CALF_News_April_May_2020

46 CALF News • April | May 2020 • www.calfnews.net By James Coope Contributing Editor  CALF BEEF REVIEW Siena at the Courtyard Castle Rock, Colo. BEEF? Where’s the Really Exceptional S iena at the Courtyard is located in a charming, sidewalk café-style setting in the middle of downtown Castle Rock, Colo. Castle Rock is an historic railroad town that has long been a connection between the farms and ranches east of town with the bustling cities of Colorado Springs to the south and Denver to the north. Castle Rock’s proximity to these cities has been one of the reasons why the population has grown from 3,900 in 1980 to almost 50,000 today. While much has changed around Castle Rock over the past 40 years, its charming downtown core is as welcoming as ever, and the same can be said for Siena. Siena was opened in 2007 by Brad Brown, a local restauran- teur. While thousands of miles from Italy, Siena maintains a rustic look and feel that makes you think that you are dining at a piazza in the middle of Rome. During the warmer months, guests enjoy eating al fresco around a massive fountain. Siena’s sidewalk patio seating is one of the largest in town and tops the list of “Best Outdoor Dining” in local contests. Guests enjoy the relaxing sounds of the fountain, mixed with the hustle and bustle of the town, capping it off with the occasional train whis- tle, which is a sound that Castle Rock residents have become accustomed to over the past 140 years. Siena’s charm, however, is not limited to the patio. Inside, you will find an open kitchen, surrounded by a lively bar and a large dining area. It’s a gathering spot for all kinds of people – from TV stars to pastors – and Siena seems to have it all. The live music on weekends is a nice touch, and Siena always seems to have some of the best nightlife in this otherwise sleepy town. As far as food is concerned, Siena is definitely a memorable experience. I enjoy coming to Siena for special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations in general. The wine list is full of Italian and American wines, and the creative cocktail menu is the best in town. Siena has some of the best seafood in town, and the steamed mussels appetizer is not only a favorite of the CALF News staff but is generous enough to qualify as a meal itself. Alter- natively, there’s the charcuterie board, with salami, prosciutto, goat cheese, and spiced up with shishito peppers. The dinner menu is certainly diverse, but the beef dishes stand above the rest. The Courtyard Burger is delicious and garnished with spiced brown sugar bacon. Add the Spicy Italian Fries with Gorgonzola Dip (which can be ordered as a side, ) and you’ve got the best burger combo in town. The NewYork steak is a staple, and the beef short ribs are perfectly prepared; the meat falls right of the bone. A regular on the nightly special menu – the filet mignon – served with a bordelaise mushroom sauce – is a meal worthy of a celebration (and my personal favorite). The signature Tuscan Spiced Prime Rib, served on Thursdays, is the crown jewel of the menu. Top it off with a delicious tiramisu or carrot cake, and you have yourself an incredible meal. The evening we visited Siena to research for this article was a bittersweet event. The place was bustling with people for a Monday in March; however about an hour before we arrived, the governor of Colorado announced that all restaurants in the state would be closed for at least 30 days in response to the COVID-19 virus. Sadly, this was the last night that Siena would open its doors for its customers for at least a month, and you couldn’t help but feel for those who work here and have been serving regulars for years, including Daniel, our waiter, who has called Siena home since 2009. Our industry has had its share of challenges over the years, and this is just another chapter in our daily fight to thrive. The events of the past few weeks have been truly unbelievable, and who knows where we’ll all be as you read this. As far as I’m concerned, however, every day that goes by brings me one day closer to when I get to walk back into Siena, see the smiling faces that we’re used to seeing, and order the filet mignon once again. 