4 24 14 best of boulder

The results of our annual reader poll, plus our irreverent take on what’s best about living in Boulder County Jennifer, Jessica and Jill Emich, owners of Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place, winner of this year’s Best Gluten-Free Menu

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POLI-SCI DURING THE WEEK. SCI-FI ON THE WEEKEND. Explore a range of credit and non-credit courses that will challenge whatever you believe.

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Staff Publisher, Stewart Sallo Special Editions Editor, Elizabeth Miller Advertising Director, Jeff Cole Director of Operations/ Controller, Benecia Beyer Circulation Manager, Cal Winn

Brian Horton, executive chef for Chautauqua Dining Hall

Editorial

Editor, Joel Dyer Associate Editors, Michael de Yoanna, Josh Gross, Caitlin Rockett

Sales

Retail Sales Manager, Allen Carmichael Digital Portfolio Sales Manager, Kirk Koskey Senior Account Executive, David Hasson Account Executives, Julian Bourke, Andrea Craven, Jacqueline Grewe, Nick Paetsch

Production

Production Manager, Dave Kirby Art Director, Susan France Graphic Designer, Mark Goodman

General & Administrative

Assistant to the Publisher, Julia Sallo Marketing Assistant, Ally Kupcewicz Office Manager, Andrea Neville Circulation Team, Dave Hastie, Dan Hill, George LaRoe, Jeffrey Lohrius, Elizabeth Ouslie, Rick Slama 14-Year-Old, Mia Rose Sallo Cover photo: Susan France

contents

food 8 drink 40 entertainment & culture 54 fitness & health 74 retail 88 Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

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here is a missing category in this year’s Best of Boulder. We should have had a “Best Readers” section. No kidding.

Every year we put up our online survey, which stays open throughout the month of March, and then wait to see how many people fill it out and who they choose as Best-of winners. And each and every year for two decades our readers’ enthusiastic participation has blown us away.

This year’s online survey of Boulder Weekly’s readers was no exception, again setting a new alltime record when it comes to how many of you voted. And we have to say, we think you made a lot of great choices this year as well.

So here is a quick refresher of how the Best of Boulder survey works. With the exception of boxes marked as “Staff Picks” — which are selected by us, often to highlight great businesses in an area that doesn’t have its own category — all of the winners in all of the categories in this publication have been determined solely by our readers’ votes. Period. Boulder Weekly employees were allowed one vote in each category just like everybody else and we had no idea of what the vote totals were until the survey officially closed.

This is exactly why winning Best of Boulder has become the most coveted award in the region.

It really is a measure of the quality of a business from the perspective of the community. BW isn’t saying you are great — although we probably think you are — it’s our readers, including your customers and friends, who are saying you are great. That’s why we list five winners in each category. Making it onto a Best of Boulder winners list in any category is an impressive accomplishment of which any business should be proud. Congratulations winners. Your businesses help to make Boulder County the best place to live.

April 24, 2014 7

Susan France

American Restaurant

THE KITCHEN

1039 Pearl St., 303-554-5973 Second Place: Mountain Sun/Southern Sun Third Place: Oak at fourteenth Fourth Place: World Famous Dark Horse Bar and Grill Fifth Place: SALT

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ontemporary American cuisine is a deceptively tricky genre. Foods that get at the American heart often have a reputation for targeting the deep fryer and thus the arteries. But we’re increasingly attune to filling our plates with foods that cycle with the seasons, retain a palate that includes their natural flavors and satiate our need to feel healthy as well as full-bellied.

For all of these reasons, we’re so glad to have The Kitchen in Boulder — and apparently, so are a lot of people, as the restaurant is continuing to add restaurants across the Front Range.

They do what we love most about the current American food scene: highlight what’s growing here and now, working with local farmers to plate seasonal fare that never fails to get your mouth watering.

From the stalwart salads and sandwiches on the lunch menu to dinner options that rotate through vegetarian dishes, drawing from quinoa and lentils to lamb, duck, steak and scallops, we can’t say enough. The one thing the folks at the kitchen don’t know how to do is disappoint.

Appetizers/ Tapas

THE MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT 1002 Walnut St., 303-444-5335 Second Place: Brasserie Ten Ten Third Place: Boulder Café Fourth Place: The Kitchen Fifth Place: Aji Latin American Restaurant

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ith more than two dozen hot and cold tapas to choose from, it’s no wonder Boulderites look to The Mediterranean Restaurant when they’re looking to get their appetizer on like Donkey Kong. From carnivorous chow like bacon-wrapped dates, to vegetarian-friendly vittles like falafel, to gluten-free treats like griddled shrimp, The Med’s got something for everyone. If the weather’s fine, enjoy your tasty tapas (and some fine people watching) on the umbrellashaded patio. Over 21? Congratulations! Go ahead and top off your meal of scrumptious snacks with an adult beverage during happy hour, every day from 3-6:30 p.m.

Matthew Perez, pizzaiolo for Pizzeria Locale

100 % Gluten Free bakery & Cafe 100% dedicated Gluten Free kitchen Brownies

Coffee

Whoopie Pies

Fruit Smoothies

Lemon Bars

Daddy’s Un-fried Donuts

Candies

www.aimeslove.com 331 8 April 24, 2014

MuffinTops

(7 20 36 )340-46

Main Street Longmont, Colorado 80501Find Us On Facebook Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

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Breakfast

hile donuts are in the middle of a renaissance of general wackiness, their dour, unsweetened cousin in ringed bread, the bagel, remains serious business.

And not just for the lack of sugar. Bagels are cultural history, with the story of Jewish immigration baked into a delectable ring and topped off with a spritz of Yiddish.You try to meet someone for business over donuts, expect the deal to go south. Meet them for bagels, game on. You’re about to be a millionaire, ’cause everyone knows, “BAGELS ARE FOR CLOSERS!” [Editor’s note: isn’t that coffee?]

[Writer’s note: Ssssssshhhhhh…] But here in Boulder, the mid-nation strategic bagel reserve, the choice becomes problematic. With high-end bagels out the genectogozoink, you have to be sure to choose the right one. But which is it? Well, once again this year, the people have spoken and proclaimed Moe’s Broadway Bagel king amongst unsweetened ringed breads. Now set up a business breakfast and make your fortune.

LUCILE’S

2124 14th St., 303-442-4743 518 Kimbark St., Longmont, 303-774-9814 Second Place: Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Third Place: The Buff Restaurant Fourth Place: Walnut Café/Southside Walnut Café Fifth Place: Tangerine

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ince 1980, Lucile’s has brought southern flair to breakfast.Where else can you get Louisiana-style chicory coffee and powdered-sugar beignets with your eggs Benedict or three-cheese omelet? Well, if you answered Longmont (or Denver or Fort Collins or Littleton), that’s only true because those are also Lucile’s locations.

But don’t think chain — especially in Boulder. Each restaurant is a labor of love, often located in a Victorian house. They are tied together by the culinary direction of Chef Mickey Samuels, who has developed both the breakfast and lunch menus behind the scenes and always favors fresh produce and meat. No wonder customers like The Little Women Band have taken to song, titled, simply enough, “Breakfast at Lucille’s.”

Bakery

BREADWORKS BAKERY AND CAFE

2644 Broadway St., 303-444-5667 Second Place: Spruce Confections Third Place: Great Harvest Bread Co. Fourth Place: Lucky’s Bakehouse and Creamery Fifth Place: Boulder Baked

Asian Fusion

CHEZ THUY

2655 28th St., 303-442-1700 Second Place: Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar Third Place: Sushi Zanmai Fourth Place: Zoe Ma Ma Fifth Place: Japango

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hez Thuy may be known as a Vietnamese restaurant, but upon closer inspection you’ll soon find touches of French, Chinese, Thai and Indonesian cuisine. Chez Thuy has won Best of Boulder before — and it’s no surprise why. With an affordable and diverse menu — gluten free, anyone? — Chez Thuy is not a puritanically traditional Vietnamese experience. Instead, think of it as the place that has a little something for everyone, from pho to egg drop soup to soft-shell crab. On the side: A Thai ice tea or maybe one of those really sweet Vietnamese coffees.

10 April 24, 2014

Arturo Marquez, executive chef at Lucile’s in Boulder

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Benedicts

SNOOZE, AN A.M. EATERY 1617 Pearl St., 303-225-7344

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poiler alert — you can call off the search for the place that makes the best and most innovative use of hollandaise sauce. It’s Snooze. They’ve got a variety of eggs Benedict that range from the “evolved” classic take with ham to options with arugula, prosciutto and balsamic glaze, lox-style salmon and cream cheese with a relish of sundried tomatoes and capers, or let go of everything you ever knew about Benedicts and get the Chilaquiles Benedict with barbacoa beef over ranchero sauced tortillas and melted cheese with pico de gallo. The hunt ends here.

Bagel

MOE’S BROADWAY BAGEL 3075 Arapahoe Ave., 303-442-4427 2650 Broadway St., 303-444-3252 3267 28th St., 720-406-9000

Second Place: Einstein Brothers Bagels Third Place: Big Daddy Bagels Fourth Place: Panera Bread Fifth Place: Mickey C’s Bagels

hen Breadworks opened nearly 20 years ago, it was just one guy with a willingness to come into work at the wee morning hours, bake bread and then sell it to customers all day. But he’d hit a nerve in the local community — production doubled within weeks from 1,000 pounds to 2,000 pounds. Husband and wife team of Larry Domnitz and Colleen Doran still oversee this establishment, which has expanded from bread-baking to include pastries and a full café. While the menu includes plenty of pastries and baked goods to choose from, along with an array of soups and sandwiches to make for a full meal, the core of their operations is still in those freshly baked loaves coming out of the oven each day.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Larkburger’s establishment is a testament to the glory that is truffle oil. Get it on your burger, get it on your fries, and you’re pretty much set for life. Pair with that the all-natural ingredients — no preservatives or additives, in-house sauces and dressings and Black Angus beef and you’re pretty well on your way to a mouth-watering burger. Their operations also source eco-friendly options including utensils made from potato and corn starch, biodegradable containers, 100 percent wind-energy power and canola oil that goes on to power cars. Go ahead. Give it a try. We all know a good cheeseburger can be good for your soul, but this burger can be good to the planet, too.

Barbecue

KT’S REAL GOOD BBQ

2675 13th St., 303-442-3717 7464 Arapahoe Road, 303-786-7608 Second Place: Moe’s Original BBQ Third Place: Georgia Boys BBQ Company Fourth Place: West End Tavern Fifth Place: LuLu’s BBQ

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great barbecue joint keeps it simple — meat, potatoes, beans and, of course, juicy meats smothered in delicious sauce.

No wonder our readers love this place. Like it sweet? Savory? Vinegary? KT’s Real Good BBQ has the sauce bases covered, and a short menu that lets them deliver quality over quantity. Eat like The King and get a heaping helping of slaw atop your BBQ sammich when you order it “Elvis style.” And let’s be real: Elvis wouldn’t stop after eating KT’s bestselling sandwich, “The Pig Pile.”

He’d satisfy his sweet tooth with a mini key lime pie or brownie.

Mexican

EFRAIN’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND CANTINA

451 S. Pratt Pkwy., Longmont, 720-4940777 1630 N. 63rd St., Boulder, 303-440-4045 101 E. Cleveland St., Lafayette, 303-6667544 Second Place: Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Third Place: Agave Mexican Bistro & Tequila House Fourth Place: Zolo Grill Fifth Place: Casa Alvarez

Brunch

LUCILE’S

2124 14th St., 303-442-4743 518 Kimbark St., Longmont, 303-774-9814 Second Place: Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Third Place: Brasserie Ten Ten Fourth Place: Tangerine Fifth Place: Walnut Café/Southside Walnut Café

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young BB King almost died rushing into a burning building to save his guitar.

From that day forward, he called his guitar Lucille, after a woman who died in that fire, to remind himself never to do anything foolish again. But the only foolish thing Mr. King could do in Boulder would be to not eat at Lucile’s. The creole delights waiting inside range from the scrumptious to the delicious.

Cornbread. Grits. Don’t fear the gravy, Mr. King. Run into the downtown Boulder building that is aflame with flavors like the Cajun breakfast, eggs sardou or Creole omelet.

And don’t forget there’s a Lucile’s location in Longmont as well. Your choice.

Burger

LARKBURGER

2525 Arapahoe Ave., 303-444-1487 Second Place: Mountain Sun/ Southern Sun Third Place: Smashburger Fourth Place: Rueben’s Burger Bistro Fifth Place: World Famous Dark Horse

Reader Comment Boulder has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to good restaurants!

12 April 24, 2014

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KT’s BBQ staffer Anna Hurbace

Bar and Grill

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e here at Boulder Weekly love when Best of rolls around because it’s basically mandated that for “research,” we go investigate the answer to life’s key questions, like, “Just how good is the burger at Larkburger that our readers picked as best?”

Oh yeah. That good.

We’ll begin by stating the obvious:

he cooking of spicy dishes at Efrain’s starts at 6 a.m. each morning, which seems a little early to us for green chili — but then again, breakfast burritos can be awfully tasty. So we’ll go with it. The locally owned restaurant has been plating up Northern Chihuahua-style Mexican food for more than 30 years, and now has locations throughout the county, so you are never too far from a good chimichanga.

Reader Comment Georgia Boys BBQ is the best! Better than all three BBQ joints I ate at in Nashville!

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

BEST

Burrito

a place to nourish ourselves through food, community, and celebration. . .

Susan France

R OU LIG HT U P Y

Open for lunch and dinner daily plus brunch on the weekends.

We also host daily events in our beautiful gathering place.

LI F

E.

. .S

100% Gluten Free Kitchen

N HI T I HINE FROM W

THANK YOU BOULDER FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

Best Gluten-Free

2027 13th St. Boulder Restaurant 303-449-0120 www.shineboulder.com

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The Mediterrean Restaurant

Business Lunch

THE MEDITERREAN RESTAURANT

Thanks For Voting Us

BEST RESTAURANT IN NEDERLAND

1002 Walnut St. 303-444-5335 Second Place: The Kitchen Third Place: Brasserie Ten Ten Fourth Place: Boulder Cork Fifth Place: Oak at fourteenth

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he Med is an unusually surprising collection of Mediterranean dishes — paella, tapas, veggie kebabs, wood-fired pizzas, pasta and beloved olive bread. It’s no wonder: This local mainstay draws inspiration from Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Morocco and Lebanon.

Locally owned, The Med has, for more than 20 years, been a perfect place for the local business set, relaxed and always pleasant. It’s got a great central location, bright patio and, if you’re running late, a good happy hour, every day, from 3-6:30 p.m.

3 YEARS IN A ROW

Brunch Without the Same Old Stuff AJI LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT 1601 Pearl St., 303-442-3464

No MSG • Vegetarian Entree • Dairy Free Gluten Free Options Available Custom Orders Available Lunch Buffet 11am - 3pm Dinner Menu All Day OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 110 N. Jefferson St. • 303.258.1169

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ired of brunches built around pancakes? Try something different at Aji where you can tap into a Spanish-influenced brunch menu that’s sure to start your day off right. The spot is better known for its happy hour delights, which are delightful, but don’t let that overshadow its brunch, where you’ll find menu options like the Benito de Carnitas — poached eggs with carnitas, pepper rajas and corn tortillas with hollandaise — and the Tarta de Papa — eggs over potato latkes with bell peppers, chorizo, hominy and avocado.

The ideas for their menus may come from south of the border, but their food itself comes from right around here — at their own farm, Three Leaf Farm in Lafayette, which also provides produce to The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, Chautauqua Dining Hall and The Huckleberry.

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kathmandurestaurant 14 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Place to Feel Welcomed to the Family

Surprise BLT

THE VILLAGE COFFEE SHOP

SALMON BLT AT FATE BREWING COMPANY

1605 Folsom St., 303-442-9689

1600 38th St., 303-449-3283

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e admit it. We were skeptical. Not as skeptical as we were of the watermelon kolsch, but when we saw a salmon BLT on the menu at FATE Brewing Company, the response was more question marks than exclamation points.

So, naturally, we had to try it. And the results were even more pleasant than could have been expected. Smoked salmon sings in harmony with bacon in surprising ways. We’re on board. We’ll be back. But will the watermelon kolsh?

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ou’ve reached a new level of knowing Boulder if you’ve found your way to The Village Coffee Shop. The unobtrusive breakfast and lunch spot plates the kind of two-egg-bacon-hash-browns breakfasts that start off a day that feels like a slice of simpler times.Times when your waitress knew your name and your order, before eggs were “evil” (new research shows, that’s a lie), and omelets came in a concise and familiar variety. Just be sure you let them know when it’s your first time in. They’ve got a special way of saying welcome to the family.

Catering

A SPICE OF LIFE CATERING & EVENTS

5541 Central Ave., Suite 272, 303-443-4049 Second Place: Dish Gourmet Third Place: Three Leaf Catering Fourth Place: Savory Cuisines Fifth Place: Sage & Savory Catering

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o you’re getting married, eh? Well, don’t screw it up.You don’t want to have everyone you know and love and admire and respect and who you want to parade your love in front of to show up and mutter something about the chicken being a little dry because you chose, gasp, the wrong caterer! Might as well throw yourself into a volcano right there ’cause the rest of your marriage will clearly be doomed. Instead, just go with Spice of Life, as the people of Boulder have democratically chosen them as the most likely to take the meh out of the menu on your special day, wedding or otherwise.

Burrito

ILLEGAL PETE’S

1320 College Ave., 303-444-3055 1447 Pearl St., 303-444-3955 Second Place: Chipotle Mexican Grill Third Place: Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Fourth Place: Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant Fifth Place: Big City Burrito

Congratulations to all the winners of Best of Boulder!

The Melting Pot of Louisville was the winner of Best of Boulder East County: Fine Dining, Best Place To Go On A Date, Restaurant Ambiance, Restaurant Dessert.

$1600

OFF

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Celebrate the winners with our four-course Nightly Wine Dinner which includes a bottle of wine and receive $16 off per couple.

Restrictions may apply. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Valid only at the Louisville, CO location. Valid now till August 31, 2014.

his is Boulder, Colo., dagnabbit: We don’t want no stinkin’ hormones or antibiotics in our meats. We need fresh veggies and preservative-free breads. That’s why our readers love Illegal Pete’s burritos. We’ve all been to an assembly-line burrito joint and been disappointed to find that every bite is different — Illegal Pete’s stirs your ingredients to ensure that you enjoy rice, beans, meat, cheese, guac, salsa or whatever else you had them put in this behemoth burrito with every bite. Got 99 problems, one of which is a gluten-intolerance? Illegal Pete’s has got you covered with gluten-free options as well.

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED 303-666-7777 732 Main Street, Louisville, CO 80027 MELTINGPOT.COM Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 15

Susan France

Third Place: Lucky Pie Fourth Place: The Huckleberry Fifth Place: Sugarbeet

Chinese

CHINA GOURMET

3970 Broadway, Suite 102, 303440-3500 1345 Dry Creek Drive Suite A, Longmont, 303-776-6930 Second Place: Zoe Ma Ma Third Place: Golden Lotus Fourth Place: Moongate Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar Fifth Place: Five Spice Asian Cuisine

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f you’re looking for great Mexican food, Efrain’s has been a mainstay in Boulder County for more than three decades. But forget Mexican for a second. This restaurant is tops when it comes to Best East County Restaurant. It makes sense. There are three locations — Efrain’s I in Lafayette, Efrain’s II (1630 N. 63rd St. in Boulder) and Efrain’s III (451 S. Pratt Pkwy. in Longmont) — and, though individually managed, they’re all great. Dishes like chimichangas, fajitas and the chili verde are prepared in the style of Northern Chihuahua, meaning the chilies are fiery and everything is fresh. The cooking starts at 6 a.m. though the restaurants don’t open until 11 a.m.

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hat we love about Chinese menus: They can be so selfexplanatory. What’s in the cashew shrimp? Cashews and shrimp. The chicken with broccoli? Chicken and broccoli. Throw in the occasional Mu Shu Vegetables for a point of interest — and we’re still guessing you’re getting a plateful of vegetables in some spicy sauce. It’s tough to get lost.

Which is nice, because when you open China Gourmet’s menu, it could be easy to get overwhelmed. Column after column of delectable menu items look back at you — and only your belly will know best. So let it guide you to the best of the best Chinese food in town, whether you’re wanting Szechwan with your fish or Kung Pao with your chicken.

We’ll go ahead and give a shout out to the street-café feel and tasty noodle bowls at runner up Zoe Ma Ma, as well.

Chocolatier

Fine Dining

FLAGSTAFF HOUSE RESTAURANT

1138 Flagstaff Road, 303-442-4640 Second Place: Frasca Food and Wine Third Place: The Kitchen Fourth Place: Oak at fourteenth Fifth Place: Brasserie Ten Ten

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Piece, Love and Chocolate owner Sarah Amorese.

PIECE, LOVE & CHOCOLATE

805 Pearl St., 303-449-4804 Second Place: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Third Place: Chocolove Fourth Place: Robin Chocolates Fifth Place: Ritual Chocolate

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istorians believe that chocolate has been prepared as a drink since man discovered the cocoa bean. A container found at an archaeological site on the Gulf

16 April 24, 2014

Coast of Veracruz, Mexico, dates chocolatey beverage preparation back 3,750 years.

Humankind has a pretty profound love affair with chocolate. Sarah Amorese, founder and owner of Piece, Love & Chocolate, makes it her personal mission to “enchant and entertain” patrons with display cases filled with chocolate pastries, cakes, tortes, truffles and confections to spoil even the most refined palate. PLC even offers chococentric gifts — books, clothing, cocoa butter-based beauty products and more. Enjoy chocolate cakes and tortes in a spectrum of

traditional and surprising flavors, from Peaches ’n Cream to Left Hand Milk Stout.

