Notchtop Bakery and Cafe

Notchtop Bakery and Cafe

Notchtop Bakery and Cafe

459 E Wonderview Ave

Estes Park, CO 80517

970.586.0272

Breakfast is unquestionably my favorite meal to eat in a restaurant. In my book, it is the quintessential definition of comfort food. Breakfast is a lovely culmination of all of the most delicious foods that I remember from the most loving parts of my life. Because my husband shares my love of breakfast dining, we have been been searching for an outstanding breakfast in Estes Park since he first arrived in the area as part of the team in charge of opening one of the many highways  partially obliterated by recent floods. Since working on the project, my husband has had few opportunities when he can emerge from the Big Thompson Canyon with a bit of time to eat. We try to enjoy the bits of time we have together in whatever ways we can, which, of course, includes enjoying breakfast together on those occasions he can get away for a short time in the morning. 

We've tried local recommendations and a couple of tourist places, and some places off the beaten path, but what we found was a lot of overpriced, unimaginative fare that caters to tourist families who don't have time to care. We had not really found what we were looking for: really fresh food, classic recipes done with a tasty twist, and, of course, food made with love in that way that breakfast fare particularly enjoys, until we found Notchtop Bakery, a cafe with an extensive, imaginative menu, great local service and delicious, from-scratch food that someone clearly takes pride in. 

I was turned on to Notchtop when I encountered a woman and her son who had been displaced by the floods and were living in the same hotel where my husband and I were staying. She had recently taken a waitressing job at the restaurant, but she had been working to open a yoga studio in Estes Park when the floods hit. She and her son had been staying in the hotel since. Over a cup of bad hotel coffee, she told me her story, and also recommended Notchtop. Once we tried it, we were happy we took her recommendation!

All of the baked goods are fresh and made in-house daily by owner Naliya, who clearly takes enormous pride in the freshness of her food, and obviously loves what she does. Notchtop has become our go-to breakfast place and we have enjoyed exploring and sampling the 3 page breakfast menu and even venturing into the impressive lunch menu once in a while. The variety of Benedicts alone could keep a chef busy, but when you consider the fact that the English muffins are baked from scratch, as well as the croissant for the California Benedict, along with all of the breads for the toast (the rye bread was marbled and outstanding and is also used for their Reuben),and that the biscuits, muffins, cinnamon rolls, pies and cakes are all made from scratch, you begin to get the scope of what this restaurant produces every day.

Well-made Benedicts are always a personal favorite, and Notchtop offers a creative variety that is sure to please any palate. The menu, overall, is as extensive as it is inventive, with unique offerings such as Cinnamon Roll French Toast, The Day After Thanksgiving Sandwich, Chicken Lips (chicken tenders with buttermilk ranch), Coconut Pineapple Oatmeal, House made granola, Caveman Hash, and one of my absolute favorites, a Bacon Cooked Waffle, an amazingly delicious waffle with strips of crispy bacon crumbled right into the batter (something that so inspired me, I actually dragged out my dusty waffle iron to try it myself at home!). They also serve stand by favorites such as Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs, Biscuits and Gravy (house made, of course) and Blueberry Pancakes. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available as well.

Notchtop Bakery has definitely become one of our favorite places for breakfast in Estes. The excellent service, scratch-made entrees and hand crafted coffee drinks (served in super-cool clear glass cups)  all  artfully combine for a sublime breakfast dining experience.

Coffee on the Rocks

A tranquil mountain setting

Coffee on the Rocks

510 Moraine Ave,
Estes Park, CO 80517

970.586.5181

Recently, I told my husband, as we were exploring coffee shops in the area to get some real work done, "I just want a coffee shop that has reliable WiFi, serves great coffee, real food--not just sweets and pastries--and where, if we stay long enough, we could get a glass of wine or a good, local beer. Really. Am I asking too much?" For a while, I was pretty sure that I was and that it was just too tall an order to fill. And then, when looking for a place to write in Estes Park, I found it! Coffee on the Rocks offers its patrons well-crafted coffee, local, hand blended teas and an array of savory sandwiches, wraps and even a beautifully executed gourmet cheese and meat platter. 

While gourmet offerings are well selected, one of the peak aspects  of the coffee shop is definitely the people. Many locals appreciate the good coffee, great views and friendly service and will stop by and chat for a few minutes before moving on to their respective business. These days, talk largely revolves around the recent devastating floods that have undeniably left their mark on this resilient community which, despite serious hardships brought about by the floods, proudly remains Mountain Strong.

