Food happenings in Palisade

Spring brings new vibrancy to the Grand Valley and the small town of Palisade offers an abundance of food and beverages to please locals and tourists alike. Sometimes I like to pretend I’m a tourist and just wander around a familiar place and see what interests me.

Palisade is known for its bounty of agricultural produce and wines. People travel here from all over to taste its exceptional deliciousness. There are so many wineries to choose from and many people stay for several days to sample them. I particularly enjoy the Barrel Into Spring event sponsored by the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE) that pairs interesting wineries with lovely local bites. Tickets are available on their website at www.winecolorado.org for May 9-10.

For breakfast and coffee options, check out The Artful Cup next to The Blue Pig Art Gallery in downtown Palisade at 301 Main St. It’s a little space filled with yummy choices.

The Milky Way is just around the corner and recently celebrated its oneyear anniversary. This quirky spot has breakfast and lunch options, gelato, space-themed gifts and a lovely back patio space. Be sure to swing by the Slice O’Life

bakery at 105 W. Third St. and pick up some tasty homemade bread and other goodies.

Fidel’s Cocina & Bar is a must-visit for lunch or dinner and I highly recommend reservations. I love this vibrant restaurant with delicious “Latin-inspired” options such as creative tacos, poblano fries, deconstructed elote, stunning salads, mezcal flights and more! They are located at 113 W. Third St. As the weather gets warmer, their communal outdoor space with comfortable couches is a great way to enjoy their food and meet new people.

If you are looking for a distillery or brewery in this wine-focused town, you are in for a treat.

Peach Street Distillers, at 144 S. Kluge Ave., makes some terrific spirits and I am particularly fond of their Goat Vodka. Stop by and enjoy a cocktail, play a board game and have a fun time with friends. Palisade Brewing Company is also very popular and you can find them at 200 Peach Ave. Listen to some music, sample their beers and savor a beautiful spring day.

Located at 130 W. Third St., 13 Brix Cider Bistro is a “French-inspired bistro” that also serves barbecue on Friday and Saturday nights and has a Sunday brunch. The property was originally a car dealership in the 1920’s before being converted into a convenience store. I haven’t eaten there yet, but I have heard good things about it and look forward to trying it.

Another place I am planning on visiting soon is Clark and Co.’s Distilling.

They opened in July of 2022 and have an interesting history. Check out their website at www. clarkandcosdistilling.com to learn more about it. Located at 3926 Colorado Highway 6 & 24, they offer more than 35 different types of spirits including some that feature fruit from their family orchard. Their menu offers a variety of burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches and salads — including several vegetarian options and gluten-free hamburger buns. What really caught my eye is their tasty-looking appetizer options. Deep fried mac & cheese bites with a buffalo ranch dipping sauce, harissa roasted hummus with naan, burrata with pesto and crostinis, fried pickles and more. Yum!

For a lovely night out, Pêche is a modern restaurant featuring an ever-changing menu of delicious options. Located at 336 Main St., it is a special place to unwind at the end of a long day. For a fun experience, reserve a seat at the bar or kitchen counter and see the action up close. I love doing that at restaurants because it is really interesting to interact with the staff and learn more about their creative process.

These are just some of the many food and beverage options to try while you are in Palisade. If you are staying overnight, check out the Spoke & Vine motel at 44 W. Eighth St. or one of the local bed and breakfasts or inns. When you wake up, explore the town, go hiking, bike, horseback ride, take more winery tours, hop on the local trolley and just enjoy this unique western Colorado town.

If you have any food and beverage-related events or information you want readers to know about, please email me at AllThingsFoodChristine@ gmail. com.

If you are looking for delicious breads and treats, check out the Slice O’Life Bakery. (Photo by Christine Gallagher)

Sauvage Spectrum is one of the many wineries that will be featured during Barrel Into Spring. (Photo by Christine Gallagher)

Try some gelato at The Milky Way and enjoy this quirky spacethemed place. (Photo by Christine Gallagher)

This vibrant salad is a lovely option at Fidel’s Cocina & Bar. (Photo by Christine Gallagher)

Play a board game while enjoying a tasty beverage at Peach Street Distillers. (Photo by Christine Gallagher)

Explore downtown Palisade and read about some interesting history. (Photo by Christine Gallagher)

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