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Best of Boulder 2003
Yes, it’s easy to appreciate Boulder’s natural assets (heck, its pretty tough to ignore one of the greatest settings in the country). But many of us are often too busy frolicking in our natural playground to appreciate everything this fair community has to offer. Boulder has long been a refuge for the world’s most inspired, free-spirited and motivated individuals, who’ve migrated here from all over the planet to enjoy living in or around America’s most famous small town. It’s no wonder that humble Boulder pulses with the vibrancy, exhilaration and personality of a city three times its size. And we’d be remiss not to mention the matchless business community. Where else could you find such an extensive variety of top-notch goods and services, from sleek new establishments to good old mom-and-pops, in such a small, manageable area? And where else can you find so many people and businesses working hard to make the world a better place? That’s why it’s always a pleasure, as well as a mighty challenge, to compile our annual celebration of the best Boulder County has to offer. It’s all thanks to our readers, who once again flooded our office with their votes for local businesses and organizations most deserving of our accolades. And here are the results of the 2003 Best of Boulder County, chosen by our esteemed readership, along with a few personal favorites chosen by our staff. Each and every winner, through their hard work and commitment to the community, helps make Boulder the special place it is today, and will continue to do so for many years to come. So enjoy the issue, thank you for continuing to support Boulder Weekly in its quest for greatness, and don’t forget to take a moment every now and then to appreciate this incredible place we’re blessed to call home.
Best of Boulder Food & Drink
BAKERY For the second year in a row, Breadworks wins with its selection of 30 mouth-watering breads baked on a hand-installed rotating deck oven from Spain. Most popular are the baguettes, challah on Fridays and the two different types of olive bread. Breadworks is open every day of the week, including holidays; the ovens were cranking out hot bread even during the Snowstorm of the Century. The Cream Puffery makes cream puffs to die for, but don’t expect a full range of breads at this baker. It’s a classic patisserie in the European tradition: exotic pastries and cakes par excellence are the predominant items to be found. A true European bakery, Belgian Bakery is owned by Marlene Suy who uses homemade scratch recipes from her home nation of Belgium. Popular weekly offerings include herb bread, organic wheat bread, Trippel Beer Belgian Bread and, on weekends, raisin and other sweet breads.
CHINESE RESTAURANT For 14 years, master chef and owner Kenneth Leong has personally performed or supervised virtually all of the cooking at Orchid Pavilion. He personally chooses fresh seafood daily and insists on the highest quality, freshest ingredients. An excellent management and service staff ensure consistently superior dining room service. Check out the popular weekly specials. Owner/manager Kam Do treats each Golden Lotus customer like a king in his family-operated restaurant and charges reasonable prices to boot. Most popular are the wide variety of vegetarian dishes, closely followed by the sesame chicken and the jumbo prawns in creamy white sauce.
MARGARITA Say "Rio Grande," and chances are the nearby locals will think, "margaritas." The two just seem to go together. But beware: While one marg at the Rio will loosen your tongue, three will change your worldview. Perhaps that’s why their limit on margaritas–which are said to contain secret ingredients–is three per customer. Be sure to check out the Rio’s tasty Mexican menu while you’re there. Zolo Grill, last year’s honorable mention, is this year’s runner-up. Featuring 80 different high-quality tequilas—the widest selection in Colorado–Zolo also serves a wide variety of beers and infusion drinks to go along with their excellent Southwestern cuisine. Juanita’s offers authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Their margaritas and array of Mexican beers make you feel like you’re south of the border, perhaps the least expensive Mexican vacation around.
BEER SELECTION Last year’s runner-up is this year’s prom queen. Mountain Sun and its South Boulder sibling, Southern Sun, have won over Boulder Weekly readers with their changing variety of tasty brews. "We have a very nice variety of hand-crafted beers that we brew here," says Tim McMurry, a general manager. The two pubs rotate among about 20 unique recipes and keep at least 12 beers on tap at all times. In addition, Mountain Sun and Southern Sun offer popular brews from other area breweries, like Lefthand. Try their Ruckus wheat, brewed with chamomile and lemongrass and named after an employee’s dog. Or, if dark beer is your style, sample the Yonder Mountain Oatmeal Imperial Stout, named after the Yonder Mountain String Band. Runner-up Old Chicago offers more than 110 brews from around the world, including the most popular microbrews. Old Chicago is home to the original "World Beer Tour," which invites members to sample each of the 110 selections. Members receive gifts along the way; and, when the tour is completed, the member has his/her name put on a plaque and mounted on the "Hall of Foam." Walnut Brewery and Conor O’Neill’s also win recognition from Boulder Weekly readers. Check them out.
BURRITO Illegal Pete’s, with two strategic locations in Boulder and another strategic location on Denver’s 16th Street Mall, obviously understands the importance of location, availability and being where the action is. Specializing in BIG chicken, beef, fish and veggie burritos, Illegal Pete’s is leading the pack of burrito/taco places which prepare your food in front of your eyes. A fully stocked bar, including margaritas, makes Pete’s a popular gathering spot for the college crowd. Believe it or not, the fast-growing and popular national chain Chipotle is owned by... (dramatic pause) McDonald’s Corporation! But like McDonald’s, Chipotle seems to know what the masses want and is ready to give it to them. Award-winning burritos bring Juanita’s, an institution in Boulder, its second BOB award. Juanita’s 20th anniversary will be celebrated in their original location on June 13. There’s a funky, casual atmosphere, plus fish tacos, a chicken chipotle house specialty, and margaritas, as well as a fully stocked bar with lots of cold Mexican beer.
PIZZA Any way you slice it, Abo’s makes great New York-style pizza. Whether loaded with toppings ranging from artichoke hearts and anchovies to pepperoni and pineapple, or simply a large cheese with a shake or two of red pepper, their slices hail the taste buds like a stressed-out stockbroker flagging down a Manhattan taxi. With locations from downtown to the Hill to South Boulder and beyond, Abo’s is usually a short walk from Anywhere, Boulder. And, more importantly, it’s an easy way to get back into that much-needed New York state of mind. Originally started in Boulder in 1988, Nick-N-Willy’s now sells take-and-bake gourmet pizzas across the country. But with two convenient Boulder locations (4800 Baseline Rd. and 801 Pearl St.) their bake-at-home "world famous" pies, slices, salads, cookies and other treats remain locally popular, as well. Meanwhile, Jalino’s (1647 Arapahoe Ave.) serves up everything from yummy custom pizzas and calzones to lasagna and ziti, as well as brownies, cheesecake and a wonderful tiramisu for pizza-plus-dessert fans out there. Now that’s amore.
INDIAN RESTAURANT While it might not be as big as the Taj Mahal, the conveniently located Taj Indian restaurant in Boulder’s Basemar Shopping Center continues to make history by winning Best of Boulder year after year after year. The second-story restaurant features an easily accessible, fresh and affordable lunch buffet with everything from traditional Tandoori chicken legs to creamed spinach (Saag) to creamy, dreamy rice pudding (Kheer)–all in an anytime-appealing dining atmosphere–great for business lunches or late dinner dates. Aiding the Indian food urges of south Boulderites, the Tandoori Grill features traditional Indian cuisine, a wide-open atmosphere and plenty of helpful servers. Adding some aphrodisiac to usual Indian dessert buffet, Tandoori’s lunch buffet has rice pudding and tangy mango custard–both are extremely tasty. Himalayas remains a cozy, romantic little Indian oasis–just off the Pearl Street Mall near the Boulder Theater. In this underground lair, a first date and fresh chai never felt so right. Last, but far from least, you’ll find the Royal Peacock at 5290 Arapahoe Ave.
ITALIAN RESTAURANT Laudisio is a consistent BOB winner, and manager Mark Kretz credits its hand-crafted breads, pastas, ice creams and sorbets, as well as the restaurant’s professional tableside service, including wine service. The wine list varies with more than 300 selections on any given day. Parking is no problem–Laudisio is located in the Willow Springs Shopping Center at 28th and Iris, where they actually assume people will drive their cars and park. Café Gondolier was founded in 1961 by current owner Nelson Kougel’s father, and all the popular base recipes–spaghetti, fettucini, pizza, calzones–have remained unchanged. You’ll notice that the wait staff doesn’t change much from week to week–there’s always a smiling, familiar face to greet you. D’Napoli Ristorante has recently returned to its original ownership team of Liz and Tom Neapolitan, and Boulder’s pasta aficionados have taken notice. Previously loyal customers are returning by the droves, says Liz. Traditional Italian dishes such as lasagna, chicken and eggplant parmesan, and pizza are all prepared home-style. There’s a fully stocked bar and excellent wine selection, as well.
MEXICAN/SOUTHWESTERN RESTAURANT Zolo’s secret is actually no secret–the innovative team of chefs, Rob Rosser and Ed Lilley, simply produce amazing Southwestern cuisine, says owner Katie Crunchfield. Zolo takes its margaritas seriously, with more than 80 tequilas to choose from. All the basic salsas and sauces are vegan, and the specialties of the house include a habañero/cherry-glazed pork chop, and aji tuna with sweet potato hash brown in chipotle sauce. Casa Alvarez has two locations: the 32nd and Walnut restaurant in Boulder, and a Lafayette option on South Public Road. Owners Betty Cormane and Ernesto Alvarez are proud of their award-winning green chilis: vegetarian and prickly-pear/pork. The menu is more diverse than your average Mexican restaurant, and Betty describes the margaritas as "incredible." Juanita’s offers a funky, casual atmosphere and award-winning burritos, fish tacos, a chicken chipotle house specialty, as well as a fully stocked bar with lots of cold Mexican beer and margaritas.