Cheesecake, whoopee pies, cannoli, cookies, chocroissants, brownies … It’s the stuff of your chocolatiest dreams.

East County Restaurant

EFRAIN’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT & CANTINA 101 E Cleveland St., Lafayette, 303-6667544 Second Place: Colterra

he French-American menu at the internationally recognized Flagstaff House has been devised

by Executive Chef Mark Monette and was one of the driving forces that helped transform Boulder’s food scene into the envy of the nation. A visit to Flagstaff House includes access to one of the finest wine selections in the state. And its amazing mountaintop view overlooking Boulder creates an unmatched dining experience. This restauraunt has a rotating menu of culinary delights. If there’s a better 12-hour braised Berkshire “bacon” with roasted banana puree, cilantro and coconut broth in the city, BW readers certainly don’t know about it.

Enjoy.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

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RINCON ARGENTINO

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TheMagicFair y.info

2525 Arapahoe Ave., 303-442-4133

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incon Argentino is one of those great secrets you’d like to keep, but can’t help but share. This place serves killer empanadas the BW staff finds irresistible — freshly baked to a piping, scorch-your-fingers level of hot in 14 varieties that include steak, chicken chorizo, and spinach. With walls covered in posters of tango dancers and soccer players, it feels like a real dose of Argentina.

Can’t find a spot among the cozy few tables available? Take a dozen to go.

Already on the move to a brewery? They now partner with Upslope Brewing Co. and you can get empanadas at the tap room. That’s almost convenient enough to get dangerous.

ROLLIN GREENS sophisticated

street food

TM

THANK YOU BOULDER FOR VOTING FOR US! SPECIALIZING IN ORGANIC & LOCAL SOPHISTICATED STREET FOOD

Check Us Out Online

rollingreens.com

LIKE US on facebook

Food Delivery

SNARF’S SUB SHOP

5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-444-3404 2128 Pearl St., 303-444-7766 645 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont, 303-774-1441 2130 Mountain View Ave., Longmont, 303-702-1111 Second Place: Cosmo’s Pizza Third Place: Abo’s Pizza Fourth Place: Boulder Baked Fifth Place: Jimmy John’s

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ow can you tell you’re in Boulder? Because unlike the rest of the world, where delivery options consist solely of pizza and Chinese food, you can get some of the best sandwiches in town brought right to you from Snarf’s Sub Shop. You can call or fax in an order form and they’ll bring your pastrami and Swiss straight to you. It’s true, we here in Boulder County are some of the luckiest in the world because when our special sandwich supply runs short, we can just call the sandwich-makers to send us some more. Life is good thanks to you food delivery people. May your tips be large.

Food on the Hill

THE SINK

1165 13th St., 303-444-7465 Second Place: Café Aion Third Place: Illegal Pete’s Fourth Place: Half Fast Subs Fifth Place: Cosmo’s Pizza

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izzas, burgers and sandwiches, oh my! The Sink has been a staple on the University of Colorado Boulder’s student stomping ground The Hill since 1923. (History tidbit: The Sink was originally a European-style restaurant named Summer’s Sunken Gardens, where a sunken fountain in the center of the dining room caused patrons to lovingly call the establishment “The Sink.”) The Sink offers more than just good food, funky art, a colorful history (you’ve heard it: Robert Redford was once the janitor) and cold (local!) brews: in 2006, the restaurant committed to running on 100 percent wind power. It’s pretty much the most Boulder thing in Boulder.

Reader Comment Go all non-GMO.

18 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

WINNER BEST BURGER

Thank you Boulder.

Your mouths have spoken, again.

Best of Boulder WINNER - BEST BURGER FOUR YEARS RUNNING

2011 2012 2013 2014 Larkburger Boulder The Village, 2525 Arapahoe Avenue 303.444.1487 | larkburger.com

/larkburger

/larkburger

/larkburger

Ice Cream

Susan France

GLACIER HOMEMADE ICE CREAM & GELATO

4760 Baseline Road, 303499-4760 3133 28th St., 303-4406542 1387 South Boulder Road, Louisville, 720-890-5992 Second Place: Sweet Cow Ice Cream Third Place: Boulder Ice Cream Fourth Place: Ben & Jerry’s Fifth Place: Cold Stone Creamery

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20 April 24, 2014

Glacier Ice Cream server John Hanson

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spoonful of ice cream can transport you back to childhood.

Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato helps Boulderites relive simpler times with homemade ice cream, often made from fresh, local ingredients. You can customize any flavor to suit your ice cream needs, or choose from Glacier’s more than 800 premade flavors. Feeling extra childlike? Add some rainbow sprinkles, gummi bears, Oreos, cherries or caramel sauce to your ice cream at the sundae bar. Frozen yogurt and sorbet offer alternatives for those looking to sate the sweet tooth but not break the caloric bank.

Gluten-Free Menu SHINE RESTAURANT AND GATHERING PLACE 2027 13th St., 303-449-0120 Second Place: Modmarket Third Place: Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant Fourth Place: Turley’s Kitchen Fifth Place: Julia’s Kitchen

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hine’s gluten-free ravioli could set an Italophile’s heart on fire, which is OK, because they also have gluten-free Liberation Ale for extinguishing said fires. No wonder our readers chose Shine Restaurant and Gathering place their favorite destination for gluten-free dining.

The Blissful Sisters, formerly of Trilogy, started Shine Restaurant and Gathering Place as a center for living and eating well, and their menus focus on presenting balanced, healthy options, whether your dining restriction is for wheat or for meat. And in a world where the gluten-free and gluten-

conscious diners have increasing purchasing power, Shine is as pleasant a spot as they come for pleasing those palates while keeping everyone else in your dinner party happy and well satisfied.

Indian

SHERPA’S RESTAURANT

825 Walnut St., 303-440-7151 Second Place: Tandoori Grill Indian Restaurant & Bar Third Place: The Taj Fourth Place: Curry n Kabob Fifth Place: Kathmandu Restaurant

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f you want fresh Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan fare crafted from authentic recipes in a friendly atmosphere where you can grab a seat, then Sherpa’s Restaurant fits the bill. Those, and other reasons, like the food, are why our readers voted it best Indian restaurant. It’s an unusual place. For instance, if you plan to climb Mt. Everest, you may want to stop in as the restaurant’s staff is full of actual sherpas, including Chef Jangbu Sherba, who has ascended the peak 10 times without supplemental oxygen. The staff can actually help you plan to climb Everest yourself, but most people just go for the food, often charcoal-fired in a Tandoor clay oven.

Everything seems to stand out on the menu, from an array of appetizers (try the veggie samosas) to favorites like lamb vindaloo and kulfi Indian-style ice for dessert.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Located on Boulder’s historic downtown pedestrian mall, Peppercorn is a retail potpourri with an exciting array of kitchen, bath and home accessories from designers all over the world.

Thanks for voting us

BEST Home Furnishings BEST Kitchen Supplies BEST Gift Shop 1235 Pearl Street, Boulder 303.449.5847 www.peppercorn.com David Bortnowski enjoys a lunch prepared by Emily McCabe in the Comida Food Truck.

Food Truck

COMIDA TACO TRUCK

Second Place: Oskar Blues Bonewagon Third Place: RollinGreens Fourth Place: Cheese Louise Fifth Place: Verde

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t’s always a pleasure to see the pink Comida Taco Truck, known for its quirkymodern tacos. They’re almost gourmet, self-described “street food,” and priced such that if you can dig into your pockets and find three bucks, you’re set. From time to time, you’ll find the truck serving its popular tacos and gorditas in Boulder, or in any number of neighborhoods along the Front Range. While the menu is small (hey, they’ve got to fit a kitchen in a truck!), it is packed with flavor. Among the favorites are braised pork carnitas tacos, filled with sweet potato mash and topped with pineapple salsa. Or try the roasted poblano and white onion gordita with crema. One way to be certain to spot the truck when it’s in your ’hood is to follow its tweets: @eatcomida, meaning they’ve got the smart marketing part down, too.

Frozen Yogurt

RIPPLE PURE FROZEN YOGURT

1682 30th St., 303-444-0690 Second Place: Spooners Frozen Yogurt Third Place: Boulder Chill Fourth Place: Aspen Leaf Yogurt Fifth Place: Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

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oulder is frozen yogurt country. ’Round these parts, frozen yogurt is how you win friends and influence people in your climbing gym/wiccan circle/alternative free school class on the hidden post-modern slam poetry of Javascript. And according to the all-knowing readers of BW, there’s no yogurt more frozen and yogurty than that spilling forth from Ripple Pure Frozen Yogurt. They keep it fresh, local and pure as the Flatirons’ snow, and dish it up in compostable containers that will satisfy your eco-consciousness as much as what’s in them will satisfy your sweet tooth.

food for enthusiasts !

14 w e 0 2 N t t Bes tauran Res

Fast Casual

MODMARKET

1600 28th St., 303-440-0476 700 Ken Pratt Blvd., suite 100, Longmont, 720-494-1655

Trade up to a delicious meal that feeds your soul while

Y

nourishing your body. It’s all right here at zeal.

ou know the feeling; you really don’t want a fast food burger or burrito but you also don’t have an hour-and-a-half to sit down somewhere for a healthy meal. Problem solved. Modmarket is the answer you’ve been looking for. They have great healthy food that you order and pay for at the register when you first come in. Meals such as flank steak with sweet potato mashers and fresh asparagus can be yours for about ten bucks. That’s half what you’d pay for a similar spread in a traditional restaurant. Great menu. Great concept. We love it.

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

www.zealfood.com

1710 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302 7am-10pm weekdays | 8am-10pm weekends April 24, 2014 21

Courtesy of Noodles & Company

Fourth Place: Red Robin’s Burger Works Fifth Place: Turley’s Kitchen

Pizzeria

PIZZERIA LOCALE

1730 Pearl St., 303-442-3003 Second Place: Beau Jo’s Third Place: Backcountry Pizza & Tap House Fourth Place: Lucky Pie Pizza and Tap House Fifth Place: Proto’s Pizzeria Napoletana

I

t’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world, and it gets a little crazier when you have kids.

Sometimes juggling work, school, sports practice, sleepovers and the million other things parenthood throws at you means having someone else make dinner for the family.

So when many Boulder parents need something fast, healthy and tasty, they look to Noodles & Company to provide all of that in a casual environment with affordable prices. With plenty of sophisticated entrees such as the Thai Hot Pot or Pork Adobo Flatbread that will tickle the adult taste buds, dishes like the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese and Buttered Noodles provide options to satisfy even the pickiest youngster. Noodles & Company understands that there are lots of different food strokes for different folks, so they provide nutrition and allergen guides to help kids and grown-ups alike find a meal that meets their dietary needs.

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resh ingredients. A killer wine list. A mega-fancy oven. If you think pizza comes from huts, then you couldn’t be further from the truth. And Boulder’s Pizzeria Locale is such a hit that its owners inked a deal with the burrito tycoons Chipotle to take Pizzeria Locale’s style national as a rapid-service restaurant. The first expansion storefront opened in Denver last year and has been going like gangbusters since day one. Look out Best of America, here’s one Best of Boulder winner that’s a-gunning for youse.

And anyone who has had a slice of their pie will tell you, you better be scared. It’s just that good.

Italian

Late Night

PASTA JAY’S

1001 Pearl St., 303-444-5800 Second Place: Carelli’s Restaurant Third Place: Il Pastaio Fourth Place: Arugula Bar e Ristorante Fifth Place: Gondolier Italian Eatery

T

here’s no shortage of Italian restaurants in downtown Boulder. But there’s even less shortage of love for one Italian restaurant in particular: Pasta Jay’s. The affordably priced, family-friendly and checkered table-clothed noodle-peddler has been a cornerstone of Pearl Street for more than 20 years, and lays claim to one of the most delightful summer dining experiences in the city thanks to large open windows. Pasta Jay’s is so popular that it just started bottling its signature marinara for sale at its Boulder, Lone Tree and Moab locations. Also, it’s won Best of Boulder, like, around a bazillion times.

Mama mia, thatsa spicy tomato!

COSMO’S PIZZA

Noodles & Company is where the kids like to chow down.

I

Reader Comment Boulder greats. Foodies all!

Japanese

SUSHI ZANMAI

1221 Spruce St., 303-440-0733 Second Place: Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar Third Place: Japango Fourth Place: Sushi Tora Fifth Place: Tokyo Joe’s

T

hough we’re short on ocean front property in Boulder, we’re not short on options for sushi and Japanese food — many of them very, very good. But Sushi Zanmai is once again taking top honors as the best of 22 April 24, 2014

1325 Broadway, 303-447-1133 659 30th St., 303-447-3278 Second Place: World Famous Dark Horse Bar and Grill Third Place: Abo’s Pizza Fourth Place: Boulder Baked Fifth Place: Pizza Colore

the bunch. That’s no surprise given the charming, authentic feel of the restaurant and a menu that ranges from classic to more adventurous takes on Japanese cuisine. And if a guy jumps up on the bar and starts playing a saxophone, just roll with it. Get it?

Roll…

Kid Friendly

NOODLES & COMPANY

Various locations around Boulder County Second Place: Mountain Sun/ Southern Sun Third Place: Lucky Pie Pizza & Taphouse

t’s late, maybe you’ve knocked back a few beers, and the night is clearly winding down. When our readers got the munchies as the moon skulked behind dark clouds, they found themselves craving Cosmo’s Pizza, which is open everyday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sure, the restaurant has salads, but it’s a safe bet that the feature in the wee hours is the pizza (or, maybe, on an odd night, a calzone). Cosmo’s offers traditional toppings like pepperoni and sausage, and more adventurous accoutrements like feta cheese and artichoke hearts. And that’s why Cosmo’s won in this category. When you’re looking for something to soak up the, shall we say, “disquiet,” in your stomach at midnight, Cosmo’s has just the combo of toppings to sate and soothe.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Experience far away lands, right down the street.

Thanks for voting us the BEST OF BOULDER! First Place Kid-Friendly Restaurant

ALPINE AVENUE Alpine & Broadway

Runner up Best Take-Out

29th STREET MALL 28th St & Arapahoe Rd

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• Curries & Stews • Traditional Noodle Soups (Pho) • Crystal Rolls & Wraps • Kids Menu

2655 28th Street, Boulder Convenient free parking behind building

303-442-1700

Dine-in or Carry out. See full menu at:

www.ChezThuy.com

(Limited Time Only)

Place to Escape the Madness

SOUTHSIDE WALNUT CAFE

673 S. Broadway (Table Mesa Shopping Center), 720-304-8118

T

he best part of Boulder Weekly’s South Boulder location is that it is only a few short steps away from nirvana, which is how we refer to The South Side Walnut Cafe. Putting out a newspaper every week is crazy, not just a little crazy, but bat guano kind of crazy. And just when you think you can’t take it any more, you find yourself in opposite world sitting in the South Side Walnut Cafe having all your needs attended to by the friendliest, calmest staff around. The coffee cup stays full, the food is always perfect and smiles and grace permeate the place. So next time you find yourself flipping through the latest edition of BW, take a moment to think a thought of gratitude for the kind folks at the South Side Walnut. Chances are that paper might never have found its way to the press if it weren’t for our favorite place to escape the madness.

Nederland Restaurant

KATHMANDU RESTAURANT

110 N. Jefferson St., 303-258-1169 Second Place: Backcountry Pizza & Tap House Third Place: Wild Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery Fourth Place: Black Forest Restaurant Fifth Place: Whistler’s Cafe

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njoy cuisine from the Nepali mountains right here in the Rockies at Kathmandu Restaurant in Nederland.The buffet (served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) offers uninitiated diners a chance to sample from 20 different dishes such as tandoori chicken curry or chana masala — and it’s all you can eat for just under $10. The full menu offers traditional Nepali and Indian food made from scratch using family recipes. Start your meal with a warm samosa pastry filled with herbs, potatoes and peas or try a little bit of everything with the combination appetizer. Chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetarian entrees abound, with American entrees and a kid’s menu for the inexperienced and less adventurous palates.

Organic Restaurant

THE KITCHEN

1039 Pearl St., 303-544-5973 Second Place: Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant Third Place: Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place / Modmarket (tie) Fifth Place: Black Cat Farm-Table-Bistro introducing the

Tofu Banzai Bowl, $5.99

Tofu marinated and grilled in Polynesian teriyaki sauce served with Banzai veggies, brown rice and black beans.

2790 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80301 303.473.9072 24 April 24, 2014

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ow do you know The Kitchen is all its cracked up to be? ’Cause winning “Best Organic Restaurant” in Boulder is like winning “Best Irish Pub” in Dublin.This isn’t some pushover category like “Best Darning Class” or “Best Local Alt Weekly.” The philosophy of this amazing restaurant is to create a dining experience that, as much as possible, matches a gathering of friends and family in the kitchen of a home — a place of laughter and conversation where all feel relaxed and welcome. Add this atmosphere to the Kitchen’s commitment to serving the area’s best locally sourced organic foods and you can understand our readers’ choice. And did we mention that everything tastes fantastic? It does.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Lyons Restaurant

Place to Go on a First Date

OSKAR BLUES GRILL & BREW

THE MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

303 Main St., Lyons, 303-823-6685 Second Place: Lyons Fork Third Place: Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Taphouse Fourth Place: Barking Dog Cafe Fifth Place: The Black Bear Inn

1002 Walnut St., 303-444-5335 Second Place: The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse Third Place: The Kitchen Fourth Place: Brasserie Ten Ten Fifth Place: Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

N

owadays, Oskar Blues and its many award-winning beers are everywhere, collecting accolades and fans as they go. But once upon a time, there was one location only: Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, a staple of downtown Lyons since 1997, and the resilient community’s best locale for Southern-style food, as well as tasty, tasty beers. Add in regular live music and it’s a recipe to win the hearts and minds of the community as well as Best of Boulder. Done, done and done.

A

h, the first date — all that excitement, that anticipation, the possibility that the entire thing will be really awkward, if even for just a bit.

There’s no better way to push through the awkward than with great food and drink and charming ambience. The Mediterranean Restaurant is Boulder’s favorite place to take that potential soulmate as they navigate their way through the murky waters of The First Date. Enjoy an adult beverage on the patio — if the weather’s dandy — and wow your date with your ability to create an awesome meal based solely on appetizers with The Med’s selection of more than two dozen hot and cold tapas.

Overall Restaurant

THE MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT 1002 Walnut St., 303-444-5335 Second Place: The Kitchen Third Place: Oak at fourteenth Fourth Place: Brasserie Ten Ten Fifth Place: Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Restaurant Ambiance

THE BOULDER DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE

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ell, they did it again.

The Mediterranean Restaurant has won our readers’ hearts and votes as the best resaurant in the foodiest city in America.

That is an amazing feat in a county Oskar Blues Brewery’s Dale Katechis pops a cold one at Hall Ranch’s Bitterbrush trailhead in where world-class restaurants are Lyons abundant. What makes it best? pretty much everything about it. The Med has a fantastic atmosphere that new and unexpected ways. This is the Bubba includes a bar with a brick oven, an amazing Pancake/Waffle Gump Shrimp Company of Pancakes: pinecourtyard patio and a maze of dining areas SNOOZE, AN A.M. EATERY apple upside down pancakes, sweet potato decorated in Mediterranean style. The ser- 1617 Pearl St., 303-225-7344 pancakes, caramel apple pie pancakes, vice is great and the food is to be remem- Second Place: The Buff molton chocolate lava pancakes and plain ol’ bered. It has the best tapas in town and Restaurant buttermilk, blueberry, chocolate chip or entrees ranging from lamb to pasta to sea- Third Place: The Huckleberry chocolate/peanut butter pancakes. Can’t food to individually handcrafted pizzas. Fourth Place: Tangerine choose just one? No worries. You can get a Congrats to the Med and thanks for all the Fifth Place: Turley’s Kitchen pancake flight with three flavors. They ain’t good times and great food. exaggerating when they call it “Pancake nooze wants to “re-energize the way Bliss.” you think, feel and ultimately eat breakfast,” and they do just that by offering pancakes, that tried and true breakfast staple, in

S

26 April 24, 2014

1770 13th St., 303-442-4993 Second Place: Flagstaff House Third Place: The Mediterranean Restaurant Fourth Place: The Kitchen Fifth Place: Brasserie Ten Ten

T

he best restaurant decorators for Boulder County, it turns out, are roughly 7,000 miles away in Tajikistan.

That’s where the 40 artisans from several towns carved and painted The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse’s ceiling, tables, stools and columns. It was all done with sisterly love, as in a gift from one sister city to another. It took years to find just the right location and reassemble the teahouse in Boulder, but with features like life-sized sculptures and a fountain to tell “The Seven Beauties,” a 12th century poem, it was worth the wait. The Teahouse is a beautiful setting for any daytime meal or a fabulous dinner. The afternoon tea is also amazing as are the rose gardens that surround the patio dining.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

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Susan France

Place to Eat Outdoors

CHAUTAUQUA DINING HALL

900 Baseline Road, 303-442-3282 Second Place: Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Third Place: The Mediterranean Restaurant Fourth Place: The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse Fifth Place: Boulder County Farmers’ Market

D

id you know Boulder is a town full of outdoors enthusiasts? If you didn’t, you probably haven’t been further outside than your own front door in a while. Allow us to educate you: here in Boulder, we’re big fans of the outdoors. We play outside, hiking, biking, climbing and skiing, and we’ll even shop outdoors at the Boulder Farmers’ Market.

