Best of the Springs 2006 by Colorado Springs Gazette, LLC

TOP DOG, Top burger, Top store, Top loft, Top anchor, Top coffee Top pie Top school Top actor Top hike Top optometrist

Don’t read this section on an empty stomach. Dining will tempt you beyond reason to scan all the winners from Best Fine Dining (above) to Steak to Tapas.

Don’t hand over that credit card until you’ve seen our Shopping picks on Best Gift Store and Best Place to Buy That Sexy Black Dress.

elcome to the 12th Annual Gazette Best of the Springs section — a celebration of the region’s greatest arts, culture, dogs, shoes, restaurant entryways, margaritas, doctor’s waiting rooms, doughnuts . . . The list is exhaustive, with 99 readers’ picks and more than 300 GO! staff picks — and I gotta tell you, our staff is pretty exhausted. You try drinking as many martinis, eating as many buffalo burgers and hiking as many gorgeous trails as we did. OK, you’re not sympathetic. The fruits of our research, along with your votes, have been compiled into a guide to the Pikes Peak region that is unprecedented in its scope. We have everything from the Best Place to Be Born to the Best Place to Die, and the Best Pie too. That should cover the necessities, and if it doesn’t, keep thumbing through, and discover the best of just about everything this wonderful place has to offer.

City Life takes in all people, places and things. Here you’ll find your favorite News Hottie as well as the Best Parade (pictured).

WHO SAYS THESE ARE THE BEST? We do. And you do. Our staff includes experts in dining, theater, music, art, TV, video games, fitness, beer, outdoor recreation and area neighborhoods. But what really gives us the authority to make these choices is that you helped. In addition to more than 500 readers who filled out our ballots, many of you also gave us tips and suggestions that informed our GO! staff picks.

Most of us live here for the natural setting. In Recreation, we tell you how to make the most of our mountains, prairies and everything in between.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “SPRINGS”? As always, we take a loose definition of the Springs, including categories that take us as far as the state’s ski resorts. WANT MORE? Go to gazette.com and click on Best of the Springs, or save a link in your favorites for www.thebestofthesprings.com. You’ll find a nifty search engine to find the readers’ and staff picks in every category, as well as additional content. For instance, if you want to know why our Best Poet earned the title, you can read samples of his poetry. You’ll also find musical samples from the Best Hip-Hop Group, Best Local Singer-Songwriter and the band that cut the Best Local CD. What would the city be without its street performers, musicians, rappers and museums? You’ll find them all in Arts & Entertainment.

WANT TO TELL US WE’RE FULL OF IT? Go ahead, we can take it. We make these choices not to end discussions but to start them. Please send your gripes, disagreements and suggestions for future categories to warren.epstein@gazette.com. We hope you enjoy reading this section as much as we enjoyed conducting the research. Warren Epstein — GO! Editor

BEST OF THE SPRINGS STAFF EDITOR Warren Epstein WRITERS Tom Karpel, Warren Epstein, Teresa Farney, J. Adrian Stanley, Andrew Wineke, Mark Arnest, Jen Mulson, Linda Navarro, Dave Philipps, Deb Acord, Bill Reed, Milo Bryant, Jim O’Connell, Rhonda Van Pelt,

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 2

THE GAZETTE

Amanda Sears, Pula Davis, Ed Sealover, Bill Radford, Paul Asay, RyAnne Scott, Kecia Seyb, Terry Terrones, Sarah Colwell, Jody Conditt, Gina Grate, Jennifer Wilson, Dena Rosenberry, Carol McGraw COPY EDITORS Carmen Boles, Rhonda Van Pelt, Kristin Marsh, Linda Doty

Friday, May 19, 2006

Girls and boys just wanna have fun. And Family has the places to find it, from the best spots for kids’ parties to the best hobby for the whole gang.

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHERS Mark Reis and Kristin Goode DESIGNERS David Demi-Smith, Stephen Olver and Nichole Montañez LOGO DESIGN Matt Andrews

Smokin,’ an award-winning Old English sheepdog, not only earned the title Best Celebrity Dog, he became our cover canine by exemplifying everything Best of the Springs represents: quality, refinement and extreme furriness. Photgrapher Mark Reis captured Smokin’ in all his glory.

Doctor’s Choice®...”Best of Denver Mattress Company” WHY DID WE NAME OUR MATTRESS DOCTOR’S CHOICE BECAUSE THAT’S exactly WHAT IT IS.

Inspired by one of our most satisfied customers, Dr. Brian Wieder (a leading physician specializing in complex spine and spinal cord surgery) our Doctor’s Choice® mattress combines the best in support, comfort, quality, and value. And since we make the mattresses ourselves, you get factory-direct savings of more than 50 percent compared to other major mattress brands.

Brian Wieder, M.D. Rocky Mountain Neurosurgical Alliance www.spineadvisors.com non-paid endorsement

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED.

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Doctor’s Choice® mattresses have several components that work together to create a better mattress for a better night’s sleep. We use high-density foam measuring 1.8 lbs., unlike our competitors, who use 1.3 - 1.5lb. foams. Our heavier foams prolong the life of the mattress and provide “pressure point elimination” in the hip and side areas of your body, which reduces capillary cutoff and improves spinal alignment. Plus, The Perfect Edge® provides a full, edge-toedge sleeping surface. And the Pressure Response™ Coils are the perfect combination of support and comfort. These features, plus many more, are what help make Doctor’s Choice® a great choice for back pain sufferers.

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STORE ADDRESS: 6320 Corporate Ctr. Cr. (Off I-25 & Woodmen) • (719) 266-8383 STORE HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10-9 pm • Sunday 11-6 pm *On any purchase of $750 or more of qualifying merchandise on your Furniture Row express money® card, subject to credit approval. 10% down payment and equal monthly payments after the first 12 months required. This is a Same As Cash offer. If balance on these purchases is paid in full before the expiration of the 43 months promotional period (January 2010) and your Account is kept current, accrued Finance Charges will not be imposed on these purchases. If balance on these purchases is not paid in full, Finance Charges will be assessed from the purchase date at the variable Standard Rate APR of Prime Rate + 14.9 percentage points (22.9% as of 05/01/2006). For Accounts not kept current the variable Default Rate APR of Prime Rate + 19.9 percentage points (25.9% as of 05/01/2006) will be applied to all balances on your Account. Standard Minimum 22.9% APR. Default Minimum 25.9% APR. Minimum Finance Charge $2.00. Certain rules apply to the allocation of payments and Finance Charges on your promotional purchase if you make more than one purchase on your Furniture Row express money® card. Call 1-888-367-4310 or review your cardholder agreement for information. Some advertised products may not be displayed on every showroom floor, but are usually available from our Dist Ctr.. In the event of a shortage we will honor the advertised price. We review all copy for typographical and numerical errors, but sometimes they are still printed. We regret any inconvenience this causes our valued customers, however we cannot be held liable for such errors.

BEST OF THE SPRINGS INDEX AL FRESCO ...............................16 AMERICAN BUFFET ...................19 ANNUAL BARGAIN ....................48 APARTMENTS ............................31 APPETIZERS .............................19 ART GALLERY/MUSEUM .............37 ART HAPPENING .......................44 ASIAN MARKET ........................53 B&B ..........................................27 BAGEL .....................................23 BARN BUILDER ..........................29 BARBECUE SUPPLY SHOP ..........48 BARBECUE .................................13 BATHROOM ................................31 BEER-CHEESE SOUP ....................8 BEER STORE ..............................49 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IMPERSONATOR.........................34 BIKE SHOP ...............................48 BISCUITS AND GRAVY FOR CARNIVORES ......................15 BISCUITS AND GRAVY FOR HERBIVORES .....................15 BLOG ........................................29 BLUES CLUB .............................38 BMX TRACK...............................60 BOOK STORE ............................52 BOOKSTORE CLERK ..................34 BOWLING ALLEY ........................55 BREAD .......................................15 BREAKFAST PASTRIES ..............20 BREAKFAST ...............................12 BREW PUB .................................15 BRUNCH .....................................7 BUFFALO BURGERS ..................19 BUFFALO LIVER .........................19 BULLETIN BOARD ......................31 BURGER .....................................13 BURRITO ....................................13 BUSINESS COMBO ....................34 BUSINESS NAME ......................28 BUSINESSPERSON’S NAME ........28 BUTCHER ..................................53 C&W CLUB ................................36 CAMPGROUND FOR RVs ............57 CAMPGRUOND FOR TENTS .........58 CAMPSITE ................................58 CATERER, BARGAIN ...................52 CATERER, UPSCALE ...................52 CELEBRITY DOG .......................32 CELEBRITY GUEST APPEARANCE ...........................28 CELEBRITY ................................27 CHAIN RESTAURANT ...................8 CHEAP HAIRCUT ........................31 CHEAP RIDE .............................28 CHEAP TICKET ........................45 CHICKEN FRIED STEAK ................8 CHICKEN LOLLIPOPS ..................8 CHICKEN SKEWERS ....................8

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 4

KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE

BEST NEW RESTAURANT: Readers chose Rock Bottom Brewery, but GO! named Rico’s Cafe and Wine Bar at Poor Richard’s, above, as the hot new dining spot. See item listings on Page 8.

CHINESE BUFFET ......................16 CHINESE DELIVERY BY NEIGHBORHOOD .................23 CHINESE ....................................13 CHIPS AND SALSA ....................19 CHOCOLATE .............................18 CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE ...........53 CHURCH CHOIR .........................29 CHURCH PRODUCTION ..............45 CLASSICAL CONCERT, LARGE ....42 CLASSICAL CONCERT, SMALL ...44 CLASSICAL MUSICIAN, ADULT ...39 CLASSICAL MUSICIAN, CHILD ....39 CLIMBING WALL ........................55 CLUTCH MOVE BY TV STATION ...29 COFFEE ....................................20 COFFEE PLACE ...........................8 COLORADO CUISINE ...................15 COMEDY ....................................40 COMFORT FOOD DISH .................8 CONSIGNMENT SHOP .................48 COSTUME DESIGNER .................42 COVER BAND ...........................45 CRIPPLE CREEK CASINO ............38 DAY CARE FACILITY ...................28 DAY SPA ...................................27 DAY TRIP ..................................25 DEAL ON DINNER AND MOVIE ..42 DELI ..........................................19 DINER ........................................7 DINNER THEATER .....................40 DIVE BAR ..................................36 DOG PARK .................................33 DOG TRAINER ...........................32 DOG TREATS .............................33

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

DOGGIE DAY CARE ....................33 DOUGHNUT ..............................18 DRY CLEANER ...........................27 EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL ................16 ENSEMBLE ...............................40 EXERCISE EQUIPMENT ...............53 EXTREME MOUNTAIN-BIKE TRAIL ........................................57 EXTREME SKIING ......................58 FAMILY DAY TRIP ......................62 FAMILY HOBBY ..........................63 FARMERS MARKET ....................50 FAST-FOOD COFFEE .................20 FAST CASUAL.............................15 FAST FOOD.................................12 FESTIVAL .................................37 FIFTEEN-MINUTE PLAY TIME ...63 FINE DINING .............................10 FIREWORKS DISPLAY .................28 FISH STORE ..............................53 FISH TACO ...............................20 FISHING SPOT ...........................55 FLOWER SHOP ..........................53 FONDUE .....................................7 FOOD AT SKI RESORTS ..............59 FOOD ON THE WAY TO SKI RESORTS .......................59 FREE ENTERTAINMENT ............45 FREE MASSAGE ..........................31 FREE RIDE ................................28 FREE SAMPLES (LESS FANCY) .20 FREE SAMPLES (UPSCALE) .......20 FRENCH .....................................11 FRIED CHICKEN ..........................8 FRIES ..........................................8 GALLERY SHOW ........................44

GAS-STATION COFFEE ..............20 GAS STATION.............................28 GAY BAR ..................................39 GERMAN ....................................10 GIFT SHOP ...............................52 GOLF COURSE YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW YOU COULD USE .59 GOLF COURSE ..........................59 GOURMET STORE .......................53 GRAFFITI ARTIST .....................44 GREEK .......................................12 GREEN CHILI ...........................22 GROWTH BY A LOCAL BAND ......38 HAIR SALON ..............................27 HAIRSTYLIST ............................31 HANDWRITING...........................48 HAPPY HOUR ............................39 HARDWARE STORE ...................53 HATS ........................................53 HIGH-CLASS SALAD BAR ...........18 HIKE, EASY .............................55 HIKE WITH A VIEW, EASY ...........57 HIKE WITH A VIEW, STRENUOUS 57 HIKE, EXTREME .........................57 HIP-HOP GROUP .......................45 HOBBY .....................................34 HOME-IMPROVEMENT STORE ....52 HOT DOG ...................................13 HOTEL ROOM .............................29 HOTEL/RESORT .........................27 ICE CREAM.................................10 ICE-SKATING ............................60 IDEA THAT WAS JUST TOO COOL AND BIZARRE FOR COLORADO SPRINGS ..................................44 INDIAN BUFFET..........................16

INDIAN FOOD ............................16 INLINE SKATING .......................55 INN FOR HISTORY BUFFS ..........29 ITALIAN.......................................7 JAMAICAN ...............................20 JAPANESE .................................12 JAZZ BAR ................................45 JEWELRY STORE FOR MOVIE FANS .......................53 JEWELRY STORE ......................52 JUKEBOX .................................45 KARAOKE SINGER ....................38 KITCHEN STORE .......................48 KOREAN .....................................11 LADIES NIGHT ..........................37 LARGE CONCERT ......................36 LARGE OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE .......................38 LASER TAG ...............................63 LIMOUSINE ...............................34 LIVE MUSIC VENUE....................38 LOCAL ACTOR............................40 LOCAL ACTRESS ........................40 LOCAL ARCHITECTURE .............36 LOCAL BAND ............................45 LOCAL BEER ..............................15 LOCAL CD .................................38 LOCAL SINGER SONGWRITERARTIST-PILATES INSTRUCTOR ..45 LOCAL SINGER SONGWRITER ....45 LOCAL SPIRITS ..........................15 LOFT .........................................29 LOW-BROW SALAD BAR .............18 MARGARITA ...............................10 MARTINI ...................................15 MASHED POTATOES ....................8 MASSAGE THERAPIST ...............31 MEET MARKET ...........................36 MEXICAN APPETIZER ...............23 MEXICAN DESSERT ...................20 MEXICAN FOOD TRUCK .............23 MEXICAN MARKET .....................53 MEXICAN ...................................10 MILITARY-FAMILY DISCOUNT......62 MILITARY HANGOUT ................45 MINIATURE GOLF .......................63 MOTEL ......................................27 MOUNTAIN-BIKE TRAIL FOR BEGINNERS .......................57 MOVIE DEAL ............................42 MOVIE THEATER .......................36 MUFFINS .................................20 MUSEUM EXHIBIT ......................44 MUSIC STORE ............................51 MUSICAL ..................................40 NAIL SALON ...............................31 NATURAL-FOODS STORE ............53 NATURAL LANDMARK ................25 SEE INDEX x PAGE 5

BEST OF THE SPRINGS INDEX FROM PAGE 4

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER .......................44 NATURE WALK .........................................58 NEW AGE STORE ......................................53 NEW FAST-FOOD ITEM ............................23 NEW ART GALLERY ..................................44 NEW HIGH SCHOOL SPORT ......................55 NEW NIGHTCLUB ...................................45 NEW RESTAURANT ....................................8 NEW STORE .............................................51 NEWS HOTTIE, FEMALE ...........................26 NEWS HOTTIE, MALE ...............................26 NOVELTY SHOP ........................................53 ONION RINGS ..........................................20 OUTDOOR ART .........................................37 OUTDOOR/SPORTING-GOODS STORE .......52 PARADE...................................................25 PARK NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT ................57 PARK ......................................................55 PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL..................40 PERFORMING-ARTS COLLABORATION .......44 PERSONAL TRAINER ................................28 PHILANTHROPIC GROUP ..........................28 PHILLY CHEESE STEAK ..............................8 PIE ........................................................23 PIZZA BUFFET..........................................16 PIZZA BUFFET DEAL ................................16 PIZZA .......................................................8 PLACE FOR A BANQUET, LARGE GROUPS ...16 PLACE FOR A BANQUET, SMALL GROUPS ..16 PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE ........................16 PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY ......62 PLACE FOR A PICKUP HOCKEY GAME .......60 PLACE FOR AEROBICS/CROSS-TRAINING EXERCISE CLASSES .................................60 PLACE FOR BEFORE THE PROM ...............16 PLACE FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS ...63 PLACE FOR PAINTBALL ............................60 PLACE FOR PICKUP TENNIS ....................60 PLACE FOR VEGANS ...............................18 PLACE TO BE “EASY RIDER” FOR A DAY ..34 PLACE TO BE BORN .................................28 PLACE TO BUY A CUTE PURSE ................53 PLACE TO BUY A VACUUM AND A SWORD .53 PLACE TO BUY BATTERIES ......................48 PLACE TO BUY SKATEBOARDS ................48 PLACE TO BUY THAT SEXY BLACK DRESS 53 PLACE TO DIE ..........................................28 PLACE TO EAT AFTER A SHOW AT PIKES PEAK CENTER ............18 PLACE TO EAT AFTER A SHOW AT WORLD ARENA ......................19 PLACE TO EAT BEFORE A SHOW AT PIKES PEAK CENTER ............18 PLACE TO EAT AT CHAPEL HILLS MALL ..20 PLACE TO EAT IN THE CITADEL MALL ......20 PLACE TO EAT IN THE KITCHEN ................15 PLACE TO FIND BARGAINS ......................50 PLACE TO GET COFFEE

AND ENLIGHTENMENT ...........................20 PLACE TO GET FREE BOOZE ......................15 PLACE TO GET INTIMATE WITH WINDOW...28 PLACE TO GET MARRIED .........................27 PLACE TO GO ANIMAL-CRAZY .................28 PLACE TO GO HORSEBACK RIDING ...........60 PLACE TO HEAR CHRISTIAN COWBOYS ....38 PLACE TO HEAR MARIACHI .....................39 PLACE TO HEAR REALLY, REALLY CHRISTIAN COWBOYS .................38 PLACE TO PUFF .......................................29 PLACE TO RECYCLE A DEAD MAC .............28 PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN ....................29 PLACE TO SHOP WITH YOUR PET ............48 PLACE TO SMOKE A CIGAR .......................29 PLACE TO TAKE GRANDKIDS ....................63 PLACE TO TAKE KIDS ..............................62 PLACE TO TAKE OUTOF-TOWNERS ........25 PLACE TO WATCH HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL..........55 PLACE TO WORK OUT ....................55 PLACE TO WASH YOUR DOG . . . AND CAR ....34 POET ...................................45 POLITICAL CAMPAIGN ..............28 POOL HALL .................................45 POOL WITH A VIEW ....................59 POWER BREAKFAST .................18 POWER LUNCH .........................13 PREACHER ..............................29 PRIVATE SCHOOL ....................25 PUBLIC POOL .........................55 PUBLIC SCHOOL ......................25 QUESADILLA ..........................23 QUICHE ...................................18 RACE, AUTO ..............................60 RACE, FOOT ...............................60 RADIO PERSONALITY ..................26 RADIO STATION .............................26 RADIO STUNT .................................29 RAPPER .........................................45 REASON FOR THEATER FANS TO MAKE A SUMMER VISIT ............42 REASON TO SPEND NIGHT WITH STRANGERS ............................28 REASON TO TOSS OUT YOUR STAIRMASTER ........60 REGIONAL MEXICAN .................18 RESTAURANT DESIGN ........22 THE GAZETTE FILE

RESTAURANT ENTRYWAY ............................................22 RESTAURANT FOR KIDS ............................12 RESTAURANT TO SPARK ROMANCE ..........15 RESTAURANT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS PAYING .......................................10 RETIREMENT FOOD ...................................15 ROCK-CLIMBING .....................................60 ROLLER-DERBY QUEEN ............................34 SALAD ...................................................18 SALES STAFF...........................................53 SANDWICH JOINT .....................................12 SANTA ....................................................63 SCENIC DRIVE ........................................27 SCHEME TO GET THE WHOLE CITY READING .............................28

SCHOOL FIELD TRIP .......27 SEAFOOD ...8 SEASON-TICKET DEAL .............45 SERVER .............16 SHADY WALK ........57 SHOE STORE .............50 SIMULATION OF AN ACIDTRIP FLASHBACK........44 SKATE PARK ...............59 SKI RESORT, BIG ..........58 SKI RESORT, SMALL .....58 SKI SHOP .....................52 SKIING FOR BEGINNERS ..................58 SMALL CONCERT ...........38 SMALL OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE .........38 SNOWMOBILE AREA ..........................59 SOUP ........................20 SPELLER ..................34 SPORTS BAR .........36 SPORTS COMPLEX 56 SPOT FOR A PICNIC ..........28 SPOT FOR PEOPLEWATCHING ...28 BEST ZOO ANIMAL: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. See Page 25.

Friday, May 19, 2006

STAGE MAGIC .........................................42 STEAK .....................................................10 STORE FOR ANGLERS...............................60 STREET PERFORMER................................37 SUPERMARKET CLERK ............................34 SUPERMARKET SANDWICH ....................22 SUPERMARKET .......................................49 SUPPORTING CAST .................................40 SUSHI .....................................................12 TAQUERIA ..............................................18 TATTOO ARTIST .......................................44 TEA .........................................................19 TEJANO BAR ..........................................45 TERRAIN PARK ........................................58 THAI .......................................................12 THEATER COMPANY ................................40 THEATRICAL DRAMA................................40 THING IN BRIARGATE ...............................32 THING IN CRIPPLE CREEK .......................32 THING IN FALCON ....................................32 THING IN MONUMENT ..............................32 THING IN PALMER LAKE ...........................32 THING IN VICTOR ....................................32 THING IN WOODLAND PARK .....................32 THING ON POWERS ..................................31 THING ON TEJON ....................................31 THRIFT STORE ........................................52 TOP-LINE HOME FURNISHINGS ................53 TOY STORE ..............................................50 TREATMENT OF BEETS .............................14 TV ANCHOR .............................................26 TV ASSIGNMENT .....................................29 TV NEWS STATION ...................................26 TV REPORTER .........................................26 UNNATURAL LANDMARK ..........................25 UNSEEN MURAL .....................................44 URBAN BIKING TRAIL ..............................59 URBAN HIKE ...........................................57 USE OF SOCKS .......................................34 USED TRUCK ...........................................29 USED VIDEO GAME STORE ........................53 VEGGIE BURGER ......................................18 VIDEO GAME STORE ................................53 VIDEO/DVD STORE ..................................52 VIETNAMESE ............................................14 VISITOR FROM ANOTHER PLANET ..........42 WAIT STAFF ............................................10 WAITING ROOM .......................................34 WAY TO LUXURIATE IN THE WILD ............58 WEDDING CAKE .......................................18 WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER ......................44 WHITEWATER FUN, MODIFIED .................59 WHITEWATER FUN, NATURAL ...................59 WINE LIST .............................................22 WINE SHOP ............................................50 WINGS .....................................................14 YOGA FOR TEENS .....................................31 YOGA INSTRUCTOR ..................................31 ZOO ANIMAL ...........................................25

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 5

MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

DINING BEST OF THE SPRINGS 6

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

ence Resort and the Antlers Hilton, but it has passed them by with a spread that seduces and satisfies. The hot breakfast food, including two omelet stations, a carving station, waffle station and a made-to-order Benedict station, takes up about a third of the buffet room, with the rest being filled out with smoked salmon, patés, cold cuts, cereals, salads, baked goods and a dizzying array of dinner entrees, from venison to trout. It’s all topped off with a sinful dessert table, a chocolate fountain and a made-to-order bananas Foster station. The cost is $34 for adults 13 and older, $15 for kids 4-12 and free for kids 3 and younger.

BEST BRUNCH READERS’ CHOICE: The Sunbird The spreads of breakfast fare, dinner READERS’ entrees and CHOICE sumptuous desserts are impressive. But the best thing about the Sunbird brunch is the omelet, pasta and fajita station. Go for the shrimp fajitas. Mmmmm. They’ll go perfectly with your mimosa. KRISTIN GOODE, THE GAZETTE

BEST DINER: With its straightforward fare, Barney’s is a classic.

BEST DINER READERS’ CHOICE: Ruby’s Diner The old days of carhops and malts with READERS’ your sweetCHOICE ie come alive at this chain-restaurant re-creation of the neighborhood diner. We love the burgers, the fries and the classic cars parked outside. 3020 New Center Point, 380-7829 rubys.com

GO! CHOICE: Barney’s Barney’s is what a diner should be: Wood-paneled walls, a sign above the counter that reads “This clock will never be stolen . . . our employees are always watching it” and a blue-collar clientele. The food is just as straightforward: Getting your Barney Burger “deluxed”

means adding lettuce, tomato and onion. 129 W. Las Animas St., 632-1756

BEST FONDUE READERS’ CHOICE: The Melting Pot T h i s urban and sophisticated update READERS’ on the fonCHOICE due experience, which opened downtown in 2004, is a romantic hit with readers. It’s a chocolate experience not to be missed.

es. We also like the sharp darkwood décor, READERS’ free of the CHOICE t y p i c a l chain kitsch, that’s somewhat fancy but still casual enough to bring the kids along. 1805 Briargate Parkway, 262-9500 biaggis.com

GO! CHOICE: Paravicini Italian Bistro Chef Franco Pisani expresses his love through food, and when you sit at his restaurant (which he owns with fellow Buca di Beppo alum Ted Sexton), you taste the depth of his affections in every bite. He does all the traditional standards: from spaghetti and 1 Lake Ave., on the second floor of the meatballs to perfect eggplant main part of The Broadmoor hotel parmigiana. 577-5733 But he also gets creative broadmoor.com and dynamic, with dishes such as Veal Giuseppe — tender meBEST ITALIAN dallions of veal sautéed with READERS’ CHOICE: spicy Italian sausage, onions, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano hot and sweet peppers, capers, A major Italian-food chain, olives, garlic and olive oil. Wow, Biaggi’s satisfies big appetites now THAT’S Italian! 2802 W Colorado Ave., 471-8200 with plentiful pastas, pizzas, paravicinis.com veal, chicken and seafood dish-

230 Point of the Pines Drive, 447-8998

GO! CHOICE: The Broadmoor A pianist plays “Misty” for you while you sit beside a bubbling fountain, glance out at the lake and the mountains and decide whether to cut into your perfectly formed eggs Benedict first or your juicy beef tenderloin. This is Sunday brunch as it was meant to be — gluttony matched with elegance and excellence. The Broadmoor’s Lake Terrace brunch has faced some stiff competition from the Cheyenne Mountain Confer-

30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300 www.meltingpot.com/colorado springsco/home.html

Celebrate

GO! CHOICE: Mona Lisa Gourmet Cafe & Fondue Perennial favorite Mona Lisa has the feel of a country home in the Italian countryside and the cheese fondues, in particular, are phenomenal.