BAGEL There’s a saying in the marketing biz that goes something like this: "It’s more important to be the first than the best." To this, one might add the following corollary: "If you’re both the first and the best, there ain’t nobody gonna touch you." This can’t possibly apply better to any Boulder business than to Moe’s Broadway Bagel, which takes top honors in our survey this year for the 188th consecutive year (even though they’ve only been around for 10; how do they do it?). In Boulder, "Moe’s" has become synonymous with "bagels," as in the traditional Saturday morning invitation, "Would you like to go out for Moe’s and cream cheese?" Or "My favorite kind of Moe’s is sesame, what’s yours?" Sadly, perennial runner-up Beatniks Bagels has closed its doors, narrowing the choices of where to get a Moe’s with lox spread…oops, see what I mean?
SALAD BAR Well-stocked and attractive produce bins have always been Whole Foods’ chief selling point, and that philosophy of providing plentiful, good-looking, organic-when-possible vegetables and fruits extends to the Whole Foods’ self-service salad bar. The only problem with the popular Boulder location is the lack of seating. Perhaps they should knock down a few walls and install a full-scale restaurant. It would stay continuously busy. Originally a Texas-based chain, Souper Salad got started during the heyday of all-you-can-eat soup-and-salad bars in the late ’70s. Now spread all over the South, the Midwest and the Southwest, Souper Salad offers all manner of salads, including pasta, marinated, leaf lettuce, rice and fruit salads. Soups are prepared fresh every day, and the $5-and-above prices are reasonable. The Boulder location is 2595 Canyon Blvd.
ICE CREAM Who doesn’t love ice cream? But with so many great choices available in Boulder, you’ll need some essential data to steer you in the right direction, so here goes. Ice cream is an $11 billion retail industry. The average American consumes 23.2 quarts of ice cream, ice milk, sherbet, ices and other commercially produced frozen dairy products each year. Three times more vanilla ice cream is consumed than the next closest flavor (chocolate). The biggest ice cream sundae ever made was 12 feet high and made with 4,667 gallons of ice cream and 7,000 pounds of toppings in Anaheim, Calif., during 1985. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield exemplified the American dream when they founded Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. with a $12,000 investment ($4,000 of which was borrowed). One must have a net financial worth of $200,000 (exclusive of primary residence) and be prepared to invest between $123,500 and $286,000 to open a Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop franchise today. To become a Cold Stone Creamery franchisee, your total investment will be between $235,035 and $348,370. Mark Mallen at Glacier Homemade Ice Cream has just opened his second location on The Hill to complement his shop in Tebo Plaza on 28th Street. Does that help?
NEW RESTAURANT Café Prasad, located within the Boulder Co-op Market, has impressed every person who has tried their all-vegetarian menu. In fact, 95 percent of Café Prasad’s dishes are vegan, but some dairy options are available for those who want cheese or sour cream. All the recipes start with 100 percent organic, raw, super foods, says Co-Manager Ian Davidson. Their most popular item is the customizable Gaia Bowl. Start with chipotle black beans and brown rice, and choose from dozens of additional vegetable, tofu and tempeh ingredients. Sherpa’s is a theme restaurant featuring the foods of Nepal, Tibet and India, as well as a travel library and the occasional movie about Far East travel or mountain climbing. Owner Pemba Sherpa also runs Adventure Travel and says his goal is to offer a gathering place and a menu that will complement the Zen or climbing lifestyle. Try the momos (Tibetan dumplings) with a spicy side dish of spinach. There are no canned or frozen foods at Sherpa’s.
FANCY RESTAURANT Flagstaff House Restaurant is where you go when you want exquisite cuisine, an unbeatable wine list and perfection in both service and atmosphere. The restaurant is locally famous and internationally renowned, having served the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The unique cuisine of Chef Mark Monette–French with Asian accents–features delicacies from Rack of Colorado Lamb and Pancetta Wrapped Quail to Filet Mignon, Three Pepper Seared and Free Range Veal Loin to Hot Liquid Valrhona Chocolate Cake, as well as buffalo, venison, and duck. Their 160-page wine list has been rated one of the 10 best in the world. Sitting high above the city with a view of the lights below, Flagstaff House is truly the peak in Boulder fine dining. Runner-up Sunflower brings natural cuisine to the fine-dining experience. Tops with Boulder Weekly vegetarians, Sunflower offers tofu and tempe, as well as fresh seafood, free-range poultry, wild game, and an all-organic salad buffet. The Mediterranean, this year’s honorable mention, is a great place to enjoy a Greek salad or a pizza made in an authentic Italian wood-burning oven or a platter of tapas. Featuring an excellent wine list and reasonable prices, it’s the upscale choice for many locals.
SANDWICH OK, so Salvaggio’s Italian Delicatessen uses only the choicest Boar’s Head meats, the freshest cheeses and bread baked right on the premises. But come on–a sandwich is still just a sandwich. So what’s the secret that makes Boulder Weekly’s readers choose as Salvaggio’s the king of everything enveloped in bread year in and year out? According to inside sources, it’s the little something extra Salvaggio’s employees put in all the sandwiches. We don’t know exactly what the little something is, but it’s so good, in some states it’s probably illegal. At Snarf’s, the Pearl Street diner with an awfully colorful personality, sandwiches may come in three sizes–novice, snarf and pro–but they’re all equally good. And four former New Yorkers have brought a little bit of the Big Apple to Boulder in Deli Zone, thanks to sandwiches like The Gangster, The Yankee and The Brooklyn Bomb.
SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Whatever way you like your seafood, Jax Fish House is sure to please. If you consider yourself a seafood snob, Jax offers delicacies like a Macadamia nut-crusted Hawaiian fish of the day and "Bubbles and Pearls"–a glass of champagne and a sampler of Jax’s extensive oyster selection. If a no-frills crab shack or raw bar is more your style, head to Jax for a catfish po’boy, a beer and a story-swapping session with Randy Hicks, the resident bartender and fly fisher extraordinaire. Runner-up The Mediterranean cooks their seafood the old European way, including Spanish paella, champagne-marinated fried calamari and fritters made with risotto and crab. And across town, Dolan’s still pulls in landlubbers with a taste for the sea, thanks to their peel-and-eat shrimp, New England clam chowda and Alaskan king crab legs.
NATURAL/VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT Owner John Pell thinks it’s amusing that his restaurant is so popular with vegetarians; Sunflower serves all-organic meats such as free-range chicken, seafood, beef, elk and buffalo. But through his insistence on using certified organically grown vegetables painstakingly prepared in authentic vegetarian fashion, Sunflower has won over the hearts and stomachs of Boulder’s vegetarian diners. Pell says he respects vegetables. In just a little over three months, Café Prasad (located within Boulder’s newest success story, the Boulder Co-op) has ascended to prominence with Boulder’s veggie eaters: vegans, raw foodists, even people pursuing ayurvedic diets. The probiotic juice bar has also proven popular with those seeking tasty, nutrient-energized juices. Ovo-lacto vegetarians can opt for organic dairy ingredients, but 95 percent of Café Prasad’s dishes are vegan.
FAST FOOD Consumers no longer have to settle for high-calorie burgers when looking for a quick bite to eat. Whether you’re dropping in for a bowl of Japanese pan noodles at the quick-casual Noodles & Company or grabbing a gourmet burrito or taco at Chipotle, fast no longer means fatty fries and a shake. Boulder-based Noodles & Company continues to thrive, offering fast carry-out and dine-in service featuring freshly prepared, highly flavorful noodle dishes for an average of five bucks a bowl. It’s hard to beat, making Noodles & Co. appealing to everyone from high school students to families. Meanwhile, runner-up Chipotle offers everything from barbacoa and fajita burritos to margaritas and Mexican beers quickly and at a convenient price. And for fast flavors from the Far East, Siamese Plate on the Go and Wok & Roll remain healthy alternatives to the typical American drive-thru fare. Fast food ain’t what it used to be.
LATE NIGHT FOOD If you’re looking for a late-night snack in Boulder, either head to Abo’s or head for the Border. Just off the Pearl Street Mall on Broadway, the downtown Abo’s pizzeria serves up fantastic New York-style slices till 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Whether taking a break from nearby Soma or getting some last-minute nutrition before a tipsy hike home from the Pearl Street bar circuit, the well-lit, welcoming, late-night pie joint is a great place to take a break from a night on the town and get a bite to eat on the cheap. And for those looking for a little Mexican flare to soothe those late-night munchies, there’s the old standby: Taco Bell. Gorditas, chalupas, burritos, nachos and tacos are all available 24 hours a day at the two Boulder Bells (2450 Baseline Rd. and 3255 28th St.).
STREET FOOD "Did you know that vegetarian is a Native American word? It means bad hunter." So says Eddie Ermoian, a Chicago native who’s been living his life-long dream of running a hot dog stand for the past 10 years on Pearl Street, becoming a Boulder institution along the way. Eddie has made accommodations for Boulder’s non-meat eaters, however, offering a veggie version of his trademark Chicago dog (an all-beef hot dog topped with yellow mustard, sweet relish, chopped tomatoes, onions, peppers, cucumber slices and celery salt in a steamed sesame bun): everything but the dog. So whether you want to experience little bit of Chicago’s North Side in the middle of Boulder, or you just want a one-of-a-kind meal-on-the-go, get yourself to Eddies, fast. Aren’t sure you’re up to a real Chicago dog? Seek out Irvin’s Hot Dog stand for another tasty variation of the quintessential quick meal.
SPORTS BAR Whoever said, "It’s not the size of the dog in the fight..." hasn’t been to north Boulder’s Lazy Dog. Sporting two 10-foot-high big screen TVs and numerous smaller ones, the huge sports bar and grill is the place to watch countless sporting events–baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey, football, golf, you name it. Besides an endless selection of beers, the Dog has great food, as well: "Skin’s Game" potato halves appetizer for golf followers, "Ty Cobb" smoked turkey salad for baseball fans and an "Italian Stallion" Italian sausage meal for the boxing aficionados. Best of all, the Dog has a great "come one, come all" atmosphere, a well-trained staff and you don’t have to battle US 36 and I-25 traffic to get a front row seat for the finest the Pepsi Center, Coors Field and Invesco Field have to offer. And we can’t forget the Barrel House on Arapahoe and 28th, which features team trivia nights every Tuesday and unbeatable breakfast burrito and Bloody Mary specials on game days.
