Road about seven miles to where it merges with Gold Camp Road. Stay on Gold Camp for about 5.7 more miles, turning right just past a teal-colored cattle gate onto Forest Road 379. Drive as far as your car will allow, and at the meadow, curve right. Watch for a cairn on your right, which heads up the drainage. Follow the trail there.

BOWLING ALLEY Readers’ choice: Harmony Bowl c Harmony Bowl is a strike with everyone from league bowlers to teeny-boppers. This bowling alley offers everything a bowler could ever ask for: pro shop, snack bar, game room, plenty of lanes, lots of open bowling hours, bar, child care for league bowlers — yup, all the basic needs of any bowler are met here. 3845 N. Academy Blvd.

GO! choice: King Pin c If the Big Lebowski were to visit the Springs, he’d bowl here. 3410 N. Academy Blvd.

tive,but only about a quarter-mile from bathroom facilities and a halfmile from a soda machine.

canyon, rainbow trout are thriving here. But let’s keep this our secret, OK? Lake George, off Highway 24.

PICNIC SPOT

NATURE WALK

Fountain Creek Nature Center c It’s more than just the birds (230 species including blue herons), muskrats, beavers, red foxes, wild turkeys CLIMBING WALL and deer that make us so fond of GO! choice: Galyan’s Fountain Creek, it’s the Nature Cenc Two stories of beginner or expert ter’s educational focus. Programs like rock climbing, and it’s free. In First “Leave It to Beaver” (a slide show and and Main shopping center off Powers walk exploring beavers’ wetland enviBoulevard and Carefree Circle. ronment) make learning and looking that much more fun. 320 Peppergrass CAMPING SITE GO! choice: Prospector Ridge at Muel- Lane, Fountain.

FISHING HOLE ler State Park GO! choice: Elevenmile Canyon Reserc Sure, we’ve mentioned Mueller already, but this is really the best front- voir country camping around. It’s frontc Protected by catch-and-release regucountry, with the feel of backcountry. lations and artificial-flies-and-lures reIn other words, it’s private and primi- strictions in the upper third of the

GO! choice: Cheyenne Canyon c Sure, this place can get crowded on a summer afternoon. But the little creekside spots, nearly hidden in green in the summer, make a perfect spot to spread out the blanket and break out the bologna sandwiches.

PLACE TO WATCH THE SUNSET GO! choice: Rampart Reservoir c This isn’t as easy to get to as it used to be, but it’s still the best sunset in town. The road that crosses the dam is closed indefinitely. But if you hike in on the Rainbow Gulch Trail (about 1.5 miles), and walk clockwise on the reservoir perimeter trail, you’ll get a heavenly view of Pikes Peak, the setting sun and diving gulls.

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GOLF COURSE Readers’ choice: Patty Jewett c It’s pretty. It’s well-maintained. It’s convenient to thousands of residents.

And it’s relatively affordable at $45 for 18 holes.

GO! choice: The Broadmoor c The luxury resort boasts three amazing courses. (Somehow, they’ve stayed green and perfect even during the worst of the drought.) Our favorite is the oldest, the East Course, designed by Donald Ross in 1917. Challenging holes and beautiful scenery have made this a popular spot for tournaments, such as the U.S. Women’s Open in 1995.

DAY TRIP GO! choice: Cañon City c For a city of about 25,000, Cañon City offers plenty of entertainment for, as the cliché goes, everyone. Adventurers can whitewater raft down the Arkansas River; history buffs can

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SHOPPING

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SHOPPING

NEW STORE Readers’ choice: Super Target GO! choice: Super Target c Technically it’s not a new store, but it’s the first Super Target in town and that’s good enough for us. (We’ve always thought Target was pretty super!) It never took much of an excuse to find our way to a Target store, but now, with all that shopping under one gigantic roof, we could go every day! Our shopping lists have never looked so cool: milk and Michael Graves, spaghetti and Swell, cottage cheese and Cherokee. 3810 Bloomington St. (just off Powers Boulevard).

HOME-DECOR PLACE

hair-care products. Meanwhile, his former No. 2 man, Eddie, is following in his footsteps, offering big-city haircuts that may garner him national attention as well. 31 E. Bijou St. GO! choice: Brenda Neighbors at Salon 7 c Brenda and her husband, Mark, former stylists at Evo Salon, started Salon 7 five years ago. They get $50 for a cut, and customers will tell you it’s a deal. The Neighborses stay up on the latest hair-styling techniques, including the newest permanent hairstraightening process from Japan ($350). 622 S. Tejon St.

BARBER

GO! choice: Swish c It might look light just another second-hand store along Colorado Avenue. But inside, among an assortment of modern-day dressing, you can find nuggets from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.

They say they can even get flapper dresses from the ’20s, if that’s what you’re after. And you won’t want to miss the assortment of vintage cashmere. 1816 W. Colorado Ave.