Best of The Springs Bring in this ad and receive

733 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-0277 www.monalisafondue.com

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Voted “Best of The Springs” 2005 The First Colorado Springs Restaurant to offer Unique Southeast Asian Cuisine Full Bar with Beer, Wine & Cocktails Gift Certiﬁcates Available New Panda I

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Specializing in Chinese

Specializing in Chinese & Thai

Specializing in Malaysian & Chinese

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1213 N. Circle Dr. Colorado Springs, 80909 719-574-8336

12225 Voyager Parkway, #16 Colorado Springs, 80921 719-481-0855

Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 7

BEST PIZZA

QUICK HITS (All GO! picks) BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK: Phantom Canyon BEST FRIED CHICKEN: The Juniper Valley Ranch BEST CHICKEN LOLLIPOPS: Metropolitain BEST MASHED POTATOES: Metropolitain BEST COMFORT FOOD DISH: Mac & Cheese at Metropolitain BEST FRIES: Old Chicago BEST CHICKEN SKEWERS: Phantom Canyon BEST BEER-CHEESE SOUP: Phantom Canyon BEST PHILLY CHEESE STEAK: East

Coast Restaurant and Deli BEST RESTAURANT TO TAKE HISTORY BUFFS TO: The Briarhurst Manor BEST DINING VIEW: Garden of the Gods Club (private) BEST FAJITAS: Ritaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fajitas BEST PLACE TO GO FOR DESSERT & COFFEE: Walterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bistro BEST LATTE: Firedance Coffee Company BEST MATĂ&#x2030;: The MatĂŠ Factor BEST CALAMARI: Paraviciniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian Bistro BEST GYRO: Briar Mart BEST GERMAN PASTRIES: Elkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s German Deli

Voted â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Bestâ&#x20AC;? Chinese Cuisine & Ambiance in The Springs 6 Years in a Row Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice & The Gazette

Elegant Fine Dining and Lounge Consistently Serving You the Best Silver Pond is Always Worth the Trip

Specializing in Hunan, Cantonese, Szechwan & Mandarin The Most Extensive Vegetarian Menu Gift Certificates Available â&#x20AC;˘ Open 7 Days Lunch & Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ Banquet Facilities Available for Parties or Business Meetings â&#x20AC;˘ Reservations Suggested

Come Enjoy Our Authentic Food! Thank You for Your Continued Patronage

594-9343 â&#x20AC;˘ 5670 N. Academy Blvd. www.bestsilverpondchinese.com

HISTORIC

READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Old Chicago You can get thick Chicago style, thin New York READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; style or CHOICE stuffed, with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;toppingsâ&#x20AC;? on the inside. You can get it adorned with Hawaiian or Thai toppings or the more traditional pepperoni and such. Any way you slice it, these are fine pies. 7115 Commerce Center Drive, 593-7678 4110 N. Academy Blvd., 536-0633 3190 New Center Point, 591-8994 118 North Tejon St., 634-8812 oldchicago.com

The big special right now is the 30 shrimp, any style for $11.99. Hard to beat that. redlobster.com

GO! CHOICE: English Dockside Seafood and Grill The name suggests a British style. But English is actually the surname of the owners, who are Floridians deeply dedicated to serving Coloradans the kind of fresh seafood you can only find at the best Sunshine State crab shacks. 2220 Academy Place, 380-7732

BEST COFFEE PLACE READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Starbucks The vote wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even close. Starbucks is a READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coffee world CHOICE unto itself. Hot or iced. Latte or paste-your-eyelidsopen international beans. Wi-fi or conversation. Starbucks: it is what it is and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s around every corner.

GO! CHOICE: Mamma Trinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New York Pizzeria We all had our favorite pizza joints, but when our staff conducted a blind taste test, it was Mama Trinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with its thin crust and fresh-tasting toppings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that won the day. All the varieties are wonderful, but the best we sampled was 33 local stores the Mulberry Street Chicken starbucks.com Pizza, which had grilled chicken, white garlic sauce, fresh toGO! CHOICE: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Grind matoes and basil. Coffee House 1817 S. Nevada Ave., 328-1122 Multiple varieties of coffee, from strong to flavored varietBEST SEAFOOD ies, baked goods, free wi-fi, fireREADERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; places, patio seating, cozy CHOICE: Red chairs and friendly counterpeoLobster ple all gel into a home away The seafrom home. 9475 Briar Village Point, food lover in READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 3236 Centennal Blvd. you just CHOICE 15954 Jackson Creek Parkway, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get Monument enough of www.itsagrind.com that lobster, crab and shrimp.

Early Birds & Happy Hour 4:30-5:30 pm

The

CREEKSIDE DINING!

Two Creekside Decks Now Open!

PROUDLY SERVING: Choice Beef & Prime Rib, Free Range Elk, Fresh Salmon, Lobster Tails, Shrimp, Buffalo Steaks, Rocky Mountain Trout, BBQ Ribs, Chicken, Pasta, and Vegetarian.

er Garden C< e B / r a B r o o D Outd : 6AA 96N A Drink Specials Wall! Get Wet on ibthiteionists & Proud MAonthneruasl

Attention Exh us for Oscarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Contest! ofâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Twinets.â&#x20AC;?onJothine Wall Wet iT! -S'chYir! t (gY EaVXZh Get WG>O:H 6lVgYZY [dg &h

Full Bar, International Wine List, Local Micro Brews Kids Menu Available

86H= E

Search Calendeser aGrcirhling for 12 fansetanstteicd ainndthe

Open Every Night 4:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Downtown Manitou Springs 685-9400 Reservations Recommended

We are en to be repre nder energetomicenwoomf Oscarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;? 2007 Cale â&#x20AC;&#x153;W

002

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Rock Bottom Brewery W h e n this chain sports bar joint opened READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in DecemCHOICE ber, our expectations were low. (Like we need another sports bar in this town?) But the quality of the food, from the jambalaya to the meatloaf and mashers, tasted too good to come from a corporate test kitchen. Somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandma must have been involved. 3316 Cinema Point Drive, 550-3586 rockbottom.com

GO! CHOICE: Ricoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at Poor Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unlike any other place in town, Ricoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has reset the expectation meter for informal, tapas-style dining. Knockout coffee, innovative menu items, homey intimacy, live music, the book store, and an off-Broadway location thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close enough to walk to the center of downtown but far enough away to actually find parking make this cafe the new go-to spot for those open to a nontraditional approach to dining. 320 N. Tejon St., 630-7723

BEST CHAIN RESTAURANT READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: P.F. Changâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s China Bistro Chicken lettuce wraps. Enough said. 1725 Briargate Parkway, 593-8580 pfchangs.com

Tejon Street

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 8

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

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GO! CHOICE: Rock Bottom Brewery From appetizers to entrees to the biggest READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; carrot cake CHOICE slice this side of a rabbit hole, Rock Bottom has all the bases covered. Although the beer may not satisfy the staunchest critics out there, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better than the mainstream swill that spills from most chain taps. The downside to this new northeast brew haus is that you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get anywhere near it on a weekend night without a reservation, so call ahead â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and be prepared to park in Kansas. 3316 Cinema Point Drive, 550-3586 rockbottom.com

PIONEER PLAZA CENTER 1105 N. CIRCLE • 574-2244

JUST WEST OF THE SAFEWAY MARKETPLACE (N. CIRCLE & GALLEY)

GOT BEVERAGES PRE-MEMORIAL DAY SALE

T HE S PRINGS’ G REATEST L IQUID A SSET CHEERS IS... SOUTHERN COLORADO’S LARGEST LIQUOR, WINE, AND BEER SUPERMARKET!

DOMESTIC cans AMERICAN BEER BEER 30 LIGHT

4.29

11.99

BUD B TO THE E

BUD, BUD LIGHT OR SELECT

4 PACK • 16 OZ.

SUITCASES • EACH

BUSCH OR BUSCH LIGHT

COORS LIGHT

18 PACK

CASE • 8 OZ.

12 PACK

4.99

10.99

30 PACK

12 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 12 PACK

BUD ICE

BUD OR BUD LIGHT

BRIDGEPORT

BRISTOL

FOSTER LAGER

GROLSCH OR GROLSCH LIGHT

6 PACK

20 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

(ALL TYPES & IL VICINO) • 6 PACK

12 PACK

6 PACK

12.99

GENESSEE CREAM ALE GEORGE KILLIAN’S IRISH RED

4.59

8.49

4.99

12 PACK

14.99

ICE HOUSE

12 PACK

5.99

18 PACK • 16 OZ.

SUITCASES • EACH

DALE’S PALE ALE

KEYSTONE

IRON CITY

LEINEKUGEL RED

12 PACK

18 PACK

6 PACK

9.69

KEYSTONE LIGHT

14.99 30 PACK

9.99

3.99

14.99

(ALL TYPES) • 18 PACK

6 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

9.99

OLD STLYE

SCHLITZ MALT

12 PACK

5.79

4.99 9.99

2.29

20 PACK

8.99

7.99

18 PACK

9.99

KIRIN ICHIBAN LAGER MODELO ESPECIAL

14.99

5.49 6 PACK

2/12 CANS • CASE

NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE

PAULANER

12 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

10.99

12 PACK

5.99

PILSNER URQUELL ST PAULI GIRL

9.69

8.99

STEINLAGER

WARSTEINER

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

4.39

(REG ONLY) • 12 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 4 PACK

MIKE’S

SMIRNOFF

6 PACK

SUITCASE CANS • EACH

5.49

5.99

16.99

4.99

10.49

NON-ALCOHOLIC

TWISTED TEA

ZIMA XXX

3.29 5.29 3.99

4.99

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

12 PACK

BTLS • 12 PACK

12 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK (ALL TYPES) • 12 PACK

QUART

PABST BLUE RIBBON ROLLING ROCK OR GREEN LIGHT

5.99

4.99

10.49

10.99

12 PACK

12.99

11.49 PYRAMID

5.99

GUINNESS DRAUGHT HEINEKEN OR AMSTEL LIGHT

JACK DANIELS COUNTRY COCKTAILS

SUBLIME

MILLER LITE OR GEN DRAFT MISSISSIPPI MUD

2/12 CASE

8.99

MALTERNATIVES

5.99

6 PACK

5.99

SAM ADAMS SIERRA NEVADA PALE ALE

4.99

4.59

30 PACK

NATURAL LIGHT OR ICE OLD MILWAUKEE 30 PACK

PETE’S WICKED

MICKEY’S BIG MOUTH MILLER HIGH LIFE OR HIGH LIFE LITE

12.49

12.99

5.69

(ALL TYPES) • 12 PACK

MICHELOB

MILLER LITE OR GEN DRAFT MILWAUKEE’S BEST OR BEST LIGHT SUITCASES • EACH

4.99

LONESTAR

4.59

(ALL TYPES) • 12 PACK (ALL TYPES) • 12 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK (ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

MICHELOB

13.99

6 PACK

DESCHUTES NEW BELGIUM (ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

6 PACK

HENRY’S

9.49

5.49

5.99

10.99

9.99

9.49

3.99

15.99

11.29

IMPORTED BEERS CORONA OR CORONA LIGHT BECK’S

5.69 6 PACK

COORS LIGHT BIG DADDY COORS OR COORS LIGHT

14.99

MIRCO-BREWS BOULDER BRECKENRIDGE

DOMESTIC BOTTLES ANHEUSER BUSCH WORLD LAGER ASPEN EDGE

COORS CLAUSTHALER O’DOUL’S

4.99

BTLS 6 PACK

(ALL TYPES) • 6 PACK

6 PACK

BTLS 6 PACK

WINE SPECIALS

ALMADEN BOXES

CAB,CHARD, MERLOT, OR W// ZIN ..10.99 RED SANGRIA OR WHITE SANGRIA ................10.49 ALL OTHERTYPES ................. 9.99

DELICATO BOXES ALL TYPES

13.99

5 LTR

BERINGER

CHENIN BLANC, PINOT GRIGIO, WHITE MERLOT OR WHITE ZIN

4.49

FOREST GLEN WHTE MERLOT OR WHITE ZIN ... 4.29 ALL OTHER TYPES ........... 5.99

750 ML

TALUS WHITE ZIN ..................... 3.99 ALL OTHER TYPES ........... 4.49

GLEN ELLEN LINDEMAN’S CAWARRA STONY HOLLOW

3 LTR

750 ML

INGLENOOK CAB OR CHARD ........... 7.99 ALL OTHER TYPES ........... 7.49

ALL TYPES

6.99

5.49

1.5 LTR

GLASS MOUNTAIN LEAPING HORSE CAB, CHARD OR MERLOT

5.99

WHITE ZIN ..................... 3.79 ALL OTHER TYPES ........... 4.49

750 ML

6.99 750 ML

750 ML

BRUT

7.99

10.99

750 ML

7.99

1.75 LTR

BUSHMILL’S

CANADIAN HUNTER

16.99

9.99

750 ML

1.75 LTR

CHRISTIAN CHI-CHI’S PRE-MIXED BROTHERS BRANDY COCKTAILS

13.49

7.99 1.75 LTR

1.75 LTR

CORAL BAY GOLD OR WHITE RUM

CROWN ROYAL

10.99

17.49

1.75 LTR

750 ML

CUERVO GOLDEN PRE-MIXED MARGARITAS

FAMOUS GROUSE SCOTCH

14.99

28.99

1.75 LTR

GILBEY’S GIN

HINE VSOP COGNAC

12.49

37.99

1.75 LTR

750 ML

ICEBERG VODKA

PEPE LOPEZ GOLD OR SILVER TEQUILA

16.99

1.75 LTR

SAUZA CONMEMORITIVO OR HORNITOS

SKYY OR SKYY CITRUS VODKA

18.99

750 ML

1.75 LTR

TANQUERAY GIN

USHER’S SCOTCH

29.99

14.99

1.75 LTR

WILD TURKEY 80º BOURBON

YELLOWSTONE BOURBON

ALL TYPES

19.99

10.99

1.75 LTR

1.5 LTR

4.99 750 ML

750 ML

7.99

VENDANGE TETRAPAK

ARBOR MIST

BARTLES & JAYMES

SEAVIEW

17.99

ALICE WHITE RAVENSWOOD VINTNERS BLEND

750 ML

BARTON’S VODKA

SUTTER HOME

NAPA RIDGE

M. TRINCHERO

PINOT NOIR .................. 9.99 ALL OTHER TYPES ........... 7.99

750 ML

TURNING LEAF SONOMA RESERVE MARTINI & ROSSI ASTI PIPER SONOMA ALL TYPES BLANC DE NOIR OR BRUT

8.99

LOUIS JADOT

APPLETON GOLD OR WHITE RUM

CAB, CHARD, MERLOT OR MOSCATO ................ 8.99 ALL OTHER TYPES ........... 5.99

1.5 LTR

POUILLY FUISSE ..........18.99 MACON VILLAGES ............ 8.99

liquor specials

PINOT NOIR .................. 7.99 ALL OTHER TYPES ........... 5.49

ALL TYPES

750 ML

ALL TYPES

WINE COOLERS • ALL TYPES

2.59

1.69

2.99

375 ML

500 ML

4 PACK

CABERNETS

CHARDONNAYS

merlot

misc whites

misc reds

BOGLE ................................................... 8.49 BV COASTAL ......................................... 7.49 CANYON ROAD ..................................... 5.99 COLUMBIA CREST ESTATE................. 8.99 FETZER 5 RIVERS ................................ 7.99 GUILLIAMS .......................................... 27.99 HESS SELECT..................................... 10.99 J LOHR SEVEN OAKS ........................ 11.49 LAUREL GLEN TERRA ROSA .............. 7.99 LEAPING LIZARD ................................. 8.49 LINDEMANS BIN 45 .............................. 5.49 LOS VASCOS ........................................ 6.99 LOS VASCOS RESERVE .................... 14.49 MCMANIS .............................................. 7.99 MERRYVALE STARMONT .................. 18.99 RAYMOND R COLLECTION ............... 15.49 STERLING VINTNERS COLLECTION .......... 12.49 WENTE................................................... 9.99 WILD HORSE....................................... 13.49 WOOP WHOOP...................................... 8.99

ANDRETTI SELECTION ........................ 7.99 ALLAN SCOTT ...................................... 9.99 BV COASTAL ......................................... 7.49 CALERA CENTRAL COAST ............... 10.99 CAMBRIA KATHERINE’S.................... 10.99 CANYON ROAD ..................................... 5.99 CASTLEROCK....................................... 8.99 CHATEAU STE MICHELLE ................... 8.49 COLUMBIA CREST ESTATE................. 8.99 EDNA VALLEY .................................... 10.49 GEYSER PEAK ..................................... 7.99 JACOB’S CREEK .................................. 5.49 LA CREMA........................................... 12.99 LEAPING LIZARD ................................. 7.99 LINDEMANS BIN 65 .............................. 5.49 MARKHAM ................................................. 12.49 MCMANIS .............................................. 7.99 MURPHY GOODE................................ 10.99 RAYMOND R COLLECTION ................. 8.99 YELLOW TAIL ........................................ 5.49

BENZIGER ........................................... 13.99 BLACKSTONE CALIFORNIA ................ 7.99 BLACKSTONE NAPA .......................... 13.49 BV COASTAL ......................................... 7.49 CASTLE ROCK...................................... 8.99 CHATEAU SOUVERAIN ...................... 14.49 COLUMBIA CREST ESTATE................. 8.99 DUCK POND .......................................... 6.99 ESTANCIA............................................ 10.49 FLORA SPRINGS NAPA ..................... 14.49 FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND......... 11.99 GEYSER PEAK.................................... 11.99 LEAPING LIZARD ................................. 8.49 LINDEMAN’S BIN 40 ............................. 5.49 MCMANIS .............................................. 7.99 RAYMOND R COLLECTION ................. 8.99 ROSEMOUNT DIAMOND ESTATE..........7.99 RODNEY STRONG SONOMA ............. 11.99 STERLING VINTNERS COLLECTION ... 12.49 WILD HORSE....................................... 14.99

ALLAN SCOTT ESTATE RIESLING ...... 9.99 ALLAN SCOTT SAUV BLANC .............. 9.99 BARNARD GRIFFIN ........................... 10.99 BERNARDUS SAUV BLANC .............. 10.99 CHATEAU BIANCA PINOT GRIS .......... 9.49 CHATEAU MONFORT VOUVRAY ........ 10.49 CHATEAU STE MICHELLE SAUV BLANC ... 6.99 CHATEAU STE MICHELLE JO RIESLING ... 6.99 CONUNDRUM...................................... 20.99 DRY CREEK CHENIN BLANC .............. 8.99 FIRESTONE GEWURZ .......................... 7.99 FIRESTONE RIESLING ......................... 7.99 HEDGES CHARD/MARSANNE/SAUVIGNON .. 8.99 KIONA WHITE RIESLING ...................... 7.99 MCMANIS PINOT GRIGIO..................... 7.99 MURPHY GOODE FUME BLANC ......... 8.99 NAIA VERDEJO............................................9.99 SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO .... 11.99 SOKOL BLOSSER EVOLUTION ........... 10.49 ZENATO PINOT GRIGIO ....................... 7.99

6TH SENSE SYRAH ............................ 12.49 ACACIA PINOT NOIR .......................... 21.99 ADELSHEIM PINOT NOIR................... 22.99 CAIN CUVEE ....................................... 17.99 CALERA CENTRAL COAST PINOT NOIR ..... 14.49 CIMICKY TRUMPS ............................... 13.49 E. GUIGAL COTES DU PHONE .................. 9.99 FETZER 5 RIVERS PINOT NOIR ................ 8.99 FINCA LUZON ....................................... 6.99 FORCHINI BEAUSIERRA.................... 10.49 GREG NORMAN SHIRAZ ..................... 9.49 MAS DONIS CAPCANES ...................... 8.99 MASCIARELLI MONTE D’ABRUZZO ...... 6.99 PILLAR BOX .......................................... 7.99 R&B ZINFANDEL ................................... 7.99 ROCCA DELLE MACIE CHIANTI CLASSICO .... 9.99 SESTANO CHIANTI CLASSICO ........... 13.49 SEVEN DEADLY ZINS ............................ 12.99 STELTZNER CLARET ........................... 12.49 THE PRISONER................................... 24.49

TASTE OF THE SPRINGS 2006

WINE TASTING SUN. MAY 21, 3-6 PM ANTLERS HILTON • $65/PERSON CONTACT STEPHANIE CARDWELL AT 389-0973 OR VISIT WWW.TASTEOFTHESPRINGS.COM

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT CARE & SHARE FOOD BANK

BEST BUY OF THE WEEK

MIKE’S COCKTAILS 1.75 LTR

11.99

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH OF THE WEEK

BOWMORE DARKEST ISLAY 750ML

34.99

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.CHEERSLIQUORMART.COM • WE DELIVER! • CALL 574-2244 FOR DETAILS OR FAX YOUR ORDER TO 570-9850 • Sale Items Cash & Carry

OPEN: 9-9 M-TH • 9-11 FRI & SAT WE WELCOME

Gazette and Independent AWARD WINNER • BEST LIQUOR STORE • BEST WINE SELECTION • BEST BEER SELECTION

FEATURING THE BEST SERVICE, SELECTION, AND PRICES IN SOUTHERN COLORADO

Friday, May 19, 2006

• Wine Vintages Subject to

Change • No Mix or Match Cases EMAIL US AT • Some Sale Beer Warm Only • Limit Rights Reserved CHEERSLIQUOR• Not Responsible for Misprints • Some Quantities Limited MART@SPIRITS PRICES GOOD THRU USA.COM SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2006 THE GAZETTE BEST OF THE SPRINGS

593-1955 ranchfoodsdirect.com

son, with a minimum of four BEST FINE DINING people. But, hey, you’re not payREADERS’ CHOICE: READERS’ CHOICE: ing so quit whining. The Famous Pepper Tree Restaurant BEST RESTAURANT 1 Lake Ave., 577-5733 Its fame is Order the broadmoor.com WHEN SOMEONE well-earned. signature ELSE IS PAYING Delicious Steak Diane BEST WAIT STAFF p r i m e or Pepper READERS’ CHOICE: The Famous READERS’ CHOICE: The Blue Star READERS’ READERS’ steaks and a S t e a k , If it’s not going on your credService places The Blue CHOICE CHOICE sexy, refined cooked tableit card, Star at the front of the pack, atmosphere side, and order the and it’s not make you feel like you just en- 14-ounce filet look out at the views from up just the servtered a Chicago steakhouse. on the bluff. The wait staff is ($34.95), READERS’ ers’ friendli31 N. Tejon St., 227-7333 superb. Now you know why and, what ness. They CHOICE restauranteur.com/famous those who are in love (with the heck, READERS’ also know each other or just food) consisthrow in that CHOICE quite a bit GO! CHOICE: Ranch tently choose the Pepper Tree cold-water lobster tail (market about the Steakhouse & Market for their special occasions. price). You’ll never forget it. food and more about wines. Try the rib-eye and you’ll ex888 W. Moreno Ave., 471-4888 31 N. Tejon St., 227-7333 1645 S. Tejon St., 632-1086 perience steak as it was meant restauranteur.com/peppertreecscom restauranteur.com/famous www.thebluestar.net to be: juicy, perfectly marbled with flavor that takes you back GO! CHOICE: Charles Court GO! CHOICE: The Blue Star GO! CHOICE: Walter’s Bistro to your first backyard barbe- at The Broadmoor hotel This place never ceases to The great service starts cue. With no hormones or antiCall ahead and request a amaze: creative, expertly prewith owner Walter Iser, who biotics, it just tastes steakier chef’s table, where you’ll get inmakes everyone feel like fami- pared meals and tapas along than other steaks. These folks tensely personal service and a ly. Then there’s the rest of his with the largest wine list also operate retail shops so five-course meal with wine crew, who know how to antici- you’re likely to see make for unyou can cook steaks at home. pairings, tailored to your likes pate needs yet stay unobtru- forgettable experiences on 575 W. Garden of the Gods Road, and dislikes. It’s $180 per persive when you’re having that ro- every visit. The service is as personal and professional as it mantic date moment. gets and the menu is always 146 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., changing to reflect the kitchen 630-0201 staff’s varied pursuits. waltersbistro.com

BEST STEAK

Voted

“Best Fondue” 2005

– The Gazette –

and lime . . . this was no easy choice. The Springs has some wicked margaritas and some that are really bad. Worthy contenders included The Loop, Metropolitain and 15C. 3625 W. Colorado Ave., 227-1975

BEST MEXICAN READERS’ CHOICE: Amanda’s Fonda Mexican Restaurant Amanda’s recently expanded its deck along READERS’ the creek at CHOICE the westside location, and continues to satisfy crowds with its delicious spinach enchiladas and wet burritos and tacos. 3625 W. Colorado Ave., 227-0839

GO! CHOICE: Carlos Miguel’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant You may think that making carnitas is easy — cut up pork, add spices, cook until done. But Carlos shows that even from that simplicity, greatness can arise. This is pig-roast qual1645 S. Tejon St., 632-1086 www.thebluestar.net ity pork here, which is high BEST ICE CREAM praise indeed, and it’s only a READERS’ CHOICE: small slice of what Carlos does BEST MARGARITA Josh & John’s better than any Mexican place This local favorite earns READERS’ CHOICE: The Sunbird rabid loyalty We’re not sure if the read- in the Pikes Peak region. 110 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., for its homeers were re527-0500 made flaacting to the 730 E. U.S. Highway 24, Woodland Park, vors. It’s great flavors 687-7150 READERS’ hard to imagof the drink carlosmiguels.com CHOICE READERS’ ine life in or the magCHOICE the Springs nificent setBEST GERMAN without its Colorado cookies ting for READERS’ CHOICE: and cream. their sipping. Edelweiss Restaurant 111 E. Pikes Peak Blvd., 632-0299 230 Point of the Pines Drive, 447-8998 It’s like taking a trip to old 5152 N. Academy Blvd., 593-1220 www.joshandjohns.com Bavaria when you dine at this GO! CHOICE: Amanda’s spacious eatFonda Mexican Restaurant GO! CHOICE: Josh & John’s Just the right mix of tequila ery where you will enjoy auREADERS’ Exceptional Dining, Everyday Prices thentic GerCHOICE man and continental fare. The restaurant’s been in business since 1969, and you’ll find all the standards: wienerschnitzel, zigeunerschnitzel, jagerschnitzel and sauerbratHave a French Holiday! en. Be sure to try the flamAvailable for private parties! mekuche, a traditional dish Patio Dining from Alsace; it’s a pizza-like crust topped with apples, onRegular Hours: Sundays: Dinner 5-9 ions, bacon and a sour cream Tuesday - Fridays: Lunch 11-2 Dinner 5-10 sauce. It comes with an assortSaturday: Dinner Only 5-10 ment of German salads.

Wine Tasting Dinners

Paris in “The Springs”

30-A East Pikes Peak Avenue Colorado Springs, CO

(719) 385-0300 Over 100 locations nationwide www.meltingpot.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 10

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

Reservations Suggested

1015 West Colorado Ave.

719.632.4887

www.restauranteur.com/maison

34 E. Ramona Ave., 633-2220 www.restauranteur.com/edelweiss

GO! CHOICE: Edelweiss Restaurant

BEST KOREAN READERS’ CHOICE: Yummy Korean BBQ This place used to be called Quini, but the ownREADERS’ ers of this CHOICE stylish cont e m p o ra r y Korean restaurant changed it to something that Americans would understand — and that perfectly describes the food. The yummy kimchi and rolls of kim-bab made this a clear winner in the reader poll.

Marinara made fresh daily

ITALIANS GIVE OUR EW MENU ITEMS TWO WILDLY GESTURING THUMBS UP. All food served F amily S tyle “Buca Smal

4703 N. Academy Blvd. (near Flintridge), 266-9944

l” serves 2 or more “Buca Large” serves 4 or more

GO! CHOICE: Kohnami Japanese Restaurant Yes, it says it’s a Japanese restaurant, but the menu shares equal space with Korean dishes. The excellent Korean fare brings an impressive selection of kimchi (fermented vegetables) to go along with the meals. Bibimbab is especially good here, with an assortment of crunchy, fresh vegetables and soy-seasoned grilled beef over a bed of steamed rice. A sunny-side-up egg is the crowning glory of the dish. When everything in the bowl is stirred together, the egg yolk makes a cream sauce to bind it all together.

Lasagna

Nine layers of lasagna noodles stuffed with our homemade meat sauce and a savory

3105 S. Academy Blvd., (in Mission Trace Shopping Center), 328-9070

combination of ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and romano cheeses, baked in our made-fresh-daily marinara. At Buca, families gather round to share life, laughter and a love of authentic, Italian fare.

BEST FRENCH READERS’ CHOICE: La Petite Maison New Chef Henri Chaperont, a naREADERS’ tive of Paris CHOICE where he mastered his culinary skills, wows customers with his expertly prepared French cuisine. The wine list is as excellent as the food to go with it. Save room for dessert. The soufflés are among the best in town. All that charm and quality comes packaged in a converted Victorian home in a historic neighborhood. Don’t miss the annual November Beaujolais Nouveau celebration.