JAPANESE RESTAURANT Year after year Sushi Zanmai takes the crown for best Japanese restaurant. But the question remains: Is it because of the cuisine or the atmosphere? On one hand, the restaurant’s known for delicacies like the Z No. 9 roll, mouth-watering tempura and a legendary monthly private sake-pairing six-course dinner (reservations for which are usually booked years in advance). On the other hand, Zanmai’s chefs are an attraction in themselves–one impersonates Michael Jackson, another does a kickin’ rendition of "Crazy Train," and yet another is probably one of the only platinum-blond Japanese chefs in the world. Our readers are going to have to figure out for themselves whether it’s the food or the fun that makes Sushi Zanmai No. 1. To see and be seen munching on your sashimi, roll into runner-up Hapa, the mallside Japanese eatery sporting lots of delicacies with naughty names (anyone for a 69 roll?). Sushi Tora and Japango round out this category, the former featuring loads of unique entrees and the latter offering more than 50 years of combined culinary experience thanks to its fleet of expert chefs.
OVERALL RESTAURANT As Homer Simpson might say, "Mmmm… mini meals." That’s probably the best way to describe tapas, the appetizer-like Spanish fare that The Mediterranean has gotten down to a science. Enjoying plate after plate of this colorful restaurant’s delectable tapas, ranging from roasted garlic with gorgonzola to grilled eggplant layered with goat cheese, it’s easy to imagine yourself sitting in an open-air café in Barcelona. But The Med also sticks to its namesake, offering food and drink from all around the Mediterranean, increasingly adding more Moroccan and African flavors to their menu. This heavy-hitter may soon have new competition in this category–several of the driving forces behind The Med are preparing to open a French bistro titled Brasserie 1010 across the street in June. Let the battle begin. It’s nice to see a place like Murphy’s get a best overall restaurant nod; in these days of funky fusion food, Murphy’s sticks to the good old basics like nachos, hot wings, spaghetti and root beer floats. And Jax Fish House’s recognition just goes to show that land-locked Boulderites can tell the difference between fish sticks and real fish.
BURGER So what’s the secret to the burgers at Tom’s Tavern, going on their 44th year of grilled perfection? Maybe it’s the beef patty, never frozen, coming straight from a local meatpacker. Maybe it’s the fresh bun or side of steaming fries. Maybe it’s the toppings of sautéed mushrooms and mayo. Or maybe it’s the environment of Tom’s Tavern itself. Vinyl-clad booths, no-nonsense servers–everything is a throwback to those great diners of yesteryear, a far cry from the modern hustle and bustle of the Pearl Street Mall right outside. What better way is there to enjoy a third-pound of goodness? Runner-up Mountain Sun’s free-range beef burgers are also local favorites, especially their groovy variations like the Black and Blue Burger and Junk Burger. Hungry Toad also gets a nod for its pub burger, and the Dark Horse’s burger madness deal every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday is not to be overlooked.
VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT Chez Thuy must be one heck of a restaurant. Our readers voted it Best Thai Restaurant and runner-up for Best Chinese. In fact, Chez Thuy serves Vietnamese cuisine. Boulder Weekly has created a new category–Vietnamese Restaurant–in order to accommodate our reader’s affection for this establishment while at the same time getting its ethnicity right. Chez Thuy draws crowds both for lunch and dinner with their wide range of vegetarian dishes. Known for its soft-shell crab, Chez Thuy has something for every appetite, from the spicy to the mild. Chef Thuy Le came to Boulder from the T-Wa Inn in Denver. She started her own restaurant here and has been pleasing crowds ever since.
GROCERY STORE
NATURAL FOOD STORE Since the 1998 opening of Whole Foods in Boulder, the line between grocery store and natural food store has become blurred to the point where these two categories can be joined. Say what you want about the crowds and the parking, Boulder loves Whole Foods, and that’s all there is to it. It makes sense: The Boulder Whole Foods was chosen by its corporate office as their best store in the country. However, the big story this year is the emergence of the new Boulder Co-op Market which, in less than one year, bumped King Soopers and 30th Street Market off the BOB chart (and came in a very close second to Whole Foods in both categories). The Co-op opened late last year to great fanfare after three years of planning, and it is a wonderful addition to the community. Not only is the Co-op a distribution center for the highest quality food in town–almost all of which is organic–it serves as the distribution center for ideas and resources that the Boulder community has been thirsting for. Now more than 4,000 members strong (you don’t have to be a member to shop there), the Co-op is picking up momentum day by day. Don’t be surprised to see it trade places with Whole Foods in one or both categories in BOB 2004.
DESSERT Consider the following list of historic rule changes and the resulting impact on the corresponding contests: In 1954 the NBA "24-second clock" results in a more exciting, high-scoring brand of basketball. In 1973 MLB’s American League adopts the "designated hitter," increasing the number of runs scored, extending the careers of aging power hitters and spawning endless debate. In 1974 the NFL institutes "sudden death" overtime, precluding the possibility that games will end in an unsatisfying tie. In 2003 Boulder Weekly establishes a rule that prohibits readers from voting for the Cheesecake Factory for "Best Dessert" in its annual Best of Boulder poll, causing readers to select a deserving winner for the first time in years. The first beneficiary of this long-overdue rule change is the Cream Puffery, a terrific new bakery–locally owned–that features the most out-of-this-world cakes, pies, tortes and other indulgences in town. And guess what: They make cheesecake, too. But not the kind you can get in Anytown, U.S.A. Sometimes changing the rules of the game is the only way to change the outcome.
MICROBREWERY If you can open an ambitious new business and succeed in the throes of a recession that is causing other businesses to cinch up the financial belt (or even close, as happened to Oasis Brewery and Restaurant), you must be doing something right. That’s exactly what happened when Boulder’s coolest, hippest microbrewery, Mountain Sun, expanded into the old Doc’s Ski and Sport location in restaurant-starved South Boulder in the Table Mesa Center. Mountain Sun was an instant hit eight years ago, and it’s déjà vu all over again with new Southern Sun. Both locations feature great beer and outstanding food with plenty of options for those of the vegetarian persuasion. Southern Sun is quite a bit larger than the original location and offers decidedly more family atmosphere than the original–perfect for the South Boulder family-oriented neighborhoods. This year’s bridesmaid is, once again, Walnut Brewery, followed by BJ’s Pizza, Grill and Brewery.
MARTINI Ever since the Rat Pack, martinis have been the epitome of cool. But since very few people other than Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin can look really cool sipping straight gin or vodka, over the years martinis have become less about potency and purity and more about flavor and taste. And when it comes to flavors and taste, Trios Grille Wine Bar and Home Gallerie is unbeatable. Trios likes to keep its esteemed bartenders busy, with 68 martinis on the menu. And these are martinis on the wild side, including the Tootsie Roll, the Sake To Me Tini, and the Key Lime Tini, a secret recipe that includes a real graham cracker crust. Sands Hotel, eat your heart out. Trilogy, the other culinary trifecta in town, also holds its own in this tough category. Owned by the hippest of triplets, Trilogy’s ultra-smooth martinis are one of the reasons why chill cats like Ben Harper and Charlie Hunter are rumored to frequent the establishment.
PLACE TO EAT OUTDOORS There is a growing body of research that points to the health benefits of drinking tea, the most recent being a study that indicates that tea drinkers have stronger immune systems and seem to fight off bacterial infections better than their non-tea-drinking counterparts. Add this most recent finding to the previous evidence that the antioxidant content of certain teas can help ward off heart disease and cancer, and you’ve got a pretty compelling case for taking up the habit. Boulder’s own Dushanbe Tea House, a gift during the 1990s from our "sister city," Dushanbe, Tajikistan, offers perhaps the best collection of fine, loose-leaf teas this side of the towering Himalayan peaks that border this ancient land that was first inhabited in the 7th century, BC. The Tea House was this year’s overwhelming choice as "Best Place to Eat Outdoors," and, indeed, this lovely spot alongside Boulder Creek and across from Central Park is a delightful place to while away an hour or two on the ubiquitous sunny Boulder afternoon. The future of runner-up West End Tavern’s famous rooftop patio seems to have dodged a bullet, as the developers of the lot immediately adjacent to this long-time Boulder icon have agreed to position their imminent project in a way that will not completely obfuscate the stunning view of the Flatirons. Chalk one up for the good guys.
PLACE TO MAKE OUT Sometimes you just want to park the car and grope the person next to you. While having sex in public is against the law, it’s not illegal to embrace and tongue tango. Still, a bit of seclusion is nice. Where can you go? One of the most popular choices is Flagstaff Mountain. With lots of mini parking lots along the roadside, generous parking at the summit and an amphitheater with a full view of the city lights, it has lured lots of lovers for an hour of hot and heavy. Somehow it’s just more fun getting wild while surrounded by wildlife. Although Flagstaff seems private, the area is patrolled. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Upon spying steamed-up windows and writhing bodies, a friendly Mountain Parks ranger is likely to knock on your window just to make certain what’s going on in the car is consensual. Then he or she will leave you to it. Said one ranger: "I’ve seen more bare butts in this job than I ever imagined." Remember to abide by parking regulations–out-of-county plates must pay a fee–and be off the mountain before the summit closes at 12 a.m.
