December 7, 2023 | OPINION | By Sam Treat
It is not often that I, as a broke college student whose income primarily comes from the hours I spend behind the front desk in the hallowed grounds that are the Adam F. Press Fitness Center, get to indulge in what many would call the ‘finer things’ in life. However, over Fall Break I was fortunate enough to change those prospects.
Instead of flying home or visiting family, I, accompanied by two cut friends of mine, pursued the mythical wapiti, or elk, in a quest to raise both our testosterone levels and our spirits. While the hunt was unsuccessful in terms of killing an elk, we are happy to announce that we no longer feel like low testosterone soy beta males.
However, in the thrilling pursuit of the animal, we neglected to partake in a typical Thanksgiving feast, instead opting to consume gas station hot chocolate, Doritos, and cheddar bratwurst. This meal, once it was communicated to our families, was met with some distaste; in fact, so much distaste that it was made clear we were expected to go out for a nice meal (on the parents’ dime) to make up for the missing of a supposedly important holiday.
Promptly, I made it my mission to find the single highest rated restaurant in Colorado Springs, and, the consensus was surprisingly easy to find. Far and away, from The Gazette to the vaunted Colorado Springs Foodies Facebook Group, everyone recommended Carlos’ Bistro, a restaurant known for its swanky interior and classy experience.
This was not a problem for folks such as Chris Hampson ’24 and Jack Dresser ’24. Dressed in an assortment of cargo pants, baggy t-shirts and beat up sneakers, we were not concerned at all about being the least well-dressed in the restaurant. In fact, we were correct to leave our worries behind – the table next to us featured a fellow in a Golden State Warriors jersey and jeans while he sat next to his date who was wearing a cocktail dress and heels. Lord, do I love The Springs.
Greeted at the door by a friendly and buzzing older man with a red tie draped around his neck, we were ushered to a table set just for us. That man, who we came to find out was the owner and namesake of the restaurant (Carlos Echeandia, for those who haven’t grasped the whole ‘namesake’ concept), made sure to greet us individually and get our names.
The bread that was on the table was paired with a slice of rich butter sprinkled with sea salt already plated at each of our seats. Let’s take a second here to appreciate the euphoric rush when you see that bread bowl, flirtatiously exposed by the folded napkin that it resides within, just anxiously waiting for your hands. The exuberance and pure joy that I felt when I ripped the sliced baguette apart, smearing it with my creamy, salty butter was likely akin to (I have no reference for this but it’s how I feel) seeing your newborn child for the first time.
The French baguette stole the show, but I must shout out the cinnamon raisin bread, an absolute game changer for the breadbasket.
The menu is a unique assemblage of classics and oddities, curated by Echeandia himself. Prices range from under $10 for small appetizers and salads to over $50 for meats and seafood. The menu takes international inspiration, both in the dishes at large, as well as the unique twists that Echeandia puts on everything. Patrons will be delightfully surprised by the plethora of flavors that he, drawing on his upbringing in Peru, produces in his pursuit of cooking excellence.
We started with the Frog Legs and Vegetable Bruschetta, both of which were delicious. A word of warning, loading up on appetizers here can get expensive quickly, especially given the very small size of those dishes. The frog tasted like chicken, and the vegetable bruschetta tasted like bread with vegetables on it.
As a semi-Italian American, I like to think of myself as a direct descendant of Julius Caesar, best known for his revolutionary take on dressing. As such, I’ve taken it upon myself to order a small Caesar salad at practically any juncture.
Carlos’ Bistro though, was different than the practical junctures of days past. This was by far the best Caesar salad of my life. The croutons and fresh ground pepper decorated the edge of the plate, and the perfectly dressed lettuce fell in a mountainous pile in the center. It was also a fantastic deal, with a bigger serving size than any other appetizers – and for only $6.
For my main I ordered the Lamb Shank, which was nestled gently on a bed of mashed potatoes, accompanied by a collection of steamed vegetables nearby. The meat was tender, and I could bite it right off the shank – something I could never have done as the low testosterone soy beta male I was just days before. The sauce that accompanied it was not necessary given the rich flavor of the lamb, but I was enthusiastic when I did try it. Verbose flavors from a red-wine reduction were the perfect pairing for my red meat extravaganza.
Finally, for dessert we sampled both the dark chocolate bread pudding with caramel sauce and fresh berries, as well as the crème brulée (also with fresh berries). Decadent and rich, these were larger servings and, quite frankly, we were unprepared. Digging deep, I managed to sacrifice my intestinal pangs to appease my tastebuds. Be warned, fair reader, the dessert was $20-30 each. Potentially not worth it, but, again, not my money not my circus (or something like that).
All in all, Carlos’ Bistro is a wonderful establishment. Picture perfect ambiance, incredible service that never let our cups go empty, and a wonderful menu. Undiscussed in this article, but of potential significance to the reader, they also have half price wine bottles and an extensive list of fine alcohols to order from.
Best for a date that you really care about or the next time your trust fund friend’s parents come to town, Carlos’ Bistro is about the best fine dining you could ask for in The Springs.