Great Restaurant Suggestions in Breckenride & Winterpark, Colorado (2/07)
Great Restaurant Suggestions in Breckenride & Winterpark, Colorado (2/07)
Written by Kelly Doherty & Todd Elliot
Colorado Restaurants
Hearthstone Restaurant (Breckenridge):
This restaurant is two blocks from main street in Breckenridge. This romantic, Victorian setting is very cozy and intimate. You are in for a treat as general manager, Peter Bakken and his staff/ servers will take great care of you. Start with one of their specialty drinks like their French Martini which is Vodka and Chambord. Or try a glass of wine from their extensive, impressive wine list that "Wine Spector" has raved about. The menu is divine and created by Executive Chef Michael Halpin. With many great appetizers to choose from we had the sweet potato gnocci with sage creme. It was very tasty. We also had the delicious and beautifully presented crab cakes and the deep fried panko crusted lobster with a soy reduction and spice glaze. For the main course there was quite a variety from which to choose. Their signature dish is their Black Berry Elk. They also have prime rib, New York and Filet Steaks, Colorado Lamb, Muscovy Duck, crab trout, sea scallops, Alaskan black cod, garlic tofu and Israeli cous cous. We ended up with the special sea bass cooked to perfection with mashed potatoes and veggies. We also had the Spicy grilled Ahi Tuna seared with a rice croquette and seaweed salad. You really can’t go wrong here. Finish with the Huckleberry bread pudding, Banana gelato or one of their chocolate specialties before you limp out fully satisfied. For more info go to www.hearthstonerestaurant.biz For reservations call
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (Breckenridge):
If you are in the mood for a more casual, fun dinning experience head to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company located right on Main Street in Breckenridge. This shrimp fiend restaurant has been expanding all over since first opening in 1996. It was made famous by the movie "Forrest Gump" which was made 1995. The Breckenridge establishment was the 5th one to open and has remained popular on Main Street since 1998. The menu is quite diverse and has more to offer than just shrimp. There are a variety of appetizers from fried calamari, hush puppies and our personal favorite "the shrimper’s net catch" which is peel and eat shrimp steamed in beer with a garlic finger lickin’ sauce or Cajun spiced flavor. There is also an assortment of soups, salads and sandwiches besides many dinner entrees such as Dixie style baby back ribs, Mama’s southern fried chicken, steak New Orleans and the rib eye cut. The shrimp selections consist of shrimp pasta, fried shrimp, stuffed shrimp with crab, dippin’ broth shrimp and the two selections we had: 1. the delicious bourbon street mahi mahi with shrimp and 2. our personal favorite, Shrimp New Orleans served over jasmine rice with the most incredible butter garlic sauce and scallions. The last dish is not to miss! For dessert don’t forget Mama’s cinnamon bread pudding, Jenny’s strawberry dream, key lime pie , the unbelievable chocolate chip cookie sundae or the Sparkling Apple Cobbler-their signature dessert. You will be checked on regularly especially when you flip the red sign saying "stop Forest". Your server will also test you with Forrest Gump trivia. This great chain keeps growing as they approach 30 restaurants all over the country and even internationally. For more info go to www.bubbagump.com or call
Fontenot’s (Winterpark):
Fontenot’s is located on Main Street in the Kings Cross Shopping Center in Winter Park. This fresh seafood and grill restaurant is an authentic New Orlean’s style spot. To find a specialty restaurant so far from New Orleans is a rare treat. From gumbo to craw fish ettoufee this place runs the gamete. Their menu includes such delicious appetizers as shrimp dim sum, fresh crab and craw fish cakes and the Cajun favorite, fried okra. Some other entrees include Bourbon street catfish, grilled Ahi tuna, rich and tender scallops and blackened gulf shrimp. Hopefully you have saved room for one of their delicious, daily-created desserts made on the premises. Some of their specialties include key lime pie, chocolate ecstasy cake with a raspberry sauce or our favorite, their southern bread pudding with a Myers Rum sauce. The menu is extensive and the service is down home friendly. This is a place to splurge! Open for lunch, Fotenot’s serves an assortment of soups, salads and Po’Boys. Executive Chef, Chris Moore prides himself in his creative, delicious dishes. Don’t miss this place on your next stop to Winter Park. For more information go to www.Fontenotswp.com or call