Frozen Yogurt
RIPPLE
1682 30th St., 303-444-0690
Second Place: Boulder Chill
Third Place: BOOM Yogurt Bar
Fourth Place: Aspen Leaf
Fifth Place: Two Spoons Gelato and Soup
The
do-it-yourself frozen yogurt craze may seem a little out of place for a
town voted to the “Skinniest Place in America” pedestal, but
apparently that’s not the case. Boulder loves its yogurt bars, and
above all the others it loves Ripple. The yogurt craze can be
pretty overwhelming to the uninitiated. First, you get to build your
own bowl and pay by weight which can make for a few “eyes bigger than
the stomach” experiences at the beginning. It also doesn’t help that
there is a seemingly endless array of potential toppings which can
cause the yogurt amateur to start scooping wildly at every available
chocolate, caramel, fruit, candy or cereal in sight. Our readers
apparently appreciate that Ripple offers all-natural and locally
sourced yogurt and toppings, which helps support the eat-local
sentiments of our food-smart town.
Gluten-Free Menu
JULIA’S KITCHEN 4457 Broadway, 720-389-5578
Second Place: Laudisio Italian Restaurant
Third Place: Shine
Fourth Place: Ras Kassa’s Ethiopian Restaurant
Fifth Place: Restaurant 4580
The folks over at Julia’s Kitchen make
gluten-free meals that mean not having to skip on flavor, or miss
dessert, to avoid gluten. The menu includes hummus pizza with thick
crust and black bean burgers smothered with barbeque sauce on a sprouted
grain bun. If your mouth isn’t watering yet, then check out their
long list of desserts, including apple spice coconut muffin tops and
cherry fig banana millet bread pudding.
Their philosophy is that making a delicious meal only requires simple ingredients.
The
food at Julia’s Kitchen is not only gluten-free, but 100 percent
plant-based and organic — in other words, the ideal Boulder meal.
Ice Cream
GLACIER HOMEMADE ICE CREAM & GELATO
4760 Baseline Rd., 303-499-4760
3133 28th St., 303-440-6542
1387 S. Boulder Road, 720-890-5992
Second Place: Ben & Jerry’s
Third Place: Cold Stone Creamery
Fourth Place: Boulder Ice Cream Shoppe
Fifth Place: Lindsay’s Boulder Deli at Haagen-Dazs
Summertime
is quickly approaching, and with the heat comes cravings for the
long-adored frozen confection: ice cream. The results of this year’s
vote show, once again, there’s no debate about Boulder County’s ice
cream king: local franchise Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato. There
are two locations in Boulder alone, each boasting a menu of more than
80 flavors, including Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Apple Pie and
Birthday Cake. You’re sure to find something here that you’ll love,
whether it is the homemade hot fudge, sorbets, gelatos or frozen
yogurts. Get your sample spoon ready for some action!
Indian/Nepali Restaurant
SHERPA’S RESTAURANT
825 Walnut St., 303-440-7151
Second Place: Tandoori Grill
Third Place: The Taj
Fourth Place: Bombay Bistro
Fifth Place: Kathmandu
Going
to an Indian restaurant should be an adventure. Even for jaded,
seasoned foodies, dining subcontinent-style is a chance to venture into
the unknown, try something new, and see your plate and your world in a
different way. If you want to play it safe, make a sandwich.
And
if a single meal can’t get you in an adventurous mindset, Boulder’s
best Indian and Nepali restaurant has something for that, too. Sherpa’s Restaurant can
actually take you there. Like, actually, actually, really take you
there. Alongside a menu littered with South Asian cuisine both slightly
familiar (Chicken Korma) and not-at-all familiar (Tibetan Thupka),
adventurers-intraining can plan their next trip with a travel library,
guest speakers and a staff that appears to be fascinated with both
dining and dashing about. Ask for owner Pemba Sherpa, who also runs
Sherpa Ascent International, if you’re anxious to tackle Nepal’s
heights. And if not, you can park it at Sherpa’s bar and settle for the
best Indian/Nepali food in town.
Italian Restaurant
PASTA JAY’S
1001 Pearl St., 303-444-5800
Second Place: Laudisio
Third Place: Carelli’s Ristorante Italiano
Fourth Place: Il Pastaio
Fifth Place: Arugula Bar e Ristorante
There
aren’t too many people who don’t enjoy Italian food. After all,
there’s pizza, there’s pasta, there’s parmesan; what more could you
want? The answer to that question is the Italian restaurants of
Boulder.
