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Head For the Hills to COTTONWOOD STATION EATERY

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Head For the Hills to COTTONWOOD STATION EATERY

Rustic cafe beyond the city limits is a hidden gem...

"Welcome to the tiny town of Blue Diamond, Nevada. Please be respectful of our small community (population 268 as of 2020), as we value our serenity and simple lifestyle. Watch out for burros that roam freely in and around the streets. Be sure to visit Cottonwood Station Eatery during your visit, and have a great time!"

While that isn't an official greeting, you can almost hear those words in your head when you enter Blue Diamond. A tiny village just beyond Mountain's Edge in southwest Enterprise, Blue Diamond is quiet, peaceful, and picturesque. A short drive from Silverton Casino on Blue Diamond Road, it has a park, school, library, church, gas station, and general store.

Blue Diamond is situated near a functioning gypsum mine a few miles south of Red Rock Canyon. It was once a rest stop and campsite along the trade route Old Spanish Trail. Just up the road, the former Bonnie Springs Ranch attraction shared a similar background. Now that the historic land has been taken over by luxury housing, the residents of Blue Diamond understandably want to protect their way of life.

Even so, the town welcomes casual visitors to enjoy its scenery, rest during bicycling/hiking excursions, and have a bite to eat at Cottonwood Station Eatery. While I could use my own words to tell you more about this adorable cafe, its official website has already done a beautiful job:

Steve and Jody have made their home in Blue Diamond for over a decade. After many travels up and down the West Coast and around the world, they had an idea. Why not bring an eatery to their hometown that would offer fresh and healthy options to the residents and visitors of the village? Their vision, Cottonwood Station, was born. The name is derived from the original name of this community when it was an important stop on the old Spanish Trail, Cottonwood Springs.

The small piece of land they chose had housed the village’s workshop since 1942. The building had not been in use for decades and was the perfect spot for Cottonwood Station. To honor that past, wood from the original workshop and garage is now a prominent part of the Cottonwood Station interior.

This was the first new commercial construction in Blue Diamond for decades. Keeping in mind the village’s aesthetic, the love of the outdoors that its residents and visitors share, and the goal of creating a social gathering spot, Cottonwood Station was built to honor the spirit of Blue Diamond.

Honoring the past is a prominent feature of Cottonwood Station. A history wall with photos and information about the area and the unique and interesting history of Blue Diamond is part of this modern eatery. Located in the Red Rock Conservation overlay, Blue Diamond is a must-see historical stop and we hope Cottonwood Station will become your favorite place to grab a bite or a pint on our scenic patio with friends.

The blending of "old" and "new" hits you the moment you enter. The smell of fresh coffee, herbs, and wood is all around, along with the fragrances of daily specials and regular favorites. A small selection of retail merchandise greets you along the left wall, with Cottonwood's dining area and patio to the right. The kitchen was transitioning between breakfast and lunch when my companion and I arrived. We grabbed a few cups of freshly brewed coffee and scanned the menu until the counter attendant was ready to take our order. Food is delivered to your table, freshly prepared to order, and made from scratch.

The folks at Cottonwood are proud to serve baked goods made daily on-site. Muffins, scones, cookies, and featured specials start the morning, along with bread pudding, breakfast paninis, and burritos. Pancakes, breakfast pizzas, and sausage rolls compete for your tastebuds along with thick multi-grain toast topped with fig ricotta cheese, apple slices, walnuts, and a drizzle of honey. See the entire Morning Menu by heading here.

Above photos by Cottonwood Station Eatery via Facebook As we had just missed lunch, my companion and I selected items from the Lunch/Dinner menu. We started with an order of Cauliflower Bites ($10.50), served with a house-made dill ranch dipping sauce. Other appetizers include Pretzel Sticks with mustard and beer cheese spread ($11.00), Chips with Guac, Salsa, or Pico de Gallo (prices vary), a French Fry Basket ($10.00), and a variety of Wings ($14.75).

Cauliflower Bites with house-made dill ranch

For your main dish, try a gorgeous salad of roasted red and golden beets, goat cheese, roasted walnuts, and a balsamic reduction ($13.00). You can add bacon or chicken for an additional charge. My companion selected a Blackened Broccoli with carrots, shaved almonds, and a spicy peanut sauce ($11.75).

Blackened Broccoli Salad with added bacon ($14.75)

Additional salads include the traditional Caesar ($11.75), and a Garden ($10.50) made with mixed greens, cucumber, carrots, cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, and croutons, tossed in house-made strawberry vinaigrette.

The rest of the Lunch/Dinner menu holds few surprises and is somewhat limited. There are five different pizzas, the most intriguing being a Pancetta Fig with fresh basil and balsamic drizzle ($19.00). Six paninis come on a choice of multi-grain or artisan sourdough bread. I opted for a Chicken Pesto Panini with shredded mozzarella, spinach, tomato, and pesto-marinated chicken thigh ($15.75).

Chicken Pesto Panini ($15.75)

What Cottonwood Station Eatery lacks in dinner choices, it makes up for at the beverage bar. There is a wide selection of coffees, teas, draft beer, wines, Italian Cream Sodas, and "common cocktails". Get the full list by heading here. Happy Hour specials vary by day, and can be accessed here.

So if you're in the mood for sensory-stimulating breakfasts, a hearty lunch, or watch the sunset with your pooch, you've found the perfect place. COTTONWOOD STATION EATERY is relaxing, picturesque, and definitely worth seeking out.

Photo via Cottonwood Station Eatery website COTTONWOOD STATION EATERY is located at 14 Cottonwood Drive in Blue Diamond, Nevada, fifteen minutes west of Silverton Casino. The eatery operates during the following hours:

Tuesday - Limited Kitchen 7am until 11am. Lunch/Dinner 11 - 5pm.

Wednesday - Full Kitchen open all day. 7am - 8pm

Thursday -Full Kitchen open all day. 7am - 8pm

Friday - Full Kitchen open all day. 7am - 8pm

Saturday - Full Kitchen open all day. 7am - 8pm

Sunday -Full Kitchen open all day. 7am - 8pm

Monday - Closed