Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Ever just get into your car and start driving? I do. Though, I’ll admit I haven’t done it in a while. One of the many times I got into my truck and just took off, I found myself at almost 8,500 feet above sea level, in the middle of Pine, Colorado. I had no specific plan or destination - only the mere hopes of coming across something adventurous or at least special. This is how I discovered Zoka’s Restaurant and Bar. 

The drive is amazing once you turn left on Pine Valley Road. It’s almost the same drive as you would take to get to The Buck Snort - which I wrote about in the Mountain Ear February 21, 2019, edition. If you decide to head towards Pine and explore Zoka’s for yourself, consider making a stop at Pine Valley Ranch first. The signs are hard to miss. Even if you’re not a hiker, the walk along the Platter River is an awesome sound to experience. 

Once you make your way to the restaurant, be sure to notice the very large piece of art work against the wall. It’ll make you feel like you’re inside a Bob Ross painting. Wait to be seated at a table or sit at the bar and meet a new friend. I find that making new friends in this type of setting is easy to do. Even if that newfound friendship only lasts the two hours you’re there. Life is beautiful that way.

One of my favorite things about Zoka’s, besides the location, is the creativity in their menu. They do offer familiar appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts and drinks. They just add their own little twists to them all. You can pretty much count on them adding new items daily. They also provide a lunch menu during the week and brunch on the weekends. 

After treating yourself to lunch, brunch, dinner, dessert and/or an adult beverage, find a seat outside on their dog-friendly deck and allow yourself to soar with the river and view that greets you. I would love to go there again. It just feels like one of those places that will never disappoint. The surroundings are breath-taking, the food is great and the ambiance is full of adventure and yet, so zenful. 

For more information check out https://www.zokas.com/. Zoka’s is located at 16940 S Pine Valley Rd., Pine, CO 80470. The phone number is 303.838.0378.

(Originally published in the August 15, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)