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GO! CHOICE: La Petite Maison Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 11

redrobin.com green onion, cilantro and hot pepper flakes served cold over GO! CHOICE: chopped cabbage. 1609 Lashelle Way (corner of B street Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

BEST THAI

READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Wild Ginger Thai Wild Ginand South Academy Boulevard; access ger continfrom the east via the B Street exit off South Academy), 226-1999 ues to serve some of the READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; BEST RESTAURANT areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best CHOICE Pad Thai. FOR KIDS Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a westside neighborhood thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grow- READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: ing into a wonderful Asian- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers You feel like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re walking food enclave. inside an 3020 W. Colorado Ave., 634-5025 8-year-oldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream: TV GO! CHOICE: Taste of Thai Spice Be forewarned. If you go for sets in the READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; extra spicy here, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get floor, carouCHOICE what you asked for: Mouth- sel horses behind the searing, peppery hot â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but debooths, colors on the walls that licious. From the first bite of any of are louder than a brass band, the dishes served here youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll video games in the corner, craybe hooked, as the contrasts of ons for the back of your kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; textures and flavors abound. It menu, great burgers and chickhas very good Pad Thai if en fingers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and mocktails (served in curvy glasses) that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re new to this cuisine. Once you warm up to the in- are as fun as the cocktails your teresting flavors, go for the parents are drinking. Add an occasional visit by a chicken salad or Ton-Kha-Kai, a vegetable and coconut milk dude in a big red bird suit, and soup. The velvety broth is weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re singinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;the bird is the spiked with lemon grass, galan- word!â&#x20AC;? 1410 Jamboree Drive, 598-2437 ga, lime leaves and hot pepper. 3680 Citadel Drive North, 597-2437 The chicken salad is a mix3770 Bloomington Drive, 622-8157 ture of chicken, red onion, 2230 Southgate Road, 447-8810

BEST BREAKFAST

READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: The Omelette Parlor This perennial Best BEST FAST FOOD Of winner GO! CHOICE: Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has won our READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Old Fashioned Hamburgers hearts one Credit Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for not only fluffy omelet CHOICE having those and one pertasty square fectly crisp bacon strip at a hamburgers, time. but also for 900 E. Fillmore St., 633-7770 READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; leading the CHOICE fast-food inGO! CHOICE: The Pantry dustry toGreen Mountain Falls is an ward more healthful alterna- idyllic little blip on our regiontives. Sure, you can get a big, al map, but that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep the greasy triple burger with throngs away on weekend bacon and cheese. But you can mornings. Much like the Donut also go for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;frescataâ&#x20AC;? sand- Mill, you need to get up plenty wiches or Mandarin Chicken early to get a spot. If you show Salad. up after 8 a.m., you may have 18 locations in the region to wait. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OK â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth wendys.com the wait for ample portions, down-home service and a walk GO! CHOICE: Culverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frozen around the pond afterward. Custard and ButterBurgers 6980 Lake St., Green Mountain Falls, Good Times offers the same 684-9018 combo â&#x20AC;&#x201D; rich frozen custard and great burgers, but Culverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BEST SANDWICH JOINT moves ahead with an expan- READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sive menu that includes real CHOICE: ribs (not meat reshaped to Subway look like ribs), walleye fish Subwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sandwiches, pork tenderloin Web READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; site and more. CHOICE says custom2925 New Center Point, 597-6220 1140 Lake Plaza Drive, 473-9707 culvers.com

Celebrating Our th 20 Anniversary

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ers worldwide snap up nearly 2,800 sandwiches and salads every minute and local sandwich lovers tell us theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re buying their fair share. They love their Subway and, like Jared, that formerly chunky guy in the commercials, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fans of the chainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low-calorie offerings.

GO! CHOICE: We Like it Hot All the sandwiches at this homey Puerto Rican diner are worthy of fame. Try the Cubano, the Spanish Brisket or the Pernil â&#x20AC;&#x201D; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all full of meats and cheese, grilled panini-style. While there, check out the cafe con leche, the selection of juices and the tostones, as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need something to accompany your monster sandwich. 1853 S. Academy Blvd., 573-7099

BEST JAPANESE READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Jun Japanese With increasingly tough competition, Junâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new location on Centennial READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boulevard CHOICE keeps this pick where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been the past few years. The teppan tables and a more modern look put Junâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambience on par with its food. 3276 Centennial Blvd., 227-8690 1760 Dublin at Academy Blvd., 531.9368 junjapanese.com

GO! CHOICE: Jun Japanese (on Centennial)

BEST SUSHI READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Jun Japanese Never had sushi? Start with the Excel Roll, a mix of raw fish and avocado on the outside and lobster temREADERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pura on the CHOICE inside. If it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win you over, stick to McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. 3276 Centennial Blvd., 227-8690 1760 Dublin at Academy Blvd., 531.9368 junjapanese.com

GO! CHOICE: Jun Japanese

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READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Jake and Tellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s At Jake and Tellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the menu is big enough to satisfy even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not a fan of kebobs, keftethes, kreopita, kivetzi or kapama, READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the ToCHOICE pakas family has created one of the friendliest atmospheres in town. 2616 W. Colorado Ave. No. 24, 633-0406 www.greekdining.com

GO! CHOICE: Jake and Tellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

BEST POWER LUNCH READERS’ CHOICE: MacKenzie’s Chop House T h e handy downtown location just got READERS’ even more CHOICE convenient with the addition of the Fine Arts Center Modern across the stree. The power-tie set loves the ambience, with its dark woods, stone and glass, and the excellent food. 128 S. Tejon St., 635-3536 restauranteur.com/mackenzieschop housecom/

GO! CHOICE: Marigold Cafe & Bakery Have a little boolean, RAM and wi-fi with your Niçoise salad or gourmet pizza. Starting a little before noon it’s a high-tech, Garden-of-the-GodsRoad-corridor lunching world at Marigold, with some bankers, Realtors and power suits added to the mix. They talk business a lot, eat a little and almost never have dessert, even though Marigold has sweets to die for. Oh well, there’s always “to go.” 4605 Centennial Blvd., 599-4776

BEST HOT DOG READERS’ CHOICE: Sam’s Club When the customers come up to the counter READERS’ and rave CHOICE about Sam’s having “the best hot dogs,” they’re right on. The brand name: Best! And, they sell a lot of them, “A LOT OF THEM . . . want a case?” asked a worker at the Woodmen site. The price is right, too: $1.50. 715 S. Academy Blvd., 597-2311 1850 E. Woodmen Road, 590-4984 samsclub.com

GO! CHOICE: Windy City Regulars return as much for owner and Chicago native Dan Nielson’s friendly banter and abuse as for his authentic Chicago-style hot dogs. He does them right: a steamed poppyseed bun loaded with a juicy Vienna beef hot dog, chopped tomatoes, onions, relish, mustard, peppers and a pickle spear, sprinkled with celery salt. Saunter through the oldfashioned screen door, grab your lunch and enjoy a live game on TV. But don’t bring up the Broncos — Nielson’s

still a Bears fan. 5815 Galley Road, 597-8121

BEST BURGER READERS’ CHOICE: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers T h i s chain restaurant offers READERS’ plenty of CHOICE dressed-up beef patties to tempt the meat-eater in you. From the “Whiskey River BBQ Burger” to the spicy “Santa Fe Burger,” there’s something for everyone at Red Robin. 1410 Jamboree Drive, 598-2473 3680 Citadel Drive North, 597-2473 2230 Southgate Road, 447-8810 3770 Bloomington St., 622-8157 www.redrobin.com

GO! CHOICE: King’s Chef Diner Big, greasy and available with bacon, the King’s Chef burger is everything a burger should be. Plus, there’s something undeniably nostalgic about having to cram into that tiny purple castle to get one. 110 E. Costilla St., 634-9135 www.kingschefdiner.com

BEST BURRITO READERS’ CHOICE: Chipotle Fresh ingredients

READERS’ CHOICE

3350 N. Chestnut St., 634-7427 and the ability to choose fillwww.restauranteur.com/co/cs/ ings for your gigantic burrito barbeque.htm have made Chipotle a successful national chain. GO! CHOICE: Slayton’s 17 S. Tejon St., 632-4311 Barbecue & Creamery 2130 Southgate Road, Suite 100, 634-7199 Don’t waste valuable stom895 N. Academy Blvd., 572-1727 ach space on the ice cream at 1370 W. Garden of the Gods Road, Slayton’s. Opt for little burnt264-9749 5079 N. Academy Blvd., 532-0900 end nuggets of beef that melt 3026 New Center Point, 572-6699 in your mouth and crispy, pep7818 N. Academy Blvd., 531-6800 pery onion rings. Douse it all www.chipotle.com with sauce that emphasizes GO! CHOICE: El Taco Rey’s Avoca- spice over sweet. This is Kansas City-style barbecue done do Pork Burrito (smothered) A sinfully delicious combina- right. Our only plea is that tion of spiced pork, avocados, they bring back the couscous and the Rey’s yummy pork side dish. Worthy contender: green chile. A true king among Bird Dog BBQ. 806 Village Center Drive, 266-5300 burritos, worthy of a pig-out. www.restauranteurcom/slaytonsbbq. 330 E. Colorado Ave., 475-9722

com/

BEST CHINESE READERS’ CHOICE: Silver Pond You won’t find your typical Chinese-AmeriREADERS’ can slop at CHOICE Silver Pond. E s c h ew i n g the overstarched, heavily salted approach of many of its competitors, the Pond concentrates on turning out different styles of Chinese cuisine with obvious care in the final product. Go have a life-altering experience with the strawberry chicken and you’ll see what we mean. 5670 N. Academy Blvd., 594-9343

BEST BARBECUE READERS’ CHOICE: Howard's Pit Bar-B-Q Try to drive up or down Chestnut Street READERS’ p a s t CHOICE H o w a r d ’s . Can’t do it? No you can’t. That wonderful, heady smell of smoker meat filling the air will pull you right in. Howard Smith is an institution — and a character — and readers keep coming back for his sauce-slathered ribs, forktender brisket, hot links and barbecue chicken.

Jake is back! ck!

GO! CHOICE: Silver Pond

Une table pour deux? é

For breakfast, lunch and dinner, you and your family can enjoy a full menu of French provincial favorites in a casual, European-style atmosphere.

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4440 N. Chestnut 599-0686

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719-633-0406 2616 West Colorado Avenue G re e k C u i s i n e www.greekdining.com

1840 Dominion Way 719-548-925 7 Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 13

BEST WINGS READERS’ CHOICE: Wingstop The national chain does a fine wing, offerREADERS’ ing a raft of CHOICE flavors and a range of spiciness from mild to atomic. With three local locations, you’re never far from a heaping helping of heat. One thing we take exception to on their menu: boneless wings, a culinary innovation best left to fastfood franchises. 530 S. Academy Blvd., 591-9464 1914 Southgate Road, 475-9464 6056 Stetson Hills Blvd., 597-9464 www.wingstop.com

GO! CHOICE: Wild Bill’s Buffalo Wings This tiny restaurant in an Academy Boulevard strip mall doesn’t look promising from the street, but check out the mural on the wall depicting a chicken gunning down Colonel Sanders. It’s a sign of wings to come. With seven flavors of wings, most of which come in three degrees of heat, there’s plenty of choice here. The “hot” Colorado Cajun wings are enough to make your eyes

water. Only the brave and foolish need step up to the “extra hot.” 5012 N. Academy Blvd., 594-4094

BEST VIETNAMESE READERS’ CHOICE: Saigon Cafe This downtown standby serves up crisp vegetaREADERS’ b l e s , CHOICE mounds of fresh herbs, aromatic spices, a great lunch deal, plenty of nods to traditional dishes, such as chicken-coconut curry with sweet potatoes, and best of all, an Andes mint as the finale, instead of a stale fortune cookie. 20 E. Colorado Ave., 633-2888

GO! CHOICE: Lemongrass Bistro The noodle bowls are as good as you’ll find at Saigon Cafe or Saigon Grill. But what elevates the new Lemongrass is a more whimsical and daring menu. The Mrs. Nga’s WokSeared Shrimp Paste Spread on Rice Paper, for instance, is so sumptuous a Vietnamese burrito concoction, you’ll try to track down Mrs. Nga for the recipe. 6840 N. Academy Blvd., 592-1391

KRISTIN GOODE, THE GAZETTE

BEST TREATMENT OF BEETS: Chocolate Beet Cake, served with beet ice cream and white chocolate sauce, is the signature dessert of Blue Vervain restaurant in Manitou Springs. Unlike most items on the rotating dessert menu, the cake is available daily — because it’s never a bad day to eat your vegetables.

force-feed you, go for the chocolate beet cake for dessert. It interposes layers of ganache and GO! CHOICE: Blue Vervain cake, which goes perfectly with the accompanyTry the savory beets and goat cheese on the ing homemade beet ice cream. appetizer menu, and if that doesn’t change your 56 Park Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-2400 mind about the food your mom used to have to bluevervain.com

BEST TREATMENT OF BEETS

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BEST RESTAURANT TO SPARK ROMANCE GO! CHOICE: The Melting Pot This place gets it right, from the seclusion, lighting, music and decoration to the worthy wine list to the staff that abets your goal with a wink and a less-contact-is-better-service attitude. Sharing is integral to your dining experience at a fondue place, so make a date with the object of your desire and discover one of life’s universal truths: There is no relationship that can’t be improved with cheese and chocolate. 30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300 www.meltingpot.com/coloradospring sco/home.html

BEST PLACE TO EAT IN THE KITCHEN

of seasonals is on the rise, and the cool atmosphere at this downtown hot spot remains the same. Spicy appetizers, friendly bartenders, an ample supply of pool tables and hours that beat those of other centrally located brew pubs make this a place to visit for local beer. 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-2800 phantomcanyon.com

BEST LOCAL SPIRITS GO! CHOICE: Colorado Premium Vodka Not all the decent vodka is from France or Russia. Some nice vodka now comes from Manitou Springs, thanks to Gail and Rob Stephens, owners of the Stagecoach Inn in Manitou Springs, who sell vodka made from a secret spring in the area. Available at local liquor outlets.

tious B&G. As a twist on a good thing, this joint will give you vegetarian gravy with the sausage on the side. Like the first snow on Pikes Peak in the fall, the mountain of white gravy is so beautiful it brings tears to your eyes.

GO! CHOICE: La Baguette Earl Turnipseed came to Colorado Springs and started making his legendary French breads in 1984. He still turns out the best crusty loaves and 3005 N. Hancock Ave. (just off Fillmore other pastries in town. The main bakery is located in Old Street), 442-1833 Colorado City and supplies three other outlets. Soups and BEST PLACE salads are excellent, too.

TO GET FREE BOOZE

GO! CHOICE: Powers Liquor Mart wine tastings California wines? Champagnes? Dessert wines? The Saturday tastings at this supersized liquor store are a dream come true — free booze and plenty of it. You typically sample wines, but beers and spirits get their due, too. These dudes will get you tipsy every Saturday afternoon. Sign up in advance.

GO! CHOICE: Buca di Beppo If you can’t go to Mom’s 5847 Palmer Park Blvd. (at Powers), house, there’s a homey spot in BEST BISCUITS 596-4700 the kitchen here for you. The AND GRAVY www.powersliquor.com little booth seats six. You can FOR CARNIVORES watch (and hear) all the culiBEST COLORADO nary action and see all the GO! CHOICE: Donut Mill yummy dishes as they go out. In this homey little spot, the CUISINE It’s so popular it’s booked up biscuits are smothered in a GO! CHOICE: Briarhurst months in advance. spicy sausage gravy that will Manor Estate 7252 N. Academy Blvd., 260-0444 stick to your ribs. Just the Chef Lawrence Johnson is bucadibeppo.com thing before a day on the the king of Colorado cuisine slopes. and the restaurant has been a BEST MARTINI 310 W. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, rock in the dining community 687-9793 GO! CHOICE: Apple-tini for more than 31 years. Think at the V Bar Rocky Mountain Elk and Black Rimmed with caramel, it BEST BISCUITS Hollow Wild Boar, popular enevokes memories of strolling AND GRAVY trees on the menu. There’s down the State Fair midway. wild turkey, trout, pheasant, FOR HERBIVORES 19 E. Kiowa St., 471-8622 and Colorado lamb, too. GO! CHOICE: North End Diner 404 Manitou Ave., 685-1864 An old-school diner is alwww.briarhurst.com BEST LOCAL BEER ways a good bet for scrumpGO! CHOICE: 1.5 IPA, Bristol Brewing Hops lovers wept with joy at Bristol Brewing’s release this winter of the 1.5 IPA, a doublehopped masterpiece that smelled and tasted like you’d been set down on a WashingOld Fashion Burgers ton farm. The key to its brilSandwiches liance was that although it was swimming in semi-bitter hops Fresh Salads Voted Best flavor, it wasn’t overly sweet or Homemade alcoholic like other big beers Pies 2005Soups can be. A seasonal release, this Baked Pies - Freshly The Gazette one is gone now, but can be expected in the brewery again next winter, brewmaster Jason Yester says.

Fresh food … fast.

1647 S. Tejon St., 633-2555 bristolbrewing.com

BEST BREW PUB GO! CHOICE: Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. The quality of beer at Phantom has dipped slightly during the past year, but the amount

BEST BREAD

2417 W. Colorado Ave., 577-4818 117 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 636-5020 4440 N. Chestnut, 599-0686 1420 Kelly Johnson Blvd., 598-5550

BEST RETIREMENT FOOD GO! CHOICE: Liberty Heights at Northgate Originally envisioned as an upscale retirement community for military officers, Liberty Heights is open to the public who want to enjoy an elegant

retired lifestyle. The food is prepared by award-winning chefs who create dishes with a gourmet flair. Because residents eat in the same restaurant every day, they make menus innovative, creative and lively. Meals are planned by nutritionists and prepared by chefs who work together to make healthful eating a treat. 12105 Ambassador Drive, 481-5161 www.seniorlifestyle.com

BEST FAST CASUAL GO! CHOICE: Pei Wei Asian Grill P.F. Chang’s little sister restaurant matches the fast-food set up of Noodles with the dynamic flavors of Chang’s. 7148 N. Academy Blvd., 260-9922 peiwei.com

SEE DINING OUT x PAGE 16

Best Date Place Best Cake Best Salad The Gazette ‘Best of’ 2005

Breakfast ~ Lunch ~ Dinner 4605 Centennial Blvd (719) 599-4776

THE LEGEND CONTINUES...

25 YEAR S IN CS

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Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 15

FROM PAGE 15

BEST PLACE FOR BEFORE THE PROM

BEST PLACE FOR A BANQUET, LARGE GROUPS GO! CHOICE: Cheyenne Mountain Resort Erase all memories of the rubber-chicken/pungent-salmon circuit. Here you’ll find excellent food, custom desserts, a crackerjack wait staff and breathtaking views. 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, 538-4000 www.cheyennemountain.com

BEST PLACE FOR A BANQUET, SMALL GROUPS

GO! CHOICE: The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant Sure, this is one of the most romantic spots in town if you just go with your date — too much pressure, right? Invite the whole gang and we promise you’ll have endless fun fighting with your forks and marshmallows for that last spot of chocolate in your fondue pot. 733 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-0277 monalisafondue.com

BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

GO! CHOICE: Tajine Alami Nothing chips away at those GO! CHOICE: The Cliff House first-date jitters like sitting on at Pikes Peak pillows, eating exotic MorocWhether it’s a party for can food with your fingers. your staff, a dinner for your 10 Old Man’s Trail, Manitou Springs, wedding guests or a farewell 685-1119 blowout for your most beloved executive assistant, The Cliff BEST INDIAN FOOD House satisfies with magnificent beef and seafood dishes, GO! CHOICE: India Palace Dynamic spices that wake served with the same attention to detail for parties of as many the taste buds without searing them off — that’s what India as 50 and as few as two. Palace is all about. The moist, 306 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, succulent quality of chicken in 685-3000 the Butter Chicken and the

lamb in the Lamb Vindaloo BEST PIZZA BUFFET demonstrate how serious these GO! CHOICE: Billy’s folks are about food. Old World Pizza 5644 N. Academy Blvd., 535-9196 The centerpiece of the buffet, of course, is the pizza — BEST INDIAN BUFFET Chicago-style deep-dish placed on the buffet table with all the GO! CHOICE: India Palace From the zesty Lemon Rice necessary toppings. But the with Peanuts to the exotic feast hardly ends there. Your Masala Dosa, this buffet pro- $7.20 also buys you Italian beef vides a sense of adventure sandwiches (ask somebody with flavors that are always as- from the East coast and you’ll sertive and distinct. It’s well hear all about it), pasta with several sauces, as well as sauworth the price of $7.95. 5644 N. Academy Blvd., 535-9196 sage and meatballs, homemade soup and a full salad bar.

BEST CHINESE BUFFET GO! CHOICE: Empire Asian Buffet Empire’s dynasty continues to reign over the mega-buffet realm, and it doesn’t just overwhelm through superior numbers of items. It’s about quality. The made-to-order Mongolian Barbecue alone is worth the price of admission. Add to that fresh sushi, dim sum and wellprepared and extremely welltended trays of traditional Chinese entrees (including darn good snow crab), and you have the makings for a pigout of legendary proportions. 5760 N. Academy Blvd., 548-0334

308 S. Eighth St., Suite E, 630-3400

BEST PIZZA BUFFET DEAL

Publisher's Statement — 6 months ended 3/31/06

Posted the largest gains in Daily circulation of any like-sized newspaper in the United States (Sunday only, Monday – Friday and Saturday). Audit Bureau of Circulation Fas — Fax, Circulation average over 6 months ended 3/31/06

More than half of Colorado Springs adults read The Gazette on a daily basis. MORI, 2005

93% of subscribers rate The Gazette's delivery service as good or excellent. MORI, 2005

Call toll-free (866) 632-NEWS to subscribe. BEST OF THE SPRINGS 16

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

7350 Pine Creek Road, 598-8667

BEST SERVER GO! CHOICE: Mary Leonard at Red Lobster, north Those high-end fine dining restaurants don’t have anywhere near a monopoly on serving talent. Leonard proves it at a local Red Lobster, where she treats each diner with a friendly, casual respect. If you’re a regular customer, she’ll remember you. 4925 N. Academy Blvd., 594-9494

redlobster.com GO! CHOICE: Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center For $4.99 you get all you BEST EARLY can eat of an ever-changing va- BIRD SPECIAL riety of pizzas, pastas, salads, GO! CHOICE: The New drinks and desserts. That South Wales Restaurant price is for adults as well as From 4:30 to 6 p.m., you kids. Yes, they’re insane! can get fresh, seared yellow fin 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., 955-7220 tuna for $10.95, succulent cocomrbiggsffc.com nut shrimp or choice aged 10-ounce prime rib for $12.95.

BEST AL FRESCO

GO! CHOICE: The Margarita at PineCreek You can watch an outdoor movie, listen to live classical

Great city. Great region. Great newspaper. Daily circulation up 3.5%.

music or just sip some wine and nibble on your food in The Margarita’s new Sunset Patio Lounge, the best mix of hillside, trees and mountain views you’ll find this side of Aspen.

5901 Corporate Drive, 260-6555

SEE DINING OUT x PAGE 18

thought per square foot. How refreshing.

This is the guiding philosophy behind John Laing Homes. It’s our experience that better ideas lead to better places — from the way a home feels to the way the neighborhood comes together. So in each of the communities where we build — in every single home — you’ll find ideas that make home more valuable and life more enjoyable. Like a master bedroom with its own private deck. Or an elegant rotunda entry. Or even a separate guest house for visitors. And we back it all up with

The Gables

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Meridian Ranch

Greenhaven

The Gables

Coming in 2006:

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Windchime Collection 719-597-9823

Barlow Collection 1/4 acre lots 719-559-6014

Gold Hill Mesa Banning Lewis Ranch Parkwood at Wolf Ranch

Spring Creek 719-473-8459

Tallgrass

Wolf RanchThe Villages 719-495-7773

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Dakota Collection 1/2 acre lots 719-559-6010

Visit JohnLaingHomes.com for the latest info and to join the interest list. Model homes open daily. 2002-2004 National #1 Overall Homebuyer Satisfaction by Eliant.

Prices, specifications and availability subject to change without notice.

Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 17

FROM PAGE 16

sas, fresh cucumbers, grilled ing, the house specialty, made jalapeño peppers and marinat- of honey mustard and sesame, ed onions. butter a slice of bread from the BEST DOUGHNUT 522 S. Academy Blvd., 550-4272 basket, and your belly is in for GO! CHOICE: The Donut Mill a little slice of heaven. Another Even though it’s for sale, great salad place is Fanz BEST PLACE this Woodland Park landmark Sports Grill. still cranks out the tastiest FOR VEGANS 2917 Galley Road, 597-7476 doughnuts this side of the Mid- GO! CHOICE: Adam’s west. Maybe it’s the altitude, Mountain Cafe BEST HIGH-CLASS but the lines outside the door This is the place to go when on any weekend morning after you’re tired of all your meat- SALAD BAR about 8:30 prove that the Mill eating buddies crinkling their GO! CHOICE: Whole Foods Markets is every high-country traveler’s noses at your plateful of beautiFor $6.99 per pound, you’ll favorite Dad-can-we-stop-on- fully-colored foods and organic want to plan your gastric dethe-way place. We can’t argue meat substitutes. Long live the lights accordingly. Choose from with that. cow. And pig. Lamb and fish. marinated feta and artichokes, 310 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, broccoli crunch, Greek orzo You get the picture. 687-9793 110 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, salad, Greek dolmas, fruit, 685-1430 shredded beets, crisp green BEST REGIONAL www.adamsmountain.com beans, pumpkin seeds, edamaMEXICAN me, grilled eggplant, curry tofu BEST VEGGIE BURGER and grilled chicken. GO! CHOICE: La Sinaloense At least, that’s what we This is the real deal, folks. If GO! CHOICE: Adam’s shoved in our cardboard box. you thought we had no authen- Mountain Cafe Kaiser Permanente would There are many other combos tic Mexican food in town, think again. From cabeza to menudo love the Planet Burger here. to be had. 7635 N. Academy Blvd., 531-9999 to all the Mexican pastries you It’s made of delicious ingredicould hope to find, this is a ents: brown rice, roasted nuts and cheese. Grill it up, slap it BEST LOW-BROW great little cafe and bakery. on toasted whole-grain bread SALAD BAR 642 S. Academy Blvd., 550-1213 and thrive. GO! CHOICE: Souper Salad 110 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, BEST TAQUERIA This is one of the best deals 685-1430 GO! CHOICE: El Rey Del Taco in town. It’s only $5.99 for just www.adamsmountain.com The taqueria explosion of about everything you could the past five years has given us BEST SALAD ever hope to decorate a salad several good, authentic eaterplate with, plus bread, soup, ies. But this new place, in the GO! CHOICE: The Lettuce dessert and more. 3636 Citadel Drive North, 597-6124 location that formerly housed Head Restaurant This place has some delecta1434 Kelly Johnson Blvd., 533-0614 El Rey Del Pollo, sets the stan808 Garden of the Gods Road, dard with $1.25 soft-shell tacos ble rabbit food. Try the popular California Sunshine Salad, 277-0687 that are worth three times that. The quality of lean beef is with chunks of ham, bacon, avoworthy of a steakhouse. And cado, mozzarella cheese and BEST POWER the salsa bar goes above and hard-boiled eggs spread lavish- BREAKFAST beyond, with a half dozen sal- ly over spinach and other GO! CHOICE: The Olive Branch greens. Add a little Sun DressWhen power brokers meet early, this is the place that moves and shakes. It’s tradition. What a place to eaves-

Tajine Alami Not valid on holidays or with other offers. Valid on 6 course dinner only. Expires 6/30/06

685-1119

RESERVATIONS SUGGESTED OPEN 5-9

1/2 Billy’s Old World Pizza 308 S. 8th St., Unit E

COUPON

A Taste of Chicago

Colo. Spgs., CO 80905

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 18

BEAT THE CLOCK, arrive before 10am and receive $4 Off regular price Seniors and active Military discount

1/2 Off Tue-Fri: 11am-9pm, Sat: 11:30-9pm, Closed Sun & Mon

Awarded “Best Pizza” Last 12 Years

All Major Credit Cards

122 N. Tejon St., 633-5089 michellecandies.com

2nd Entree of Equal or Lesser Value

719-630-3400

2 1/2

GO! CHOICE: Michelle Chocolatiers & Ice Cream There’s a mouth-watering reason four generations of the Michopoulos family have held the title of chocolatier! How about some fudge to kill a diet for, or maybe some heavenly caramel/pecan/chocolate gremlins. The GO! Staff was cheerleading for personal chocolateshop favorites, so we did a blind taste test. Michelle, for both its dark and milk chocolate, finished on top.