The good news is you can wrap up an outdoors experience hiking or climbing at Chautauqua Park with a stop in at the irresistibly charming and historic Chautauqua Dining Hall and keep the trend going by eating outdoors. Take a table on the wraparound porch and have a helping of fresh, organic, seasonal dining selections by Three Leaf Concepts, of The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, Aji, The Huckleberry and Zucca. Three Leaf Concepts is so committed to fresh, local ingredients they’ve made their own farm in Lafayette where they, you’ll never guess, grow produce outdoors.

Restaurant Dessert

THE KITCHEN

1039 Pearl St., 303-544-5973 Second Place: SALT Third Place: The Greenbriar Inn Fourth Place: The Mediterranean Restaurant Fifth Place: Frasca Food and Wine

W

hile we could use this space to gush culinary about the background and practices of The Kitchen that helped earn it the top dessert spot in this year’s Best of Boulder reader survey, instead, we’re just going to list items on the dessert menu.

Potato doughnuts with spiced hot chocolate. Sticky toffee pudding with house made vanilla gelato. That same gelato served with a shot of espresso or a shot of blackberry liqueur. Cherry and cobbler tart. Apple cobbler. And there’s more. If you’re not hungry yet, then you just might be dead inside. Get thee to The Kitchen and dessert, hardcore.

Chautauqua Dining Hall Executive Chef Brian Horton at Three Leaf Farm in Lafayette

28 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

THREE LEAF CONCEPTS FOOD • TEA • FARM

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

THE BOULDER DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE | THE CHAUTAUQUA DINING HALL LEAF VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT | AJI LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT THREE LEAF FARM | ZUCCA ITALIAN RISTORANTE | THE HUCKLEBERRY NAROPA CAFE | THE BOULDER TEA COMPANY | THREE LEAF CATERING

April 24, 2014 29

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303-546-0630 3161 Walnut Street, Boulder 30 April 24, 2014

Abo’s pizza man Tyler Porritt

Pizza Slice

ABO’S PIZZA

Various locations around Boulder County Second Place: Cosmo’s Pizza Third Place: Pizza Colore Fourth Place: Backcountry Pizza & Tap House Fifth Place: Beau Jo’s

I

t’s tough to beat the slices at Abo’s. After all, they’re legendary. With many locations across Boulder County, this restaurant has been putting out old school New York-style pies since 1977. Over the years, people like singer/songwriter Carole King and Led Zep frontman Robert Plant have popped in. But what makes the place legendary is its pizza. And to know the pizza is to know a little about the story of founder Steve Abo, the former University of Colorado student who rejected a stuffed-shirt career path for the ’za. His journey led him to an apprenticeship with boxer-turned-pizza guy, Rocky Graziano, and that’s where he discovered the secrets of the sauce, namely a family recipe. Abo’s boasts fresh ingredients but we’ll bet they won this category, in part, for size. The slices are both big and good.

Reader Comment Damn! Now I’m hungry!!

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

THANK YOU BOULDER!

2650 Broadway, Boulder 303.444.3252 3075 Arapahoe, Boulder 303.442.4427 550 Grant, Denver 303.733.7331 3267 28th St. Boulder 720.406.9000 Coming Soon to 918 16th Street, Denver

Visit us at moesbagel.com

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Susan France

Caribbean Fish House

TORTUGAS

delicious sauce, like mushroom dashi or burnt-orange tamarind. Securing this top honor in Best of Boulder shows that the city expects Zeal to be around for years to come.

218 Coffman St., Longmont, 303-772-6954

W

here else can you hear the word “Jerk” flying around constantly but where nobody’s ever mad? That’s Tortugas. As a rule, when a menu is full of words like mojo,Vera Cruz, blackened and Jamaican Jerk, you know there’s a beach close by. Well there may not be a beach in Boulder County but it does boast one of the best Caribbean seafood restaurants anywhere. If you want to enhance your experience, just put some sand in one pocket, a seashell in the other and slide on the flip-flops. It doesn’t get any better than that.

New Restaurant

ZEAL

1710 Pearl St., 720-708-6309 Second Place: The Post Brewing Co. Third Place: Fresh Thymes Fourth Place: FATE Brewing Company Fifth Place: Volta

W

ith Boulder repeatedly getting kudos in national rankings for being so

32 April 24, 2014

health-conscious and fit, it’s no surprise that Zeal has quickly become a favorite.

The restaurant caters to the city’s passion for eating the right foods, whether diners are in a rush or just want to kick back and relax. The menu brings simple dishes to breakfast, lunch or dinner filled with fresh ingredients. One fun thing to do is build your own healthy bowl. Start with a base like rice or quinoa, add a protein, like beef or tempeh or a farm egg, and top it with

Seafood

JAX FISH HOUSE

928 Pearl St., 303-444-1811 Second Place: Tortuga’s Third Place: Flagstaff House / Boulder Cork (tie) Fifth Place: Boulder Café

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t could be the $5 infusions and $1.25 oysters for happy hour that make Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar the top seafood pick in Best of Boulder. Or it could be the clams at the restaurant’s raw bar.

Maybe it is the fun of mingling with the crowds that spill out onto Pearl Street.

Whatever it is, Jax, a mainstay in Boulder (and in Denver) is a “Best of” champ, the

Zeal restaurant’s Chris Bordoy, Wayde Jester, Sean Smith, Dot Brantley (top) and Dylan Holtkamp, Robyn Schiavi, Anna Valenti, Hannah Jordan (bottom)

place for many readers to get their fix for lobster and crab and whatever other delectable bounties are pulled from the depths of the sea. It’s the kind of place where you can find comfort food, like a bit of old school gumbo, Louisiana style, or go for a plate of Washington steelhead, with snap peas, asparagus, saffron broth and almond piccada.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Sushi

SUSHI ZANMAI

1221 Spruce St., 303-440-0733 Second Place: Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar Third Place: Japango Fourth Place: Sushi Tora Fifth Place: Sushi Hana

W

hy is Sushi Zanmai owner Naoto Kanda wearing such a huge smile? Cause that’s how good it feels to triumph in the “Best Sushi” category of Best of Boulder this year. Winning best sushi is no easy task in a place renowned for its amazing sushi restaurants. At Sushi Zanmai, Kanda has created an atmosphere that is nothing short of electric. The place is fun and alive, the sushi is magnificent and the staff is informed and knows how to put a smile on your face. There’s even karaoke on Saturday nights. The restaurant also has several private rooms that are perfect for small gatherings or even a sizable private party. There’s nothing better than the combination of traditional sushi and fun — and no place better to enjoy that pairing than Sushi Zanmai.

Naoto Kanda, owner of Sushi Zanmai

30th & Walnut

STAFF PICK

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U B O O U LD E Y K N A

South Boulder

Lafayette

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R E E L O C AT

!

S ION

BOULDER’S FAVORITE BREAKFAST & LUNCH JOINT FOR OVER 30 YEARS! Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 33

Susan France

Susan France

Susan France

Mountain Sun/Southern Sun team: Davis Brown, left, and Kevin Daly, proprietor, right

Restaurant Expansion

JAPANGO

1136 Pearl St., 303-938-0330 intimate space has always been one of the stellar Japanese restauJapango’s rant’s highlights. So what did they do this past year? They expanded that great

space to create a spectacular bar area to go along with what was already the best setting for sushi in the county. And they needed that bar because Japango has the area’s largest selection of fine sake. If you haven’t been in since the place grew, take it from us you need to see it. It’s fantastic.

Snarf’s Sub Shop’s Tyler Liu

Restaurant Service

Sandwich

Take Out

MOUNTAIN SUN

SNARF’S SUB SHOP

SNARF’S SUB SHOP

W

G

1701 Pearl St., 303-440-0220

SOUTHERN SUN

627 S. Broadway, 303-543-0886 Second Place: Flagstaff House Restaurant Third Place: Frasca Food and Wine Fourth Place: The Kitchen Fifth Place: The Mediterranean Restaurant

M

any things in life are uncertain — tomorrow’s weather, tomorrow’s stock market, tomorrow’s traffic (well, actually, if you’re on U.S. 36, that’s pretty much guaranteed to be terrible). So it’s nice to know that there are some things you can count on. For instance, that if you go to the Mountain Sun or Southern Sun establishments, you will be met with a smile and a rotating cast of waitstaff determined to keep a beer in your hand and food in your belly. The pooled approach to staff means you will not have one waiter steering you through your dining experience, you’ll have a chance to poll multiple waitstaff for their thoughts and advice on the menu — and with a long and rotating list of beers on tap and a server happy to pour you a few samples, that guidance can be something you’ll learn to look forward to.

34 April 24, 2014

5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-444-3404 2128 Pearl St., 303-444-7766 645 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont, 303-774-1441 2130 Mountain View Ave., Longmont, 303-702-1111 Second Place: Salvaggio’s Deli Third Place: Half Fast Subs Fourth Place: Great Harvest Bread Company Fifth Place: Deli Zone iktionary defines “snarf” as a verb that means “to eat or consume greedily,” which is exactly how you are expected to eat a sandwich from Snarf’s Sub Shop. OK, maybe you aren’t expected to snarf your sandwich, but we dare you to try not to woof down a delicious sammy from Snarf’s. The original Snarf’s Sub Shop opened its doors as “The Shack” on Pearl Street in Boulder in 1996, moving to more spacious digs across the street in 2008. Snarf’s now has 11 locations in Colorado, and shops in Chicago, St. Louis and Austin.

5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-444-3404 2128 Pearl St., 303-444-7766 645 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont, 303-774-1441 2130 Mountain View Ave., Longmont, 303-702-1111 Second Place: Noodles & Company Third Place: Chez Thuy Vietnamese Restaurant Fourth Place: Curry n Kebob Fifth Place: Khow Thai Cafe ot to grab a dinner on the go? Looking for some take-home for dining on the comfort of your own couch? Venturing out of delivery range for this favorite of Boulder sandwich shops? Just hoping no one catches you with mayo on your nose? Snarf’s Sub Shop is the go-to place for to-go dining. Grab a sandwich loaded up with some spicy peppers and hop back into your busy or not-so-busy routine.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 35

Susan France

Left to right, Tia Marks, Khow Thai co-owner Toi Newman and Margie Levine

Thai

KHOW THAI CAFE

1600 Broadway St., 303-447-0273 Second Place: Buddha Thai Cuisine Third Place: Thai Kitchen Fourth Place: Aloy Thai Cuisine Fifth Place: Busaba

K

THANK YOU BOULDER

how Thai is no stranger to BW’s Best of Boulder, consecutively winning “Best Thai Restaurant” since 2003, and that’s saying a lot in a town that takes food as seriously as Boulder. So if you’re new to The Republic and you’ve seen Khow Thai’s inconspicuous store front on Broadway and thought little of it, think again. The menu is simple, offering stir-fries, curries, noodles, salads and Thai desserts, as well as appetizers and specialties. Dine-in, takeout or order delivery, and maybe see how you handle a “Thai hot” curry dish. While most Thai recipes aren’t traditionally vegetarian, Khow Thai knows its Boulder audience and provides a tofu option with carrots, broccoli, zucchini and cabbage for many dishes. Let the wait staff know if you have any dietary restrictions and they’ll work to accommodate.

Vegetarian Friendly

Best Frozen Yogurt

for all the VOTES and SUPPORT

Best Frozen Yogurt

Best New Business

Best Independent Business

Best Frozen Yogurt

Best Frozen Yogurt

1682 30th Street • 303.444.0690 RippleYogurt.com 36 April 24, 2014

LEAF VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT 2010 16th St., 303-442-1485 Second Place: Modmarket Third Place: Native Foods Cafe Fourth Place: Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place Fifth Place: Turley’s Kitchen

T

he idea behind Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant is simple: Fresh food should be sustainable, local and organic. That’s achieved at Leaf thought its Three Leaf Farm, in Lafayette, where the harvest is fresh produce, herbs and free-range eggs. The restaurant, which welcomes vegans and those going gluten-free, serves an intriguing range of items. For dinner, for instance, you can start with beet perogies with sauerkraut and vegan sour cream. Then you can move to a raw kale salad with apples, dates and carrots, topped with an apple cider vinaigrette. For the main course, there’s seitan kebabs, grain-free fettuccini and Moroccan tofu, to name a few selections. And for dessert, how about trying a vegan chocolate peanutbutter tart? You get the idea. Leaf sets itself apart by being everything a vegetarian-friendly restaurant aspires to be — and more.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

THANK YOU BOULDER for your votes! ur o y o j S n in & e AL

n I Come o SPEC

ILY A D

Monday: Rib Sandwich, 2 sides & drink - $9 Tuesday: Chicken Platter Combo, 2 sides, cornbread, & drink - $9 Wednesday: Pulled Pork Sand, 2 sides & drink - $8 Thursday: Smokey (Turkey and cornbread dressing) Sand, 2 sides & drink - $8 Friday: Catfish Fryday, 2 sides & drink - $8 Saturday: GRADUATING? Let us cater your party!

Happy Hour Specials All Day! Full Catering Available.

New Happy Hour Food & Drink Specials!

303.440.4BBQ (4227) Located 30th & Baseline

COORS FIELD STEAMBOAT SPRINGS ★ ★ S OW AD ME RK PA ★ Y FORT COLLINS ★ GREELE BOULDER ★ DENVER ★

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Susan France

Microbrewery

AVERY BREWING COMPANY

5763 Arapahoe Ave., Unit E, 303-440-4324 Second Place: Mountain Sun/Southern Sun Third Place: Left Hand Brewing Company Fourth Place: FATE Brewing Company Fifth Place: Oskar Blues

A

very Brewing is another Best of Boulder favorite gunning for the majors.

The multi-year winner currently occupying a nearly-unmarked warehouse off Arapahoe, is in the process of upgrading to a massive new facility in Gunbarrell where its mad scientist brews will stage the next phase of their inevitable global conquest. When Boulderites vote for Avery in BOB, they aren’t just giving attaboys to some of the best beers in a very discerning beer town, they’re paying fealty to their future beer overlords. Get in with Avery now, cause one day, we’ll all be drinking for them. It’s just that good.

Best Fake Secret Bar

ROUNDHOUSE SPEAKEASY

5311 Western Ave., Suite 180, 303-819-5598

L

ocal distillery, Roundhouse Spirits, has opened a “secret” inner bar at its facility done up in prohibition-style speakeasy fashion. We here at BW love the theme and decor, so we’re pretty torn about telling everybody about the place. To paraphrase Tyler Durden: “the first rule of speakeasies is you don’t talk about speakeasies.” That said, we’re glad everybody has a new great “secret” place to hang out.

Oliver Johnson pulls a pint at Avery Brewing Company, winner of “Best Microbrewery”

40 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

® ®

Boulder’s Best 2 Years Running!

Susan France Susan France

Bar

THE BITTER BAR

835 Walnut St., 303-442-3050 Second Place: Mountain Sun/Southern Sun Third Place: Bohemian Biergarten Fourth Place: West End Tavern Fifth Place: Conor O’Neill’s Traditional Irish Pub & Restaurant

A

dd two parts genius mixologists, a splash of craft liquor and serve in a casually elegant atmosphere and you’ve got the recipe to win “Best Bar” in Best of Boulder. And after last year’s near-miss at 2nd place, downtown’s The Bitter Bar has earned an ever-sosweet victory.The only question is if it will last. Bitter Bar was purchased by one of its founding bartenders, James Lee, who immediately announced plans to shut the bar down April 21-May 1 to revamp the bar Boulderites have already said is the best in town. Will it stay on top?

Will it be even more on topp-er after the upgrades?

Only time will tell.

Distillery

BOULDER DISTILLERY (HOME OF 303 VODKA AND 303 WHISKEY) 2500 47th St. Unit 10, 303-442-1244 Second Place: Roundhouse Spirits Third Place: Spirit Hound Distillers Fourth Place: J & L Distilling Co. Fifth Place: Black Canyon Distillery

I

f a distillery was going to boast about making glutenfree vodka, it would have to be in Boulder, right? Right.

So is the story of 303 Vodka, made at Boulder Distillery, but with a legend that isn’t as unusual as first it seems. Rather, the tale of the distillery traces back to Master Distiller Steve Viezbicke’s grandfather. In his granddad’s steamer trunk, Viezbicke discovered a longlost vodka recipe from Poland. The tweaking began and finally 303 Vodka was born. The result is a great traditional vodka — as well as a whiskey — that you can try on tours of the distillery, in bars and, increasingly, find in stores.

Shiloh Lewis, bartender at the Boulder Distillery, home of 303 Vodka

Bohemian Biergarten Manager Pavel Pauly Soukup

Reader Comment Have a best GF bakery nominee next year!

42 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

EVERY DAY 3PM to 6:30PM

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Searching the globe to bring YOU the world’s finest coffee.

THANK YOU BOULDER

COFFEE HOUSE COFFEE ROASTER CUP OF COFFEE LATTE/MOCHA PLACE TO WI-FI

1898 S. Flatiron (55th & Central) • 1015 Pearl St. • 5340 Arapahoe ozocoffee.com Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 43

Susan France

NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED

ROUNDHOUSE SPIRITS GOLD MEDAL, BERLIN, MARCH 2014

Coffee House

OZO COFFEE CO.

5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-440-0233 1898 S. Flatiron Court, Suite 110, 303-3960302 1015 Pearl St., 303-6454885 Second Place: The Laughing Goat Third Place: Vic’s Coffee Shop Fourth Place: Amante Coffee Ozo Coffee Roaster Greg Lefcour Fifth Place: Boxcar Coffee Roasters

C BEST DISTILLERY

olorado has the most rocket scientists per capita of any state in the nation, a significant percentage of which reside here in Boulder. And as everyone knows, you can’t have oodles of smart people without coffeehouses. That’s why Boulder is fat with ’em. And of the lot, one is consistently the tip-top in Boulderite’s minds: Ozo Coffee Co. The creatives at Ozo are constantly developing titillating new roasts, satiating the thirst of even the most adventurous coffee drinker and they’re dishing out our readers’ favorite brew in a cozy environment that just makes you want to read some poetry, maybe play a little jazz flute and then, time permitting, solve whatever physics equation is required to make warp drive a reality. Ozo is caffeine perfection.

COME VISIT THE NEW

SPEAKEASY BAR

BUILT INSIDE OUR BOULDER DISTILLERY! Best Month

TOURS & TASTES DAILY open tuesday-sunday 5311 WESTERN, STE 180 BOULDER WWW.ROUNDHOUSESPIRITS.COM

RESERVATIONS FOR LARGE PARTIES OR SPECIAL EVENTS AVAILABLE: 303-819-5598 44 April 24, 2014

STOUT MONTH

T

here are 12 months on the calendar here in Boulder, but one of them is full of even more beer than the rest: February, aka Stout Month. For the whole month, local microbreweries Mountain Sun and Southern Sun bust out the weird, brewing up new special batches of tasty stouts with everything from chai to peanut butter to bacon, warming hearts and emptying wallets citywide as Boulder gets deep into the black. Besides their own stouts, the Suns also tap dozens of the best dark beers made around the country. But with all that goodness, we have to ask: Why did they have to pick the shortest month on the calendar? Sigh...

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Place to Avoid in an Earthquake

WORLD FAMOUS DARK HORSE BAR AND SALOON 2922 Baseline Road, 303-442-8162

A

nyone who has been to the the Dark Horse immediately notices it has some wacky stuff hanging on its ceiling. Old carnival signs. Western gear. A stagecoach. And like so much shenaniganry, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye when an unexpected earthquake shakes loose some random tchatchke from the ceiling and it suddenly starts raining stagecoaches on the karaoke stage. Play it safe. Hang out on the upper level.

Ozo Coffee Co.

Coffee Roaster

OZO COFFEE CO.

5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-440-0233 1898 S. Flatiron Court, Suite 110, 303-3960302 1015 Pearl St., 303-645-4885 Second Place: Boxcar Coffee Roasters Third Place: Brewing Market Coffee Fourth Place: Conscious Coffees Fifth Place: The Unseen Bean

Tours are given Wednesday – Saturday from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. during our hours of operation.

T

he University of California Davis Foods for Health Institute recently opened the UC Davis Coffee Center — because what a good cup of coffee really needs in life is some scientific inquiry into its quality, health, sustainability, “cultural life” and, of course, genetics. In the not-so-scientific study of best place to get your coffee in town, Ozo Coffee Co. rises again to the top for creating flavorful coffees, freshly roasted each week. You might not be able to get a degree in it, but you could certainly log some hours of careful study in quality coffee by fetching yourself a cup.

To schedule your tour please call us at 303-442-1244 Reservations are recommended!

Tour attendees must be over 21.

The maximum number of attendees per tour is 15.

Margarita

RIO GRANDE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Wednesday – 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Friday – 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday – 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday – Closed (during the Winter)

1101 Walnut St., 303-444-3690 Second Place: Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant And Cantina Third Place: Tahona Tequila Bistro Fourth Place: Zolo Grill Fifth Place: Centro Latin Kitchen

2500 47th St. Unit 10, Boulder 303.442.1244 Office 303.781.0969 fax

T

opping this year’s list for the best margarita in Boulder is Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant. The Rio’s secret?

Perhaps it’s the Monday-Friday 3-6 p.m. happy hour, when you can get a Rio Margarita for $6 or a Big Tex for $7. The former, the house marg, is what you’d expect, a mixture of tequila, salt and lime either on the rocks or frozen. But there’s a whole list of margaritas that go far beyond what most Mexican places serve, including a skinny marg with Patrón Silver, soda, orange juice, Cointreau and citrus.

