Sow’s Ear

Boy, sorry for the bad review but we came here after the Iron Horse Classic to have a celebratory meal. While the people were nice, they managed to make mistakes at every turn.
It took an inordinate amount of time to get the drink order in… Once we had the bottles of wine we were able to order an appetizer. It took probably another 25 minutes for the appetizers were to come
(The waitress was wonderful but forgetful). We ordered the truffle fries (fabulous) but found out she had not put in the dinner order until after the salads served.
We, in short, did not eat for approximately 3 hours. We walked in at 7 p.m. and didn’t get out until 9:55.
3 of the 8 orders were wrong, the mashed potatoes were old, several of the orders were not cooked well or had extras that were instructed to be left off. …and at the end of the evening it was obvious the waitress was at fault, Instead of the kitchen. So when I went to short the gratuity alas it was already built-​in.
I do not appreciate NOT having the opportunity to compensate appropriately as i usually go far over the regular 20%.
This practice seemed Odd as well, as we only had two tickets for 8 people which I didn’t believe would be considered a large party.
Well I don’t expect anything for a poor evening I did expect a compensatory goodie… Nothing,… not a coupon, a comped meal or a dessert was offered… not even an apology.
Please, management, NOTICE when a table is sitting without food for hours on end.

We recently vacationed in Durango and came across Sow’s Ear thanks to Unilocal.We dined here two out of three evenings. The food was delicious! The first night our steaks were prepared perfectly — our second visit was still great but not as good as our first visit. (They were extremely busy our second trip there and most tables were eight tops.) Also, they offer petite options for smaller appetites. Daily specials included sea scallops and pork tenderloin. The featured chocolate panna cotta with port wine cherries was delicious. Kid menu is available — the kid steak option was perfect. HOMEMADE FRIES! My son did comment though that the chicken fingers were not his favorite. Second time around he opted for steak. They also serve local cream soda and root beer — the kids loved this treat!

I’ve been here a few times now, most recently this week. In respect to previous visits I would probably give Sow’s Ear four stars, but my visit this week definitely deserves five stars. We had two appetizers: the spring rolls and the spinach/​artichoke dip. The dip was good; it was a sort of deconstructed spinach and artichoke dip where the cheese, spinach, and artichokes come out separately. Interesting and definitely worth a try, but nowhere near as good as the spring rolls! Highly recommend getting them for an appetizer.
The true shining star of my meal, however, was the duck entrée. I had it cooked medium-​rare and it was without a doubt the best duck I have ever had. The greens that came with it were also fantastic and I cannot wait to (attempt to) try and recreate the greens at home!

The best food you’ll find in La Plata County. My husband and I live in Durango and the Sow’s Ear is our top choice restaurant for a special occasion. We stop there whenever we go north. The calamari is the best we’ve ever had, and I grew up in California. Steaks, dried cherry salad, duck, spring rolls, everything we’ve ever had is amazing! Top it off with their chocolate chip cookies! WORTH-​EVERY-​PENNY!

We had a very good dinner this weekend, with the duck confit spring roll appetizer as the highlight. Our server was very pleasant. Lost a star due to poor performance from the bar — they were out of a standard cocktail ingredient, then messed up the vodka martinis (explanation: used the wrong shaker) which took some time to sort out. All in all, a good option close to Durango Mountain Resort.

First things first, this was probably the best steak I’ve ever had!
I’ve been visiting Durango for a few years now, and I’ve always wondered about the Sow’s Ear. Often passing the sign on 550, I always assumed it was some pub or bar, possibly something more frequented by skiers/​boarders at DMR. Boy was I wrong! I’m glad I finally looked the place up and made a dinner reservation.
My friend and I were there last Tuesday, and the place was pretty quiet but with a decent handful of diners. We were seated at a great table in front of the restaurant’s big bay window that overlooks 550 and the beautiful mountain scenery. I think our server was pretty much the only one there, waiting on all the guest with a bit of help from the hostess. I think she was also the bartender. Anyways, she very friendly and service wasn’t lacking if she was, in fact, the only one waiting tables.
After being handed a menu featuring a menu of that night’s seasonal specials, she was quick to mention that the restaurant was known for its steaks. I jumped right on that and ordered the sea salt and peppercorn ribeye, while my friend ordered one of the specials — a salmon cooked/​wrapped in a cornhusk. We also ordered a bowl of roasted butternut squash and sage bisque, also on the special menu.
I have to say that everything was dynamite. The soup was outstanding, and they were very generous with the serving. The soup was rich and comforting, with just enough sage to enhance but not overpower.
The fish was rich and buttery. It came with a refreshing cucumber salsa that helped balance the spiciness of a chipotle pepper spaghetti squash that accompanied the fish. In addition, the fish was layered with a nice creamy corn sauce.
And, that steak! So good! It was cooked to a perfect medium rare, with just enough fat left on for flavor. Absolutely melt in your mouth. And it was also a generous portion. Not only one of the best steaks I’ve had a restaurant but also the thickest. If I hadn’t shared it with my friend, there would have been no way I would have finished it. The roasted potatoes and asparagus that accompanied the steak were kind of an afterthought, especially considering the potatoes could have been cooked and seasoned a bit more. Again, though, the star of the dish was the steak, so I’m not really complaining.
The Sow’s Ear has an extensive wine list, although there are very few by-​the-​glass options. If I had any critique (and trust me, it doesn’t at all make or break my opinion of this place), it would be to not only offer a few more by-​the-​glass wine options but also offer a seasonal cocktail menu. Having something like that is always such a nice value add to a dining experience. I almost always order at least one craft cocktail when presented with options.
And, last but not least, I found the price points of everything to be reasonable.
The Sow’s Ear will definitely be a place I return to again and again when I’m in town visiting.