One of the
local duck population

The tranquil, charming coffee shop lies nestled in the heart of the Rockies, right on the road to Rocky Mountain National Park, a perfect stop for fortification before a trek on Trail Ridge Road, which, at 11,500 ft. is the highest road in the United States. Before you brave the mountain, though, plan to stay and stroll a bit around the picturesque pond or settle into one of the several Adirondacks, to be greeted by the local, well-fed duck population. (Duck food is available in the coffee shop for a dollar-a small offering to keep both children and ducks happy!)

If you are looking for a place to get some work done, as I was, while visiting Estes Park, the back room is cozy and efficient, with plenty of work space and power outlets. Even the patio is equipped with power so you can soak up the abundant Colorado sunshine and enjoy the view while you work. On chilly days or cool mountain evenings, there is a fire pit which is also near the stone platform that provides a stage for local music performances.

Coffee on the Rocks

While the menu contains the usual coffee house fare of muffins, quick breads, bagels and donuts, they also offer many savory selections that satisfy far beyond a sweet-tooth. The muffins are house made, and the lemon poppyseed muffin came garnished with an intact lemon slice baked into the top, which provides both a lovely tang and the chewy texture of caramelized citrus and is also a great way to get the considerable health benefits of lemon peel. Donuts are provided by the local Donut Haus, which is a nearby neighbor, and savory, herbed focaccia sandwich bread is also house-made. The sandwich offerings are varied enough to satisfy a craving, even for a creative sandwich aficionado and it is a real treat to sit by the water, sipping an Oskar Blues, a 90 Shilling or some other excellent, local Colorado brew. 

Well executed
Cheese Tray

Perhaps the most unique culinary offering from this charismatic coffee shop, is the Gourmet Cheese Platter, which we enjoyed as a lovely light brunch before seeking a hiking trail in the park. The platter comes in two sizes. We chose the smaller so that we could also sample sandwiches, and the platter was both generous and well-executed. We chose 5 cheeses from a generic list. My preference would be to know specifically what cheese makers were presented, but the offerings were all adequate representations of their respective genres. The white cheddar had a decent tang and texture with a long finish. We found we especially enjoyed the brie with a bit of the reduced balsamic, a walnut half and a bit of dried cranberry. Elk salami is a nice regional touch and the prosciutto rosebud rolls offered a lovely presentation and lent a heartiness to the tray. Garnished with pickled onions and olives, the tray has an unexpected elegance that is perfectly juxtaposed with the hearty and rugged beauty of the mountain setting.

On the road to
Rocky Mountain National Park 

If you are a rock hound like I am, be sure to take your coffee and stroll across the parking lot to Dick's Rock Shop and Museum. An Estes Park staple for a generation, the shop has the same owner as Coffee on the Rocks and is one of the most extensive and enjoyable rock shops I have visited.

Be sure to add Coffee on the Rocks and the nearby rock shop to your list of Musts Visits next time you are fortunate enough to visit Estes Park. 

Penelope's

Penelope's 

229 W Elkhorn Ave
Estes Park, CO 80517
970.586.2277

If you are fortunate enough to be visiting Estes Park with a family or if you are eating on a budget, or just looking for a  decent, quick burger, Penelope's is a long-time favorite that continues to consistently deliver. Located on the West end of Elkhorn Ave, the restaurant is walk-up style with and has the feel of a diner that has been there for a long time. The decor draws upon the rugged past of the area and a nostalgic collection of memorabilia adorns the walls. The menu is off the grill and includes an array of sandwiches as well as a reasonable variety of burgers. Elk and Buffalo burgers are available for those who are interested in local wild game, and this is a great place to get a well dressed and tasty garden or turkey burger. The burgers are served on a brioche-like egg bun with just the right combination of soft and chewy, and is nicely toasted to receive the burger.

The elk meat is mild and delicious, though I found it a bit dry, as is bison when compared to beef. While it does effect the overall juiciness of a burger, many burger lovers prefer the drier result of a leaner meat. I recommend ordering elk medium rare, though our meat all appeared to be cooked to a consistent temperature. Penelope's provides condiments on a serve-yourself basis. Grilled onions and mushrooms, bacon and guacamole are all available for toppings, so you can generally juice it up to your lining. 

