Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just 30 miles northwest of downtown Denver, the city of Boulder is a sophisticated mix of bohemian casualness and abundant natural splendor. Home to university of Colorado, Pearl Street Mall, and 43,000 acres of open space, Boulder attracts countless outdoor enthusiasts with is 56 parks, 200 miles of hiking trails and 300 days of sunshine. And llike all great cities, it has its own share of hidden gems waiting to be explored.
Named “America’s Smartest City” by Forbes magazine (2008) and one of “America’s Top 5 Cities for Cycling” by Bicycling magazine (2008), Boulder’s biggest secret was recently revealed when Bon Appétit magazine named it “America’s Foodiest Town” for 2010.
No matter your taste or budget, Boulder’s award winning restaurants and chefs offer something for everyone. Grab a bite at one of these Boulder gems next time you’re in town…
The Kitchen
1039 Pearl Street – (303) 544-5973
The Kitchen is a community bistro offering a seasonal menu of simple and healthy, yet delicious dishes. Owned by Chef Hugo Matheson, the bistro’s menu presents the pinnacle of simple flavorsome New American cuisine for lunch, brunch, and dinner. Dishes like pan-seared Colorado rainbow trout and hand-rolled gnocci are outstanding, as is the house made chocolate bar. Like all good businesses, The Kitchen supports the local community and uses sustainable ingredients from local farmers.
*Best of Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator, 2009; Top 10 Best Eco-Friendly Restaurants, Bon Appétit, 2008; The West’s Greenest Restaurant, Sunset, 2008.
The Mediterranean Restaurant
1002 Walnut Street – (303) 444-5335
A sublime dining institution since 1993, the Mediterranean Restaurant has earned Zagat’s Award of Excellence and a number of other local accolades for serving up everything from salads and pizzas, to steaks, seafood and pastas. Even though the tapas here take center stage, the lunch and dinner menus are not to be missed with their Italian, Spanish, French, and Greek offerings. The paella, seafood and pastas are a real treat and the Med’s Happy Hour is clearly one of the city’s best. Over forty wines are available by the glass and artisanal handcrafted bread and baked goods are made on premise daily.
The Red Lion Restaurant
38470 Boulder Canyon Drive – (303) 443-5882
Located just a little off-the-beaten-path from downtown Boulder, The Red Lion Restaurant in beautiful Boulder Canyon specializes in wild game along with exceptional selections of beef, chicken and fish. Built in 1870, the restaurant retains a rustic feel perfect for the adventurous diner looking to indulge in hard-to-find game like wild boar, bison sirloin and elk rib eye. For a feeling of the Alps, ask to be seated in the original dining room—with its fireplace, antlers, Austrian murals, and white linens. A suggestion: start with the soup of the day (the lobster bisque is a favorite), then try the elk or stuffed pheasant.
Brasserie Ten Ten
1011 Walnut Street – (303) 998-1010
Francophiles searching for a taste of home in the Rockies should head straight to Brasserie Ten Ten. Helmed by Chef Anthony Hessel, this casually chic corner brasserie attracts all types of diners with its menu that includes creations such as truffled duck pâté, lavender-crusted sea scallops, shrimp potpie, and Cabernet-braised short ribs. Brunch draws crowds with selections of duck confit and goat cheese crêpes, buttery croissants, and omelets enveloping smoked salmon, onions and cream cheese. An extensive wine list peddles French vintages and is complemented by wines from California, Italy, Australia, Spain and Germany—nearly 30 of which are available by the glass.
Lucile’s Creole Café
2124 14th Street – (303) 442-4743
Creole cuisine outside of the Big Easy doesn’t get much better than Lucile’s. With one of the city’s best brunch and lunch offerings, Lucile’s guarantees to satisfy any size appetite with heaping portions of buttermilk biscuits, grits, beignets drowning in powdered sugar, and eggs Pontchartrain (similar to eggs Benedicts, but with fresh, pan-fried mountain trout). Plan to arrive early to avoid waiting in line. The New Orleans spiced tea and southern Louisiana-style chicory coffee are pure heaven. Best of all, Lucile’s is located within walking distance of Pearl Street and all its fantastic boutiques, just in case you want to walk off your meal.
Jax Fish House
928 Pearl Street – (303) 444-1811
For 15 years, Jax has served up some of the country’s finest seafood. Along with its famous raw bar that offers up to a dozen different varieties of oysters, clams, chilled crabs and lobsters all flown in daily, Executive Chef Sheila Lucero’s innovative entrees incorporate locally grown organic produce. The restaurant’s upbeat bar is home to Boulder’s best martinis and has an outstanding wine list and rotating menu of local micro-brews. Seasonal entrees include ahi tuna, Mississippi catfish, and grilled crab cakes. Along with receiving many other “Best Of” awards, Jax was thrust into the spotlight when its own Chef Hosea Rosenberg won the Food Network’s Top Chef, Season 5.
For more information contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.