NOVELTY SHOP GO! choice: The Hideout c Some stores offer goods, but The Hideout offers a lifestyle. They call it western and lodge furniture, but that hardly begins to describe the blackand-white cow-covered chairs, the rustic wood, and the giant drums/coffee tables that you can set your drinks on or beat wildly. When it’s time to buy that remote cabin and pretend like a mountain man, this is where you can get outfitted. In the meantime, it’s a great place to dream. 5705 N. Academy Blvd.

for an octogenarian or a Gen-Y’er. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a $5 gift exchange or a sky’s-the-limit gift. This funky gift shop will have something that’s just right. 214 1/2 N. Tejon St.

MEXICAN MARKET GO! choice: Leonela Carniceria c You’ll think you died and went to Mexico. This Latino supermarket has amazing produce. The peppers — serranos, tomatillos, jalapeños — are the best you’ll find in town. It also features a spectacular meat selection.

3736 E. Pikes Peak Blvd.

OTHER ETHNIC MARKET GO! choice: Seoul Oriental Market c Hot clusters of tempura (three for $1) in a basket send wonderful aromas down the aisles of this authentic Asian market. You’ll find shrimp crackers, frozen squid, soybean paste and the latest Korean videotapes. 2599 S. Academy Blvd.

GOURMET SHOP

GO! choice: Terra Verde c Terra Verde’s lucky staffers travel to trade fairs in America’s style centers and bring back everything you need for the well-dressed home. The exotic goods come from around the world and, in the case of Mark Wong’s gorgeous raku pieces, from our own back HOME-IMPROVEMENT yard. Can’t find what you’re looking STORE for? Try again in a few weeks — the selection evolves constantly. 208 N. GO! choice: Home Depot Tejon St. c Maybe Steve Thomas and Norm HAIR STYLIST Abram could differentiate between home-improvement stores based on Readers’ choice: John Eddie at quality. But for the rest of us, we’re Gurtrude’s House of Hair c Gurtrude’s founder William Whatley judging this one on old-fashioned quantity. No matter what part of town has gone on to fame and fortune, you live in, a Home Depot is not that working as a stylist for Rolling Stone magazine. He does TV shoots and run- far away. Multiple locations.

VINTAGE CLOTHING way shows, and has his own line of

FARMERS MARKET GO! choice: Bancroft Park c With the downtown farmers market moving out of Acacia Park, the only place left to grab your fresh veggies that has an ounce of charm is Saturday mornings at Bancroft Park. We admit that we also have a soft spot in our hearts for the occasional craft fair that fills the park. Sure, it gets really crowded later in the morning, but rubbing fresh-grown zucchinis with strangers is part of its charm. Corner of 24th Street and West Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City.

CUSTOMER SERVICE GO! choice: Phil Long Saturn c In fairness, the two Saturn locations in town are just following the nationwide Saturn creed: Smile at your customers until they buy a car. And then, once you buy one, they stand around and clap. General Motors likes to say that when you buy a Saturn, you join a family. Some people would say it’s more like a cult, but seriously: There’s a reason why owners of these solidbut-unspectacular cars rave about their purchases on par with Lexus and Infiniti owners — and it’s not because of the leather seats. 1020 Motor City Drive; 1540 Auto Mall Loop.

GO! choice: Par Avion Finer Foods Emporium Readers’ choice: The Antique Mall, c Is there any doubt? The selection of 118 W. Colorado Ave. cheeses is unparalleled in this city.

GO! choice: American Classics MarketSashimi-grade ahi tuna and sea bass place grace the fish cases (Take it from c Turn right after walking in the front someone who knows, it’s fresh enough door of this enormous building (a to eat raw). Whether you need paté, a former furniture store) and you’ll find spicy salami, potent olives, specialty grand pianos and armoires. Straight chocolate and nuts or fresh bread, Par ahead, it’s rolling pins, wanted posters Avion is your place. Find the perfect and vintage clothing. Turn left, it’s ingredients for that recipe, put togetharts and crafts galore. In between, er a stunning appetizer plate, and find you’ll find thimbles for a few bucks a luscious cut of meat for the grill in and a massive, 140-year-old Viennese this little shop tucked into the northbuffet for $3,500. So set aside a day — eastern corner of town. 4510 Oro BlanSALE or two — to see it all. 1815 N. Academy co Drive.

GO! choice: Thrift House of the EpisBlvd.

NATURAL FOODS STORE copal Church Women Bag Sale

ANTIQUES

GO! choice: Benny’s Barber Shop c When word of mouth sustains a business, you know it must be a good thing. Benny Vallejo has been chopping hairs and cleaning up fuzz for more than 40 years, and there’s no stopping him now. Corner of Eighth Street and West Colorado Avenue.

ket c No contest here. It’s the biggest, baddest, healthy-schmealthy store in town, with a huge produce section, bulk foods, full deli, smoothie and juice bar and shelves and shelves full of antioxidants, vitamins and magical elixirs. 5075 N. Academy Blvd.

