Left Hand Valley Courier - All Local, All The Time

Autumn ushers in more than scenic golden aspen groves and crisp fall evenings. Our locally loved Niwot coffee shops, bars, and restaurants have added delicious fall-themed flavors to their menus. From spiced treats to pumpkin-infused eats, here's the round up of area locales that have new fall surprises on their menus.

The Old Oak, on 2nd Street, has a beautiful, hand-drawn menu announcing it's fall favorites. Warm coffee-based drinks are hand-crafted by the shop's experienced baristas and are the perfect thing to warm up on brisk mornings. Pumpkin-spice lattes with honey and warm apple cider waft through the air, drawing in passers-by to stay a while and catch up with friends and neighbors. The sweet, richness of The Old Oak's pumpkin bread pairs perfectly with its autumnal cinnamon-spiced cortado.

In keeping with tradition, The Tavern in Cottonwood Square will swap out its Spring/Summer menu for a heartier Fall/Winter collection. This cozy neighborhood watering hole is the perfect place to warm up on a cold, snowy evening. Dig into creamy pasta dishes like cajun shrimp linguine and wash it down with a host of rotating fall beers. This beloved bar also is also gearing up to host Oktoberfest on Oct. 12 and ensures that german varietals and autumn brews will be aplenty.

Just down the way, the Winot Coffee Shop boasts a bevy of autumnal drinks. Its very own chai-der creation is a perfect pairing of apple cider and chai spice. They also offer a variety of gingerbread lattes and mayan spiced mochas that blend zesty peppers with rich, creamy chocolate. Fuel up for an early morning bike ride with a slice of 100% organic pumpkin bread at this local hot spot.

The Niwot Market never fails to delight with its collection of seasonal, local produce. Pick up chocolate zucchini bread or a diverse array of gluten-free, nut-free, or soy-free treats that perfectly showcase fall's soul-warming flavors.

Lucky Pie will feature the hard-to-find beer from Bierstadt brewery, Oktoberfest. They also plan on pouring a variety of beers from Great American Beer Fest so stop by and try their unique autumnal offerings.

Some restaurants have yet to release their autumnal offerings but, whisperings from the cornucopia say they'll be as tasty as ever! From fall-themed cocktails to rich soups and sides, stay tuned for part II.