<\/p>\n
More variety arrived on Main Street last month with The Loungin\u2019 Lizard\u2019s expansion.<\/p>\n
The Loungin\u2019 Lizard, at 2 W. Main St., has expanded into the space next door, opening The Chophouse at Loungin\u2019 Lizard.<\/p>\n
The space at 4 W. Main St. previously housed the San Juan Coffee shop, which closed in February after about two years in the space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought it might be our last opportunity to get to expand in this building, so we weren\u2019t planning on it,\u201d owner and chef Brian Puett said. \u201cIt just kind of happened, and we went for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Loungin\u2019 Lizard opened in November 2014, and has been a main attraction on Main Street ever since.<\/p>\n
With downtown Cortez growing and expanding, storefronts are quickly becoming a hot commodity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a busy block down here, so to be able to have extra space in the downtown Main Street area is pretty unique and rare,\u201d co-owner Amanda Puett said. \u201cWe just wanted to jump on it when we had the opportunity because who knows when that opportunity would have come up again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Puetts are serving \u201cEspresso and Grab and Go\u201d in The Chophouse from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.<\/p>\n
Complementing the grab-and-go focus of the daytime operation, The Chophouse offers iced tea, Italian sodas, coffee, breakfast burritos and New York style pizza, sold by the slice.<\/p>\n
The Chophouse also runs a bar all day long, stocked with beers, local Sutcliffe Vineyard wines and mixed drinks. As expected at a steak house, the bar has a solid lineup of bourbon and Scotch whisky.<\/p>\n
At 4 p.m., the space transforms into The Chophouse, which focuses on steaks and tapas.<\/p>\n
The new restaurant boasts a familiar Loungin\u2019 Lizard feel with a twist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are different atmospheres,\u201d Amanda Puett said. \u201cWe still have the cool rock wall in this 127-year-old building on both sides, but different music and just a little bit of a different atmosphere so it is familiar but not exactly the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea for the menu of the expansion came from customers who requested more dishes and choices from chef Brian Puett.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis side has a different menu,\u201d Amanda Puett said. \u201cIt has a tapas menu and then a chop house, so you can create your own steak dish. You pick what cut of meat you want and which size, and then you can add garnishes and sauces to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOver there (at the Loungin\u2019 Lizard) is the same chalkboard menu that they have gotten to know and love,\u201d Amanda Puett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have trusted us with knowing that the food sounds different \u2026 (but) it\u2019s going to be good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the Puetts are excited to offer something new to a community they love.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has become this wonderful little downtown community that we are lucky to be a part of and have fun with it,\u201d Amanda Puett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are just excited for this new space and want to make sure that everybody knows that it is here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chophouse
\n Espresso and Grab and Go: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday through Monday.
\n The Chophouse: 4 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Monday
\n The Loungin\u2019 Lizard
\n Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Monday
\n Weekends: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
\n Happy hour: Weekdays, 3 to 5 p.m. with food and drink specials.
\n Closed: Tuesday
\n Phone: 970-516-1998<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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