GIFT SHOP

GO! choice: Whickerbill Contemporary Gifts c It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping

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SHOPPING FROM PAGE 19

stop. The store keeps its shelves stocked with developing artists, and you can always find Colorado music Because Episcopalians give away nice stuff, this smallish thrift store fre- cians — thanks to the green-and-white mountain signs that highlight them. quently rewards bargain hunters. But Four locations. the store really heats up during the twice-a-year bag sales — at the ends AUCTION of winter and summer — when entire GO! choice: Ross Auction bags of clothing are only $5. 1027 S. c Sure, online auctions are great, but Tejon St. they can’t match the excitement of a MUSIC STORE live auction. Since Tad Bickley and Bill Readers’ choice: Independent Neal took over Ross Auction in 1998, Records they’ve added periodic fine-art aucGO! choice: Independent Records tions to the weekly auctions that have c In an age of CD burning, it’s good to been a Springs tradition since 1921.

109 S. Sierra Madre St. have a decent record store around — HOBBY STORE where you can get turned on to new music, chat with the staff about what GO! choice: Michaels they’re listening to, hunt through the c We love the fact that if we run out used racks and dig into a cool vibe. In- of sticks for the ol’ glue gun on a Sundependent Records is that store. Four day, Michaels is there for us. And we locations don’t mind the coupons that appear Worthy contender: Earth Pig Music, regularly in their advertising fliers.

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GO! choice: Independent Records c If you care about local music, then Independent Records is a mandatory

Readers’ choice: Barnes and Noble c Wall-to-wall books, great sales shelves and all those clever sketches

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of famous artists. If you’re looking for a popular new release or a lesserknown classic, it’s hard to go wrong here. 795 Citadel Drive East and 1565 Briargate Blvd.

GO! choice: Hooked on Books c This is the bookstore for bibliophiles — not just people who like to read books, but people who love the look of them, the feel of them — even the smell of them. Books fill the place to the rafters, and the loads of multisized shelves give it a labyrinth-like feel. It’s got a few current offerings, but this is primarily a used-book store, with shelf after shelf of bargains. 3918 Maizeland Road.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Readers’ choice: Chapel Hills Mall GO! choice: Downtown Colorado Springs c If you’re looking for Santa, go to the mall. But the city’s greatest concentration of hard-to-duplicate gifts is right downtown. It’s got the latest Goo Goo Dolls CD (Independence Records), gold-plated Buddhas (Everest Tibet Imports) and many things in between, in an atmosphere more like Bedford Falls than Bedford Mall. Plus, no Muzak!

QUICK HITS NURSERY: Red Rock Gardens, 3178 W. Colorado Ave. BIKE SHOP: Old Town Bike Shop, 426 N. Tejon St. CARD SHOP: CJ Kard, 214 N. Tejon St. BABY PARAPHERNALIA: Babies R Us, 3555 Citadel Drive South BUTCHER: G&C Packing Co., 240 S. 21st St.

ing the intricacies of the nose or the finish of your favorite vintage. 9 S. Tejon St.

STORE FOR DEAL HUNTERS GO! choice: Tuesday Morning c At this closeout retailer of upscale furnishings and gifts, you’ll find toys, mirrors, planters, picture frames, knicknacks and much more at prices that will blow you away. But please don’t get there before we do; stocks are almost always limited. 4380 Austin Bluffs Parkway and 1833 S. Nevada Ave.

PLACE TO GET A CASE OF DIAPERS AND DINNER

GO! choice: Sam’s Club c Buying in bulk is all the rage; even the government is telling us to stock up on food and water, just in case. If you’re looking to stock the pantry, LIQUOR STORE WHEN Sam’s is the natural place to go. But YOU KNOW WHAT YOU go hungry, because there is no better WANT deal on dinner than the Sam’s Club GO! choice: Pirate’s Liquor Outlet snack bars. A hot dog and soda c What could be more convenient combo (a long dog and a big soda, no than just driving right through — yes, kids sizes here) will run you $1.50; a we mean right through the middle of “slice” of pizza (their slices are cut in the store — to pick up your spirits of two and can easily feed two kids) and choice. But you have to stay in the car a soda costs less than $3. 715 S. Acadewhen you visit this liquor store in the my Blvd. and 1850 E. Woodmen Road. former America’s Beach Club, so SPORTING-GOODS STORE browsing the aisles to see what FOR PLAYING PINGPONG piques your interest is not an option.

GO! choice: Galyan’s But if you know you must have a bottle of Malibu rum or a six-pack of New- c The tables are set up. Paddles and balls available on request. First and castle, drive right up and honk your Main shopping center, off Powers Bouhorn. Think you have to pay for such a convenience? Nope. The prices com- levard at Carefree Circle. pare to other liquor stores we SKI SHOP checked out. 3506 N. Academy Blvd.