• Voted Best Sunday Brunch by “The Gazette 2005” & “The Independent 2005” • Complimentary champagne and an incredible array of foods to include crab legs, shrimp, roast beef, an omelet and pasta station, carving station and much much more

10 OLD MAN’S TRAIL MANITOU SPRINGS

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BEST CHOCOLATE

Sunday brunch

15% Off Dinner

WWW.TAJINEALAMI.COM

23 S. Tejon St., 475-1199 theolivebranchrest.com

join us for

AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC M OROCCAN RESTAURANT

Belly Dancers Fri., Sat. & Last Wed. of Every Month.

drop; politicians, lawyers, Realtors, City Hall and county officials, they’re all here. Sometimes they’re standing outside chatting, waiting for the door to open at 6:30 a.m. By 7 the place is filling up and the crowd clears out by 9. There are benedicts and breakfast burritos, pancakes and skillets but these are health-conscious types — the most requested dish is oatmeal (cooked the long way) with raisins, skim milk and brown sugar. And they like their weekday omelettes with egg-whites only, pretty please. The orange juice is freshly squeezed when ordered. What’s important to the working world is that the wait staff knows its crowd and discreetly waits in the background before asking if anyone needs anything.

Home Delivery Available

THE GAZETTE

1/2

Friday, May 19, 2006

Reservations Recommended

(719) 598-8990

BEST WEDDING CAKE GO! CHOICE: Little London Cake Shoppe Little London makes great cake, but when it comes to planning your wedding, you want more than just a sugar fix. You want variety. You want service. You want a glorious cake like the one you saw in the bridal magazine. And you don’t want to pay too much. Check, check, check and check. When you go in for a tasting at Little London, they give you around a dozen to sample — each with unique fillings. They provide a beverage, then leave you in their cozy, living-roomlike lobby to pig-out and explore their many wedding cake catalogues. They’ll make almost any cake you can imagine, with most simple fondantcovered cakes going for $4 per person. 620 S. 25 St., 475-2340 www.littlelondoncakes.com

BEST QUICHE GO! CHOICE: Breadheads Bakery and Cafe Better get there early because they go quickly. The selection is varied — and delicious: green chile, ham and cheese, broccoli and cheese, sweet basil and ham and probably some surprises. Get a whole quiche or a slice. 2226 N. Wahsatch Ave., 473-5555

BEST PLACE TO EAT BEFORE A SHOW AT PIKES PEAK CENTER GO! CHOICE: MacKenzie’s Chop House They’ll get you to the show on time because this staff knows the complete schedule of events at Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. When you make a reservation in the 5:30-6:30 p.m. range, it’s probable you have places to go. Your server will time it to make certain you get there before the curtain — without any rush or fuss. 128 S. Tejon St., 635-3536 restauranteur.com/mackenzieschop house.com

BEST PLACE TO EAT AFTER THE SHOW AT PIKES PEAK CENTER GO! CHOICE: Phantom Canyon It’s a post-show tradition to stroll over for coffee and dessert, especially the black and

230 Pointe of the Pines Drive Promotions subject to change without notice and not valid on hollidays or combined with other promotions.

SEE DINING OUT x PAGE 19

FROM PAGE 18

tan brownies or the chocolate cake. Or maybe a brew! On Fridays and Saturdays there’s a full menu until midnight (don’t miss the artichoke dip with veggies and beer bread) and a latenight menu after that. Sundays through Thursdays there’s a late-night happy hour. 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-2800 phantomcanyon.com

BEST PLACE TO EAT AFTER THE SHOW AT THE WORLD ARENA GO! CHOICE: Bennigan’s Survive the after-event traffic rush and head out of the area to relax and get something to eat or drink. They have post-show enticements including a full menu, drink specials and a 10 p.m.-midnight happy hour. 2540 Tenderfoot Hill Road, 540-5050 bennigans.com

BEST BUFFALO BURGERS

7665 N. Academy Blvd., 751 N. Academy Blvd.

GO! CHOICE: Ted’s Montana Grill BEST CHIPS At Ted’s, rare means rare AND SALSA — a must for this ultra-lean GO! CHOICE: Amanda’s Fonda meat. Mexican Restaurant 1685 Briargate Parkway., 598-3999 An overflowing basket of warm, nongreasy, light corn BEST BUFFALO LIVER tortilla chips mixed with a GO! CHOICE: Yukon Tavern fresh, tomatoey salsa with just If you’re brave enough to the right amount of vegetable order buffalo liver, the Yukon is chunks makes a customer fill brave enough to serve it. up on the appetizer and take 525 S. Circle Drive, 475-0050 the entree to go. The distinguishing salsa kick comes from BEST AMERICAN the perfect infusion of cilantro.

BUFFET GO! CHOICE: Country Buffet Talk about bad business sense: Country Buffet offers an all-you-can-eat buffet and then — get this — it serves up food you actually WANT to eat. An ideal spot to take your ravenous teen. Breakfast is $7.99, lunch $7.29 and dinner $10.19 — less if you’re a young ’un.

3625 W. Colorado Ave., 227-1975

new coffee, and this cute, innocuous spot south of downtown GO! CHOICE: The Caspian Café serves up more than 80 varietFrom mussels to hummus ies. Not only that, it comes in to baba ganoush, Caspian Café pretty pots with delicate little makes some of the most flavor- saucers and cups. ful dishes in town. This talent 1019 S. Tejon St., 520-0672 really shines in the often-neglected appetizer arena. Saf- BEST DELI fron, orange and lemon are the stars of the show at this Per- GO! CHOICE: Black Tie sian/Mediterranean power- Gourmet Catering & Deli There’s a dazzling array of house, so go discover all the nuances of flavor that have been soups, salads and sandwiches from which to choose. Resimissing from your life. dents of the New Jersey area 4375 Sinton Road, 528-1155 will be pleased to find their beloved Taylor ham featured in BEST TEA The Triple “T” Sandwich GO! CHOICE: Montague’s (smoked turkey, Taylor Ham Coffee House Have you heard? Tea is the SEE DINING OUT x PAGE 20

BEST APPETIZERS

Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 19

FROM PAGE 19

cream, then topped with an inch of whipped cream and and tomatoes served with sprinkled with coconut shavsmoked Gouda, red onions, ings. If it were any better it sweet sprouts, roasted red pep- would be illegal. 330 E. Colorado Ave., 475-9722 pers and organic bibb lettuce on sourdough bread). You can buy Taylor ham by the pound BEST SOUP for enjoying at home. Break- GO! CHOICE: Shuga’s Spicy fast is also offered. Brazilian Coconut Shrimp Soup 1005 W. Colorado Ave., 487-1933

Oh, good gracious this is yummy. The peanut butter, coBEST ONION RINGS conut milk, spicy flavor of the broth is offset perfectly by the GO! CHOICE: Culver’s Thinly-sliced, freshly-made, fresh cilantro and the shrimp. 702 S. Cascade Ave., 328-1412 with a slight honey aftertaste. shugas.com

2925 New Center Point, 597-6220 1140 Lake Plaza Drive, 473-9707 www.culvers.com

BEST FISH TACO

Go! CHOICE: Sonterra Grill Too many places gunk up an otherwise perfect fish taco with cheese, lettuce, or — GO! CHOICE: El Taco Rey’s gasp! — too much sauce. If you Coconut Tres Leches Cake Fluffy, white cake laced with want the dining experience, what tastes like Bavarian head for Sonterra, where you’ll

BEST MEXICAN DESSERT

G N I N E OP 1, 06 JUNE

NEW

Inside the Original CastAways Restaurant

Paradise Espresso Cafe

Deli & Bakery Open 6:30 am • 7 days a week

FR WI EE -FI

Breakfast Sat & Sun

ng Servi from e coffe ttle’s Sea st Be

COUPON

107 Manitou Ave 685-3300

Good for 1 FREE Fresh Brewed Coffee

www.castaways.com

get light, flaky fish and a delish BEST FAST-FOOD mix of greens and spices in a decent tortilla. If you want a COFFEE quick fish taco, head to the Del GO! CHOICE: Chick-Fil-A This is no watered-down Taco, which serves up a cheapslop intended only to revive er, no-fuss variety. your flagging energy. This pot Sonterra Grill, 28 S. Tejon St., 471-9222 www.sonterragrill.com of coffee is Y-to-the-U-tothe-M. YUM! Coffeehouse Light, Bistro Dark and ExpressBEST MUFFINS ly Decaf — freshly made in the GO! CHOICE: Mimi’s Cafe Big, hot muffins. Fresh from morning by the pot, then the oven and slathered with brewed by the cup during the butter. So scentsational you afternoon and evening hours. can almost smell them from A worthy contender is Dunkin here. Honey bran, carrot rai- Donuts. Chapel Hills Mall and The Citadel sin, buttermilk spice and special ones for the seasons. And the top one on the popularity BEST GAS-STATION list, the must-have muffin: blue- COFFEE berry. GO! CHOICE: Farm Crest 7133 N. Academy Blvd. and 3005 N. New Milk Stores Center Point , 590-1357 and 622-8600 It’s not quite Starbucks, but mimiscafe.com it beats the heck out of 7-Eleven and other gas-station-conviBEST BREAKFAST ence-store joints. It’s cheap, PASTRIES fresh, and usually available in a GO! CHOICE: La Baguette few fancy-schmancy flavors as You won’t find a more deli- well as regular and decaf. cate croissant or a more Nine locations mouth-meltingly delicious almond cake. BEST PLACE 117 E Pikes Peak Ave., 636-5020; 2417 W. Colorado Ave., 577-4818; 4440 N. Chestnut St., 599-0686

BEST COFFEE GO! CHOICE: Rico’s Cafe and Wine Bar at Poor Richard’s Richard Skorman strikes again. You might have to wait a few minutes for a cup if the small carafe is empty, but it’s worth it. Rich, dark, not bitter — pure manna. 320 N. Tejon St., 630-7723

TO GET COFFEE AND ENLIGHTENMENT GO! CHOICE: Java Buddha Coffeehouse One cup at a time. That’s the motto on the storefront outside. Not only is the coffee made from Buddha Beans, the new destination just past Old Colorado City offers a $30-amonth coffee club, free wi-fi and free-to-cheap yoga and bellydancing classes throughout the week. Call to register; 633-5282. 2820 W. Colorado Ave.

Expires 10-1-06

BEST JAMAICAN GO! CHOICE: Irie Rasta Pub Where else you gonna get your curry goat, mon? This restaurant/nightclub has fine jerk chicken and a tropical atmosphere that will make you think the beach awaits right beyond its doors. 315 E. Arvada St., 471-8561

BEST FREE SAMPLES, UPSCALE GO! CHOICE: Par Avion It’s some tasty multi-tasking: Swing by Par Avion for a little lunchtime shopping, and load your basket and your stomach at the same time. Sample fresh French breads, imported cheeses, spinach Florentine spread, chicken port paté, Italian dry salami and more. The samples at this place are wonderful — and come in large portions. Swing by the dessert counter, and you’ve got dinner shopping and a light lunch off your list. 1872 Southgate Road, 636-2328

BEST FREE SAMPLES, LESS FANCY GO! CHOICE: Le Gourmet Chef All the specialty cooking store’s offerings pair perfectly with tortilla chips or pretzels. Just dip them in the roasted pineapple and habanero salsa, onion blossom horseradish or chocolate mint fondue sauce. Buy a talking Homer Simpson pizza cutter (“Mmm, pizza”) along with any of these snackers, and you’ll be a hit on game night. 1645 Briargate Parkway, Suite C215, Promenade Shops at Briargate, 266-9307

BEST PLACE TO EAT IN THE CITADEL MALL Northern New Mexican Cuisine

Daily Drink Specials from 2-6pm

1/2 Off Lunch or Dinner! Buy on lunch or dinner entree at regular price and receive the 2nd entree of equal or lesser value at 1/2 price. Not valid with any other offer. Please present coupon when ordering. Offer Expires 06/15/06.

Vote dB by T est Ma 200 he Gaz rgarita 2, 2 003 ette , 20 04!

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 20

Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm 10 North Sierra Madre

•

Colorado Springs, CO

Expires 06/16/06

GO! CHOICE: Hibachi San The crowds are drawn to the new Panda Express next door. The fools! They’re missing out on freshly tossed teppan dishes, including a fabulous teriyaki chicken. And this place also has fresh sushi that’s cheap and stands up to the sushi at most sit-down sushi places in town. 750 Citadel Drive East, 637-2607 hibachisan.com

BEST PLACE TO EAT AT CHAPEL HILLS MALL GO! CHOICE: Sbarro This chain Italian joint ex-

Reservations Accepted

471-0106 • www.el-tesoro.com

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

SEE DINING OUT x PAGE 22

Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 21

FROM PAGE 20

wine regions and boutique wineries you may not find elseceeds mall expectations by con- where. 19 Lake Ave., 577-5896 sistently serving fine pizza and other Old World eats with fresh ingredients and superior BEST RESTAURANT flavors. DESIGN 1710 Briargate Blvd. 528-5100 sbarro.com

BEST WINE LIST

THE GAZETTE FILE

BEST WINE LIST: At Summit, a revolving turret houses about 1,400 bottles of wine.

GO! CHOICE: Summit at The Broadmoor Nationally renowned wine geek Steve Olson helped put together a wine list that’s fun, interesting and not intimidating. It certainly could have been. Behind Summit’s bar, a bizarre turret-like wine rack holds about 1,400 bottles. But Olson pared down the main wine list to 60, 30 of which are offered by the glass. He emphasizes quality, affordability and adventurousness. The list features varietals from lesser-known

GO! CHOICE: Summit at The Broadmoor The ultra-urban $5 milliondollar gourmet casual eatery was designed by Adam D. Tihany, the brainiac behind Per Se in New York, Mandarin Bar in London, Agua in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Aureole in Las Vegas. We love the curvy, retro, pistachio-hued dining room and the rotating wine turret (which resembles an upsidedown ice cream cone) behind the bar. 19 Lake Ave., 577-5896

BEST RESTAURANT ENTRYWAY GO! CHOICE: Metropolitain Disappear into the belly of downtown city life through the magical subway entrance, modeled after a French subway entrance, on Kiowa just off Tejon. Or just stand outside and giggle as first-timers attempt to find the front door of the Metropolitain. You’ll be transported into a bar where the owners and staff greet you like long lost family. 101 N. Tejon St., 302-0280

BEST SUPERMARKET SANDWICH GO! CHOICE: Whole Foods Market At $7, Whole Foods’ sandwiches are a riff on the chain’s strategy for serving up better ingredients at higher prices. Don’t worry, you get what you pay for. Try the Pikes Peak with roasted red pepper, red onion, smoked turkey, chipotle mayo and crisp spinach on a sophisticated in-house flatbread. 7635 N. Academy Blvd., 531-9999

BEST GREEN CHILI Go! CHOICE: El Taco Rey This steamy version of the Southwest’s saucy staple is neither too macho nor too accommodating. The traditional mix of roasted chiles and spices is flavorful, fiery and rich in the simple family traditions that make Southwestern cuisine what it is. 330 E. Colorado Ave., 475-9722

SEE DINING OUT x PAGE 23

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 22

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

FROM PAGE 22

685-9344 outside, and made fresh every theloopatmanitou.com day. Day-olds are $3 a bag — such a deal! Incidentally, about BEST NEW the dual name: Bruegger’s re- BEST QUESADILLA FAST-FOOD ITEM cently bought the place back GO! CHOICE: Wooglin’s Deli GO! CHOICE: Del Taco’s from Brooklyn’s, but hasn’t yet Wooglin’s may be an Amerifish burrito changed the sign. can deli, but its spicy black The same great stuffing in 132 N. Tejon St., 635-8548 bean quesadilla is still the best the Del’s fish taco (crispy fish, in town. fresh pico de gallo, crunchy BEST PIE 823 N. Tejon St., 578-9443 shredded cabbage, ancho chile GO! CHOICE: Boonzaaijer’s sauce and a thoughtful wedge Beautiful golden crusts that BEST MEXICAN of lime) bundled up in a warm taste as good as they look, and FOOD TRUCK flour tortilla that protects laps a great sense of balance when everywhere from the dreaded GO! CHOICE: Mariscos Colima it comes to fillings. taco-topping tsunami. OK, how daring are you? 4935 Centennial Blvd., 264-0177 511 Garden of the Gods Road, 531-9494 Would you eat raw oysters www.dutchpastry.com 1645 Space Center Drive, 573-0418 from a Mexican food truck? If the truck is Mariscos Colima, BEST MEXICAN the risk is worth it. The SpanBEST BAGEL APPETIZER ish-only menu offers fine oysGO! Choice: Brooklyn GO! CHOICE: Shrimp ters, ceviche and other treaBagels/Bruegger’s Bagels sures from the sea at reasonThis downtown shop that Acapulco at The Loop Shrimp wrapped in bacon, able prices. opened at the peak of the The cart is usually located 1990s bagel tide hasn’t slipped then deep-fried. Served with a an inch with the bagel’s reced- full plate of cheesy nachos for on the northbound side of ing popularity. The plump $7.95. Saturated fat never tast- Academy Boulevard, on Shelly Avenue, between Airport Road rings of dough are always ed so good. 965 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, and Pikes Peak Avenue. chewy inside, just crisp enough

BEST CHINESE DELIVERY BY NEIGHBORHOOD (All GO! staff picks) Recognizing that naming Best Chinese does you little good when you want delivery and live far from the winner, we decided to pick Best Chinese Delivery in various neighborhoods: Constitution and Cimarron Hills: Xiang Kitchen, 573-8899 Pulpit Rock and Vista Grande: Silver Pond, 594-9343 Downtown: Hunan Springs, 634-0800 Manitou Springs: China China, 685-9576 West side: Coal Mine Dragon, 471-7007 Palmer Park and Knob Hill: New Panda 2, 574-8336 Village Seven and Parkmoor: Jade Dragon, 597-4844 Briargate: Moon Star, 528-5153 Briargate North: New Panda, 481-0855 Falcon: China Recipe, 495-8952 Stratton Meadows, Broadmoor and Ivywild: Coal Mine Dragon, 471-7007 Cheyenne: New Panda, 576-2489 Fountain: Dragon King, 382-3023 Peterson Air Force Base and Cimarron Hills: China Pearl, 597-9448

Serving the Best Asian Cuisine Buy One Get 50%

Off*

Good for Dine-In Only Not Good with Other Offers Expires June 12, 2006 *With Discount Coupon *Second Entree of Equal or Lesser Value. Excludes Banquets or Holidays.

• Full Bar Available • Gift Certificates Available Voted Best of Springs -The Gazette 2005

Rotelli welcomes you and your family to enjoy Northern Italian food “the wayy Italian was meant to taste.” Try The Rotelli Sampler, a True House Special: includes Eggplant Rollatine, Mozzzarella topped Ravioli, Meatball, Sausage baked in a fresh Tomato Sauce!”

$6.5

15 minutes from anywhere

3958 North Academy

(Sunday dinner only)

FREE Delivery Available

597-4844

BESshT/Diner a Car W YS! ALWA Cruise in and choose your car wash from basic to detailed then eat in our 50’s style Diner while you wait. We offer classic hamburgers, fries, dogs, specials, soups, salads and of course breakfast. With patio dining, kid’s menu, and a gift shop--life doesn’t get much better!

ff to gh Ri

Everyay d Tues Large a Enjoyli Cheese Rotel for only Pizza 4

Open 7 Days Lunch and Dinner

Ga rde

3240 Centennial Blvd.

fG ods

nn Rd. b etween I-25 and Cente

520-55600

ial

4460 Forest Hill Road

535-0346 Open Daily 8am - 6pm

Dine In, Patio Dining, Carry Out and Delivery Service. Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 23

MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

CITY LIFE BEST OF THE SPRINGS 24

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

BEST DAY TRIP READERS’ CHOICE: Cripple Creek It’s grown READERS’ from a CHOICE sleepy mining town to a bustling Old West gambling theme park. Disney schmisney.

GO! CHOICE: Air Force Academy Chapel

BEST PARADE

Wallaby Walkabout exhibit. The sight of them racing along like mice on pogo sticks is sure to make you smile. Watch closely and you may see a joey — a wallaby baby — stick its head out of Mom’s pouch.

READERS’ CHOICE: Festival of Lights 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road This annu(up the mountain from The Broadal Christmas READERS’ moor) 633- 9925 event lights cmzoo.org CHOICE up Tejon GO! CHOICE: Skyline Drive, Cañon Street with illuminated floats, BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL marching bands and, of course, City READERS’ The dizzying drive on the the jolly fat man himself. CHOICE: Gold narrow spine above Cañon Camp ElemenCity is a perfect — not to men- GO! CHOICE: Carnivale Dogs wearing Mardi Gras tary School tion free — way to cap a lazy READERS’ It’s in a beads. Brass bands playing weekend. CHOICE “When the Saints Come March- breathtaking Two miles east of Cañon City on U.S. Highway 50 ing In.” New Orleans trans- natural setplants stirring up gumbo. This ting high above the city in Skyparade perfectly blends creativ- way. But more than that, says BEST PLACE TO TAKE ity, taste and debauchery every principal Joe Thiac, “everyOUT-OF-TOWNERS February when it marches body’s happy here.” There are READERS’ “high academic standards, a down Manitou Avenue. CHOICE: tremendous supportive parent Garden base, a supportive teaching BEST ZOO of the Gods staff that works with each READERS’ ANIMAL Spectacuother and makes it fun for the CHOICE lar rock forkids to be here. When new parREADERS’ mations sure tour they feel welcome CHOICE: READERS’ ents to garner “wows” from your The giraffe when they walk in the door; CHOICE the kids say hello.” No wonder guests. A perfect picnic setting Cheyenne . . . yada, yada, yada. You live Mountain Zoo has become this Cheyenne Mountain here. You know you have to world-famous for its reticulat- School District 12 school got all take every out-of-town guest ed giraffe captive-breeding pro- those votes! here. 1805 Preserve Drive, 327-2820 gram and the size of the giraffe Visitor and Nature Center, cmsd.k12.co.us/Schools/gce/gce.html population. And for kids, there 1805 N. 30th St., 634-6666 are few zoo activities more fun gardenofgods.com than getting a cracker licked GO! CHOICE: The Classical out of their hands by those Academy GO! CHOICE: Garden of the Gods It’s not the facilities that are long purple tongues. important on these three camBEST NATURAL puses, it’s the education. The GO! CHOICE: The wallaby LANDMARK Wallabies are visiting Chey- Academy School District 20 enne Mountain Zoo just for the K-12 charter school emphasizREADERS’ summer as part of the zoo’s es “classical subjects including CHOICE: Garden of the Gods READERS’ God, gods, CHOICE w h a t e v e r. These rocks are so awe-inspiring, you’d have to have rocks in your head not be affected.

THE GAZETTE FILE

BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS: Not only is Garden of the Gods a great place to take your out-of-town guests, the natural landmark also calls to locals, such as this rock climber.

logic and rhetoric”; Latin is taught in grades five and up and all students learn Spanish. Add to that strong parental involvement. Now you know why little ones are put on a waiting list the minute they’re born. 8650 Scarborough Drive, 1655 Springcrest Road, 975 Stout Road, 265-9766 tcad20.org/

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL READERS’ CHOICE: Colorado Springs School READERS’ On one of CHOICE the prettiest campuses anywhere, centered around a main building that’s a mini-version of the Grand Trianon at Versailles, students follow a rigorous curriculum that gets 100 percent of them into colleges. The arts are big, the school’s focus international. Classwork comes out of the

textbooks to use in real-life situations. And life is good when you know dreaded school lunches are being prepared by someone called Chef Jeff. 21 Broadmoor Ave., 475-9747 css.org

GO! CHOICE: Fountain Valley School Since 1930, students at this secluded prep school — with spectacular Southwestern architecture — have searched for “the best in yourself” and many have found it in the arts. No surprise for a school with its own international student film festival. Alums include Samuel Goldwyn Jr. of movie and philanthropic fame, lyricist/activist John Perry Barlow, the late actress Dominique Dunne, actor/director Tony Goldwyn and musician Bob Weir. 6155 Fountain Valley School Road, 390-7035 www.fvs.edu

GO! CHOICE: Garden of the Gods

BEST UNNATURAL LANDMARK READERS’ CHOICE: Air Force Academy Chapel READERS’ The Air CHOICE Force Academy is one of the finest examples in the world of 1950s architectural modernism — and its crowning glory is Walter Netsch’s elegant, graceful chapel.

Wallabies, emus, parrots, kangaroos and baby joeys…You’ll find them all at Wallaby Walkabout this summer at your Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. It’s a hop, skip and a jump into fun. Take I-25 to exit 138, go west and follow the signs. 719-633-9925 www.cmzoo.org Sponsored by:

Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 25

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY READERS’ CHOICE: Captain Dan, KKLI (106.3 READERS’ FM) CHOICE With more than 20 years on the local radio dial, KKLI’s Captain Dan is like a comfortable pair of jeans, ready to ease you into your day. The Captain and co-host Paul Richards run a morning show that might sometimes be frivolous, but never tasteless. Captain Dan, you deserve a promotion. kkli.com

GO! CHOICE: Vicky Gregor, KRCC (91.5 FM) It’s humbling to contemplate how much better our friend and neighbor Vicky’s taste in music is than our own.

ing DJs, plus a “safe for the whole family” vibe that draws some listeners who could care less about the religious messages. Whether you love or hate Amy Grant, MercyMe, Casting Crowns and the rest, give the Q its due: The station knows its audience and gives them what they want.

Really, she should have a second career as an iPod consultant. Barring that business development, the best we can do is turn over our radios to her Morning Freeform show at 9 a.m. weekdays. krcc.org

BEST RADIO STATION READERS’ CHOICE: KKMG (98.9 FM) “Magic READERS’ FM” CHOICE M a g i c isn’t dominating as it once was, but it’s still a fan favorite for its Top 40 music mix and a group of DJs who aren’t shy about having fun. Checking in with CK, Lazer and Romi of the Magic Morning Show is already a tradition around here. We can’t imagine starting the day without hear-

kbiqradio.com

BEST FEMALE NEWS HOTTIE: KXRM/Channel 21’s Stephanie Pytlinski is this year’s choice.

BEST TV NEWS STATION

READERS’ ing their sharp tongues and CHOICE: wicked humor. KOAA/Chan989magicfm.com nels 5&30 READERS’ Although CHOICE GO! CHOICE: KBIQ (102.7 FM) KOAA wins It’s no secret that Christian this award every year, its lead music has come a long way in is getting smaller and smaller. the past decade, and KBIQ is a KKTV/Channel 11, with new prime beneficiary. The Q deftly faces behind the anchor desk combines rock, pop and coun- and a new set, has been doing try from Christian artists with quality work and KRDO/Chanpersonable, but not overbear- nel 13, with new owners set to make a splash, could be on the verge of big things. And let’s not forget Fox affiliate KXRM/Channel 21 is considering starting its own news operation (KKTV now produces KXRM’s 9 p.m. news). Still, KOAA gets the nod for its consistency. With all the changes at KKTV, KRDO and KXRM, we expect the coming year to be the most competitive, and the most interesting, local TV news has seen in years. koaa.com

GO! CHOICE: KOAA/Channels 5&30

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BEST TV REPORTER READERS’ CHOICE: Kyle Troxel, KRDO/ChanREADERS’ nel 13 CHOICE Troxel is integral to the success of KRDO’s “Good Morning Colorado” and, with anchors Kellie MacMullan and Zach Thaxton and meteorologist Marty Venticinque, a welcome visitor to our homes every morning.

BEST NEWS HOTTIE, FEMALE READERS’ CHOICE: Stephanie Pytlinski, KXRM/ READERS’ Channel 21 CHOICE Since Joe Cole left the anchor desk last year, Pytlinski has run KXRM’s 9 p.m. news solo, and her fans couldn’t be happier. Is it the blond locks, the smile or the fun-loving person lurking beneath the professional demeanor? GO! CHOICE: Katherine Cook, KKTV/Channel 11 KRDO’s Kellie MacMullan, last year’s winner, was an obvious choice, but others suggested KXRM’s Stephanie Pytlinski, KRDO’s Nina Sparano, or KOAA’s Georgiann Lymberopoulos. We say Cook, who is a little bit gorgeous like Pikes Peak is a little bit tall.

BEST NEWS HOTTIE, MALE READERS’ CHOICE: Jeff Marcu Marcu got this award READERS’ last year and CHOICE we thought we’d switch it up this time around, but readers know what they like. Marcu gives you a little bit of “World News Tonight’s” Bob Woodruff mixed with a little Abercrombie and Fitch. GO! CHOICE: Matt Meister, KRDO/Channel 13 For those who prefer Old Navy to Abercrombie, Meister manages to be cute as a bug in a rug while giving us the good news on the weather.

