The Margarita at PineCreek

Just beyond the hotels, chain restaurants, and business centers infesting the Northwest corner of Woodmen and I-25 lays a hidden oasis of peace and serenity. With two white adobe-style structures amidst walls enclosing multiple patios, the Margarita at PineCreek has been serving fine food for 32 years in a spacious and relaxing environment. Despite the nearby development, the Margarita retains its original pristine setting, surrounded by Ponderosa pines at the confluence of Pine and Monument Creeks.

Pati and Ken Davidson built the Margarita on property that’s been in Pati’s family since the turn of the last century. Pati’s grandfather Tudor bought the Teachout ranch as well as part of General Palmer’s estate with the intention of mining the coal vein that runs through the sandstone formations along the west side of Monument Creek. He fell in love with the land, and instead of mining it, his family used it exclusively for picnics for the last 100 years (except for 5 or 6 years when great Aunt Bessie and her husband tried to farm on it in the 20’s). Cooking on the property has an auspicious history—since Aunt Bessie had to chase off “the Indians” when she baked her gingerbread!

The Margarita’s upstairs offers private dining nooks with views of Pikes Peak as well as a separate dining room seating 25-50 and featuring a painting by Elizabeth Ross of Santa Margarita, Patron Saint of down-trodden women. The downstairs bar has cozy couch-like seating for groups of 20-40 as well as offering a setting for an intimate tête-à-tête sampling of Tony’s perfect martinis and signature margaritas. With the special bar menu of small dishes and appetizers, many patrons disappear down there for hours. On Friday nights, some of the Springs’ best folk and bluegrass acts play in the downstairs lounge, and on Saturdays, a classical trio plays upstairs on the family harpsichord and other instruments.

All meals are house-made from “scratch.” Lunches (Tues-Fri from 11:30-2:00) are $9.50 and include the freshly baked Margarita whole wheat bread with cheese spread, and one of two daily soups with salad, one of two entrée salads, or one of two daily specials with your choice of soup or salad. Lunch chef Cathy’s butternut squash gnocchi with gorgonzola cream was one of her many popular specials this fall. Dinners (Tues- Sat from 6:30 on) are $33.00 and include five courses: appetizer (one of 2-3), tossed salad with homemade bread, soup du jour, entrée choice, plus dessert. (Entrée choices include beef or fish and one other meat dish. Special diets are always catered to.) And Sunday brunch (10:30 – 2:00) offers a variety of main dishes, from classical eggs Benedict to the house smoked salmon cakes, and costs from $8.50 to $15.00. Included are fresh fruit and a delicious homemade coffee cake. Summer is a great time to enjoy a shaded patio, have a glass of lemonade or a gazpacho bloody Mary, and just relax. The Margarita staff is the most experienced in town, including 6 who have been there for more than 15 years!

The restaurant also has a unique “official greeter” – Gus, the two-year old German shepherd who loves children and will chase thrown tennis balls all day in his orange vest.

The Past Year
Chef Eric Viedt says he has been pleased with the quality of the meat that the restaurant been able to get lately – no hormones or antibiotics - and the care that’s taken in raising animals to these higher specifications for more healthful and flavorful food. The restaurant’s olive oil is imported directly from small-production presses in Turkey, while their eggs have come from a farm in Larkspur and their honey from Longmont for the past 30 years. Salads include organic lettuces from Pueblo, sprouts grown in the Black Forest, and herbs and nasturtiums from Nancy’s terraced gardens in the back patio.

Pati and Eric are constantly searching for the best in local products and were instrumental in the formation of the IRC (Independent Restaurant Cooperative) with a goal of encouraging local farmers and boutique producers of food products as well as providing mutual support in the often-chaotic world of food service. The IRC is an association of ten locally owned, chef-run fine food restaurants that banded together to share sources, and resources. They have been offering monthly special dinners at each of their restaurants—with five courses and five wines for $50. (Each 2nd Tuesday evening one of the IRC is featured. To find out which restaurant is coming up, call the Margarita, Sencha, La Petite Maison, Briarhurst, the Warehouse, Jun, Steel City Dinner, Marigold, Paravicini, or the Craftwood Inn. These have proven so popular that they are usually sold out early.)

This summer Chef Eric started the “Dinner and a Movie” event, which (weather permitting) turned out to be great fun. Five movies were presented, including “My Big Fat Greek Wedding, “Casablanca”. “American Graffiti” and “Big Fish.” The Independent recognized the Margarita’s popcorn as best in the Springs, and noted the restaurant as “the best outdoor” dining location. The whole event was acclaimed as THE BEST IDEA EVER” by a reviewer in July.

This fall, the American Culinary Foundation (ACF) Chef’s 9 events as well as a number of fund-raising events kept Chef Eric in the spotlight. The Ist annual Outdoor Music and Food Rendezvous at Rockledge Ranch was a huge success, with bluegrass, blues and food in every corner of the historical location. Eric’s sweet potato tamale with chili-honey roasted pork won the People’s Choice award for the best-tasting dish at the ACF’s Harvest Festival in October. The Margarita also placed in the highly competitive, internationally judged Chef’s Gala in 2005 (as well as many times in the past). Fodor’s chose the Margarita as one of 2004’s “best meal deals,” and praise for the ambiance, wine list prices and cooking has been consistent over the years.

The 33rd Christmas at the Margarita
Staff members Dorothy, Ida, and Cathy have been decorating the restaurant for the Christmas holidays for quite a few years now. Ida makes ornamental cookies, Dorothy seeks out a location for yet another tree, and Cathy tries to find balance between the homespun and the glitz. This past summer’s weather and greenery and the fall colors were so wonderful on the patios that the decorating crew will be challenged to make the indoor environment equally festive. One of the Saturday night’s music is given over to Christmas Caroling. Holiday dinners often sell out early – so please make your reservations early.


Directions
To get there, go west on Woodmen at I-25 and turn right on Commerce Center Drive, which becomes Pine Creek Road. Look for the Margarita sign on the left.