Springs Native

Life at 6,035 feet.

Postino Annex made me a repeat restaurant offender!

Postino Annex in Tempe, Ariz. was one of the best restaurant experiences I’ve ever had. The bruschetta was insanely good, there were $5 glasses of wine and pitchers of beer almost all day and the service was impeccable. Now here is the best part: Postino is opening a Denver location in LoHi this Spring. Be still, my beating heart.

503W creates trendy atmosphere with open kitchen concept

503W, one of the newer restaurants and craft bars in Colorado Springs, is creating a trendier, eclectic atmosphere with its open kitchen concept and asian inspired menu. I’ve been back more times than necessary since I first tried it this summer, and it’s a great place to grab some appetizers and catch up with friends. Try to go when the garage door is open and the weather is sunny.

Grab a donut at The Donut Mill on your way to ski country

The Donut Mill is a great early morning pitstop if you’re heading to the mountains to camp, ski or fish. The donuts are the size of your head and are made fresh daily. The Bacon Maple Fritter was is my favorite but they have a pretty large selection of regular donuts. The flavors aren’t crazy, but they still are tasty.

Radiantly Raw makes eating healthy fun

If you don’t like chocolate you’re crazy. And if you’re just finishing up your first month of your New Year’s Resolutions fear not – you can have your chocolate and eat healthy too! Radiantly Raw produces chocolates that are made with only ingredients that have some type of health benefit. They’re delicious and decadent and make me feel less guilty when I eat two treats instead of one. It’s healthy so it’s OK to have dessert twice, right?

Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt – because why eat ice cream?

Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt was the best meal I ate the entire time I was in Seattle last spring. Unfortunately, the only way to get a taste is at the Pike Place Market location or to order it online, but if you’re in Seattle or don’t mind paying a high price for shipping, order the Marionberry Pie flavor. It’s pure bliss.

Enthusiasm is key ingredient at Urban Steam

I attended Radiantly Raw’s online ordering launch party in early December at Urban Steam and was impressed with the venue’s great atmosphere, enthusiastic owner and surprisingly delicious cracker crust pizza. Urban Steam is a coffee/whiskey/brunch bar and it doesn’t disappoint. It has a HUGE whiskey list and a small food menu, but the real star, according to owner and customers alike, is the coffee.

An easy breakfast at Over Easy

Over Easy is one of the best spots in Colorado Springs for breakfast or brunch. Their food is fresh, ingredients local and menu items are creative. Typically there’s been two hour waits, but with a second location open at University Village, the wait times have cut down a bit. Even with an hour wait, it’s worth it!

El Rialto Restaurant & Lounge: Home to my Favorite Tacos!

El Rialto Restaurant in Las Vegas, New Mexico is home to some of the best tacos in New Mexico. Although I only get to visit about twice a year, I anticipate ordering the chicharrones tacos and a side of guacamole year round. The taco shells are fried in house as you order and the chicharrones are crunchy but still somehow melt in your mouth.

There’s a 100 percent chance you’ll love Fifty Fifty Coffee House

Fifty Fifty Coffee House is an eclectic coffee shop located downtown, off of Institute and Boulder Streets. This business really says LOCAL by using coffee roasted next door at Switchback Coffee Roasters and by serving locally made pastries such as lemon blueberry thyme poptarts. My favorite drink to order is their honey latte, which may be sweet, but still has a dark-roasted coffee taste.