The
choices in our town are myriad. It’s like touring the old country
without the cost of airline tickets. Northern cuisine one day, food from
the southern provinces the next and a dose of Italian street food the
day after that. Our readers picked Pasta Jay’s as their
favorite Italian this year and we’re pretty sure that the early warm
weather played a role. At Pasta Jay’s, you get great Italian food
served up in an open air space that truly feels like your on a side
street in Milan. As with most of the winners in this year’s food
category, we suggest you try each of these fine establishments. After
all, you saved all that money not buying a ticket.
Japanese Restaurant
SUSHI ZANMAI
1221 Spruce St., Boulder 303-440-0733
Second Place: Hapa Sushi
Third Place: Sushi Tora
Fourth Place: Japango
Fifth Place: Kasa
It
comes as no surprise that Japanese fare is exceedingly popular
amongst Boulderites, as evidenced by the high number of these
restaurants in our town. Clean flavors, low-fat ingredients, and our
love of out-of-tune karaoke contribute to our love affair with this
healthy cuisine. Sushi Zanmai is the perfect spot for the raw
fish connoisseur, featuring everything from entry-level salmon and
tuna sashimi to such culinary double black diamonds as sea urchin.
Those desiring something other than fish can also opt for selections
such as beef sukiyaki and curry udon noodles. Hapa takes traditional
Japanese selections as a starting point, and infuses it with a touch
of Hawaiian culture and pop art decor. For example, you’ll find poke,
Hawaiian-style raw fish, over a seared taro cake. For an entree,
traditionalists can choose a teriyaki dinner, while the tropically
minded might experiment with Kalua pork.
Best Place for a Wisconsin Fish Fry That’s Not in Wisconsin ROCKY FLATS LOUNGE 11229 Colorado 93, 303-499-4242
Friday night at the Rocky Flats Lounge is
the closest thing to a small-town Wisconsin community fish fry you
will ever experience without actually being in Wisconsin. We have no
idea where all these transplanted cheeseheads come from, but they come
out of their hiding places on Friday nights at the RFL to create one
of the area’s best-kept secrets.
If
you want to have some fun that is most definitely a change of pace,
hit the Lounge on a warm Friday night this summer. If you intend to go,
here are some helpful hints to ensure you are entertained as opposed
to becoming the bar’s source of entertainment. Don’t make jokes about
Brett Favre putting his cell phone down his pants for a photo-op.
Don’t suggest that they put a Peyton Manning poster over the Favre or
Rodgers wall art already on display. Don’t ask what constellation Bart
Starr is in. If someone says the word “Nitschke,” they aren’t
mispronouncing the philosopher, just down a shot and say, “They don’t
make ’em like that anymore.” Don’t ask, “Are you from Boulder?” They
aren’t. And finally, if you are wondering if you should call for
reservations … Please stay home.
Late Night Food
COSMO'S PIZZA
1325 Broadway St., 303-447-1133
659 30th St., 303-447-3278
Second Place: Abo’s Pizza
Third Place: Boulder Baked
Fourth Place: Dark Horse Bar and Grill
Fifth Place: Hapa Sushi
For
some reason, food just seems to taste better when you’re eating it
after midnight. Whether you’ve been up all night cramming for that
modern Chinese history final, stalking your ex-boyfriend (and planning
revenge) on Facebook, or getting to the bottom of as many pint glasses
as possible, chances are you’re hungry. And you want pizza. Now. The
good news: Cosmo’s Pizza is available for you to stuff your face
with gooey, warm slices of delicious pizza pie until 2 a.m. The bad
news: Only the location on 30th Street delivers (Broadway is strictly
walk-in). But hey, let’s face it. When you want pizza after midnight,
you’ll get pizza after midnight, whether you have to use a phone or
your legs to get it. Surely it won’t take much convincing to get your
friends to hop on the savory Cosmo’s Pizza train, either. And if 1:59
a.m. is too late for you to make a decision on which toppings to
choose, pick a Cosmo’s Specialty Pizza and they’ll decide for you.
Still got room in your tummy after Cosmo’s? Drop by runner-up Abo’s
Pizza to compare slices. Not enough? Boulder Baked, the Dark Horse and
Hapa all stay open late. Pop into any of those joints. You’ll easily
leave with the top button of your jeans undone.