GO! choice: The Ski Shop

LIQUOR STORE WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

c Go to any sporting goods store that sells skis, and then go to the Ski Shop for answers to all the questions that didn’t get answered elsewhere. These guys have been selling, servicing and using skis for nearly three decades.

1422 S. Tejon St.

GO! choice: Cheers Liquor Mart c In the mood to browse and see what strikes your fancy? You just can’t beat Cheers. Great prices and phenomenal choice make this liquor ELECTRONICS STORE store a favorite year after year. 1105 N. GO! choice: Audio Visionaries Circle Drive. c Before you shell out $3,000 for a LIQUOR STORE FOR WINE big-screen TV and then can’t figure GO! choice: Vintage’s Wine and Spirits out how to turn it on, talk to Chuck. c If it’s wine you’re after, why not go He’ll walk you through all the complexto a place that’s all about wine? If ities of HDTV, digital-ready, hybrids, you’re a novice, the experts at Vincomponent cables, rear-view projectage’s can answer your questions and tion, plasma, 740p, 1080i — without guide you to the right choice. Oenomaking your head spin. 3650 Austin philes will feel right at home discuss- Bluffs Parkway.

VIDEO STORE FOR FOREIGN, INDIE FILMS GO! choice: Toons c Film student or weekend renter, you can’t find a more intriguing inventory than is to be found in this converted gas station. It has a section devoted to independent films — more than 200 of them — and a jaw-dropping selection of foreign films. Those that are not shelved by director (15 films by Roman Polanski, 24 by Ingmar Bergman, etc.) are across the aisle, categorized by nation or geographic region, or in the classics section. Also offers selection of DVDs. 802 N. Nevada Ave.

VIDEO STORE FOR NEW RELEASES GO! choice: Hollywood Video c OK, Blockbuster may have more than twice as many stores in the area than Hollywood’s seven, but that’s the only advantage they’ve got. Hollywood Video has all the same new releases plus a much better collection of foreign films. They charge slightly less than Blockbuster and rentals are for five days instead of that restrictive two-day, get-it-back-at-noon policy for new releases at Blockbuster. Hooray for Hollywood. Various locations.

PLACE FOR ANIMÉ GO choice: Lucky Neko c Whether you’re looking for the latest Japanese animé DVDs or collectable action figures, Neko has you covered. 4759 Flintridge Drive.

NEW-AGE STORE GO! choice: Celebration New Age Store. c Two floors filled with books, music, crystals, incense, bumper stickers and assorted knick-knacks. It’s a one-stop shop for all manner of off-the-beatenpath resources. Even if you’re not into any new-age movement, a 15-minute trip to the store will make you feel happier, more peaceful and — because of the incense — better smelling. 2209 W. Colorado Ave.

CHRISTIAN STORE GO! choice: Family Christian Stores c There are two of these chain-operated stores in town, both of which offer a good selection of Christian materials. Whether you want a new King James or the latest P.O.D. CD, you’ll find it here. 7560 N. Academy Blvd., 687 N. Academy Blvd.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GO! choice: Jason Ringenberg at Jose Muldoon’s c Using Front Range hillbilly rockers Marty Jones & The Pork Boilin’ Poor Boys as his backing band, alt-country god Jason Ringenberg absolutely tore up this little club date. The lanky cowpunker filled the crowd with shock and awe as he took the Nestea plunge in the middle of the dance floor and twitched around like a hopped-up cockroach as he screeched out the words. It was sumpin’.

Worthy contenders: Michael Franti and Spearhead at 32 Bleu; Morrissey at the Colorado Music Hall

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OPERA

GO! choice: “Candide” CONCERT THAT NEVER c OK, so there wasn’t much competiHAPPENED tion, but that’s no reason to ignore GO! choice: Ray Charles with the Colo- Opera Theatre of the Rockies’ sparrado Springs Symphony kling and colorful production of Lec “Unchain my Heart,” “Hit the Road onard Bernstein’s sparkling and colorJack,” and “Georgia on My Mind” are ful show. Bernstein’s score is his best, among the songs that Ray Charles and Opera Theatre of the Rockies did LARGE CLASSICAL probably would have performed with it proud.

CONCERT GO! choice: Colorado Springs Sympho- the Colorado Springs Symphony, if MUSEUM EXHIBIT this concert had taken place. Of all ny Musicians at Grace Episcopal GO! choice: “Natural Interests: The the opportunities lost in the Colorado Photographs of Andrea Modica” Church Springs Symphony’s bankruptcy, none c The Fine Arts Center’s exhibit of c Barring amnesia, nobody who attended the symphony musicians’ Feb- stung quite as much as losing what Modica’s work — the first in the region would have been Charles’ first appear- by this nationally known local photogruary fund-raiser will ever forget it. ance in the Springs since the 1980s.

