Colorado.com Staff Writer

<p>More and more restaurants are brandishing the <a href="/association/colorado-proud">Colorado Proud</a> logo, indicating locally grown produce, on their menus as top chefs are teaming up with regional farmers to take the fresh-food movement to a new level. </p>


12 Months of Colorado Dining

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The Little Nell

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<p>Farm-to-fork experiences are available year-round in Colorado. Here are our monthly harvest picks and the mouthwatering restaurants where you’ll find them. </p>
<p>Note: Many of these restaurants offer menus that rotate based on what's in season, so available dishes are subject to change. (But we bet you'll find a delicious alternative.)</p>
<h3 class="style9">January</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> watercress, cows' milk artisan cheese<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/steakhouses/ore-house-restaurant">The Ore House</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Durango">Durango</a><br />
The Ore House calls on local businesses like <a href="https://www.colorado.com/wine-wineries/fox-fire-farms-winery">Fox Fire Farms</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/farm-ranch-activities/james-ranch">James Ranch</a> for fresh greens, cheeses and meats, including pork belly, beef and chicken. Complement your meal with the Up in Smoke, featuring Colorado bourbon, vermouth, aromatic bitters, cherry-wood smoke and a brandied cherry.</p>
<h3>February</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> mushrooms, cabbage<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/local-cuisine/bramble-hare">Bramble &amp; Hare</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Boulder">Boulder</a><br />
Bramble &amp; Hare's larder is stocked by its organic farm and Front Range foragers that harvest mushrooms, juniper and wild plums. Taste the true flavors of Colorado in their seasonally rotating menu, with past delights like Duo of Beef with creamy polenta and winter faves like mushrooms, cabbage and turnips. </p>
<h3>March</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> lamb, beef<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/steakhouses/juicy-lucy%27s-steakhouse">Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Glenwood-Springs">Glenwood Springs</a><br />
Enjoy high-quality Colorado beef, lamb or elk and locally grown produce — all of which pairs perfectly with one of the Centennial State wines they offer.</p>
<h3>April</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> goat cheese, parsnips<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/fine-dining/duo">Duo Restaurant</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Denver">Denver</a><br />
In Denver’s hip Highland neighborhood, bustling Duo serves a decadent butter-poached-parsnips dish with beets, pears, fennel honey, goat cheese and a crisp herb salad.</p>
<h3>May</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> asparagus, rhubarb, green garlic<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/casual-dining/the-margarita-at-pine-creek">Margarita at Pine Creek</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Colorado-Springs">Colorado Springs</a><br />
Margarita’s comfortably contemporary cuisine puts innovative twists on fresh Colorado ingredients in dishes like the roasted portobello, beet and leek napoleon with butternut squash, asparagus and spinach pesto.</p>
<h3>June</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> chilies, watermelon, asparagus, carrots<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/local-cuisine/bin-707-foodbar">Bin 707 Foodbar</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/grand-junction">Grand Junction</a><br />
Bin 707's thoughtful and creative menu changes periodically, but could include smoked local porchetta with green-chili pozole along with roasted carrots, beets and oyster mushrooms with creamed black quinoa. </p>
<h3><strong><span>July</span></strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> mint, basil, cucumbers<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/local-cuisine/the-farm-bistro">The Farm Bistro</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/cortez">Cortez</a><br />
This eatery serves up fresh produce and meat sourced right from Montezuma County. Enjoy comfort food, like yak burgers, chicken pot pie and grilled pizza. Only Colorado-crafted libations are served — beer, wine and spirits.</p>
<h3>August</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> sweet corn, chilies, beets<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="/family-restaurant/sweet-basil">Sweet Basil</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Vail">Vail</a><br />
With Mediterranean, Italian and Asian influences, Sweet Basil is a mountain-town favorite. Cut into the double-cut pork chop with sweet-corn puree and grilled king trumpet mushrooms.</p>
<h3>September</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> watermelon, apples, peaches<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/casual-dining/hot-tomato-pizzeria">Hot Tomato Pizzeria</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/fruita">Fruita</a><br />
Each year, the locals eagerly await the release of The Peach pizza topped with fresh area peaches, Gorgonzola, mozzarella, Canadian bacon and rosemary.</p>
<h3>October</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> pumpkin, kale, eggplant<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/casual-dining/potager">Potager</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Denver">Denver</a><br />
Potager’s menu changes monthly to ensure the ripest seasonal offerings. Everything is made from scratch, including the crispy duck dumplings in pumpkin soup with dates.</p>
<h3>November</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> onions, radicchio, escarole<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/fine-dining/twist">Twist</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/Breckenridge">Breckenridge</a><br />
Twist’s seasonally updated comfort food menu is loaded with regional ingredients. Cozy up to the venison and root vegetable stew or the five-onion cheddar mac-n-cheese.</p>
<h3>December</h3>
<p><strong>Fresh Picks:</strong> turnips, leeks, squash<br /><strong>Find It Here:</strong> <a href="https://www.colorado.com/fine-dining/cafe-vino">Café Vino</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/fort-collins">Fort Collins</a><br />
This diverse European-inspired menu serves regionally sourced produce and meats. Dive into the seared scallops over winter squash puree with a blood orange and sage butter sauce.</p>
