Welcome to the Black Bear Restaurant
In the small mountain hamlet of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, Chef Victor Matthews has set up shop in a 1950s log cabin and established the first Four Star Restaurant in the history of the Area. This is a quick look at this groundbreaking, firelit bastion of Good Food.
10375 Ute Pass Ave. (In the Center of Town, on the East Side of the Lake.)
Only 15 minutes from Downtown Colorado Springs.
719-684-9648.
The Chef just returned from Powderhorn Ranch's Annual Gourmet Week, at which he was a featured Celebrity Chef.
To see a brief about this year, click here...
Or...for more details about the first year, which started the legend...
Click here...
Chef Victor Matthews and his Staff at the Black Bear are proud to serve local, organic Colorado products from small family farms.
To take a look at a list of these friends, Click Here...
New Developments!
Click Here to look at the Chef's recent contributions to the
2000 Governor's Symposium on Colorado Foods...
The Town, The Chef, and His Menu
Chef Victor Matthews, Four Stars since 1997.
After extensive work in various Fine Dining Establishments, including training under four Master Level Chefs, Chef Matthews opened his first restaurant as Executive Chef in 1997. This was the Chef's Table Restaurant in New Orleans, where after only 3 months he was rated at Four Stars. Alas, he did not own this property, and after various problems was forced to move on.
Want to know a little more about the Master Chefs that trained me?
It was in early 1999 that he found the run down "Pub and Grub" in the heart of beautiful Green Mountain Falls (the lake's gazebo pictured here) on the Internet and bought it.
Beginning an immediate 100k renovation to bring the venue up to his impecable standards, the Chef and his crew cleaned the property from top to bottom, purchased all new tableware, and re-established the original name of "The Black Bear" from 1959. It took nine hard months, but eventually the restaurant warranted a review (for the first time in 40 years), and he received the rating of Four Stars, a first for the entire area.
So, what makes the Black Bear so very different from other restaurants?
Take a Look at the Current Menu Here
Often the Chef offers an Amenity: a simple complimentary starter just to welcome his guests.
At the beginning of following Chef's Menu (from Christmas Eve), he started with Red Caviar Crostini that was ascented by Fresh Thyme and Honey Mascarpone.
Asparagus and Artichoke Salad.
With Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Calamata Olives.
Smoked Lobster and Truffle Bisque.
Accented by Fire-Roasted Roma Tomatoes and Fresh Cream.
Blue Marlin Martini.
Ceviche-Style with Fresh Citrus, Cilantro, Vodka, and Peppers.
Traditional Wild Mushroom Risotto.
From Piemonte Arborio Rice; with Crimini, Portobello, and Chanterelle.
Filet Mignon "Margherita".
With Grilled HotHouse Beefsteak Tomato, Fresh Basil, Caramelized Buffalo Mozzarella, and Roasted Garlic Bordelaise.
Bananas Mozambique.
West African Recipe with Homemade Cardamom Yogurt.
Other Selections from the Chef's Continually Changing Menus include:.
Allspice Smoked Chicken with Mandarin Sesame Glaze
Three Lentil Masala Soup
The Hanging Gardens
Italian Flag Risotto
Bombay Chowder
Floating Islands
Potato and Stout Stew
Kasmiri Lamb
Salmon and Mixed Berry Consomme
Whole Sizzling Fish
Velveteen Rabbit
Three Dragon Soup
Want to see some recipes?
What's Next?...Click Here to take a peek into the Developmental Kitchen.
Enter the Chef's Store...
Click here for AOL's Food Site with tons of links and recipes!
Click here for the informative Yahoo! Food and Drink Site
Chef Victor Matthews is proud to be
A Certified Chef
A Certified Culinary Instructor
Vice-President of the ACF Pikes Peak Chapter
The Editor-in-Chief of the ACF Pikes Peak Newsletter
Vice-President of the Colorado Restaurant Association
and an active member of
The American Culinary Federation
The International Association of Culinary Professionals
The National Restaurant Association
The American Institute of Wine and Food
The Colorado Restaurant Association
The Ute Pass Chamber of Commerce
The Colorado Chefs Collaborative
Colorado Proud
Club Nine
and
CRA Sub-Committees on Food and Beverage Education and Politics.
Contact the American Culinary Federation
Contact the International Association of Culinary Professionals
Want to be placed on our Mailing List? Just send your information (physical and internet) to the E-Mail Link below...
Contact Chef Victor Matthews
