 | ||
 | ||
                                      |
|
 |
|
Best of Boulder County '05
The signs are everywhere. The site of the once-sprawling Crossroads Mall is now a gigantic dirt-bike track, soon to become the bright, shiny Twenty Ninth Street. Downtown Boulder is now the proud home of a destination attracting international travelers—the glitzy St. Julien Hotel and Spa. Rumors abound that long-time landmarks like Penny Lane could soon be closing their doors for good. The evil nuclear monstrosity to the South, the plutonium-contaminated ruins of Rocky Flats, is going to be re-opened as a wildlife-filled hiking spot, the remaining plutonium contamination notwithstanding. And Boulder is scheduled to become a spoke on an ambitious light-rail system connecting it to communities all along the Front Range—that is, if anyone can figure out how to get from the transportation village to the train tracks. Yes, Boulder is in transition. But will it end up an unrecognizable imitation of the past, a Colorado Madame Tussaud's, where all the waxy replicas of the Rainbow kids and techies and couch-burning college kids and poem-spewing hippies have a unsettling resemblance to That Which Once Was with something not quite right? We don't think so. While we're sad to see some of our favorite Boulder people and places pass into memory, we know enough about this incredible place to know Boulder isn't Boulder because of a single storefront or smiling face—no matter how unique and magical that business or personality might be. There's no single ingredient, no easy definition, that explains why Boulder's a one-of-a-kind destination—the kind of place that lures people from all over the world and causes neighboring communities to fume with envy. The secret's in the amalgamation, the crazy fusion of breathtaking scenery; unusually far-sighted civic management; world-renown institutions of intellectual and cultural pre-eminence; an appreciation of all things healthy and natural; and a need to better not just our perfect little bubble, but the unfortunate territory that comprises what's referred to around these parts as "Beyond Boulder." Sure, Boulder will look very different two, five, 10 years down the road. But it will still be Boulder. All of us will still wake up every day knowing that we are among the blessed few who can say they're living in one of the greatest places on Earth. That's why our Best of Boulder County, now an annual fixture, never gets old. The best parts of this crazy locale—the headline-grabbers, the bistros, the boutiques, the top trends—just keep getting better. You, our readers, demonstrate as much, dutifully filling out survey after survey, letting us know what local institutions tickle your taste buds, draw you through their doors and make your days a little bit brighter. Compiled on the following pages, you'll find your favorite reasons—combined with a few of our own—why Boulder remains, now and forever, the blessed People's Republic. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
NEWSMAKERS CATEGORY
BEST EXAMPLE THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE PARANOID DOESN'T MEAN
THEY'RE NOT OUT TO GET YOU
It seems that nothing short of a mushroom cloud will deter state and federal officials from saying the site of the former Rocky Flats nuclear-weapons plant south of Boulder is safe for public recreation. The first red flag should've been when a Rocky Flats employee-turned-whistleblower Jacque Brever and Rocky Flats grand jury foreman Wes McKinley risked public retaliation and prison time by revealing the justice department had allegedly covered up environmental crimes at the plant. The stories weren't pretty: barrels of plutonium waste dumped into ponds, Rocky Flats wildlife whose radioactivity was off the scale. While Rocky Flats had been closed for a decade, those speaking out weren't rehashing old, pointless news. Plans were in the works to turn the location of the weapons plant into a wildlife refuge, meaning that any contamination that had been covered up there would be there when the site was transformed into a big nature park. None of that seemed to matter to local officials, who listened to all the concerns and then announced that Rocky Flats, buried plutonium and all, would be opened to the public, where children and families would hike, horseback ride, hunt and frolic amid the ghosts of one of the country's most contaminated nuclear facilities. Recently, Jon Lipsky, the FBI agent who led the government investigation of Rocky Flats quit his job to speak out against the wildlife refuge. The agent says, flat out, he was ordered to lie about the extent of crime at Rocky Flats by his superiors. Even that hasn't dampered the plans for the radioactive Disneyland. Sorry to be party-poopers, but a funhouse full of rusty nails sounds safer than picnicking at this plutonium playground.
BEST INSTITUTION IN DIRE NEED OF CHANGE
Some bureaucracies have their heads stuck in the sand.
Rather than facing their own faults, they wait until a crisis strikes and then
deny everything. When the public demands information, they circle the wagons,
leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Never mind.
BEST THREAT TO CLEAR CHANNEL
It goes against all logic: In an era when you can basically count the number of major media companies on one hand, a little community radio station has expanded into a major metropolitan market. That's the story of Boulder's 88.5 FM, KGNU, which this year purchased the 1390 AM signal in Denver to bring the first independent liberal radio voice to the city in years. Sure, progressive powerhouse Air America's also hit the airwaves in the region, but the vile aftertaste to that tasty bit of news is that it's run through Clear Channel—you know, that censorship-loving media conglomerate gobbling up radio stations across the country. With Bush & Co. wreaking havoc in Washington, we need KGNU more than ever—now's the perfect time to donate to the little station that could to ensure the voice of the people is heard in Denver for a long time to come. To find out how you can help, go to www.kgnu.org.
BEST RESPONSE TO BUREAUCRACY
Boulder Weekly columnist Wayne Laugesen has little patience
for petty bureaucrats, abusive cops, criminals and others who erode liberty. In
the late '90s—outraged that Boulder Police coached women to defend
themselves against a violent serial rapist with only their key
rings—Wayne took steps to arm women of south Boulder with guns and teach
them to shoot straight. After two students shot up Columbine High School, Wayne
convinced Soldier of Fortune magazine to honor Principal Joel Myrick—who
used his Colt .45 to stop a school shooter in Pearl, Miss.—with the
magazine's prestigious Humanitarian Award presented in Las Vegas. When bad guys
take the field, Laugesen refuses to remain on the sidelines taking notes.
BEST USE OF BLACK LEATHER
Sometimes pain feels sooo good. Just ask the city of Boulder
police. They love to dress up in black leather, stroke their nightsticks and
break out the cuffs. They did just that on Halloween Weekend 2004, when they
showed up in hard-core gear to break up a peaceful block party—a party
that had a city permit, no less.
MOST APTLY NAMED NEW PRODUCT
The best part about the newest contender in Boulder's
newspaper war is its name: Dirt. After all, it's the perfect way to describe a
publication created not by idealistic editors and publishers but by marketing
execs at the Daily Camera. Plus, it's filled with dumbed-down versions of
Camera stories and puerile odes to beer and boobies.
FOOD & DRINK CATEGORY
NEW RESTAURANT
One Boulder Plaza, the new mixed-used development on the 1800 block of Broadway, has sure gone over well with our readers—or at least their tummies. Boulderites are so taken with the trifecta of new eateries in the building that they couldn't pick just one, leading all three to tie for best new restaurant in Boulder. First there's L'Absinthe, where, if the namesake illicit cocktails don't leave you swooning, the impeccable Belle Epoque bistro cuisine and welcoming manner of general manager and piano virtuoso Ricardo Tondowski sure will. Next door there's Bombay Bistro, offering Indian fare fused with Thai, Mexican and Italian flavors. And if you have a hankering for beef sirloin with a side of Elton John, mosey over to The Reef Piano Bar & Grill, where the good eats are matched with the unbeatable atmosphere of dueling pianos. If you can't make it down to One Boulder Plaza, our readers say you'll be just fine at newbie seafood joint Jazzy's Crab Shack, offering so much shell-cracking seafood you'll swear you're right on the boardwalk.