Lyons Restaurant
OSKAR BLUES GRILL & BREW
303 Main St., Lyons, 303-823-6685
Second Place: Lyons Fork
Third Place: Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Taphouse
Fourth Place: La Mariposa
Fifth Place: Pizza Bar 66
Oskar Blues, Lyons Blues Grill & Brew is
a joint (using this term in the most affectionate way possible) that
lives up to its name with plenty of live blues, American regional eats
like blackened redfish and jambalaya, and even a beer or two. Well,
maybe more than one or two, as Oskar’s features several of its very own
craft brews that have garnered international recognition. These
include Dale’s Pale Ale, Mama’s Little Yella Pils and Ten Fidy
Imperial Stout. While it hasn’t been around as long as Oskar’s, the
Lyons Fork is handily gaining a reputation for sophisticated fare
ranging from vegetarian almond and herb couscous to a duck confit
tamale. Weekend brunches here feature basic egg breakfasts as well as
house omelets, smoked salmon plates and sweet corn soup with basil
pesto.
New Restaurant
RIFFS URBAN FARE
1115 Pearl St., 303-440-6699
Second Place: Snooze
Third Place: Shine
Fourth Place: Tangerine
Fifth Place: 100% Mexicano/Kitchen [Next Door] (tie)
Ever
notice that it’s getting harder and harder to find a new restaurant
that isn’t a chain? We have, and that’s why we’re so excited by this
category’s winner. Riffs Urban Fare is actually new and something
truly different. We admit that we aren’t completely clear as to the
definitions of “urban fare.” But what the heck. If Riffs says its food
is urban, who are we to disagree? So with that in mind, urban fare is
apparently served at a “foodbar” with a social environment. It is
accompanied by an intriguing cocktail list and has no single theme
surrounding the food. Really, you can get ravioli, hummus, chile
rellenos and a burger, all under one roof. If this is urban, we like
urban and our readers do, too.
Best Place to Eat Breakfast in Last Night’s Clothes THE VILLAGE COFFEE SHOP 1605 Folsom St., 303-442-9689
Ever wondered where CU students end up when they finish their walk of shame on a Saturday morning? They all go to The Village Coffee Shop, judging
by the mass of bleary-eyed, dolled-up youngsters patronizing said
café on any given weekend. “The Village,” as its devotees adoringly
call it, is a true gem in Boulder, one of the last true greasy spoon
diners in town. Cheap food, sassy waitresses, blazing fast service and
to-die-for hashbrowns explain the place’s popularity, and if it’s
your first visit, make sure you tell your server. Just trust us.
“Apparently I need to get out more!”
Organic Restaurant
THE KITCHEN
1039 Pearl St., tel: 303-544-5973
Second Place: Leaf
Third Place: Black Cat
Fourth Place: SALT the Bistro
Fifth Place: Turley’s
Diners
are increasingly concerned with where their food comes from, how it’s
raised, and who is producing it. Environmental and personal health
concerns, to say nothing of matters of taste, have led many eaters to
demand fare that’s either local, certified organic, or both. The Kitchen, a
selfdescribed “world-class neighborhood restaurant” adroitly blends
the worlds of ecological sustainability with downright tasty food. The
wine list is exclusively composed of organic or sustainably produced
vintages, and their purveyor list reads like a Who’s Who of local
farmers. These suppliers include pork producer John Long, Haystack
Mountain Goat Dairy and Cure Organic Farm. Preparations like fried
artichokes and char-grilled Florida shrimp are relatively simple, which
helps to better spotlight the wholesome qualities of the ingredients.
Meatless main courses like roasted squash are also on tap, along with
seared Alaskan Cod and strip steak — all presented in a lively yet
hospitable setting.
Overall Restaurant
THE MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT
1002 Walnut St., 303-444-5335
Second Place: The Kitchen
Third Place: Jax Fish House
Fourth Place: SALT the Bistro
Fifth Place: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
If the Best of Boulder restaurant awards were the Oscars, The Mediterranean Restaurant would likely be Meryl Streep. Like the actress, who has toplined everything from Sophie’s Choice to The River Wild (battling
Kevin Bacon, at that!), this dining institution artfully plays many
and diverse roles. Besides garnering best business lunch honors, The
Med is highly regarded for its tapas-rich happy hour and wood-fired
pizzas. But you don’t have to be a businessperson to make the most of
this restaurant. It also provides a varied $5 kids menu. Like Streep,
the versatile bill of fare here has something for just about everyone,
whether it’s a platter of traditional spaghetti with Long Farm pork
meatballs or a fresh take on the Cobb salad, highlighting peppered
yellowfin tuna. An unquestionably lively atmosphere, patio space that’s a
top spot for al fresco dining and dead solid reliability make this
eatery a repeat winner.