We were certainly impressed when we realized that the young man behind

the counter appeared to be running the whole restaurant by himself. We saw no sign of help for him, yet he managed to take orders from a line to the door, run the grill and fryer and clean tables as patrons left. Despite his many duties, the burgers were assembled and dressed nicely, the orders were all correct and, perhaps most important, he smiled while he cooked, which perhaps contributes the most to an overall good meal.

Nepal's Cafe

Quiet riverfront of
Nepal's Cafe

Nepal's Cafe

184 E. Elkhorn Ave. Unit H
Estes Park, CO 80517

970.577.7035

We enjoyed the great good fortune of dining at Nepal's Cafe in Estes Park on the very night that the restaurant reopened following the devastating floods in September. The restaurant enjoys a riverfront face on a serene walkway that was completely inundated during the recent deluge, and the venue was closed for weeks due to the damage they sustained as a result. It was an honor to witness the joyful return of local diners who clearly hold the restaurant dear. Regulars were greeted like family and the restaurant proprietors were pleased to produce homemade favorites for their loyal clientele, who had clearly missed their spicy, fragrant fare.

Golden Samosas

The restaurant is attired with posters and maps of majestic Nepali peaks and photos of the proprietor who, in his younger days, traversed them. The small restaurant is warm and cozy in earthy reds and browns, and the long tables can provide a party of two the opportunity to sit with strangers who, by the end of the meal, become friends.

We enjoyed just such an opportunity when we shared a table with Marcia and Jim, a couple whose residence is in Pinewood Springs and who are enthusiastic regulars of Nepal's. The opening night for the cafe, a month after the floods, was also the first night the couple had been able to get out of their home. There was no question where they would celebrate the occasion. "You found the best restaurant in Estes," Marcia told me conspiratorially at our shared table. "We were so happy they were opened tonight!"

Tandoori Chicken

Ordering became an opportunity for the delightful couple to show off their knowledge of the menu and to share favorites. Don ordered the Lamb Vindaloo, a savory and  fragrant concoction which combines regional ginger, pepper and coriander with New World chilies to make a rich and flavorful dish traditional to the Goa region of India, southwest of Nepal. Our server highly recommended the Chicken Korma, a word orginally meaning 'braise' or 'braised meat,' which she said is her favorite. I ordered the dish with vegetables and it was delightful. The creamy, spicy simmer sauce combines cloves, cardamom and, my personal favorite, cumin for a spicy sweet and tangy sauce that blossoms in the cream and the tender chicken.

Momo is handmade

Our table companions ordered the Kothe Momo, a house-made dumpling filled with seasoned ground chicken and vegetables. While they were very good, I must say I preferred the Chat Samosas, lovely bag shaped pastries stuffed with seasoned potatoes, peas with yogurt and fresh vegetables which were beautifully hand formed and toasted to a perfectly even golden brown. Marcia and Jim also ordered a favorite dish made with fresh pan-fried noodles that they told me were hand made by "Mama," and traditional Tandoori Chicken, which was seared to crispy, juicy perfection. 

Dessert was a unique custard of grated, fresh coconut simmered in milk, sugar and cocoa. Our host also insisted we try their house specialty, rice pudding, served with toasted slivered almonds and a shaker of Madagascar cinnamon, both of which would have also been welcome to complement the Chocolate Coconut. 

We were delighted to have had the opportunity to be a part of the reopening of a local favorite in Estes Park and we have definite plans to return to enjoy their spicy, fragrant food and the company of newly found friends. 

Mountain Strong

The Stanley shines
on an Autumn afternoon

Estes Park has long been a favorite destination for outdoor-loving Colorado locals as well as international travelers looking for a taste of The Rockies. Made infamous in Stephen King's The Shining, for the luxurious, and apparently haunted, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park is more locally known for its mountain charm and serene beauty; a convenient weekend getaway destination at the entrance to beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park, however, is currently closed, and recent flooding has made the area less accessible for Denver residents looking to drive up and spend the afternoon, and perhaps spend some much needed cash as well.

