Elegant yet comfortable. European style with American attitude. Richly serviced yet palatably priced. Yes, the old adage "opposites attract," rings true at La Petite Maison, a cozy Victorian cottage where a slew of contradictions makes for one of Colorado Springs' most romantic locales. Split between two small dining rooms and a patio, the Maison (built in 1894, reborn as a restaurant in 1978) offers an opportunity for couples, friends and businesspeople to enjoy exquisite cuisine in a serene, private atmosphere. The menu is American contemporary, but combines a variety of cultural elements from France and elsewhere. Signature dishes include the lamb leg roast with truffle mustard, a potato cake and creamed spinach and, when in season, the wild river salmon with artichoke salad and beurre rouge. The wine list, meanwhile, earned a Wine Spectator award of excellence. Starry-eyed lovers on a tighter budget will be pleased to know that, thanks to the "Other Dinner Menu" (based on the restaurant's lunch offerings), fine dining doesn't have to break the bank: Alternate entrees, like the curry chicken salad and La Petite Maison burger with gruyere cheese, are under ten bucks. -- Konstantine Simakis (Photo: Courtesy of La Petite Maison)