BEST TV ANCHOR READERS’ CHOICE: Lisa READERS’ Lyden, CHOICE KOAA/Channels 5&30 Henceforth the Lisa Lyden Perpetual Anchor Award. We don’t remember the last time she didn’t win it, and we can’t foresee a time when she won’t: Lyden has the right mix of professionalism, compassion and poise to run KOAA’s anchor desk forever.

GO! CHOICE: Lauri Martin, KKTV/Channel 11 What we like about Martin is that she’s game for anything. She’s out on the street, braving snowstorms, keeping a straight face while asking silly questions — she really seems to enjoy the job, and that makes GO! CHOICE: Lisa Lyden, her a pleasure to watch. KOAA/Channels 5&30

BEST DAY SPA

tablished, The Broadmoor exudes such luxury and grace, you feel you should be paying hundreds of dollars a night to stay there. Oh, wait . . . you are. Rates are $310-$3,315 a night.

READERS’ CHOICE: Veda Salon & Spa Relax and READERS’ leave the re1 Lake Ave., 577-5775 CHOICE juvenation to broadmoor.com these pros: Get a massage, facial, pedicure, GO! CHOICE: The Broadmoor manicure, head-to-toe self-renewal package, new hair color or style — or design your own BEST B&B day of pampering. READERS’ 4697 Centennial Blvd. or 2110 SouthCHOICE: gate Road, No. 201, 265-5660, 578-8332 Hearthstone coloradoaveda.com/index.html Inn

READERS’

GO! CHOICE: CHOICE The Cheyenne Cañon Inn Location, location, location. This mission-style B&B, built 1 Lake Ave., 577-5770 in 1921, is perched at the enbroadmoor.com/page.asp?id=spa trance to Cheyenne Canyon, and it takes advantage of its sitBEST MOTEL uation with more than 100 winREADERS’ dows in the great room overCHOICE: looking the mountains. The The Silver breakfasts also are worth writSaddle home about, particularly READERS’ ing This rethe strawberry mousse crepes CHOICE cently remodand the turkey apricot sausageled Manitou es. Rooms, which vary in style, motel features a large heated range from $99 to $219. pool, hot tub and stunning 2030 W. Cheyenne Blvd., 633-0625 mountain views. Owners call cheyennecanoninn.com this an “unchain motel” and take pride in furnishings and BEST SCENIC DRIVE room designs that vary from room to room. Rates are READERS’ CHOICE: Pikes $54-$119.50. Peak Highway 215 Manitou Ave., 685-5611 silver-saddle.com Pay the toll ($10 for READERS’ adults, $5 for GO! CHOICE: El Colorado Lodge CHOICE Step back in time to when kids, or $35 you went on road trips with per car) in Cascade and zigzag your family and stopped at mo- your way up 20 miles of mountels that actually had charac- tain road, through thick forest, ter. El Colorado’s quaint adobe- scrubby oaks and then a rocky style cabins all have fireplaces summit. At the top, be sure to and irresistible cowboy kitch, treat yourself to a doughnut at and there’s a decent-sized pool the Summit House. 473-0208 outside as well as a playvisitpikespeak.com/ ground, shuffleboard, horseshoe pit and basketball court. Rooms go for $49.50-$119 a GO! CHOICE: The Shelf Road Start from Cripple Creek night. and head on this old toll road 23 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-5485 toward Cañon City, the middle elcolorado.pikes-peak.com leg of the Gold Belt Tour. Along the way, you’ll see a 1.7 billion-year-old rock; The BEST HOTEL/RESORT Shelf, a bumpy section around READERS’ Fourmile Creek; limestone CHOICE: The cliffs, sandstone figures and Broadmoor bighorn sheep; and the Garden One of the Park Fossil Area, a dinosaur READERS’ few resorts graveyard discovered in 1876. CHOICE in the counIt’s best seen in the fall, when try to get Mobil Five-Star and the AAA the road is dry and the aspens Five-Diamond ratings every are golden. GO! CHOICE: The Spa at The Broadmoor Absolute luxury. Wonderful robes. A five-star, best-of-everything treat.

year since the awards were es-

ed in the beautiful town of Green Mountain Falls, the Lake Gazebo is located on an island in a lake in the center of town. A boardwalk leads out to the darling gazebo — forming a perfect aisle for soon-to-bewed sweethearts. A backdrop of stunning mountains sure looks great in the wedding photos. Green Mountain Falls Clerk-Treasurer, 7035 Oak St., Green Mountain Falls, 684-9414 BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE

BEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP: Timberview Middle Schoolers Jacob Urbina, from left, Raelyn Naylor and Terry Dowell at the Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

BEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP READERS’ CHOICE: The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo READERS’ With the CHOICE addition of the African Rift Valley — a natural environment for the giraffes and other African transplants — our mountainside zoo has grown into a world-class spot for animal encounters. This summer’s wallaby exhibit makes it even more fun to walk on the wild side. Off Lake Avenue, up the hill from The Broadmoor, 633-9925 cmzoo.org

GO! CHOICE: Zebulon Pike On the 200th anniversary of Pike’s first sighting of the pile of rock to our west, it’s high time to give a shout-out to the man who gave his name to the mountain (and everything else in the region, from liquor stores to tattoo parlors).

BEST PLACE TO GET MARRIED READERS’ CHOICE: The Sunbird Restaurant Pe r c h e d on a bluff READERS’ overlooking CHOICE the mountains to the west and the city to the east, the Sunbird has ambience up the wazoo. If the weather cooperates, the patio is the way to go.

BEST DRY CLEANER READERS’ CHOICE: European Dry Cleaners READERS’ It’s reasonCHOICE ably priced, does a great job, is quick, turns out beautifully finished shirts and has three locations. 1779 S. Eighth St., 471-2227 802 Arcturus Drive, 473-7476 6530 S. Academy Blvd., 527-8282

GO! CHOICE: European Dry Cleaners

BEST HAIR SALON READERS’ CHOICE: Veda Salon & Spa Go all out and turn READERS’ yourself over CHOICE to a Designer or Master Stylist. Talk about cutting edge!

GO! CHOICE: Body Worlds 2 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science 2110 Southgate Road, No. 201, 578-8332 Because nothing grosses 230 Point of the Pines Drive, 589-8990 4697 Centennial Blvd., 265-5660 out (or sticks in the mind of) a www.coloradoaveda.com sixth-grader like seeing a skate- GO! CHOICE: The Lake Gazebo boarder’s lower intestines. in Green Mountain Falls GO! CHOICE: Veda Salon & Spa This exhibit of dissected In terms of charm, it’s hard human bodies will be on dis- to beat the Lake Gazebo. Locatplay through July 23. 2001 Colorado Blvd., 1-303-322-7009 dmns.org

BEST CELEBRITY READERS’ CHOICE: Goose Gossage READERS’ The Goose CHOICE was robbed — robbed we say! — of his rightful spot in the Hall of Fame last year. Bruce Sutter makes the cut, but not Goose? The Goose pitched in an era when closers were intimidating men of iron, not interchangeable, instantly forgettable specialists. Did we mention he was robbed?

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Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 27

CITY LIFE QUICK HITS (All GO! picks) BEST SPOT FOR A PICNIC: Garden of the Gods BEST SPOT FOR PEOPLEWATCHING: The elevated front window table at Rico’s at Poor Richard’s BEST BUSINESSPERSON’S NAME: Rich Guy BEST FIREWORKS DISPLAY: Fourth of July in Memorial Park BEST FREE RIDE: The downtown shuttle BEST CHEAP RIDE: FREX (Front Range Express commuter bus) BEST PLACE TO GO ANIMAL-CRAZY: Humane Society’s Fur-R-R Ball BEST REASON TO SPEND NIGHT WITH STRANGERS: American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life BEST PHILANTHROPIC GROUP: Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado

“Coyote,” but putting two and two together pointed toward a film adaptation of author Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation.” Local fans crowded the sidewalk to catch a glimpse of Willis’ bald head through the restaurant’s windows and, when asked about his co-star in the scene, wondered aloud “who is Greg Kinnear?”

BEST PLACE TO BE BORN GO! CHOICE: Penrose Community Hospital Come into the world in style, knowing that your mom has been well cared for, watching her favorite DVDs, soaking in the hot tub (complete with disco lights!) and feeling nurtured by the nurses and doctors at the area’s most comfortable, well-equipped birthing center. 3205 N. Academy Blvd., 776-3284 penrosestfrancis.org

BEST PLACE TO DIE GO! CHOICE: Peak Hospice & Palliative Care Let’s face it, we all gotta go sometime. We’d like to go quietly in our bed at home. But if it turns out that we’re in serious pain and want medical assistance to carry us to the hereafter, this hospice is the way to go. It’s been lending comfort and compassion to the dying and their families since 1980.

BEST POLITICAL CAMPAIGN GO! CHOICE: Student-body president race at UCCS Jessica Cramer and BranMARK REIS, THE GAZETTE don James, students at the UniBEST PLACE TO BE BORN: Becky and Eric Kaiser cuddled their versity of Colorado at Colorado day-old daughter, Avery Elizabeth, April 25 as they prepared to Springs, spent thousands of leave their birthing room at Penrose Community Hospital. dollars in their bid to become local gas prices, this Sinclair glass. Owner Jo Lynn Garlow co-presidents. They rented a consistently offered lower regu- is the window cleaner and billboard, held campus events with food and music, and covlar unleaded prices than the thinks it’s a hoot. ered major roads in the area 11 E. Bijou St., 633-7090 competition. with signs. Naturally, they won. outoftheboxboutique.com Is this a great country, or BEST PLACE what? BEST PLACE TO

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GO! CHOICE: Out of the Box It’s a Mick Jagger attack. The big red lips in the window of this interesting custom boutique inspire passers-by to BEST GAS STATION leave their own lip prints beGO! CHOICE: Sinclair station hind. Just about any time you at 1901 N. Academy Blvd. walk by, you’ll see big kissieIn The Gazette’s surveys of kissie autographs on the front 825 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 600, 633-3400 pikespeakhospice.org

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RECYCLE A DEAD MAC GO! CHOICE: Community Intersections Electronics Recycling Center When your computer poops out for good, these workers will disassemble and recycle its parts. And what makes this particularly special is that the center employs adults with developmental disabilities. Like most recycling centers, it requests donations: $10 for computers including keyboards and speakers, $5 for printers, $15 for monitors. Got a whole building of defunct computers? They’ll negotiate. Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays. 5755 Industrial Place, Suite G, 219-3996 cirecycling@commonworks.net

BEST DAY CARE FACILITY GO! CHOICE: Junior Academy Moms and dads went there, their kids went there and now the grandkids call this their home away from home; it has been an institution since 1951. In addition, the summer-camp program is top notch. 1311 N. Nevada Ave. 632-7681 4750 El Camino Drive, 598-2095 jracademykids.com

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THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

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BEST BUSINESS NAME GO! CHOICE: Hoochie Mamma Mountaineering This outdoor store, which offers gear for everyone and mountaineering classes geared toward women, sounds like it’s getting jiggy with it. 110 W. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, 686-7704

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER GO! CHOICE: Charmas Lee From children to adults, from couch potatoes to professional athletes, Lee gets amazing results. He’s not cheap (sessions go for $60-$90), but that doesn’t seem to scare people away; he actually has a waiting list of people wanting his services. Lee has 22 years of training experience and certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association and USA Track and Field. 237-6058 charmaslee.com

BEST SCHEME TO GET A WHOLE CITY READING

GO! CHOICE: All Pikes Peak Reads GO CHOICE: Bruce Willis Forget your image of sanctiBruce Willis breezed into monious librarians staring at town back in October for a day you over their reading glasses. of shooting at Bear Rock Cafe The Pikes Peak Library Dison Academy Boulevard. The crew claimed the flick was SEE CITY LIFE x PAGE 29

FROM PAGE 28

trict has gotten down-anddirty with the community through All Pikes Peak Reads. The unusual one-book program eschews uptight literary novels to focus on fun books for all ages that have been turned into movies and plays. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s romp is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alice in Wonderlandâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the stage productions, movie screenings, school curriculum guides and (oh yeah) book reading will hit its zenith in October. About 50,000 of your neighbors will take part in some way. www.ppld.org

BEST PLACE TO PUFF GO! CHOICE: Hooked on Hookah Want some smooth smoke that lasts a looong time? Move over coffeehouses, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;cause thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new place to chill. With sling-back chairs, Arabic music, low lighting and, of course, the titular water pipes, Hooked on Hookah is a smokerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream. The tobacco comes in yummy flavors such as cola, mango and margarita. 124 E. Cheyenne Road, 630-7024

BEST PLACE TO SMOKE A CIGAR GO! CHOICE: Stag Tobacconist The old Stag Tobacconist location on Platte Avenue had cozy leather chairs and tables where you could light up and relax. But the new locale is even better. Nondescript from the front, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a patio in back to try out your new cigars in the open air. The shop offers a good selection and occasional cigar tastings. 4109 Austin Bluffs Parkway, 633-0669

BEST PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN

THE GAZETTE FILE

BEST PLACE TO PUFF: Caleb Krull blew a smoke ring at Hooked on Hookah, where smokers can sample flavored tobaccos.

BEST USED TRUCK GO! CHOICE: KKTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new, used satellite truck It looked a little dumpy when it rolled into town in March still bearing the logos of KKTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister station down in Tallahassee, Fla. But now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been scrubbed up and wrapped with some snazzy station graphics, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re almost willing to overlook those Florida license plates.

BEST CLUTCH MOVE BY A TV STATION GO! CHOICE: KRDOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-def conversion KRDO/Channel 13 got high definition just in time for the national championship game and the Super Bowl in January. Although KRDO hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t broken any speed records putting ABCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime-time lineup on the air in high def (last we checked, the station was still waiting on a new server), we do give it credit for getting the networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s live high-definition programs up in time for the biggest games of the year.

BEST TV ASSIGNMENT

GO! CHOICE: KKTV/Channel 11â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David Nancarrow trip to Iraq Nancarrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s firsthand reGO! CHOICE: First Thursday porting during a monthlong Tastings at the Fine Arts Center stay with the 4th Infantry DiviModern sion and the 3rd Brigade ComThis was a cool deal when it bat Team was an excellent rewas at the main museum, and minder of the challenges local itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just as fun at the atrium soldiers face there. outside The Modern in Plaza of the Rockies. Each month (5-8 p.m. on the first Thurs- BEST RADIO STUNT day), hundreds of well-dressed GO! CHOICE: Clear Channel arts-types schmooze, flirt, lis- pumpkin drop To paraphrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;WKRP in ten to bands, sip wonderful wines from Coaltrain Wine and Cincinnatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;? Gordon Jump: Spirits and nibble on imported â&#x20AC;&#x153;As God is my witness, I cheeses. Admission is $10 for thought pumpkins could fly.â&#x20AC;? members, $14 for nonmem- Last Halloween, the four local Clear Channel radio stations bers. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; KCCY (96.9 FM), KKLI 111 S. Tejon St., 634-5581 www.csfineartscenter.org (106.3 FM), KIBT (96.1 FM) and KVUU (99.9 FM) â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

dropped 100 pumpkins out of a demption and social justice, rooms. You could invite up at crane onto a grid on the pave- Reynolds is hard to beat. Can least 100 of your nearest and we get an â&#x20AC;&#x153;amenâ&#x20AC;?? ment for a contest. dearest â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty of space in the 3,019-square-feet suite. How much, you ask? BEST BLOG BEST CHURCH CHOIR $3,265-$3,315 on summer weekGO! CHOICE: First Presbyterian GO! CHOICE: Vodkapundit ends, $2,475-$2,525 in winter. Stephen Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily mus- Church 1 Lake Ave., 577-5775 On any given Sunday mornings come from a conservabroadmoor.com tive/libertarian perspective, de- ing there are 110-125 voices pending on the day, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re soaring in song, accompanied BEST INN generally worth reading for by an awesome brass ensemble, organ and piano â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and on FOR HISTORY BUFFS people of all political leanings. He also writes about booze, some occasions violinists from GO! CHOICE: The Cliff House cars and babies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; although the Philharmonic. The large at Pikes Peak thankfully not at the same sanctuary fills with classical The â&#x20AC;&#x153;celebrity suitesâ&#x20AC;? here greats, spirituals, familiar sa- are decorated to honor celebritime. cred songs and rafter-rocking ties who have stayed at the www.vodkapundit.com gospel music, as well as origi- hotel during the past 130 nal compositions by conserva- years. You must at least take a BEST BARN BUILDER tory-trained Minister of Music peek at the Buffalo Bill room, GO! CHOICE: Barns by Country Jim DeJarnette. It makes your which feels like an opulently apWoodshed heart sing. pointed teepee. The celebrity Yes, there are still folks who 219 East Bijou St., 884-6100 suites go for $259-$475 a night. build barns. For 21 years, Tom first-pres.org and Geralene Brown have been building barns from scratch â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BEST HOTEL ROOM almost 300 of them â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and GO! CHOICE: Julie Penrose Suite, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still going strong. The Broadmoor 14820 Sweet Road, Peyton, 495-0510 This was the elegant, anbarnsbycountrywoodshed.com tiques-and-art-filled apartment of the widow of the founder of BEST PREACHER this five-star resort. Now, it GO! CHOICE: The Rev. Benjamin can be yours for tonight or a Reynolds, Emmanuel Baptist weekend. On the sixth floor of Church the main hotel, it has a formal Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some good â&#x20AC;&#x2122;uns in living room and a sitting room, this town. But when it comes kitchen, sunroom, three atto haulinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; out a barn-burning, tached bedrooms with individupaint-peeling message of real baths, and even more guest

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THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

FROM PAGE 29

BEST LOFT: The for-sale penthouse at Citywalk Downtown Lofts boasts a great view from, yes, its bathroom. The loft is also pictured on Page 24.

one bedroom (really), bamboo floors, granite counters, fireplace, balcony and — right downstairs — a fitness center and party areas. All yours for just $809,900. See it on Page 24 and 31. 417 E. Kiowa St., 328-9711 citywalkdowntown.com

BEST APARTMENTS GO! CHOICE: Talon Hill Apartment Homes If you can’t afford to live in a resort, Talon Hill is the nextbest thing. We especially love the lounge chairs half-submerged in the pool. There also is a 24-hour fitness center and a sports lounge. The apartments will make you feel like you’ve walked into a home show: granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, ornate fireplaces, 9-foot ceilings with crown moulding, built-in computer desks. And the setting affords awesome views of the mountains, the Air Force Academy and the city. One-bedroom units start at $755; threebedrooms from $1,395. 1640 Peregrine Vista Heights, 487-7300 talonhill.com

BEST BULLETIN BOARD GO! CHOICE: Poor Richard’s Restaurant When your band needs a new drummer, you need to sell an old scooter or you want to keep up on the latest Reiki workshops, this beautifully messy board hooks you up. 324 N. Tejon St., 632-7721

BEST BATHROOM GO! CHOICE: Eden Nite Club We’d almost rather be hanging in the ladies room than out carousing in the bar. It’s so “Pretty in Pink” in here with the pink walls, white plush couches and gilded mirrors. If only it were all Ally McBeal and unisex, women could show their dates. The guys would finally realize why gals go to the bathroom so often, and with friends. 217 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-0999 edennightlife.com

BEST HAIRSTYLIST GO! CHOICE: Teresa Kabela Francis, Planet Hair Her clients are family and they’re the reason she likes coming to work as much today as when she started 15 years ago. Want the latest fad cut or

jade rollers to start working away the day’s hassles. The companies that run these mechanical-bed places hope you’ll buy a bed for $4,200, and the 30-minute sample massages couldn’t be better advertisements. The nearby Ceragem also offers great free massages. 5035 N. Academy Blvd., 528-6610 miguncanada.com

BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR

GO! CHOICE: Teryl Lundquist, owner of Yoga Journeys With Teryl years. Teryl Lundquist specializes 1715 S. Eighth St., 630-1929 in Kripalu yoga, which she calls “meditation in motion.” BEST MASSAGE She does yoga for couch potaTHERAPIST toes, soccer moms, yoga experts, cancer patients, pregGO! CHOICE: Jaime Larsen, nant women and anybody else Muscles in Motion Her appointment book has looking to release their been filled for 13 years, and her blocked energies and feel wonloyal clients credit it to her per- derful. She also takes the name of her studio (Yoga Journeys) sonality and amazing hands. literally, with regular trips to 105 E. Willamette Ave. 471-4133 Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, where she leads yoga on the beach. (Now, if we could just BEST FREE MASSAGE convince our publisher to take GO! CHOICE: Migun Thermal the whole Gazette staff there Massage Bed Center on a work retreat!) Men and women show up 709 N. Nevada Ave., Suite 201, 477-9511 carrying their own sheets. They know the drill: You wait a minute or two for an open bed, BEST YOGA FOR TEENS put down your sheet, set your GO! CHOICE: Spring Street Yoga Why should adults get all shoes and wallet or purse in the basket next to the bed, that health and inner-peace press the pre-programmed stuff? Spring Street offers a massage you want, place the special Teen Yoga Camp deheating pad on your neck or signed to mellow out that natutummy and wait for the heated ral teen angst. It runs Mon-

MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

highlights? She knows how. Want your comfy, familiar sameold, same-old? That’s OK. The bad news: Teresa hasn’t had an opening for a new client for several years. The good news: Her partners at Planet Hair are excellent, too. 1314 W. Colorado Ave., 634-2885

BEST CHEAP HAIRCUT GO! CHOICE: Kariann at Gertrude’s House of Hair You can find a haircut for $10. You can find one for $8. But for $15, Kariann will give you a wash, cut, free in-between trims, and you’ll leave looking a little hipper than when you came in. 31 E. Bijou St., 442-6769

BEST NAIL SALON GO! CHOICE: A Finishing Touch Salon Check out the beautifully manicured hands of ladies who “do lunch” and you’ll learn why they’ve been coming here for

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BEST THING ON POWERS GO! CHOICE: HomeGoods/ T.J. Maxx Stores and restaurants pop up along the Powers Boulevard strip faster than pimples on a teenager. The IMAX, Ai Sushi, Super Target, Cost Plus World Market, Wild Oats, Old Chicago, and Panera Bread are all favorites. But the top honor goes to the latest and greatest box on the strip — the 55,000 square foot HomeGoods/T.J. Maxx superstore. The hardwood floors and extensive selection of home accessories draw you in, and the prices will make bargain-hunters’ hearts go pitter-patter. First and Main Town Center at North Powers Boulevard and North Carefree Circle, next to the Super Target www.tjx.com

BEST THING ON TEJON GO! CHOICE: SoDo We’re not talking specifically about the new nightclub of the same name. We’re talking about the cool development going on south of downtown, from the nifty new Fine Arts Center Modern to the urban nightclubs and restaurants surrounding the old Eros porn emporium.

SEE CITY LIFE x PAGE 32

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www.gleneyrie.org Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 31

FROM PAGE 31

BEST THING IN FALCON GO! CHOICE: Frankies Too A sister restaurant of the neighborhood institution Frankies Bar & Grill on Powers Boulevard, Frankies Too has become the center of the eastern plains social scene. It also happens to serve fine steak, burgers and fried chicken. 7376 McLaughlin Road, Falcon, 495-8707

BEST THING IN PALMER LAKE GO! CHOICE: Rock House Ice Cream After a ride on the Santa Fe Trail, a run through the Spruce Mountain Open Space, or just a Sunday drive, stop by this small-town ice cream shop and grab a cone to cool off. 24 S. Colorado 105, 488-6917

BEST THING IN MONUMENT

BEST THING IN BRIARGATE GO! CHOICE: The Promenade Shops at Briargate Savvy and stylish local shoppers no longer have to trek to Denver to find some of the country’s hottest stores. Briargate now boasts an elegant shopping center sporting Sharper Image, Coldwater Creek, Pottery Barn and PF Chang’s China Bistro. It recently added The Gallery, a swell antiques market. 1885 Briargate Parkway theshopsatbriargate.com

BEST THING

GO! CHOICE: Monument Rock IN CRIPPLE CREEK OK, not Monument Rock it- GO! CHOICE: Cripple Creek self so much, but the killer Players mountain-bike trails that wrap

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 32

park by the lake,” this little gem has a few big attractions: a stunning view of the best face of Pikes Peak, a tiny pond complete with stocked trout, a fountain, a gazebo, stately pines, and lush grass worthy of bare feet (hard to find in Woodland Park). Picnic tables and a nearby playground make it even better. Grab a Donut Mill snack and head over.

around the base of the spire. If you’ve always wondered which of the sandstone outcroppings in the area is the titular Monument Rock, it’s the freestanding one west of town off Mount Herman Road. Follow the signs to the Mount Herman trailhead and you’ll find some of the best mountain biking this side of Fruita.

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

BEST THING IN VICTOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEST CELEBRITY GUEST APPEARANCE: October visit by Bruce Willis to Bear Rock Cafe during a film shoot. See item listing on Page 28.

Three generations of the Mackin family have made Cripple Creek melodrama into one of the region’s most enduring traditions — and one of its most fun. 139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, 235-8944 cripplecreekplayers.com

BEST THING IN WOODLAND PARK

GO! CHOICE: Vindicator Valley Trail This is a downright fascinating and spooky place. It’s a twomile path that winds past old gold-mine headframes, ammunition depots and other eerie, abandoned buildings. Take U.S. 24 west from Colorado Springs; in Divide, turn left onto Colorado 67; turn left at the sign to Victor on Teller County Road 81. Watch for trailhead on your right before Victor.

BEST CELEBRITY DOG

GO! CHOICE: Smokin’ This Old English sheepdog GO! CHOICE: Memorial Park owned by Doug Johnson of ColKnown by locals as “the orado Springs is one of the top

dogs in the nation. He was in the running for Best in Show this year at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — the Super Bowl of dog shows — after being crowned winner of the herding group in both competitions.

BEST DOG TRAINER GO! CHOICE: Cool K9’S Dog Training “Let the hounds loose.” With that call, Jim and Bianca Beinlich teach owners how to handle their dogs without gimmicks or gadgets in the “real world.” Jim’s psychology degree comes in handy here. They are experts in obedience, tracking, bomb detection, schutzhund (protection dogs), working with aggressive dogs, or even your pipsqueak Fluffy. Jim has trained with military and police dog units. They do evaluations for the Humane Society. 683-6741 coolk9s.com

SEE CITY LIFE x PAGE 33

FROM PAGE 32

BEST DOGGIE DAY CARE

and shoulders above the Springs’ other dog parks. It has a fenced-in, off-leash area specifically for small dogs in case you’re worried your Chihuahua might get trampled by a Great Dane. Dogs (and humans) of all sizes can go leashless around the park’s mile of hiking trails, which wind up and down hills, around trees and by a creek.

C SgB K S   Y

GO! CHOICE: Camp Bow Wow This doggie day care has plenty of play room for dogs of all sizes, with the smallest guys getting a separate play area of their own. Canines can hang out indoors or roam outside in South 21st Street at West El Paso a spacious fenced-in area covStreet ered with sand. Still worried about how Precious will do without you? Don’t wonder — BEST DOG TREATS watch her on live Web cams GO! CHOICE: Wag N’ Wash that capture your dog’s every Healthy Pet Center move. Cannoli. Biscotti. Ravioli. 4295 Northpark Drive, 260-9247 Sounds yummy, right? Dude, 18985 Base Camp Road, Monument, that’s dog food! You and your 632-9247 dog might start salivating as www.campbowwowusa.com you view these delicacies behind the glass baker’s case. BEST DOG PARK And no, it’s not weird to think GO! CHOICE: Bear Creek Regional that the oatmeal-covered GranPark Bear Creek stands paws SEE CITY LIFE x PAGE 34

Harding Nursery Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Garden Ornaments

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596 . 5712 | 721 Powers Blvd. www.hardingnursery.com Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 33

FROM PAGE 33

BEST LIMOUSINE: The H1 Hummer from Anthony’s Limousine can seat as many as 12 passengers.

ny Bars smell delicious. But your canine might prefer the Mini Cinimutts or Cheezie Delights. Don’t worry, the chocolate-covered cakes are made with carob, not real chocolate. It is, after all, dog food. 1625 W. Uintah St., 457-9274 1234 E. Woodmen Road, 228-9274 wagnwash.com

BEST LIMOUSINE

KRISTIN GOODE, THE GAZETTE

GO! CHOICE: H1 Hummer, Anthony’s Limousine Imagine cruising around in the biggest, baddest militarystyle Humvee, stretched out for 12 passengers, as you chill to surround sound and satellite radio and watch lightning, lasers and neon lights dance across the ceiling. There are TVs and DVDs, too. 520-5466, 1-877-986-5466 anthonyslimos.com

3373 N. Academy Blvd., 597-7711

BEST SUPERMARKET CLERK

GO! CHOICE: Smudge GO! CHOICE: John Pulyara Car & Dog Wash at the Safeway at Union You can scrub-a-dub Fido and Academy boulevards while the staff washes and JP isn’t just some stranger dries your vehicle — and they who rings up strawberries and clean up both messes! shampoo; he’s your friend at 6295 Templeton Gap Road, 528-1330 Safeway who can be counted www.smudgewash.com on to put a smile your face. JP also happens to be a musician in the band The Voodoo Hawks.