Some 1,000 people crammed into rapher — showed her black-and-white every corner of the church to hear PERFORMING ARTS work is as insistent as it is subtle. conductor Lawrence Leighton Smith COLLABORATION MEXICAN MUSIC VENUE and the musicians’ inspiring perforGO! choice: Chamber Orchestra of GO! choice: Colorado Music Hall mances of Copland’s “Fanfare for the the Springs and the Colorado Springs c After sticking it out for a few years Common Man” and two staple sympho- Conservatory as a rock venue, the Colorado Music nies: Dvorak’s “New World” and c First Christian Church was filled to Hall went to the country music of MexMozart’s “Jupiter.” the rafters when these organizations ico last year. The pent-up demand for SMALL CONCERT teamed up for Menotti’s “Martin’s Lie.” the sounds of Mexico exploded into Readers’ choice: Club performances Judging from the between-movement sold-out shows and brisk sales of

by Judge Roughneck applause, much of the audience had Tecate and margaritas. For Mexican imc This Denver-based ska/reggae band never been to a classical concert bemigrants, it was a slice of home that fore. But after hearing this polished has a loyal knot of followers in the boasted some big names in Mexican and emotional production of a diffiSprings who get juiced up whenever cult score, we’re betting it won’t be the Judge takes the bench.

SEE ENTERTAINMENT x PAGE 23

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PERFORMING ARTS COUP GO! choice: Rachel Barton with musicians from the Colorado Springs Symphony c Either violinist Rachel Barton is a saint, or the musicians from the former Colorado Springs Symphony have some mighty incriminating Polaroids of her. Nothing else can explain her recent free appearance at a fund-raiser for the musicians, at which she delivered the Tchaikovsky Concerto of a lifetime.

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Readers’ choice: Rolling Stones at Pepsi Center c After 40 years and a bazillion tours, there’s still no moss on the Rolling Stones. Mick wiggled. Keith tickled his strings. And the Stones poured it all out one more time, showing why they’re the masters of arena rock and one of the finest bands ever.

GO! choice: The Eagles at the World Arena c Old guys rock. In a concert year belonging to vintage acts such as Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones, the Springs got in on the action with a visit from The Eagles. It was a fan’s dream: a three-hour show that covered all the big hits.

Worthy contender: Tool at the World Arena

hard to get them to come back.

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country music. 10 S. Parkside Drive

COUNTRY & WESTERN CLUB GO! choice: Cowboys c Cowboys has all but retired this award. With a giant dance floor, a small army of line dancers, cheap drinks, and national country stars passing through monthly, Cowboys is definitely the best C&W club in the city. According to the Academy of Country Music, it’s also one of the Top 10 clubs in the nation for the second year in a row. 3910 Palmer Park Blvd.

LIVE MUSIC VENUE Readers’ choice: 32 Bleu GO! choice: 32 Bleu c The club at the corner of Tejon Street and Colorado Avenue injected new life into the local music scene with its October opening. The Bleu is built on a faith in music. It fits about 500 fans, feeds them with live tunes nearly every night of the week, and wraps up the package with swanky environs. From Michael Franti to Branford Marsalis to Martin Sexton to the Big Wu, 32 Bleu offers national-level acts in every genre. 32 S. Tejon St.

PLACE FOR KARAOKE GO! choice: Copycats, inside Rum Bay

c Sing out, sisters and brothers! Nobody does a more rocking cover of “Sweet Home Alabama” than you. An entire room is devoted to the art form and it’s open at 5 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 20 N. Tejon St.

LOCAL CD GO! choice: Joe Kuzma’s “Laissez la peur du rouge aux betes a cornes” c A man’s reach must exceed his grasp, otherwise what’s a heaven for?

Kuzma reached high with this homemade project and somehow got his fingers around most of it. It is epic and enjoyable, fanciful and inspiring.

Worthy contenders: Accidental Superhero’s “Full Circle”

OPEN MIC GO! choice: Black Rose Acoustic Society open stage c Maybe it’s the Black Rose cachet.

Maybe it’s the networking possibilities of a roomful of musicians and serious fans. Maybe it’s the free cookies. Whatever it is, Black Rose has good musicians knocking on its door to play for free on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Three acts are chosen to play from 7:30-10 p.m.

DANCE CLUB GO! choice: Latin Quarters c Dozens of clubs offer a place to bolt SEE ENTERTAINMENT x PAGE 24

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NEW GALLERY

GO! choice: Phototroph down beer and turn into the carefree c This cozy Depot Arts District finedancing queen. But Aldo Lombardi’s art photo gallery has already brought Latin Quarters hosts something a bit us historical figures such as Edward more classy than the traditional bump- Weston and Imogen Cunningham, conand-grind club moves. Salsa, merentemporary national figures such as gue, cumbia and other Latin sounds Robert Stivers, first-rate regional phofill the club, and you can get free tographers such as Bill Starr and salsa lessons 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays.