Most businesses
have reopened

When strolling down the quiet streets of Estes Park these days in the tranquil autumn sunshine, you will likely overhear conversations that contain phrases like, "but that was pre-flood" when referring to washed away or water damaged inventory, or "watch your step, the floor is uneven here" merchants might warn as you traverse the warped but sturdy floorboards; or even an emphatic "no, dude! That was a thousand-year flood at least!' as locals debate the catastrophe over a smoke outside their favorite pub. When asked a courteous "how are you?' a shadow seems to veil shopkeepers' eyes and they are slow to reply, as if considering. "Well," Nadine, owner of Simply Christmas replied, "it's getting better."

Estes Park is
Mountain Strong

Since the floods that raged through the Rocky Mountain region in September of 2013, Estes Park has been largely cut off from the main arteries leading into the town, Highways 34 into Loveland and 36 into Longmont and Boulder. Until the recent opening of Highway 119 from Boulder to Nederland, which has greatly alleviated the commute, it was taking visitors nearly 4 hours to traverse back mountain roads, and with Trail Ridge Road also closed due to government disputes, locals no longer even have the option of taking the road at the top of the Rockies to come and go.

Despite extensive flood damage, decreased revenue and the closure of their back-yard national park, the spirit of Estes is Mountain Strong, as signs in windows, locals and billboards boast, and residents are rugged and ready for business. My husband is on the team in charge of opening the roads to and from Estes, which has given us a unique opportunity to lend some much needed support to this resourceful and resilient Colorado mountain town. Our restaurant choices and reviews will come from Estes Park for a while. We will share with you, our beloved Colorado community, the challenges and triumphs of this very special town, and, of course, the best places to imbibe in the local color and cuisine.

Estes Park. 

Mountain Strong.

Wingnuttz Eatery and Saloon

Wingnuttz Eatery and Saloon
Photo: Annie Lopez

Wingnuttz Eatery and Saloon

724 E Kiowa Ave
Elizabeth, CO 80107

303.646.3289

Several restaurants have come and gone in the Black Forest community of Elizabeth, Colorado, leaving only redundant Mexican fare in their wake, however, Wingnuttz Eatery and Saloon offers a welcome deviation from this trend. What began as a kiosk, side-of-the-road, smoked wing stop has transformed into a warm and welcoming restaurant where a local can chat with a friend for happy hour, or join in some karaoke on a Saturday night. It's also a great place for a traveler on Highway 86, headed to Limon, to stop for a tasty pulled pork sandwich, topped with crisp, fresh slaw, mounded on cloud of a kaiser roll, served with salty hand-cut fries, to see him on his way. The decor hints of the locale and the vintage t-shirt on the wall that boasts, "Rocky Mountain Oysters Sack Lunch" is priceless.


Wingnuttz' particular specialty is cherry wood smoked meats, and, obviously, wings. Platters, sandwiches and salads feature their sweet-smoked, carnivorous fare, although I imagine all salads could be made vegetarian. Burgers are also served topped with options like pastrami or their from-scratch Mac n Cheese, which surprises with a hint of a bite. The Mac n Cheese can also be ordered as a side dish and is a bit dry for my taste and lacks any creaminess. We are hoping to try their yak burger on our next visit, which they serve when available. The meat comes from  a yak ranch just down the road, the same yaks mentioned in Seeds to Savor.

A part of the Wingnuttz Menu
Photo: Annie Lopez

Smoked wings and
Colorado brewed 90 Shilling
Photo: Annie Lopez 

The sauces offered are varied and all house made. Their smoked wings are served with their house Signature Sauce in varying intensities and many other sauces accompany their unsmoked wings. The menu touts "Voted Best Wings in Colorado 2010" which I always wonder about when no source is credited, though their wings are certainly unique and flavorful and deserve consideration in any wing competition. They are as messy as any wings and, while a roll of paper towels on the table is a completely acceptable form of napkinry in this restaurant genre, the thin, flimsy towels available on the table fall apart into useless shreds quickly, which is annoying when eating something in a sticky sauce with your fingers. When we asked, we were given packet of moistened towels, which was much better. The grilled catfish was served in their sesame ginger sauce and, while a bit lonely-looking on the platter, was juicy and delicious. Salads are also topped with flavorful, house made dressings.

Dessert offerings include a homemade bread pudding, which our server highly recommended, and, while we usually listen to our server's recommendations, Luna was intrigued by the OMG Cheesecake, a chimichanga-type concoction of a flour tortilla wrapped around cheesecake filling, deep fried and topped with local, Colorado peaches. The warm cheesecake filling is a nice change from a chilled version, though my personal bias is that dessert should always include chocolate!