COUNTY 2014

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

Proud Sponsor of Best of Boulder Awards Ceremony April 24, 2014 45

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Tony Hessel, Executive Chef, The Mediterranean Restaurant

Happy Hour

THE MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT 1002 Walnut St., 303-444-5335 Second Place: Boulder Cafe Third Place: Brasserie Ten Ten Fourth Place: Mountain Sun/Southern Sun Fifth Place: Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

T

Thanks to the Boulder Weekly Staff for choosing Shake Chocolate Porter as “Best New Beer”!

GOLD AWARD WINNER!

CHOCOLATE BEER WORLD BEER CUP® 2014

COLORADO’S FIRST CRAFT BREWERY WWW.BOULDERBEER.COM 46 April 24, 2014

BOULDERBEERCO

@BOULDERBEERCO

he Med’s happy hour menu features a long list of its tasty, reasonably priced, small appetizer plates known as “tapas,” of both the hot and cold variety. Beers are a buck off, cocktails are $4, sangria is $4.50 and a margarita or martini will only set you back six bones. With a shady courtyard patio that’s perfect for some good ol’ fashioned drink sippin’ and appetiser eaten’.The Med’s got everything you need to have the happiest of happy hours in town.

Cup of Coffee

OZO COFFEE CO.

5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-440-0233 1898 S. Flatirons Court, Suite 110, 303-396-0302 1015 Pearl St., 303-645-4885 Second Place: Boxcar Coffee Roasters Third Place: The Laughing Goat Coffeehouse Fourth Place: Vic’s Coffee Shop / The Cup Espresso Café (tie)

O

zo Coffee Co. has been serving Boulder delicious coffee since 2007, focusing on fresh roasting beans to perfection every week. Experiment with a new way to enjoy a great cup of joe by trying one of the several methods of brewing Ozo offers, including pour over, chemex and French press (as well as the traditional selection of espresso drinks such as lattes, a category in which Ozo also takes home the gold in BW’s Best of Boulder survey). And if you don’t like coffee, Ozo’s sells bacon doughnuts.

That’s right. Doughnuts. With bacon.

Reader Comment Best bartender smile: The Dark Horse’s Diane O’Shea.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

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April 24, 2014 47

Susan France

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Reader Comment Great sommeliers in this city

Teahouse

THE BOULDER DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE

303.499.8500

BEST Dive Shop

Learn to Scuba Dive Boulder’s ONLY PADI* 5 star training facility *(Professional Association of Diving Instructors)

• CONVENIENT WEEK END CLASSES • LARGE INDOOR HEATED TRAINING POOL • LOW INSTRUCTOR TO STUDENT RATIOS • LIFETIME CERTIFICATION • MONTHLY ESCORTED DIVE TRIPS TO DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD • FULL SERVICE TRAVEL AGENCY IN HOUSE • LARGE SELECTION OF DIVE & SNORKEL GEAR • WET SUITS FOR ALL WATER SPORTS

1770 13th St., 303-442-4993 Second Place: Pekoe Sip House Third Place: Celestial Seasonings Fourth Place: Ku Cha House of Tea Fifth Place: The Huckleberry

T

ake a mini-vacation.Visit The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse and you’ll drop into a little bit of another world — Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to be precise, one of Boulder’s sister cities.The Teahouse also offers a taste of Europe with traditional afternoon teas, first popularized by the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, who decided that the best way to manage the afternoon lull between lunch and dinner was to fit in some tea and cakes. Taste a sampling of that tradition in three tiers of pastries, scones, sweet cakes and cucumber sandwiches to accompany a pot of tea. Proper etiquette includes sampling a little of everything — yum!

Wine Selection

FRASCA FOOD AND WINE

1738 Pearl St., 303-442-6966 Second Place: Flagstaff House Restaurant Third Place: Boulder Cork Fourth Place: The Kitchen Fifth Place: The Mediterranean Restaurant

I

n a region of northeastern Italy, communities would host a “frasca,” an informal gathering place to share food and, perhaps most importantly, wine. Identified by a tree branch hanging over a doorway, frascas represented hospitality — “Come in and dine with family and friends.” With an elegant yet relaxed ambience, Frasca Food and Wine offers just that: hospitality and a place where wine connoisseurs and amateurs alike can explore the wide, wonderful world of wine. Frasca cellars 200 varieties of wines, but don’t be overwhelmed — a sommelier walks the dinning room floor, helping guests pick the perfect bottle of wine to accompany their meal.

Table Mesa Shopping Center

www.weaversdive.com 48 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

The many, many taps at Backcountry Pizza & Tap House are evidence for why it’s a win for “Best Beer Selection.”

Beer Selection

Chai

Cocktails

BACKCOUNTRY PIZZA & TAP HOUSE

BHAKTI CHAI

THE BITTER BAR

I

A

2319 Arapahoe Ave., 303-449-4285 20 E. Lakeview Drive #212, Nederland, 303-258-0176 Second Place: Mountain Sun/Southern Sun Third Place: Oskar Blues Brewery Fourth Place: Bohemian Biergarten Fifth Place: Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom f a restaurant hands you a beer menu that takes minutes to page through and enough time to read that you feel like you’d like to have a beer in hand to get the task done, signs pretty much point to a winner for best beer selection. And there you have it with Backcountry Pizza & Tap House.Their beer list is conveniently subdivided to browse by type, bottles and drafts — subdivided so the rotating beers are separate from the ones that stick around on the menu. Were it so many other things, we would call it overwhelming. Because it’s beer, we call it wonderful.

50 April 24, 2014

939 Pearl St., 303-484-8770 Second Place: The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse Third Place: Third Street Chai Fourth Place: Pekoe Sip House Fifth Place: Kathmandu Restaurant

835 Walnut St., 303-442-3050 Second Place: Oak at fourteenth Third Place: St Julien Hotel & Spa Fourth Place: The Mediterranean Restaurant Fifth Place: SALT

fter Brook Eddy traveled to India in 2002, she couldn’t find the same delectable blend of spicy chai here in the states. So she made her own, eventually founding Bhakti Chai, which now makes a variety of chai products — ready-to-drink iced chai, packaged tea, concentrates and even ice cream. Since the word bhakti is Sanskrit for “devotion,” the company practices devotion through social action. Each year they support a wide range of nonprofit organizations that invest in women, girls and the environment. Nothing makes a beverage taste better than social awareness.

C

ocktails are serious biz in Boulder and The Bitter Bar, with its calculated décor and long list of hip drinks found just the right balance between atmosphere and alcohol. And, as the bar notes, “Your server knows more than you think.” In other words, ask and you shall discover a diversity of drinks and that’s good because this bar celebrates those warriors of the tonic glass who love to try something new. There’s Death on a Bearskin Rug, a hot beverage made with hum liqueur, honey, lemon juice and absinthe rinse. Or the Samhain with gin, strega, domaine de canton, grapefruit bitters and lemon juice.

The happy hour from 5-7 p.m. has been a favorite in Boulder, but it has also been a popular after-dinner destination for a quick nightcap — or two.

As of press time, we hear the bar is transitioning hands, but we’re confident the new management will bring the same caliber of drinks and service to the west end of Pearl Street.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

B

T PIZZA S E

A Boulder institution since 1977

! r e d l u o B s k n a h T

For all Abo’s locations check:

www.abospizza.com

ABO’S PIZZA SOUTH

637 S. Broadway St. • Boulder • 303.494.1274 ABOSPIZZA.COM/SOUTH

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

ABO’S PIZZA NORTH

2761 Iris Avenue • Boulder • 303.443.1921 ABOS-PIZZA.COM

April 24, 2014 51

Susan France

DAILY SPECIALS

HAPPY HOUR DRINKS

TUESDAY Texas Specials: $3 Shiner Bock, $4 Deep Eddy’s, $6 Republic Tequila, $4.5 Tito’s, $9 Brisket PHO Soup

$1 Off All Drafts $1 Off Frozen And Rocks Margaritas $3 Well Drinks $4 House Wines $2.50 Tecate, Utica Club, 16oz PBR

3pm - 6pm

MONDAY $2 PBR, Jim Beam, Smoked Tacos

WEDNESDAY Pint Night $4/$5, Smoked Reuben

HAPPY HOUR FOOD 3pm - 6pm

THURSDAY Tap Takeover Night, Smoked Pork Chops FRIDAY $5 Texas Slush, $18 Smoked Prime Rib SATURDAY $4 Margaritas, $13.5 Smoked Meat Loaf SUNDAY $4 Bloody Mary’s, $5 Smoked Wings

$2 Sloppy Slider $2 Grilled Veggie Taco $2.50 Texas Swine In A Blanky $6 Chopped Brisket Nachos $6 Smoked Wings $6 BBQ Sliders

701 B Main Street • Louisville, CO 80027 • 720-583-1789

www.lulus-bbq.com Serving

Freshly Prepared Southwest Cuisine with a Colorado Twist

is not your t

ypic

al

T

his

Mexican restaurant.

Our tasty dishes include Lunada guacamole, pozole verde, chicharones, the best shrimp tacos in town and more!

Ozo Coffee CO.

Latte/Mocha

OZO COFFEE CO.

5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-440-0233 1898 S. Flatiron Court, Suite 110, 303-396-0302 1015 Pearl St., 303-645-4885 Second Place: The Laughing Goat Coffeehouse Third Place: Starbuck’s Fourth Place: The Cup Espresso Café Fifth Place: Vic’s Coffee Shop

W

hen you want a great espresso drink, you’re looking for a barista who knows how to craft a smooth, rich crema — that deliciously creamy layer of foam that forms at the top of a shot of espresso. Ozo Coffee Co. prides itself on operating with a crack team of highly skilled baristas who know how to deliver that perfect crema every time for a latte that knocks your socks off. And you don’t have to be a latte aficionado to appreciate the fine art Ozo’s baristas create as they pour your bovine-/soy-/ almond-derived beverage into each drink — a little masterpiece in every cup.

Juice/Smoothie

JAMBA JUICE

1695 29th St., Ste. 1256, 720-565-0407 3053 Arapahoe Ave., 303-247-1170 1669 Euclid Ave., 303-449-5245 3325 28th St., 303-938-1271 Second Place: Whole Foods Market Third Place: Alfalfa’s Market Fourth Place: Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place Fifth Place: Rush

N

eed some ready-made fuel that’ll do your body good? A smoothie can be a fast, easy solution to getting yourself a little more energy to get you through a busy afternoon. Or even a relaxing one. Of the many options in Boulder for places that liquefy fruits and vegetables for your consumption, Jamba Juice is again tops. Choose whether your want an all-fruit smoothie or one that includes sherbet or frozen yogurt.

Or ditch the frills and go for a “functional smoothie” predesigned to help you meet your fitness or wellness goals. Because we could all use a little boost sometimes.

We craft all our own sauces including house made salsas, enchilada sauces and green chili.

Reader Comment Valid every Monday and Tuesday

400 W South Boulder Rd, Suite 2900, Lafayette 720-612-7315 • lunadaeatery.com

Boulder [Dushanbe] Teahouse is an area treasure.

Open Sun-Thurs 10-8, Fri & Sat 10-9 52 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Serving up sweetness since 1982

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Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 53

Movie House/Theater

Susan France

BOULDER THEATER

2032 14th St., 303-786-7030 Second Place: AMC Flatiron Crossing 14 Third Place: Century Boulder Fourth Place: Boedecker Theater Fifth Place: Chautauqua

M

ovies aren’t known for being a full-body experience. Though immersive, if you’re caught at home, cheering along to a movie, you get the “Have you gone crazy?” look. We know that’s no fun. Which is why it’s great to catch a film at the Boulder Theater. Because instead of looking at you like you’re crazy for randomly applauding a name in the credits or the appearance of some local athlete, the people around you are more likely to also be applauding — and looking around to see if that local filmmaker/climber/mountaineer/cyclist/slackliner is present. They often are. Boulder Theater not only provides a key venue for the Boulder International Film Festival, the city’s biggest film event of the year, and sporadic screenings of classic films that pop up throughout the year, it’s also been the home for the Adventure Film Festival and the stop for your annual dose of ski films, like those from Warren Miller, and the Banff film tour. Go and get sucked in to a full-body experience — people cheer, and, often, Timmy O’Neill gets up to emcee, cracks some jokes, and people go home with free gear. That’s way better than just going home with popcorn grease on your jeans.

Museum

BOULDER MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

1750 13th St., 303-443-2122 Second Place: University of Colorado Museum of Natural History Third Place: Boulder History Museum Fourth Place: National Center for Atmospheric Research Fifth Place: WOW Children’s Museum

Y

ou don’t have to travel to New York, Los Angeles or Chicago to see inspiring, world-class art: check out an eclectic mix of contemporary art from regional, national and global artists at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum goes all-in for art, commissioning original installations to make use of the space in its main galleries. They’ve also crafted exhibitions to provide a forum to niche artists not often heard from, such as technology-centric art from women artists. In response to the floods in September 2013, the museum coordinated a series of public art projects to involve the community in conversations about the flood’s effects and how to heal. The museum partnered with the Denver Botanic Gardens to pioneer Community Supported Art Colorado, in which the community supported agriculture model is brought to artists and their art is brought into homes. BMoCA also features dance, poetry, an outdoor summer cinema series and Z2 Entertainment’s Ben Baruch, talent buyer, Cheryl Liguori, CEO, and David other events throughout the year.

BOULDERBALLET

Weingarden, talent buyer, at the Boulder Theater

• Coppélia

May 11

a family-friendly ballet for Mother’s Day

• Ballet in the Park free outdoor concerts

June 15–22

Classes for children & adults, beginners to professionals.

www.boulderballet.org 54 April 24, 2014

•

303.443.0028

Photo by Sue Daniels

BOULDERBALLETSCHOOL

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

happy hour & live music nightly on pearl

Susan France

Open Mic

THE LAUGHING GOAT COFFEEHOUSE

Boulder’s best indoor and outdoor gardens, weddings, birthdays and holidays always start at

Sturtz and Copeland

Thank you for all your votes. We love Boulder!

Florist, Greenhouses and Fine Stationery 2851 Valmont • 303.442.6663 www.sturtzandcopeland.com

Blue Mountain Arts presents

COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL The Tempest The Merry Wives of Windsor I Hate Hamlet Henry IV: Part 1 Henry IV: Part 2 June 6 - August 10, 2014 Get the best seats now!

1709 Pearl St., 303-4404628 Second Place: Conor O’Neill’s Traditional Irish Pub & Restaurant Third Place: Catacombs Bar (reopening in 2014 as License No. 1) Fourth Place: Innisfree Poetry Bookstore and Cafe Fifth Place: Boulder Outlook Hotel

W

e don’t have to tell you how awesome The Laughing Goat is. You already know they’ve repeatedly won Boulder’s “Best Open Mic” location since 2008. You know if you want to grab a glass of wine, have a tasty nosh and top it all off with a frothy cappuccino, Laughing Goat employees Lauren Champa (left) all while soaking in some and Xander Rizzello sweet local poetry, drama or music, The Goat is where you need to be. Not only is the microphone open to musicians, once a week the stage is made available to poets for the “So, You’re a Poet” open mic night. You know all this, enlightened reader, which is why The Laughing Goat keeps taking home the gold in this Best of Boulder category, year after year.

Reader Comment I had no idea there was so much going on!

303-492-8008 COLORADOSHAKES.ORG

56 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Halonah Paiss

Best Place We’d Like to be Right Now

GOLD HILL INN

Go to Gold Hill, look around, you’ll find it, 303-443-6461

S

eriously, if you’ve ever been to this unique and wonderful place, you just smiled and nodded your head in agreement as you read the words Gold Hill Inn. We’d rather have a drink by their fireplace on a crisp night than do pretty much anything else in the world. Thanks, Finn family, for giving so many of us so many of the best nights of our lives.

Dairy Center for the Arts

Art Gallery

DAIRY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

2590 Walnut St., 303-440-7826 Second Place: Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Third Place: Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery Fourth Place: Art + Soul Fifth Place: Rembrandt Yard

T

he Dairy Center for the Arts is all art of every kind all the time in an arts center that is also home to dance and theater performances, independent film and open rehearsals for the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. But no trip to this multipurpose space would be complete without a stop into the art galleries, which provide a space for artists from near and far to display their works. A community favorite is the annual bicycle art exhibit, devoted entirely to artwork that features and sometimes is made from bicycles and their various components.

Classical Music

BOULDER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

2590 Walnut St., 303-449-1343 Second Place: Boulder Symphony Third Place: Colorado Music Festival Fourth Place: Colorado Symphony Fifth Place: CU Presents

B

oulder Philharmonic Orchestra, now in its 57th season, employs 72 of the region’s top musicians and performs for nine months out of the year. The orchestra produces a concert series, which is broadcast across the state on Colorado Public Radio, that features well-known and emerging artists, as well as masterpieces and promising new works. Special events, such as the annual co-production of The Nutcracker with the Boulder Ballet are a community favorite.

Boulder Philharmonic is also responsible for introducing next-generation musicians to orchestral music through its Discovery Concerts, a year-long collaboration with participating elementary schools in three counties.

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2014-15

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County MINI best of ’14 Boulder 6.708 x 8.244 April 2014.indd

1

April 24, 2014 4/18/14 7:38 57 AM

Susan France

Check out Boulder's Premier Holistic Day Spa Acupuncture • Ayurvedic Massage • Therapeutic Foot Baths • Herbal Medicine • Skin Care • Waxing

Chicha performs at the St Julien Hotel & Spa

Live Jazz Venue

ST JULIEN HOTEL & SPA

900 Walnut St., 877-303-0900 Second Place: The Laughing Goat Coffeehouse Third Place: Caffè Sole Fourth Place: Nissi’s Fifth Place: Oskar Blues Brewery

VOTED BEST DRUM SHOP IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE

T

hough the music plays year round at the St Julien Hotel, it’s particularly easy to get drawn in during the summer months. Music and dancers spill out on to the patio in a Gatsby-esque setting that’s positively enchanting. Stop in almost any night of the week for live music that often follows closely on the heels of their happy hours.

Live Dance Group

BOULDER BALLET

2590 Walnut St., Suite 10, 303-443-0028 Second Place: Frequent Flyers Productions, Inc. Third Place: Streetside Studios Fourth Place: Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet Fifth Place: Break EFX Crew

B

oulder is a hot spot for dance, in that there’s a decent probability you could see people dancing on a median as part of a master’s thesis or performance art about the plight of the manatee that might not be clearly explained as you speed by them on the freeway. The field from which Boulder Ballet emerges as top live dance group is every bit as diverse — the runner-up, Frequent Flyers Productions, Inc., takes live dance to new heights with amazing aerial-dance performances. Boulder Ballet has been lauded for the stunning live shows that deliver on theatrics and impressive choreography. Their recent productions include Carmen, Cinderella and, of course, an annual Nutcracker holiday show.

Best Hell on Wheels

BOULDER COUNTY BOMBERS www.bouldercountybombers.com

T

OPEN 7

days a week 303.402.0122 2095 30th st, boulder thedrumshopboulder.com 58 April 24, 2014

here’s an old saying that “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” But whoever came up with that saying never saw roller derby. You don’t need to scorn a lady to dial up the hellwrath, just put her on skates and watch the elbows fly. Boulder County Bombers, our local roller derby team, is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with 120 members in the 2-year-old club.

And even more impressive, of the 2,000-odd teams in the world, Boulder County is ranked 66th with a bullet.You don’t even want to see how high they’d rank if scorned.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

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Susan France

National & International DJs Thursday through Saturday

Reader Comment No selection for best poet/w riter??? In a town with so many incredible writers??

Amazing/Fun Rooftop Deck & Views DJs Thurs & Fri

Happy Hour 4:00 - 7:00pm

Great Drinks and Colorado Craft Beers including authentic European Absinthe

1109 Walnut St, Boulder 303-443-8600 CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS BoulderAbsintheHouse.com 1109 Walnut St, Boulder • 303-443-8600 • BoulderAbsintheHouse.com 62 April 24, 2014

Performance Arts Venue

BOULDER THEATER

2032 14th St., 303-786-7030 Second Place: Dairy Center for the Arts Third Place: Chautauqua Auditorium Fourth Place: Macky Auditorium Fifth Place: Boulder’s Dinner Theatre

I

n one form or another, the Boulder Theater has long been an entertainment hot spot.

In the early 1900s, it featured opera. In the 1920s, it saw the transition from silent films to talkies. In the 1980s, Bonnie Raitt, and Plasmatics played there. Today, some 250 events a year are featured at the theater, from the Boulder International Film Festival to rising-star comedians to musical legends like Stephen Stills. The Boulder Theater is a consistent local favorite and a guarantee for fun.

Local Celebrity

ZIP CODE MAN

Located at a Zip code near you Second Place: Jessica Biel Third Place: Rep. Jared Polis Fourth Place: Big Head Todd Fifth Place: Hazel Miller Biel might be hot in the international papers, but in Boulder, she’s second fiddle to Jessica David Rosdeitcher, aka ZIP Code Man, Boulder’s local celebrity of 2014. If you haven’t seen him in action entertaining people on the Pearl Street Mall, here’s what he does: He remembers the heck out of ZIP codes. Throw one at him and he’ll not only tell you where it is, but he’ll tell you a bit about it. And make it a toughie: 90210 doesn’t count.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

CLOTHING COSTUMES FUN

Local Musician/Group

FACE

www.facevocalband.com Second Place: Gregory Alan Isakov Third Place: Big Head Todd Fourth Place: Elephant Revival Fifth Place: 3OH3!

F

ace! No, we’re not trying to psyche you out, we’re expressing our enthusiasm for one of Boulder’s best musical acts, Face. The six-part harmonies and a capella dance beats are smooth’n’sexy, perfect to get your heart thumping and your booty shaking. The band has appeared on America’s Got Talent, played with Jon Bon Jovi, and has peformed for two U.S. presidents. Now they can add winners of Best of Boulder to their resume.

