Description: My wife and I visited the Roaring Fork on a recommendation from a friend who had visited the area in the spring. When he made the recommendation we were skeptical because he had mentioned the restaurant served "Cowboy Cuisine". Now I love a rustic meal but might wife and I wanted a romantic night out. Don't let the "Cowboy Cuisine" moniker fool you. This is an upscale chain (at the time we went there was one in Austin, TX also) with a unique flair you can't pass up.
Food: I am one to almost always ask the waiter what he recommends and what is most popular at the restaurant. He told me not to pass up the "Kettle of Green Chile Pork Stew with Buttered Tortillas" for appetizer and the follow that up with the "Cowboy Steak" which is a 22oz Char Grilled Bone-in Ribeye. He said if you can fit it you must try the "Green Chile Mac 'n' Cheese" as a side order. This gentleman was right on target with each recommendation. The pork stew was extremely tender with a bit of heat to it. The steak was lean, juicy and cooked to perfection (medium-rare). Finally, the mac 'n' cheese was delicious and I was lucky to get just a few bites in because my wife was gobbling each morsel up.
Decor: Like I said earlier don't let the "Cowboy Cuisine" scare you into thinking you are going into an "Outback Steakhouse". Granted, the decor was rustic with dark woods and steer horns on the walls, but it was the charm of the place that made it extremely pleasant. I wouldn't say this was the most romantic dinner I have ever had the pleasure of eating, but for a "Cowboy" joint I couldn't imagine it being any more classy.
Service: My waiter chose my entire dinner for me this evening and he did a stellar job with his recommendations. He was pleasant, outgoing and very helpful. I don't like a restaurant where the staff hangs on you, and at the Roaring Fork it was not like that at all. After we received each course our server would come over and see if everything was to our liking then we were able to enjoy our meal in peace.
If you are looking for a great meal in a unique place please do yourself a favor and go to the Roaring Fork. You will not regret your decision.
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