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 34

Prices subject to change without notice.

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

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GO! CHOICE: Weather spotting Be Chicken Little. Be the first one to tell the National Weather Service about the twister that’s about to devastate your neighborhood. The National Weather Service in Pueblo gives regular weatherspotting classes at Centennial Hall, the Air Force Academy’s Arnold Hall and the Colorado Springs Fire Department. 1-719-948-9429 www.crh.noaa.gov/pub/

BEST BUSINESS COMBO BEST PLACE TO WASH YOUR CAR GO! CHOICE: Tropical Tan and Resort Wear/Cruise Planners . . . AND DOG Maximum Cruise and Tour In one visit, a customer can buy a swimsuit, grab a 10-minute tan, book a Caribbean cruise and relax with a 30-minute massage. Talk about your one-stop shopping.

BEST HOBBY

BEST BOOKSTORE CLERK GO! CHOICE: Claudia Pino at Borders Books Pino worked at Chinook Book Shop for 34 years, so she knows books. She’s taken that expertise to the unlikely environs of the corporate book chain, where she wows customers by answering questions without the aid of a computer.

BEST PLACE TO BE “EASY RIDER” FOR A DAY GO! CHOICE: Pikes Peak Harley-Davidson For just $70 Tuesdays through Thursdays, you too can leather up and turn into a biker chick or dude. Rent a Harley: a little 883 or a big, hunking 1450 master-of-theworld, capital-letters HOG. Book your bike early because this program is big, big, big. If it sounds wonderful but you don’t know how to handle a bike, the shop has a learn-toride program, too. 5867 N. Nevada Ave., 278-2300 pphd.com

GO! CHOICE: Christopher Lowell BEST USE OF SOCKS The local actor and Franklin scholar travels throughout GO! CHOICE: Sock monkeys Ryan S Ballard lost a lot in the state bringing the founding New Orleans, but he hasn’t lost father and inventor to life. his love for the city and its children. This all-around creative BEST SPELLER lunatic, who heads up RazGO! CHOICE: Preston So zamataz Productions, has As an eighth-grader at Ea- brought his Sock Monkey gleview Middle School, he won Project to a much drier place; his division in the Pikes Peak last December, 206 volunteers Regional Spelling Bee. His win- made 157 sock monkeys. Balning word? Supercilious. Or lard — dressed like a giant was it supersilious? monkey — distributed them to kids who were orphaned or inBEST ROLLER-DERBY jured in Hurricane Katrina. Check the Web site below for QUEEN updates on this year’s project. GO! CHOICE: Courtney “Slugs ’n’ 638-7420 Kisses” LaPar www.razzamatazproductions.com Meet the hotties of hustle, the ladies with skaties, the BEST WAITING ROOM damsels that cause distress — the Pikes Peak Derby Dames! GO! CHOICE: Great Western Slugs ’n’ Kisses founded the Dental Escape Partner, you’ll find the waitDames in 2005, and the 719’s growing tribe of roller-derby ing room at Great Western hidgirls are happy to put a hurt- ing behind saloon doors. The ing on people for fun and whole office is fashioned after sport. If you’re ready to rock, a Western town. The waiting these gals are ready to roll. room, with Old West décor Check out their Web site for that includes an antique pump upcoming bouts: pikespeakder organ, is usually nice and quiet, because the kids are bydames.com. busy playing video games in the Lazy Jake Mine. How cool is that? 6025 Erin Park Drive, 531-7111

TED AND HEATHER MEHL

MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 35

BEST LOCAL ARCHITECTURE: A popular destination for visitors to the Pikes Peak area, the Air Force Academy Chapel resembles a phalanx of fighter jets shooting up into the sky.

BEST SPORTS BAR

screens, good food (including a killer Mexican pizza called a tortizza), loads of beer specials, and a comfortable neighborhood bar atmosphere and you have THE place to watch the big games. 424 S. Nevada Ave., 475-2122

BEST LARGE CONCERT READERS’ CHOICE: Journey at the World READERS’ Arena on CHOICE Dec. 8 Don’t stop believin.’ Journey can still rock your world. Although the legendary arena rock band no longer sports famous singer Steve Perry, new frontman THE GAZETTE FILE Steve Augeri had us listening faithfully. And we truly dug the tap) and you know you’re going guitar solos. By the end of the to have fun even if your team night we were singing along, loses. swaying, and waving our light7115 Commerce Center Drive, 593-7678 ers in the air. 4110 N. Academy Blvd., 536-0633

READERS’ CHOICE: Old Chicago The party 3190 New Center Point, 591-8994 READERS’ 118 North Tejon St., 634-8812 atmosphere oldchicago.com CHOICE and all the flat-panel TVs make a winning combina- GO! CHOICE: Will’s Sports Pub Combine a dozen flat-screen tion, but add 110 brews from around the world (with 30 on TVs, including three big

2842 Janitell Rd. Ste C., Colo Spgs, CO 80906 719-576-3785 www.barrettbarnes.com

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 36

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

BEST C&W CLUB READERS’ CHOICE: Cowboys One of the READERS’ best honkyCHOICE tonks in the nation, Cowboys offers a large hardwood dance floor, beer, and concerts from some of country music’s favorite stars. The club is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 3910 Palmer Park Blvd., 596-1212

beautiful people look good wherever they are. And the tapas are surprisingly tasty. 217 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-0999 edennightlife.com

BEST MOVIE THEATER READERS’ CHOICE: Cinemark It’s got that giant I M A X screen, the READERS’ 10 million CHOICE (OK, maybe 16) other screens, the midnight screenings for all the big movies and paid parking. Folks from the west side of town who think “Powers” is a four-letter word will still make the drive for a flick. 3305 Cinema Point, 596-2173 cinemark.com

GO! CHOICE: Kimball’s Twin Peak Theater We’ve always loved Kimball’s GO! CHOICE: Cowboys for bringing in movies that win Oscars for something other GO! CHOICE: Styx and REO BEST DIVE BAR than special effects, but owner Speedwagon at the World Arena Kimball Bayles is busy this READER’S on October 3 year making sure you can hear CHOICE: BenLoud, obnoxious nostalgia as well as see those fabulous ny’s Restaurock complete with electric guifilms. He’s redoing the sound rant & Lounge tar solos, power ballads and READERS’ system and plans to improve Although CHOICE the interior acoustics and the new bring in new seats. All of that owner has spruced the place up a bit, Ben- and a wine bar? Count us in. 115 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 447-1945 ny’s is still a great place for kimballstwinpeak.com cheap beer, pool, live music and shuffleboard.

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swooning middle-aged women. More syrupy than a Mrs. Butterworth factory but irresistible to the human psyche, which loves soaring, dramatic chorus lines despite the reservations of our otherwise dominant sense of pride.

www.csnightclubs.com

517 W. Colorado Ave., 634-9309

BEST LOCAL ARCHITECTURE

GO! CHOICE: Dutch Mill Tavern READERS’ CHOICE: Air Force Nothing fancy, just a cozy Academy Chapel spot to grab a cold beer, great Wa l t e r bar food and karaoke. Ne t s c h’s 503 ½ W. Colorado Ave, 471-3370 17-spire modernist chapel BEST MEET MARKET READERS’ is the only CHOICE local buildREADERS’ CHOICE: Ritz Grill ing to How long achieve icon status, nationally can one and internationally. nightspot remain so hip, READERS’ GO! CHOICE: The Fine Arts so fun and so CHOICE Center v e r s a t i l e? Credit Fine Arts Center The eclectic food is terrific, as are the president Michael De Mardrinks and live music. It’s no sche: He’s made John Gaw surprise that the Ritz contin- Meem’s 1936 Art Deco masterues to be the place to meet Mr. piece into a place to be seen hanging out. And when the exor Ms. Right. panded galleries reopen next 15 S. Tejon St., 635-8484 ritzgrill.com year, Meem’s original vision will be essentially intact even GO! CHOICE: Eden Nite Club as the gallery space nearly triHoused in the original Vil- ples in size. lage Inn location, Eden glows 30 West Dale St., 634-5581 csfineartscenter.org with the sheen of the IN crowd. With brilliantly designed lighting that changes hues from room to room, the

BEST OUTDOOR ART

BEST LADIES NIGHT

READERS’ CHOICE: Chris Weed’s “Sunflowers” Originally part of US Bank’s Art in the Streets program, “Sunflowers” now blooms year-round in front of the Antlers Hilton on 4 S. Cascade Ave.

GO! CHOICE: Rowdy’s The testosterone is so thick here you could cut it with a knife — and the ladies like it that way. It’s only a buck to get your cute little self in the door of the country-western bar, pick up a cup and drink free all night long. The guys will be there in droves after they pay their $5 cover charge and ante up one penny per pitcher. Good times. 414 W. Fillmore St., 635-9211

READERS’

GO! CHOICE: Starr Kempf sculptures CHOICE Even though three of Kempf’s huge yet fanciful wind sculptures were taken down in a zoning battle three years ago, what remains is still a powerful statement of the artist’s uncompromising vision. 2057 Pine Grove Ave.

BEST ART GALLERY/MUSEUM READERS’ CHOICE: The Fine Arts Center It’s been hard to keep up with the Fine Arts Center since Michael De Marsche took over as president and chief executive in 2003. The Dale Chihuly show wasn’t even the center’s biggest news of the past year — that honor goes to the $28.4 million expansion that will open in 2007. 30 W. Dale St., 634-5581 csfineartscenter.org

BEST STREET PERFORMER READERS’ CHOICE

GO! CHOICE: Fine Arts Center

BEST FESTIVAL READERS’ CHOICE: Territory Days Gold-panning, funnel cakes and neat crafts. Is it any wonder this Labor Day weekend festival is a fave? GO! CHOICE: Commonwheel Artists Co-Op Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival The three-day event takes place in Manitou Springs’ Memorial Park, with artwork, food, music and just plain festiveness.

THE GAZETTE FILE

READERS’ CHOICE

BEST OUTDOOR ART: Chris Weed’s painted-steel “Sunflowers” are nearly guaranteed to make you smile. They’re in the Cascade Avenue median at Pikes Peak Avenue.

GO! CHOICE: Vincent Raymond La France The familiar bearded bard on the corner of Tejon and Boulder streets may be rough around the edges, but he sure is easy on the ears. There’s a certain romance to his pockmarked voice, acoustic guitar and road-worn appearance. He’s been serenading the city with covers of such classics as David Allan Coe’s “Longhaired Redneck” for years. SEE A&E x PAGE 38

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 37

FROM PAGE 37

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT QUICK HITS

BEST KARAOKE SINGER

(All GO! picks) BEST PLACE TO HEAR CHRISTIAN COWBOYS: The Flying W Ranch, which has the Flying W Wranglers BEST PLACE TO HEAR REALLY, REALLY CHRISTIAN COWBOYS: The Colorado Wranglers, who split from the Flying W to do more preaching along with the singing BEST BLUES CLUB: Fat City Blues, inside Rum Bay BEST CRIPPLE CREEK CASINO: Double Eagle Hotel and Casino

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GO! CHOICE: John Caballero John Caballero has the type of clear, versatile lungs that can accommodate soul as easily as rock. He also possesses a sort of uncompromising charisma — one that allows him to sing Buffalo Springfield covers with the tough pride usually reserved for Metallica tunes. But

it’s appearance that really the house well past midnight. gives him karaoke star power. Caballero bears a striking reBEST LIVE MUSIC semblance to famous rocker VENUE Slash. GO! CHOICE: The Black Sheep The only place to see nationBEST SMALL CONCERT al acts on a weekly basis, The GO! CHOICE: Dwight Yoakam Black Sheep is a cultural (and at Cowboys on March 31 countercultural) The alt-country crooner sometimes center in Colorado Springs. sold out Cowboys, performed a Bringing in an eclectic mix of tender tribute to his hero, the rock and hip-hop artists, as late Buck Owens, and rocked well as acting as second home to many local bands, the Black Sheep has become the place for young music fans in the Springs.

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BEST LARGE OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE GO! CHOICE: The Gold Rush Palladium The Palladium is a great place to catch classic rock shows in the summer. The open-air venue lets concertgoers take advantage of the fresh Cripple Creek air and scenery. Second Street and Carr Avenue, Cripple Creek, 1-800-235-8239 www.swcasino.com/entertainment.htm

BEST SMALL OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE GO! CHOICE: Hillside Gardens These botanical gardens are stunning in summer. If the bursting blooms and lovely creek don’t charm you, the spectacular mountain views will. A perfect place to catch local and national acts in the acoustic vein.

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BEST LOCAL CD GO! CHOICE: “Samba Songs” by Henrique De Almeida A stunning and vibrant exploration into the world of samba music, led by expert Brazilian-born percussionist Henrique De Almeida. A close runner-up is “Another Life Brazil” by Steve Barta.

BEST GROWTH BY A LOCAL BAND GO! CHOICE: leer43 After a decade on the scene, leer43 came into its own on the album “Pine Trees Never Change.” The album finds the band experimenting with new sounds and emotional texture, SEE A&E x PAGE 39

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 38

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Friday, May 19, 2006

scene, both for her piano skills — she’s performed at Carnegie Hall four times — and for her tireless work administrating for Colorado College’s Summer Music Festival. But Grace got some much-deserved national attention this year when Bridge Records’ CD of George Crumb’s “Ancient Voices of Children” was nominated for a Grammy award. Grace was pianist in the 10-person ensemble.

BEST MUSEUM EXHIBIT: The impressive display of Dale Chihuly’s glasswork at the Fine Arts Center drew more than 77,000 people during the exhibit’s 16-week run.

BEST CLASSICAL MUSICIAN, CHILD THE GAZETTE FILE

FROM PAGE 38

clubqonline.com trumpets and a harp, strolling BEST CLASSICAL from table to table to solicit MUSICIAN, ADULT and relying on a variety of influ- diners’ requests. Sometimes a BEST HAPPY HOUR GO! CHOICE: Susan Grace ences to create a sound wholly waiter joins in for a solo. Grace has long been one of its own. Check it out Thursdays after GO! CHOICE: Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. the brightest lights on Colo6 p.m. You can drink a good por- rado Springs’ classical music 310 S. Academy Blvd., 596-5414 BEST PLACE 6385 N. Academy Blvd., 532-1743 tion of your day away at this TO HEAR MARIACHI 3956 N. Academy Blvd., 573-5065 downtown brew pub/restaurant/pool bar. From 3 to 6 p.m. GO! CHOICE: 3 Margaritas You know a mariachi band BEST GAY BAR and 10 p.m. to close daily, glasses of wine and pints of beer are is good when it can make a $2. Pitchers are $7, and for the Simon and Garfunkel song GO! CHOICE: Club Q Simply fabulous. And now hungry bellies, there’s a pitchsound delightfully Mexican. In a dining room designed to re- that Hide N’ Seek is closed, it’s er-plus-appetizer special for flect the festive streets of Mexi- the only place in town to culti- only $10. 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-2800 co, the seven-member maria- vate that “Brokeback” mochi band Voz de Mi Tierra sere- ment. 3430 N. Academy Blvd., 570-1429 nades diners with strings,

S O F T

GO! CHOICE: Justin Murray The 13-year-old Black Forest resident sang the challenging boy soprano part on the Grammy-nominated recording of “Ancient Voices of Children.”

SEE A&E x PAGE 40

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THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 39

FROM PAGE 39

BEST THEATER COMPANY GO! CHOICE: TheatreWorks What didn’t the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs’ theater-producing arm do in the past year? It produced a wide range of plays — including “Metamorphoses,” the group’s best student production in years — collaborated with other area arts organizations and brought us the Acting Company from New York.

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BEST SIMULATION OF AN ACID-TRIP FLASHBACK: The Fine Arts Center’s Peter Max retrospective included “Lady Liberty,” which combines the artist’s love of America with his trademark psychedelic style. Max used this painting to raise awareness and money for the renovation of the Statue of Liberty. Every year on the Fourth of July, Max goes into the New York Harbor to paint the statue.

ter for the Performing Arts. The food is unremarkable, but the sprightly musicals are some of the best productions on the front range. Country Dinner Playhouse, 6875 S. Clinton St., Greenwood Village, 1-303-799-1410 countrydinnerplayhouse.com

BEST LOCAL ACTOR

GO! CHOICE: Kelly Walters Pinch Walters’ cheeks. It’s almost impossible to be more adorable than Walters was in TheatreWorks’ production of “Santaland Diaries.” The warmth he brought to David BEST THEATRICAL Sedaris’ deadpan comedy made this one-person virtuoso DRAMA vehicle into a perfect ChristGO! CHOICE: “Miss Julie” mas show — hilarious yet movTheatreWorks’ production ing. of August Strindberg’s “Miss Julie” took us inside a harrowing world in which insanity BEST LOCAL ACTRESS seemed more normal than sani- GO! CHOICE: Laura Tesman The obviousness of its symty. Director Murray Ross and a three-member cast — Jessica bolism makes “The RainmakAustgen, Laurence Curry and er” a difficult play to produce Lynne Hastings — brought this convincingly. But the Star Bar nightmare world vividly to life. Players hit all the right notes And pity the Mrs. Strindbergs in their May production — and (there were three): The play is especially with the ethereal yet human Lizzie, played by Tessemi-autobiographical! man as a gentlewoman on the verge of spinsterhood, desperBEST COMEDY ately trying to convince herself GO! CHOICE: “Santaland Diaries” that being hopeless is OK. Theatreworks’ production of the one-man David Sedaris show sparkled — literally in BEST PERFORMANCE the case of Nancy Hankin’s IN A MUSICAL over-the-top glitzy set, and fig- GO! CHOICE: Thadeus Valdes uratively in Kelly Walters’ enAs Albin, the cross-dressing gagingly impish portrayal of queen in the Fine Arts Centhe cynic who gets a job as a ter’s production of “La Cage Macy’s elf. aux Folles,” Valdes had a bigger-than-life stage presence to BEST MUSICAL go with a big, warm baritone voice. GO! CHOICE: “She Loves Me” The Fine Arts Center took a risk when it programmed the BEST ENSEMBLE brilliant but little-performed GO! CHOICE: “Cinderella” show by Sheldon Harnick and Colorado Springs has never Jerry Bock, creators of “Fid- experienced such a purely joydler on the Roof.” But it paid ful outpouring of vocal virtuosioff with fabulous performances ty as Opera Theatre of the from leads Alan Osburn and Rockies’ “Cinderella.” EveryChristine Paterson, who made one in the seven-member cast the romance of co-workers of Rossini’s lightweight comedy Georg and Amalia so touching seemed bent on outdoing all that you wished the show had the others — but it was Jennilasted a little longer. fer DeDominici in the title role who had the final word.

BEST DINNER THEATER

BEST SUPPORTING GO! CHOICE: Country Dinner Playhouse CAST If you live in the northern GO! CHOICE: “Later Life” part of Colorado Springs, CounOne of the joys in watching try Dinner Playhouse in the the Star Bar Players’ producsouth Denver suburb of Greention of “Later Life” was the wood Village isn’t much farther away than the Pikes Peak CenSEE A&E x PAGE 42

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 40

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

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THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 41

COURTESY OF THE COLORADO FESTIVAL OF WORLD THEATRE

BEST REASON FOR THEATER FANS TO MAKE A SUMMER VISIT: Last summer’s Colorado Festival of World Theatre featured 67 performances, including the Ashanti Choir, above. The offerings ranged from traditional Italian commedia dell’arte to the contemporary music of Great Britain’s Gumbo Jumbo at various venues.

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BEST VISITOR FROM ANOTHER PLANET: When movie director John Waters spoke at the Fine Arts Center in November, he showed this town that his creative side also includes stand-up comedy. FROM PAGE 40

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counterpoint between its bittersweet main story and its bevy of mostly silly supporting characters — played entirely by Amy Brooks and David Mason. It’s the character-acting opportunity of a lifetime, and Brooks and Mason made the most of it.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Center in November, he didn’t just provide insight into a career that includes such cult classics as “Pink Flamingos” and “Female Trouble,” he also gave one of the best 90-minutes of stand-up comedy this town has ever seen.

BEST COSTUME DESIGNER GO! CHOICE: Gypsy Ames A deep knowledge of history and a flamboyant sense of style came together in Ames’ fanciful, exotic costumes for “Arabian Nights,” a joint production of Colorado College and TheatreWorks. Her costumes gave the piece much of its exotic, fantastic atmosphere.

GO! CHOICE: Colorado Festival of World Theatre Last summer’s 16-day festival featured 67 performances by performers from all over the world, ranging from traditional Italian commedia dell’arte to the contemporary BEST STAGE MAGIC music of Great Britain’s GO! CHOICE: “Singin’ Gumbo Jumbo, in several ven- in the Rain” ues. This year’s festival is set Yes, it rained on stage durfor July 20-30. ing the the Fine Arts Center’s production of “Singin’ in the BEST VISITOR FROM Rain.” Nancy Hankin created the elegant set; Patrick Lively ANOTHER PLANET engineered the water. Lively GO! CHOICE: John Waters has since accepted a job with When movie director John Cirque de Soleil at the Bellagio Waters spoke at the Fine Arts

in Las Vegas.

BEST MOVIE DEAL GO! CHOICE: Picture Show at Citadel Crossing Still a buck before 6 p.m. and $1.50 after. And still the best deal in town. 901 N. Academy Blvd., 380-7469

BEST DEAL ON DINNER AND A MOVIE GO! CHOICE: Movie night at The Margarita at PineCreek Chef Eric Viedt shows outdoor movies in the Sunset Patio, and creates gastronomic delicacies to fit the theme. 7350 Pine Creek Road, 598-8667 margaritapinecreek.com

BEST CLASSICAL CONCERT, LARGE GO! CHOICE: Colorado Springs Philharmonic with pianist Kiril Gerstein, March 11-12, 2006 Colorado Springs has never experienced so many sensational piano performances in one season. But even measured against Andre Watts and Yefim SEE A&E x PAGE 44

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 43

FROM PAGE 42

happy despite everything.

Bronfman, the 26-year-old Ger- BEST IDEA THAT stein’s performance of RachWAS JUST TOO COOL maninoff’s stupendously difficult Piano Concerto No. 3 AND BIZARRE FOR stood out, because it was so COLORADO SPRINGS technically assured, so musi- GO! CHOICE: Watch This Space cal, so theatrical — and so unDespite good attendance, expected. Tom McElroy closed “Watch This Space,” the avant-garde BEST CLASSICAL arts salon he created with Rodney Wood, saying, “The next CONCERT, SMALL time I want to lose that much GO! CHOICE: Chamber Orchestra money, I’ll buy a boat.” of the Springs’ performance of “The Medium,” Feb. 18-19, 2006 One reason the Chamber Or- BEST MUSEUM EXHIBIT chestra of the Springs keeps GO! CHOICE: Dale Chihuly getting better is that conduc- at the Fine Arts Center tor Thomas Wilson is deterIt’s not just that more than mined to push the ensemble in 77,000 people visited the exhibevery concert. This year the it of fine art glass by Dale Chibiggest challenge was Gian huly, or that the center gained Carlo Menotti’s thorny one-act 3,700 new members during the opera, “The Medium” — and exhibit’s 16-week run. The Chithe musicians met it with style huly exhibit was simply the and feeling. most lavish and effective art exhibit ever seen in Colorado Springs: fanciful, imaginative BEST PERFORMINGunfailingly informative ARTS COLLABORATION and without ever being overbearGO! CHOICE: “Threepenny Opera” ingly educational. Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s amazing “Threepenny BEST UNSEEN MURAL Opera” demands the best, theatrically and vocally — and GO! CHOICE: Eric Bransby work that’s what it got last year at Cossitt Hall Bransby created this piowhen TheatreWorks and Opera Theatre of the Rockies neer scene at Colorado College teamed up at the Dusty Loo 58 years ago while a student Bon Vivant Theater. Tim under Jean Charlot. A 2002 Welch as the cold-blooded Ma- restoration and repainting cheath and Judeth Shay Burns brought back its original vitalias the innocent-but-learning- ty — but you still have to have fast Polly Peachum delivered to crane your neck upward to standout performances in this see it. bizarre celebration of the human will to live and be BEST GRAFFITI ARTIST GO! CHOICE: Steve Menard Check out the mural Me-

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A Pikes Peak Tradition since 1903 THE GAZETTE Friday, May 19, 2006

BEST GALLERY SHOW GO! CHOICE: “On the Wall” Gerry Riggs’ last show as curator of the UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art was one of the gallery’s best. “On the Wall” showed the richness and imagination of modern fabric art, and guest curator Alice Zrebiec seemed determined to prove that the medium isn’t the provenance of staid old ladies.

BEST NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER GO! CHOICE: Andy Cook, Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography In a region that’s understandably strong in nature photography, Cook stands out for his quality, his productivity and his commitment to passing on everything he knows to aspiring photographers. Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, 2518 Pine Bluff Road, 635-6268 rockymtnrefl.com

MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

BEST UNSEEN MURAL: This Colorado College artwork was painted 58 years ago by artist Eric Bransby — then a student under Jean Charlot. It was restored in 2002.

nard and friends created on the side of Wooglin’s Deli: a colorful dragon flying through a playful abstract work of graffiti. Menard, who’s also a front manager at the deli, has commissioned graffiti throughout the city and now sells canvases with his distinctive style.

BEST NEW ART GALLERY GO! CHOICE: Gunter-Wolff Gallery Ltd. Owners Marianne Gunter and Sharon Wolff have made a great start at the Gunter-Wolff Gallery. From Bill Hyer’s visionary abstracts to the mysterious scenes of John Sherman to

the work by any of the other 30-plus area artists, this is one of the best places around to see the strength of the local arts scene. 2605 W. Colorado Ave., 520-9494

BEST SIMULATION OF AN ACID-TRIP FLASHBACK GO! CHOICE: The World of Peter Max The Fine Arts Center’s massive Peter Max retrospective had everything but the hallucinations. It also showed Max as a major artist, with immense painterly skill and a strong graphic sense buttressing searing psychedelic colors.

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BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER GO! CHOICE: Blue Fox Photography With so many good wedding photographers in the area, choosing one would have been impossible if so many brides hadn’t raved to us about the service provided by Blue Fox Photography’s Wendy Pearce Nelson. 1629 S. Tejon St., 636-3435 bluefoxphotography.com

BEST TATTOO ARTIST GO! CHOICE: Michael (“Goat”) Stevenson, owner of Sinister Tattoos Forget the stock drawings and tattoos. Goat goes freehand all the way, drawing the most evil, the most macabre and the most beautiful images ever to touch skin. See his work on page 35. 2216 E. Platte Ave., 575-0646 sinistertattoos.com

BEST ART HAPPENING GO! CHOICE: First Fridays at the Art Mill and Cottonwood Artists’ School With their collective First Friday openings, Cottonwood Artists’ School and the Art Mill — the Smokebrush Foundation, the Bridge Gallery, OpticalReverb Gallery and Rainy Days Silkscreen Studio and SEE A&E x PAGE 45

FROM PAGE 44

BEST HIPHOP GROUP: Kajmir Royale (David Gaskin), left, and Meloe Spontane (Solomon Vaughn) are YESSURR. Catch their single, “Keep It Movin” on KIBT (96.1 FM) “The Beat.”

