| You might think dining in Boulder requires a taste for
granola, yogurt, tofu or nutrition smoothies. While Boulder residents
might be extremely active, (they average two bikes per person, road and
mountain,) and the healthiest population in the land, they still love to
eat. Training for marathons can make a person hungry. And, even though
you might find the occasional health food creation utilizing a dab of
yogurt and a bit of granola, Boulder has a hefty helping of hearty
dining options. A talented crop of chefs, drawn to the citys hip
lifestyle, create cosmopolitan menus rivaling the big towns. The
offerings range from fine dining to brewpub fare.
Locals also love to eat outside, so most restaurants, especially those along the Pearl Street Mall, offer patio seating. A good portion of the upscale restaurants reside downtown, while up on "The Hill" students get a fix of cafes, pizza parlors and big burrito joints. There are dining gems around every corner, in every nook and cranny of Boulder. Plus, there is nothing like a romantic mountain dining excursion. Like everything else in Boulder, during the summer and special events at The University of Colorado (CU), you better have a reservation or expect to wait a bit. A local government ban prohibits smoking inside most restaurants and bars, but some establishments find interesting ways around the issue. Make sure to ask the restaurants policy before pulling out a cigarette or cigar. Also, regardless of expense, most restaurants are casual, so leave the suit and tie back at the hotel. Downtown As you walk along Pearl Street, aromas penetrate the senses. It may be hard to choose from the diverse variety of foods. From sophisticated cuisine to inexpensive pub grub and microbrews, get ready for a quality dining experience. For the health minded looking for stereotypical Boulder fare (i.e. natural foods), stop in the Creative Vegetarian Café for some of the best fiber fodder this side of California. The Harvest, another popular stop for fat gram counters, serves a vegetable walnut casserole that feels almost fattening. The Mountain Sun Pub is a brewery with a Boulder twist, specializing in full-bodied ales and mostly meatless bar fare. Upscale bistros and stylish cafes pepper the downtown vicinity. A good majority of the restaurants feature seasonal menus emphasizing contemporary American creations. The imaginative dishes usually involve salmon, trout, lamb, chicken and tenderloin. Most local chefs feature homegrown organic ingredients including seasonings, spices and vegetables. Try Qs in the Hotel Boulderado for a taste of this regional fare and Boulders most happening ambiance. Chef John Platt is a master of artistic presentation, and the roasted rack of lamb is well worth the expense. Renowned Denver chef Kevin Taylor opened the Dandelion a few year back, bringing the college town an elegant bistro exuding big city style. The hip décor and postmodern atmosphere attracts the business crowd along with Boulders well-to-do. Jax Fish House proves you can be landlocked in a mountain town and still find incredible clam chowder and other ocean delights. Plus, the martinis are the best around. The sunny Rivera comes alive at The Mediterrainan(a.k.a The Med). Incorporating the wood-burning oven, this cozy hideaway just off the Pearl Street Mall serves traditional favorites from Spain, France and Italy. The wood burning oven also flickers at Antica Roma and the 14th Street Bar and Grill, baking innovative Neapolitan pizzas, along with other Italian standards. For deep-dish, Chicago style pizza and an intoxicating drink menu, stop in Old Chicago and take the world beer tour. The patio is one of the rowdiest in town, especially during the summer. BJs Pizza and Brewery brings the chain element to Pearl Street, but still handcrafts some fine local ale while serving an array of pizzas and sandwiches. Hometown brewpubs include the Walnut Brewery and the Oasis. Both pubs concoct masterful blends of barley and hops and go way beyond the traditional bar fare. Downtowns ethnic offerings span the lonely mountain depths of the Himalayas, chart the cold coastal waters of Japan, and delve into the exotic mysteries of India. All in less than a ten block area. Trek over the Himalayas Restaurant for authentic Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine featuring some amazingly spicy curries. Narayans Nepal Restaurant prepares a mean vegetable sampler. Mij Bani mixes the healthy (and spicy) eats of old world India with the spiritual flavorings of Nepal. Sushi lovers line up outside Sushi Zanmai for wild nights of karaoke and the