Metate Room — Restaurant in Colorado

If you are staying in Mesa Verde National Park the Metate Room is a more than decent alternative to driving upwards of an hour to eat. Located on a rise, it offers a view that at sunset that highlights the beauty of the region. The staff is good and the restaurant is well appointed in a southwest fashion.

We had four meals here, two dinners and two breakfasts. The dinner service was very much hit and miss. Our first night I had a soup and salad, which did not come out together but both were tasty. My wife had the portobello mushroom entree and liked it a lot. The next night we both had steak, both were unevenly cooked (ordered medium and medium rare). My medium rare was mostly medium with parts one up and one down, but not so much that I felt a need to send it back. My wife's was well done first go around and medium well the second. By that point she was starving and refused to send it back. The staff took care of things appropriately but a chef that does not know how to cook a steak is not a credible one. The sides for the steak were a trifle small, four pieces of asparagus and a dollop of mashed potato.

We had breakfast courtesy of the bed and breakfast promotion for the hotel. It was a simple and static buffet that we all liked. The bacon is very good (crispy but not carbonized). The eggs we split our opinions about: I like them a bit more cooked my wife likes them softer. Lots of good options including sausage, fruit, pastries, oatmeal, biscuits & gravy and drinks.

Considering the location, prices were reasonable and this is a great option when combined with the hotel at the same location. We did not feel held hostage because there were no other options and while the steak mishap bothers me they ultimately...

Beautiful restaurant ( hence 1 star) but a very disappointing experience and service. Food lacked flavor, over baked chewy breads and just expensive for no reason.

We were told that they had just opened for the season and had issues hiring staff. We were ready to accommodate with the food delays but there were certain things we just could not tolerate . We had a reservation for 7 pm but we were early so we decided to hang out at the bar upstairs. FYi the bar and this restaurant has the same drink menu. Bar tender was friendly and amazing. I had ordered Fireside and was nice. We were seated in at 7 pm per our reservation at the restaurant. Restaurant has a beautiful ambience and great view. Manager was sweet but something was very off with our server- super slow and did not care at all about serving people.

Our server took the order for food and drinks at 7:15 pm . It took 45 mins for our server to prepare two drinks. I had ordered prickly pear margarita and guess what it was Fireside. I confirmed with her if she got me the right drink and she confirmed the upstairs bar tender gave me the wrong drink. We got our food an hour an half later at 8:30 pm and guess what the Pan seared Trout lacked flavor, the smoked salmon chili mouse had chewy bread . They were cold, tough and chewy to an extent they flew across another table. Only thing that was served hot was Mushroom Flatbread and it was nothing extraordinary. After all this we paid $85.

They should have informed us that they are running this late- 1 hr 30 mins or should have cancelled other reservations or at the max after taking this long should have...

Please don't complain about the cost of food here. Yes, it's expensive, but it costs money to deliver goods here in the national park. I mean, you can drive way the heck out to the nearest town for dinner or bring your own food. It's your choice.

We loved the food, ambience, and drinks so much that we came back the next evening. The first time we came here, we shared the Ancient Grain Salad for an appetizer. The dressing is a sun-dried based. Very good. I'm picky about dressings, but this was delicious. The sangria was not too sweet, but not too bitter either. It didn't give me a headache the next morning like some sangrias do. They probably use the good wine here. Husband got the Gold Rush. Good drink! The best braised short rib I've ever had. So tender, you didn't need a knife. Husband had the ribeye. Cooked to his liking. We ate every single thing on our plate. Second night I ordered the same dish. My husband got the the Ancient Salad again, but with chicken. Also ordered the Smoked Salmon Green Chili Mousse as an appetizer. It wasn't fishy tasty and he ate the whole thing. Got the donuts for dessert. It's okay. Probably should've tried the chocolate truffle which we were going to order the second time, but we were stuffed. The only thing I would recommend for this restaurant is to have bread service. Any kind of bread with soft butter would have been nice. We would have paid for the bread.

If you're tired from hiking and sightseeing or you're staying at the lodge, get a reservation and come here for dinner at...