In Northwest Colorado Springs, just northwest of I-25 and Woodmen, yellow fields sway, undulate, then escalate to transform into the Rockies. The Platt River (more a creek) navigates the crevices creating ideal obstacles for bounding deer. This beautiful area, known as Woodmen Valley, values big acreage and raw wilderness.

Those familiar with the area might be shaking heads in disbelief. See, the intersection of I-25 and Woodmen Road to which I refer above is an unfortunate result of the 90's development boom: a TGI Friday's nearly overlaps the nearby Hooters, both of which crowd the entrance of an Embassy Suites Hotel. But navigate your way behind the wearisome restaurant chains—it's worth it.

There, on a 4-acre lot of Colorado backwoods, lays The Margarita at Pinecreek restaurant—one of Colorado Springs' finest eateries. The kitchen is renowned, especially for brunch where a reviewer from The Gazette even asserted that "breakfast could cost $100 and I'd still pay it." Fortunately, prices are reasonable averaging between $10 - 15.

All meals utilize only fresh ingredients, which means the menu changes often, almost weekly, to keep up with the season's latest. The choices change often enough that the restaurant only recently started using paper menus, but exclusively for dinner. Otherwise, be patient, the waiter will verbally recount the daily specials.

And they are special! It doesn't seem one can go wrong with any option thanks to the fresh taste of the food—a distinct flavor that seems so rare at restaurants now days. Even The Margarita's margaritas are made from freshly squeezed juices, rather than the standard manufactured sweet 'n' sour.

But perhaps even more remarkable is the ambiance here. White stucco walls form nooks and crannies to host intimate corners for tables and booths. Expansive patios stretch outside under hanging lanterns and reaching pine trees. And the view is breath taking. This is where you'll find those swaying fields and creeping creeks. All that to a backdrop of Pikes Peak and the rolling Rockies.

The Margarita welcomes live music on Saturdays, while Thursdays, outside on the patio, are movie-and-dinner night (summer only, of course). The restaurant grounds also host an art and farmers' market on Saturday mornings, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., during the summer.

The Margarita at Pinecreek
[where: 7350 Pine Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO]
719-598-8667