Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Turkey Turkey!


Happy Thanksgiving!


The "Boat"


My wet body shivered in the cold night air. I reached for my towel in order to provide some warmth. Franticly searching for my warm layers of clothing, I was experiencing both pain and pleasure. After soaking in the Strawberry Park Hot Springs for about an hour and half, it was time to get out.

This past weekend, I had the luxury of driving a mere 3.5 hours to beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colorado to visit the springs, dine, and enjoying some bluegrass stomping music. While, we intended the basis of the trip to be the springs we also had seen so much more "The Boat" had to offer (including the FM Sons signs that drove with us the last ten miles into town...quite literally I might add).

After soaking in the springs, we wrapped things up and headed for Cafe Diva. Opening in 1998, Cafe Diva manages to offer upscale fine dining yet still maintain that warm and relaxed Steamboat vibe. The decor is sleek and modern but still has a mountain look about it with plenty of wood and earth tones. Cafe Diva's wine selection is way above average, and they have a special wine vault where they keep their ever-expanding roster of vintages. Our meal included, lobster tomato bisque, curried diver scallops with pumpkin spaetzle and whiskey sage cream, stuffed acorn squash with truffle pecornio, and elk tenderloin with veal demi-glace.

After a most enjoyable meal, we decided to hang with the locals at the Tugboat. The oak floors and rough barn-wood walls cloaked with game and fishing trophies, sports memorabilia, and celebrity photographs are the trademark of this foot-of-the-slopes establishment(The hand-carved cherrywood bar, circa 1850, came from the Log Cabin Saloon in Baggs, Wyoming, a Butch Cassidy hangout; look for the bullet hole in one of the columns).


Just shy of ski season, Steamboat without all the skiers was quite nice not to mention the intoxicating hot springs, fine dinning, and music.

Next time you near...make sure to stop!