Western Slope restaurants offer food as fine as the wine

By the Thirst Team

As fall weather ripens fruit and turns the Colorado hillsides a golden hue, visitors make their way to the Western Slope for some R&R.

While there, one cannot live on wine alone! Nourishing meals should be part of the itinerary. We’ve put together a few ideas to wow the taste buds that range from take-and-go to enjoying meals prepared by top-notch chefs.

nido

nido takes a serious approach to fun Mexican cuisine by pushing the boundaries with a variety of influences. Chef Ed Vaughn uses mostly organic and local ingredients in his menu, which features his famed street tacos and wonderful takes on carnitas and tamales. After opening in 2019, Vaughn weathered the pandemic storm to survive and then thrive in the small town of Paonia in the North Fork Valley. The restaurant is known as small but mighty. Vaughn says the menu has a “southern influence with a Mexican flair.” Stop by the hot sauce station to test some of the dozen choices to enhance the bubblegum plum carnitas or the papas del fuego.

Péche.

With deep roots in classical and contemporary cuisine, the owners at Pêche reserve the right to alter the menu based on availability of fresh ingredients. Don’t be alarmed. The menu always remains small and varied and popular among those living and visiting Palisade and other parts of the Western Slope. Chef Matthew Chasseur has trained across the world and brings a great experience to those in search of a fine meal. Ashley Fees Chasseur serves as general manager. She fell in love with the restaurant scene and her future husband while working in Chicago. The couple has definitely nudged the dining scene forward in downtown Palisade since opening in 2019.

Fidel’s

Known for its tasty tacos and margs, Fidel’s has become the gathering spot of locals and tourists because it’s a fun place to kick back in Palisade.

Colorado faves such as rellenos, posole and huevos rancheros are available, but the tacos are hard to beat. The Oaxacan and the Bomb Ass Fish Tacos are popular for good reason. Packing a nice variety of tequilas, creative cocktails abound but don’t miss the spicy cucumber margarita. It has a kick but the flavor is wonderful. Owners Jody Corey and Jeff Snook prepare quality food with a great chef and provide a fun atmosphere as well. They also run the Spoke & Vine Motel just a few blocks away.

Mesa Winds Farm and Winery

Mesa Winds is another example of a fine dining experience that will surprise those who are visiting the small town of Hotchkiss at the base of the West Elk Mountains. As the recreation scene continues to expand across the Western Slope, so do the food and libation options. Mesa Winds brings both, as well as farming to back it up. As the name acknowledges, 36 acres also are organically farmed at the destination, which includes grapes, apples and peaches. Using fruits and vegetables in season, the Mesa Winds menu will change to bring out the best tastes. The small menu often features salmon and pork, and one can stop in for some grab-and-go options before heading into the backcountry.

This article is in the September-October issue of our print magazine. Click here to read the full magazine online.