BAGEL
Bagel-making is a complicated business. One B-dub scribe learned this truth the hard way when, as his first job ever, he landed a gig at a bagel franchise outside of Boston. He naively assumed he'd soon be baking holes into the shapely dough products with the best of them, but after a year's tenure he hadn't made it past the prep station (maybe it was because of an unfortunate accident involving a bagel knife and his right index finger). Whatever the secret to making the perfect bagel, Moe's Broadway Bagel has it down. It's cornucopia of bagel flavors and cream cheese toppings has been a Best of Boulder favorite for years. Runner-up Einstein Brothers is also a major contender, always packed on wintry weekend mornings with those looking for a carb fix before heading for the slopes. And City Street Bagels, our honorable mention, also boasts a loyal following, thanks to its delicious-making sandwiches.
BAKERY
Happiness, thy name is Apple Crunch Bread. Great Harvest Bread Co., Boulder Weekly's reader and staff choice for best bakery in town, has discovered the perfect alchemy of dough, fruit and crunchy goodness—mmm, crunchy goodness—in this saintly flavor of baked perfection. It's hard to beat Great Harvest's enlightened approach to baking, plus its generous free samples of its latest batch out of oven. It's like a never-ending Chris-mikah for foodies. Breadworks comes in a close second, however, with its scrumptious offerings, from batards to tarts.
LATE NIGHT FOOD
Trust us, we at the B-dub know a thing or two about
late-night dining. Whether you're looking to top off a night of dancing,
jonesing for a post-concert snack or just trying to sober up, Abo's Pizza has
something to sate the after-midnight munchies. Offering old-school, New
York-style pie you've got to fold to eat, nobody goes to bed hungry at Abo's.
MICROBREWERY
Best Microbrewery is a category that the B-dub takes most
seriously, so believe us when we tell you that the Mountain Sun Pub &
Brewery and the Southern Sun serve up the finest local ale. They offer stellar
homegrown creations—like the Colorado Kind Ale and the Java
Porter—and also host guest brews, including another B-dub fave, Redstone
Meadery meads. And we pity the fool who missed out on stout month in February.
PIZZA
Tired of those frozen Kroger pizzas, but not ready to commit
to delivery pizza prices? Get yourself a quality pie from Nick-N-Willy's Take-and-Bake
Pizza. The premise is simple. Nick and/or Willy (or one of their pie-making
representatives) prepares for you a fresh pizza with the finest ingredients,
doing all the prep work and clean up. Then they sell you the pizza. You take
it, bake it and enjoy that fresh pizza taste straight from your own oven.
INDIAN/NEPALI
Three words: free chai refills. Does it really get any better, especially when the chai in question is some of the best around? Such a luxury is just one of the reasons Boulder Weekly readers and staff agree The Taj Indian Cuisine offers the best south-of-the-border (the Chinese border, that is) cuisine around. Of course, the chai is far from the only delicacy on the menu, which is filled with other delights such as Alloo Samosa and Papdi Chat. Sherpa's in the West End offers an unbeatable atmosphere with its dishes, which is why it's always a local favorite. Tandoori Grill in South Boulder just completed an extensive redesign that is sure to bring even more hungry locals in for its fantastic all-you-can-eat buffet. And tucked away off Pearl Street, Himalayas is like a secret paradise, offering an exotic mixture of smells and tastes that will transport you half a world away.
OVERALL
No, it's not The Mediterranean Restaurant, it's "The Med." The fact that this local hotspot can offer a menu worthy of a snobby Manhattan bistro and still inspire a wide-ranging local adoration that engenders loving nicknames is evidence why year after year The Med takes home the prize for the best all-around place in town to get your eat on. From countless tapas to fantastic entrées to oh-so-perfect drinks, you can't go wrong when you go with the flow at 1002 Walnut. It's no surprise the dual Sun breweries also make this list, since their homegrown brews and perfect burgers are akin to legend all over town. We're glad Full Moon Grill made this list, but let's keep it quiet: Tucked away in Arapahoe Village, it's the closest thing we have left to a hidden culinary gem.
PLACE TO EAT OUTDOORS
People like to bemoan the fact that the good old Boulder is long gone. Well, we know one location that still feels like Boulder's not a day over perfect: the deck at Chautauqua Dining Hall. With the mighty Flatirons as your dinner guest, the open-air dining here couldn't get any more vintage. Order up a bottle of half-priced wine, dig into your Coleman filet steak and you won't need a nuclear-powered DeLorean to cruise back in time. The Boulder Farmers' Market offers good food in a natural setting, with the added bonus of the best people-watching in town. Right in the middle of it, on the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse's patio, you'll find a truly enlightened way to chow down: tea and international delicacies with the sound of the rushing creek for atmosphere music.
JUICE/SMOOTHIE BAR
In the Republic of Boulder, nothing's more popular than a treat that's healthy and tastes good, too. With a huge selection of flavors and health supplements, this year's winner, Jamba Juice, will have you mixin' it up without growing weary of choices. For an all-natural fruity or veggie drink, hop over to runner-up Café Prasad. At this juice joint, it's all-natural all the time. But for both juice/smoothie joints honored this year, a friendly reminder: Don't slurp while operating heavy machinery. Brain freeze can creep up on you when you least expect it.
MEXICAN/SOUTHWESTERN RESTAURANT
Is there a dearth of quality Mexican food in Boulder? Not
according to the Boulder Weekly's readers. Zolo Grill, with its creative (and
spicy!) Southwestern and Mexican fare and mind-bogglingly wide array of
high-quality tequilas, captured the top spot this year. This isn't your
father's rice 'n' beans. Be prepared for a unique approach to traditional
dishes at Zolo's.
TEAHOUSE
Straight from Tajikistan, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is
not only one of the most visually appealing places to relax by the creek for
lunch, but it also serves up the finest tea this side of India. And perfectly
set beside the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and front row for the
Farmers' Market, it's the perfect place to sip chai and take in the best of
Boulder's people-watching opportunities.
SALAD BAR
Yeah, we know that reader and staff pick Whole Foods may be part of a chain, but when it comes to the salad bar it's all local. From the tangy tomatoes to the organic baby greens, Whole Foods offers fresh produce and exciting salad toppings. Runner-up Sunflower offers a delightful selection of greens and veggies at a posh downtown location. And if you're on the go, runner-up Wild Oats has a salad bar at three Boulder locations that will delight your taste buds—but not spoil your dinner.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
If there's anything better than a beignet and a cappuccino
in the morning, we're hard pressed to figure out what it is. Winning this
category year after year, Lucile's offers up Creole home cookin' in two cozy
locales in Boulder County. Offering everything from a delicious Eggs Benedict
to vegetarian skillets to fresh fruit, Lucile's has got your breakfast or
brunch covered. You can take a bit of Lucile's home with you, as they offer a
line of homemade jams, teas and sauces.
