Once again we visited Asti d'Italia at the Orchard. If you haven't been there you need to try it. The lunches are very reasonable and the service is always good. We stopped in for lunch on a Monday. It was very quiet as not many people were there. They brought their amazing bread to dip into the olive oil/ balsamic mixture. As always it was warm and amazing. I love that the employee's are very well versed in the menu. They really now what they are selling...

I had the grilled chicken Caesar salad. It comes with a grilled chicken breast on the top of a bed of romaine lettuce, ciabatta croutons and parmagiano-raggiano. It was delicious and didn't leave feeling stuffed but was full.

Kimberly had the Penne Carbonara...but they substituted risotto for the pasta making it Gluten free..

As always it was delicious and the service was excellent.....

14648 Delaware St., Westminster, CO 80023, in the Orchard Town Center - (303) 457-3900 - Info@AstidItalia.com

If your ever in Gunnison Colorado you have to stop in at this place. We have been there many times and have never been disappointed. They only serve breakfast and lunch and it usually requires a short wait to get a seat.We went with a group of 8 and only had to wait for 15 mins or so to get us a spot together.

I had the biscuits and gravy. They are huge home made fresh biscuits with a thick tasty white gravy. I always get a sausage patty on the side. It came with some crisp buttered hash browns.

Kimberly had a Gluten free option. It was hash browns piled high with ham, peppers, onions and cheese. It was more than she could eat but I was eager to come to her aid.

All portions are ample to say the least and the pancakes are larger than the plate. They will customize anything on the menu and the owner actually said that the "W" stood for whatever you need...

If I had one complaint it would be that the coffee was below average. I drink lots of coffee in the a.m. and like a "good" cup or three

114 N. MAIN STREET - GUNNISON COLORADO                      www.thewcafe.com

Nordy's BBQ Loveland

We tried Nordy's BBQ on a Saturday afternoon while we were out and about in the area.

The service was really good and we had an awesome waiter who explained everything well and was attentive. The sauces were good I think they had four or five. We like a combo of two of them. A Kansas city style that was a molasses based sweet and tart and a Texas one that was a little spicier. The combo of the two was really good.

The meats were all cooked nicely...not too done and not undercooked, obviously smoked. The meat even stood on its own without the sauce added. The ribs easily came off the bone, but not falling off.

The only disappointments were the sides. They didn't have regular cole slaw they had Pasta slaw. The beans were average at best and the breaded okra tasted like it was bought frozen at King Soopers.

The prices were about average for a BBQ place. The whole lunch including the tip was about $30.00 which seems to be about the norm.

Over all we liked it and we'd go back and try it again. We would probably go back and try on a weekday when they have an all you can eat BBQ buffet..

4360 Saint Cloud Drive Loveland http://www.nordysbbq.com

We visited El Taco Rey in Colorado springs while visiting down there.
It is right off of the down town area. At first glance it looked too small for four of us to fit. Once we got inside it felt about the same. There are only 6 tables inside and two outside but there seemed to be a constant flow of people in and out of there.

The food was hot and fresh. The tacos were very good. Kimberly and I always use the beef taco's as a barometer as to how good a Mexican restaurant is. We prefer the beef to not be over spiced and the shells crunchy. We weren't disappointed. The beef was excellent the shells crunchy and the taco's were stuffed and even over stuffed with ingredients. Kimberly had beans and rice and the beans were even full of great flavor. I had the Relleno's and they were really good. They used whole green chili's (stem on) stuffed with cheese, battered and fried to a crisp goodness and smothered in their good green chili. and my lunch even came with a small salad that kind of hit the spot for me.

Overall good food, and decent prices. It was about 8 dollars per person and we all managed to get full. You can even download the menu in a PDF from their website.

http://www.eltacorey.com/

330 E COLORADO AVE COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80903

Taru Sushi and Grill

This is one of our favorite lunch places in Broomfield. The staff is friendly and always smiling- they always keep your glass full and needs met. Lunch prices are great for the quality and quanity- The largest Bento Box is $10.00

It is decorated nicely and everything is very clean- If I have one complaint it is the music they play- Techno/pop- I'd rather have something more authentic to the Japanese theme.

We always have one of the Bento Box's because you get a sample of everything - The Bento box comes with soup and salad, rice- steamed or fried, your choice of entree, 6 pieces of freshly made California roll, one large piece of Salmon roll, and a stack of Tempura vegies and a big piece of Tempura Shrimp- all for $10.00! Can't beat it!

Honestly, I have this meal every time, and it's always the same- delicious! I recommend the miso soup and I always substitute the Salmon roll with another kind of roll.

Here is a tip- if you speak Japanese don't try to use it here- My husband, after several attempts to engage our sweet little waitress, finally asked if she spoke Japanese and learned she's from Thailand-- or some place! It was hysterical!

おいしい = delicious in Japanese!