Overlook

1 Reviews on “Overlook”

• TCBFlash

  Legitimate Cuisine, Stunning Views. Few restaurants surprise me, as their personalities and reputations seem to surface over time. The Overlook is brand new to the revised Cheyenne Mountain Zoo menagerie of recently updated restaurants. The Grizzly Grill was completely refurbished last year and offers great, tasty and more healthful lunch options to the CMZ visitors. The newest addition is The Overlook which is right across the road from G2, and it is intentionally targeted at adults who may want to an enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with their meal. They still cater to their largest clientele base, the kids, and the menu reflects a clever and intentional effort to provide something for everyone. These items include refreshing Italian sodas such as blackberry, lavender, mango or tangerine. They are designer syrups mixed with club soda and even cream if you wish. I tried the blackberry and mango combo with cream, and although it was unique, I think I would stick with just one flavor at a time, without the added richness of the cream. My daughters enjoyed theirs quite a bit. The girls tried the flat bread pizzas, of which the versions span from sun dried tomatoes to classic margherita or white sauce variants. They are small but very well made, bursting with flavor and plenty of sauce. The portions were perfect for each child. Complimentary handmade potato chips accompany all the meals to help relieve one’s peckish nature after strolling the zoo grounds all morning. They also bring you a large, ice cold bottle of fresh water for the entire table, to help cool you down on those searing hot days. It’s a welcome touch that sets The Overlook apart from other locations on the premises. I had both the cold smoked salmon filet with rye grain bread and pickled vegetables and dill sauce. For 14 dollars it comes with a six ounce proper filet that has a well-rounded smoke flavor, which complements the tangy dill and pickle sides quite well. The bread is excellent and a nice base to build your own hors d’oeuvres. Because of the way the cafe is designed and built right along the mountain’s edge, one sits on this open, shaded veranda and gazes out over the entire city, seemingly peering all the way into Kansas beneath the stark blue skies. It’s quite pleasant. For my main dish, I tried the smoked pork belly Reuben Sandwich that included several large slices of seared, unctuous pork belly strips, and a homemade, delicate sauerkraut that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. The toasted marble rye is well slathered with a house made Thousand Island Dressing that elevates this ordinary sandwich to a memorable one. My favorite part of the meal was the red potato salad with a creamy dried tomato mayonnaise, tossed with crisp green onions and a perfect dash of cayenne to really make this among the top three I have tasted, including my own recipes. If you haven’t figured it out yet, it is clear that the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo folks are serious about elevating the customers’ experiences and The Overlook is emblematic of their credible efforts to increase standards and quality across the entire spectrum of the zoo visit. The menu is further proof as it includes three variations of smoked, grilled chicken wings, large hearty salads with fish and seafood options that were well received by a table of ladies sitting nearby, peel and eat cold shrimp, and even handmade bison or beef burgers for the traditionalists. One final touch offered by the friendly and always smiling Overlook staff, is a complimentary weave of freshly made cotton candy served in what appears to be an oversized stainless steel martini stand. It is fun and whimsical, drawing giggles from kids, adults and passerby’s alike. The prices of the menu items are moderately high, ranging from 9 to 14 dollars each, and 4 bucks for the drink items. So your bill could get a bit sporty if your not careful in what you order. But given this kind of a meal can be enjoyed in the zoo at such a great venue, to some degree justifies the higher cost. Hopefully, these folks can maintain the initial quality I experienced so that everyone can enjoy The Overlook for years to come. This is a serious restaurant with a great menu and fine service and food. I genuinely enjoyed it and could have lingered for another hour, but the kids just had to see the naked mole rats!

  September 19, 2013, 6:01 pm

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