ALAMOSA — A few steps into Friar's Fork in Alamosa, you realize you are in for a specular experience. 

The host stand is the pulpit from the former church that occupied the venue, a poignant reminder of the building's rich history.  The lovely interior has a touch of elegance and nostalgia without being fancy. 

Proprietor and executive chef Denise Vigil thoughtfully restored the building, adding charm to the Italian-Mediterranean-themed restaurant housed in the historic building built in 1926. 

Friar’s Fork occupies the former St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The building next to the restaurant houses a bar and coffee shop called the Sanctuary, also owned by Vigil. 

On a recent visit, I had an excellent lasagna ($18) perfect and topped with amply sized shreds of Parmigiano cheese. The quality of the dish was evident in every bite. 

On another visit, I had one of my favorite dishes, an eggplant parmesan made with feta cheese ($21) and my partner had the Pasta Holy Trinity ($21) a sampling of lasagna, fettuccine, and chicken parmesan. 

All were fantastic and affordable, making the Friar's Fork dining experience delicious and budget-friendly. The freshly baked rolls and olive oil that come with all meals are a great touch. The restaurant has an extensive wine list. The menu has several salads and soups, all of which maintain the same high standard of quality. Gluten-free options are available. 

As a foodie, I've researched the origins of lasagna. The dish was created after the Romans overthrew the Greeks, who occupied Italy around 146 BC and the victors copied a similar Greek dish. The lasagna at Friars Fork is on par with what I've had in Italy, New York, and San Francisco.    

The food is so special that in 2023, Friar's Fork was a semi-finalist for a prestigious James Beard Foundation culinary award. That should be no surprise, as Vigil graduated from the esteemed Culinary Institute of America. 

Vigil told the Valley Courier, "In the last few years, we have been focused on settling in; we continue to do that. We have been working on finding our place in the community, finding what menus fit right, trying to balance local tastes that fit with visitors, and straddling those differences. 

"Everyone is looking for great food, something that is hand-crafted,” said Vigil. "We had an article in Bon Appetite and have very high expectations from visitors and our local patrons alike. We do have food that is gastronomically complex, like duck confit and lamb osso bucco, and also comfort home-style food like spaghetti ($18) and fettuccini alfredo ($18). We try to straddle both of those worlds and try to make everybody happy. Our menu is small, but I think we do that very well. I've heard from some people, 'We don't eat that kind of [expensive] food,’” to which Vigil responded, "You don't eat spaghetti?” 

The positive review in Bon Appetite called Friar's Fork a "One-of-a-kind restaurant" and encouraged diners to "Get spiritual with the Pasta Holy Trinity." Agreed. 

Visitors to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve will find many items on the menu to fulfill a hearty appetite from a day in the outdoors. 

The Sanctuary has excellent coffee and cocktails and is open at 3:00 p.m. The interior has also been artfully renovated and is a comfortable place to unwind and relax.  

The restaurant offers outdoor dining in its courtyard during the summer months. 

Executive chef Vigil ended the interview for this article enthusiastically with, "I'm living my dream." 

The Friar's Fork is located at 607 Fourth St. in Alamosa and is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is closed on Wednesday. For more information, call 719-206-3331.