BURRITO
Something would be terribly, terribly wrong if Illegal Pete's didn't win best burrito in Boulder. In fact, if such a development did occur, we were prepared to launch an All the King's Men-level investigation of every one of the 1.2 million Best of Boulder ballots—and we wouldn't have pulled a CU and covered up the results of the inquiry. Luckily, controversy never materialized, and Illegal Pete's burritos-the-size-of-small-countries took the prize handily, as they always do. Masa Grill is this year's runner up, bringing tortilla-wrapped goodness to North Boulder. Let's not forget Casa Alvarez, which serves up its burritos in a deliciously colorful atmosphere. And if you're on the west end of Pearl and your guac-and-cheese craving demands immediate satiation, Juanita's offers a one-two punch of burritos and margaritas.
SUSHI
It's not hard to find good sushi in Boulder, but if you're looking
for the best, B-dub readers and staff alike chose Sushi Tora for their raw-fish
needs. Of course, sushi is about more than just raw fish. We know that. So do
the fine chefs at Sushi Tora, who can prepare both the finest California Roll
and the tastiest tempura this side of the Pacific.
CHINESE
With its classy atmosphere and top-notch Chinese cuisine,
Orchid Pavilion is a consistent favorite with locals, moving from last year's
runner-up to this year's reader and staff pick. Located downtown, it's the
perfect place for a business lunch or to pick up some quick carry-out to take
back to the office. The lunch special—your choice of soup, an appetizer
and an entrée and your style of rice—will fill you up for under $10.
Known for its excellent dishes—sesame tofu and sesame chicken—as well
as it crispy and Peking duck (which is always available), your standards for
what constitutes good Chinese food will have risen. Try out their Early Bird
dinners from 3 to 6 p.m., and see why this restaurant continues to thrive in
our city.
FINE DINING
Owned by the Monette family since 1971, Flagstaff House is a
Boulder County legend. Its floor-to-ceiling windows make the best of its
mountain view of Boulder, but it's the food—and the 160-page, world-class
wine list—that will hold your attention. The cuisine is French American
with Asian accents and has impressed the palates of such notables as the
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan. Select the Colorado lamb loin,
the Buffalo Filet Mignon or the organic chicken breast filled with porcini
mushrooms, wash it down with wine from one of the 20,000 bottles in their
cellar, and you'll feel like royalty, too. Just don't show up in your Lycra
bike shorts and a tank top. They have a dress code.
MARGARITA
The Rio Grande is the perennial winner in this category, piling up reader and staff honors year after year. We're not sure what they put in their margaritas, but whatever it is, it keeps patrons coming back for more. The Rio's margs are so good, in fact, that there's a limit of three per customer. Be sure to sample the delicious Mexican menu while you're there. Runner-up Zolo Grill offers the widest selection of high-quality tequila in the city. If your knowledge of tequila starts and ends with Cuervo, it's time you paid Zolo Grill a visit.
VIETNAMESE
Good things can definitely come in less-than-beautiful packages. Case in point: Chez Thuy, the perennial champion in Best of Boulder County's Vietnamese category. Now we aren't referring to the appearance of the food at Chez Thuy, which is pretty darned purty, or to the restaurant itself. We're referring to the restaurant's location, deep in the heart of strip mall-ville on north 28th Street. If you aren't distracted by all the garish signs and blacktop, you'll find your way into this culinary oasis, where you'll eat some of the best Vietnamese dishes you'll ever have in your life outside of southeastern Asia. Kim Food To Go also receives some well-deserved props for good eating in a bare-bones atmosphere, since what this Hill eatery lacks in dining space it makes up for in deliciousness.
RESTAURANT TO TAKE KIDS
Is it the balloons? Is it the room full of arcade games? Is it the guy in the robin suit? Maybe it's the french fries. Regardless, Red Robin is a favorite with children. It's the perfect place for a harried mom or dad to take the brood for a quick meal, knowing that kids are truly welcome and that Junior's spilled soft drink won't raise eyebrows. With 22 different kinds of gourmet burgers, soups, salads, sandwiches and a full bar, Red Robin is popular with the college crowd, as well. What kid doesn't love noodles? That's why runner-up Noodles & Co. is a popular destination for parents. Noodles offers everything from Asian and Italian noodle dishes to the ubiquitous bowl of mac and cheese. Yum. Mountain Sun and its little sister Southern Sun give meaning to the word "community," bringing people of all ages together for food, beer and conversation.
COFFEE HOUSE
It comes down to this: excellent coffee. With four locations
in Boulder County, Vic's brews some mean beans to keep their customers
caffeinated and happy. Quick and willing to cater to your particular
tastes—flat skinny soy sugar-free vanilla latté—they'll have you
buzzing in no time. Vic's supports four local bakeries, providing muffins,
cinnamon rolls, breads and a host of other eatables to go with your joe.
ITALIAN
Antonio Laudisio's ancestors cooked for the last Italian
king, but he and his family cook for you. Offering traditional Italian cuisine
and award-winning wines, Laudisio Ristorante Italiano has captured our reader
award for many years running. With an extensive lunch and dinner menu, a wine
list that includes more than 300 Italian wines, desserts to die for and world-class
cigars in a plush cigar room, Laudisio is a full-blown sensory experience.
Don't worry if you're not an expert on wine. Sommelier Mark Kretz will tell you
whether your meal is best accompanied by the 1999 Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio
or the 2000 Barolo Domenico Clerico. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
DESSERT
The first and best-known law of marketing is this: The more times the name of your business is mentioned in Boulder Weekly the more success you will enjoy. Which brings us to the first corollary of this principle: Even negative publicity in the B-dub is good for your business. Keeping these maxims in mind, the following sentence is very carefully worded: Given the results of this year's B.O.B., it appears the honeymoon is over between the Boulder community and a certain corporate, undeserving former winner of the Best Dessert award, located at the NE corner of Pearl and 14th. Hallelujah! And, staying with the same axiom mentioned above, long live Glacier Homemade Ice Cream Glacier Homemade Ice Cream Glacier Homemade Ice Cream Glacier Homemade Ice Cream Glacier Homemade Ice Cream Glacier Homemade Ice Cream Glacier Homemade Ice Cream Glacier Homemade Ice Cream. You rock, Mark!
MARTINI
Kids, don't try this at home. Sure, buy yourself a cheap tumbler and some vermouth and you might consider yourself the next great martini talent, but the results can get messy. A B-dub staffer learned this the hard way last summer. The ingredients involved were a Web-cribbed recipe for dirty martinis and a drinking game involving throwing back every time anyone in the film Dazed and Confused says "dude." Needless to say, chaos, destruction and corruption ensued. It's best to leave the legwork to the experts, like those inspired drink-slingers at Trilogy, our readers' favorite place to feel swank while drinking large amounts of alcohol in cone-shaped glasses. There's a reason why one of the favorite 'tinis here is called the Much Love—it's like a valentine straight to your taste buds. Boulder Weekly staffers are partial to the martinis at Bcaro, since with tasty permutations like Blue Sky, 921 Limon and Mint Tint, it's easy to drink über-strong libations without making that embarrassing "this tastes kinda gross" face. You won't do wrong at Jax Fish House, either, as their infusion martinis go great with your oyster slurping.
