A Foodie Experience Full Of Old History And New Cuisine

Caren takes you on a journey to the historic Golden Mill with seasonal cocktails and fresh sushi
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Photos courtesy of The Golden Mill and Caren Austin

Hello, my fellow foodies and welcome back! As a mountain girl, nothing screams Summer more than Golden Colorado. It’s chock full of rafters, tubers on Clear Creek, tourists taking the Coors brewery tour, and most importantly, people enjoying food and drinks at some of our mountain towns best restaurants. The Golden Mill has been a destination for myself and my husband for years. It is everything Golden. Full of history, fabulous food stalls, and a self-serve wall full of cocktails, beer and wine. Before we eat and drink, it’s important to recognize this building’s history, so let’s take a little trip back in history for a moment.

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The Golden Mill was originally a flour mill in 1864. Then in 1954 it became a feed store serving nearby towns until it was bought by the current owners of The Golden Mill turning it into a multi-level food hall with a twist. The twist at The Golden Mill is how you obtain your libations. Wine, beer and seasonal cocktails are served by the ounce. You can have as much or as little as you like, or simply have yourself a little taste test of all the different libations. Okay, history lesson over, so let’s eat and drink. 

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Five food stalls make up the culinary part of the Golden Mill. Tacos Al Chile, Republik of Chiken, Rolling Smoke BBQ, Happy Cones and Sushi Sora.  Sushi Sora just added a bunch of new items to their menu, and this has always been my go-to for fresh delicious sushi, so I headed there as soon as I arrived. I started with the Shishito Calamari and the Octopus Beet Salad. The Calamari was so lightly fried it was like air and the yuzu dressing on top was a perfect fit. The Octopus salad was fresh, colorful, and delicious. Mushrooms are one of my favorite foods, so The Fun Guy Roll seemed like a good choice. Full of shitake, furikake, and shitake compote, this vegetarian sushi roll had so much depth and earthiness to it, I would absolutely order it again. Poke bowls are new here as well and you can pick your protein and veggies. I picked the tuna which could not have been fresher. Everything at Sushi Sora is inventive and full of Asian flavor. You just really can’t go wrong no matter what you order here. It truly is my favorite sushi in the mountains.

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I was getting thirsty, so I headed over to the wall of libations to try some of their new summer cocktails, the Aperol Spritz, and the Wildflower Daze, which was one of my favorite cocktails ever. Made with gin, this cocktail is a nod to the Bees Knees original cocktail with a floral twist. The lilac color and the taste of the Wildflower Daze screamed summer in a glass. Tons of beers to choose from as well as nonalcoholic choices.

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I was full but couldn’t leave without taking the chicken tenders from The Republik of Chiken home with me. They are probably the best in the West, and I never leave without some in hand. There are lots of summer events at The Golden Mill, so check out their website. Going there, sitting with friends on the massive patio or rooftop deck in the summer is why The Golden Mill shines so bright in a historic city where the West truly lives. Go there hungry and thirsty. Your summer just got way better the second you walk in the door! Until next time my fellow foodies, eat well, drink well, and be well.

Categories: Caren’s Culinary Adventures, Sip & Savor