Disappointment is an understatement. I came to Colorado Springs for a long weekend and decided to try a few spots that offered tasting menus. I wanted to dig in and see why this town has no James Beard awards. As soon as the first course was sat down, it was abundantly clear. The scallops stunk badly. Visually, they were pretty, but I didn't finish the course. Next came a kale salad. I thought this was a joke: a five course tasting menu with a Chick-fil-A style salad. Ok? The next course was a seared piece of fish and broccoli rabe. The broccoli was nicely cooked in butter and the fish was very tasty. The sauce's color was not great and the lentils were under seasoned. This was the best course. Next we got what could only be described as kitchen leftovers. A pile of mushrooms and greens topped with an overcooked teres major chunk. Wrapped around was a confused mustard green that didn't add anything to the dish. Finally we got the dessert. They call it crème brûlée, but it is not. It was good especially when paired with the port. The only successful wine pairing in all five courses. The service was very casual and impersonal. The ambiance was modern and very casual. Would be best for a night out with shorts and a graphic tee and your nicest crocs. I think the chef has potential. The fish dish was a step in the right direction, but this is not fine dining. Also, there are no premium whiskies in their bar, but the bar outside had a decent selection. They should work together. read more

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Still fantastic! The tasting menu is extraordinarily and a bargain for the price. The wine pairings are also terrific and a great value. Truly outstanding fine dining in Colorado Springs! read more

Finally made it to this place to have some dinner. The place has a lovely and clean aesthetic. Everyone who works there is super nice and inviting. The service was great. Now to the food, got the vegetarian tasting menu that comes with 5 courses. Some of the dishes were delicious and some were a bit too salty for me, I don't particularly eat much salt. Overall the experience was great. Had a wonderful time. read more

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We had an exceptional evening at Ephemera. They are upstairs inside Coati in a lovely location with lots of natural light. Their tasting menu is truly amazing. We had five courses that were all unique and delicious. The service was perfect. Our waiter explained everything that was in each dish. Yes it is a higher price point, but definitely worth it for a special occasion. read more

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Our experience at Ephemera was truly exceptional, thanks to Chef Justin and Chef Josh who exceeded our expectations and provided a highly informative and enjoyable experience. As a chef, I asked numerous questions, which they readily answered, sharing their expertise while expertly preparing outstanding dishes. We began with the Amuse-bouche of Grouper cheek cerviche, featuring a captivating twist with mango and takaziki, which proved delightfully light and playful. Next, we savored the tempura Guinea Fowl with Maple-Bourbon Gravy, Black Currant, and chili peanut, a life-altering culinary experience. The tempura was perfectly crispy, while the black currant and chili peanut formed an extraordinary combination. Our third course, a tagliatelle with Beet Arabiata, Black Cumin Chevre, Anise Raisin, and Pangrattato, was truly exceptional, and I intend to devote considerable effort to replicating this masterpiece. If you are in Colorado Springs, I highly recommend visiting this innovative eatery and opting for a seat at the bar, which serves as the chef's table! The drinks, the staff, service and the atmosphere are truly wonderful! 100/10 recommend!! read more

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My wife thought it would be a good idea to take me to Ephemera for my birthday as we have wanted to try it and we have heard good things about it. The portions are comically small. The food was tasty but it's pointless as a meal. The main course was a steak that was, at best, the size of a credit card served with five miniature potatoes. The desert was an olive oil cake and the best part of the whole meal. It looked like corn bread and butter with ketchup drizzled about. It was absolutely delicious. Luckily, there are other food options down stairs. I recommend eating before going so you can actually enjoy the portions served. read more

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Dining experience 9/13/25 Hesitated to post this because I know the restaurant business is hard, but I feel like it's my honest review and it's worth putting out there for others. I had heard such good things and had very high hopes for dining at ephemera. Sadly, it was underwhelming and I will not be returning. It was a milestone anniversary, and I noted that in our reservation, but when we arrived, the woman who came out to greet us said "just sit wherever" and motioned to an empty four top in the middle of the room. I asked about the side room that looked more cozy and she said "yeah sure just take a look." I honestly was ready to walk out right then and probably should have. We ended up at a six top in the corner. For a romantic anniversary dinner for parents who don't get to get out that often and have limited resources, I was really disappointed from the start. They take your credit card and require $50 deposit, email you several times to make sure you're coming, suggesting that reservations are very important, but they did not bother to save a two top on the side or make any mention at all that they were expecting us. The never asked if we were celebrating anything. The service was mid, our server mentioned several times how today was his Friday and he was ready for a break. We both got the tasting menu, which was fine. The dessert was actually poorly executed and a sad way to end the meal (I can't even remember what it was, some kind of bread pudding?). I had a cocktail and a glass of wine and my husband had an NA drink and the bill was around $230 with tip. I get that their brand is punk rock fine dining, but these are not punk rock prices. From people I've talked to, our experience was an outlier, but I still felt like it should be out there for others to consider. I left disappointed and won't be back. read more