SANDWICH
Salvaggio's is the Big Papi of Boulder sandwiches. You might not know what we're talking about, but we're sure the deli's owner, John Salvaggio, a card-carrying member of the great Red Sox Nation, will catch our drift. For those poor souls still scratching their heads, we're referring to BoSox designated hitter David "Big Papi" Ortiz, whose miraculous tendency to hit home runs at the perfect moment helped lead the 2004 Red Sox to the greatest World Series win ever—and doomed the New York Yankees to the worst choke job in history. Just take one bite of the oil and vinegar-laced Boar's Head meats stuffed into a fresh-baked bun at Salvaggio's, and you'll know what we mean—they hit it out of the park. Runner-up Snarf's is more like Sox centerfielder Johnny "Jesus" Damon, since the Pearl Street institution's freewheeling, fun-loving sandwiches have turned many a respectable patron into a well-satiated, jubilant idiot. And don't be fooled by the name: Half Fast Subs' grinders will hit the spot faster than Dave Roberts stole second in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.
THAI
You know the food is good when customers regularly brave construction traffic just to get a bite. Repeat Best of Boulder winner Khow Thai is operated by some of the hardest-working people in the restaurant business. The restaurant survived last year's construction boom on Broadway and is still delighting Boulder residents with its menu of delightful and exotic Thai cuisine. With free parking in back, Khow Thai is a great place to get an out-of-the-ordinary lunch. Try their Thai iced tea. Runner-up Siamese Plate offers a combination of excellent Thai and Japanese cuisine, as well as sushi. Sawadee wins honorable mention again this year for its tasty Thai food.
VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
This category used to be called "Best Vegetarian Restaurant." The new moniker, determined after months of discussion, highlights a subtle but vital difference: restaurants that offer amazing vegetarian fare but also boast excellent choices for those barbarians who still enjoy ripping their teeth through cooked animal meat. Yes, there are still a few non-vegetarians left in Boulder (we counted—there are three), and this year's winners in this category are perfect for this dwindling minority in addition to providing the vegetarian goodies so long denied to all of us who prefer beans over beef jerky. The hands-down winner, Sunflower, steals veggie hearts with the likes of tofu nori rolls, tempeh scaloppini and summer soba noodle bowls, while wooing flesh-eaters with calamari Romesco, sesame-crusted salmon and corn- and sage-stuffed chicken breast. Turley's, kicking butt in its new digs at Pearl and 28th streets, is still catering to all of Boulder's foodie rainbow with fresh produce and meats cooked perfectly. And vegetarians and meat-etarians can join hands in a love train of culinary delight at Ras Kassa's, where no matter what you order, you can be sure your fingers will get messy and your tummy will get happy. Talk about peace, love and understanding.
WINE SELECTION
When it comes to wines, Flagstaff House is tops with both
readers and staff. It's also tops with Wine Spectator, which has given
Flagstaff House its Grand Award each year since 1983, making the wine list at
Flagstaff House not only the best in Boulder County, but one of the 10 best in
the world. The wait staff will help you decide which of the 20,000 bottles in
its cellar best suits your meal. There's something for the expert wine-taster
and the armchair oinophile alike.
SOUTH BOULDER RESTAURANT
The B-dub offices have been located in restaurant-challenged South Boulder for more than 10 years now. Our staff has had a bird's eye view of the comings and goings of a variety of dining establishments, ranging from the funky Brillig Works Café to the International House of Pancakes (would that the Cheesecake Factory suffer the same fate of chain-intolerance). Amidst what appears to be a curiously inhospitable environment, the gem of South Boulder restaurants, Rudi's World Cuisine, lives on. About to celebrate their 30th anniversary, this one-time vegetarian/health food restaurant has expanded its gourmet vegetarian foundation to include fresh fish, poultry and beef dishes. Owners Susan and John Fontaine pride themselves on their commitment to the freshest and purest ingredients available, and in Boulder, Colorado, that's saying something. So, take it from the staff that knows: Go south, young reader, to Rudi's. And tell them the B-dubbers sent you.
ICE CREAM
Last year, Mark Mallen and his Glacier Homemade Ice Cream
store finally made it to the top of the B-dub heap when they claimed both staff
and reader honors for Best Ice Cream in Boulder County. Consider 2005 Glacier's
first successful defense of the title, as the locally owned and operated ice
cream shop is once again No. 1 in the hearts and minds of Boulder. Glacier
offers fresh, made-from-scratch ice cream in a mind-boggling array of
traditional and creative flavors, like mango tea and blueberry zinfandel. Try
their Death by Chocolate—truly a culinary orgasm.
CULTURE, SPORTS & SCENE
LIVE THEATER
The theater is far from dead in Boulder. At the Dairy Center
for the Arts, which is home to numerous arts organizations, theater lovers can
catch both homegrown plays and nationally touring productions. Located in the
former Watts Hardy Dairy, the nonprofit Dairy Center has 40,000 square feet of
performing and visual arts space, making it a unique community treasure.
ADVANCED EDUCATION/TRAINING
Boulder's the municipal equivalent of the class geek. Boulder would be the one who always raises its hand in class, the one who gets all excited about "really neat" algebra equations, the one who's always getting beaten up by the dumber, tougher cities like Greeley in the boy's bathroom. Boulder residents are some of the most educated in the country; nearly 50 percent of them have a college degree or higher. But even after they've spent decades of their life sitting in classrooms, Boulder's brainiacs still want to get more learned—as evidenced by their love of Boulder's top-notch continuing-education programs. Top on the list is Naropa University Extended Studies, and it's easy to see why. With a varied and exciting program offering night classes, weekend seminars, workshops and evening talks on everything from Japanese flower arranging to journaling to clay to ancient Jewish wisdom to contemplative approaches to elder care. Sure, you might be a nerd, but you'll be able to incapacitate your bullying opponents with the transcendent power of your mind. CU's Continuing Education and Professional Studies is an invaluable community resource, allowing locals opportunities to take advantage of many of the resources offered by a national university. And if you're trying to woo a fellow Boulder dork, there's nothing better than taking a class at the Culinary School of the Rockies. Once you can master the pan-seared tuna carpaccio with red-onion marmalade, your potential mate just might overlook that fugly pocket protector and tape around the nose of your glasses, ya dweeb.
BEST LIVE JAZZ CLUB
A little jazz can go a long way toward curing the 9-to-5
blues. Fortunately, Boulder has plenty of venues highlighting a variety of jazz
styles and artists. Trilogy Lounge, owned and operated by identical triplet
sisters, is Boulder's most jumpin' joint, featuring live jazz every night
except Monday. With a great sound system and a well-stocked bar, Trilogy will
let you bop 'til you drop.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
How can you beat a summer hike through beautiful Chautauqua
Park? How about stopping by the auditorium (or the "Barn" as it is
affectionately known) for some top-notch classical music with the Colorado
Music Festival afterward. From June 25 through Aug. 5, Music Director Michael
Christie and Co. will fill the foothills with music as beautiful and majestic
as Chautauqua itself.
LOCAL MUSICIAN/GROUP
There's nothing bittersweet about this year's selection for
Best Local Musician/Group, Big Head Todd & the Monsters. For more than a
decade, Todd and the gang have been one of the area's hottest acts, even making
a name for themselves on the national circuit with the hit "Bittersweet."