Carol Dass, and promising students 1865 N. Academy Blvd. such as Coronado High School’s Matt Adams. 218 W. Colorado Ave. ART OPENINGS GO! choice: UCCS Gallery of ContemGALLERY SHOW porary Art GO! choice: “Colored by Process” c We’d retire this award, but we keep c This contemporary art exhibit at the hoping someone will rise to the chal- UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art lenge. Until then, we’ll keep joining combined exceptionally beautiful imaghundreds of area artists and art-loves with an insightful presentation that ers at these joyful schmooze-fests. cast light on the artists’ creative pro1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway. cesses. Curator Jim Robischon paired some of the area’s best artists — Pat GALLERY Dagnon, Jean Gumpper and Sean GO! choice: Rich Designs c No art gallery anywhere smells bet- O’Meallie — with regional artists sharing related creative processes. ter than the Gallery at Rich Designs, ART IN UNUSUAL VENUE which does double duty as a flower GO! choice: The Plantera Group shop. But don’t be fooled: It’s also a first-rate exhibition space. 1731 Mount At a time when many arts groups are struggling, The Plantera Group is one Washington Ave.

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business that’s conspicuously stepped up to help. And curator Jeff Brown has shown an almost magical ability to find trios of artists whose work perfectly complements one another’s. It’s made this financial planning services office a regular stop on the arts beat.

MOVIE THEATER Readers’ choice: Tinseltown With 20 screens, Tinseltown is the biggest theater in town. Big movies often play on two or three screens, giving you a better chance of getting a seat.

1545 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

GO! choice: Kimball’s Twin Peak The megaplexes are packed, and still this little independent art-deco movie palace survives. The reason? Owner Kimball Bayles consistently brings in the off-Hollywood movies that film connoisseurs want to see: “The Pianist,” “City of God,” “Talk to Her,” “Rabbit-Proof Fence,” “Bowling for Columbine.” 115 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL GO! choice: Mardi Gras Carnivale, Manitou Springs It’s a ball! It’s a parade! It’s a gumbo cook-off! It’s the Carnivale festival in Manitou Springs. Manitou Avenue.

THEATER COMPANY Readers’ choice: The Fine Arts Center Repertory Theatre Company Sandra Womochil Bray, the Fine Arts Center’s new director of performing arts, has the Rep going in the right direction. The company recently reached new heights in its brash, sexy and glitzy production of “Chicago.”

But the season also featured exceptionally strong productions of the heartbreaking “West Side Story” and the inspirational “Man of La Mancha.”

GO! choice: Theatreworks It was another banner year for UCCS Theatreworks, with a sparkling “Nymph Errant,” a moving “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a gripping “King Lear,” and a thought-provoking “The Dispute.” And they even brought famed monologuist Spalding Gray to town.

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For more information, call 719-633-9925 or visit cmzoo.org today.

GO! choice: “King Lear” Theatreworks’ production of Shakespeare’s wildest play set a new standard for Shakespeare in Colorado Springs, with Bob Pinney’s virtuoso performance of Lear matched by Amy Brooks, Alysabeth Clements and Ashley Crockett as his daughters.

MUSICAL GO! choice: “Chicago” No musical is such sordid fun as Bob Fosse’s “Chicago,” and the Fine Arts Center’s production brought out its cynical humor with great dancing, great singing and a great band.

SEE ENTERTAINMENT x PAGE 25

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As the cap on what’s already an awesomely difficult part, the character of Roxie Hart in “Chicago” is given one DINNER THEATER of music theater’s longest soliloquies.

GO! choice: “Nickelson Sings EcksThat’s when Amy Sue Hardy — who’s a tine” at Encore! Dinner Theatre Not enough people saw Jeffrey Nickel- better dancer than singer, and a better singer than just about anyone else son’s masterful evocation of crooner in town — took over the Fine Arts CenBilly Eckstine. In this smoky, sultry, nostalgic production, his performance ter Stage in a mesmerizing performance. was sheer magic.

ORIGINAL THEATER GO! choice: “Stick Guns” at the Manitou Art Theater He’s best known as a clown, but Jim Jackson’s witty and biting “Stick Guns” showed us another dimension to his talent. Jackson drew on his Cañon City childhood to create a hilarious yet haunting picture of youth and violence.

ACTOR GO! choice: Bob Pinney The role of Lear in Shakespeare’s masterpiece is the theater world’s equivalent of Mount Everest: You may get there, but it’s never easy. The 70-yearold Pinney distilled a lifetime’s experience into his raging, haunting and ultimately endearing performance.

ACTRESS

BLUES CLUB GO! choice: Navajo Hogan Roadhouse “You can’t swing a cat in this town without hitting a blues band,” says one musician who shall remain anonymous. And there are plenty of places to see all these blues cats strut their stuff. Despite stiff competition, the Hogan still rules. Look for national acts at the Hogan all summer. 2817 N. Nevada Ave.

ELECTRONICA CLUB GO! choice: Static (inside Icon) Historically, themes at this club get dropped faster than a prom dress. But since John Gowing took over the club, it’s become more consistent and much more popular. The big change in 2002 was creating Static, an all-electronica club that’s jam-packed on Thursdays and Saturdays. Now, Gowing is working national-level DJs into the mix. 5905 N. Academy Blvd.

