Root and Vine Market — Restaurant in Paonia

Root & Vine Market is a great place to stop for food and drink when driving in western Colorado to and from cities like Aspen, Carbondale, Denver and Crested Butte. The location is good for an easy on, easy off break from driving.

My favorites are their Sumatran coffee (one among many varies roasted and ground on site by Rubicon Roasting), spicy Sherpa chai, homemade pastries, and assorted custom made breakfast and lunch items.

Many locals, as well as those passing through, enjoy sampling 5680 Wines, grown and fermented locally. I bought a bottle of chardonnay, a fresh baked baguette and some goat cheese the other day, to entertain guests at home.

While the food and drink is first rate, in my view what makes Root & Vine really special is the people and the space.

The market is a business of the Bennett family, and Julie Bennett is the mainspring. Julie has always wanted to run a coffee shop. She is warm, welcoming and smiles readily.

Her husband Buoy and grown son Kyle play a big role as well, and her mom is one of the bakers. Julie, Buoy, and her parents live in a duplex behind the market.

“I want people to feel welcomed and nourished. They can come in for a great cup of coffee, good food, and local wine,” Julie says.

Julie was trained as a yoga instructor and in permaculture, and this training combined with her desire to foster a sense of community underlie her vision for the market.

The place used to be a liquor store, and felt dark and gloomy. Julie has utterly transformed the space: there is lots of light, a sense of openness, and plenty of nooks in which to sit alone or with others while enjoying food, drink and the ambiance.

“People walk in and say how beautiful it is,” says Julie. They say, “it has great energy.”

It DOES have a great energy. You feel like a welcomed friend in Julie’s place--unhurried, with plenty of time to sit and look at the mountains across the way.

Julie sees the market becoming a community gathering place. A women’s wine-tasting group meets regularly on Wednesday evenings, and friends meet friends there for a cup of something nice and warm.

“It’s a lot of work. Why are you doing this?” Julie has been asked

“Why not?” Julie says. She adds, “Be inspired to do what you really want to do, don’t be afraid of it. Go for it...

Very odd experience. The woman who took my order was very kind. It was just starting to get a little busy when I arrived. Another staff member was quite bothered by anyone's request for anything. They seemed unprepared/ overwhelmed and perhaps are short staffed but please dont treat folks who ask for condiments like they are high maintainance and then never bring them on purpose ( saw her disdain for the guy who asked for ketchup before her utter annoyance at my hot sauce ask) The place has the most amazing outdoor seating and views. Absolutely noone was out there when I set all my stuff on my table ( order number and holder, drinks, coffeecake,silverware).Despite a vast area of tables and chairs being open people sat at the table sharing an umbrella with me two inches away and then even in the empty seat at my table because I was a solo diner. Even after I said I was sitting there twice. Literally thirty other chairs and tables wide open. Very uncomfortable...

This was always my go to place to get a great meal, especially breakfast. I went today after many months of being away. Unfortunately, they completely changed their menu. It would be great to serve the small plates to accompany wine tastings, but I won't be going back to eat there any time soon. I had a radish spring roll for about $12, it was meh, small, and basically, flavorless. Of course, their pies and coffee are still great. But, the new Root and Vine is a definite "NO" for me for a meal. Too bad, because it was OUTSTANDING before this change. Please change back to...