freshest rice wrapped in seafood money can buy. Japangos sushi bar is tops, but the funky eatery also caters to those who prefer Japanese fare a bit Americanized. The Orchid Garden serves upscale Chinese cuisine without the upscale price, and Pan Asia Fusion dabbles in Far East delights. The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, a gift from Boulders sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan, adorns the eastern fringe of Central Park and is a cultural experience in itself. The international menu includes creations from Tajik and Algeria. Juanitas, a festive Mexican joint a block from the Pearl Street Mall, draws the local crowd for platters piled high with all the standards - burritos, tacos and enchiladas. The Rio Grandes potent margaritas (there is a 3-drink limit) are powerful enough to knock anyone silly, and make the Mexican fare taste even better. If you want to skip on the fancy cuisines and simply bite into a no frills burger, head over to Toms Tavern. Its the best place in town to hear how things used to be in Boulder. The folks that run the place make everyone feel like a local and prepare homestyle classics, along with the biggest burgers in town. No trip to Boulder should be complete without stopping in a downtown coffee shop and debating a little Buddhist philosophy over java and éclairs. If you're up for bantering with locals, check out the Trident Café, Penny Lane or Sidneys Cappuccino and Art Bar. For the less adventurous, there is always Starbucks. University Hill No matter how many businesses move to town or how high the median income might be, Boulder is still undeniably part college town. And, the students need some old-fashioned brain food to complement the campus vending machines. So wander up the hill for cheap eats, beer, pizza by the slice and plenty of coffee to help with the studies or cure the hangover. Look no further than The Sink for a quirky example of life on The Hill. Graffiti pasting the walls and low ceilings give the place the urban charm of a hip subway tunnel, and with every tasty pizza comes a bit of local attitude. The joint is always rocking with distressed poets, suburban hippies and the university crowd. Frat boys and business cohorts hit the drink specials at Teresas Pizza Colore. A local chain, Abos is the perfect stop for pizza by the slice. Illegal Petes caters to the big burrito crowd, packing all sorts of veggies, rice, beans and meats into a tortilla the size of a large pizza. Hapa on the Hill is where to go for cheap sushi. Moes Broadway Bagel is probably the closest thing to healthy the neighborhood has to offer. On the other side of The Hill, travel into the past for a feast at the Chautauqua Dining Hall. Now open year round, the seasonal menu features Colorado lamb and Rainbow Trout. 28th Street Vicinity Muddled in the mass of chain eateries and fast food fry pits, and lost in the labyrinth of strip malls congesting the area, are some of Boulders best dining surprises. Dolans, a longstanding Boulder tradition, dabs heavy into the regional cuisine and is the place to go for steak and seafood. If you're entertaining clients, try the Boulder Broker for a juicy porterhouse or filet. Johns Restaurant, owned by longtime resident John Bizarro, is best for romance and magical New American cuisine. Zolo Grill, a Zagat favorite, specializes in fiery southwestern fare and a lively atmosphere. For vegetarian fare, sports and microbrews kick back at the Lazy Dog Sports Bar. Don't worry, the joint also cooks up the traditional burger and fries. Casa Alvarez conjures a taste of old Mexico straight from the family recipe book. Turleys is a great neighbor stop for healthy grub, and Dots diner is simply a great place to get the day going. Foothills and Mountains There is nothing quite like dining alongside a mountain - watching the sun creep away, witnessing the city lights settle into an easy glimmer, mustering up a bit of romance. The Flagstaff House is perhaps Boulders most elegant (and pricey) dining experience. Perched atop Flagstaff Mountain, it is the place for rattlesnake and alligator appetizers and the best Buffalo filet in the world. For $50, it should be. The Red Lion Inn also exudes a bit of romance, but is also a great place for business meetings, and the German cuisine emphasizes wild game. Nederland has quite a few interesting dining spots loaded with all sorts of mountain characters, but Neapolitans pizza joint is the most popular layover for tourists, especially after a long day on the slopes of Eldora Ski Resort. T. Turner |
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