Gallery — have given the downtown arts scene a vitality it hasn’t had since the 1990s. The Art Mill, 218 W. Colorado Ave.; Cottonwood Artists School, 25 Cimino Drive, 520-1899

BEST CHURCH PRODUCTION

GO! CHOICE: “The Thorn,” New Life Church It’s unfair, really. When a church production offers up tigers and fire jugglers and aerial acrobats and a couple of HUNTER McRAE, THE GAZETTE singers that’d make even Simon Cowell smile, you gotta drinks, mouth-watering tapas, band and you’ve got a great myspace.com/yessurr admit that “The Thorn” really bottle service and funky par- night of blues music. is in a class by itself. See photo ties and events. jakelogginsband.com on Page 35. 217 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-0999 BEST LOCAL SINGERedennightlife.com

Sunday Blues Jam Led by the Channel Cats, this jam is a great place to catch a wide swath of the city’s blues talent — or show off your own talents. The Channel Cats are tight enough to support weaker players or weave into improvisations with skilled musicians. Fun and free, Johnny’s Sunday jams are a must for blues fans. 528 S. Tejon St., 444-8487 southsidejohnnys.biz

BEST POET GO! CHOICE: Price Strobridge Blessed with the ability to walk in the shoes of others, Price Strobridge streams his empathy and humor through his poems, giving the reader a unique perspective on his life.

BEST POOL HALL

BEST COVER BAND

SONGWRITER

GO! CHOICE: Phantom Canyon Brewing Phantom Canyon’s upstairs tables offer convenient access to the microbrews whipped up downstairs, plus an attractive brick backdrop and a bit of a view out the windows.

GO! CHOICE: Head Full of Zombies The cute-dudes-in-suits approach is always a winner, but Head Full of Zombies is more than just a few pretty faces. Energetic live shows, complete with jumping up and down and oh-so-emotional delivery on songs such as Offspring’s “Come Out and Play” make it the perfect band for drunken sing-alongs.

BEST JUKEBOX GO! CHOICE: John-Alex Mason Some very fine blues compo- GO! CHOICE: The Triple Nickel sitions combined with a mighty Tavern set of lungs. Wowsers. Lots of good stuff — Elvis johnalexmason.com Costello, Social Distortion, Chuck Berry, the Bad Brains, the White Stripes, and Willie BEST LOCAL SINGERSONGWRITER-ARTIST- Nelson. Plus AC/DC, for those really drunk nights.

BEST SEASONTICKET DEAL GO! CHOICE: Manitou Art Theater OK, you probably need at least two children — or one child with a close friend — to get the most out of the Manitou Art Theater’s Family Four Packs. But for those who fit this description, this deal to the area’s foremost children’s theater is almost irresistible: Four tickets to each of eight shows for only $185, a savings of $71 over single-ticket prices.

GO! CHOICE: Twister Restaurant Ample pool tables, food, drinks, and, of course, a stage and a dance floor make this the best place to hang out with your amigos. 2810 E. Fountain Blvd., 520-0669

BEST JAZZ BAR GO! CHOICE: Cedars Live music five days a week, plus a great selection of cigars, wine and speciality martinis. 3125 Sinton Road, 578-5744 cedarsjazzclub.com

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GO! CHOICE: Michael Scott Parker OK, so she’s the only person headfullofzombies.com in town we know with this particular combination of skills. All the same, hats off to this BEST RAPPER pretty, blonde-haired pixie who GO! CHOICE: Black Pegasus wows us with her sexy voice, Even after all these years, guitar talent, one-of-a-kind artBlack Pegasus (Rob Houston) work and bizarre flexibility. still gets the crowds moving oh-mymusic.com with his intelligent-yet-rebelBEST FREE lious rhymes and charged ENTERTAINMENT beats. myspace.com/blackpegasus GO! CHOICE: SouthSide Johnny’s

BEST NEW NIGHTCLUB GO! CHOICE: Eden Nite Club This is where Paris Hilton would go if she came to town, and Tara Reid would back her up. It’s got an awesome dance floor, cool patio areas, an iceblue room, a hell-red room, a pink bathroom, delicious

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GO! CHOICE: The Jake Loggins Band It’s not just that Jake Loggins is an incredible blues guitarist, or that his vocal delivery bubbles with passion and soul — it’s that you’d never peg BEST HIP-HOP GROUP Loggins for a blues musician if 515 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, you saw him on the street. GO! CHOICE: YESSURR 685-4729 Though it recently moved to Built like a string bean, and themat.org still sporting a bit of a baby Denver, YESSURR (David face, the young prodigy makes Gaskin and Solomon Vaughn) BEST CHEAP TICKET eyes pop when he takes the formed in Colorado Springs. GO! CHOICE: It Takes Five stage with commanding lungs The duo’s catchy single “Keep Sponsored by the Kennedy and lightening-fast fingers. It Movin” is being played on Center Imagination Celebra- Pair him with his excellent KIBT (96.1 FM) “The Beat.” tion, this program helps area high school students attend many local performing arts BARBER/STYLING events for only $5. imaginationcelebration.org

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THE GAZETTE FILE

SHOPPING Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 47

QUICK HITS (All GO! picks) BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP: Broadmoor Consignment Store BEST KITCHEN STORE: Chef’s Catalog BEST HANDWRITING: William Ernest Brown at Old Depot Square BEST PLACE TO BUY SKATEBOARDS: North Shore BEST PLACE TO BUY BATTERIES: Batteries Plus BEST BARBECUE SUPPLY SHOP: Barbeque Mercantile BEST ANNUAL BARGAIN: Junior League’s Trash ’n’ Treasure Sale

BEST FLOWER SHOP: Marcia Wurm put together an order at Rich Designs, which started as a flower shop and burgeoned into 6,000 square feet, including an art gallery and a home-décor shop. See item listing on Page 53. KRISTIN GOODE, THE GAZETTE

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THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

the green-space bike path right outside the door. Another plus: Criterium is open Sundays, when most of its competitors are closed.

READERS’ CHOICE: Criterium Bicycles E v e n with in6150 Corporate Drive, 599-0149 creased comwww.criterium-bicycles.com petition, CriREADERS’ GO! CHOICE: Criterium terium rides CHOICE ahead of the BEST PLACE TO pack with quality bikes and outstanding SHOP WITH YOUR PET customer service. Before you GO! CHOICE: The buy, get the bike fully adjusted Promenade Shops at Briargate to your height and try it out on Doggie heaven: They’re wel-

come here. They can dine with their huREADERS’ mans on the CHOICE patios of many restaurants, there are “waste stations” throughout the center and many of the shops have water bowls just outside. East of I-25 at Exit 151 (Briargate Parkway) 265-6264 theshopsatbriargate.com

BEST SUPERMARKET READERS’ CHOICE: Whole Foods Shopping READERS’ here is a deliCHOICE cious culinary adventure, from the organic fruit in produce to the hot-and-readyto-go pizza at the cafe portion. Whole Foods costs more than most supermarkets, but readers recognize that it has elevated the grocery-shopping experience to new heights.

housewares section in the center of the store offering highquality small kitchen appliances, linens, gadgets and other cooking notions. There’s a gas station and drive-up pharmacy window, too.

Coaltrain Wine and Liquor both have quantity and variety to satisfy even beer snobs, but it’s the little things that make Coaltrain the place to go. The store produces monthly six-

3250 Centennial Blvd., 866-6645

packs that mix a number of microbrews and allow curious drinkers to try several at a low price. It stocks bombers of hard-to-find brews, many from abroad, that up the hoppage

and experimental levels of the store’s selection. It’s wine selection is also up there with the best in town. 330 W. Uintah St., 475-9700 coaltrainwine.com

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READERS’ CHOICE: Cheers Liquor Mart One of READERS’ the largest liCHOICE quor stores 7635 N. Academy Blvd., 531-9999 in the rewholefoods.com gion, Cheers has built its GO! CHOICE: Grand View 25-year legacy on the depth Market Place King Soopers and breadth of its beer, wine This store is modeled as a and spirits collection as well as lifestyle grocery store: It’s basi- first-rate customer service. 1105 N. Circle Dive, 574-2244 cally a one-stop shopping experience. The produce section is attractively displayed, and the GO! CHOICE: Coaltrain Wine florist area greets shoppers at and Liquor Springs Liquor Outlet and the door. The highlight is the

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BEST WINE SHOP READERS’ CHOICE: Cheers Liquor Mart READERS’ Looking CHOICE for a merlot for a dinner party tonight? The wine experts at Cheers will find you something that not only tastes great but won’t make your wallet bleed.

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And getting the Christmas Toys “R” Us catalog out of the Sunday newspaper is an anREADERS’ nual treat. CHOICE All the hot toys are there — and parents will love the coupons. Any time of year, check the store’s clearance areas and the carts of clearance items near checkout.

READERS’ CHOICE: Goodwill Industries READERS’ P a r t CHOICE thrift store, 1105 N. Circle Drive, 574-2244 part philan3730 Citadel Drive N., 597-8697 thropic group, Goodwill takes toysrus.com GO! CHOICE: Vintages donated stuff, sells it cheap, Wine & Spirits uses proceeds to fund job-train- GO! CHOICE: Toys 4 Fun Owner Erin Collins is wine- ing programs and creates what Now there are two locasavvy and willing to help make the name suggests: goodwill. tions, but the flagship store in wine selections for any budget. 1070 Kelly Johnson Blvd., 531-9173 Monument is bigger and bet2304 W. Colorado Ave., 633-8794 The shop has a concierge proter. A few of the names that 2655 Waynoka Place, 570-9223 gram that logs your name and make kids and kids-at-heart 6725 Camden Blvd., Fountain, 392-5744 wine purchases in a computer. 721 Gold Hill Square S., Woodland Park, smile: Brio trains, Corolle dolls, Once you have bought $500 in 687-9534 Melissa and Doug wooden toys wine, you’ll get a coupon for 910 Main St. Cañon City, 275-7160 and dollhouses, Mighty World 15 percent off your next purgoodwill.org Adventure figures, Marble chase. The store also has a Run, Groovy Girls, Only Hearts monthly wine club on three lev- GO! CHOICE: American Club dolls, Plan Toys, Webkinz els: $35, $50 and $75. Classics Marketplace adoptable animals, Playmobil 9 S. Tejon St., 520-5733 Set aside a day and slip into and lots of dress-up items. your most comfortable shoes. 7477 N. Academy Blvd., 442-1955 Make a shopping list, but be BEST FARMERS 155 Jefferson, Monument, 487-1955 flexible. You’ll probably find MARKET whatever you need here — and BEST SHOE STORE READERS’ a whole lot you didn’t even CHOICE: know you needed (horse collar, READERS’ Old Colorado anyone?). And even better than CHOICE: DSW T h i s City READERS’ the selection: Most vendors dis- place is shoeBy far the count their wares for holidays READERS’ CHOICE aholic Imelmost develand other special occasions. CHOICE da Marcos’ oped mar1815 N. Academy Blvd. idea of heavket, with many booths from 596-8585 classicsmarket.com en: Rows of styles, colors and which to select fresh produce, comfort levels await you, and flowers, baked goods, arts and prices are fabulously low. crafts. The vendors get set up BEST TOY STORE 7635 N. Academy Blvd., 264-8007 around 7 a.m. and close when READERS’ CHOICE: Toys “R” Us dswshoe.com they run out of things to sell or The longtime toy wonderat 1 p.m. The market runs from land has an amazing selection. GO! CHOICE: DSW

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BEST NEW STORE READERS’ CHOICE: Gordmans T h i s READERS’ O m a h a CHOICE based discount clothier, home-décor and accessory store opened a local store here in ’94, but it still has the brash freshness of the new kid on the block as it regularly undercuts the mall stores on name-brand stuff. 1972 Southgate Road at Broadmoor Towne Center North, 635-6731 www.gordmans.com

GO! CHOICE: Hollister Co. Grab the boogie board; the gnarliest waves are in.

The ocean’s a few miles (OK, a lot of miles) away, but tweens/teens/young adults are as Cali as they come at this cool store. Wearing a “Hollister 22” shirt or shorts is so gotta-haveit. There’s a “Bettys” (girls) boardwalk entrance and one for the “Dudes.” Music’s loud, lights are low, the webcam and blog are on and the clothes are colorful. If Hollister Co. looks suspiciously like Abercrombie & Fitch’s West Coast brother, that’s because it’s from the same company, but it’s younger and a lot less raunchy. The Citadel mall, 750 Citadel Drive East, 638-7308 hollisterco.com/hol/homepage.html

BEST MUSIC STORE READER’S CHOICE: Independent Records Not only will you find READERS’ a great selecCHOICE tion of CDs at prices that beat the malls, you’ll also find sales clerks who actually know a thing or two about music. 3030 E. Platte Ave., 473-0882; 123 E. Bijou St., 520-5111; 3040 W. Colorado Ave., 477-9058; 5680 S. U.S. 85/87, 393-1255

GO! CHOICE: Independent Records

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 51

BEST HOMEIMPROVEMENT STORE READERS’ CHOICE: Home Depot Just look READERS’ for the orCHOICE ange warehouse and you’ll find a paradise of tools, lumber and garden supplies as well as entire kitchen and bathroom setups. The Depot also has classes to help you with your most extreme makeovers.

4252 Royal Pine Drive, 799-1400 7710 Fountain Mesa Road, Fountain, 799-2613 lowes.com

BEST GIFT SHOP

READERS’ CHOICE: Terra Verde This peREADERS’ rennial favorCHOICE ite’s 2,000square-foot expansion means there’s so much more room for clothes, furniture and gifts — oh, those 102 N. Academy Blvd., 573-7000 gifts. Retro magnets, exotic 7166 N. Academy Blvd., 531-6400 candles, aromatic soaps, funky 5660 E. Woodmen Road, 266-5165 2250 Southgate, 471-0054 little address books. . . . Not 15888 Jackson Creek Parkway, only does Terra Verde sell that Monument, 484-0900 special pasta bowl you’ll need homedepot.com for your next dinner party, the staff thoughtfully provides the GO! CHOICE: Lowe’s It has the same massive se- appropriate cookbook. The lection of Home Depot, but it stock changes constantly, so if you don’t stop by frequently, adds a bit more style. you could miss the greatest 2945 New Center Point, 591-4614

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goodwill.org goodies. If Martha Stewart had a younger, hipper — and more GO! CHOICE: fun — sister, this is where she Goodwill in Briargate The Briargate Goodwill would shop. branch’s impeccable organiza208 N. Tejon St., 444-8621 tion makes the exhaustive thrift-store search easy: GO! CHOICE: Terra Verde Clothes are separated by size, style and color; jewelry is kept BEST OUTDOOR/ in cases; and matching flatSPORTING-GOODS ware is bundled together. The STORE real perk is the makeshift coffee shop — no more standing READERS’ around looking at your watch CHOICE: REI while companions thumb We admit through every article of clothit — this is READERS’ ing for the perfect ironic the kind of CHOICE T-shirt. outdoor 1070 Kelly Johnson Blvd., 531-9173 store where you go for the sheer entertainment of it all, then end up BEST VIDEO/DVD spending while you’re there. STORE Well-stocked and well-staffed, READERS’ this place also has a great sys- CHOICE: tem for ordering stuff they Blockbuster don’t have in store. The king 1376 E. Woodmen Road, 260-1455 of video READERS’ rei.com stores got a CHOICE lot better GO! CHOICE: Mountain Chalet it There are a limited number when ditched the exorbitant late of outdoors shops in the fees. Springs at which “Randonee” The selection of new releasis not a foreign language. Parts es can’t be beat, and now you for your WhisperLite? Yep. Carcan sign up for an unlimited abiners? In plenty. Merino wool movie pass (starting at $9.99), skivvies? Um, possibly. just like Netflix. 226 N. Tejon St., 633-0732 www.mtnchalet.com

BEST JEWELRY STORE READERS’ CHOICE: Luisa Graff Diamonds READERS’ and Jewelers This is CHOICE the place for pretty baubles of every kind. If you’re truly one of the chosen few, perhaps the woman, the myth, the legend herself will help you select the perfect piece. 4663 Centennial Blvd., 260-0100 www.luisagraffjewelers.com

GO! CHOICE: Luisa Graff

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where literate people gather on weekends to schmooze, flirt and talk about their favorite page-turner. 1565 Briargate Blvd., 266-9960 795 Citadel Drive E., 637-8282 barnesandnoble.com

GO! CHOICE: Black Cat Books This quaint new book store shows that you don’t need the mega-selection of the chains to attract readers. All you need is books chosen with taste, plenty of comfortable reading nooks and wine and coffee bars that will have folks hanging out all day. 720 Manitou Ave., 685-1589, manitoubooks.com

BEST SKI SHOP: READERS’ CHOICE: The Ski Shop T h e s e READERS’ guys have CHOICE been skiing forever, and every season, they work hard to bring their customers the best new stuff. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta spend the day at Copper or Vail on state-of-theart boards that aren’t even available yet. Their work on the snow shows in the little shop. 1422 S. Tejon St., 636-3355

GO! CHOICE: Starlight Video The few remaining momand-pop video stores have survived by offering better customer service and providing some movies (particularly the adult kind) that most of the chains don’t carry. Starlight’s two locations have a good selection of new releases and some good bargainpriced ($4.99-$9.99) DVDs for sale. 1201 W. Colorado Ave., 473-2071 490 N. Murray Blvd., 591-9150

BEST BOOKSTORE

GO! CHOICE: Colorado Kite & Ski Kite & Ski has always been an intriguing combination. This shop was downtown for a long time, but we like its new location better: on the way to the ski resorts, with easy parking. 2845 Ore Mill Road (just off U.S. 24 and W. 31st St.), 633-6227

BEST CATERER, UPSCALE GO! CHOICE: Food Designers This operation has been bringing award-winning gourmet fare to homes and offices since 1984. Superb cuisine — from a simple boxed lunch to an elegant dinner party — sets this enterprise apart. And it makes everything from scratch!

READERS’ CHOICE: Barnes & READERS’ Noble CHOICE: READERS’ Barnes & Goodwill CHOICE Noble stole Industries READERS’ and corporaNo surCHOICE tized Denver’s Tattered Cover 115 S. 25th St., 632-5414 prise here. www.fooddesigners.com concept of turning a book Readers also chose Goodwill as the Best store into a comfortable hangout with a coffee bar and BEST CATERER, Place for Bargains. comfy chairs. 1070 Kelly Johnson Blvd., 531-9173 BARGAIN 2304 W. Colorado Ave., 633-8794 A crime? Maybe, but we’re 2655 Waynoka Place, 570-9223 enjoying the results too much GO! CHOICE: La Casita Patio Cafe and Catering 6725 Camden Blvd, Fountain, 392-5744 to think about a punishment. 721 Gold Hill Square S., Woodland Park, For as little as $7.50 per The north location, in partic687-9534 ular, has developed a scene 910 Main St. Cañon City, 275-7160

BEST THRIFT STORE

SEE SHOPPING x PAGE 53

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 52

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

FROM PAGE 52

BEST GOURMET STORE: Jim Sebastiani, owner of Par Avion Finer Foods Emporium, has created a strong family business offering imported cheeses, meats and hard-tofind gourmet fare. The store also has a small cafe with homemade food items that caters to a brisk lunch crowd. Here, Sebastiani prepares salmon to be fileted.

person you can serve a Taco Fiesta with plenty of food for leftovers. Or for $12 per person, have the La Casita Fiesta Grande with grilled beef or chicken fajitas, pork tamales, crispy beef tacos, borracho beans, Spanish rice, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and cheese, and fresh homemade flour tortillas. 332 W. Bijou St., 578-1730 www.lacasitapatiocafe.com

BEST MEXICAN MARKET GO! CHOICE: Leonela Meat Market There’s a jam-packed meat counter, or carniceria, featuring goat and fried pork skins at the back of the store. On nice days, you’ll find a lady outside selling hot corn on the cob. Try the mango on a stick, too. 3736 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 637-2641

cations. They have tasty homemade sausage and do custom curing and smoking. You can get wild game processed, too. 2915 E. Platte Ave., 636-1149

BEST ASIAN MARKET

BEST FLOWER SHOP

GO! CHOICE: Saigon Oriental Market The market features an array of noodles, teas, bulk rice and fresh spices. Wednesday (after 1:30 p.m.) is fresh fish and vegetable day. A good place to find bargains on soy sauce, sesame-seed oil and rice.

GO! CHOICE: Rich Designs It began as a flower shop, then bloomed into one of the area’s neatest art galleries and home-décor spots. Trust us, spouses know when you’ve skimped and gone someplace else.

3744 Astrozon Blvd., 390-7454

BEST GOURMET STORE GO! CHOICE: Par Avion Finer Foods Emporium This is ground zero for anything gourmet with more than 8,000 gourmet grocery items, 100 varieties of extra-virgin olive oil, 40 varieties of balsamic vinegar, and dozens of the best cheeses in the world. And there are always samples. 1872 Southgate Road, 636-2328

BEST NATURALFOODS STORE GO! CHOICE: Whole Foods Market There selection of bulk foods is huge, as is the variety of organic and natural foods, vitamins and supplements. The staff is knowledgable and friendly. With many food selections to explore and sample, it’s like a foodie’s Disneyland. 7635 N. Academy Blvd., 531-9999 wholefoods.com

BEST BUTCHER

1731 Mount Washington Ave., 475-1200 richdesignsgallery.com

BEST CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE GO! CHOICE: Focus on the Family It seems as if everyone at Focus on the Family is a published author, so it’s not surprising that the Christian organization has a mammoth bookstore. It’s the place to go if you want to “Dare to Discipline” — but don’t expect to find a copy of “The Da Vinci Code.” 8685 Explorer Drive family.org

BEST NEW AGE STORE GO! CHOICE: Celebration! Conscious Living Store Yeah, this place is a cavernous bookshop, but it’s also a community nexus, where likeminded people gather to chat, find spiritual meaning and smell the latest incense. The store offers classes on a host of outside-the-box theories. 2209 W. Colorado Ave., 634-1855 celebrationstore.com

BEST HATS GO! CHOICE: Andy’s Market A true meat market with GO! CHOICE: Elope Inc. Calling all jesters, dragons butchers ready to cut chops, steaks or roasts to your specifi- and emperors. Find your ulti-

tion figures of Jesus, Moses, Sigmund Freud, Oscar Wilde and Marie Antoinette, you’ve gone way beyond expectations for the average toy store. 738 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-2475 retromototoys.com (a shared site with its motorcycle-parts business)

BEST JEWELRY STORE FOR MOVIE FANS

GO! CHOICE: All That Glitters Fine Jewelry Gallery Hollywood’s Golden Era stares at us from the store window. There’s Bette Davis. There’s Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. And isn’t that silent screen star Anna May Wong? At Oscar time, owners of All That Glitters have a conBRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE test to see how many of the stars mate costume chapeau here. ible about a store that doesn’t more-than-two-dozen Order online, or find Elope’s require parking a football field and starlets you can name. 2518 W. Colorado Ave., 475-7160 headgear downtown at Zeezo’s. away, where you can find weld1-800-553-5673 ing rods, hitch pins and rubber elope.com bands within shouting distance BEST FISH STORE of one another, and in which GO! CHOICE: Seascape Aquatics BEST PLACE TO you can get assistance without This neat little store offers a firing off a distress flare. good selection of freshwater BUY A CUTE PURSE 2300 N. Wahsatch Ave., 577-0051 and saltwater fish, a really GO! CHOICE: Dustee’s acehardware.com good selection of aquarium supIf you can’t find the perfect plies and a helpful staff. bag here, you better ratchet BEST TOP-LINE 5038 N. Academy Blvd. down the fickleness factor. 388-8504 HOME FURNISHINGS This is the go-to place for all acGO! CHOICE: American Furniture cessories, from purses and earNot American Furniture BEST rings to necklaces and sunWarehouse — they get that all VIDEO-GAME STORE glasses. Cheap, too! the time. The local American GO! CHOICE: Game Crazy 3377 Cinema Point, near Cinemark Furniture has been around Theatres, 260-8394 If worker Fritz Mason or since 1921 and offers high-end store manager Anthony Miller stuff with fewer tigers. BEST PLACE TO BUY can’t answer your gaming que3212 E. Platte Ave., 632-6621 ries, nobody can. There are THAT SEXY BLACK www.americanfurniture.com other Game Crazy’s in town, DRESS but this one’s the best. BEST EXERCISE GO! CHOICE: Camille La Vie 1624 N. Academy Blvd., 550-1674 Every woman needs one, EQUIPMENT gamecrazy.com right? This is the place to pick GO! CHOICE: Play It Again Sports up something both pretty and These stores have a lot of BEST USED sexy. The fabulous dressing new equipment, but if you rooms make you feel like royal- make it there on the right day, VIDEO-GAME STORE ty, with sky-high ceilings and you can find used stuff that GO! CHOICE: Video Game Exchange & Repair huge peach drapes. will work as well for a lot less. This is a gaming Smithso1845 Briargate Parkway, 268-0538 1033 N. Academy Blvd, 574-4849 nian. Not only do they have 5338 Montebello Lane, 528-5840 www.playitagainsports.com Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn BEST PLACE TO BUY A and even (gasp!) Atari 2600 VACUUM AND A SWORD available, they also stock preBEST SALES STAFF GO! CHOICE: All Vacuum historic video games. GO! CHOICE: Fitness Systems & Dragons 2104 E. Platte Ave., 575-0424 The staff members won’t Your carpet is filthy and a just sell you fitness equipment. dragon is menacing your pooBEST PLANT NURSERY dle. All Vacuum has you cov- They’ll suggest a workout and tell you how to use the stuff — GO! CHOICE: Hillside Gardens ered with the most eclectic colAbout four acres of plants, and they know what they’re lection of products in town: talking about. pots, and garden décor (includvacuums and parts, swords, 1266 E. Woodmen Road, 594-6969 ing some really cool architecshields, daggers, incense. tural salvage) presented in a There must be a connection. stunning botanical garden setBEST NOVELTY SHOP 5643 N. Academy Blvd., 268-1388 ting. Just in case you work up GO! CHOICE: Retromoto The sign outside suggests an appetite finding the perfect BEST this is a toy store. But when peonies, there’s a cafe on site HARDWARE STORE you specialize in wind-up plas- with delicious cuisine. 1006 S. Institute St., 520-9463 GO! CHOICE: Bon Ace Hardware tic sushi, flip books that show hillsidegardens.net There is something irresist- Elvis’ hips in motion, and acFriday, May 19, 2006 THE GAZETTE BEST OF THE SPRINGS 53

THE GAZETTE FILE

RECREATION BEST OF THE SPRINGS 54

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

BEST PARK READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Garden of the Gods READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; People CHOICE come from around the world to experience this park. We can go exploring there any time we want (and the best time is during the week). Gawk at the red rocks. See how they glow in late-afternoon sunlight. Watch for rattlers. Walk or run one of the narrow, winding trails. And for goodness sake, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to take a picture of a relative doing his or her best to hold up Balanced Rock. With picnic areas, strolling areas and driving areas. Visitor & Nature Center at 1805 N. 30th St., 634-6666. gardenofgods.com

GO! CHOICE: Garden of the Gods

BEST HIKE, EASY

QUICK HITS BEST INLINE SKATING: Cottonwood Park outdoor rink, Dublin and Rangewood BEST CLIMBING WALL: Sport Climbing Center, 4650 Northpark Drive, 260-1050, www.sportclimbcs.com BEST NEW HIGH SCHOOL SPORT: Bowling BEST PLACE TO WATCH HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Garry Berry Stadium, at Wasson High School near Constitution Avenue and Circle Drive BEST PUBLIC POOL: The Southeast Families and Armed Services YMCA

fish. Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kokanee CHOICE salmon, northern pike, small-mouth bass and carp are all found within the waters of this 3,400-surfaceacre reservoir, one of the largest in the state.

Snake River-cutthroat- and rainbow-trout catching in a serene mountain setting on the north slope of Pikes Peak. Rampart Reservoir is close by. Bait is fine. Take U.S. 24 to Woodland Park, turn onto Rampart Range Road/Baldwin Street to Forest Road 300 and follow the signs. Parking is at Dikeside Boat Ramp. Follow Trail 709 to Nichols Reservoir.

BEST FISHING SPOT READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Elevenmile Reservoir This is an anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delight with miles (11, to be exact) of shoreline; hidden coves and

3650 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Unit 197, 262-0024 1892 Southgate Road, 633-2442 www.24hourfitness.com

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: Harmony Bowl To experience this 40-lane bowlBEST PLACE ing palace at its best, you READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TO WORK OUT have to go on CHOICE READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHOICE: The YMCA The Village People were T h u r s d a y right. It really is fun to be at nights during â&#x20AC;&#x153;bowl-aroke.â&#x20AC;? the YMCA, especially when you want a serious workout READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on free CHOICE weights or machines and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to worry about having every hair in place.

