For those of you not familiar with the Golden Bee – it’s an English pub that was first imported to New York, then moved to the Broadmoor Hotel in the early 1960’s. The wall panels, fixtures, bar, and ceiling are all reportedly authentic – and the place is just as cozy as all get out! We always take out of town visitors there just to see the bar and woodwork. I’ve got photos, but I need to figure out how to get them into my blog!
Anyway – the place was not crowded (it can get very, very busy during the height of summer and when there’s a convention at the Broadmoor Hotel) – so we snagged a table right away. The waiter, Michael, got our beer orders – and left us to peruse the short menu. When Michael brought us our beer, we asked him for the standard, complimentary basket of crackers and pot of soft, spreadable cheese that the Bee has been offering for years. (I know; I’ve been going to The Bee since about 1975. I even have a bee from way back then! More about the bees later.) While Michael was obviously trying to boost his tips from the tourist couples seated in the back, we wrestled with lunch choices.
Mike opted for the Cottage Pie – beef tips braised in Guinness stout with mushrooms and potatoes and I ordered the fish and chips. Come on – an English pub – somebody had to order fish and chips! While we waited for our lunches, Michael asked how I was enjoying the beer (which, unfortunately, I can’t remember what it was!) and I told him it was a bit dark for my taste. He swept up the glass and brought me a glass of beer much lighter and much more to my liking. Thanks!!
After a very short wait, here came lunch. Mike’s Cottage Pie was really spectacular! Hot, meaty, flavorful – really extraordinary. Comparatively, my fish and chips were … well, fish and chips. And just okay – not great, just okay. The fish was battered nicely, but kind of bland. I expected just a bit more “spice” in the batter – and the chips were, like the fish, just a bit bland. Nothing to really complain about, just a bit bland. The coleslaw they came with was, however, really good. It was, contrary to the rest of my meal, seasoned nicely!
If you happen to be at The Bee, I would definitely recommend getting one of the pies for your meal. Well worth it. Especially if it’s a fall or winter day – what a nice, cozy lunch to enjoy! There’s several other dishes I would like to try – like the navy bean and banger cassoulet or the Essex hot roast beef on a baguette!
About the bees – for years, The Bee has had embroidered bees that are sticky on one side. The staff flick the bees at you so they stick on your shirt – and it’s really quite fun. As we were walking out the car after our lunch, here comes Michael – waving a card with 4 bees on it – he had neglected to flick bees on us – but made sure we got our bees anyway!
Speaking of bees, I worked with the Broadmoor last year to try to get them to establish a bee hive there. I’m still pursuing the idea - but they seem bent on the beehive being on the golf course. I’ve tried to tell than a flat rooftop would actually work better – especially considering bears roam the area. I’ll approach them again this winter – and if they turn me down again – I’ll go to the Antlers and let them be the premier hotel in Colorado Springs with a beehive. We’re already behind Denver (the Brown Palace has a beehive, as do numerous first-class hotels in San Francisco, Washington DC, Dallas, etc, etc. You’d think the Broadmoor wouldn’t want to be left in the dust on this!)
Anyway – yes, I’ll keep the Golden Bee on the Do Again list. Even if the food sucked, I’d still love the place for the bar, woodwork, crackers and cheese, beer … and the bees!!
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