Worthy contender: The Underground, 130 E. Kiowa St.; 633-0590

GO! choice: Erika Zaccaria Odds are you’d have to go to a much wealthier theater in a much larger city to see a better performance than the one Erika Zaccaria gave as Elma, the teenage waitress in Star Bar PlayHEAD-BANGERS ers’ production of “Bus Stop.” Zaccaria HANGOUT vividly brought to life this star-struck, GO! choice: The Gardens innocent and curious young woman.

The one, the only, The Gardens — one PERFORMANCE IN of the first metal clubs in the Springs.

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LOCAL BAND Readers’ choice: Against Tomorrow’s Sky GO! choice: Against Tomorrow’s Sky These indie rockers had a very good year. They put out their debut album, “Jump the Hedges First,” on the little East Coast label Universal Warning.

The album is nice, but the live show is better. Aggressive and emotional.

Smart and raw.

Worthy contenders: F.O.S. (Fusion of Syllables)

be moved — satisfying zoning restrictions but annihilating his original artistic intentions. See them now, so someday you can tell your grandchildren.

FREE ENTERTAINMENT Readers’ choice: Live music at The Ritz No cover for some of the hottest bands in town. Hard to beat.

15 S. Tejon St. GO! choice: July 4 in Memorial Park Even though the new Colorado Springs Philharmonic probably won’t carry on the “1812 Overture”-cannon firing tradition, the Jazz Festival promises to continue to make this annual city outing one of the most fun ways to spend the day with your family.

For birders, naturalists, or the game, Easy to handle features, waterproof models. Get them at Godec’s!

COVER BAND GO! choice: The Riders Sometimes ya gotta give it up for tenacity, for longevity, for pure stick-toit-iveness. This year marks The Riders’ 25th anniversary of turning out cover tunes for fans, dancers and drunks in the drinking establishments of Colorado Springs.

Worthy contender: Radio London

B ri n g C h ri s t m a s C l o s e r T h i s Ye a r !

PUBLIC ART GO! choice: Starr Kempf sculptures Nobody knows how long it will be until Starr Kempf’s magical sculptures will

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Friday, April 25, 2003

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FAMILY start out skeptical — but almost never remain so. “Art is the most effective way of reaching at-risk kids,” says founder Wendy Mike. And FutureSelf’s track record bears Mike out: None of the participants in its advanced workshops has been arrested since the program began. Maybe none of these kids will become the next Picasso, but that’s not the point. 513 Manitou Ave.

GETAWAY FOR MOM GO! choice: Bemis School of Art c We know you moms. If it’s not written on your busy schedule, you won’t make the time for yourself. So commit to a class at Bemis and it’s up to 10 weeks of an hour or two just for you.

No matter the class — mosaics, weaving, ceramics, drawing — it’s the best indulgence: growth for your mind and spirit. 30 W. Dale St.

For younger kids, this is a magical place on first visit with its player piano, wax figurines and mirrors that miraculously show your “number.”

Older kids like it, too — it has a boss arcade. 2910 E. Platte Ave.

634-0808 to make reservations. 3820 N. 30th St.

FATHER-SON OUTING

Readers’ choice: Sky Sox game c It is, after all, the great American pastime, and the chance of catching a HIKE WITH KIDS fly ball is much better at Sky Sox StaGO! choice: Boulder Creek Trail at Flo- dium than at Coors Field. 4385 Tutt rissant Fossil Beds National Monument Blvd. c You’ve got your fossilized redwood GO! choice: Nickle A Play stumps, then your sun-drenched hillc The Zoo? Sky Sox? A nice game of sides, then finally, your cluster of gran- catch? Fat chance, dad. Today’s kids GETAWAY FOR DAD ite boulders called The Caves. There GO! choice: Lowe’s Home Improvelike their summertime months awash really aren’t any caves, but this trail is in air conditioning — particularly if the ment Warehouse easy enough and varied enough for c OK, so not every dad’s mouth salicool air is blowing around Nickle A vates when he sees 20 brands of recip- kids to enjoy without getting too Play. Kids want to crush their fathers’ rocating saws lined up row upon row. tired. Start at the Visitors Center and collective self-esteem by trouncing But for many, a trip to Lowe’s is like a follow the sign for Boulder Creek. At them in all manner of epilepsy-inducvisit to a big boy’s ultimate toy store. the caves, stop for a snack and let the ing video games. Let’s face it, pops: kids climb the rocks. Then loop back This place has everything AND the They’re better than you at this stuff, kitchen sink. Men have been known to through a forest of Douglas fir, then and they want to make sure that, even blue spruce, then ponderosa. linger in the power-tool department, though you can make them clean running their fingers lightly over routtheir rooms, they still have the upper ers or lathes. And a trip to Lowe’s is a hand in SOMETHING. And, if you’re a getaway that keeps on giving: Dad can good enough sport, they might play while away many an hour working catch with you later on. 3275 E. Platte with his new plaything, making someAve. thing beautiful the whole family can FATHER-SON CLUB enjoy. Well, this IS the denial issue.