BARTENDER "We definitely take pride in trying to be a unit," says Tim Fitzgerald, this year’s Best of Boulder winner for Best Bartender. He credits his award to the strength of the entire Round Midnight bartending team, likening their regimented approach to bar service to that of sushi chefs: "When the bar is three deep, people get juiced when they see the bartenders breaking their backs." Hosting the best in local and national musicians, in addition to their award-winning bar staff, Round Midnight often finds its bar filled with eager customers. In addition to regular DJ K-Nee and the best in Latin, jazz and hip-hop, the downtown nightclub also hosts Raw Soul, a ’70s, Curtis Mayfield-style dance night on the first Thursday of every month. San Diego native Fitzgerald has been at Round Midnight for five years, working his way from the door to the taps. Next time you’re on Pearl Street, belly up to the bar, ask for Tim and order his specialty–the Junebug. Fitzgerald wouldn’t reveal the secret recipe, but guaranteed it’s a crowd pleaser. "Thanks to the long-time Round Midnight patrons," Fitzgerald says in response to winning the BOB award. "And thanks to everyone in town." In its brief history as a downtown establishment, Conor O’Neill’s has become a top-tier restaurant, bar and nightclub. A lot of this has to do with their quality staff, and Boulder’s Best Bartender runner-up Elie Bouchard. "The people, the people, that’s it," is to whom Bouchard credits his success, while sending gratitude to the folks who voted for him. Elie has been a bartender at Conor O’Neill’s for two years and says the margarita as his specialty drink. Bouchard invites everyone down to try his special concoction, but he’s not giving up the mix. "We’ll keep that a secret." Bouchard is at home serving drinks at the traditional Irish pub, but has one beef. "Not enough girls," he laughs. You heard him, ladies. Now get on down to Conor’s for an award-winning margarita.
THAI RESTAURANT For a while it seemed like the gods weren’t smiling on Larry and Toi Newman. When this husband and wife team opened their Thai food restaurant Khow Thai last year at 1600 Broadway, a location where numerous restaurants had already failed, business was at first frightfully slow. Then this fall construction consumed the street right in front of the restaurant. But through it all Khow Thai built up a loyal following, and now it’s celebrating its first birthday with a well-earned Best of Boulder win. Larry says it’s because of the generosity of his patrons, but we suspect it’s because of Toi’s great cooking (which she learned from her mother and grandmother), Khow Thai’s unbeatable prices and the interesting pictures on the servers’ T-shirts. Can you figure out what the shirts mean? Siamese Plate isn’t too shabby either, reportedly having been recognized by the Thai government for the quality of its food, and now you can get your Siamese plates on the run at the restaurant’s two "on the go" locations at 28th and Valmont and 120th and Sheridan.
WAY TO DISGUISE YOUR BONG Parents visiting? Concerned that the pizza delivery man is a narc? Wracking your brain trying to figure out how to disguise your bong? Here are a few pointers: Most modern-day bongs are made of attractive colorful glass, so the easiest way to disguise a pretty bong is to put flowers in it. Suddenly, it’s a funny-shaped "vahhhse." In ages past, the best way to disguise a bong was to create it yourself out of common items, like a Coke can or piece of PVC pipe. Assembled it’s a bong; unassembled, it’s an unassuming piece of trash or idle plumbing parts. See if you can make a bong out of these nondescript parts: an empty thread spool; a length of plastic tubing for aquarium aerators; and a glass of water. The best way to disguise your bong, though, is to clean it fairly often. No matter what it looks like, if people can smell your bong, then they’re going to know exactly what it is.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH Lucile’s offers breakfast made fresh and from scratch with a Cajun/Creole twist. Try a beignet, warm and sprinkled with powered sugar. Or sample a fluffy biscuit slathered with butter or homemade strawberry-rhubarb jam. The Eggs Benedict are to die for, served with the traditional ham or with spinach to please vegetarian palates. One meal at Lucile’s, and you’ll start finding excuses to schedule your meetings over breakfast instead of lunch. Dot’s Diner is where "the folks get their yolks." You can get them over easy with grits or scrambled with some griddled ham. Try their huge buttermilk biscuits and their skin-on hash browns. Good food and a funky atmosphere explain why Dot’s is a perennial Boulder favorite. Walnut Café will get your morning going with local favorites like Dill Eggs and the Boulder Scramble. Famous for its homemade pies, which some people order for breakfast, it offers a full espresso bar for those who need a little kick in the morning. Turley’s offers a full menu of breakfast choices that will please the health conscious, as well as those who like a bit of cholesterol every morning. Their spacious booths make for a comfortable, private atmosphere where you can have a conversation without shouting. And their lunch and dinner menus will bring you back again and again.
WINE SELECTION When you have more than 300 bottles of wine to choose from, chances are you’re going to find something you like. That’s the philosophy at Trios Grille Wine Bar and Home Gallerie, this year’s winner for best wine selection. And even with all those wines, there are probably not too many clunkers on the list, thanks to Trios’ personal sommelier, who tastes the wines three to four times a week and updates the wine selection four times a year. So you can be confident in your wine choice at Trios, no matter if you go for an $18 bottle or splurge on the $235 champagne. If you’re a real big shot, you may want to try to buy the $3,000 bottle behind the bar, but since it’s the owner’s prize wine, they probably won’t sell it to you. So after you’ve been denied that monumental purchase at Trios, you may want to drown your sorrows in the 100-plus wines available at runner-up Trilogy. Yes, you might have a hangover the next morning, but boy will it be worth it.
JUICE/SMOOTHIE BAR What do you get when you mix soymilk, frozen yogurt and lots and lots of fruit? Well, if you forgot to put the top on the blender, you’ve got a mess all over the kitchen. That’s why you should trust complicated stuff such as this to professionals, like the staff at Jamba Juice, who can take all these ingredients and make a liquid meal that’s both super-healthy and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re a Kiwi Berry Burner fan or more of a Razzmatazz person, there’s no topping Jamba Juice’s made-to-order yumminess. Ed’s Juice Joint on the Pearl Street Mall prides itself on using fresh juices without added sugar, and offers 18 different smoothie varieties. Keep on the lookout for special flavors like hemp smoothies and watermelon coolers.
ROCK CLIMB
COFFEEHOUSE Whether it’s late at night or early in the morning, Trident Booksellers is bound to be busy. It’s selection of espresso drinks, teas, muffins and pastries are one of the reasons for its popularity. But the biggest reason is the laid-back atmosphere. Part bookstore, part café, Trident is where people go to debate politics, catch up with friends and shoot the breeze. It’s also a good place to catch local celebrities. David Barsamian is a regular, as is Sen. Ron Tupa. Penny Lane combines good food, a Bohemian atmosphere and live entertainment with caffeine. What more can you ask? It’s a lively combination that has made Penny Lane a local favorite. Stop in for a latté, and listen in while KGNU tapes one of its "Live at Penny Lane" shows.
TAKE OUT/DELIVERY Our readers must love Khow Thai. They’ve braved a road construction snarl that would try the patience of a saint in order to get their hands on Khow Thai’s authentic Thai food. With a host of vegetarian dishes and options that range from sweet to spicy, Khow Thai is the next best thing to a trip to Bangkok. Try the Masaman Curry, with coconut milk, potatoes, onions and peanuts. Or sample Pad Kra Prau Pak, stir-fried tofu with vegetables with basil leaves. The food goes down just as easily as the prices. Nick & Willy’s offers the best in take-home pizzas, as well as fresh-made salads. Whether you want a slice with white sauce and Gorgonzola or a full pie with more traditional toppings like pepperoni and mozzarella, Nick & Willy’s is sure to please. Check out the gigantic cookies. Siamese Plate on the Go offers Thai and Japanese food for people in a hurry. Drop by for take-out, or stay for a while and enjoy their sit-down service. Wok & Roll offers sushi and traditional Japanese food, like chicken teriyaki, for healthy eaters on the go.
RESTAURANT TO TAKE KIDS When you have small children, you’re often made to feel unwelcome at restaurants. No matter how desperately you might need a night away from the stove, other restaurant patrons don’t want to listen to the giggles, chatter and periodic tantrums that so often go hand in hand with parenthood. Thank goodness there’s Red Robin. At Red Robin, parents can bring their kids and feel not simply tolerated, but welcome. From the balloons and games just inside the entrance to the colorful and fun children’s menus and tasty treats, Red Robin is one place both adults and children can relax. Noodles is this year’s runner-up. With multiple locations in Boulder and a menu that both kids and adults can appreciate, it’s sure to win a smile from your most finicky eater. What kid doesn’t like noodles? Mountain Sun and Southern Sun offer a range of great beers and a satisfying menu in a relaxed oh-so-Boulder environment. Did your toddler crawl out of your lap and wander a few tables down? At Mountain Sun and Southern Sun, other patrons will smile, not frown.
SERVER/WAITPERSON Many a great career began in the service industry, and, being a college town, Boulder restaurants often harbor highly educated wait staffs. Include archaeology student and Cheesecake Factory worker Rachel Ellenberger among these scholarly servers. Ellenberger’s hospitality skills set her above the rest. A native of Grand Junction, Ellenberger credits her popularity to a positive, sociable attitude. "I really like my job. I enjoy the interaction with people. If they leave the restaurant happy, then I feel really good." Rachel has been keeping Cheesecake Factory patrons stuffed and satisfied for more than two years. Heidi Hornbacker at Conor O’Neill’s makes customers feel right at home with her friendly attitude and quick, reliable service.
