Best romantic restaurant — The Gazette's Best of 2009
Café 36
Indulge in Chef Ben Hoffer's upscale, guest-paced menu while enjoying patio seating with breathtaking views of Monument Valley Park and Pikes Peak.
Tapas 'n Jazz in the Deco Lounge
Thursday - Saturday • 6 - 9 p.m.
Meet for a pre-theatre or dinner drink and conversation, or post-exhibit viewing discussion. Thursdays are wine tasting nights, Fridays feature performances from jazz artists, and Saturdays are half-price bottle nights.
The tapas menu offers popular dishes such as Roasted Garlic Hummus, Harvest Vegetable Salad, Red Wine & Garlic Beef, Pepper Seared Ahi Tuna and Yucatan Tiger Shrimp Cocktail. Deco Lounge also offers a full bar, extensive, updated wine list, coffee and soft drinks. For reservations, call 719.477.4377.
Friday Night Live Music
July 3: Barbara Ernst Duo
July 10: Julio and Me
July 17: Brenda Miles Duo
July 24: Carla Starkie
July 31: Jim Adam Solo
Best "Reclamation of a Good View"
by the Colorado Springs Independent (10.16.08)
"When Café 36 first opened last year, I couldn't help but cheer. An exceptional building and pristine views waited for the perfect food match. Alas, it wasn't to be. Dull menu items and bland dishes left a bad taste in my mouth and eventually closed the café for a short stint. But thanks to new overseer Garden of the Gods Gourmet, the sky is a little bluer, trees a little greener and the food a whole lot more exciting. Rising to the level of art, lunch is now worth talking about — and definitely worth eating."
Gazette Review:
“New Café 36 menu at museum shines with fantastic dishes, flair … (it is) full of fresh, delicious food presented with the visual flair befitting an art museum … order the three-course, $20 prix fixe and you get a tremendous value." Read the full review here
Independent Review:
“With Café 36 being an art gallery eatery, I all along expected to see culinary creations worth talking about … I wasn’t disappointed. You’ll get the feeling that the people in the kitchen are sweating their hounds-tooth pants off for you. The passion comes through." Read the full review here
Café 36 was named for the restaurant’s unique and historic setting; the Fine Arts Center was built in 1936 and is listed on the National Registry for Historic Places.
