Restaurant 1858

I recently visited friends in Colorado Springs, Colo., where The Broadmoor, a luxury resort, is a must-visit. In the past, I’ve stayed at the hotel, but on my most recent visit, I had lunch at 1858, located at Seven Falls.

Seven Falls is one of the area’s natural wonders, a series of waterfalls in a 1,250-foot-wall box canyon. Visitors can climb 224 steps to the hiking trails and banks of streams that feed the 181-foot waterfall drop or stay on lower ground and take in picturesque rock formations and stunning vistas. Seven Falls is the only waterfall in Colorado to earn a spot on National Geographic’s list of international waterfalls.

The Broadmoor built Restaurant 1858 at the banks of Seven Falls, serving lunch and dinner. The rustic setting — it felt Western to me, but also warm, like a ski lodge in winter — includes reclaimed wood and hand-hewn stone and complements the authentic Colorado cuisine on the menu, crafted by chef de cuisine Mario Viguie. The menus change with the seasons and feature ingredients from local providers.

Reservations are recommended, and make sure you allow yourself plenty of time. A shuttle is required from The Broadmoor and from the entrance to the base of the falls.

The menu was full of delicious options; we started with the 1858 BBQ Glazed, Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Shrimp — yum! I paired my meal with a local craft beer, while my friend opted for a signature lemonade mocktail. We ended up choosing the same entrée — the 1858 Chopped Salad, hers topped with shrimp and mine with chicken. The salad features romaine lettuce, avocado, grilled corn, cotija cheese, Anasazi beans, tomato, red onion and crispy tortilla with a choice of dressing.

We were both too full for dessert, so instead we ended our meal in another sweet way — with a view of the falls!

Restaurant 1858

6 Lake Ave.

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

tel 844 843 1858