Eats in Steamboat Springs Colorado

We've been in residence in Jensen, Utah for a few months as Melanie works at Dinosaur National Monument as a Season Interpretive Ranger. She has Tuesdays and Wednesdays off each week.

We haven't left the monument much, taking a few days to spend in Grand Junction and then a few days here and there to do a day trip nearby.

As we left the monument after Melanie's shift on Monday afternoon, the temperature in Jensen was 103 degrees Fahrenheit. An exquisite dry heat.

As luck would have it, Steamboat Springs, Colorado is 150 miles east of us. Mercifully, that placed the cab of Miranda in the shade traveling towards the Rockies. 

By the time we arrived in Steamboat, the temperature was in the low 80's and after checking in at the local KOA, we arrived at our dinner spot in downtown Steamboat and enjoyed our dinner outside in the mid 70's.

From Monday evening on, we enjoyed nighttime temps in the 50's and daytime temps in the low 80's. A nice respite from the heat for your full time travelers.

Brass Kitchen & Bar

Brass Kitchen & Bar was nice start to our few days in Steamboat. In summer, the restaurant has roll up doors that open out to Yampa street where there are a number of tables situated under trees and not too far away is the Yampa River Core Trail that follows the Yampa River for miles.

A cold beer was nice after our drive over from Jensen, Utah. Melanie had a White Sangria to start our dinner experience.

I chose the Smoked Trout & Chopped Kale Salad, Melanie had Pan Seared Rocky Mountain Trout. Brass Kitchen is a solid dinner choice.

Bésame

Bésame

​Sitting here remembering dinner at Bésame, I'm wishing for the words a great restaurant critic would use to describe a truly great dining experience. Alas, I'm not that person.

Maybe it's the lack of good dining choices recently for us living in Jensen, Utah, but no, the food and dining experience at Bésame is truly remarkable.

When planning our Steamboat trip I used my tried and true Google method for finding dining experiences of searching the city name and James Beard. I found out that the chefs at Bésame, Hannah Hopkins and Joe Campbell, were invited to cook at the James Beard House in New York City. After seeing what they prepared for that meal, that was recommendation enough for me.

Bésame offers both Tapas and a nice selection of entrées. 

Melanie ordered three of the Tapas, starting with the Aji Amarillo Ceviche, followed by Smoked Shishitos, and Octopus a la Brasa (I don't expect to taste Octopus as good as this, maybe ever again). I ordered the Quesobirria Tacos (short rib of beef, queso asadero, achiote tortilla, jalapeno, onion, cilantro, bone broth, salsa de arbol, salsa verde, black beans). We finished the Tacos last night for dinner after we arrived back in Jensen.

Service, ambiance and amazing food

Octopus a la Brasa

Sunpies Bistro and Bar

Sometimes a lunch spot becomes not so much about the food, but the local beers and, well, the locals. That was our experience at Sunpies. 

We sat at the outside bar, open during the summer months, and had a delightful time meeting a couple of long-standing locals, chatting with the barkeeps, one who'd recently seen our buddies, Mountain Grass Unit, in Telluride and ate and drank in blissful touristy fashion.

A hole-in-the wall place where the locals go to catch up.

Winona's

​It was breakfast on our last day in Steamboat and before heading out to the hot springs. I ordered what I usually order in a place like Winona's when I'm unsure what the quality of the food will be like, a Denver Omelette. Melanie ordered their Waffle special topped with strawberries and Palisade Peaches. If you've not eaten a Palisade Peach, you're missing out. 

Winona's is a solid breakfast spot and it will be forever the place where the UPS driver trainee tried to remove Miranda's side mirror as we approached the van after our breakfast.  Still. Recommended.