HAPPY HOUR It’s a bet that customers flock to The Mediterranean as much for the food as for Happy Hour, 3 to 6:30 weekdays. Although The Med features a wide selection of wines, well cocktails and beers, its menu is what draws customers in. Try the tapas as you sip your after-work wine. With a wide variety of toppings, tapas are light enough to act as a snack or hearty enough to be a meal. The upbeat atmosphere of The Med and the excellent service have helped The Med earn award after award from Boulder Weekly readers. Conor O’Neill’s is this year’s runner-up. For those with a yearning for old Ireland–even those who have never been there–Conor O’Neill’s can tide you over. With drink specials, entertainment and, yes, Guinness, Conor O’Neill’s has become one of Boulder’s favorite place for a quick drink with friends or a hearty meal. Best of Boulder Culture, Sport & Scene
PLACE TO TAKE A DATE For more than 25 years, the Pearl Street Mall has been the main artery of Boulder. Pulsing with creativity and commerce, craziness and conservatism, the outdoor mall remains the best place in Boulder to see and be seen. Especially with a significant other on your arm. From the top of the West End Tavern’s romantic, rooftop patio all the way down past the eccentric types on the courthouse lawn, the Mall provides everything from high-quality shopping to buskers and musicians to people very carefully asking for spare change. It’s comfortable commerce mixed with a bit of adventure. Corporate restaurant/bars mingle with hometown gems like the Sundown Saloon and the Pearl Street Pub. Waterfalls, sculptures and trees wind down the center. And, no matter what, there’s always something appealing to you or your date. Named after the king who united Ethiopia, Ras Kassa’s continues to unite couples–whether in the Ethiopian restaurant’s cozy dining room or out on their creek-side patio. And it’s hard to beat the gorgeous architecture, beautiful surroundings and simple, seasonal food available at the Chautauqua Dining Hall.
THINGS TO DO FOR LESS THAN TEN $10 Since its beginning, the Pearl Street Mall has personified the unique philosophy and culture of Boulder. From tourists to buskers, the affluent to the homeless, and bankers to bohemians, the four blocks of the pedestrian mall (as well as the expanding East and West Ends) have helped turn Boulder into an international city. Short on cash? For just a few dollars you can be entertained by the numerous street performers, enjoy an ice cream or a burrito, or sip a beverage on one of the mall’s many outdoor patios. No cash at all? Take a stroll through one of Pearl Street’s many fine art galleries, browse the novelty shops, or sit down with a good book at no charge. And the most interesting Pearl Street activity–people watching–is always free. Bus, bike, drive or hitchhike to any of the dozens of trailheads within city limits, and you have hours of clean, healthy, cost-efficient fun. With Boulder’s mild winters, hiking is a year-round activity and a shoe-in for runner-up in the Best of Boulder.
PLACE TO SEE LIVE THEATER It has a history stretching back more than 50 years, but in 1998 Boulder’s Nomad Theatre was re-opened with remodeled rooms and new equipment. And a new professional vision. Since then, the Nomad has entered into a new era, using professional actors and production staff primarily from the Boulder area. This year alone, the Nomad Theatre has hosted Rodger’s and Hammer-stein’s musical Cinderella, A.R. Gurney’s modern comedy Sylvia, and their current production of the modern fable Oil: A Comedy: The End of the World As We Know It. More surprises are set for this summer. And the theatre’s convenient, just-off-Broadway location and spacious, welcoming aura ensure the professional theatre venue’s success well into the 21st century. Currently in the midst of the rock opera Godspell, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre remains a great night out on the town. Dinner and a great show? You can’t beat that.
PLACE OF WORSHIP Led by the Reverend William Breslin, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church offers a mass in Spanish, giving it cross-cultural appeal, and even has a mass specially designated for teens to keep the youth engaged. The church offers confession/reconciliation, daily mass, and a convenient downtown location. Regardless of faith, denomination, or spiritual bent, there is no denying the wonder and beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and whether praying, meditating, or conducting ceremony, the mountains–the natural treasures of our community–are a great place to find your center. Boulder Unity Church has had a monopoly on this award in recent years. This year, the popular multi-faith church slips a notch, but remains one of Boulder’s most popular places of worship.
LOCAL CELEBRITY Hazel Miller is to the Boulder’s Best Local Celebrity category as the New York Yankees are to baseball. The soulful singer has topped the Boulder Weekly’s celeb chart for the third straight year, which is representative of her huge local following. But Miller’s scope extends well beyond the local scene. She has performed with some of the most prestigious names in jazz, blues and R&B, and once performed for Bill Clinton while he was in the White House. Miller has become an E-Town regular and often gigs with runner-up Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Along with honorable mention Wendy Woo, the results for Boulder’s Best Local Celebrity look very similar to last year. Once again, Big Head Todd and folk singer/songwriter Wendy Woo have much to be proud of, but were still unable to dethrone Queen Hazel.
PRIVATE SCHOOL Sacred Heart of Jesus is a 1,300-member Catholic church within the Denver Archdiocese which operates Boulder’s most popular private elementary school. High parental expectations and involvement ensure rigorous academic standards in combination with religious education, says Principal Denny McDaniel. Sacred Heart’s students live up to those standards. Uniforms are the dress code, so parents don’t have to worry about shelling out each week for the latest, trendiest fashions. Some remarkable kids come out of September School, observes Principal Bruce Westby. Most of the students who enter the school have college as the last thing on their minds, but 80 percent of September School’s graduates go on to college, inspired by the school’s unique learning environment. Alexander Dawson School maintains small class sizes, graduating only about 40 seniors each year. But every single one of those graduates goes on to college, brags Headmaster Greg Foster. Academics are heavily emphasized at Dawson, but there is also a lauded extracurricular program of athletics, music, arts and theater. Boulder Jewish Day School is a warm nurturing environment where kids are exposed to an integrated curriculum that teaches academic excellence, as well as Jewish values and traditions. Small class sizes mean intimacy between students and staff, says Director Myrna Cooper.
MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO Flatirons Martial Arts aims not just to teach martial arts but to help students raise their self-confidence levels, learn self-discipline, improve their physical fitness and their concentration. They take children from the age of 5, and welcome girls and women. From the point of view of their instructors, studying martial arts is a personal journey. Tran’s Martial Arts & Fitness has locations in Boulder and Longmont. They believe what sets them apart is their family-run atmosphere and fitness classes. "Everyone here is treated as an individual, and we know everyone by name," says Vu Tran, owner of the studio. Tran’s teaches a Tae Kwon Do-based program with a mixed blend of Kenpo, Ju Jitzu and kick-boxing.
MUSIC VENUE Whether it’s hosting groundbreaking crossover acts like Norah Jones, world-class jazz quartets, the finest in local and national talent, or the nationally syndicated E-Town radio show, the Boulder Theater remains the place where wonderful music and a beautiful atmosphere come together. But as you walk in under the art deco façade, past the central bar and into the theater, you’re likely to find a diverse set of attractions on any one night. Acts and events are likely to range from politically incorrect standup comic Bill Maher, to electronic music and sensual multimedia at the fall Exotica Erotica Ball, to perhaps a film documenting the musical struggle against South Africa’s brutal apartheid system. While its diverse past stretches back almost 100 years, Boulder Theater continues to make history with high-quality music, a great sound system, the fantastic Boulder Weekly film series, and much, much more. Simply put, the Boulder Theater is firmly in touch with the community’s arts, entertainment and educational needs–and able to deliver the goods from one week to the next. The gem of University Hill, the Fox Theatre (1135 13th St.) thoroughly satisfies the area’s diverse musical tastes by booking much-welcome indie and underground hip-hop acts, homegrown, up-and-coming eclectic acts–such as Cabaret Diosa, DeVotchKa and The Motet–and plenty of reggae and jam-friendly groups. Now 11 years old, the Fox has already made history for having one of the best sound systems in the region, and draws fans from throughout the Denver metro area by continuing to bring top-notch talent to Boulder.
PLACE TO DANCE From the subterranean depths of Round Midnight, it’s easy to forget that you are still in Boulder. The dance club below Pearl Street has a distinct big city vibe, from the smoker-friendly environment to the pulsing beats of the speakers. Featuring some of the best live dance music the city has to offer, our readers voted Round Midnight the Best Place to Dance in Boulder. In addition to the finest in jazz, Latin, and hip-hop acts, every Wednesday and Saturday DJ K-Nee rocks the deck and raises the roof. Runner-up Trilogy Lounge has become a major player on the Boulder scene by booking the finest in local and national talent. It also boasts one of the best wine selections in the city. Soma Lounge has been acknowledged nationally as a leading nightclub. The artsy club has become a regular stop for national acts such as Sandra Collins, and even features an oxygen bar.
UNDERGROUND ESCAPE While other bars and clubs might dabble in pretension, or be packed to the brim with rowdy college students, the Catacombs remains a soothing underground escape from the hustle, bustle and BS of Boulder life. A veritable maze of rooms featuring everything from old-school arcade games to air hockey to traditional pool tables, this softly lit bar in the basement of the historic Hotel Boulderado feels more like a good friend’s bachelor pad than a bar. But a bar it is, featuring a daily 4:30 to 8 p.m. happy hour, excellent service, plenty of local and regional music acts, and two spacious smoking rooms that make smokers feel like just one of the gang. Best of all, Catacombs draws a diverse, down-to-earth crowd interested in having a good time, relaxing, and letting the world above walk by.
LOCAL MUSICIAN/GROUP There is a time for serious endeavors, such as office work, war protests, filing tax returns and spring cleaning. And then there is a time for cutting loose and celebrating life. If the solemn, predictable, contrived nature of classical music provides the right backdrop for the former, the free-flowing, improvisational, unpredictable qualities of Leftover Salmon deliver the ideal context for the latter. One could reasonably assume that the meteoric rise in Salmon’s popularity has run parallel to the increasing thirst for escape from the increasingly constricted lifestyles in which Boulderites find themselves engaged. Hence, their reelection to the top post in this year’s Best of Boulder poll. Further evidence of this phenomenon is provided by the choice of another "jamgrass" band, Yonder Mountain String Band, as a close second. Both groups will be on the bill at the 30th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival, June 19-22. At press time, limited tickets and camping are still available.