For a fancy night out it is a nice place with some good and complex food. While it is a bit pricy (to be expected) it is nice that you can split a tasting menu or just get a single dish. The art was amazing and really added to the atmosphere. It is always wonderful to see the chefs cook so the bar seating is, in my opinion, the best in the house. Each dish had well ballanced flavors and they were nice enough modify the plates to all be vegetarian. My favorite was the kale salad which had dates to sweeten it up and sause to ballance it back out. The service was amazing as well. If it is within your budget, it is a great place to celebrate. read more

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This restaurant has a hip vibe. What we found very cool was that they allowed two people at our table to do the tasting and I just ordered a few a la carte items. The wine pairing and tasting are a steal for the inventive, fresh dishes we were served. The wine pairings were also excellent and done correctly with complimenting the food (which is not always the case). We loved that the chef also brought out some dishes and gave a story to them. They change their menu daily, so you could come often. It's a fantastic place. read more

Excited with the menu every time I go... one of my favorite eating experiences in Cos. I still think about the salad with a vegan avocado dressing... and I don't really think about salads that often, but it was surprisingly delicious read more

I was visiting from Texas and did some research and found this place to have my birthday dinner. I got the tasting menu, and I was a little worried because I had never had duck so I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Every single plate I was given was absolutely delicious and im still thinking about it days later. Each person there was so nice and explained the dishes and talked to me. Made me feel very comfortable and welcome! The jambalaya was the best dish I've ever had in my life. I didn't take pics of the first 2 plates but the lumpia and soup were great also. read more

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Great food and vegetarian friendly! We found free parking a few minutes away, and got in with a same day reservation. I think we spent about 2 hours there - we split the 5 course menu which was plenty of food for us. It was pricey compared to a normal meal, but a great experience. It is fun to sit at the counter and watch the action happening in the kitchen. Our favorite was the kale salad - though the cream on the side was a bit salty. The artwork is beautiful and I love that they host local artists work. The soup dish was delicious too, with plenty of layers of flavor. The ambience was sa but chaotic and loud, but we didn't mind. I recommend checking out the multi course menu if you're looking for a fancy date night. read more

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An amazing culinary experience! A hidden gem in downtown Colorado Springs. As we arrived the location is within a modern food court tucked in an upstairs location, very quaint. Unlike many other restaurants we've visited in Miami and other cities Ephemera delivers the finest food with great flavor, beautiful presentation and friendly service. We started with a simple grilled sourdough with an amazing butter and olive oil. A second round was a must! The soup was delicious with just the perfect amount of bacon and cheese. For the mains we had the steak as well as the fish. Presentation and flavors were epic, delicate dishes with attention to details that made every bite a special treat. The desserts were amazing and enjoyed every minute of the meal. We would definitely recommend and return to Ephemera! read more

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Honestly for a fine-dining, multiple course meal, this was just kind of mid. Fish course of local striped bass stood out, but nothing else did. There were some good ideas but execution just wasn't there. Mocktails and cocktails were good, as were the west coast oysters we added to the prix fixe menu. Ambiance in the front room isn't that great either. Like almost everything in Coati, sounded promising but failed to really deliver. Not memorable. read more

Ephemera - Scallop first course - Desserts Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

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My friends and I were in for a surprise treat. The restaurant is actually located upstairs in a refurbished small business warehouse which houses other types of restaurants, bars, and businesses. It has areas where you can sit on couches or cushions and talk with friends. The vibe is laid back, welcoming, and the music puts you in a great mood. It's a wonderful adult hang out spot especially on the weekend. As I said the restaurant Ephemera is located upstairs and it actually has a more closure and intimate feel to it; opposed to the other places being out in the open. We didn't have a reservation because we were just told about it by someone downstairs. I would definitely suggest making a reservation. We were very lucky that they were able to seat us that evening. We had a nice big table all to ourselves and a bit of privacy. I wish I could remember the cocktail I ordered because it was really good, but I definitely remember the food. I ordered the pear soup which I think was my favorite hands down. I ordered the duck confit for my entree and my girlfriends ordered the beef, The duck and the beef were both cooked very tender and the flavors were delicious. I really like the combination of the duck, black eyed peas, and lemon marmalade. I combined everything each bite. The first bite just made me close my eyes and hummm. I did try the dessert. I had the oat chocolate cake. It wasn't bad and it had the cherries that added flavor. It tended to be on the very dry side. What I loved more than the rest of the dessert was the rosemary ice cream the chef made. I really would have preferred just that instead of the cake. It was light and unique. I could taste the rosemary. I want to go back for the soup and ice cream. I would order the duck again also but I can't stop thinking about the soup and ice cream. read more