NONPROFIT/CHARITY ORGANIZATION
Boulder County Safehouse has a new name—The Safehouse
Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence. The new name reflects the nonprofit's
commitment to human rights and to ending violence against women, youth and
children. Safehouse provides emergency shelter and advocacy for battered women
and their children, giving them the boost they need to start safe, new lives.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Boulder High School, this year's reader and staff pick, will
make even the most well-adjusted adult want to quit his job and once again ditch
class and roam the hallways. BHS boasts the most ethnically integrated student
body in the city and features innovative bilingual programs that show the
commitment of its teachers and staff to equality and fairness. Its students
have shown a commitment to activism that earns them a B-dub salute, walking out
of classes to protest the George W's inauguration.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Well, so much for the assertion that Boulder Weekly readers ain't got no culchaaahhh. In one of this year's most notable B.O.B. upsets, the Colorado Music Festival steals the show as reader pick for Best Music Festival (a polite round of applause, please). "Boulder's Summer Classical Music Festival" runs June 25 through Aug. 5 at the one and only Chautauqua Auditorium. Of particular "note" is the performance by Grammy Award-winning violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, who bluegrass aficionados will recognize from his appearances at the Planet Bluegrass festivals. Speaking of which, despite being unseated by CMF, Planet Bluegrass sweeps the rest of the awards this year, including a staff pick for RockyGrass, which runs July 29-31 at the lovely Planet Bluegrass ranch in Lyons. This year's festival features Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson, Del McCoury and Sam Bush, but you'll miss it all if you don't get your tickets soon, as this festival sells out early.
INDOOR CLIMBING WALL
Boulder Rock Club is Boulder's first indoor climbing gym. Offering both adult, and youth classes, and available for hosting birthday parties, and other events. Boulder Rock Club has long been a favorite of those who can't get enough vertical in their lives. The Rock Club stands apart for its superior route setting, with roped climbs that soar to 5.14a.
FESTIVAL (OTHER THAN MUSIC)
Reader and staff pick Boulder Creek Festival is the event that many Boulderites use to kick off their summer fun. Featuring live music, food, retail vendors and a rubber-ducky race, this festival's got it all. Runner-up Boulder County Farmers' Market celebrates summer every week, featuring fresh local produce, herbs and other goodies. If it's booty-shakin' that you're looking for, then honorable mention KBCO Kinetics, held each spring at Boulder Reservoir, is the festival for you. The live music and fun atmosphere will keep you dancing all day long.
ART GALLERY
A sluggish national economy has hurt Boulder's art scene in
recent years, causing many galleries to close their doors. But that doesn't
mean that visual arts aren't still kicking in Boulder. A quick tour of this
year's staff and reader pick for Best Art Gallery, Boulder Arts & Crafts
Cooperative, is proof that the arts are alive and well. One of the oldest art
cooperatives in America, Boulder Arts & Crafts Cooperative features the
work of many Colorado artists, as well as those from across the nation.
PLACE TO PLAY POOL
Want to live out your Color of Money fantasies? Head to The
Foundry, the bar that Boulder Weekly readers agree offers the best overall pool
experience. Row after row of regulation tables, an elegant bar and a charming
café make it the most sophisticated spot to sink your eight ball. The Foundry
also features a smoking room for those who like a cigar or cigarette with their
drinks.
PLACE TO DANCE
Would-be booty-shakers are in luck, because Boulder is a
town that knows how to get down. Nobody knows it better than patrons of the
Trilogy Lounge, the red-hot, downtown triple threat that serves as restaurant,
wine bar and nightclub. From salsa to groove to straight-up rock 'n' roll, you
can find it at Trilogy.
BEST LIVE JAZZ CLUB
A little jazz can go a long way toward curing the 9-to-5
blues. Fortunately, Boulder has plenty of venues highlighting a variety of jazz
styles and artists. Trilogy Lounge, owned and operated by identical triplet
sisters, is Boulder's most jumpin' joint, featuring live jazz every night
except Monday. With a great sound system and a well-stocked bar, Trilogy will
let you bop 'til you drop.
MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO
There's more to martial arts than just kicking ass. At
Shao-lin Hung Mei, the staff and reader pick for best martial arts studio,
you'll learn the lessons of self-respect, harmony, fairness and self-reliance
that are integral to the ancient art of Kung Fu. Don't worry; you'll also learn
how to kick a little ass at the same time.
PLACE TO SWIM
Fancy a dip? Then hightail it to the Boulder Reservoir, the
preferred swimming hole of readers and staff alike. The Reservoir opens to the
public on weekends from late May to early June. Full-service facilities are
available early June through mid-August, and weekends from mid-August through
beginning of September. It's about as close to the beach as our landlocked
state can get.
INDOOR CLIMBING WALL
Boulder Rock Club is Boulder's first indoor climbing gym.
Offering both adult and youth classes and available for hosting birthday
parties and other events, Boulder Rock Club has long been a favorite of those
who can't get enough vertical in their lives. The Rock Club stands apart for
its superior route setting, with roped climbs that soar to 5.14a.
FUNDRAISING EVENT
Devilish costumes, shadow dancers, sexual trappings and bare
flesh in all directions. Who said museum fundraisers were stuffy and boring affairs?
No one at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, which for the past 14 years
has thrown the Exotica Erotica Ball, an annual Halloween bacchanal that raises
money to support museum programs.
MUSIC VENUE
Few things are more enjoyable than listening to live music
in Boulder. With a plethora of hot music venues, it's hard to whittle down the
best three, but B-dub readers did just that, giving top honors to the Boulder
Theater. Known as much for hosting big-time events as top-draw concerts, the
Boulder Theater is a local favorite, a classy and spacious choice for best
music venue.
PLACE OF WORSHIP
Of all the Best of Boulder categories, place of worship received some of the most diverse responses. However, readers decided that best place to worship in Boulder is the Shambhala Center. From meditation classes to Buddhist community-building events, Shambhala offers an abundance of services to its members. Buddhist scholars of note also visit Shambhala for workshops and teaching sessions. Ever-popular Unity of Boulder is runner-up this year. Boulderites enjoy weekly talks by Jack Groverland and Unity's Course in Miracles.
PRIVATE SCHOOL
Private schools needn't be the stodgy, straight-laced institutions of yore—there are a wealth of alternative, progressive schools to choose from in Boulder. Our readers and staff singled out the Shining Mountain Waldorf School as the best of the bunch. The school offers kindergarten through high school curricula based on Rudolf Steiner's holistic education principles. Runner-up is the September School, an alternative high school with a small enrollment, guaranteeing a close student-teacher relationship. Honorable mention goes to Friends' School, which teaches children from preschool through elementary school.
LOCAL CELEBRITY
In the Internet age, getting arcane information has fast become commonplace. Want to know the year the Domesday book was published in feudal England? Google it. Want to know Iceland's annual rainfall? Google it. Want to find photos of Lindsay Lohan for, uh, research purposes? Google it. Thankfully, even with all this information at our fingertips, David Rosdeitcher, the Zip Code Man, has talent that is no less impressive. A living Google search engine, Rosdeitcher has been amazing crowds on Pearl Street for years with his uncanny ability to match zip codes to hometowns all over the country and beyond. He's even in the Guinness Book of World Records. Big Head Todd might not have the same memory skills as the Zip Code Man, but Boulderites still think they're groovy for bringing their home-brewed music to the masses of America. Local hotshot Hazel Miller's fantastic soul and blues has also made the big-time, a good sign for U.S. musical tastes.