Ate at Durango’s best and this was hands down the absolute best. There deconstructed spinach and artichoke appie was incredible and my favorite. Steaks were fantastic and perfectly cooked. Make the trek and get there early for an amazing view.

Well if I could give the Sow’s Ear 10 stars I would gladly do it!
Every ingredient in every dish is represented in the taste of the food. We eat out a lot, and I’m certain this is the best meal I’ve EVER had the pleasure to enjoy.
Yes it’s a little on the expensive side, but the value represented by the quality of the preparation, presentation and service make it a relative bargain!

Wonderful views, food and service. The small, plate options are really a meal if you have an appetizer or salad with it. We were too full to sample dessert but hope to next visit.

I had the Filet a Poivre and it was amazing! Thanks to Matt and George for a great meal! I’ll definitely be back!!!

Nice folks. Great wine. Amazing food. We ate the pork belly appetizer. Then the shrimp with raviolis and it was delicious.

Great food in a upscale lodge style dining-​room. We had 3 kids, ages 10 to 15. One had elk, the other had crab cakes, and the third had chicken of some sort. It was nice that they had some «small plate» options, though not traditional kid food, which we liked. My filet was beautifully done; high quality meat and one of the best peppercorn sauces I have ever had. The wine selection was very good, though the waitress had no wine knowledge. Her day job was at the ski resort, and I understood. Not a cheap dinner, but that was not what we were looking for. We will deficiently be back!

Ate there with my family. My mother became violently ill from her meal. Besides that it was great!

Courteous service, great food. Beautiful views of the mountains at sunset if you sit in the bar by the window.

The Sow’s Ear is so tasty, and we had no problem eating it twice on our vacation in Durango. The staff are all very friendly (Sara was our waitress both nights, and Chrissy is the event planner). My grandmother’s birthday party /​family reunion was held here, and they handled our large twenty-​eight person group as seamlessly as a foursome. My husband loved his Ribeye both nights, and I had Elk one night and Salmon another. Everything was delicious! 5 stars!

Best dining and service near the resort. Steaks are great. Sit at the bar to meet some of the locals.

Tried the ribs, a chicken thing that I don’t know how to say, filet mignon, and a quesadilla thing I don’t know how to say (seriously, why try to make a quesadilla sound fancy?).
The chicken thing. 1 star.
Ribs. ZERO.
Filet mignon. ZERO.
Quesadilla thing. 1 star.
Complimentary jalapeño rolls. 5 stars. (These rolls were awesome. Unfortunately a restaurant cannot live on complimentary jalapeño rolls alone).
Kids enjoyed their chicken strips. But they also have enjoyed eating soil, paper, the corner of our couch, and an occasional bug.
Prices were ridiculous. Still wouldn’t eat here if I gave the place 3+ stars.

Love this place! Their bar menu is great! The duck from it is great. I have always liked what I have ordered here from the duck to the fish to the elk I’ve loved it all. Even the sides are great.

In a word: yum.
My group of 5 went to dinner at The Sow’s Ear one night during the «buy one entrée, get one free» week, and folks — ding ding ding — we have a winner.
This is a great way to generate business during the end of the tourist season. Our waitress informed us that with the money made during this promotion, her employers could afford to keep more of their waitstaff employed longer. You have to respect a restaurant that takes care of its employees.
The evening started with a basket of bread that had a few different types of rolls in it. One was a jalapeño and cheese roll that was delicious.
My group shared appetizers of duck spring rolls and on the nightly special appetizer that was pork. I’m not a pork eater, but I had a bite and it was a tender piece of meat and the accompanying pear sauce was superb.
For the main course, I had the chicken. This dish was chicken stuffed with ham, avocado, topped with crab, and paired with broccoli and rice. It was great, and whatever was in that crab topping added a nice hint of spice to the dish.
Our waitress was nice, funny, and checked on us often.
The restaurant is a large structure with high ceilings, dim, lighting, and huge windows that look on to the valley. It’s a great place to go with a date or with a group of friends. Next time I find a Sugar Daddy, I am making him bring me here.

I don’t know about the actual restaurant offerings, but the chef prepared special food for me at a big wedding banquet at the restaurant. I notified him in advance of my food allergy & was accommodated in the midst of a meal for over 100 people without any problems. My «special» plate of fillet mignon, potato and greens was quite tasty … especially the greens. The fillet was cooked perfectly.
The other food at the banquet looked great, but I wasn’t able to sample any of it due to my allergy. The wine and beer (local!) selections were also very good for a mass-​eating.
I hope to return to the lodge & eat there again.