When the Hotel Polaris officially opens with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 14, it is bringing more than a new world-class hotel to the U.S. Air Force Academy. It is bringing six new restaurants to the north side of Colorado Springs that are worthy of a visit in and of themselves.
“We are thrilled to unveil the diverse culinary offerings at Hotel Polaris,” says Curtis Bova, general manager of the Hotel Polaris. “Each of our six experiences have been meticulously designed to offer something special for every guest, from the elevated Americana cuisine at Pamela’s to the breathtaking views and handcrafted cocktails at The Aviator. Our mission is to create unforgettable moments through exceptional food and drink, celebrating the vibrant spirit of region and the Academy.”
To achieve that goal, Executive Chef Ken Butler will be at the helm to oversee the hotel’s restaurants and culinary team. The native Coloradan brings a deep appreciation for fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a heritage of scratch-made cooking. Butler’s career has included experience crafting seasonal menus at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail and the Andaz Maui in Hawaii.
“My approach to food is simple — highlight the main component of the meal by using fresh, sustainable and local products,” Butler says. “Whether using a classic and traditional technique or a modern approach to a dish, my goal is to highlight and respect the ingredients in the best possible way.”
I recently took a preview of several of the Hotel Polaris restaurants with Chef Butler to sample some of the opening menus. While he says the team is still fine-tuning menus and finding its rhythm — as any new restaurant does — here is an early peek inside and an overview of the hotel’s culinary offerings.
The Aviator Rooftop Bar
We begin in the Aviator Rooftop Bar. It’s an absolutely gorgeous space perched atop Hotel Polaris. Midcentury modern leather and velvet furnishings draw inspiration from Academy architecture, with decor anchored by deep cadet blue tones and metallic gold accents. Add its constellation wall art, suspended fireplace and outdoor birdcage chairs, and the Aviator is chic, sexy and sure to be a hot spot. With walls of glass and an expansive patio, it’s a prime spot for sunset views whether you’re sitting inside or out. And when the Thunderbirds are flying for the Academy graduation or football games, this will be an unrivaled place for a closeup view.
“This venue is designed to be cocktail forward, so our major focus is on the drinks,” Chef Butler says. “We see the Aviator as a place to come up, have a cocktail, enjoy the sunset before your reservation down at Pamela’s. Or you have dinner down in Pamela’s and come up here for a cocktail to finish the evening.”
Whiskey lovers will be pleased to find more than a half dozen variations of old-fashioneds to choose from. But from our group’s menu samples, the signature Aging Aviator is a standout cocktail. Built with Aviation Gin (of course), Luxardo maraschino, crème de violette and lemon, it strikes a bright tone with a dry, balanced tartness. As the house version of an Aviation, it draws its name, like the entire bar, from the Class of 1964, one of the Air Force Academy’s most decorated and distinguished classes.
There is a long list of celestially named specialty cocktails, of which the Mercury in Retrograde is a unique beauty. Consisting of Stoli vanilla vodka, Chinola passionfruit liqueur and lime, it is served in a martini glass with a large bubble topping the glass like a planetary orb. When popped, it releases an ethereal vapor (not smoke), clearing the way to this bright variation of a pornstar martini.
The food menu ranges from deviled eggs (go with the roasted green chili option) and Colorado Beet Salad to a beef tenderloin carpaccio and charcuterie platter. The New England Lobster Roll provides a rich bite, served nicely in an oblong bun. But my favorite was the Tuna Nachos. Fried wontons provide the base for cubed ahi tuna, cucumber, jalapeño, avocado and a drizzle of sambal aioli and ponzu. With a flourish of microgreens, the presentation is beautiful as well.
Doolies
Next on our mini-tour is Doolies, the Hotel Polaris’ lively soda shop. Filled with jet plane imagery, Doolies will be the spot for family fun. Its lower level houses the Hotel Polaris’ flight simulators, which are sure to draw a steady stream of wannabe sky jockeys. (I personally can’t wait to give the flight sims a try.) Doolies also offers an outdoor patio overlooking the Academy’s new Hosmer Visitor Center, and it will offer seasonal outdoor games. The connecting pedestrian bridge will make it a must-stop for those touring the visitor center.