636-1602 www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/recreation/ fishing/reservoirs/reservoir04_map.shtml

Yes, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve merged bowling and karoke for a strange hybrid that has people singing while they try to pick up that spare. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $10 for unlimited games on Thursdays. 3845 N. Academy Blvd., 591-1000

GO! CHOICE: Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center The new 16-laner at the Biggs will shock any longtime bowler: no smokey stench, no sticky floors, just a colorful, high-tech outfit with a special VIP area where you and your buddies can sip microbrews or wine between frames. 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., 955-7220 mrbiggsffc.com

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READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 207 N. Nevada Ave., 473-9622 CHOICE: 4025 Family Place, 282-9622 Palmer Park 9205 Meridian Ranch Blvd., Falcon, The loca495-2009 READERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tion of this 301 E. Iowa St., Fountain, 382-1561 park makes 2380 Montebello Drive West, 593-9622 CHOICE 2190 Jet Wing Drive, 622-9622 it intriguing. GO! CHOICE: Nichols Reservoir When William Palmer founded Hike in (an easy walk) for Colorado Springs, Palmer Park an anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-delight day of GO! CHOICE: 24-Hour Fitness 24-Hour Fitness offers the was a remote rocky outcropping miles from any development. Palmer was captivated by its views, and in the late 1800s, purchased it. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re glad he did. GO! CHOICE: Rainbow Gulch near Rampart Reservoir Why is it easy? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually an old road that leads from Rampart Range Road to the reservoir. Why is it the best? Because unlike some easy hikes, it features great scenery â&#x20AC;&#x201D; great clumps of blue columbine and wild iris, stands of aspen, a rushing creek, and the payoff â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the reservoir. Take U.S. 24 west to Woodland Park; turn right on Baldwin Street (at McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s). When the road forks, take a right and head uphill. When the pavement ends, turn right and watch for trailhead (big sign) on your left.

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 56

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

There’s ice skating (public ses- ball, some baseball and basketsions, hockey and great little- ball. And more to come. 16240 Old Denver Highway, Monument, kid classes), inline skating 487-8572 GO! CHOICE: Colorado Sports (hockey leagues and classes), a www.cosportscenter.com Center (formerly Soc n’ Roll) climbing wall, volleyball, flag It has it all — and indoors! football, lacrosse, soccer, dodge SEE REC x PAGE 57

BEST SPORTS COMPLEX

FROM PAGE 56

BEST PARK NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT

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BEST HIKE WITH A VIEW, EASY

BEST HIKE, EXTREME

GO! CHOICE: Manitou Lake Recreation Area This little lake north of Woodland Park was drained a few years ago so the dam could be fixed, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back now, with a thick marsh frequented by red-winged blackbirds and meadowlarks, trout in the shallow water, and one of the most picturesque views of Pikes Peak weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever happened upon. A trail winds a half mile around the little lake, skirting stands of pine and aspen. Take U.S. Highway 24 west to Woodland Park; turn right onto Colorado Highway 67 and watch for Manitou Lake on your right, about three miles out of town.

GO! CHOICE: Ring the Peak Trail You think Barr Trail is extreme? We laugh at your Barr Trail. Ring the Peak Trail takes a different approach at Pikes Peak, by ringing the mountain in a combined 63 miles of trails and roads. West Cheyenne Road, west of Eighth Friends of the Peak is responsiStreet ble for this trail that offers a BEST MOUNTAIN-BIKE truly unique look at the mounCheck out charts with TRAIL FOR BEGINNERS tain. mileage, entry points and other GO! CHOICE: New Santa Fe Trail information at the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Web For that first trail, you want site, www.fotp.com. to get away from the concrete, but not too far away. The New BEST HIKE WITH A Santa Fe Trail is a wide and maintained gravel path with a VIEW, STRENUOUS few mild sand sections. It cov- GO! CHOICE: Barr Trail Of course we chose Barr ers 17 miles, from Colorado Springs north to the Green- Trail! Have you ever been on land Trail in Douglas County. this trail where it emerges Multiple trailheads, including above treeline? The view is so at the Palmer Lake Recreation awe-inspiring that you might Area, Colorado Highway 105 in trip over your feet. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be Monument, at Baptist Road surprised if you break out in near the Old Denver Highway, song, or at least break out the at the north entrance to the camera. (Note: Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dawdle Air Force Academy and at Ice here during a thunderstorm.) Lake on the Academy proper- The trailhead is off Ruxton Avety. (Check with the Academy nue in Manitou Springs. about restrictions before planning a ride through there.) GO! CHOICE: Harlan-Wolfe Park Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a beautifully pastoral, four-acre site right on Cheyenne Creek that will remain a natural setting. There are plans for upgrades and preservation of the 1864 ranch house.

I-25 and turn right on Walnut BEST CAMPGROUND Street. Follow the road as it curves and turn right on Chest- FOR RVs nut. Follow signs to Beidleman GO! CHOICE: Garden of the Gods Campground Environmental Center. We love this place for the sheer nostalgia of it. Sure, RVs BEST SHADY WALK have gone modern, with satelGO! CHOICE: Pikes Peak lite dishes and fancy roll-out Greenway from Bijou Street north shades and partitions. But this The hardest part about place is humming with vacawalking this section of the tion excitement. For no other Greenway is making it past the reason than to remind yourself fish ponds. Giant cottonwoods that people come to your town offer deep, cool shade here. On to vacation, drive by and check particularly hot days, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard out the license plates. to find a patch of grass to call 3704 W. Colorado Ave., Manitou your own. Rest a spell, and conSprings, 475-9450 tinue north â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the trail winds coloradocampground.com in and out of the trees, but there are wonderful patches of shade just when you need them most. SEE REC x PAGE 58

BEST URBAN HIKE GO! CHOICE: Sondermann Park Oasis is the word that comes to mind here. Narrow trails wind through this little west-side park that is a haven for nearly 100 species of birds. A tangle of scrub oak and pine, it feels like you are miles away from the city. Only when you reach a high point and look around do you realize that Sondermann is surrounded by streets and neighborhoods. Go west on Uintah Street from

BEST EXTREME MOUNTAIN-BIKE TRAIL GO! CHOICE: Gold Camp Road to Captain Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fast, flowing, long and filled with enough rocks and gravel that eventually, someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to get hurt. Start the ride by pedaling up Gold Camp Road to the former Rosemont townsite. Turn north onto Forest Road 379. Pick up the Captain Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multiuse trail and follow it down to through Bear

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BEST CAMPSITE

BEST CAMPGROUND FOR TENTS

GO! CHOICE: We know but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not telling But here are some hints: National forest land in Colorado is open to camping. Buy a map at the U.S. Forest Service headquarters and plot your adventure. (Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to follow Leave No Trace guidelines.) We suggest Lost Creek Wilderness, or areas off Rampart Range Road north of Woodland Park.

think Canada geese blocking the trail, bloated bull snakes stretched in the sun, turtles lining up on shiny logs and great blue herons nesting in the giant cottonwoods. Fountain Creek winds through here and brings with it all sorts of wildlife. Best time to visit: morning. Head south on I-25; take Exit 132; go east on Colorado 16; take Security exit; turn right on U.S. 85/87; and right on Cattail Marsh Road.

GO! CHOICE: The Crags This is a Forest Service Campground, and reservations arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t taken, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to be lucky to get a site during the summer. But if you do luck out, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a bubbling creek nearby and easy access to one of the most beloved trails in the region. Take U.S. USFS office, 601 S. Weber St., 636-1602 24 west to Divide; turn left BEST WAY TO onto Colorado 67; drive 4.3 LUXURIATE miles and turn left onto Forest BEST NATURE WALK IN THE WILD Road 383. GO! CHOICE: Nature Trail at www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/recreation/ Fountain Creek Nature Center GO! CHOICE: Log cabins camping/pp_crags_camp.shtml We think nature and we at Mueller State Park Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reach to call them cabins. Try â&#x20AC;&#x153;luxury mountain lodges.â&#x20AC;? There are three new cabins at Mueller that are now open year-round. The largest, the Ponderosa, sleeps 10 and * IBWF CFFO PWFSXFJHIU NZ features a massive deck with a FOUJSF MJGF 4JODF KPJOJOH .3$ gas grill, modern kitchen and * WF HPOF GSPN B TJ[F UP B mammoth great room decoratTJ[F NZ MJGF IBT DIBOHFE ed chic-Colorado style. All you ESBNBUJDBMMZ .Z FOFSHZ MFWFM need is your toothbrush and a IBT JODSFBTFE BOE * OP MPOHFS towel, to wipe up all the droolGFFM TFMG DPOTDJPVT .Z OBNF JT ing youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll experience from the 4UFQIBOJF * BO OPX B NBOBHFS sweeping views of Pikes Peak. GPS .FUBCPMJD 3FTFBSDI $FOUFS The cost is $80-$160 a night.

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THE GAZETTE

GO! CHOICE: Monarch If Colorado Springs could claim its own ski area, it would be Monarch. Just try to spend a day there without seeing someone you know. Monarch has it figured out â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all-natural snow, uncrowned slopes, some new extreme terrain and free parking just yards from the lodge. Most years (including this one), it snows, and snows and snows some more there. On U.S. 50, west of Salida, 1-888- 996-7669 skimonarch.com

BEST SKI RESORT, BIG GO! CHOICE: Vail Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to spread around the accolades, but when you compare other big resorts with Vail, they just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t measure up. Vail fans moan with pleasure about the powder stashes they found there this year, rave about the back bowls, and boast about epic days spent in regions you could never find without a trail map. Off I-70 West, 1-877-204-7881 vail.snow.com

BEST SKIING FOR BEGINNERS GO! CHOICE: Breckenridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 58

BEST SKI RESORT, SMALL

Friday, May 19, 2006

Peak 10 Start at the bottom, at the six-person Quicksilver Lift that nearly comes to a stop for those getting on. At the top, the lift nearly stops again, making the dreaded off-the-lift move less frightening. And once you get off, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peak 10, an impossibly wide, gloriously flat groomed mountain that will make even the most timid beginner feel good. Off Colorado 9, 1-800-789-SNOW breckenridge.com

BEST EXTREME SKIING GO! CHOICE: Silverton Mountain This ski area six miles from Silverton in southwest Colorado has 55-degree runs, a 3,000-foot vertical drop and 400 inches of snow in a year. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Silverton doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that sets it apart from other Colorado areas: Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no grooming, no snowmaking, no green runs and no blue runs. Just steeps, lift-served and guided, if you want. 6226 Colorado 110A, 1-970-387-5706 silvertonmountain.com

BEST TERRAIN PARK GO! CHOICE: Freeway Super Park and Pipe on Breckenridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peak 8 This is where the big boys and SEE REC x PAGE 59

FROM PAGE 58

girls play and compete and show off. Check out the jumps, wall ride, log slide, rails and boxes. If you can’t handle this park, Breck’s beginner Trygves Terrain Park is right next door. Off Colorado 9, 1-800-789-SNOW breckenridge.com

BEST FOOD ON THE WAY TO SKI RESORTS

beat the daylights out of more than few unlucky paddlers during the park’s inaugural seaGO! CHOICE: The Royal Gorge son. The other six drops were Most visitors craving a always plenty of fun at nearly whitewater rush on the Arkan- any water level. sas head to Brown’s Canyon, a In downtown Pueblo between Union Avenue and West Fourth Street Bridge few miles upstream in Salida. But the Royal Gorge offers better scenery and more challeng- BEST SKATE PARK ing rapids. Sure, Brown’s GO! CHOICE: John L. Stone Park Zoom Flume will give the yoUnfortunately, every kid in kels a thrill, but the gorge’s Briargate with a skateboard Sunshine Falls is more likely to has discovered this place, so it put the unwary through the gets kinda crowded on weekrinse cycle. You can go on your ends. But if you can manage own or choose from among doz- the throngs, it has some fun ens of outfitters online at aroa. rails and enough ramp action org/rafting-members.asp. to keep beginners and advanced skaters happy.

BEST WHITEWATER FUN, NATURAL

GO! CHOICE: Thai Mini Cafe This only works if you’re going to Monarch, but it might be a good reason to go to Monarch. Where else can you get BEST WHITEWATER 4017 Family Place Pad Thai and a soft-serve ice FUN, MODIFIED cream cone? It’s a drive-in. It’s BEST POOL WITH A a Thai restaurant. It’s got ev- GO! CHOICE: Pueblo VIEW erything. Whitewater Park On the west side of U.S. 285 just The Pueblo kayak park is GO! CHOICE: The Antlers Hilton before you reach Colorado 50 near back and better than ever this Huge picture windows overPoncha Springs, 1-719-539-0779 summer. Workers smoothed look Pikes Peak as you do your out the seventh drop, which laps in style and luxury. Also,

those with sensitive eyes will BEST GOLF COURSE appreciate that the water is purified with hydrogen peroxide, YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T which is much less irritating KNOW YOU COULD USE than chlorine. Nonguests can GO! CHOICE: Cheyenne Shadows join the pool here for $35 a at Fort Carson month or $90 for three. You don’t have to be in the 4 S. Cascade Ave., 955-5600 Army to play here. You don’t antlers.com even have to know somebody who knows somebody. This BEST GOLF COURSE 18-hole championship course is open to everybody for $20-$32 GO! CHOICE: The Broadmoor’s (for all 18 holes). East Course Building 7800, Titus Blvd., Fort Carson, Green fees are a whopping 526-4122 $145 to $180, but you get what mwr.carson.army.mil you pay for — perfectly designed wide fairways, large greens, stellar views and fivestar service. 1 Lake Ave., 577-5775 broadmoor.com

SEE REC x PAGE 60

BEST FOOD AT SKI RESORTS

GO! CHOICE: Individual elksausage pizzas at Vail’s Two Elk Lodge They’re crisp, hot and the perfect thing after four or five hours of diving through the snow of the back bowls. And at more than $10, they’d better be good. Near the top of chairs 14, 21 and 36 at Vail, 970-479-4485 www.vail.snow.com

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BEST SNOWMOBILE AREA GO! CHOICE: On Monarch Pass (U.S. 50 west of Poncha Springs) Miles of forest trails await snowmobilers just off the highway. Check out the outfitters on this side of the pass or the other side for guided trips. But be warned: These trails are anything but flat roads. You’ll be rocking and rolling through forests and meadows for miles.

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BEST URBAN BIKING TRAIL GO! CHOICE: The Midland Trail Start in America the Beautiful Park and follow this new trail west to 21st Street. It follows the old Midland railroad spur. It’s concrete and offers a quick way to begin a ride west. (At 21st, jog over to Colorado Avenue, then 30th Street on your way to the Garden of the Gods).

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FROM PAGE 59

climbers who know where to views. One-hour rides are $33 about paintball that they never BEST RACE, AUTO go. Say “Sphinx Rock” or a person. wanted to leave. But we got GO! CHOICE: The Pikes Peak 4 El Paso Blvd., 633-5667 “Bucksnort Slab” to climbers, hungry, so we did. BEST ICE-SKATING International Hill Climb academyridingstables.com 6855 Constitution Ave., 574-7004 and they’ll get all dreamy-eyed. Sure, you can watch cars go GO! CHOICE: World Arena Ice Hall splatmasters.com Southwest of Deckers, near the tiny Skate where the pros skate. round and round in an oval. town of Pine BEST STORE FOR There’s plenty of open skating (Wait, now that Pikes Peak InBEST PLACE FOR ANGLERS and, best of all, you just might BEST PLACE TO GO ternational Raceway closed, AEROBICS/CROSSGO! CHOICE: The Peak Fly Shop spot an Olympic champion or we can’t even do that.) But this HORSEBACK RIDING If you turn beet red and get TRAINING EXERCISE two practicing. Repeat after race is something else — motongue-tied when someone CLASSES us: “speedskater” and “Apolo GO! CHOICE: torcycles and cars careening asks about your nymphing Academy Riding Stables Anton Ohno.” on hairpin gravel roads up a Responsive horses, well- techniques, don’t sweat it. GO! CHOICE: Bally Total Fitness 3185 Venetucci Blvd., 477-2150 The gym offers almost 30 14,000-foot mountain. The next www.worldarena.com/page.asp? trained guides and the most Even rookie anglers are weldifferent aerobics/cross-train- race is set for July 1. id=Ice_Hall scenic trails on the planet come. It’s a pro shop, but www.ppihc.com ing classes. That’s enough vari(through Garden of the Gods) they’re there for anyone wonBEST ROCK-CLIMBING push Academy Riding Stables dering about the right fly — ety for the most picky exercise BEST PLACE FOR A enthusiast. ahead of the rest. Park rules and they’ll take you right to GO! CHOICE: Along the South PICKUP HOCKEY GAME 5620 N. Academy Blvd., 593-1559 don’t allow you to run the hors- the prime fishing holes if you Platte 1801 S. Academy Blvd., 390-7700 GO! CHOICE: The World Arena ballyfitness.com Roadside crags of fine gran- es, but, hey, if you were gallop- want. For $7, you can imagine 301 E. U.S. 24, Woodland Park, 687-9122 ing, you’d miss the stunning ite make this a favorite among you’re the next Bobby Orr, tak5767 N. Academy Blvd., 260-1415 BEST RACE, FOOT www.thepeakflyshop.com ing on a fun group of strangers GO! CHOICE: Pikes Peak or friends. The arena also has BEST PLACE FOR Marathon time for free skating and speedGood ol’ Zeb Pike must be skating. PAINTBALL turning in his grave to know 3185 Venetucci Blvd., 477-2100 GO! CHOICE: Splat Masters worldarena.com that not only do others regularWe took a group of 12-yearly climb the mountain that old boys for a birthday shootout and found that not only did thwarted him — they run. BEST PLACE FOR Jim Lind and Judith Valentine Fast. They jot 13.32 miles up PICKUP TENNIS Splat Masters have great equip13.2 miles back — without Quality * Integrity * Trust * Over 30 Years Experience ment and interesting paintball and mules or sherpas. The next GO! CHOICE: The Memorial Park fields, it also sported an exTennis Center race is set for Aug. 20. Custom Design, Repairs, Gold, Silver, traordinary staff. These guys Pickup games are available pikespeakmarathon.org covered all the bases in trainDiamonds, Gemstones and Estate Jewelry 8-10 a.m. weekdays. There are ing and strategy issues, and 15 well-maintained courts. We specialize in customer service & education they got the kids so excited 1315 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

Golden Anvil Jewelers

~ We also buy Gold, Silver, Platinum & Gemstones~ ~We repair silver tea sets, candelabra & ﬂatware~

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At the the Tick Mattson, master At TickTock TockShop, Shop,Dave Dave Mattson, master watchmaker andowner, owner, helps customers nd the watchmaker and helps customers findﬁthe right timepiece.The TheShop shophas hasthe thebiggest biggest right timepiece. andand best best selection of clocks and watches. Why selection on clocks and watches. Why not stopnot in and stop in before and browse making your purchase. browse makingbefore your purchase.

77 North North Circle, Circle, Colorado ColoradoSprings Springs475-8585 475-8585 BEST OF THE SPRINGS 60

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

A Tot al New You

BEST REASON TO TOSS OUT YOUR STAIRMASTER

LASER HAIR REMOVAL • PERMANENT COSMETICS MASSAGE • HAIR DESIGN • HAND & FOOT CARE SKIN CARE • MICRODERMABRASION BODY TREATMENTS • TANNING CERTIFIED • ELECTROLYSIS

BEST BMX TRACK

Salon & Spa

25% OFF any new service

975 Garden of the God • 719-528-8511

www.springsgov.com

GO! CHOICE: The Mount Manitou Incline This 2,100-foot jumble of railroad ties at the base of Pikes Peak lies mostly on private land. It’s illegal and downright masochistic to climb it, but that hasn’t stopped everyone from stay-at-home moms to the Special Forces members from making it their favorite workout.

GO! CHOICE: Pikes Peak BMX track Dirt flies. Legs pump. Brightly colored outfits zip around the track. Bikes crash. And the smell of sunscreen fills the air. A few times a week the Pikes Peak BMX track explodes into a carnival of sights and sounds. Designed by a nationally-renowned track builder and maintained lovingly by parents and riders, it is THE place to get your spin on. 8270 Lexington Drive at Rampart Park 235-3670 www.pikespeakbmx.com

PHOTOS BY MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

FAMILY Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 61

BEST PLACE TO TAKE KIDS: Eight-yearold Keenan Withers, left, and his sister, Tatianna, 10, played a game of laser tag at Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center, which also offers bowling, miniature golf and more under one roof.

BEST MILITARY-FAMILY DISCOUNT GO! CHOICE: Morale, Welfare and Recreation center, Fort Carson This service provides discounts on dining, recreationalequipment rentals, lift tickets, tickets to local events, mountain-bike trips, rock- and iceclimbing classes and other outdoor-recreational programs to active-duty military and their families. The service also organizes special events and provides youth services on Fort Carson year-round. 1675 Ellis St., Building 1217, Fort Carson, 526-4494 mwr.carson.army.mil MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

Iron Springs Chateau Comedy Melodrama

“The Shame of Maudie Jones” Family-Style Dinner 5% Military Discount

Reservations: 685-5104 / 685-5572

BEST FAMILY DAY-TRIP GO! CHOICE: The Royal Gorge area Combine the dramatic beauty of the Royal Gorge — Colorado’s answer to the Grand Canyon — with a cluster of fun attractions and amusement parks, and you have the makings of classic family memories. You can take the Incline Railway down the face of the cliff at the Royal Gorge Bridge

Manitou Springs

SEE FAMILY x PAGE 63

BEST PLACE TO TAKE KIDS READERS’ CHOICE: Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center Sure, there are other places to find bowling, miniature golf, laser tag, go-karts and the like. But you won’t find more fun under one roof than you’ll find at Mr. Biggs. 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., 955-7220 mrbiggsffc.com

READERS’ CHOICE

GO! CHOICE: Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center

BEST PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY READERS’ CHOICE: Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center Mr. Biggs offers party packages tailored to every age, with prices that depend on how many attractions you want. For examREADERS’ ple, the “Runaround Town Package” inCHOICE cludes a four-hour Play Pass, $10 in cash and gifts and goes for $160 on weekdays and $184 on weekends. But what’s really cool are the theme parties: cowboys, superheroes, wizards, pajamas, clowns, pirates and more. 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., 955-7220 mrbiggsffc.com

GO! CHOICE: Pump It Up “The Inflatable Party Zone” will keep the kids jumping and smiling for hours. If you’ve ever seen one of those inflatable jumping rooms at a festival, imagine a whole city of those things. Kids can jump, slide, crawl, beat each other with giant boxing gloves and toss balls at targets. Of course, between the jumping, kids can have cake and pizza in the party rooms. Prices for up to 25 kids range from $150 to $295. 5850 Championship View, 550-3305 pumpitupparty.com/coloradosprings.html

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*Half-price installation of up to five TVs with at least Adelphia Broadcast Cable. Standard service rate applies at the end of the promotional period. Offer available in serviceable areas only. Offer may expire without notice. Services subject to applicable franchise fees and taxes. Equipment charges, installation fees and other restrictions may apply. Offer not available to current customers or customers disconnected for nonpayment. Services and channels not available in all areas. Call Adelphia for additional details, pricing and restrictions. BEST OF THE SPRINGS 62

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006

FROM PAGE 62

and Park, look down the gorge from your seat on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, or dress up as a gunslinger and have a shootout at Buckskin Joe Frontier Town. canoncitycolorado.com/attractions.htm

BEST PLACE TO TAKE GRANDKIDS GO! CHOICE: Giuseppe’s Old Depot Restaurant to watch the trains There’s train memorabilia, a living history of the city and real choo-choo trains going by outside with real engineers to wave to. 10 S. Sierra Madre St., 635-3111 www.giuseppes-depot.com

BEST PLACE FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS GO! CHOICE: The CatBird Seat A scrapbook memory afternoon: dressing up all frilly and sharing tea. A real tea like in the storybooks. A delicate teapot. Tiny sandwiches, fragile

cups you lift with your fingers the best shooters in town. 1605 N. Academy Blvd., 570-1115 crooked just so, minicups of laserquest.com soup, itty-bitty desserts. Laughing and talking and acting ohso-grown-up. A “remember BEST MINIATURE GOLF when” forever moment. GO! CHOICE: World Golf 323 N. Tejon St., 630-1745 Has hitting the ball into clown’s mouth lost its thrill? BEST SANTA Head over to World Golf. The lushly landscaped 18-hole GO! CHOICE: St. Nick course, quiet but for the babat the North Pole There’s a reason people will bling streams, projects sereniwait an hour in subzero or red- ty. Don’t be fooled: Concentrathot temperatures outside San- ed precision is the name of the ta’s little cabin. It’s because game. Holes are loaded with he’s the real deal. clever obstacles and complex 5050 Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade, twists and turns. Hit the ball 684-9432 right, you’re golden. Hit it www.santas-colo.com wrong, and be prepared to putt — a lot. Photo on Page 61.

BEST LASER TAG

6865 Galley Road, 597-5489 .

BEST FAMILY HOBBY GO! CHOICE: Go-karting at CRE Motorsports Park Out on the eastern plains, on the outskirts of known civilization (but not as far as Kansas), moms, dads, teenagers and even 5-year-olds are getting into their own go-karts and racing around the coolest, curviest track this side of the Autobahn. Just show up on a weekend morning and the folks at CRE Motorsports will give you and your family a free test drive. Before long, you’ll be investing in your own karts . . . and a future of high-octane fun.

BEST 15-MINUTE PLAY TIME GO! CHOICE: Slot-car racing at Colorado Custom Hobbies Remember the little Aurora slot-racing track you had when you were a kid? Now, imagine what that track would have looked like if Mom had slipped you a few hundred bucks for expansion and upgrades. For only $5 a person, you and your kids can rent cars and controllers, and race against each other for 15 minutes on this dream track. Just try not to wipe out. 308 W. Fillmore St., Suite 107, 337-0912

21430 Spencer Road, Calhan, 749-9840 cremotorsports.com

GO! CHOICE: Laser Quest Mr. Biggs became a more serious player this year by adding a second level to its arena, but the Biggs man still doesn’t touch Laser Quest. The arena is huge, alien-looking, full of fog, always challenging and gives you plenty of spots to hide or stalk your prey. The other thing that makes Laser Quest so fun is that it attracts

Furniture, Primitives, Glassware & The Unusual. 50 Plus Dealers in 10,000 Square Feet.

2 Blocks South of Highway 24, Just off 21st Street Plenty of Free Parking

2109 West Broadway

719 / 520 -5680

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-4

Se Habla • Delta Dental, United Español

• Medicaid Provider

Concordia (Tricare) and Most Other Insurances • Friendly, Experienced Doctors and Staff • State of the Art, All-Digital Dental Facility • Parents are Welcome in the Back with Their Children • Complete Dental Care in a Kid-friendly Environment

GENERAL DENTISTRY CLINIC FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS Mario Montañez, DDS • Eric Mediavilla, DDS Ron Montano, DDS • Janet Neel, DDS

391-2336

2436 S. ACADEMY BLVD. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO Email: academykidsdental@hotmail.com

Date

May 19 Friday vs. New Orleans Zephyrs (Top Affiliate of Washington Nationals)

May 20 Saturday vs. New Orleans Zephyrs (Top Affiliate of Washington Nationals)

May 21 Sunday vs. New Orleans Zephyrs (Top Affiliate of Washington Nationals)

Event

FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS

Gates Open

Game Time

6:00 p.m.

7:05 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:05 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:05 p.m.

Presented by Domino’s Pizza, South Colorado Springs Nissan, Adelphia & KKCS 104.5

KIDS REPLICA SKY SOX JERSEY GIVEAWAY (To First 1000 Kids 12 and Under)

Presented by US Forest Service, FOX 21/UPN57 & 98.9 MAGIC FM

25¢ HOT DOGS!

Presented by American Family Insurance, Adelphia, 92.9 KSPZ & 98.1 KKFM TH

16 ANNUAL FT. CARSON APPRECIATION DAY! Presented by 3M, USAA & TriWest HealthCare Alliance

SOX KIDS CLUB SUNDAY WITH SPECIAL KIDS Presented by Old Chicago, The Gazette & Coloradokids.com

FOR TICKETS: Call 719-591-SOXX (7699) or www.skysox.com Friday, May 19, 2006

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 63

DECORATING?

REMODELING?

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 64

THE GAZETTE

Friday, May 19, 2006