SPORTS BAR
We love our sports here in Boulder. From the Big Four of
football, baseball, basketball and hockey (well, in years past, at least) to
the X Games, healthy, active Boulderites enjoy topping off a day of hiking,
rock climbing and kayaking by sipping on a craft brew and watching others hike,
rock climb and kayak. A few years ago it seemed there was no way to improve
longtime Boulder favorite, the Lazy Dog. Last year they thought of one: Move it
downtown. Now located on the Pearl Street Mall, Boulderites don't have to
travel so far to get their sports-and-beer fix.
MOVIE THEATER
Soon, as Twenty Ninth Street evolves from blueprints to reality, Boulder will be the home of a 16-screen multiplex. Sure, this will mean a lot more choices for your local movie-going dollar, but will something be lost in the process? After all, there's something downright magical about sliding your bills into an old ticket booth, walking down that ancient aisle, sitting back in that time-worn, semi-comfortable movie seat and soaking up the aura of countless years of celluloid-laced adventures. Luckily, Boulder still boasts a few movie-house institutions. The most obvious is Boulder Theater, which still makes sure to take time in between its packed music schedule to show some of the best screen gems around, new and old. Plus, popcorn, beer and a movie? Serenity now. While Flatiron Crossing may not be a local historical site, it's the place to see a lot of different movies in comfortable digs. Landmark Crossroads Commons also gets the love from many cinophiles, since its allegiance to off-the-beaten-path films is a welcome change from cookie-cutter Hollywood dreck.
YOGA STUDIO
Bring your water bottles, kids. This year's reader-pick for best yoga studio is Bikram's Yoga College of India. But don't let the 100-degree temperature scare you off. Boulderites have gone to Bikram's for years to recharge their batteries and feel fresh and rejuvenated. Those readers who want to perfect their lotus pose go to runner-up Richard Freeman's Yoga Workshop. And honorable mention Om Time not only has friendly instructors, but also a yoga apparel store and spa treatments.
GOLF COURSE
It is said that golf is a metaphor for life and, indeed, the
sport seems to provide a rare window into the human psyche. Consider the
current investigation of House Majority Leader Tom Delay for ethics violations
in connection with the manner in which he has funded his ubiquitous golf trips,
among other things. Here's a guy who's willing to risk it all to play a silly
game. But is it a game? Not according to Bill Maher, who discussed the subject
with 2004 presidential candidate Gen. Wesley Clark on a recent episode of HBO's
"Real Time."
PARTICIPATION SPORT
Last year, readers chose rock climbing as their favorite participation
sport. This year, it's hiking. There's no question Boulder is a hiker's
paradise. With beautiful scenery and miles of hiking trails within minutes of
downtown, Boulder residents are never far from a chance to exercise, relieve
their stress and enjoy the beauty of the mountains. In fact, just writing about
it makes a person want to ditch the desk, strap on the hiking boots and head
into the hills. Just be sure to watch your step. Lots of dog guardians enjoy
the trails, too, and not all of them are considerate enough to clean up after
their wards.
PLACE TO WORKOUT
The recent study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which asserts that people who are overweight have a lower risk of death than those of normal weight, is reminiscent of a scene in Woody Allen's Sleeper. In the movie, lead character Miles Monroe (played by Allen) is offered a cigarette to calm his reaction to having awakened 200 years in the future. "It's tobacco," he is told. "It's one of the healthiest things for your body." If you believe—as the cynical journalists at your alternative weekly do—that this "study" is just another government-funded ruse to breed a nation of overeaters who will continue to super-size themselves at the likes of McDonald's, Burger King and Pizza Hut (and let's not forget our favorite, the Cheesecake Factory), do we have a couple of gyms for you. Flatirons Athletic Club and Mountain's Edge Fitness Center offer the facilities, the expertise and the incentive (just check out the "view" in any gym locker room) to get fit and stay fit. And look at it this way: Even if this bogus study proves to be legit, what good is living a few years longer if your pants don't fit?
SKI RESORT
There's no beating around the bush: this B-dub writer sucks
at sports. T-ball was too complicated for these uncoordinated limbs. Badminton
induced uncontrollable asthma attacks—and I don't have asthma. So it was
with a good deal of trepidation that I stood at the top of Eldora's bunny
slope, my feet incomprehensively strapped into a wedge of fiberglass called a
snowboard. Luckily, if this was to be my last moment on earth, at least the
location was acceptable. Eldora, just a short drive up Boulder Canyon, offers
big-resort trails and amenities at a convenient location and down-home price.
Whether you want to hit up black diamonds or, like me, are prepared to turn
yourself into a human snowball barreling down the mountain on your first run
ever, Eldora is hard to beat.
RETAIL
DAY SPA
Looking for a taste of Hollywood in Boulder? Try Essentiels
Spa, where they roll out the red carpet and pamper you like a world-class
celeb. Boasting an international team of spa experts, Essentiels Spa has been
featured on Oprah. Done up with a nautical theme, including sea-based products
and an in-spa waterfall, Essentiels is Boulder's retreat by the sea.
BANK
The first thing to know about this year's winner is that
it's not a bank. It's a credit union. Credit unions are essentially money
co-operatives where members pool their resources to offer loans and other
services. The University of Colorado Federal Credit Union, a locally owned
not-for-profit organization, has been providing financial services to its
members since 1953. Membership costs $25 and is open to all University of
Colorado and Naropa students, faculty and staff, as well as members of CU's
alumni association and other groups. Members vote on leadership, are able to
volunteer if they choose and enjoy the same services available at a bank. With
branches around the state, the U of C Federal Credit Union is known for its
great service and friendliness.
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE
To quote the immortal Jon Bon Jovi, "Lay your hands on me." Sure, the bad boys of Jersey might have been referring to something else entirely, but when it comes to alternative healing in the People's Republic, Bon Jovi's unforgettable words ring true—and there's nowhere that's more the case than at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy. Whether you have a sore back or stress problems, there's nothing better than signing up for BCOM's student clinic, which offers Zen shiatsu bodywork and therapeutic massage for the unbeatable price of less than $50 an hour. If that's not enough, sign up for BCOM's Introduction to Massage Therapy, which will let you garner the basics of a full-body Swedish massage over an intensive weekend course. Once you're done, the masses will be screaming "Lay your hands on me"—and referring to you. With health insurance rates spiraling out of control, it's good to know the People's Clinic is still offering high-quality, accessible health care for the community. And Helios Integrated Medicine is a family practice medical clinic that offers an exciting alternative: an integrative approach to the healing modalities of the world, from IV nutritional therapy to homeopathy to western herbalism.
CAMERA/VIDEO/PHOTOFINISHING
So you just got back from an African safari, and you can't retrieve the images from your digital camera? No worries, Mike's Camera, a local favorite, is here to help. Its 70-person workforce (all certified photographic consultants), state-of-the-art facility and friendly customer service has been helping professionals and armchair photographers alike for more than 30 years. Runner-up Photo Craft Laboratories is also pretty close to picture perfect. The oldest custom photo lab in the state, Photo Craft offers a wide range of quality services to professionals and advanced amateurs.
