The Penrose Room At The Broadmoor

The Penrose at The Broadmoor, Colorado's only Five Star, Five Diamond dining experience, has welcomed a new chef, Greg Vassos. Vassos has done a 180 on the menu, both in presentation and technique. Before moving to The Broadmoor, he was chef / owner of Racine restaurant in Pennsylvania, which won rave reviews. He has also worked alongside a number on nationally renowned chefs, including Chefs Eric Ripert and Dean Max. His career later blossomed at the five-diamond restaurant L�Escalier at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, known for true haute cuisine. At the Penrose Room, he beautifully blends simplicity with complexity and pays great respect to local, farm-fresh ingredients. On my recent stayaction at The Broadmoor, I had the pleasure of tasting and seeing these new changes for myself. Once the hostess offered me a plush pillow for my back and pashmina shawl to keep warm, I knew I was in for a treat. I enjoyed every bite of the Chef's Tasting Menu, a seven course meal paired with wine hand-picked by their sommelier. Each course was exciting and innovating. It was an food experience like no other. Just like wine, the food invoked different tastes from start to finish. The Yellowfin Tuna Tartare (pictured) with carrot ginger meringue, ponzu, yuzu pickled beech mushrooms started off the meal. Next came the Vegetable Garden Landscape which not only tasted absolutely amazing but literally looked like a garden with vegetables growing in soil. The rest of the courses were equally interesting and enjoyable. I caught myself wondering what was the next course...... how could it get better than this one. And to my surprise, Vassos kept bringing out refreshing and delicious courses. Typically, when my husband and I dine, we quickly answer the courtesy question "how is your food" with a simple "good" and move on to other topics of conversations such as work, kids...... you know, life. This dinner was different. We talk about food and wine the entire time. We couldn't help ourselves. We asked questions to our waiter and sommelier. We had to know more! In addition to the white-glove service and fit-for-a-king menu, The Penrose Room offers up gorgeous mountain views and a live band with a dance floor ready for when you get the urge for a slow dance.