BEST COSTUMES IN BOULDER

Live Theater Group

BOULDER’S DINNER THEATRE

5501 Arapahoe Ave., 303-449-6000 Second Place: Colorado Shakespeare Festival Third Place: Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company Fourth Place: CU Theatre and Dance Fifth Place: The Catamounts

Open 10 to 8 most days!

959 Walnut Boulder 303.442.2850

F

or over 35 years, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre has brought live, Broadway-quality musical theatre and a fine dining experience to the Front Range region. The theatre offers a mix of shows for the whole family, with productions of classics like Fiddler on the Roof and contemporary musicals like Shrek. Enjoy a shrimp cocktail, a glass of wine and a prime rib, some of which may be served by costumed cast members. With a venue that’s intimate enough to see the sweat on the actor’s brows but big enough to deliver a potent performance, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre is great for the theatre buff and newbie alike.

Sports Bar

THE LAZY DOG SPORTS BAR & GRILL

1346 Pearl St., 303- 440-3355 Second Place: World Famous Dark Horse Bar and Grill Third Place: Harpo’s Sports Grill Fourth Place: West End Tavern Fifth Place: Walnut Brewery

H BEST FARM 2014

R US!

ere’s a Pro Tip: sitting at home screaming at the television is weird; doing it in public with a group of equally motivated folks in matching shirts and in the company of flowing beer taps and tasty appetizers is where it’s at. Don’t believe us? Head down to The Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill for the next big game and join in the shouting at the multiple largescreen TVs. Feel the team spirit coursing through your veins. Witness the total lack of weird looks from your disapproving family and neighbors. Taste the glory of the nachos. Once you do, you’ll never look back.

BOU U O Y THANK

ING FO T O V R O F R LDE

Perpetual City Council Candidate

KEVIN HOTALING

B Follow us on Twitter

75th and Valmont, Boulder 303.442.5330 • www.munsonfarms.com 64 April 24, 2014

oulder’s City Council has a reputation that precedes it — and while they have many good qualities to recommend them, there isn’t a face among them that looks like the poster child for up-ending the status quo in the name of taking a tech start-up approach to city governance. So you’ve got to go to a city council candidates forum to get a dose of the kind of out-with-the-old-in-with-thenew attitude Kevin Hotaling brings to the table. We’ve lost count on how many times Hotaling has run for council, but he keeps coming back each year, showing up at forums with ideas like: Forget buying any amount of infrastructure from Xcel for a municipal utility. Let’s just put that money into putting solar panels on every roof and exit the grid that way. Huh. Keep talking, Kevin. We’re curious to hear what you come up with next.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Courtesy of the Telluride Tourism Board

Music Festival

TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS

Telluride, 800-624-2422 Second Place: Colorado Music Festival Third Place: RockyGrass Festival Fourth Place: Folks Festival Fifth Place: Nedfest

I

n it’s fourth decade, Telluride Bluegrass is how die-hard “festivarians” welcome the start of summer. The location for the event is perfect. Picture the grand and awesome San Juan Mountains surrounding an Old West Victorian town that has all the modern amenities, including a 9,400-foot free commuter gondola to Mountain Village resort.While the hiking, panoramas and fresh air are, no doubt, alluring, it’s the music that brings crowds back year after year. Performers are firing up the tunes all day on the main stage, amid songwriting contests and workshops. It’s no surprise that jam sessions go into the night, making this event an interactive one that lures out the musical side in everyone.

Telluride Bluegrass

We’ll take care of it.

serious personal injury cases including: Place to Dance

ST JULIEN HOTEL & SPA 900 Walnut St., 720-406-9696 Second Place: Boulder Theater Third Place: Avalon Ballroom Fourth Place: Tahona Tequila Bistro Fifth Place: Fox Theatre

B

est Place to Dance isn’t the only award that St Julien Hotel & Spa took home in this year’s Best of Boulder competition, it also got voted Best Jazz Venue. Put those together and what do you get? Best Place for Jazz Hands (which isn’t actually a category, but we’re making it into an honorary category because of the obvious subtext provided by our readers). All kidding aside, the St Julien is a great place to dance. The outdoor stage and terrace make it the area’s premier summer spot to get moving under the stars. If you hit it at the right time of day, you’ll find yourself swaying to one of the region’s top bands at the same time the sun is turning the clouds above your head amazing colors. Now that’s dancing. Dress is whatever makes you happy.

Auto Accidents, Slip & Fall, Wrongful Death, Dog Bite...

Criminal Defense, DUI, Cannabis Related Matters, Domestic Violence

phone: 303-825-2223 • fax: 303-825-2224 email: jeremy@coloradojusticenow.com www.ColoradoJusticeNow.com www.Rosenthal-Law.net

2012-2014

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 65

Courtesy of Colorado Mountain Ranch

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Colorado Mountain Ranch summer camp

Summer Camp

COLORADO MOUNTAIN RANCH

10063 Gold Hill Road, 303-442-4557 Second Place: YMCA Summer Camp’s Third Place: Avid4 Adventure Fourth Place: University of Colorado Science Discovery Fifth Place: Camp Muddy Paws

U

nplug your kids from their phones, computers, televisions, game consoles, Interwebs, Facespaces and other things that run on kilowatts instead of marshmallows and graham crackers, and plug them into an experience of the outdoors — that’s the philosophy in play at the summer camps at the Colorado Mountain Ranch. Their day camps, for kids 7 to 16 years old, provide outdoor summer activities with an emphasis on giving them opportunities to develop emotionally and physically — in a place, they note, where there are no televisions or computers available. Instead, kids are given access to horseback riding, archery, gymnastics, Frisbee tag, mountainboarding and kayaking, among other activities. If that doesn’t spark out of the screen thinking for your kids, we don’t know what will.

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Best Attempt to Get Sued by the NFL

WEST FLANDERS BREWING

I

www.listenup.com

www.listenup.com www.listenup.com

follow us

Boulder 2034 Arapahoe Ave., 80302 | 303-444-0479 us followfollow us denver 685 South Pearl St., 80209 | 303 -778-0780 Boulder 2034Arapahoe Arapahoe 80302 | 303-444-0479 Boulder Ave., 80302 | 303-444-0479 Colo. 2034 SPrInGS 888 EastAve., Woodmen Road, 80920 | 719-633-2600 CuStom dIvISIon 5295 Evans Denver, 80222 | 303-744-1179 denver 685South SouthPearl Pearl St., 80209 | 303 -778-0780 denver 685 St.,East 80209 | Ave., 303 -778-0780

n a show of support for the Denver Broncos, West Flanders Brewing engaged in a little pre-Super Bowl smack talk by unveiling a beer they claimed was too strong to be paired with New England clam chowder or Boston baked beans: “Brett on the Broncos,” an “AFC Champion Style Ale.” The name derived from the brettanomyces yeast used to make the beer.

While smack talk is an essential part of any good sporting event, the National Football League was not amused and quickly shot the local brewery a cease and desist letter for “engaging in unauthorized promotional use of the NFL Marks (including inter alia, the [American Football Conference] word mark and the Denver Broncos word mark and color combination).”

West Flanders admitted they had no clue what “inter alia” means, but they expressed great respect for the Denver Broncos and the NFL’s legal department, and changed the name of the beer to “Omaha! Omaha! Brett!,” a nod to a frequently used call sign by Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. The beer’s new description?

“After Formal Complaint Championship Game Ale.”

Colo.

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66 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Front 8.5 x 11 Newspaper Insert

BOULDER GREEN STREETS P R E S E N T S GREEN T H E F I F T H ASTREETS NNUAL BOULDER PRESENTS THE FIFTH ANNUAL

r 14 e b tem p e S , Sunday r 14 e b tem p e S , Sunday

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Free community breakfast stations, kids bike parade, bike rodeo, slow bike race, longgymnastics, board, bikeclimbing, and skatedance demos, three live music stages, yoga, andfire station open house, free North Boulder Rec Center admission day, fitness classes all day, free alternative health clinic, kayaking, all kids “The Green Carpet” fashion show, Upstyled Hair Do’s and Living bike rodeo, slow bike race, long board, bike and skate demos, fire Jewelry Gallery, gear prizes, giveaways, organic food pavilion station open house, freeand North Boulder Rec Center admission all day, “The Green Carpet” fashion show, Upstyled Hair Do’s and Living ... and more!

Jewelry Gallery, gear and prizes, giveaways, organic food pavilion

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bouldergreenstreets.org bouldergreenstreets.org Download our app for map and event schedule: Boulder Green Streets w BoulderGreenStreets

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OPEN STREETS: 15th and Pearl Street to STREETS: the NorthOPEN Boulder Recreation Center

and Pearl Street to CO) (317015th Broadway Street, Boulder, the North Boulder Recreation Center (3170 Broadway Street, Boulder, CO)

The Bridge House, Lillabee Baking, Hanuman Chai Company, Pharmaca, Boulder Weekly, Eldorado Springs Water Company, The Boulder Fringe Festival, The Daily Camera, The ReDirect Guide, Elephant Journal, Marquee Magazine The Bridge House, Lillabee Baking, Hanuman Chai Company, Pharmaca, Boulder Weekly, Eldorado Springs Water Company, The Boulder Fringe Festival, The Daily Camera, The ReDirect Guide, Elephant Journal, Marquee Magazine TM

Susan France

Private School

Place to Wi-Fi

ALEXANDER DAWSON SCHOOL

OZO COFFEE CO.

1015 Pearl St., 303-645-4885 5340 Arapahoe Ave., 303-440-0233 1898 S. Flatiron Court, Suite 110, 303-396-0302 Second Place: The Laughing Goat Coffeehouse Third Place: The Cup Espresso Cafe Fourth Place: Amante Coffee Fifth Place: Panera Bread

10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette, 303-665-6679 Second Place: Watershed School Third Place: Boulder Country Day School Fourth Place: Shining Mountain Waldorf School Fifth Place: Friend’s School

W

T

hat makes a location the best place to get your Wi-Fi on?

Well, in our humble opinion, you need a dependable Internet connection, good coffee, available (and tasty) snack options, some space to call your own and maybe even a little open mic poetry/music/drama to take the edge off all that work. So if you find yourself bogged down with work but unable to stand the sight of your office or home for another minute, head down to Ozo Coffee Co. and make it your office for the day. Ozo was named best coffee house, best coffee roaster, best latte/ mocha and best cup of coffee this year, so seriously, grab something to drink and get to work.

Ozo Coffee workers Chelsea Russell (left) and Greg Lefcourt

he Alexander Dawson School spans 107 picturesque acres in Lafayette. There, you’ll find 11 academic buildings, an Arts Center with a full theater, six soccer and lacrosse fields, tennis courts, two full gyms, a weight room, rock climbing wall, outdoor swimming pool and a studentto-teacher ratio of seven to one.

Foreign languages are encouraged at Alexander Dawson — French, Spanish and Mandarin, with the option for 10th- to 12th-grade students to take immersion programs in France, Spain and China. The list of accomplishments at this school is long and impressive. For instance, the Speech and Debate Club has won several state championships while Odyssey of the Mind teams have captured national attention.

Use for DNA

Pitch for a Crowdsourced Project

BRONUTS

I

t takes balls to ask strangers for money to help you get your doughnut business off the ground, but these aren’t doughtnuts, they’re Bronuts. None of those traditional fried rings here, my friends. It’s all holes. Baked balls, never fried, with delectable combinations of fillings, glazes, and toppings.

But Brett and Mitch Magdovitz needed money to get their balls rolling, quite literally. The brothers took to crowdsourcing website Indiegogo on April 1 with a hilarious video that asks folks to donate money for a mobile bakery to sell their confections on the streets of Boulder.

Bronuts combine the yeast-raised donut and cake donut into one. You can have the classic glazed and chocolate glazed, or you can get one of their premium filled balls, such as Bacon Balls, Bleu Balls or Buzz Balls.

68 April 24, 2014

ENFORCING POOP-SCOOPING LAWS IN OPEN SPACES (NOT FREEING INNOCENT PEOPLE FROM DEATH ROW)

S

tepping in a pile of dog crap isn’t an awesome start to a trail run or a hike, but let’s be honest: creating actual laws that could completely stop such missteps isn’t likely. But the City of Boulder is looking into the feasibility of requiring DNA samples from dogs with cityissued green tags that could be used to trace piles of dog crap found on open space back to the offending pooch. It’s not as uncommon as you might think.

Companies that do such canine DNA tracking do exist around the country and the practice is becoming the norm at some apartment complexes and other places where poop has become a lightning rod. Just remember: Big Brother is watching. As a side note, it’s odd that places like Boulder and random apartment complexes can afford DNA testing for poop control, but when some poor, actual human being on death row asks for DNA testing to prove his or her innocence, they’re often told that its cost prohibitive. Got to love a nation that has its priorities in place.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

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FOR VOTING US BEST OF BOULDER

Super Beds • 1 per customer Must present coupon Expires 05-16-2014

30th & Arapahoe (Next to King Soopers) 303-447-8844 Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 69

Music Venue

Advanced Education

RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER CONTINUING EDUCATION

18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, 720-865-2494 Second Place: Boulder Theater Third Place: Chautauqua Auditorium Fourth Place: Fox Theatre Fifth Place: Planet Bluegrass

R

ed Rocks Ampitheatre isn’t just a great place to see a show, it’s a geological treasure that stands out as much on the world stage as it does on the local.

While Boulder’s other music venues have their own great histories and are even architectural treasures in their own right, it’s tough to match a venue created over thousands of years by wind and water (with a little help at the end from human hands for the benches) and includes in its lighting arsenal the moon and the city lights. That’s all not to mention, of course, the top-notch acts who grace the stage.

Michael Goldman

1505 University Ave., 303-492-5148 Second Place: Naropa University Extended Studies Third Place: Front Range Community College Fourth Place: Boulder Digital Arts Fifth Place: Homeopathy School of Colorado because your grade school years are behind you Just doesn’t mean you can’t still learn something. Or you

might just get a start on that degree you’ve always wanted.

That’s essentially the mission of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Continuing Education program. As CU so eloquently puts it, the idea is to “provide quality, innovative lifelong learning opportunities to a diverse student population by extending the educational resources” of the university. You can, for instance, take courses for credit or simply brush up on your computer, business or tech skills with some classes. You can do weekends, evenings, independent learning — the options abound and are more than welcomed by Coloradans mired in the rush-rush of a hectic economy that never stops.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Academic Excellence • Individual Attention dawsonschool.org

70 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Cheap Shot at a Boulder Business

TRENT REZNOR CALLING THE PONO A TOBLERONE

F

or years, Neil Young has been working on a new high-quality music player that will trump the iPod. Key in helping him has been Boulder company, Ayre Acoustics, which has helped develop chips for the triangular device.

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor offered his take on the device during an interview with NME. “Anything that elevates music back to where it should be is inherently cool,” he said. “I have great admiration for Neil Young as an artist. But as a device I can’t pretend it doesn’t look a bit like a Toblerone.”

Festival/Event (non-music)

BOULDER COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKETS

Multiple locations, 303-910-2236 Second Place: Boulder Creek Festival Third Place: Frozen Dead Guy Days Fourth Place: Colorado Shakespeare Festival Fifth Place: Conference on World Affairs

T

he votes here were as broad as the category, but, as it turns out, Boulder Farmers’ Market employees,back row, the stomach rules the mind in from left to right Brad Burger, Erika Moats, Ronni Hannah Cohen. Front row left to right, Boulder. Or maybe the farmers’ Vitullo, Kirsten Hjelmstad, Greg Corcione market has an advantage because it is, after all, a weekly event — and an institution in the city for decades tions around the city. The markets are not now. The nonprofit Boulder County just a place for locally grown vegetables and Farmers’ Markets are brimming with fruits, but also gathering places where food life, featuring an array of producers at loca- vendors bring goodies to feed the masses

breakfast and lunch. At the downtown Boulder location, market-goers can take in the atmosphere around Boulder Creek, including The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse and kids’ chalk drawings on the steps of the nearby contemporary art museum.

Bank

ELEVATIONS CREDIT UNION 2960 Diagonal Highway, 303-443-4672 (and numerous other locations around the county) Second Place: Wells Fargo Third Place: Boulder Valley Credit Union Fourth Place: Chase Bank Fifth Place: FirstBank

I

n an era of big banks going the way of a Gossip Girl episode, it’s nice to bank somewhere you know you can count on good service, good customer support and a little financial advice. When it comes to dramafree banking, Elevations Credit Union is about as stable as they come. We’ll put it this way — if this bank were a Sex and the City character, it would be Miranda: sensible, smart, and able to rise to the occasion when it’s time to buy a home or start a family.

Have you heard the Boulder Phil lately?

BOULDER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA MICHAEL BUTTERMAN, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Voted ‘Best Classical Music’ in 2013 & 2014 by Boulder Weekly readers Powerful, heart-pumping classics plus appealing new discoveries—there is nothing quite like hearing “Boulder’s premier orchestra” perform them live in beautiful Macky Auditorium!

Come see how today’s “newly resurgent” Boulder Phil is lighting up audiences with imaginative programming that celebrates our dynamic community through music.

NEW SUBSCRIBERS—50% OFF!

Photo: Glenn Ross Photography

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

www.BoulderPhil.org • 303.449.1343 ext. 2 April 24, 2014 71

Courtesy of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley

Non-Profit/Charity Organization

HUMANE SOCIETY OF BOULDER VALLEY 2323 55th St., 303-442-4030 Second Place: Eco-Cycle Third Place: Planned Parenthood Fourth Place: Community Cycles Fifth Place: Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center

P

ets are magic. That’s right, magic. Behold, their miraculous powers for transformation: Bad hair day? No worries.Your cat has scattered hair ties around the floor in every room for your convenience. Work has you so run down you think you can’t move off the couch? The dog (who, by the way, was even happier to see you come home than you were to get there) has other things in mind, and suddenly you find yourself, leash in hand, headed out for a long W-A-L-K. See, magic.

And the Humane Society of Boulder Valley doesn’t just pass out the magic. That could be dangerous. They teach you how to use your magic. Just like in wizarding school, their training and behavioral classes teach you how to use your magic for good instead of evil. Want to make sure your magic stays strong and healthy? Better take it in for regular check-ups. They’ll help you out with that, too.

Place to Play Pool

Susan France

SUNDOWN SALOON

1136 Pearl St., 303449-4987 Second Place: Catacombs (reopening in 2014 as License No. 1) Third Place: World Famous Dark Horse Bar and Grill Fourth Place: The Attic Bar and Bistro Fifth Place: Outback Saloon

B

eneath the glamorous store fronts of the Pearl Street Mall hides a treasure of dive bar-style shenanigans and a row of pool tables long enough to almost always offer you a chance at a game. That’s right, we’re talking about the Sundown Saloon, the grittier face of Pearl, a real bar for the real pool players.

Brave enough to come swim with the sharks? Dive in.

72 April 24, 2014

Humane Society of Boulder Valley

Best Waste of Money

SHUTTING DOWN CU FOR 4/20

O

nce upon a time, people used to gather in Boulder on April 20, to protest the silly laws that put people in prison for pot. They did so on the CU campus by both protesting and then lighting up. Presumably the campus was chosen because colleges are reputed to be places in which people can experience new things and challenge existing paradigms through the joys of free expression. But CU ain’t having it no more, and has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past three years shutting down campus, spreading fish guts on the Norlin Quad and bringing in Wyclef Jean for a concert intended to serve as a diversion, but not until the singer had signed a contract that didn’t allow him to talk about pot.

The funny part about this waste of money is that for the past two years there haven’t been any plans to hold a 4/20 event on the campus, most likely because the date fell on the weekend and also because pot in Colorado is now legal. But the fact that there is no 4/20 event to stop is apparently not a good enough reason for the CU administration, which seems hell-bent on wasting money to stop 4/20 every year from now on. Better raise the price of tuition again just in case there’s any other windmills out there that need fighting.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

BOULDER ROCK CLUB

Indoor Climbing, Fitness Classes, Yoga, Youth Programs, Birthday Parties

Beginners to Experts... Young to Old...

Individuals to Groups... Everyone is Welcome!

Great Membership Options, First Time Visitor Specials

Voted Best Of Boulder for 10 years straight!

2829 Mapleton Ave. • www.boulderrockclub.com • 303.447.2804

Scheduled road closures will take place Race Day, see boulderdowntown.com for details.

Doctors Murphy, Sica, Brown & Welden NORTH BOULDER

DENTAL

NORTH BOULDER DENTAL GROUP

Thank You Boulder! Our Patients are the Best!

We are proud participants of:

American Dental Association “Give Kids a Smile Program” Colorado Dental Association “Colorado Mission of Mercy”

Boulder Valley School District “Adopt a Smile Program”

Boulder Homeless Shelter Dental Clinic National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped “Dental Lifeline Network”

Best Dental Care

1001 North St., Boulder • www.BoulderDental.com 303-447-1042 • PatientCare@BoulderDental.com

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 73

Ron Propri / Boulder Rock Club

Indoor Climbing Gym

BOULDER ROCK CLUB

2829 Mapleton Ave., 800-836-4008 x4 Second Place: Movement Climbing and Fitness Third Place: The Spot Bouldering Gym Fourth Place: ABC Kids Climbing Fifth Place: Colorado Athletic Training School (CATS)

B

oulder is a fantastic spot for rock climbing. Until it dumps 128 inches of snow overnight on three to five nights out of the week for six months out of the year. When that inevitably happens, climbers have to go indoors to get their fix. And the best spot to do so is the Boulder Rock Club, whose sky-high walls, hundreds of routes, bouldering surfaces, wide variety of routes and holds and available auto-belay units (so you can climb without a buddy) make it the best indoor climbing spot in town.

