Breckenridge: restaurants, bars and entertainment There's a wide range, from typical US food to fine dining. At peak times they get busy, and many don't take bookings. The Breckenridge Dining Guide (available online) lists the full menu of most places. Recent visitors confirmed the attractions of the Hearthstone (modern American cuisine in a beautiful 100-year-old house): "excellent; attentive service." For no-nonsense grills-and-fries in a pub ambience, we've enjoyed both the Brewery (famous for mega "appetizers," such as buffalo wings, and splendid beers) and the Kenosha steakhouse. Reader tips: Whale's Tail (mainly, but not only seafood), Mi Casa ("lively" Mexican), South Ridge (predominantly fish - "good atmosphere"), Downstairs at Eric's (burgers and pizzas), Michael's (Italian), Steak & Rib ("bit of an institution; stacks of photos and memorabilia") and Spencer's, at Beaver Run resort (steaks and seafood). The Blue Moose does the usual killer breakfasts. Mountain restaurants Improved by more base options Of the self-service places above base level, Peak 9 restaurant is the "best" of a mediocre bunch, serving "reasonable" food. Both Ten Mile Station, where Peak 9 meets 10, and the dreary Vista Haus on Peak 8 are food-court operations. But they get nightmarishly busy at weekends. Sevens is a smart table-service restaurant at the Peak 7 base; there's a quick service window too: Sevens Express. The Ski Hill Grill at the base of Peak 8 has a smart decor with lots of stone and a "good variety" of self-service food (including Asian fusion). Après-ski The best in the area... There's not much tea-time animation at the lift bases. The Maggie, at the base of Peak 9, "has music on the terrace but doesn't stay open much beyond 5pm." Park Avenue Pub, just off Main Street, and the Brewery were lively on our recent visits. Later on we've enjoyed the Gold Pan saloon (reputedly the oldest bar west of the Mississippi); reader tips include the Liquid Lounge and Fatty's. Cecilia's serves good cocktails; Burke and Riley's is an Irish bar; Downstairs at Eric's is a disco sports bar, and Three20South has live bands. Off the slopes Pleasant enough Breckenridge is a pleasant place to wander around, with plenty of souvenir and gift shops plus a free museum. Silverthorne (about 30 minutes away by free bus) has bargain factory outlet stores.