DENTIST
If you think all dentists are pretty much the same, you probably don't know what a "crown" is and think a "root canal" might measure up on the pain scale with a rainy weekend in a small cabin with your in-laws. Take it from the mouth of experience: Ninety minutes in the chair can be either a living hell or a picnic in an English garden, depending on who's spinning the drill (OK, maybe not an English garden, but since we can't be sued for misrepresentation, what the hell). Consequently, the newly established organization, "Journalists with Teeth," has named Robert Baxt and Andrew Sewell the best dentists in Boulder County for the third consecutive year. Recently, though, dentistry has become as much about cosmetics as plaque, decay, cavities and fillings. Knowing the value Boulderites place on a beautiful smile, Mark Birnbach has made esthetic and cosmetic dentistry the focus of his practice and should be smiling himself as our reader pick this year.
HOTEL
Honestly, was there really any competition in this category?
When it comes to lodging in Boulder, there are many high-star locations, but
only one Hotel Boulderado. Conveniently located in the heart of
downtown—and featuring world-class restaurants and bars inside the hotel
itself—the historic hotel is as much a symbol of Boulder as the Flatirons
themselves. They may be making 'em bigger and newer down the street, but
they'll never make 'em better.
JEWELRY STORE
For some of the most unique jewelry pieces on Pearl Street,
Boulder Weekly readers and staff pick Angie Star. While Angie Star has only
been in business for two years, the store enjoys a wide range of clientele,
from college students to sophisticated 50-somethings. The varied price
range—from $20 to $200—keeps all customers happy and coming back
for more. So, what's the secret to Angie Star's success? The store changes out
its color palette monthly. This keeps the earrings, necklaces and bracelets
fresh and exciting. For a fun summer look, check out one of Angie Star's belly
chains, the perfect accessory for those who have been slaving away in abs class
all winter.
TATTOO/PIERCING PARLOR
In a town loaded with tattoo and piercing places, Bolder Ink
has always stood head and shoulders above the rest. The world-class artists at
Bolder Ink have branded the B-dub staff as well, so we can offer a first-hand
endorsement for them as this year's reader and staff fave for Best Tattoo/Piercing
Parlor. Professional, courteous and, most importantly, clean, for more than a
decade Bolder Ink has featured some of the best local body artists.
SHOE STORE
Hey, does anyone remember the Mars Café, the Little Russian
Café, whatever the heck the name was of that wellness store on the corner of
15th and Pearl? All of these were Boulder favorites on the East End back in the
day that have gone the way of old Boulder. But through it all, Pedestrian
Shops, yet again our staff and reader pick for Best Shoe Store, has remained in
business, a rock of continuity on the East End. There's a reason for that. They
sell comfortable, functional and fashionable footwear, just perfect for your
summer Mall Crawl.
STEREO/ELECTRONICS STORE
If you've got a predilection for electronics, you were born
at the right time. You can't top the current electronic renaissance that's been
accessorizing society with iPods, flat screens and speakers loud enough to
rattle the earth off its rotation around the sun. You can equip your
audio/video compound at staff and reader favorite SoundTrack.
TIRE SHOP
Reader and staff pick Discount Tire Co., Inc. is not only a
locally owned and operated business, it's also America's largest independent
tire company. With Colorado's unpredictable winters and sketchy mountain roads,
quality tires are probably more important here than anywhere else in the
country, and you can drive without fear if you shop at Discount. They'll make
sure you get up to the slopes on time.
TRAVEL AGENCY
So you want to go on a trip to Belize or Costa Rica? No problem, James Travel Points, this year's favorite with both readers and staff, is waiting to answer all your travel inquires. The agency also has a special department to arrange European river trips to some of your favorite continental destinations. James Travel Points is a full-service travel agency that can help you plan your next adventure or just help you find the cheapest ticket to Boston or Philly. Runner-up Boulder Travel will help you plan an exciting vacation getaway or streamline your business by setting up helpful travel arrangements.
BOOKSTORE
No surprises here. Boulder loves Boulder Book Store. With more doctorates per square inch than any other city on the planet, Boulder is full of people who love to read and write. Whether you're looking for a children's book about the Buddha, a guide to Colorado's Fourteeners, or a photographic tutorial on tantric sex, you can find them at Boulder Book Store, together with a host of other fun items—bookmarks, journals, stationery, magnets, postcards, magazines and so on. The store also hosts readings and signings by local authors and authors from around the world. It's an easy place to spend an afternoon. Browse through the titles, then pop next door for a latté at the Bookend Café. Bookworm is runner-up again this year. With more than 300,000 titles for readers to peruse, Bookworm is a natural destination for any lover of the written word. Our honorable mention this year is Word Is Out Women's Book Store, a purveyor of progressive literature on women's issues, gay and lesbian rights, civil rights and other topics. They also carry magazines, inspirational posters, music and gifts.
SKI/SNOWBOARD SHOP
Only in Boulder will you find a circus set up in the middle of summer devoted to all things skiing and snowboarding. We're of course referring to Boulder Ski Deals' annual tent sale, where prices on skis, snowboards and accompanying clothing and accessories is so unbelievably low that you've gotta wonder if the Ski Deals crew has a penchant for knocking off ski-equipment warehouses. This is just one of the reasons why Ski Deals is a snow lover's wet dream, from a huge selection to great rental prices to a staff that is both friendly and well acquainted with the needs of local powder hounds. Christy Sports is another Boulder favorite. The enterprising folks at Christy's have varied their wares to accommodate seasonal tastes—you can find skis and patio equipment here, depending on the time of year. Just don't get the two mixed up. Picnic tables don't handle black diamonds well—we've tried. Of course, Neptune Mountaineering makes this list, as this store/museum/ode to the outdoors has become a cultural institution.
USED TREASURES
Yesterday is so today. Today is so yesterday. If you can
unscramble those Quantum Leap-esque statements, you'll know just what we mean:
When it comes to fashion, vintage is king. Whether you want to mix parachute
pants with Crocs or a Member's Only jacket and Capri pants, you'll find
everything you need to set the fashionistas' heads a-spinning at Crazy Amy's
Consignment City. Once you've trendified your wardrobe, you can do the same for
your household, thanks to the good folks at Good Use, who take those tragically
forgotten dinner tables and armchairs and give them a makeover straight out of
a John Hughes "geeky girl gets hot" movie. If you're in need of even more
social time-travel, cruise over to Rags to Riches, where you can throw down for
a sequin-trimmed masterpiece knowing that your dough's going to be split
equally between the store and the garments' original owners.
VIDEO STORE
You know Video Station has been in business for a long time by its name. If it were to open today it would probably call itself DVD Station. The store has been in business for so long for two simple reasons. First, they have everything. From the latest Disney flick to Hollywood blockbusters to obscure European art films to the hottest XXX releases, Video Station keeps more titles on hand than anyplace else. Second, the staff is hip and fun and actually helpful. These cinophiles can probably tell you the title of the movie you're looking for from the few inaccurate plot details you fling at them. You can find a Blockbuster in virtually every strip mall in Colorado. Bright and friendly, they offer new releases, old favorites and great deals on game rentals.