The Doolies menu features some classic soda fountain fare like a good old-fashioned banana split and milkshakes, zero proof or boozy. Butler says there is a signature ice cream flavor on the way, thanks to a collab with Josh and John’s.
The food menu offers salads, sandwiches, nachos — and hot dogs. That’s the focus of our tasting, and these are not your average hot dog. These are impressively creative hot dogs. Using Hebrew National beef hot dogs, the Chili Cheese highlights Colorado green chili, and the Korean BBQ provides the zing of kimchi slaw and gochujang red chili paste. The Rocky Mountain uses an elk and jalapeño sausage topped with lingonberry chutney for a sweet and savory bite. And anyone curious about meat alternatives must try the Ricky. This vegetarian option uses a full-size carrot braised with maple thyme brown sugar glaze and topped with chipotle aioli.
Pamela’s
Our sampling tour leads us ultimately to Pamela’s on the lobby level of Hotel Polaris. This is the hotel’s upscale, fine dining restaurant showcasing contemporary American cuisine, and it adds a new date night, special occasion or anytime upscale brunch or dinner restaurant to north Colorado Springs. Pamela’s serves all day, with breakfast and brunch available until 3 p.m. The restaurant is named in honor of Jerry and Pam Bruni, philanthropic supporters of Hotel Polaris and he a 1970 graduate of the Air Force Academy.
The dining room is another gorgeous space in and of itself, with midcentury modern lines and light fixtures that double as works of art. The hotel’s unique Academy and mountain views are prominent here as well, thanks to those full-glass walls. And an expansive patio provides seasonal outdoor seating.
The dinner menu is meant to be approachable and familiar. It features a range of steak cuts, as well as salmon and Rocky Mountain trout. But its specialties are the Heritage Plates served psuedo family style with sides in mini saucepans.
Of our samples, all are excellent. The Eisenhower Strip Loin is tender and well-marbled. “This is a New York strip that Dwight D. Eisenhower liked,” Butler says. “It’s something that’s really true to Colorado, true to the Air Force Academy. It’s an excellent steak that we do Eisenhower style. We use a lot of peppercorns, a lot of different pepper and herbs. And there is a sauce with made of Worcestershire, lemon and butter.”
The green chili chimichurri makes the sharable Colorado Lamb Lollipops a standout. Pamela’s Signature Roasted Half Chicken is moist and well seasoned without being over salted. And the vegetarian Mushroom Risotto is a bowl of savory comfort. The sautéed spinach and broccolini sides are fresh and cooked to perfection.
Want to pair a cocktail with these hearty entrees? The Jack’s Valley Old-Fashioned stands up to the big proteins with its brown butter washed Buffalo Trace Bourbon and lemon brown butter syrup.
With the holidays approaching, it’s worth noting that Pamela’s will be open on Thanksgiving, serving a five-course traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Better make your reservations early.
More Restaurants at the Hotel Polaris
Beyond our tour, the Hotel Polaris offers three more restaurants and bars for guests and visitors. Here’s a rundown.
Thunderbird Bar
Located on the hotel’s lobby level, Thunderbird Bar pays tribute to the Cadet Squadron-27 Thunderbirds and the Academy class of 1987. Its cocktail flights and handcrafted libations are named in their honor.
True to form, the chic Thunderbird Bar is a beautiful space. And this is a perfect place to grab a cocktail to enjoy in a variety of seating areas. You might watch a game on the massive TV screen in a living room type nook. Or sit on a curving sofa beside the towering marble fireplace. Then again, you might be drawn to a relaxing seat where you can savor those westward mountain views.
Backyard Bites
Overlooking the pool and adjacent to the expansive Flat Iron Plaza, Backyard Bites offers seasonal snacks and refreshing drinks. This casual dining option includes a walkup window allowing guests to grab refreshments to enjoy by the plaza and pool. Outdoor fireplaces and sweeping views of the Academy and Front Range will make this a prime spot in warm weather.
Grab-and-Go Cafe
No hotel is complete without a spot for snacks on the go. Located in the Hotel Polaris lobby, this cafe offers coffee, teas, cold drinks and handheld snacks to keep guests energized throughout the day.
You can read more about the hotel overall in our Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy Is Opening Soon. And you can make your hotel and dining reservations at thehotelpolaris.com.