Ephemera - The duck confeit, black eyed pears, mint, lemon marmalade - Desserts Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

While the food was excellent and well cooked it came out a bit cold. The service was mediocre to poor The ambiance was very nice read more

Not just Great, Exceptional! I cannot accurately express how incredible this place is. Not just the food (which was almost too pretty to eat but thank God I did because it is DELICIOUS, I felt like my taste buds had died and gone to heaven) but the people here are amazing. I hadn't been to a restaurant like this before and they were so patient whenever I had questions. It is so obvious the care they have, not just for the people who come in, but the food they create​. From the plating to the ambience of the restaurant itself, it's a once in a lifetime experience that I hope to repeat. read more

Not just food. True art. Went for a memorable evening with a group of 6 foodies. We did the 5 course tasting menu. Everything dish was a true delight. The wines were perfectly paired. The staff was warm and knowledgable. It was a true treat. read more

The food was delicious. We had the 5 course dinner. The two main dishes, the sable fish made with curry coconut broth and rice cake, and the Colorado bison with the mashed potato and the sauces were delicious. I never have chosen bison as a steak and wow, this was delish, they cooked perfectly for me not too bloody and not charred! The soup- red miso tarot leek was interestingly good- kind of sweet and soury soup. As the appetizer was a single lefties wonton stuffed with chickpea and feta, with an Asian type sauce. All was was delish. Tomas was our server, and he was great- explained all the dishes and ensured we did not have any allergies. He took the time to talk to us and listened., 5/5 for service. The other servers also came around and helped and were very courteous too. The atmosphere was unconventional- the building was like a warehouse, not looking so fancy, but the food and service made up for any inconveniences of the atmosphere. We will come back and we hope to see Tomas again. read more

We had the five course tasting menu, which came with five courses paired with wines. Our server was very attentive and explained each course and wine pairing. We were sat at the chefs table and were able to enjoy the art, ambiance, and the preparation of each dish. I only have pictures of two of the dishes because they were all so delicious and disappeared somehow If you're in the Colorado Springs area definitely check out Ephemera upstairs in the C.O.A.T.I. building. read more

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Want to love this place more than I can. Its spirit/ambiance is me... but execution fails. We came in on a Tuesday because that's our date night. Oysters, meh. Lamb/orzo dish, painfully obvious.... reheated. My weeknight rack of lamb and boxed risotto, knockout punch to what was presented. My wife's pork belly, disjointed.... Rosemary meringue's were awesome. But the dish just lacked acidity and balance. I love the original story of the why, just not the execution that we received. Cheers, and good luck! read more

I went 3 for 7 on the tasting menu. Disappointed and she'll shocked on the price. Still hungry at the end. The Indian dish was too hot and the pork chop was waaaay too hot. Wow that was expensive by Colorado Springs standards. Yikes. ~$225 with tax and tip and only water. Great service. read more

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Nice atmosphere, kind and attentive staff. Food was good and creative but the portions were so small. We got the tasting menu and I'm literally eating toast with peanut butter as I write this an hour after we ate. The two meat portions were tiny--maybe 1 oz fish and 1 oz game hen. I can afford to pay more for bigger portions. Your patrons shouldn't leave your establishment hungry after they order the tasting menu. read more

My fiancé and I made a reservation to celebrate my acceptance to grad school! The food is amazing. The Sommelier's pairings were delicious and thoughtful and our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. We walked in hoping for good food and walked out with our expectations far exceeded. This is definitely in our top 2 eats in the Springs! read more

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The food was fantastic, but a couple of items to note. The reservation online provided the wrong physical address. Just be sure you know to go to the COATI building. There are stairs about half way in the building and Ephemera is upstairs. This make save you 30 minutes of looking around. The service was great. The food was good. I really enjoyed it and would go back. I had the 7 course tasting menu. Everything was good, even the dishes with foods I don't even like. read more

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excellent service and food. Will go back again. Servers were detailed oriented. Bison was great! read more

My absolute favorite restaurant in the springs! We go here for every birthday and anniversary. The service is always top notch and super kind. The food is the showstopper, you can taste the creativity in every single bite. I love the rotating seasonal coursed menu! Do yourself a favor and eat here. read more

