Magic Town

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Photo of Magic Town - Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Photo of Magic Town – Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Photo of Magic Town - Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Photo of Magic Town – Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Photo of Magic Town - Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Photo of Magic Town – Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Photo of Magic Town - Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Photo of Magic Town – Colorado Springs, CO, United States

***** (5 stars)

Simply amazing. Not only did Michael Garmin capture the people, animals, buildings, and interiors perfectly, but he also created stories you can discern simply from examining the details of each scene.

Many of the rooms incorporate Pepper's Ghost effects to change from one scene to another (hence the "magic") and carefully positioned mirrors extend alleys into the distance.

It would take hours to fully enjoy every detail, but even a brief visit is definitely worth the stop!.

Magic Town
2418 W Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80904

https://www.yelp.com/biz/magic-town-colorado-springs

Bearclaw Bakery and Cafe

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Exterior
Exterior

***** (5 stars)

Bear Claw bakery has wonderful pastries, just as you'd guess from the name. They also serve complete breakfasts, and were doing a bustling business the Monday morning I visited.

I got a huge almond croissant, a big slab of sour cream pecan coffee cake, and coffee, all to go. Everything was wonderful. Next time I go I will definitely try more of their pastries, because I don't care how good the scrambled eggs might be, there's nothing like super fresh quality pastry!

Bearclaw Bakery and Cafe
228 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte
Taos, NM 87571

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bearclaw-bakery-and-cafe-taos-2

Bishop’s Castle

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Photo of Bishop's Castle - Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle - Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle - Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle - Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle - Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle - Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle - Rye, CO, United States
Photo of Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO, United States

**** (4 stars)

Definitely Colorado's most unique and insane roadside attraction. The fruit of one very — shall we say, Individual — person's work, this massive structure is at once breathtaking, beautiful, crazy, and dangerous as all get out. Worth the detour.

Bishop’s Castle
12705 State Hwy 165
Rye, CO 81069

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bishops-castle-rye-2

El Monte Sagrado

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Bar
Bar
Japan room master bath
Japan room master bath
Japan room
Japan room

***** (5 stars)

This is a lovely resort with very nice accommodations scattered around a lushly landscaped campus. The bar is a very nice place for cocktails and live piano music.

The restaurant seems underutilized, and doesn't serve lunch, which is a bit odd.

The staff is very welcoming.

El Monte Sagrado
317 Kit Carson Rd
Taos, NM 87571

https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-monte-sagrado-taos-2

Medley

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Carnitas tacos
Carnitas tacos
Tuna tartare tostada
Tuna tartare tostada
Lamb chops
Lamb chops
I highly recommend the Pistolet!
I highly recommend the Pistolet!
Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Interior

**** (4 stars)

This place offers wonderful small plates and excellent cocktails. The pistolet was a highlight, as were the Moroccan lamb chops.

The wine list is beyond eclectic, which is odd since the restaurant is attached to a wine shop with plenty of more interesting offerings.

Service was efficient. The smaller rooms can get loud if there is a noisy group.

Medley
100 State Rd 150
El Prado, NM 87529

https://www.yelp.com/biz/medley-el-prado

Arroyo Vino

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Interior
Interior
Chicken liver
Chicken liver
Faro spring salad
Faro spring salad
Halibut
Halibut
Chicken
Chicken

***** (5 stars)

We were tipped off to this great restaurant/wine shop by a sommelier at a restaurant in a different city. It was a great referral, as the food is superb.

The grilled artichoke made a nice starter, and the house-made chicken liver was wonderful. We also really enjoyed the spring salad.

The chicken had a great coating of Indian spices, and the halibut also offered a nice medley of flavors.

Of course, being attached to a wine shop, there are lots of nice selections on the wine list, although we would have liked to have been able to browse in the shop and then take a bottle into the restaurant. Wine prices aren't exactly bargains, but it is a ritzy part of Santa Fe.

Arroyo Vino
218 Camino La Tierra
Santa Fe, NM 87506

https://www.yelp.com/biz/arroyo-vino-santa-fe-3

The Pantry Rio

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Patio
Patio
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Breakfast Burrito
Breakfast Burrito
Breakfast Sandwich
Breakfast Sandwich

***** (5 stars)

This is a nice place right near the center of old Santa Fe, with quite a bit of patio seating, most of it well shaded by umbrellas.

We had the breakfast sandwich and the breakfast burrito. Both were good, and fairly similar, except that the sandwich was grilled and the burrito was covered in green chili sauce (which is optional, but was very good).

Service was friendly.

The Pantry Rio
229 Galisteo St
Santa Fe, NM 87501

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pantry-rio-santa-fe

The Turquoise Room

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Exterior
Exterior
Bar
Bar
Interior
Interior
Mexican Firing Squad and Turquoise Margarita
Mexican Firing Squad and Turquoise Margarita
Spare Smoked and Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Spare Smoked and Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Pork Carnitas
Pork Carnitas

***** (5 stars)

This was a real treat! Capturing all the ambiance of an old Fred Harvey Hotel, this place is definitely worth a stop on Route 66.

The food and cocktails were excellent, and the service was truly friendly. We shared pork carnitas, and smoked grilled ribs. Both were terrific.

The Mexican Firing Squad is a serious drink, and the Turquoise Margarita is a fun one.

After your meal, the parking lot is easy walking distance to the famous corner in Winslow Arizona for your photo op.

The Turquoise Room
303 E Second St
Winslow, AZ 86047

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-turquoise-room-winslow-2

Seared

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Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Interior
Lady finger appetizer special
Lady finger appetizer special
Rib Eye
Rib Eye
Salmon
Salmon

***** (5 stars)

Excellent food is topped by truly great service at this fine dining but not stuffy restaurant right off historic Route 66.

The real standout here was a special appetizer using ladyfingers(!), feta, apples, and bacon. It sounds weird but it was fantastic and unique.

Meals include a soup or salad. The gaspacho was nice and spicy, and the Caesar salad was classic, but with the dressing on the side. The salmon and ribeye were both very good.

The wine list is great, and really concentrates on the complex chewy reds that we love.

Our server's wine knowledge was truly impressive, and he offered us a ton of great tips for visiting the area.

Seared
119 San Pasquale Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87104

https://www.yelp.com/biz/seared-albuquerque