Best Single-Term Mayor Who Also Owns a Kickass Restaurant DENNIS COOMBS In January, when Longmont Mayor Dennis Coombs stuck
his neck out for equality and became the second mayor in the state
(Denver Mayor Michael Hancock was the first) to sign on to “Mayors for
the Freedom to Marry,” he may well have guaranteed that he won’t be
re-elected in a city that has traditionally leaned conservative. But the
times, they are a-changing, as evidenced by the Democrat’s victory
last fall. We laud him for his stand to support same-sex marriage, and
we like the burgers and brews at his Pumphouse pub on Main Street.
Mexican Restaurant
EFRAIN'S
1630 N. 63rd St., 303-440-4045
101 E. Cleveland St., Lafayette, 303-666- 7544
451 S. Pratt Parkway, Longmont, 720-494- 0777
Second Place: The Rio Grande
Third Place: Zolo Grill
Fourth Place: Agave Mexico Bistro
Fifth Place: Casa Alvarez
Nothing can get a party started quite like a Mexican restaurant can.
Whether
you’re celebrating an anniversary or a break-up, the beginning of your
20s or the end of your 30s, a great Mexican restaurant takes your
usual shebang, gives it a swift kick in the piñata, dresses it in a
vibrant poncho, and transforms it into a fiesta. Which is why you might
want to think about spending your next birthday dinner at family-owned
Efrain’s, where the employees never even stop to take a siesta
(open from roughly 11 a.m to 9 p.m.), and you’ll enjoy the most
authentic and delicious dinner for your dinero. Dine in or take-out is
available, so no matter where you’re sitting with your sombrero on,
you’ll be able to slurp their flavorful chili verde. Need to give your
mustache a little more space to breathe? Hop on your burro and ride
over to runner-up Rio Grande. If it’s nice out, grab a spot on their
rooftop patio and order a margarita. Once you’re two deep, you’ll swear
you saw Speedy Gonzalez running down the street.
Nederland Restaurant
KATHMANDU RESTAURANT
110 North Jefferson St., Nederland, 303- 258-1169
Second Place: Wild Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery
Third Place: Savory Cafe
Fourth Place: Backcountry Pizza
Fifth Place: Neopolitan’s Italian Restaurant
Whether
you’re limping off the Fourth of July trail or pulling in from a day
at Eldora, the array of spices, Colorado drafts, and casual color of
the Kathmandu Restaurant makes for a welcomed recovery meal in
any season. Kathmandu shares a breadth of Indian and Nepali cuisine
during a daily lunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., accompanied by a
fresh naan bread basket at your table. Browse the menu for a common
selection of Indian and Nepali appetizers, naans, parathas, saags and
curries with a range of meat and vegetable entrees to refuel famished
adventurers. Entrees include seeming limitless curries, kormas, saags
and masalas, and sauces are also available with non-dairy ingredients.
Best-Kept Longmont Dining Secret MARTINI BISTRO 543 Terry St., 303-651-2772
OK,
so we acknowledge that by revealing this somewhat hidden gem, we may
experience longer wait times and reservation lists, but it’s worth it.
We’ve been frequenting Martini Bistro for years, and while
some may hone in on its noteworthy cocktails (martinis like the Dirty
Old Man come with a half-full shaker), we like the food. It’s
reasonably priced, beautifully presented and delivered in the elegant
atmosphere of a Victorian mansion. The service is on par with the best
restaurants in the county. Plus, this place has a great patio. Check
it out, if you haven’t already. Just don’t tell your friends. We want
to keep this to ourselves.
“Pickled Lemon is so tasty and fresh. Everyone should try it!”
Kid-Friendly Restaurant
NOODLES & CO.
Various locations around Boulder County
Second Place: Red Robin
Third Place: Mountain Sun/Southern Sun
Fourth Place: Walnut Cafe/Southside Walnut Cafe
Fifth Place: Wahoo’s Fish Taco
We’ve
always wondered why more restaurants didn’t follow the McDonald’s
model and have a play area for the kids to blow off some steam and
leave the grownups to enjoy a semi-quiet meal in peace. Well, Noodles doesn’t
have a play area, but pasta is one of the easiest kid-pleasers there
is, and Noodles does it well. We can safely say their food is way better
than McDonald’s, and healthier, too. You’ve got everything from a
classic mac and cheese to spaghetti and
