City: Colorado Springs, CO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (719) 635-8484

Address: 15 S. Tejon St.

Description: This hip and trendy downtown American bistro draws the business crowd and anyone else who can find a parking place on popular Tejon Street. It’s casual, but you’ll also see guys in ties and women in business suits. They have many tasty menu items, but if they ever take the Voodoo Chicken, or Cajun Chicken & Shrimp, or Smoked Salmon Salad off the menu, they’ll be in trouble with their regulars. We also love their unique pizzas, like the basil pizza or the Southwestern one that tastes like a giant gourmet taco. Monday night is $14 Steak Night (strip or filet). Want to enter chocolate heaven? Save room for their Chocolate Trio that includes a chocolate-and-espresso pot de crème and chocolate pudding cake with malted Chantilly cream. They are one of downtown’s favorite hot spots for live music and a killer happy hour. Besides a full bar, they have a great wine list and 16 beers on draft. Parking on the street can be tough at lunchtime and right after work, but later in the evening and weekends, it loosens up. There’s also a large parking garage less than a block away. Don’t let that deter you. Ritz Grill opened in 1987 with a striking Art Deco decor, and has never lost its cool vibe.