There are so many great perks of living in Colorado Springs: the mountains, the trails, the natural beauty, the low taxes, the four-ish seasons, all that sunshine. Add to the list the Colorado Appreciation menus at the Broadmoor restaurants.
This is the time of year when the Broadmoor resort offers its lowest rates on lodging and dining to Colorado residents through February (except Valentine’s Day weekend). The bonus for Springs residents is the hometown access to the special three-course prix fixe menus at three of the Broadmoor restaurants: the Golden Bee, Ristorante del Lago and La Taverne. The culinary offerings include the choice of one appetizer, one entrée and one dessert, and all of the dishes represent each restaurant’s inspiration and ethos.
“The Colorado Appreciation menus highlight the best-selling dishes in each restaurant and new and creative dishes for our guests to experience,” says Tia Allen, executive sous chef of restaurants at the Broadmoor. “We strive to ensure the courses complement each other in flavor, texture and portion size. We focus significantly on the balance and flow of the menu as well as the presentation of each course.”
The prices are well balanced too, with per person costs of $49 at the Golden Bee, $59 at Ristorante del Lago and $69 at La Taverne. If you’ve been waiting for a special occasion or thinking the Broadmoor is too pricey, this is your chance to experience the resort’s excellent dining and impeccable service. It’s an excellent deal in these days of rising restaurant costs, even if you choose to add from the signature cocktail menu or extensive wine selections. (Our tip: When at Spencer Penrose’s house, go with the Spencer’s Manhattan.)
Chef Picks
All the Colorado Appreciation menus aim to showcase locally sourced ingredients and regional flavors, Chef Allen tells us, including Colorado Red Bird chicken, assorted mushrooms grown in Fort Collins and Gold Canyon premium lamb. “Many of the items on these menus are inspired by the great outdoors with some rustic preparations, including the Golden Bee’s Shepherd’s Pie and Ristorante del Lago’s crispy Chicken Milanese,” she says. “Our chefs at the Broadmoor pride themselves on being flexible with seasonal ingredients and creative with product availability.”
We asked Chef Allen for her recommendations and favorites on the Colorado Appreciation menus at all the Broadmoor restaurants before heading to La Taverne to sample for ourselves. She called out several classic dishes, including the Dungeness Crab Bisque at La Taverne, the Golden Bee’s Winter Citrus Butter Broiled Salmon and the tiramisu at Ristorante Del Lago.
“The Dungeness Crab Bisque is light and creamy with a distinct zing and a sherry wine reduction,” she says. “And the tiramisu highlights layers of rich whipped mascarpone, espresso-soaked lady fingers and a copious amount of cocoa powder.”
But there are some new items on the Colorado Appreciation menus that Allen recommends as well, including the Crispy Chicken Milanese at Ristorante Del Lago and the Golden Bee’s pumpkin latte tart made by the Broadmoor’s pastry team. At La Taverne she recommends the House-Made Peppered Bacon.
“This bacon is prepared from scratch at the Broadmoor and seasoned, cured and smoked at the hotel,” Allen says. And it is no ordinary bacon we find out. It’s a bacon lover’s dream. The thick, mouth-melting cut of pork is much closer to an entree than the typical breakfast side.
We also follow Allen’s lead and order the Dungeness Crab Bisque, another excellent appetizer. It’s creamy but light, balanced nicely by the rich lump crab. For entrees, we choose the Colorado Chicken Breast a la Meunière and Vegetarian Mushroom Bolognese. Both are a delight for mushroom lovers, which we are. The chicken is perfectly tender and juicy, but it’s the blend of roasted Colorado mushrooms, braised winter greens, broiled new potatoes and butter lemon sauce with capers that makes the dish sing.
Steak lovers will never be disappointed at Broadmoor restaurants, especially with multiple cuts of the resort’s exclusive Eagles Nest Ranch Wagyu beef. And as the hotel’s historic fine dining flagship with a rustic French vibe, La Taverne is known for its steaks and seafood. The Colorado Appreciation menu here also includes Steak and Frites, featuring a certified Angus hanger steak with hand-cut duck fat pomme frites
We close out our meal by sharing both of the dessert options. The Crémeux à la Vanille is fresh, light, gluten-free and delicious. But it’s hard to beat chocolate, and the Chocolate Royal is exceptional. With layers of chocolate cake and caramel crémeux topped with dulcey (aka blond chocolate) mousse, this sweet finish is decadent without feeling heavy.
Overall, it’s an excellent dining experience, and with prices like these we might have to try all three of the Colorado Appreciation restaurants. We’ll gladly chalk it up as another great perk of life in the Springs.
Make It an Overnight Stay at the Broadmoor
The Colorado Appreciation package is also a great way to enjoy the full Broadmoor experience with an overnight getaway. Rates for select weekday stays (Sunday through Thursday night) are as low as $298, with select weekend rates starting at $318 for two. The package includes complimentary golf greens fees and complimentary outdoor tennis and pickleball court time. And there are discounted suites if you’re looking to upgrade. Yes, you do have be a Colorado resident, and the appreciation rates are available through February.
Valentine’s Day at the Broadmoor
If you’re looking for five-star romance with your valentine, the Romantic Winter Getaway package is available for the holiday weekend. Starting at $570 for two, the package includes a $200 dinner credit and sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries at turndown.
Hotel guests and club members can also enjoy several complimentary activities this Valentine’s Day:
Valentine’s Day Parm & Prosecco
On Feb. 14, this curated event at Bar del Lago features the finest Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses paired perfectly with elegant sparkling rosé.
Cupids Wine & Spirits Class
Explore the art of pairing wines and craft cocktails in a romantic and intimate setting on Feb. 14.
Complimentary Valentine’s Weekend Bowling
Hotel guests can reserve their lane at Play on Feb. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy some friendly competition with your sweetheart and a complimentary signature cocktail, the Play Sparkler. Reservations are required.
More Top Colorado Springs Restaurants
Ristorante del Lago ranks on both our Best Restaurants in Colorado Springs and our favorite Romantic Restaurants for Date Night lists. If you can’t get a reservation at the Broadmoor’s lakeside gem, you’ll find plenty of other top picks in those articles.