When we asked for to-go containers, we were presented with styrofoam, which is always disappointing since all phases of producing, storing and disposing of styrofoam include toxic waste. Many restaurants are moving toward more environmentally friendly to-go containers, many which are compostable, and end up feeding our next-year's gardens. Even if the up-front costs are higher, the long-term ipact is considerable.

A great addition to the neighborhood, Wingnuttz is well worth a drive to the country. Their careful craftsmanship of food is well-expressed and they are a welcome deviation from more bland local fare.

Zoka's Restaurant and Bar

Photo: Zoka's 

Zoka's Restaurant and Bar

7 Miles South of 285
Pine Valley Rd/Hwy 126
Locally Owned and Operated

The perfect place to begin our Colorado Kamikaze Adventure is in the heart of the Rockies, with a restaurant where everyone you encounter clearly loves food, loves their part in bringing you great food and loves the amazing creations Chef Christian Hawks produces. 

We Kamikazied Zoka's when we were driving through the mountains to take in the beauty of Fall in the Rockies. The Aspen were just beginning their change from green to gold on an Equinox weekend, so we drove a visiting family member up Guanella Pass, cruising past breathtaking 14ers Mt. Evans and Mt. Bierstadt. (Breathtaking in a somewhat literal sense, as my East Coast cousin acclimated to the altitude!)  . 

Guanella Pass is accessible either from I-70 through quaint Georgetown, or from Highway 285 west of Bailey, Pine and Conifer. After showing off legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater, we wended our way up the mountain on 285 with a plan to return via 70. Around Pine we decided to search for a place to kamikaze and dine. 

Zoka's looked promising.

Photo: Annie Lopez

And it most certainly did not disappoint. The restaurant lies nestled in a lovely pine valley facing a curving mountain highway favored by competitive bicyclists. The wrap around porch allows for unobstructed views of peaks and pine forests; a peaceful place to enjoy a Colorado craft beer on a sunny afternoon. On the rather chilly day we first dined there, however, we appreciated the warm tones of the decor and the even more measurable warmth of the stove in the dining room. We felt well cared for as we were seated near the stove in consideration of the chilly day and our host turned up the heat.

The language of the menu made it clear that these people love and appreciate food and where it comes from. Fresh greens are grown in the greenhouse next door as were the squashes used in the vegetable medley. The menu also sported game meats and local favorites including Elk, Venison and Bison. Their burger creations, including Bison, are unique and served on a soft-as-silk brioche bun that presents the perfect texture to complement the juicy burger. The Reuben sandwich features in-house cured corned beef served with a choice side of purple potato salad tossed in a vinaigrette dressing complements the creaminess of the potatoes. Hand-battered onion rings complements any lunch choice. Panko battered, golden and crunchy, they are accompanied by an amazing house-made chipotle dipping sauce. Tangy and creamy, it was one of the few dipping sauces served with onion rings I have really enjoyed. 

Our first visit begged for an encore, where we could dig into the dinner entree menu. Again, we were greeted warmly. This time we sat in the bar area and enjoyed the artwork and murals depicting Colorado themes. The mural of the mountain climber in the bar is quintessentially Colorado as is the collection of Aspen paintings in the dining room.

Photo: Annie Lopez

One item on the appetizer menu particularly caught our attention: a savory Bleu Cheesecake. Intriguing. We were told by the Sous Chef, Craig, who stopped by to chat, that it was the savory pastry's debut night on the menu, but that it had been well received and that we were enjoying the last piece. 

This was a magnificent creation! With a crust of bread crumbs and crushed walnuts and a savory cheesecake filling with a bleu cheese base, the wedge was served on a granite cheese board with caramelized walnuts, house-made crostini and Granny Smith apple slices. A creamy and savory delight we will not soon forget. A sirloin cut entree came topped with Brie which was a flavorful, creamy complement to  mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables which included fare from the on-property greenhouse previously mentioned. 

We completed our meal with a tangy, 3-ingredient Key Lime Pie that provided a taste tingling finish to a supreme meal. 

Though Zoka's Restaurant and Bar is tucked away on a semi-remote Rocky Mountain highway, it is a sumptuous side trek well worth the time.