What a hidden gem! I wish I had known about this place sooner. It's upstairs in COATI, and has its own little location with doors. It's not just up and overlooking the downstairs bars. I originally had reservations for ambli that we cancelled to come here instead after a friends recommendation that ephemera is better than ambli. I could not agree more. We have been around the springs for many years now, and I consider myself a bit of a foodie. We have our fav places in town... but for our 13th Anniversary, we really wanted to go somewhere special and new! To start, we did the oysters (west coast) super fresh, and tasty. Then we did the Chefs tasting menu and the wine pairing. I'm not a huge wine fan but I enjoyed Every wine they gave us and it truly was perfectly paired with the meal. Aside from each course being absolute perfection, we enjoyed the engagement of the folks working there. We sat at the bar and watched Chef Adam and his team at work. I think there is something to be said when you can tell someone is taking pride in their craft, here it was clear that everyone took pride in what they were doing. Zack, JB and Cam were the absolute best. We had a great time talking with them throughout the night, they really made the experience amazing. I appreciated them altering the menu just a bit to accommodate the fact that raw fish creeps me out ;) so they pan seared it for me. If you have dietary restrictions they can make just about anything happen for you. By the end of the experience we were pretty well off and content. Not super stuffed where you're miserable, just perfectly full! I can't wait to come back here with friends. They change the menu daily! So each time you go, it'll be a bit different. For a fine dining experience, the pricing is on point. If you've been considering coming here, get online and make reservations ASAP!! I hope cam will be excited for my #yelpelitestatus review that means nothing, but also means everything! Hahaha! read more

Ephemera - Only photo I got because I was always too excited to eat it!! - Desserts Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

This is a cute little place! We did the tasting with wine pairing. The wine was really amazing but we did feel like the food could have been slightly better / have more flavor. read more

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This establishment describes itself as fun fine dining and I really enjoy the experience overall. I will say, I enjoy some weeks more than others and since the menu is not available for reveiw preceding the meal it has been great some times and okay at others. I have had fun the three times I've visited and have especially enjoyed meals with the wine pairing. read more

Ephemera is an out of the way restaurant that features the food itself. The acoustics are not ideal for conversation; the ambiance is vaguely industrial... But the point of going to a fine dining restaurant (to me) should be the food itself. Ephemera is all about the food. Their menu changes often according to what is available locally. Ephemera keeps tiny planters where they grow their own cilantro and other green spices-- if your order contains cilantro, or some "presentation green", it was snipped fresh, just seconds before your plate was placed in front of you. I can honestly say that an opener course when last we dined at Ephemera was the best soup that I have ever tasted! It was a wonderful cold, corn bisque. The food is the center and the point at Ephemera. For example, they adhere to the European custom of describing each course in detail, naming ingredients and making small points about flavor combinations, and unique aspects, a small formal presentation of each course. You owe it to yourself and your guests to give this absolutely unique place a try. read more

Very Unpleasant experience. Course detail: 1- bread dish 2- curry soup 3- peach balsamic salad 4 - mozzarella balsamic salad 5- fried calamari pasta 6- cheese coated barramundi fish 7- basil cream w/strawberries We drove all the way from Denver to Colorado spring to try out this restaurant because both me and my husband are foodies. I saw on tock that they have a co presentation with an artist, so we thought we can first come try their pre fix and if it's good then we will come back for the special dinner. Despite our high expectations, this meal ended in disappointment. First, my pre fix course was poorly designed. The dietary restrictions I told them was no chicken, pork or salmon. The first course was a bread course with salmon. I opt out salmon but they didn't substitute with anything else, no other protein or grilled veggies. They served just the bread with garnish while my husband has the original. LMAO. My fourth dish is a salad with balsamic vinegar (see pic) while my husband is having a main course. This is a 7 course pre fix, and at 4th course I should have some main course but I am just having a salad, and this is the third sour taste appetizing dish I had in a row. I just had a salad for my 3rd course, and curry soup was an appetizing sour soup and so are 1st and 2nd. So my stomach felt pretty upset up till 4 courses. Probably in between 3rd and 4th course I saw chef de cuisine left the restaurant, he's done for the day. Then, I was served pasta with fried calamari when I had so enough with sour tastes appetizing dish, and this fried calamari was so oily, I can't add video here in my review but I have add it to its Yelp page. I was served barramundi finally at 6th course while table next door was served black seabass?? Why??? The barramundi fish was coated with cheese. Seafood is delicate, and I won't expect it to go with cheese. My fish dish was the 6th course. It was made after chef de cuisine left, so I wonder this was his design. 7th- Dessert was a basil cream with strawberries, it was the best course among the pre fix I had for the night, but the presenting dinnerware is dirty, they remade it for me. (See picture below) Accessibility- poor They are on the second floor, and the elevator doesn't work. We had to carry our stroller up. I am giving two stars only because the price was okay/cheap at $69 per person. I am 100% accountable for my genuine review. read more