PUBLIC SCHOOL Among the many educational opportunities offered in the public schools, none is more widely available than Jingoism 101. In this course, offered at virtually every high school in the country, students are taught the value of holding an unfounded and irrational belief that their school "rules" and other schools "suck." In other words: Be true to your school. School spirit may be nothing less than the point of origin for what later becomes nationalism, in which case we’ve done the disservice of enabling another generation’s divisive tendencies by reviving this category in our BOB survey after eliminating it for a few years. Regardless of the underpinnings, let’s remember that loyalty can be a good thing and give credit where credit is due. Boulder High School rules, Fairview sucks, and the rest of the losers didn’t even place. Nah nah nah nah naaaaah nah.
GOLF COURSE Two men from Boulder are playing golf one day at their favorite course, Flatirons Golf Course. One of them is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession going east on Arapahoe next to the golf course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows his head down in prayer. His friend says, "Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man." The man then replies, "Yeah, well we were married for 35 years."
NON-PROFIT/CHARITY Compass House is a cooperative program that brings together devoted staff from Attention Homes with caring mental-health therapists from the Boulder area to provide non-residential group therapy for youth in need without regard to ability to pay. The areas addressed by Compass House Outreach include: anger management, communication skills, substance abuse, eating disorders, art therapy and social skills. Attention Homes operates three live-in facilities for youth who need residential services. Boulder County AIDS Project works to meet the needs of Boulder County’s HIV-positive residents–and those with AIDS. With a staff of compassionate volunteers, BCAP provides food, financial assistance, and a host of professional services to people affected by HIV and AIDS. It also works to educate the public about HIV/AIDS and to reach populations particularly impacted by the virus. Boulderites love critters, so it’s no surprise that The Humane Society of Boulder Valley is a runner-up again this year. The Humane Society provides shelter to about 7,000 lost and homeless pets each year, and, unlike many animal shelters, does not euthanize adoptable animals. From Amy Goodman’s "Democracy Now!" to Spanish-language programming and world music, KGNU brings the world and its realities to Boulder listeners. Recently, KGNU devoted its airtime to providing timely information and alternative views about the war in Iraq. The station, directed by Marty Durlin, is a community treasure. Boulder County Safehouse provides safe shelter, support and advocacy for battered women and their children and works to end domestic violence through education and social change.
PLACE TO RUN Boulder Creek Path always has been–and always will be–the favorite place for local runners. Winding from Boulder’s prairies up into Boulder Canyon, it offers runners not only a safe place to get exercise, but beautiful scenery as well. The only tricky thing about the Creek Path is that everyone loves it–dog-walkers, moms with strollers, in-line skaters, pedestrians and cyclists. Each trip down the path comes with its own lesson in diversity, tolerance and community. The Mesa Trail, the artery of Boulder’s Mountain Parks, runs from Chautauqua Park to Eldorado Springs and offers seven miles of spectacular scenery that’s accessible almost all year round. Less crowded than the Creek Path, Mesa Trail also offers more of a physical challenge. Just remember to respect the wildlife and stay on designated trails.
PLACE TO MEET SINGLES You can meet more than 110 beers on Old Chicago’s World Beer Tour. You might even meet Mr. or Ms. Right. With a nice, open patio looking out onto the west end of the Pearl Street Mall, and a greenhouse dining room with a retractable cover, Boulder’s Old Chicago is a great, laid-back place to grab a few brews, mingle and meet people without having loud music blaring in your ears. Besides offering great Chicago-style pizza, $2.50 pints of Guinness from 8 p.m. to close on Thursdays, and a chance to "Travel the world, one beer at a time" on their famous World Beer Tour, there’s a late-night menu for those hungry for grub... or a bite before love. Rhumba, just down the Mall from Old Chi’s at 920 Pearl St., offers the finest in Caribbean cuisine–fresh seafood, jerk chicken, etc. They also draw a diverse crowd that ranges from laid-back Boulder folk in shorts and sandals to suited-up businessmen taking advantage of Rhumba’s happy-hour specials. With a great patio, live music and a considerable lack of pretension, Rhumba is another great Mall-side bar in which to make a double out of a single. Need some luck of the Irish? An authentic traditional Irish Pub smack dab in the heart of downtown Boulder, Conor O’Neill’s (1922 13th St.) has plenty of romantic nooks and crannies perfect for warrior-poet types eager to recite early Yeats over a few pints of stout. Conor’s also has lots of live entertainment, great craic, and plenty of old photos and memorabilia recounting the Emerald Isle’s recent past.
SKI RESORT What it lacks in international name recognition, Eldora Mountain Resort more than makes up with accessibility. The award-winning resort provides skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country opportunities, and all within an hour of the city. Topping out at just less than 11,000 feet, and featuring 680 acres of skiable real estate, Eldora has understandably become a local favorite. At 40 years of age, runner-up Vail Ski Resort equals Eldora in longevity and surpasses it in size. With more than 5,000 acres of powder, Vail has become a choice destination to skiers from around the globe every season. As the largest ski resort in Summit County, Copper Mountain has become a popular spot for Front Range sporty types not looking to travel too far. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Copper Mountain welcomes snow-mobilers and tubers alike.
SKI/SNOWBOARD SHOP The mass of thrifty snow-sports enthusiasts lined up outside Boulder Ski Deals like they’re sleeping out for concert tickets has become a more reliable sign that winter is coming than birds flying south. And the line is justified. Boulder Ski Deals is not only tops in the hometown, it has been ranked as one of the top 50 ski shops in the United States. While it’s the sweet ticket prices that line ’em up, the selection and service keep ’em coming back. Featuring major brands like Salomon, Rossignol, K2, Burton, Palmer, and Nordic Ski Gear, Boulder Ski Deals has something for the most finicky taste. And with a full-service ski and snowboard tuning and repair shop, it’s no wonder it has once again been voted the Best of Boulder. With stores across Colorado, Utah and online, Christy Sports has become a trusted name in the industry. While the store has expanded greatly over the past 40 years, it hasn’t forgotten its West Colfax roots.
HIKING TRAIL My most memorable local hiking experience took place on the section of the Mesa Trail that connects the North and South Shanahan Trails. There’s a meadow along the way with stunning views of Devil’s Thumb that I have affectionately named "Iris Meadow," in honor of the wild irises that bloom there each spring. As I was walking through the meadow I noticed a bear with two cubs about 200 yards up the hill. As I stood in silence observing them, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for living in a place that offers such an outstanding natural experience so close to all of the cultural amenities and opportunities that accompany "city living." No doubt, Weekly readers have had similar experiences along the trail system that surrounds Mount Sanitas, as well as at runner-up Chautauqua. It has been said that nobody on their deathbed would wish they had spent more time at the office. Similarly, nobody in such a situation would wish they had spent less time hiking.
MOVIE HOUSE/THEATER What can only be described at this point in the history of BOB as the traditional selection of Boulder Theater as "Best Movie House/Theater," coupled with the rise of the reconceptualized Magnolia Crossroads Commons, nee Mann Crossroads Commons, says as much about Boulder’s tastes as anything. We’re not impressed with stadium seating, reclining cushy chairs or convenient cup holders. Bring on the good stuff, the independent films with the kind of substance and artistic quality upon which this crazy, out-of-control industry was founded. And if it has to be "Hollywood," weed out the lame, mass-marketable predictability that has achieved white bread-like dominance and give us whole wheat. Filmmaking is an art, not a business. And art, as they say, imitates life. So save the glitz, the comfort and the $5 popcorn. Give us a film that touches us, inspires us and sends us back out into the world with a new resolve to make some sort of a difference.
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER For the better part of the past nine years, Indra’s Net has brought a unique brand of service to an industry that, by and large, believes that its obligation to customers begins and ends with Internet access. Indra’s commitment to service, coupled with their outstanding technical expertise, has enabled them to grow into the sixth largest ISP in the greater Denver metro area. When you dial their number with a question or a problem–get this!–a real human being with knowledge and experience answers the phone, 12/7 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week), and walks you through the solution. How often does that happen in this world of automated telephone systems? And here’s something even more unique: They talk to you on your level and–are you sitting down?–they have a sense of humor. Indra’s is locally owned and supports numerous worthwhile community organizations. To see a list and to find out more about Boulder’s No. 1 ISP, log on to http://www.indra.com/. It’s time to bag AOL and join the growing Indra’s Net family.
MUSIC FESTIVAL The BOB ballot clearly states: "Vote for Boulder County people, places and things." Nevertheless, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival continues to receive the Lyons share of the votes (sic), and rightly so. Not only is TBF the most advanced mutation of the outdoor music festival, it’s put on by the most advanced mutation of the outdoor music festival producer, Planet Bluegrass, located safely within the parameters of Boulder County in Lyons. This year marks the TBF’s 30th Anniversary Season, and the line-up indicates that Planet Bluegrass has pulled out all the stops to make the festival soar higher than ever. Just imagine: Tim O’Brien, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, String Cheese Incident, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Leftover Salmon, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Vince Gill, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, John Cowan, Nickel Creek, Hot Rize and Sam Bush (let me catch my breath)–all in the same 4-day weekend (June 19-22) of musical and natural bliss! Log on to www.planetbluegrass.com and purchase one of the limited remaining tickets, before it’s too late. And if you just can’t make it to Telluride this year (or even if you can), there’s always RockyGrass, featuring many of the same stellar musicians, alongside the rolling St. Vrain River at the lovely Planet Bluegrass ranch in Lyons. It’s reassuring to see the Planet getting healthier and healthier year by year. If your calendar still isn’t filled, there’s the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder this summer and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons in August.
PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS So your in-laws are in town and you have only one day to give them a taste of Boulder. Where should you go? Our readers say take ’em to the Pearl Street Mall. With musicians, acrobats, magic acts and more, the Pearl Street Mall offers an evening of entertainment. In addition, there are countless retail options from hair-braiding and hats to kites to clothing to fine art. The food along the Pearl Street Mall is excellent, as well. Stroll, shop, drop a buck in the guitar case. The Pearl Street Mall is the hub of Boulder. Chautauqua Park was actually begun by Texans. It’s something most Coloradans don’t know and wouldn’t want to admit. But it’s true. Created as part of the Chautauqua movement at the end of the 1800s, Chautauqua Park has provided generations of Boulderites–OK, and Texans–with a place to stretch their legs, get married, listen to concerts and lectures and watch fireworks. Be sure your guests bring their cameras. The view of the Flatirons from Chautauqua Meadow is one of the most photographed sights in the county. Who hasn’t heard of Celestial Seasonings’ teas? Perhaps your out-of-town guests don’t realize that Celestial Seasonings is a Boulder County business. Located in Gunbarrel, just a short drive up Diagonal Highway, Celestial Seasonings offers tours to the public. Enjoy the overpowering aroma of the Peppermint Room (you’ll wear a mask), and stop by the gift shop afterwards.
PLACE TO WORK OUT It’s been a good run for Mountain’s Edge, winner of the last three BOB "Best Place to Workout" awards. But this year’s winner, Rally Sport, is certainly a worthy winner. They’ve got racquetball, squash, basketball, spinning, a yoga studio, Pilates, three lap pools, a hot tub and steam room, a sand volleyball court, a café, an outdoor grill and a day care center–and that’s just the first of three floors. Mountain’s Edge, though, will always be our gym at the Weekly, being as it’s right across the street from our offices and considering that Scott, Carrie, Jason, Charlie, Jermaine, Corey, Andrea, Erik, Matt, Melanie, Allison, Michelle, Trevor and the rest of the gang are our buddies. Hey, we’re loyal, and that’s a good thing. Congratulations also to Body Balance for coming in a close third. Best of Boulder Retail
BOOKSTORE Wandering through Boulder Bookstore is an experience that should be savored. From books by local authors to best-selling non-fiction to the latest in alternative spirituality, there is something worth reading around every corner. Host to more than 100 author appearances each year, the bookstore brings the reading public in contact with both famous and soon-to-be-famous writers. Throw in a few meditation pillows, journals and artistic greeting cards, and you have everything you need to enrich your inner life–or pass a quiet afternoon with friends. Bookworm, now at 3175 28th St., offers more than 300,000 used titles–everything from romance novels to cookbooks, sci-fi, and history books. The owners, Boulder residents, recently installed a coffee counter that offers Silver Canyon coffee.
CAMERA / VIDEO / PHOTOFINISHING The mark of a great business is its ability to change with the times–maintaining core values, while being flexible enough to embrace the newest trends and technology. This very talent is what has made Mike’s Camera a success and Boulder’s Best Camera/Video/ Photofinishing shop for the second consecutive year. For more than 30 years, Mike’s Camera has been a Boulder mainstay and remains cutting-edge in the rapidly advancing world of photographic art. Mike’s has stayed on top by requiring all employees with customer contact to qualify as a certified photographic consultant, making them as knowledgeable a staff as you will find anywhere. Runner-up Wolf Camera is a state-of-the-art chain of camera stores featuring a wide selection of cameras and accessories for all of your photography needs. Honorable mention Photo Craft Laboratories has been in Boulder for a quarter century, and offers a full-service custom photo lab. They specialize in trade show graphics, color murals, and dioramas.
DAY SPA Owner Kim Niles believes it’s the atmosphere and caring service that makes Finishing Touch Salon and Day Spa so special. Step through the doors, and you’ll feel you’ve stepped into a Mexican village. Utilizing ancient Mayan themes and techniques, the spa offers treatments as soothing and exotic as the Mayan Ritual–a stone massage followed by ceremonial body painting, a mud bath and a eucalyptus full-body cleansing massage. Or try the Ocean Algae Sea Scrub, which includes a sea water bath with bubbles and a full-body moisture application with the aromatherapy scent of your choice. The spa is large enough to handle groups and parties, and offers a full range of spa services. A locally owned business for 30 years, Finishing Touch also features a hair salon. Essentials Spa, our runner-up, offers massage, facials, manicures, pedicures, aromatherapy, body wraps and scrubs, hydrotherapy, endermologie (cellulite reduction therapy), and more–all with soothing sea-based products.
CD / RECORD STORE Bart Stinchcomb is our hero. Who else could start out in a tiny, hole-in-the-wall location on a side street that you’d need good directions to find, embark upon a risky expansion and move to a larger location on the main drag, take on the big boys and be standing on top of the hill when all’s said and done? Bart, that’s who. In an industry that’s increasingly dominated by big recording labels and the corporate vendors, such as Wherehouse and Blockbuster, that ride their coattails, Bart does things his own way and watched the corporate competition crumble. Bart’s CD Cellar is a good old-fashioned record store that reflects a good old-fashioned way of doing business and a time when life–and an industry gone berserk–was simpler and easier. Our runner-up, Second Spin, and honorable mention winner, Albums on the Hill, continue to hang in there serving the campus and greater Boulder communities from the Hill.
CLOTHING (CHILDREN’S, NEW) Dark times have fallen upon Boulder’s children’s clothing stores. This year’s winner, Little Mountain, a locally owned purveyor of all things adventurous for tiny tykes (imagine pint-sized versions of Patagonia and North Face apparel), is preparing to close shop as soon as it finds someone to lease the space. Applause, another kid’s clothing store which received honorable mention this year, shut its doors for the last time in March after 22 years in town. That leaves just runner-up Gap Kids to fill the vacuum. Or you can head on down to the other Little Mountain store in FlatIron Crossing.
CLOTHING (WOMEN’S, NEW) This year’s winner for best women’s clothing, Foley’s, is one of the last stores still standing in the veritable dead zone in the heart of Boulder known as Crossroads Mall. It’s been there, in one form or another, since 1983. Some say Foley’s helped hasten the demise of Crossroads when it vetoed the arrival of another similar department store, Dillard’s, to the mall several years ago, but why point fingers? Now, however, Foley’s could have the last laugh. Preliminary plans for a new development at Crossroads call for 50 to 60 new stores, but keep Foley’s as is. It looks like the bastion of all things Levi’s, Dockers, Ralph Lauren, Jockey and Tommy Hilfiger will be with us for a good time to come. Runner-up winner Christina’s Lingerie features so many French bras, undies, romantic gowns, camisoles and other things naughty and frilly that this male Jew is feeling guilty just writing about it. Christina’s should take that as a complement.
HAIR SALON Going to Finishing Touch Salon and Day Spa is more like going on vacation than getting your hair done. The Finishing Touch began life back in 1973 as a wig shop, but you’d never know it by the look of the place today. Completely redesigned in 2000, the nearly 5,000-square-foot salon exudes a "Mayan Riviera" theme everywhere you look, complete with palm-covered spa treatment suites. You could just stick with a haircut and styling by one of the establishment’s very experienced staff, but why not go all out and enjoy the spa’s massage beds, facial equipment and hot tub under the stars. Serenity now. If you’re just looking for a great new ’do, you could also try Rubicon, known for its simple elegance, or Zing Hair, which is sure to give your hair the added zing you’re looking for.
HARDWARE STORE The guys in the green vests win again! As it is a Boulder institution, something would be amiss with the world if McGuckin didn’t win Best of Boulder each year. The only problem in the mall-like store is getting lost within the high-stacked aisles of more than 200,000 different items... that and impulsive buying. If they don’t have that widget you’re looking for, they’ll special order it and get enough extra to keep some in stock. Home Depot, owned locally in Louisville, offers a vast selection of building materials, cleaning supplies, decor, electrical, flooring, garden supplies, gifts, hardware, HVAC, kitchen and bath, paint, plumbing, storage, tools, windows and doors. RAD Hardware is Boulder Weekly’s neighborhood emergency supply center, located just across Broadway from BW headquarters. Anybody who sells hardware in Boulder has got to be friendly and helpful in order to compete, and RAD has never let us down.
FLOWER SHOP The owners of European Flower Shop pride themselves on offering the freshest available flowers and plants to their customers. They are highly selective about the flowers they buy–flowers that come to Boulder from all over the world–so their prices are a bit higher than those of other shops. But they believe customers get what they pay for. With two-for-one specials on Fridays and Saturdays, they offer a wide selection of flowers, plants and gifts not available in the floral section of your local grocery store. They believe their greatest strength is their unique artistry, as they view every arrangement as a fresh canvas to paint. This approach, together with their customer service, has made European Flower Shop a success. Mosaic Flowers, our runner-up, has closed its doors. But it’s owner, Jessica McConnon, will run a floral import business in cooperation with Bloemenhaus. The wonderful flowers people are accustomed to getting from Mosaic Flowers will soon be available through Bloemenhaus. Sturtz & Copeland has been around since 1929, making it one of Boulder’s oldest locally owned businesses. Offering both florist and greenhouse services, Sturtz & Copeland sets itself apart with a wide selection of both flowers and plants, not to mention gardening and landscaping supplies.
TIRE SHOP Discount Tire Company became locally known with its low-budget TV ads depicting a little old lady throwing an unsatisfactory tire through the window of the tire shop. Discount provides tire changing, balancing, rotating and repair services. They guarantee any tire they’ve sold, whether owners have changed or not. Now that’s customer service! They sell Michelin, Goodyear, B.F. Goodrich, Dunlop and Pirelli tires six days a week. Research has shown their pricing to be highly competitive, and their emphasis on service is unmatched. Barnsley Tire Co., at Folsom and Pearl, has been in business since 1981, selling Michelin, Kelly, Pirelli, Goodyear and Dunlop tires to keep Boulder motorists safe on the road. Barnsley also offers a full-service repair shop able to handle brakes, front-end alignments, shocks and struts, and battery replacements. They offer free tire rotation and re-balancing for tires they’ve sold, and Barnsley is open half-days on Saturdays.