Dance Studio

BOULDER BALLET COMPANY

2590 Walnut St., 303-443-0028 Second Place: Alchemy of Movement Third Place: Streetside Studios Fourth Place: The Avalon Ballroom Fifth Place: Boulder Spirals

L

et’s just be honest: Sometimes “getting into shape” can be a little boring, especially if you’re hitting the gym every day. But dancing is an effective way to get in shape, and it’s pretty fun, too. Whether you’re an adult who’s always wanted to try ballet but never tied up the slippers or a youngster with lofty dance aspirations, the Boulder Ballet Company offers training for dancers of all ages.

If you’re not so light on your feet, you can simply appreciate those who are by checking out one of the many performances that the Boulder Ballet Company put on each year, from Ballet in the Park during the summer, to the holiday classic The Nutcracker. Since 1989, Boulder Ballet has enjoyed a partnership with the Boulder Philharmonic in presenting classical ballets complete with professional scenery, costumes, lighting designs and casts of up to 100 dancers.

Boulder Rock Club

Holos Health Best of Boulder MMJ Evaluation Services WHY STAY MEDICAL?

Journey2Life Best of Boulder Alternative Health Care Provider FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE • WOMEN’S HEALTH

1. TAXES: A $250 ounce at a medical dispensary is PAIN AND ADDICTION MEDICINE $400 at a recreational shop.

NUTRITION & FITNESS THERAPY AND 2. VARIETY: More medicinal strains with Dr. Joe Cohen A WIDE VARIETY OF COMPLIMENTARY advice on dosing & use. & Dr. Lisha Barre ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 3. QUANTITY: 2 ounces for medical and 1 oz. for recreational.

Prevention and treatment of chronic disease 4. PROTECTION: Better potential legal coverage.

5377 Manhattan Circle, Suite 204, Boulder • www.holoshealth.org • By appointment only M-F • Online appointments at www.journey2life.org or call 720.273.3568 74 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Acupuncture

BOULDER SPORTS ACUPUNCTURE

2935 Baseline Road, Suite 300, 303-506-4637 Second Place: Acupuncture Clinic of Boulder, Inc. Third Place: The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa Fourth Place: Boulder Community Acupuncture Fifth Place: Southwest Acupuncture College

I

n Chinese culture, qi (also known as chi), simply put, is a flow of energy — a life force in all living things. Qi is believed to link all living things together, so understanding the rhythm and flow of this energy is key to stability, longevity and overall health.

Acupuncture is one form of traditional Chinese medicine that seeks to balance qi. Through stimulation of key points along the skin, either by heat, pressure or needles, acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of health conditions and even help people stop smoking cigarettes.

So when the uber-active people of Boulder find themselves injured, in pain or overly stressed, they head to Boulder Sports Acupuncture to balance their qi and get back in the saddle (that was a cycling reference, by the way) ASAP. Boulderites cite the staff’s positives vibes and caring manner as reasons their experience is always great, as well as a clean environment and convenient location on Baseline.

Alternative Health Care

DR. CHARLEY CROPLEY, N.D.

1109 Portland Place, 303-442-6161 Second Place: Chautauqua Health Third Place: Rolf Institute of Structural Integration Fourth Place: Holos Health (Journey 2 Life) Fifth Place: Helios Integrated Medicine

D

r. Charley Cropley, a naturopathic physician, no longer prescribes medication. Instead, he prescribes good advice, showing through classes and personal sessions how people can heal themselves by strengthening their skills and self-control in four basic areas: nutrition, exercise, positive thinking and attuned, caring relationships. He argues that “selfhealing is self-mastery,” a message — and challenge — that resonates well in our community.

Boulder Sports Acupuncture staff: Clinic Director Steven Rizzolo and Erika Anderson, licensed acupuncturist

Try Rolfing Structural Integration

®

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Be a Client in our June-August Clinic ONLY

$25

PER SESSION

VISIT clinic.rolf.org and EMAIL your group choice to clinic@rolf.org or call 303-449-5903 x104 O F S T R U C T U R A L I N T E G R AT I O N

www.rolf.org • Boulder, Colorado

76 April 24, 2014

Release ~ Realign ~ Renew Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

u o Y k n Tha ! r e d l Bou FREE CONSULTATION for new patients or $15 OFF first treatment

Boulder County’s Best Place for Acupuncture

Specializing in: • Sports Medicine and Injuries • Injection Therapy • Women’s Health • Digestion and Fatigue • Pain Management Please like us

2935 Baseline Road, Suite 102 • Boulder 303.506.4637 • www.BoulderSportsAcupuncture.com

on Facebook!

Susan France

THANK YOU BOULDER FOR YOUR VOTES! 1219 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. IN BOULDER 303-442-8832

1425 LARIMER ST.IN DENVER 303-534-1583

SideDoor Salon employee, JD

Hair Salon THE SIDEDOOR SALON 2070 Broadway St., Suite 110, 303-927-6081 Second Place: Voodoo Hair Lounge Third Place: Twig Salon Fourth Place: Zinke Knoebel Hair Studio Fifth Place: West End Salon

F

Keeping Boulder County Safe & Sexy since 1973 Women’s Health provides low-cost birth control, STI testing and treatment, gynecology and sexual health care to adults and teens of all genders.

ounded four years ago by five beauty industry pros — Donna Bell, Patrick Clifford, Delene Cordova, Lisa Lynde and Andres Mendoza — The SideDoor Salon in Boulder has made a lasting impression. Whether you’re seeking a timeless classic look or something more trendy, the staff add style to whatever your occasion. The salon features specialists in anything you can imagine, from hair color, to weddings, to extensions and make-up.

Barber Shop

FLOYD’S 99 BARBERSHOP

2790 Pearl St., 303-442-2279 Second Place: Al’s Barber Shop Third Place: Voodoo Hair Lounge Fourth Place: Silver & Gold Barbers and Stylists Fifth Place: Alpine Barbers

D

on’t worry Nirvana fans, though it’s all about the rock’n’roll, perennial Best of Boulder honoree Floyd’s Barbershop isn’t at all like the one described by Kurt Cobain in his song, “Floyd the Barber.”

Instead of an experience not that far off from Sweeney Todd, one gets a killer new ’do in a rock’n’roll atmosphere complete with its own tailored radio station and posterplastered walls. Whether you are looking for a traditional Floyd Cut, a basic, non-layered cut complete with a neck shave and shoulder massage or something more stylized, head to Boulder’s best barbershop for some good tunes and a good haircut.

See what Women’s Health can do for you.

Medicaid & Insurance accepted.

303.442.5160 2855 Valmont, Boulder 82 21st Ave, Longmont boulderwomenshealth.org boulderwomenshealth

78 April 24, 2014

Toilet Designers UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TEAM

M

ankind may not need to reinvent the wheel, but we did need to reinvent the toilet. The flush toilet requires a massive amount of sewer infrastructure and immense amounts of water — neither of which are easy to come by in developing countries. In a world with 7 billion and counting, more than 2.5 billion don’t have a sanitary place to poop. That means billions upon billions of pounds of unmanaged human waste ends up in water sources.

In March 2014, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation asked researchers around the world to “get their ‘you-know-what’ together” and reinvent the toilet. Among those were environmental engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder. A team led by Karl Linden used a $777,000 grant to create a waterless, solar-powered toilet that turns crap into biochar. This highly porous charcoal not only acts as a potent fertilizer, but also sucks carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere — we, um, “kid,” you not.

The CU team is currently applying for another Reinvent the Toilet grant to deploy one of their toilets in a developing country.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Pilates Studio BOULDER BODYWORKS 3020 Carbon Place, Suite 330, 303-444-2739 Second Place: Bolder Pilates Third Place: Core Wisdom Fourth Place: Body Dynamics Fifth Place: ALTA Physical Therapy and Pilates

makes it special. And as Busta Rhymes would put it, “when disaster strikes,” there is one place that discerning Boulderites prefer: Boulder Community Hospital and its eastern sister, Boulder Community Foothills Hospital. BCH is a not-for-profit that pushes itself to stay current on medical technology — and, conveniently, offers what we’d consider Boulder-centric services like knee reconstruction and sports massages.

Coherent Navigation of Veganism

THE VEGAN CHEAT SHEET

L

isa McComsey and Amy Cramer, formerly colleagues at People magazine, teamed up to simplify veganism for those who want to ditch animal products but aren’t quite sure how to do it. Cramer, of Boulder, the founder of the graband-go Vegan Eats line of treats, wrote the recipes for The Vegan Cheat Sheet and McComsey, who is copy director of Elle magazine, was the scribe.The result of the collaboration is a carryable guide to help you drop the meat, mayo and milk without sacrificing your health. They even salvage your pizza night (once you’ve got the ordering secrets down).

W

hat’s up? How’s your core? In need of some work, you say? Well, friend, that just won’t do. You gotta tighten that sucker up. This is a beer town and that means you need a six-pack. When you’re ready to get hardcore about your core, then there’s a place in town that’s coretastic enough for all your core needs — BoulderBodyworks. It offers group classes, one-on-one sessions and specialized instruction for those looking to recover from or prevent sports-related injuries. The studio, along with secondplace winner Bolder Pilates, owned and operated by Donna Rosen, also specializes in pre- and post-natal training.

Gym/Fitness Center

COLORADO ATHLETIC CLUB

1821 30th St., 303-501-1700 Second Place: RallySport Health and Fitness Club Third Place: 24 Hour Fitness Fourth Place: East Boulder Community Center Fifth Place: North Boulder Recreation Center

C

olorado Athletic Club makes it easy to get into shape with seven locations along the Front Range. The Colorado Athletic Club on 30th Street in Boulder gives residents the chance to get in shape without ever getting bored. The 40,000 square foot facility offers heated pools; studios for yoga, pilates and cycling; play areas for kids and the Energy Café where gymflys can grab a healthy bite to eat after they get their fitness on. Nobody makes it much easier (or more fun) than the Colorado Athletic club to get fit.

Medical Facility

BOULDER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL 1100 Balsam Ave., 303-440-2273

BOULDER COMMUNITY FOOTHILLS HOSPITAL 4747 Arapahoe Ave., 720-854-7000 Second Place: Boulder Medical Center Third Place: Kaiser Permanente Fourth Place: Avista Adventist Hospital Fifth Place: Longmont United Hospital

B

oulder is a conscious town that likes to vote with its dollar. It’s not enough that a hospital save lives, it’s gotta have that little something extra that sets it apart and Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

voted BEST SKIN CARE

Massage and Skin Care Phenomenal Touch Massage “The Massage creates itself, organically unfolding, unwinding, swirling and undulating the body in a three dimensional water like dance.”

Massage: 1hr for $90 or 1hr & 20mins for $125

BEST MASSAGE

To see Phenomenal Touch video, go to www.bouldermassageandskincare.com

THANK YOU BOULDER A Clean Slate

THE DIVINE RESONANCE

(acne clearing)

(anti-aging)

This organic skin treatment includes: Deep Pore Cleansing Extractions, High frequency, Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy, Omnilux Plus (Near Infra Red) Light Therapy, two organic enzymes, Colloidal Silver and Lavender Clay Mask, plant based Hyaluronic Acid with steam and vitamin C.

This organic skin treatment includes; organic products for sensitive skin, an organic vitamin C peel, a papaya Bromelain enzyme, Sapphire Microdermabrasion, and Omnilux Revive ( Red ) Light Therapy.

SKIN TREATMENT

SKIN TREATMENT

*Skin Treatments: 1 Hour for $100 or 1 Hour & 30 Minutes for $135 for either treatment * both include Phenomenal Touch Massage, Big Sur Jade Hot Stone Gem Therapy with Sun Infused Herbal Massage Oil Blend, Acoustic Resonance Technology (A.R.T ), Herbal Facial Steam, along with Aroma Therapeutic Essential Oils.

BEST SKIN CARE

Nora Keahon L.M.T/Licensed Esthetician/Certified Dermapen Clinician/Certified Phlebotomist 720-432-1108 •1634 Walnut St., Suite 111C, Boulder www.bouldermassageandskincare.com • www.divineresonance.com April 24, 2014 79

We’re Boulder’s

food co-op!

Eric Laurits

Join today and put your money where your mouth is. www.thesecondkitchen.org • 720.638.0446 904 College Avenue Boulder, CO 80302 Mention this ad and a coffee is on us!

Corepower Yoga

Yoga Studio

COREPOWER YOGA

1129 13th St., 303-440-8952 645 27th Way, 303-497-9642 3280 28th St., 303-440-3930 Second Place: Yoga Pod Third Place: The Little Yoga Studio Fourth Place: Yoga Loft Fifth Place: Studio Be Yoga

B

oulder loves yoga so much that it might actually threaten the rest of the nation’s access to stretch pants and rubber mats. But still, in all of the city’s yogaphilia, one studio still reigns supreme: CorePower. Its three locations are so collectively limber its almost like they have no bones at all. Attendees can enjoy practicing by candlelight in CorePower’s Heated Power Yoga class, or healing through stretching in a CoreRestore session, or they can do it old school, mastering their breath and their downward dog without any of the frills.

Corepowers activate!

Massage

ST JULIEN HOTEL & SPA

900 Walnut St., 720-406-9696 Second Place: Massage Envy Spa Third Place: Bodywork Bistro Fourth Place: The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa Fifth Place: Massage Specialists

O

ur readers gave top marks to the St Julien Hotel & Spa for its spa. So it is no wonder our readers found the top massage here, too. First, you pick your own Pandora playlist. Then you have scores of choices regarding what kind of massage you’d like. Among your choices: deep tissue, pre-natal, aromatheraphy — too many to list here. Add hot stones, a hot-oil scalp massage, or make it a massage for two, taking a couples retreat with champagne and rose petals.

Effort to Help Monarch Butterflies

MILKWEED PLANTERS

A

cross the nation, a small, but growing, group of gardeners are spontaneously and independently planting milkweed. Why? Because caterpillars munch it up and then turn into majestic Monarch butterflies.

Varieties of the asclepias plant abound, and there are some to plant locally. It’s like waving a big “welcome home” banner to the butterflies, which have been declining in numbers as their habitat shrinks.

80 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Chiropractor

THE JOINT

2525 Arapahoe Ave. Ste. C2, 303-440-8019 210 Ken Pratt Blvd. #245, Longmont, 303-774-7674 Second Place: Swan Lake Chiropractic Clinic Third Place: North Boulder Chiropractic Fourth Place: Duggan Chiropractic Fifth Place: Whole Body Balance

Place for Bountiful Wind Power

THE PLANET SATURN

Sixth planet from the Sun, Milky Way Galaxy, The Universe As We Know It

T

he Greek physician Hippocrates, from whom doctors derived the Hippocratic oath sometimes paraphrased as “First, do no harm,” cautioned physicians to pay attention to the health of the spine in the fifth century B.C. He’s preceded in that wisdom by Chinese and Greek writing that mention manipulating the spine. But in case you haven’t been planning for the last 2,000-plus years for a healthy back and have instead spent the last few years hunched over a computer keyboard or otherwise begging your back to pull out of alignment, there’s The Joint. They’ve got a no-appointment–necessary approach to providing affordable chiropractic adjustments that can see you walk out with relief mere minutes after deciding it was time to get your spine in line.

82 April 24, 2014

I

The great people at The Joint — Dr. Andrew Slater, D.C., Dr. Philip Rodger, D.C., and Madeline Wyatt

f only the National Renewable Energy Laboratory could figure this one out: How to get a bunch of wind turbines onto the planet Saturn and a really, really long (and flexible) utility line to transmit the energy back to Earth.

Because if they did, it would be like a death knell to fracking. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has learned that incredibly strong winds belie the sixth planet’s seemingly tranquil appearance. Gusts race around the equator at an estimated 600 miles per hour, which is nearly three times as strong as the most powerful winds ever recorded on Earth. Astronomers with the jet lab in California captured the image and Boulder played a part because the lab’s imaging operations center is based here, at the Space Science Institute.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Halonah Paiss

Best Road Bike Route

BOULDER-TO-WARD-TO-LYONS LOOP

W

ith so many great road cycle routes in Boulder County (and ways to make them your own), this one was a toughie, which is why we wound up going with a toughie. The Boulder-to-Ward-to-Lyons loop is about 50 miles, which doesn’t sound too rough for your typical avid cyclist. But throw in more than 5,000 feet of climbing and your spirit will be tested for sure. Start on the outskirts of Boulder, at the Lefthand Trailhead (U.S. 36 and Neva Road), and ascend up the canyon, climbing ever higher to Ward and some awesome mountain vista views. From there, the slog pays off as your wheels hit the Peak to Peak Highway, racing you home. But not too fast! In Lyons, it’s worth the stop at The Stone Cup café, Lyons Soda Fountain or Oskar Blues Brewery.

voted BEST SKIN CARE Flatirons Golf Course

Golf Course

FLATIRONS GOLF COURSE

5706 Arapahoe Ave., 303-442-7851 Second Place: Boulder Country Club Third Place: Haystack Mountain Golf Course Fourth Place: Indian Peaks Golf Club Fifth Place: Coal Creek Golf Course

Y

ou may not get a green jacket for playing at the Flatirons Golf Course, but you do get a view of the Flatirons. Go ahead and “ruin” a perfectly good walk by carrying some clubs and little white balls in this historic club, designed in 1933 and built in 1938 as a Works Progress Administration project.

More than 50,000 rounds are played here each year — and if that’s not a seal of approval for the course, we don’t know what is. Located just 10 minutes from downtown, you’re almost sure to make that tee time.

LASIK Services

BOULDER EYES

1810 30th St. Suite B, 303-499-2020 Second Place: Eyecare Center of Boulder Third Place: Boulder Eye Surgeons Fourth Place: Insight LASIK Fifth Place: Boulder Visions Associates

S

till squinting at those street signs and bringing books half an inch from your face to read them because you’ve lost your glasses again? Perhaps it’s time to scrap the ongoing search and try LASIK. Beyer Laser Center at Boulder Eyes once again wins this category for doctors our readers are comfortable working with when it comes to work on a very sensitive organ. They’re noted for great results and professional customer service.

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

Massage and Skin Care Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Collagen Induction Therapy: Skin rejuvenation using your own cells So how does the treatment work? In Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, a small amount of your own blood is drawn and spun down in a centrifuge; separating the plasma and other elements of the blood. The concentrated heavy Platelets that release growth factors and activate stem cells are extracted to form a serum (Platelet Rich Plasma ) and then are applied to the skin and driven in by micro needling with the .

With the Dermapen treatment by itself, the micro-injury will release growth factors and will beautifully rejuvenate the skin. Taking it to the next level; by concentrating the number of platelets found in the normal blood by 10x, and then driving in your own DNA healing serum in to these micro channels, the concentration of growth factors will attract and activate your own stem cells in a supercharged way.

When activated, these cells will grow new, younger-looking skin. Skin will continue to improve up to 6 months after the last session.

To see videos on this treatment go to www.bouldermassageandskincare.com

Reduction of Fine lines and Wrinkles,Acne Scars, Surgical Scars, Stretch Marks (1hr & 45 min. session)

$245 for Collagen Induction Therapy (3-6 treatments recommended)

$595 for Collagen Induction Therapy with PRP (2-3 treatments recommended) *Uses an Organic Numbing Cream, Vegan Hyaluronic acid, your own Platelet Rich Plasma, along with a single disposable needle cartridge that contains 12 tiny stainless steel 33 gauge needles. To see videos on this treatment visit www.bouldermassageandskincare.com

Nora Keahon L.M.T/Licensed Esthetician/ Certified Dermapen Clinician/Certified Phlebotomist 1634 Walnut St., Suite 111C, Boulder 720-432-1108

(See Website for Additional Massage and Organic Skin Treatments)

BEST SKIN CARE

www.bouldermassageandskincare.com • www.divineresonance.com April 24, 2014 83

Susan France

Thanks for letting us keep you so well adjusted!

Rated Best of Boulder for the 8th consecutive year, The Joint offers high quality, affordable chiropractic care right in your backyard.

To serve you better we’ve • Extended Sunday hours now open 10 am-4 pm • Hired four doctors on staff • Partnered with veteran Dr. Drew Slater, specializing in muscle testing

19

$

*

Hazel receives an acupunture treatment at the Alpine Hospital for Animals.

Veterinarian Care

ALPINE HOSPITAL FOR ANIMALS

3210 Valmont Road, 303-443-9661 Second Place: Humane Society of Boulder Valley Third Place: South Boulder Animal Hospital Fourth Place: Arapahoe Animal Hospital Fifth Place: Boulder’s Natural Animal Veterinary Hospital

4 49 FOR

$

*

Adjustment

Up to 4 adjustments per month

no appointments convenient hours licensed chiropractors

no appointments convenient hours licensed chiropractors

*Offer valid for first visit only. Initial visits includes consultation, exam and adjustment.

Six-month agreement required. Month to month memberships available for $59.

BOULDER 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Suite C2 • 303.440.8019 Monday - Friday: 10am - 7pm • Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 4pm

thejoint.com 84 April 24, 2014

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or more than five decades, Alpine Hospital for Animals has served Boulder County’s pets. It’s more than just a veterinarian clinic. It’s a place that knows pets are more than pets — they’re companions to their owners. All creatures, great and small, receive a high level of compassion and diagnostics. The hospital even handles very small pets, including exotics, using traditional Western medicine, alternative eastern therapies and full dental and surgical treatments, including minimally-invasive procedures.