WIRELESS/CELL PHONE STORE
Boulder probably does a booming cell-phone business. Think about it this way: While phones can now take photos, videotape weddings and calculate your biorhythms, no one has yet to design a phone that can indefinitely withstand mogul-inducing snow wipeouts, mountain bike-flipping dirt slides and kayak-spewing whitewater baths. This particular writer has already lost one and a half cell phones to the unforgiving kiss of Colorado ski slopes (the second phone still works; it just features an omnipresent digital orange glob on its screen that looks pleasingly like a dragon in mid-flight). Luckily, if your cell phone isn't as extreme as you, Boulder has the perfect stores to hook you up with a new phone that will keep you wired to the world even while you're jumping off cliffs and hacking through the wilderness. This year's top choice is Advantage Wireless, featuring a killer location on Arapahoe and 28th streets, a huge selection of phones and services from the likes of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Cricket—and the pride of being locally owned and operated since 1995. Phones Plus on Pearl Street is another great place to bring your phone in for a pit stop. You can expect a super-knowledgeable staff, top-o-the-line merchandise—and a whole lot more.
CLOTHING STORE—MEN'S
So you've got your shoulder-strap messenger bag, your Elvis Costello-look-alike glasses, your cowlick-tussled hair and you use the term "post-modern" (or, better yet, "PoMo") once every 15 minutes. Word on the clothesline is that you're a hipster, one who lives among the masses but is above them in all ways and manners, one who's deemed cool by the only ones who truly know—other hipsters. And if you're a hipster cronkite unhappily living among all the fin jerrys and midtrown frados around here, there's only one place to blow your kale: Urban Outfitters. Slip on some of the deck threads from this establishment, and soon all the tassels and chippers will be wanting to bust a moby with your ass, turning you into a bona fide juicer. If you have no idea what we're talking about, don't fear—you can still try to be hip by throwing on some of the great menswear at Starr's Clothing and Shoe Co. And while you won't necessarily be putting on a straight-out-of Williamsburg uniform when you purchase your khakis and Tommy Bahamas from Weekends, at least you'll have the comfort of knowing you're making a lot more dough than those jumpsuit- and headband-wearing freaks snickering at you on the street corner.
COMPUTER STORE
If you like computers, then Comp USA is your idea of heaven. Both Mac and PC friendly, the store offers all of the latest in computer technology and related gadgetry—including everything one could possibly connect to an iPod—at prices that won't break your bank. Comp USA also offers more than 2,000 software titles, office furniture, printers, copiers, paper and just about anything else you might want for your office. Mac Shack is the place to go if you're looking for a used Macintosh computer. Mac Shack also carries Mac and iPod accessories. The store's helpful staff perform upgrades and repairs and dispense a lot of advice. Computer Renaissance, our honorable mention, offers used and built-to-order computers and laptops, as well as upgrades and service.
HARDWARE STORE
Oh, please! You knew they were going to win, and so did we. The reader and staff pick again this year is McGuckin Hardware. Offering more than 200,000 items, McGuckin is the hardware heaven. Locally owned, it's staffed by people who know where every single one of those 200,000 items are—and what they're for. Even if you don't know what it's called—like that thingy on the end of the faucet with the little screen in it—they do. Home Depot, once again our runner-up, is there to help when you want to renovate or repair your home. They'll also help you keep your lawn green and your garden growing well.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Robb's Music is a perennial winner in this category, taking both reader and staff honors again this year. Locally owned, Robb's is staffed by skilled professionals who love music and are eager to help you find what you need. Seasoned musicians can get what they need to take their show on the road, while little ones taking their first musical steps can sign up for lessons. You can buy, rent or sell instruments at Robb's. Staff also fix electronic instruments, recording equipment, mics and more. HB Woodsong's, our honorable mention again this year, offers a full range of acoustic instruments, as well as supplies, rentals and lessons.
TOY STORE
People are always talking about "toy stores for adults," like "Circuit City is a grown man's toy store" or "that candle store is my mom's version of a toy store." Why can't toy stores be toy stores for adults? After all, a good toy store, filled with the same treasures that inspired giggles and smiles half a century ago, can bring just as much joy to a full-grown person as it does pint-sized folks—if not more so. Grandrabbit's Toy Shoppe is one of these places. Tucked away in Arapahoe Village, Grandrabbit's is full of puppets and puzzles and magic tricks and stuffed animals and the type of old-world atmosphere that justifies the extra "pe" at the end of its name. Across 28th Street, Play Fair Toys is still inspiring children young and old, focusing on nonviolent and nonsexist toys that allow children to develop their creativity. It's Your Move, on the Pearl Street Mall, is another great place to get nostalgic, since between all the dice and the game pieces, it's playtime all the time.
OUTDOOR GEAR
REI—Recreational Equipment Inc.—is a relative
newcomer to the Boulder retail scene, but it's captured top honors as this
year's reader and staff pick. Carrying gear for just about every sport
imaginable, REI can outfit you—and give you a few pointers—whether
you're hoping to tackle Denali, ride the trails of Hall Ranch, or car camp at
Rocky Mountain National Park. Boulder Army Store, our runner-up, has been
around as long as most of us can remember, offering a wide selection of gear
and gadgetry for those who love the great outdoors. Neptune Mountaineering,
this year's honorable mention, is known internationally for its alpine and rock
climbing gear, its educational events and its little climbing museum, housed in
displays along the walls. It also carries a great selection of books about
climbing for those of us who simply can't get enough altitude.
HOME FURNISHINGS
Oh, the wedding registry. It's possibly the most vexing part
of the entire wedding experience. Sure, you get to use one of those
funky-looking barcode scanners (you know you've always wanted to play with one)
when you select all the myriad things you want people to buy for you and your
soon-to-be spouse. But do you really want all your home furnishings, the material
semblance of your new life, tied to a single store? But if you don't register,
will you be doomed to a wedding haul of crystal candy dishes and Fiestaware
tortilla warmers? Luckily for all those indecisive betrothed out there,
Peppercorn makes it easy. From professional-grade cookware and cutlery to
beautiful linens to classy dinnerware, Peppercorn has everything in one place
to make your abode into a dream home. Good Use, an innovative local boutique
and our runner-up, represents a truly happy marriage: gently used furnishings
and inspired refurbishing, the result being one-of-a-kind and affordable
furniture that's hard to beat. From leather club chairs to mahogany dinning
tables, HW Home will put the "om" in your home.
HYDROPONIC STORE
Boulder Hydroponic & Organic Center has everything you
need to make your indoor garden flourish. Whether you're trying to get a head
start on big, beefy tomatoes or just interested in growing your own kitchen
herbs, they can get you started. They offer natural solutions to insect
control, conventional and organic nutrients for your plants and indoor
lighting. They'll help you grow plants in a way that is water-wise and easier
on the environment. Runner-up Way to Grow will give your not-so-green thumb the
help it needs to grow a flourishing indoor garden. Growcery Store, in addition
to having a very cute name, is this year's honorable mention. If you grow it,
they've got what you need to be successful.
LIQUOR STORE
Liquor Mart wins this category year after year after year.
Why? Because when it comes to alcohol, Liquor Mart is one-stop shopping. Its
wine department carries Colorado and California wines, as well as a wide
selection of wines from across Europe—Italy, France, Spain, Germany, etc.
Not sure what to buy to go with your cordon bleu? Wine experts are on hand to
make certain you head home with the right bottle. Liquor Mart also carries
local microbrews, European beer and every kind of liquor, drink mix and
drinking utensil imaginable.
|
The Flatirons are rumbling. Pearl Street is quaking. The
prairie dogs are scurrying deep into their burrows. Boulder is in the midst of
a Richter Scale-smashing upheaval.