TRAVEL AGENCY James Travel Points offers corporate, family and recreational travel packages featuring worldwide destinations such as Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. Their experienced travel agents are international travel specialists who can plan your vacation itinerary for you. Open for 37 years in Boulder, James Travel Points can take you away from it all and send you on a dream vacation. Travel-Ease will customize your travel plans for you, allowing for guided tours, ocean cruises or independent explorations. Whether your needs are business or leisure, Travel-Ease can assure you seamless connections to Mexico, Europe, Hawaii and other desirable points overseas. Located just east of Whole Foods in Boulder, Travel-Ease can get you where you’re going in comfort and style. If you’re looking for a nifty international student ID that will land you discounts all over the world, check out STA Travel (formerly Council Travel) in Boulder.
USED CLOTHING STORE Rags to Riches is strictly for women–guys wear their clothing until it’s threadbare, says Manager Michelle Robbins. Only high-end labels suitable for business or evening wear are accepted; a full range of accessories, including shoes and handbags, are included in stock. She finds it gratifying, as well as an indication of a slow economy, that women are driving to Rags to Riches from as far away as Cheyenne. Buffalo Exchange carries new and used men’s and women’s current fashions in casual and outdoor wear–the kind of clothing that Boulderites favor. No consignments here, Buffalo buys used clothing directly from the public. Located next door to Boulder’s only Seven-Eleven, Buffalo is open seven days a week. There’s a diverse selection from local designers, such as Pearl Izumi, as well as national labels, and the prices are equally varied. Savers is located across Broadway from Boulder Weekly headquarters, and has been immortalized by mention in BW’s People’s Republic by Rob Sheely. Not limited to clothing, Savers resells household items as well.
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER In Boulder, alternative health care is almost mainstream. Here, people are just as likely to consult a homeopathic doctor or Rolfer as an MD. But Boulder Weekly readers say one alternative health-care provider stands out above the rest. Keith Economidis has had his hands on many of Boulder Weekly’s stressed staffers, offering soothing massage, expert rolfing and other alternative therapies. Committed to his clients’ overall health, Keith takes the time to know the people he treats and works to bring their bodies into a better state of health. Keith Swan, a doctor of osteopathic manipulative medicine, gets runner-up honors in this category. He focuses on cranial osteopathy and takes a bio-dynamic approach to medicine.
OIL CHANGE Grease Monkey and Jiffy Lube are perfect for people who can’t be bothered with regular car maintenance. In 10 or 15 minutes, they can erase 3,000 miles of hard driving and neglect, topping off fluids, replacing life-giving oil, air filters and wiper blades, and even vacuuming out your interior. No appointment is necessary, and they even keep records on your car so you don’t have to. Their mechanics explain in detail what was done and what remains to be done. Trepkes Tire Town is a more old-fashioned kind of garage where you can get a tire repaired, your oil changed, or get that funny clicking sound eliminated. Located on South Broadway, Trepkes’ phone number is 303-494-8855. Call ahead for an appointment.
TATTOO / PIERCING PARLOR At Bolder Ink, it’s about imagination and integrity. Anyone can ink a Celtic knot or tribal armband, but the well-trained craftsmen at Boulder’s best tattoo/piercing parlor go out of their way to help customers find the design that best suits them and their vision. And it’s working. With eight years of experience–and an armful of BOB awards that would make Norah Jones envious–Bolder Ink continues to provide a clean, creative, custom environment for tried and true tat-lovers, those going under the needle for the first time, and those looking for a fresh, phat piercing. And for those who’ve seen the needle and the damage done, Bolder Ink also specializes in covering up unwanted tattoos. K & K Piercing and Jewelry is another long-time body art favorite, and at Enchanted Ink well-known resident tattoo artist Tara Gray-Wolfstar is known for her simply divine ways of getting under your skin.
USED CAR DEALER Boulder’s Best Used Car Dealer Blue Spruce Auto Sales, Inc. exemplifies what is great about locally owned businesses–they are a small operation, offering hands-on, no-pressure assistance. Local customers approve of the dealership’s low-key, education-based approach to car sales. Founded nearly a decade ago by John Putnam, Blue Spruce specializes in Subarus and other Japanese and European imports, but also caters to your SUV and light truck needs. Family-owned since 1971, runner-up Pollard Jeep Pontiac features a wide selection of used cars, 4 x 4s and Jeeps. The friendly motor company has received a five-star rating from Chrysler. Honorable mention Pellman’s Automotive is a member of Boulder’s Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) program, a voluntary program to help local businesses reduce waste and prevent pollution–two goals that true Boulderites hold near and dear.
VIDEO STORE No surprises here. Video Station is one of the biggest success stories of Boulder business. Locally owned, it has managed not only to stay in business, but to thrive in a competitive business dominated by chains. Its secret? A staff that knows everything there is to know about movies, together with the most amazing selection of videos and DVDs available anywhere. Looking for the latest Disney film? They’ve got it. How about the latest Hollywood release? They’ve got it. Jonesing for some obscure Italian film from 30 years ago? Not only do they carry it, but the people at the counter can probably tell you the title based on your pathetic, garbled description of the plot.
LIQUOR STORE Whether you’re a Joe Six-pack or the most particular oinophile, Liquor Mart has what you’re looking for. Roughly the size of a football field, Liquor Mart feels like a department store, not just a liquor store. And it is. There’s the wine department, featuring an array of quality domestic wines, as well as the finest European wines. There’s the beer department, with all your favorite local brews in addition to Mexican, German, Danish and Asian imports. There’s also the cognacs, bourbons, tequilas, and everything else you could ever want to pour into a tulipe snifter or shot glass. Liquor Mart also offers kegs for parties, as well as a range of drinking accessories. A-OK Liquors, at 2690 28th St., offers your favorite beers and wines and discount prices, making it a popular second with Boulder Weekly readers. North Boulder Liquor, 3990 Broadway, is this year’s honorable mention.
CLOTHING (MEN’S, NEW) Confession time: This reporter, being a reporter, doesn’t wear a lot of suits and formalwear. Heck, the REASON this reporter got into this business is so he didn’t have to wear a lot of suits and formalwear. But if he had to go buy some nice threads, it looks like Men’s Wearhouse is the place to do it. Yes, it might be a super-corporation–the largest specialty retailer of business attire in North America–but there’s still something reassuring in the story that George Zimmer started this big company back in the early ’70s with nothing more than a Buick Electra filled with yellow polyester sport coats and a cigar box full of money. Starr’s Clothing and Shoe Company and Weekends, this year’s runner-up and honorable mention, respectively, are probably more fitting to this reporter’s usual style, featuring a variety of name brand clothing and accessories.
EXCUSE FOR CALLING IN SICK It’s amazing how a few inches of fresh snow makes a day at the office seem like Purgatory. Not surprisingly it’s a Boulder tradition to call in sick when the powder is falling. The 5 a.m. phone call to the office goes something like this: "Hi, this is Bob," says Bob, speaking in his weakest, most pathetic voice. "I’ve got food poisoning or something. I’ve been up all night puking, and I really need to sleep. Sorry to bail on you like this, but I just can’t seem to keep my face out of the toilet." Then Bob, feeling perfectly wonderful, throws his board, boots and pack into his vehicle and heads for Eldora or Copper. Soon he’s carving sick turns, having completely forgotten about work. Here’s the trick: If you don’t remember to wear sunscreen, the raccoon face you’ll have the next morning will be very hard to explain, as toilets rarely give off UV rays. Colorado is perhaps one of the few places in the world where, after a big snowfall, radio DJs remind their listeners to slather on sun block in order to appear pale upon returning to the job. (Don’t forget your ears.) But what do you do when you run into your boss–who also called in sick–high on the slopes? "Dude, I’m feeling so much better! How about you?"
BANK The best bank in Boulder isn’t a bank at all; it’s the CU Federal Credit Union. Most people don’t realize they can join the credit union for a mere $35 one-time donation to the CU Alumni Association. Once you’re in, you get all the benefits of no-fee banking and ATMs, loans when you really need them, checking, savings and investment accounts, and friendly, helpful service. What a change from banks! There are locations at Iris and 30th St., at Baseline and Foothills Parkway, and in the Table Mesa Shopping Center. Wells Fargo is huge: total assets of $349 billion; 134,000 employees nationally; 13.8 million customers; and more than 3,000 banks across the country, including 127 in Colorado. If you want the services that a mega-bank can provide, Well Fargo is for you. You’ll find Wells Fargo locations at 13th and Pearl streets and near Albertson’s on 30th Street. FirstBank is located at 4770 Baseline in Boulder, but the bank’s local popularity stems from its in-store banks at King Soopers locations in Boulder and Louisville. Allowing for extended banking hours and ease of availability, the in-store banks give FirstBank a step up in popularity.
BICYCLE SHOP University Bicycles sells a full range of bicycle styles, brands and models from children’s beginner bikes to the highest-end, carbon-fiber, 27-speed mountain bike. Stop by the 9th and Pearl location and check out the bicycle museum, featuring an 1887 Columbia High Wheeler among other old bicycles. Owner Doug Emerson started University Bicycles in 1985 after selling used bikes at flea markets and renting bikes. Once the mountain bike fad got going full speed, he never looked back... Even grandparents are riding mountain bikes these days. Sports Garage’s owner Tom Beckett emphasizes personalized service and product knowledge at his full-service shop at 27th and Spruce. The staff will professionally fit you with a full-suspension mountain bike, road bike or cr |
Attention all Boulderites: How often do you thank your lucky stars for living in a place like Boulder County? Probably not often enough. 