Buffalo Smokehouse: If ever there was a reason to go off the interstate to eat locally, the Buffalo Smokehouse in Trinidad is it. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., it serves up some of the best pit-smoked ribs ever. Served in the best ‘cue tradition with pinto beans, potato salad, jalapeños, onion slices and bread, the generous rib plate is a bargain at $8.95. Same for brisket, chicken, pulled pork, hot links and sandwiches, all under $7. Finish up with sweet potato pie or homemade brownies, if you have room – or take it on the road for later. It’s worth a five-hour drive to chow down there. |600 E. Main St., Trinidad, 719-846-8613 |Ellen Sweets
Chimney Park Bistro: Pure flavors of lean bison, green olive oil, aged cheese and seasonal herbs shine in the seared Spomer Ranch bison carpaccio appetizer at this Windsor restaurant. “All our bison comes from Milliken, to the south of here,” says chef de cuisine Evey Post. She marinates the bison in garlic and fresh herbs (thyme, Italian parsely, rosemary, whatever’s in season), and sears the edges to caramelize. Generous shavings of Grana Padano (Parmiggiano-Reggiano’s cousin) and potatoes gaufrettes (fancy waffle fries) finish the dish. Post created our other favorite dish at Chimney Park: the exquisite artichoke-mozzarella-stuffed Japanese eggplant with creamy preserved-lemon basil pesto.|406 Main St., Windsor, 970-686-1477|Kristen Browning-Blas
Adagio Baking Co.: Cakes, pastries and fresh bread make up the bulk of Adagio Baking Co.
‘s offerings, but it’s their cookies that set them apart. The best one in the case is the
crunchy-soft, spicy-sweet snickerdoodle, buttery and cinnamony and big enough to split with a
friend. (But get your own anyway.) Other cookies include oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and cherry
pistachio. Grab one for $1.15 or pick up a dozen for 12 bucks and make your co-workers really
happy. | 4628 E. 23rd Ave., 303-388-0904 | Tucker Shaw
