Word to the wise: save room for dessert at Volario’s
When Vasquez Creek Inn {81699 US-40, Winter Park; 970.722.1188} opened on Highway 40 in 2014, Winter Park gained two restaurants that trump most of the other options around. This new downtown lodging option—along with Trailhead Inn just a couple blocks down the road—are part of the Devil’s Thumb Ranch company, so it’s no wonder the culinary offerings are superior.
Together, Volario’s and Caffé Giocondo bring a sophisticated taste of Italy to this ski town from sunrise to sunset. Here’s why you should plan to dine at one or both of these restaurants the next time you visit Winter Park, and even consider making the trip just for these dining destinations.
Italy meets the West at Volario’s
Volario’s welcomes you inside with a lounge spilling out onto a streetside patio and a dining room just down a hallway. The vibe? Tuscan trattoria meets Western steakhouse, with leather tablecloths, dim lighting, and a tiled open kitchen filling the dining room.
Arugula Salad
Sous Chef Turner Fountain—a Colorado native who’s worked under Denver talent like Alex of Fruition—brings each dish to its full potential in terms of flavor, texture, and harmony of elements. In the Arugula Salad, a tart sumac vinaigrette evenly coats fresh arugula intermixed with generous strips of prosciutto, flakes of 30-day pecorino, and a fig “jerky” of sorts—the chefs mash fig and spread it into a sheet, dry it, and the slice it into rectangular strips. The housemade bread should definitely be employed to mop up any remaining vin on your plate.
Colorful Meatballs on a beautiful ceramic plate. All the dishes here are one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces.
Any lover of Italian cuisine would be remiss to forego a taste of Volario’s sizable Meatballs, which consist of tender veal and pork surrounded by a crisp exterior, surrounded by buttery pecorino polenta, and topped with a garlicky arrabiata. You also might segue into a main course with one of the oblong shareable pizzas like the Vesuvio or the Quattro Formaggio baked at 700 degrees, or a plate of housemade pasta.
Bistecca
Then it’s time for more meat, which Chef Fountain prepares perfectly. Try the Bistecca—filets of flatiron with smashed colorful fingerling potatoes, saucy grilled tomatoes and broccoli, and a Beanaise sauce. The Cinghiale is a creative standout, with pulled wild boar meat arranged atop gigantic, pillowy gnocchi in a rich cream sauce offset by a brilliant wild card ingredient: green olives.
Wild Boar
For dessert, the Lemon Ricotta Tart offers a bright ending to an indulgent meal, and falls into the category of “almost too pretty to eat.” White chocolate flakes, a tart raspberry coulis, lemon brittle (think gourmet Warheads in the best way possible), and basil leaves flank the generous triangle of creamy lemon.
Caffé Giocondo
Good luck choosing from the amazing array of pastries made by Pastry Chef Natalie Basarov daily.
A serene space filled with natural light and well-stocked with daily newspapers is the perfect place for hotel guests to start their morning, and also a great spot for tourists to stop by and pick up breakfast or lunch to-go. Pastries baked by the Devil’s Thumb Ranch pastry team fill a case, along with quiche and coffee drinks.
Come lunch, the café offers sandwiches made on house bread with house-cured meats sliced fresh with the gorgeous slicer on display. The Caffé also offers small plates and wine to round out the lunch experience.
By Maya Silver | Editor
The post Hidden Gems in Winter Park: Volario’s and Caffé Giocondo appeared first on DiningOut Denver/Boulder.