Ephemera - Fish with cheese, doesn't go together well. - Desserts Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Took my wife here for her birthday. Great service. Everyone was super nice and attentive. We got 6 oysters, some wine, and the 7 course tasting menu. Oysters were great and the tasting menu was phenomenal. We're foodies that moved to Colorado Springs a couple of years ago and have had trouble finding great food so we are super happy we found this place. Would highly recommend. read more

Do the 7-course tasting menu! Chef Ian has such a way with blending dynamic, sometimes contrasting flavor profiles in every dish - from soups, salads, mains, desserts. If you're interested in adventurous dining, there's not much here in the Springs besides Ephemera and Ambli. read more

Ephemera - Olive oil cake! - Desserts Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Dined here on a Sunday evening and got reservations no problem. It's in the upper level of an indoor dining hall. We were promptly seated in the front dining room. Our table was in line with some very harsh lighting and they reseated us. I do wish we had been seated in the back room as it looked much more warm and inviting. The menu is very small and since we weren't super hungry, we didn't opt for the tasting menu. 5/5 - Pomegranate Mint Fizz: Not too sweet and a delicious flavor 5/5 - Grilled Sourdough: Simply delicious! Was served piping hot, soft yet crunchy and the butter was perfect 2/5 - Potato Rösti: Too soft in texture and not a whole lot of flavor - they took this dish off our bill as we ate very little 5/5 - White Cheddar Soup: Our favorite dish of the night. It had a beautiful consistency, flavor and the croutons melted in our mouths 4/5 - House Tortellini: Had a good flavor, slightly floral and a little too thick for my liking 5/5 - Duck Breast: Cooked to perfection with a delicious bean garnish 5/5 - Market Fish: Embarrassed to say I do not recall exactly what fish this was, but it was very well cooked, seasoned and balanced I guess we were pretty hungry since we ate so many dishes! The service was spot on and we felt very well taken care of during our meal. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for elegant, delicious food! read more

The chef's tasting menu was a true joy tonight as was the wait staff. There seems to be a lack of great food in Colorado Springs, but this is a big exception. The food was excellent and seasonal, incorporating the local produce as well. Again, I can't say how kind the wait staff was. They explained each dish when I received it, and genuinely seemed knowledgeable about the food being served. Also, after having a conversation about the local food (I'm from out of town), one of the waiters made some recommendations for some other restaurants. Super great bunch of people! This restaurant is special. read more

Absolutely delicious food experience! We did the 7 course meal. It was such a unique experience and we couldn't wait for the next course to come. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about each dish. If you're looking for a different dining experience all around, I would highly recommend. I would give this 5 stars, however we felt the location and setting of the restaurant would be better in another location that is more intimate and private for the type of restaurant and the price! Other than that though it was amazing!!! read more

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Great food, great staff, and a nice atmosphere. We enjoyed a seven-course meal and every dish brought something unique to our taste buds. Not a meal that will leave you stuffed at the seams, but this is an experience more than a buffet. read more

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I was so disappointed in this place and wanted to like it so bad, especially with all the good reviews. We tried this place for this years anniversary after doing the tasting course at Ambli for last years anniversary, and there's just no comparison - food, service and atmosphere. First, the setting of this restaurant just does not feel intimate at all. There's no privacy, you can hear the music from down stairs, the light and ambience lacked, there's nothing romantic about it for a special occasion. Second, the food was notmind blowing as it should have been. There was 3/7 dishes that did absolutely nothing for me or my fiancé and the portions were so small. The barramundi fish was excellent, the chicken, and rhubarb tart were good as well. The service was good at first and everyone was nice but then we were forgotten about for the last three courses it felt like. Also, we saw them filling their 'fancy bottled water' with tap water several times. For a $250 bill I have serious regret going here. I highly recommend Ambli over here. read more

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Thank you to everyone at Ephemera for the most incredible experience last night. The tasting menu was so special from start to finish. We were truly blown away with every single dish. If you are open to completely unique flavor combinations that will wake up your whole palette, you love high quality service, and want to be blown away by the most passionate staff I've ever seen...please check it out! This is the first restaurant EVER where I haven't had to ask for a salt shaker--literally every item on the plate was seasoned to perfection. You can't miss out on the squid ink pasta, sirloin, fish with pancetta, and asparagus soup. I could skip the panzanella and the ice cream next time around--just personally weren't my thing. We absolutely can't wait to come back! read more

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