MMJ and Recreational Dispensary

THE DANDELION

845 Walnut St., 303-459-4676 Second Place: The Farm Third Place: Terrapin Care Station Fourth Place: Helping Hands Herbals Fifth Place: 14er Holistics

T

he owners of The Dandelion say they chose the name because cannabis and the dandelion are viewed similarly in the public eye — as weeds with no value.

Yet both plants are beneficial to the environment and have been used medicinally by humans for thousands of years. The Dandelion offers dozens of strains of indica and sativa, hybrids, oils, edibles, concentrates, tinctures and equipment like vaporizers and glass pipes.

With its unassuming exterior, The Dandelion offers a low-key environment for those looking to purchase medicinal or recreational marijuana.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Bicycle Advocate

RYAN KRAGERUD, PRESIDENT OF BICYCLE LONGMONT

I

f the success of bicycle advocacy is a world where bicyclists don’t need to advocate for themselves, then the city of Boulder is about as good as it gets for bicyclists in our car-centric county. In Longmont, which is also a “Bicycle Friendly Community,” (albeit one ravaged by the floods last fall), Ryan Kragerud, president of Bicycle Longmont and backer of Bike Night is always pitching a good, healthy and fun cause: “To get more people on a bike more often.”

Simple advocacy like this has the power to bring out the best in municipalities and the communities they serve, bicyclists included.

Martial Arts

BOULDER KARATE

1676 30th St., 303-442-4330 Second Place: Easton Training Centers-Boulder Third Place: Boulder Quest Center Fourth Place: Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Fifth Place: Wolchek Academy of Martial Arts

BEST TOP SHELF IN BOULDER

F

or the third year in a row, Boulder Karate has been named best martial arts by BW readers, and it’s easy to understand why. Boulder Karate makes physical fitness something the whole family can look forward to, with classes for Tiny Tigers (ages 4-7) through adults 17 and older. Group classes provide a way for students to make new friends (and let’s face it, grown-ups — making friends as an adult is hard), but private lessons are available for those who want one-on-one instruction. And every student at Boulder Karate gets at least one private lesson per week where they can work on core techniques to move up to the next belt, learn to use weapons or improve sparring skills.

Not sure if karate is right for you? BK offer a free month-long trial that includes one 30-minute private lesson every week with a certified instructor, unlimited group lessons with other students at your age and skill level, and access to their dojo to practice anytime the business is open.

Nail Salon

TEN20

2005 Pearl St., 720-565-1020 Second Place: Contempo Nails Third Place: JLounge Natural Nail Bar and Spa Fourth Place: Finishing Touch Spa Fifth Place: The Nail Studio Boulder

T

en20 nail and waxing spa has been going in Boulder for about a decade now. The shop closes the gap between the corner nail shop and one of those fancy-schmancy places that caters to special occasions. Visitors here kick back in comfy chairs surrounded by big screen TVs that play the hottest shows while enjoying unlimited M&Ms and Diet Cokes.

The shop is also bringing out the feminine side of cycling though Team ten20. Clad in black and pink Lycra, Team ten20 is said to be Colorado’s fastest growing women’s bike club with 100 members and counting.

BOULDER’S MOST CONVENIENT DISPENSARY Providing a sense of professionalism that has not yet been introduced to the medical marijuana community.

All strains are proudly grown in house.

Intended for MMJ Patients Only

HOURS: MON - SAT 9:30 - 6:30 • SUN 12:00 - 5:00 3005 28TH STREET • BOULDER • 303.442.0892 WWW.THESTATIONBOULDER.COM

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 85

Susan France

Dental Care

Skin Care Services

NORTH BOULDER DENTAL GROUP

DIVINE RESONANACE

1634 Walnut St. Suite 111, 720432-1108 Second Place: Dermatology Specialists of Boulder Third Place: The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa Fourth Place: The Beauty Spot Fifth Place: Marianna’s L’Esthetique Medi Spa

1001 North St., 303-447-1042 Second Place: Alpine Dentistry Third Place: Boulder Smiles Fourth Place: Boulder Dental Group Fifth Place: Stephen Koral (at Boulder Holistic Dentistry)

I

t can be tough to like the dentist. ur skin is an organ that Unless that dentist works at absorbs what it’s exposed to.

The North Boulder Dental Expose it to healthy stuff, and you’ll Group. Boulder’s favorite tooth have healthier skin. Divine technicians strive to make sure Resonance specializes in organic that the routine trip to the dentist skin treatments that draw from is not a physical, emotional or North Boulder Dental Group staff (from left) Dr. Robert Murphy, Dr. David Welden (back), Dr. Julie ancient wisdom, not chemicals, to financial roller coaster for patients. Brown and Dr. Paul Sica keep your skin feeling refreshed and Their policy of encouraging queshealthy. Divine Resonance is now tions — for both staff and patients that sets the St Julien apart from the egardless of what the rest of the coun— is at the heart of their practice. Just be crowd. try may think or tease Colorado for, offering micro-needling as a deep delivery sure to ask your questions after you’ve medical marijuana is just that — medical system for your own platelet rich plasma, to rinsed and spit. Otherwise, yuck.

— and any choice about the medications regenerate new, healthy looking skin. you use, herbal or otherwise, is a serious Medical Marijuana Evaluation Day Spa one. That’s why you want to know you’re Tanning Salon Service ST JULIEN HOTEL & SPA talking to someone who’s looking at your VERANDA SUN HOLOS HEALTH 900 Walnut St., 720-406-9696 health issues from a holistic perspective and 1670 30th St., 303-447-8844 5377 Manhattan Cir. Suite 204, 720-273Second Place: The Dragontree could provide a solid consultation on Second Place: Tans To Go 3568 Holistic Day Spa whether medical marijuana is right for you. Tanning Salon Second Place: Grassroots Third Place: JLounge Natural Nail Bar and At Holos Health, medical marijuana is Third Place: At the Beach Medical Clinic Spa just one of several services available, all of Fourth Place: Aspen Tan Third Place: Relaxed Clarity Fourth Place: Finishing Touch Spa them meant to help patients find their right Fifth Place: Polish Tan and Nail Spa Fourth Place: Fully Alive Medicine Fifth Place: Essentiels Day Spa path toward personal wellness.

Fifth Place: Compassionate Pain here’s nothing like a little sunshine to lift Management sagging spirits, but it gets tough during ith world-class accommodations, a the winter months when the sun sets behind great view of the Flatirons and the the Flatirons around 4:30 every afternoon.

Pearl Street Mall a quick jaunt away, the But never fear, Veranda Sun is just around St Julien Hotel & Spa is in an ideal the corner, offering a way to get a healthy location. Inside, it’s both casual and luxuridose of sunshine, even when skies are gray. ous with a 10,000-square-foot spa and Veranda Sun was established in 1983, If there were a sports team option, I fitness center complete with a lap pool, making it the first tanning salon in Boulder. fitness equipment, men’s and women’s would select Boulder County Bombers No wonder folks see them as the best in the sauna and steam rooms and unique, localfor that as well. city. Veranda Sun offers clients different levly inspired treatments that are found els of tanning beds as well as a variety of nowhere else in the world. From scrubs sunless options to give your skin that sunand wraps to massages to the works, it all kissed glow all year round. comes in an elegant yet serene setting

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Reader Comment

86 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

VOTED BEST OF BOULDER NEARLY EVERY YEAR SINCE 2OO1

YOUR BEST VISION STARTS HERE iLASIK Technology •

• •

(used @ BEYER LASIK) :

Dr. Beyer is Very Experienced: •

Is approved by NASA for military pilots and astronauts

•

Precisely measures your refractive error & unique irregularities to program customized treatment

•

Includes ActiveTrack 3-D, the first FDA approved system that tracks eye movement along the X, Y 181O 3Oth and Z axes

SPRING

•

Has performed LVC longer than any other surgeon in Colorado Was on surgical team that performed the world’s first LVC Co-authored the original scientific paper describing the LASIK procedure

STREET, BOULDER HasSUITE trainedB, surgeons throughout

303.499.2O2O WWW.BOULDEREYES.COM

the world

....back into action

Spring is here. Why not use this time to renew yourself? If you are recovering from an injury and need help getting back to doing what you love to do, let us help. Call and see the difference our therapists can make!

Boulder: 303.447.2873 Boulder: 303.447.2873

longmont : 303.682.2440 www.mBphysicaltherapy .com Longmont: 303.682.2440 www.medfit.net

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

mbf PHYSICAL THERAPY

+ SUPERVISED EXERCISE

April 24, 2014 87

Susan France

Toy Store

GRANDRABBIT’S TOY SHOPPE 2525 Arapahoe Ave., 303-443-0780 Second Place: Into The Wind Third Place: GameStop Fourth Place: Karliquin’s Game Knight

K

ids of all ages can come into Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe and find something they have to have, right now. Let the begging commence.

Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe offers a wide selection of collectables, educational and just plain joy-inducing toys, from arts and craft supplies to magic kits to train sets. Lynne Milot, founder of Grandrabbit’s, places top priority on offering high quality, aesthetically pleasing toys, and she understands the rigors of parenthood — Grandrabbit’s offers open play hours so parents can shop while their kids safely play.

Best Home Away From Home for Your Pet

COTTONWOOD KENNELS 7275 Valmont Road, 303-442-2602

S

o you’ve been out of town for a week and you roll into Cottonwood Kennels to pick up your best friend. And what do you find? Your little buddy didn’t even miss you because he was having such a good time. The pet-loving folks at Cottonwood not only take great care of your rascal, they even keep track and report which other dogs yours played with during the hours each day. This place is truly great; they even have outside time. And knowing they are caring for your pet allows you to relax and enjoy your time guilt-free.

Grandrabbit’s store employee Miya Kobayashi

Boulder’s Own - Boulder’s Best

THANK YOU BOULDER FOR VOTING US #1!

Best Dealer: New Cars

Best Dealer: Used Cars

5995 Arapahoe Avenue • Boulder • (303) 443-0114 • www.flatironssubaru.com 88 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Reader Comment Into the Wind is a vortex ... people get sucked into it and never come out.

Courtesy of Flatirons Imports

Auto Dealer — New

FLATIRONS IMPORTS (ACURA & SUBARU) 5995 Arapahoe Ave., 888-650-6108 Second Place: Larry H. Miller Toyota Third Place: Fisher Auto Fourth Place: Gebhardt Automotive (BMW and VW) Fifth Place: Audi Boulder

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et us be clear: There are many places to buy a new car and sometimes too many different makes and models from which to choose. Aside from buying a home, a new car is likely the largest and most important purchase an individual or family will make. Buying is not just about getting something shiny and new, it’s also about finding a car that fits your self-image and needs. It’s also about finding one that will keep you and yours safe when some knucklehead runs a red light or when two feet of snow hit the high country as you’re on your quest for fresh powder. Buying a new car is an important decision and our readers chose Flatirons Imports as the best place to help you get what you need and want when it comes to a new car. They’re also really nice folks.

90 April 24, 2014

Flatirons Imports (Acura & Subaru)

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Halonah Paiss

Best Onomatopeia as a Store Name

MEOW MEOW

1118 13th St., 303-449-8602

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he name of this store ain’t the only cute thing about it: A quick survey of the merchandise at Meow Meow shows that cute is where this store excels.

Cards, women’s clothes, jewelry, gifts, sunglasses, knick-knacks and posters make Meow Meow a great stop for that birthday you forgot about, or maybe just a little adorable retail therapy for yourself. But don’t take our word for it, get on down to Meow Meow right meow … er … now.

Arts & Crafts Supplies

MCGUCKIN HARDWARE

2525 Arapahoe Ave., 303-443-1822 Second Place: Michael’s Third Place: Meininger Artist Materials Fourth Place: Guiry’s Color Source Fifth Place: Two Hands Paperie

H

ere’s a typical and true McGuckin Hardware story. So this guy wakes up one day and decides that what he really wants to give his gal for her birthday is a woodcarving made with his own hands. Great idea, except that he has never carved anything and doesn’t have any tools for the task beyond a cheap steak knife (that didn’t work). So what’s the lad to do? He heads to McGuckin because he has always heard they “have everything.” Once there, he asks one of those nice, informative employees clad in green if by chance the store might have a woodcarving tool. He is then shown to the woodcarving aisle where dozens of amazing and varied sets of carving tools await purchase. If only the dude in green could have taught the guy to carve. The moral of the story is that even if you don’t think they’ll have the art supply you need, drop on in because chances are, you’re wrong. After all, they “have everything.”

McGuckin Hardware staff Karen Peterson (left) and Daniel Goldstein

Boulder: 1813 Pearl St. 303-938-1924 Denver: 51 Broadway 303-866-0165 Denver ANNEX: 226 E. 13th Ave. 303-866-0164 Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 91

Susan France

Costume Shop

THE RITZ

959 Walnut St., 303-443-2850 Second Place: Theatrical Costumes, Etc. & Trendy Boutique Third Place: Candy’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes Fourth Place: Goldmine Vintage Fifth Place: Savers

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ou know how it is, every so often you’ve just got to act on that Gilligan and Ginger fantasy. Or is it Gilligan and Mary Ann? Whatever. There are just certain days in our lives when we want or need to dress up like somebody or something else. When our readers decide to celebrate National Potato Day by dressing as Mr. Potato Head or decide that walking down Pearl Street as a pirate only makes good sense, they tell us The Ritz is their favorite place for all their costume needs. And remember, you live in Boulder. You don’t need an excuse to put on a rainbow wig, wrap around a feather boa, strap on a pair of chaps and head out on the town. Live large and let The Ritz help make it a life to remember.

Auto Detailing

PUDDLE CARWASH

3100 28th St., 303-447-9274 Second Place: Details Plus Third Place: Alpine Auto Detailing / Boulder Auto Detail (tie) Fifth Place: The Details Shop of Boulder

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o you climb into your ride and it suddenly dawns on you; this use to be a pretty nice car, but now it looks like a herd of cats have been holed up inside the thing for months living on remnants of fast food and candy bars. And it smells pretty much the same way. Well, you can do one of two things: Open the door, get out, walk away and never look back, or drive immediately to Puddle Carwash and let them restore your car to its former grandeur by way of the best detail job in town. We suggest the latter. Cars are expensive, but getting a great detail job is not.

Jessa Topai, employee for The Ritz, displays the flapper style costume available for rent.

Best Place to Shop While Changing the World

MOMENTUM

1625 Pearl St., 303-440-7744

W

hy just shop when you can shop and change the world for the better at the same time? This is the beauty of the fair trade movement. At our favorite fair trade store, Momentum, your purchases help support a better quality of life for people in Central and South America as well as Africa and other places. Fair trade builds schools and offers a livable wage to women and indigenous peoples through fair trade co-ops. Make your shopping count.

92 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

VINTAGE Horses Swimming Archery Gymnastics Outdoor Adventures INNOVATION Mountain Boarding Sustainability Disc Golf

BEST Summer Camp

FOR BOYS & GIRLS AGES 7 TO 16

REALCAMP!

REALFUN! Serving the Community for 65 Years

303.442.4557 ColoradoMountainRanch.com

O !

O H O WO

european Way to go antique Furniture Best of Boulder new lampS Winners...

Keep up the and chandelierS good work! upholStery • mirrorS paintingS • baby giFtS Sid dickenS memory blockS & more Featuring Jewelry by gypSy, tat2, J & i, beaucoup deSignS bring in this ad

25% OFF

any One regular priced item (excluding sid dickens)

901 Front Street old town louiSville 303-666-7864 www.theFuzzyanter.com mon-Fri 10am-6pm n Sat 10am-5pm Sun 11am-4pm

Explore our vast selection of quality natural stone, mulches, soils and supplies. We also provide a full line of retaining wall blocks and concrete paving stones.

A family owned and operated landscape supply company serving Colorado since 1999

Our experts offer personalized application recommendations, assistance in estimating quantity requirements and scheduling delivery services.

We invite you to experience the level of commitment we have to our customers.

• Boulders Discount Coupon Colorado Materials, Inc

10% OFF

10% Off retail price on all in stock materials with this coupon

303.682.2314 Expires: 5/31/14

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

• Wood Mulches • Thin Veneer • Travertine • Rock, Cobblestone • Rip Rap, Pebbles • Sand, Soils, & Compost • Retaining Walls • Speciality Stone, and More!

1541 Boston Ave. • Longmont, CO • 303-682-2314 • www. coloradomaterialsinc.com Hours: Monday - Friday 7am-6pm • Saturday 8am-4pm • Sunday 8am-2pm April 24, 2014 93

Susan France

Auto Dealer — Used

BLUE SPRUCE AUTO SALES

3200 28th St., #1, 303-938-0580 Second Place: Flatirons Imports Third Place: Green Eyed Motors Fourth Place: Smooth Motors

Place to Spot a First Edition

S

BEAT BOOK SHOP

o you go through your wallet or purse and realize that it is best not to lay down too many of your hard-earned dollars on a brand new set of wheels. Don’t despair.

There is an alternative for buying a car that will save you lots of money and prove that you’re thrifty in a cool way. It’s called “used” or “pre-owned” or “heretofore driven” or some other term that means the owner before you ate the rapid depreciation and you can now buy that car at great value.

When it comes to buying a used car, the most important thing is to buy it from a dealer you can trust. Our readers have once again selected Blue Spruce Auto as the best place to buy a heretofore driven vehicle.

1717 Pearl St., 303-444-7111

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he first trick in exploring the treasure trove that is the Beat Book Shop is finding it open. The shop occasionally closes for “five minutes.”

Peek in and, if you had to wait, your foot tapping will be rewarded when you discover first and early book editions, and an owner more than willing to give you a guided tour to the wonders of the magical and wonderous book-iverse held within.

Blue Spruce Auto sales rep Hayley Osler

May, 1-4, 2014

potter, sculpture, jewelry and more by 40+ local artists

Boulder County Fairgrounds

Hours: Thursday: May 1, 10am-8pm Friday: May 2, 10am – 8pm Saturday: May 3, 10am – 6pm Sunday: May 4, 10am-8pm

• Pet Foods

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

• Bowls, Beds, Leashes, etc.

• Barkday Cakes

#1 DOG & CAT STORE! 2828 30th St. • Boulder • 303.245.9909 www.pcspantry.com Hours: Mon & Fri 10-7 • Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sat 10-6 • Sun 10-5 94 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Thank you, Boulder ...we love you too!

Being Being aa Best Best of of Boulder Boulder business business says says we’re we’re doing doing something something right! right!

Thanks Thanks to to all all our our clients clients and and friends! friends!

Stop Stop in in and and see see us us anytime anytime 2425 2425 Canyon Canyon #110 #110 and and 1320 1320 Pearl Pearl Street Street

2425 Canyon #110 | 1320 Pearl 303.449.7000 | BoulderCO.com | BoulderSource.com

Nobody knows the meaning of excellence quite like a BCD Bulldog. With small class sizes that span from preschool (begins at age 3) to eighth grade, plus an authorized International Baccalaureate middle school, every day at BCD is a chance to innovate, create, grow and thrive.

303-527-4931 info@bouldercountryday.org bouldercountryday.org

Best Retail to Get in Touch With Your Inner Child

ROCKET FIZZ SODA POP & CANDY SHOP 1441 Pearl St., 303-447-3499

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A full service law firm dedicated to providing quality legal services.

We handle a variety of cases throughout Boulder County and beyond. Please call if you or someone you know needs our help. If we cannot take your case, we will help find someone who can.

ot a case of the I’m-a-grown-up blues? Well, chin up, buttercup, and head on over to Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop to set free your inner moppet as you peruse a ginormous selection of soda and candies. Rocket Fizz offers scores of lip-smacking, ultra-wacky soda flavors such as bacon, peanut butter and jelly, and ranch dressing to make your taste buds squeal with childlike delight. Retro and gag gifts, concert posters and tin signs can transport even the curmudgeoniest grown-up back to the simpler days of being a kid ... in a candy store.

Camera/Video/Photofinishing

MIKE’S CAMERA

2500 Pearl St., 303-443-1715 Second Place: Costco Wholesale Third Place: Photo Craft Imaging Fourth Place: Target Fifth Place: Memories to Digital

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ike’s Camera has won this category many, many times. So, just how long has Mike’s been serving Boulder residents for all their camera needs? Lets put it this way, when Mike’s first opened its doors, the Rolling Stones were on The Ed Sullivan Show, the Boston Strangler had just been sentenced to life, Jimmy Hoffa was still vertical and guerrilla leader Che Guevara had just been captured in Bolivia. Yep, it’s been that long, 1967 to be exact. Congrats to the whole crew at Mike’s for winning again, and also for providing the gear and advice that has captured photos for a generation of memories for our readers.

THANKS

FOR VOTING FOR BART’S!

Auto Service/Repair

HOSHI MOTORS

2504 Spruce St., 303-449-6632 Second Place: Super Rupair Third Place: Boulder Bump Shop Fourth Place: Details Plus Auto Salon Fifth Place: John’s Auto Care

W

hen you’ve been winning this category as long as Hoshi Motors, you must know a heck of a lot about those dirty, greasy, bizarrely shaped chunks of metal and plastic that that are bolted into your car in all those areas nobody can see and you don’t want to see. These folks have been fixing area Hondas, Acuras, Subarus and Toyotas for nearly a quarter of a century. So next time your car sounds like 2,000pound water buffalo flamenco dancing, take it to the friendly folks at Hoshi.

cds, records, turntables and more!

