The Blue Star

Local eateries can be counted on to deliver light summer fare to satisfy your cravings and beat the heat in home kitchens. and you don’t have to do the dishes after your fresh dining experience. As summer deepens in Colorado, home kitchens are often abandoned. The heat outside dampens the urge to crank up the oven, turn on the stove and even nuke food in the microwave. The Pikes Peak region’s restaurants — especially those with patios — bustle with kitchen refugees who are eager to have someone else cook their meals and, as a bonus, do the dishes afterward. In my experience, the heat also changes food preferences. All tastes for anything hearty or heavy disappear, and instead, we crave fresh, light food and often, raw or lightly cooked meals served cold or at room temperature. Thankfully, our local eateries more than adequately step up to the task of satisfying summer cravings, offering many cool, light options perfect for eaters looking to beat the heat.

The lively and colorful atmosphere of The Blue Star is an ideal setting for a cheerful holiday gathering, and their wine list is usually a local favorite.