In the quirky town of Manitou Springs is an eclectic restaurant called Swirl and its worth checking out.

A pick for a recent date night, Swirl Wine Bar and Restaurant bills itself as a place ‘where the locals go,’ and that vibe seems to hold true. From the umbrella-covered ceiling to the friendly waitstaff and creative menu, the spot offers a cozy, homey experience.

The menu features a variety of sandwiches like the ‘chicken, apple, bacon brie’ and the ‘drunk goat’ with its portabella mushrooms and goat cheese spread, as well as entrees like chicken pot pie, beef tips, and shepherd’s pie. The flatbreads are popular, too, as are the soups and salads.

For my pick, I went with the ‘Muffawhateva’ sandwich – a tasty take on the muffuletta – and my partner went with the Cubano, complete with house-made dill pickles. Both were delicious, and accompanied by the soft pretzel appetizer, it was a great meal at a new spot.

In addition to the food, expect a full bar with wine selections at the forefront of that effort. Sangria can be ordered by the pitcher, as can Moscow mules and a vodka-spiked lemonade. Several local Colorado beers are on tap, too.

If one thing’s for sure, I’ll be back soon.

Learn more about Swirl Wine Bar and Restaurant here.