Regional restaurant review by Patty LaTaille
Organic Peddler
14475 W. Hwy. 160
Del Norte, CO 81132
(719) 65-Peace
Healthy eaters and vegetarian travelers can now travel through the San Luis Valley with peace of mind and a culinary destination ahead. There exists an oasis of organic food and drinks in the meat and fried potatoes and road trip fare in an unlikely spot – Del Norte. Look for the mustard yellow building and sign for the Organic Peddler and Peace of Art Café right on Highway 160.
If you’re the type of person who avoids fast food and cheap crappy coffee, the Peace of Art cafe is the place for you. This is the Mecca for individuals who believe in organic fare and that buying locally-based foods is the way to live sustainably. Not only will you feel good about the food you are eating, but you should feel good in general – the colorful and eclectic ambience in a unique atmosphere, as well as the friendly service, fosters a sense of peace and wonder.
Walking into the cordwood structure, illuminated by multi-colored glass bottles allowing diffused green, blue, amber light into a small dining area on a retro blue tiled linoleum floor, you’ll be amazed at all the bold and colorful clutter – artfully arranged. Go to the counter and order “off the board” – sandwiches with free range turkey, ham, or veggie – along with a variety of healthy salads and the option of a hearty soup, all made with 95-99 percent organic and local ingredients.
Peace of Art Café is a family-owned and operated business by Kim Anna and Mike Cellura-Shields, who run the café and the adjoining natural food store and gift shop. After ordering, most customers usually browse the café and store while waiting for their food, looking at the colorful art and handicrafts from Mexico, Guatemala, Tibet, Thailand, and India – alongside the many peace symbol-adorned clothing and gift items.
My husband Jack and I ordered the “special” – a Panini sandwich with turkey, cheddar cheese and sautéed red onions and tomatoes on spelt ancient grain and oat nut bread. We were initially surprised at the small size of the entrée and the handful of tortilla chips that accompanied it, but it was filling, and we realized that organic ingredients are usually worth the higher price. The mango Ceylon iced tea was refreshing and the chicken and rice with vegetables soup was tasty.
The colorful and eclectic décor, complete with creative lighting suspended from rough hewn wooden beams, has the inviting feel of a coffee house and café. Organic free-trade coffee and the complete gamut of espresso drinks are served, as well as fresh fruit smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices. A variety of teas and organic beer and wine are also available.
Breakfast has a variety of menu choices – including the much-touted “New York-style” bagels – made with local flour and honey, then boiled ($2.25 each) – are available on Saturday and Sundays.
Picked For: Ambiance – healthy food options –
accessible location.
Open: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday – Wednesday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday – Saturday
www.organicpeddler.org