GO! choice: MARCAR (Mountain Area 2945 New Center Point.

Radio Control Auto Racers)

FAMILY DAY TRIP Readers’ choice: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo c This outstanding family-outing opportunity is going to get even more fabulous in May, when the zoo will unveil its new African Rift Valley exhibit, featuring the largest giraffe population in captivity. Admission is $5 for kids 3 to 11. Just west of The Broadmoor hotel. Follow the signs.

GO! choice: The Sand Dunes National Monument c One minute you’re a Colorado hiker, the next you’re Lawrence of Arabia.

Bring cardboard boxes and playful attitudes. Admission is only $3 for adults, free for kids. It’s 35 miles northeast of Alamosa off U.S. Highway 160.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER OUTING Readers’ choice: Shopping c The economy might be in a slump, but you can’t blame that on moms and their daughters: The ladies are doing their part to keep the economy rolling by shopping. Readers’ picks varied: The Citadel, Chapel Hills, downtown — as long as there are cash registers involved, apparently moms and their girls are good to go!

GO! choice: High Tea at Glen Eyrie

c When life starts going a little too fast, we can think of no better setting Readers’ choice: Red Robin than tea at Glen Eyrie for moms and c Great burgers. Video games. A guy daughters to spend some quiet time in a bird suit. Red Robin is a kid’s para- slowing down and getting reacquaintdise. Various locations. ed. Teas are served in the Music Room GO! choice: Fargo’s Pizza Co. in the castle that our city’s founder built. English Cream Teas are served c This place may not have the BEST pizza in town, but we’re kind of partial Monday-Saturday, formal Victorian teas are held on Sundays. Call to Fargo’s button-sized pepperonis.

FAMILY RESTAURANT

c Forget about those puny RC cars at Radio Shack. Dad and son can build their own custom jobs and race around a track at close to 40 mph. It’s only $10 for first-time racers. Annual membership is $25. The group meets most Sundays (including this Sunday) on the southwest corner of The Citadel mall parking lot. For more info, call 597-5911.

TOY STORE

before their kids do. The next time the Readers’ choice: Toys “R” Us grandparents are looking to spoil the c It’s the world’s biggest non-mall toy kids, introduce them to Chuck. 5156 N. store chain, so if you’re looking for Academy Blvd. the latest, hottest toy, chances are PLACE FOR TODDLERS you’ll find it here. 3730 N. Citadel GO! choice: The new Citadel mall play- Drive. ground GO! choice: Discovery Channel Store c Although smaller than its counterc Some kid is hogging the RC hoverpart at Chapel Hills, this new soft play- craft controls and another is kicking ground for toddlers is more imaginaaround that floating hockey puck tive. You have bears and mountain thing. How’s a dad supposed to test lions to jump on, and our kids’ favorout all the cool stuff at this amazing ite: a miniature SUV that has both a for-kids-and-grown-ups toy store? Citaslide and tunnel in it. Near Mervyn’s. del mall.

KIDDIE RIDE GO! choice: Flying Scooter at the North Pole c Kids fly in little boat-like carriages and control their height by how they tip their “sail.” North Pole, Cascade.

HAUNTED HOUSE

GO! choice: Joyrides Demented Journey, Tormented Trail and Haunted Corn Maze c Beheadings, death by electrocution and ghoulish men with roaring chain YOUTH ARTS PROGRAM saws — it doesn’t get any better than GO! choice: FutureSelf at the Busithe spooky effects Joyrides offers ness of Art Center every October. It’s the best bang for c The at-risk teenagers who attend Fu- your buck in and the ambience gets better every year. 5151 Edison Ave. tureSelf’s art workshops frequently

QUICK HITS SANTA CLAUS: North Pole, Cascade PLACE FOR A KID’S PARTY: Laser Quest, 1605 N. Academy Blvd.

MINIATURE GOLF COURSE: Champions, 777 Vondelpark Drive SKATEBOARDING: Manitou Springs Skatepark, Beckers Lane at El Paso Boulevard

Colorado Spring’s Number 1

PARENT-TEEN OUTING GO! choice: Chapel Hills Mall c Drive your teen to the mall. Wait in the car for three hours. Drive your teen back home.

Local Race Registration Point

FAMILY-DINING DEAL Register for any race at Runners Roost and receive

GO! choice: Souper Salad Sundays c Kids get all they can eat for free or at least very cheaply. Children ages 6 to 12 eat for 99 cents, 3 to 5 are 49 cents, 2 and under are free.

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*Excludes sale items

GO! choice: Chuck E. Cheese’s c Sure, the kids love the place, but even the most patient parents grow tired of this kiddie wonderland long

632-2633 107 E. BIJOU Friday, April 25, 2003

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