Dining News

SUPPER BY STARLIGHT

Telluride Sleighs and Wagons offers a unique experience. Owner Ashley Story is a fifth-generation Tellurider whose forebears were shepherds that immigrated to the area from Spain’s Basque region. She begins the evening by regaling visitors with local lore on a horsedrawn wagon ride at her family’s historic Aldasoro Ranch and follows this up with dinner in a rustic tent where the menu features Colorado ingredients inspired by the American West and the family’s Basque history.

Ryan Bonneau

Melissa Plantz

HBD, COSMO

A quarter century ago when talented chef Chad Scothorn opened the Cosmopolitan restaurant in the Hotel Columbia, its surroundings were a little different. San Juan Avenue was a dirt road, the Gondola’s Station Telluride was under construction (as was the Gondola itself) and the adjacent ski resort ticket office occupied a trailer. A lot has changed since then, but not the enduring quality of the fare Scothorn and his team serve at this much-loved eatery. Over the years, they have won countless awards and rave reviews, all the while remaining a locals’ favorite with a legendary happy hour scene. And this year, Scothorn earned a new accolade when the Colorado tourism industry recognized him as a Top Frontline Tourism Worker for transforming his restaurant into “an innovative hub of dining flexibility and creativity” during the pandemic.

TASTY TACOS

Tacos in Telluride range from traditional to trendy, with the freshest ingredients and fresh thinking, too. Here are five of our faves.

KOREAN BBQ

Outside-the-box thinking with barbecue pork, kimchi + mango chutney.

Taco del Gnar

TEX-MEX

Enjoy the homemade tomatillo sauce, whether you go Tex-Mex with crunchy shells or stick with authentic soft tortillas.

Esperanza’s

AL PASTOR

Scrumptious classic best paired with a brew at this Telluride Brewing Co. spot.

Los Buenos Tacos

CARNE ASADA

Grilled, marinated skirt steak with caramelized onions + roasted poblano chiles on a locally made tortilla. Wow.

La Cocina de Luz

AVO TACOS

Perfectly ripened avocados make for a fresher-thanfresh treat.

Baked in Telluride

NEW COUNTER CULTURE

Counter Culture is a new restaurant in the Lawson Hill neighborhood and we’re excited. The team behind the eatery are Steve Hertzfeld, Taylor Landry and Grace Mayer, three pros highly regarded on the local dining scene. The trio, who also offer catering and private chef services, are dishing Counter Culture’s delish fare, which emphasizes fresh and regionally sourced, from the former Aemono space beside the Telluride Brewing Co. Much-loved Aemono closed its Lawson Hill location in April after 17 years with owners Mike Guskea and Sophia Kyriakakis looking forward to new adventures, including continuing the catering arm of Aemono.

Latitude Studio

CATCH THE GANJALA

Want a tasty, Telluride-born marijuana edible? Try a Ganjala, a chewy and tangy confection containing 10 mg of THC. They’re available at local dispensaries in six fruit flavors, and come in handy single servings that are perfect for your next elevated experience.

CASUAL FARE ELEVATED

Newbie Lunch Money is already a favorite. Located at 126 W. Colorado Ave. and the brainchild of locals Cynthia Sommers and Sheila Phinny, the lunchtime spot opened earlier this year and has become the go-to for quick, healthy takeaway offerings like salads, grain bowls, wraps, sandwiches and a la carte proteins, with both vegan and gluten-free options. Says Phinny, “Cynthia and I long wanted a quick, healthy lunch option in town and we finally just said to one another, ‘why don’t we do it?’ ” She adds that support from the dining community has been “lovely”. “The local love has been really incredible and exciting.”