Colorado Explorer: Dining

Master chef Wolfgang Puck will open a new Spago restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Avon in early December. The restaurant will seat 126 and serve the light, fresh Italian — influenced dishes typical of the brand, with décor in keeping with the hotel's grand lodge style. 970-748-6200.

Sink your teeth into a Mountain Pie or one of the other delectable "Colorado-style" pizzas at the original Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs. Too far? There are seven other locations from Fort Collins to Durango, so you probably can find one that's somewhat convenient. Save the crust for dessert, with honey. Yum!

Linda DuVal is former travel editor of The Gazette in Colorado Springs and a freelance writer.