96 April 24, 2014

1625 FOLSOM ST BOULDER CO 80302 303.444.1760

Reader Comment Many great local businesses!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Best Store Named After a Fruit

PITAYA

1211 Pearl St., Suite A, 303-449-8898

W

hat exactly is a “pitaya?” Well, this fashion-forward weekly newspaper didn’t know, but it turns out this is the fruit of several cactus species, commonly known in English as “dragon fruit.” Pitayas are colorful inside and out. Most of the pitaya from Asia are white on the inside, while a pitaya from Central America is magenta inside. So it’s easy to understand why the owners of Pitaya on Pearl Street choose the name — you’re greeted by a rainbow of colors the minute you walk in the door, with clothes arranged by color and organized in such a way that making an outfit is simple for even the most colorblind, fashion-challenged individual.

Hop on down to Pitaya and get colorful.

Bath & Body Shop

PHARMACA INTEGRATIVE PHARMACY

1647 Pearl St., 303-442-5164 645 South Broadway, 303-867-3400 2700 Broadway, 303-442-0589 Second Place: Lush Cosmetics Third Place: Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary & Supply Fourth Place: Bath & Body Works Fifth Place: Sephora

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s the list above clearly demonstrates, Boulder has a lot of great shops that can hook you up with fantastic body and bath products. What sets Pharmaca apart is its wild variety. If you had a mind to, you could do the entirety of your holiday shopping in Pharmaca and find just the right item for everyone; lavender sleep masks, a million great smelling lotions, fair-trade hand-woven scarves, chocolate, a cool pair of reading glasses. Heck, while you’re in there, you might even pick up the thing you came in for. Add that crazy variety to one of the friendliest and most knowledgeable staffs in the category and you have a winner.

Shop Online!

www.3rdandvinedesign.com

1815 Pearl Street | Boulder, CO 80302 303-442-0669 | 3rdandvinedesign@gmail.com

Bookstore

BOULDER BOOK STORE

1107 Pearl St., 303-447-2074 Second Place: Barnes & Noble Third Place: The Bookworm Fourth Place: Trident Booksellers and Café Fifth Place: Red Letter Secondhand Books

B

oulder Book Store has been keeping us happy, entertained, informed and connected for more than 40 years. It’s the place we go to meet and listen to the nation’s leading authors. It’s the place we go to buy our children and grandchildren their first books.

It’s the place we stop into every time we have a spare half-hour to kill. Boulder Bookstore has survived and thrived while the giant chains that killed off so many independent booksellers have themselves gone largely by the wayside. Boulder Bookstore is wildly successful and our readers’ favorite bookstore because it is so much more than that. It is truly one of the unique places that pulls together our community and helps to preserve its unique character. And we have to say that it is especially heartening, as the list of winners above demonstrates, to see how much our readers appreciate the independent bookstores in our county.

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 97

Susan France

store is second best, they were clear about which store is the winner. For more than 30 years, Childish Things has been offering children’s clothes on consignment. This is a great environmentally responsible and economic way to keep your little tykes from running around the neighborhood naked. We may be in progressive Boulder County, but for the most part kids are expected to cover up and fig leaves are in short supply in these parts. Childish Things also donates a lot of badly needed clothes to local not-forprofits, and that helps make them our readers’ favorite.

Clothing Store — Used

BUFFALO EXCHANGE

1813 Pearl St., 303-938-1924 Second Place: Rags Consignments Third Place: Savers Fourth Place: Common Threads Fifth Place: Plato’s Closet

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he original Buffalo Exchange opened in Tucson in 1974. As far as anyone can tell, it was the first clothing consignment shop in the country.

This helps to explain why our readers seem to consistently pick this store as their favorite for buying or selling previously owned clothing. BE has had 40 years to figure out just how to do it right. So shopping at Buffalo Exchange is always a good time. The friendly staff knows how to keep the store full of interesting items at good prices, which also means it’s a great place to sell the clothes you no longer need. Buffalo Exchange is the definition of win/win.

Dry Cleaners

ART CLEANERS

1501 Lee Hill Drive, Suite 6, 303-447-8700 (Multiple locations in the area) Second Place: Boulder Cleaners Third Place: John’s Dry Cleaners Fourth Place: Dependable Cleaners Fifth Place: Environmental Cleaners

Computer — Retail

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ne thing that Art Cleaners isn’t; it’s not the new kid on the block. These folks have been keeping Boulder County’s clothes clean and crisp since 1921. But they also realize that it’s important to take care of the planet. So, according to their website, for more than a decade, the company has been using “the GreenEarth Cleaning System. A new, revolutionary cleaning system that is good for your family, your clothes and our environment.” Add the really friendly staff to the equation and its understandable how this business got the nod from BW readers.

APPLE STORE

1755 29th St., 720-479-9451 Second Place: Best Buy Third Place: Costco Wholesale Fourth Place: The Mac Shack Fifth Place: CU Bookstore

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Buffalo Exchange store manager Marika Evanger

t would seem that Boulder was the perfect target market for those Apple ads wherein actor Justin Long played the always-cool Mac paired with the dysfunctional, less-than-cool PC. If you need further proof, just drop by the Apple Store any evening and fight your way in. You’ll find yourself standing shoulder to shoulder with a whole room full of Justin Longs. And that isn’t so bad. Apple has elevated computer shopping to something nearing an art form with its minimalist décor and product display coupled with its headset-wearing staff. Even if you’re not in the market for anything, it’s worth dropping by just for the experience. And once inside, you might just change your mind.

Clothing Store — Women’s

ANTHROPOLOGIE

1805 29th St., #1118, 303-449-4575 Second Place: Nordstrom Rack Third Place: prAna Fourth Place: Urban Outfitters / Athleta (tie)

I

f you tried to define the culture of Boulder in imagery, you might come up with something like old wood, stainless steel, mason jars and a Prius. So it’s no wonder that Anthropologie is our readers’ favorite place to go for women’s clothing. It’s like Boulder, a bit retro while remaining thor98 April 24, 2014

oughly modern in all the ways that matter, and comfortable above all else. From its clothes to the shop itself and the always creative displays, this place is built for the Boulder lifestyle.

CHILDISH THINGS

3183 Walnut St., 303-442-2703 Second Place: Gymboree / Poppy / Rocky Mountain Kids (3-way tie) Fifth Place: Gap Kids t had to happen sooner or later: a three-way tie. So while our readers are divided equally on which kid’s clothing

Reader Comment Details Plus did an awesome job getting all the gooey dog slobber out of my jeep. Thought I would have to burn it.

MOUNTAIN MIST SPAS

1259 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont, 303-772-1125 Second Place: Mr. Pool Third Place: Heat Wave Stove & Spa Fourth Place: International Hot Tub Company Fifth Place: Quality Pools and Spas

Clothing Store — Children’s

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Hot Tub/Jacuzzi

M

ountain Mist Spas has been serving Northern Colorado’s relaxation needs for more than three decades. It seems that in Colorado, there are two kinds of people; the happy kind who just happen to own a hot tub and use it at every turn and the less happy kind who are still trying to figure out how to own a hot tub or at least sneak into their neighbor’s backyard on a regular basis. You know what we’re taking about, cold crisp air, flakes of snow gently falling on your face while your body floats aimlessly in 104 degrees of pure aqua heaven.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

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Hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 6:45pm • Saturday 11am - 6pm • Sunday 11am - 4pm

Thank You Boulder for Voting Us Best Dry Cleaner!!!

• Locally owned Since 1921 • Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff • Full Service Dry Cleaning Laundry & Alterations

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Hotel

Hydroponic Store

ST JULIEN HOTEL & SPA

WAY TO GROW

900 Walnut St., 720-406-9696 Second Place: Hotel Boulderado Third Place: Athenaeum Hotel and Conference Center (at Chautauqua) Fourth Place: Boulder Outlook Hotel & Suites Fifth Place: Boulder Marriott

S

t Julien Hotel & Spa boasts worldclass accommodations and service that offers a balance of nature and nurture, simplicity and style, relaxation and renewal. It’s true and that’s why our readers tell us it’s their favorite hotel around. The St Julien is far more than a beautiful building with luxurious rooms. It is a destination for great food and great music in its own right. Don’t let the out-of-town crowd have all the fun, this is a great place for locals looking to get away from it all and relax as well. Truly a world-class hotel.

6395 Gunpark Drive, 303-473-4769 Second Place: One Love Garden Supply Third Place: Boulder Hydroponic & Organic Center Fourth Place: GrowLife Hydroponics Fifth Place: Victory Hydro Gardening

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ant to make something grow? Way to Grow has got you covered.

These folks have everything needed to make even the plant-growing challenged among us successful in raising a crop that makes them smile. Need bat guano? They got it, along with organic compost teas, other fertilizers, water testers, all kinds of environmentally responsible stuff to control pests and disease and of course, one of the area’s best selections of lighting. And did we mention that these guys are the experts and our readers’ first choice for all things hydroponic?

www.lyndahilburntherapist.com • www.tarotbylynda.blogspot.com

Gorgeous Guitars on Sale Taylor • Santa Cruz • Larrivée • Blueridge • Eastman • Alvarez

Way to Sport Your State-wide Pride

COLORADICAL

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e know, you love it here in Colorado. You came here on purpose. You stayed here because you loved it. You put one of those bumper stickers on your Subaru proclaiming your love for our state — and many, many breweries.

It’s OK. We get it. And, there’s another way to sport your Colorado amor and that’s with a Coloradical tee.

Their graphic designs illustrate some of our favorite things about the state — mountains, rivers, trees, starry night skies and, yes, even the outline of that big ol’ “Cow Town” to the south.

So go ahead. Don’t be shy. Pick one up (sold online and at Buffalo Exchange).

3101 28th St, Tebo Plaza, Boulder 303.449.0516 hbwoodsongs.com 100 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

BOULDER’S FINEST

THE APARTMENT COMMUNITIES THAT CARE

Welcome to Flatiron View! Our renovated community offers the best combination of amenities and value available in the city. We offer many different spacious floor plans for your needs. With fireplaces, mountain views, decks, and the newly remodeled swimming pool you won’t be disappointed calling Flatiron View your new home.

Treat yourself to a refreshingly uncommon apartment experience.

Here at Harper House, where comfort and serenity come naturally, you can find a sanctuary that is both centrally located and fabulously removed. Come see our wonderful Zen Japanese Garden, and find out why Harper is a place you will be proud to call home!

Kimberly Court offers a wonderful residential community environment. The cozy one bedroom apartments are unique and waiting for you to move in! Enjoy the free WiFi in the clubhouse, the hot sauna after a day of skiing or just relax by the swimming pool.

A special blend of friendly neighbors and beautiful surroundings creates the perfect atmosphere for you to call home.

303-494-3004 www.flatironviewapartments.com

303-494-5215 www.harperhouseapts.com

303-494-4362 www.kimberlycourt.com

Our apartment communities are conveniently located near Table Mesa, Foothills Parkway, and US36. The Table Mesa Park and Ride is just a hop, skip and jump away and there is easy access to trails, restaurants, coffee shops, shopping and fitness centers. Our professional on-site management and maintenance team is always available to make sure you feel right at home.

Office Address: 4920 Thunderbird Circle Boulder Co 80303 303-494-4362 Office kmb@csamc.com Proudly managed by Countryside Asset Management Corporation

Carpet/Flooring

Clothing Store — Men’s

ATLAS FLOORING, INC.

REI (RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT INC.)

4920 28th St., 303-442-3221 Second Place: Carpet Exchange Third Place: Go Green Flooring Fourth Place: Boulder Stove & Flooring Fifth Place: Carpet Mill Outlet Flooring Stores

F

or 56 years Atlas Flooring has been providing Boulderites with something to walk on, and not just any old thing to walk on. Our readers tell us that the good folks at Atlas have their favorite foot-friendly materials whether its carpet, tile or wood.

One thing for sure, these guys wouldn’t keep being our readers’ favorite in this category if they didn’t have great service, fair prices and a big selection. The truth is, it takes something pretty special for any business to be around more than a half a century. Congrats Atlas, and Boulder’s feet thank you.

Stop for a Mid-shopping Yoga Break

PRANA 1147 Pearl St., 303-449-2199

1789 28th St., 303-583-9970 Second Place: Nordstrom Rack Third Place: Patagonia Fourth Place: Weekends Fifth Place: Men’s Warehouse

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fter hunting down the latest threads on Pearl Street, pacing the pavement and dodging the stroller parade, you can walk those tired tootsies into prAna and drop in on a free yoga class. Yoga styles range from vinyasa to Forrest to the more loosely-described “mindful flow” and “tribal vinyasa.”

Don’t forget to take a dose of “gratitude flow,” whether in or out of the yoga classes at this boutique, because after all, if you’re lucky enough to be spending your time in Boulder, you’ve probably got a lot to be grateful for.

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ho else could have won this category?

REI winning best men’s clothing store says everything a person needs to know about both Boulder and REI. The Boulder way of life is green, lean and all about the outdoors. REI offers men’s clothing that has been made to be worn somewhere without a roof, preferably west and uphill from the cooperative’s Boulder store. REI gets Boulder.Walk in their store and all the clothes and gear have been positioned in a big circle that leaves the middle of the store as a gathering place for the outdoor community, a place full of guidebooks, maps and other information to help make your next usage of REI men’s clothing as good as it can get.

Thanks for voting us in the top 3 for best nail salon in our first year!

new year • new you hydrate • rejuvinate

Computer — Repair

APPLE STORE

1755 29th St., 720-479-9451 Second Place: The Mac Shack Third Place: Boulder Mac Repair Fourth Place: Boulder PC Fifth Place: ISupportU

S

Store as their favorite place to both buy a computer and to get one repaired.

We’re not real sure exactly what that means other than to say that they really like this store whether they’re taking an iThingy home or bringing it back. So if your iPod, iPad, iPhone or iTunes needs a little iFixin, this is the place to go.

o maybe next year we change the name of this category to iComputer — iRepair. Our readers chose the Apple

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A day sharing friends family, to relax or catch SATgroups 9a-6p ::and SUNlarge privateparties parties welcome.

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JLOUNGE NATURAL NAIL BAR AND SPA :: 3003 WALNUT STREET :: BOULDER, COLORADO 80301 :: 720.484.6669 102 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Susan France

Bart’s Record Shop employee Greg Mudd

not a surprise to those who know Doug Emerson, the owner. Want to know what Doug is all about? Just drop by the shop or hit the website where Doug says, “You give me a world problem, and my answer is the bicycle. Air pollution, childhood obesity, congestion ... my solution is always the bicycle.”

CD/Record Store

BART’S RECORD SHOP

1625 Folsom St., 303-444-1760 Second Place: Albums on the Hill Third Place: Absolute Vinyl Records & Stereo

B

art Stinchcomb has nine lives. He has been a beloved staple on the Boulder record store scene for decades. His Bart’s CD Cellar & Record Shop was a legendary shop in downtown Boulder for 20 years. Then as the industry went through upheaval, he downsized to the tiny 400-square-foot shop at 236 Pearl Street. Then the music-buying scene changed again. Vinyl is back in a big way. Sales in vintage LPs are growing by nearly 30 percent each year. So Bart was already planning to move to the larger space on Folsom Street when the 2013 flood hit his Pearl Street location. He had some losses but since he was already moving he was quickly able to get Bart’s Record Shop back on its feet, and our readers couldn’t be happier.

This was a close vote as second place Albums on the Hill has an equally beloved reputation around these parts.

Farm

MUNSON FARMS

Bicycle Shop

UNIVERSITY BICYCLES

839 Pearl St., 303-444-4196 Second Place: Boulder Cycle Sport Third Place: Full Cycle Fourth Place: Bicycle Village Fifth Place: Community Cycles

C

ome next year, University Bicycles will have been holding down the West End of Pearl Street for 30 years.

In a bikecrazy town that has seen its share of bicycle shops come and go, perhaps the best way to explain the success of University Bicycles is “passion.” What started as a little space in a basement where bikes were repaired and rented is now Boulder’s best bicycle shop and that is impressive. But it’s

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

Valmont Road and N. 75th Street, 415-298-1500 Second Place: Cure Organic Farm Third Place: Isabelle Farm Fourth Place: Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy Fifth Place: Anderson Farms

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e love Munson Farms. It’s sort of the way we keep track of the seasons. If the stand at 75th and Valmont is still closed, we know that it is still possible for a late season snow. When Munson finally opens, we know that summer has arrived and when the pumpkins turn the corner orange we know that fall is truly upon us. From its worldfamous sweet corn to its baskets full of squash and kidfriendly pumpkin patch, Munson’s is more than our readers’ favorite farm, it is truly a Boulder County tradition.

April 24, 2014 103

Foundation Salon

Halonah Paiss

2757 Iris Ave. Boulder • 303.444.1803 • Bring this ad in for $10 Off Brazilian Wax • FREE Hair Cut with a purchase of any Highlight Service

We specialize in certified organic color

by All-Nutrient. *Offer valid for first-time clients only, with select stylist.

Expires 5/2015.

Check us out at www.foundationsalonboulder.com

Peppercorn

Gift Shop

Law Firm

PEPPERCORN

GARD & BOND, LLC

1235 Pearl St., 303-449-5847 Second Place: Jacque Michelle Third Place: Bliss Fourth Place: Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery Fifth Place: Momentum

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MAY 3, 2014 1pm - 6pm FOLSOM FIELD STADIUM CLUB

Come dressed in Derby attire and be ready to party!

For Tickets and Information:

www.BoulderDerby.com Ticket price includes gourmet food all day, Larceny Bourbon mint juleps, Beer from Sanitas Brewing, and wine from Canyon Wind Cellars.

104 April 24, 2014

e all eat. Therefore, we all could use a great gift from Peppercorn. This place is amazing; it’s an explosion of color in every shape imaginable. Where else can you find that special someone a giant purple and yellow cookie jar shaped like a rooster on a tricycle? You get the point. This Boulder staple has every book that tells you how to cook a great meal, every utensil and gadget you need to make that meal, every placemat, plate, salt and paper shaker, candelabra and setting of tableware you need to serve that meal and even a whole bunch of great ingredients to go into that meal. How many different sauces are there in the world? Go to Peppercorn and start counting. Everybody loves getting a gift from this place. Hint hint, BW staffers included.

2541 Spruce St., 303-499-3040 Second Place: Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP Third Place: Hutchison Black and Cook, LLC Fourth Place: Caplan and Earnest LLC Fifth Place: Holland & Hart LLP

N

obody has a favorite law firm until they need a lawyer. It’s like asking people to pick their favorite cop or fireman. The answer is always going to be, “The one who pulled me out of the burning car,” or, “The one who saved me from the guy trying to rob me.” In this case, it’s the lawyer who kept you out of jail or helped you beat that unjustified suit your neighbor filed against you. What is interesting about our winners in this category is that none of them are ambulance chasers spending money on TV ads. So simple name recognition was not the reason why our readers chose them. It was word of mouth or personal experience.That leaves only quality and character as the deciding factors. And according to our readers, Gard & Bond is the best law firm around. But we still hope you never find out for yourself.

Reader Comment It’s always so hard to describe one of Boulder’s record stores as the best, each has its individual perks & personality.

We’re just so lucky to have a variety of independent record stores to choose from.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

The

s i o a n c a c l O YOU LONG T N E F M OR O M The

MATTR N E BA Free same day delivery Locally owned 2% to charity

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UR

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visit our showroom today to see why we are the best of boulder!

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Susan France

name means “sister” in Balinese, which is the first place from where the company imported its “treasures.” The clothes are cool and casual, perfect for the festival scene, which means perfect for Boulder. We have to point out that Boulder Weekly made this list as well, but as with all contests and those conducting them, we thought it would be a bit tacky if we won. That said, we love you too.

Florist

STURTZ & COPELAND

2851 Valmont Road, 303-442-6663 Second Place: Fiori Flowers Third Place: Boulder Blooms Fourth Place: Lafayette Florist Gift Shop & Garden Center Fifth Place: Fruehauf ’s / European Flower Shop (tie)

H

ere is an observation: Life is too short and precious not to spend it in the company of beauty. No kidding. You can just wake up in the morning, or you can wake up in the morning to the light and color and the sweet smell of fresh cut flowers. You can just eat, or you can sit down to a meal and conversation amid art and beauty in the form of a fresh bouquet. Slow down and go get some amazing flowers at our readers’ favorite florist ­­— Sturtz & Copeland — and let them work their magic. If you’re not sure what exactly you are looking for (the real answer is a better quality of life), just ask the good folks at Sturtz & Copeland.They’ll have the answer. After all, they’ve been in the quality-of-life-improvement business for 85 years.

Moving Company

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

520 Violet St., Golden, 303-344-9911 536 W. 67th St., Loveland, 970-686-6683 Second Place: Taylor Moving Third Place: Berg’s Small Moves Fourth Place: Boulder Valley Transfer Fifth Place: A Boulder Moving Company

E

veryone knows moving is stressful, so why not leave it up to the professionals? Our readers love the fact that they can have one less thing to worry about when they are overwhelmed by the process of moving. Two Men and a Truck will pack it, drive it and deliver it, making sure your belongings arrive safely to their new home.

They do both local and long distance moves.Your treasured possessions deserve to be handled with care. Let them stress about your boxes so you can worry about getting your mail forwarded, your utilities set up and all that other fun stuff that goes along with moving.

Furniture

CLUTTER CONSIGNMENT

1909 9th St., Suite 130, 303-386-3423 Second Place: American Furniture Warehouse Third Place: Arhaus Fourth Place: No Place Like Home Fifth Place: Woodley’s Fine Furniture

Music Store

T

he reason that Clutter Consignment is Boulder’s favorite furniture store is because it’s way more fun to go on a treasure hunt than it is to just go furniture shopping. And a trip to Sturtz & Copeland Florist & Greenhouses employee Alexis Hemsted Clutter really is a treasure hunt. You never know what amazing piece someone else has decided to head to toe with quality outdoor apparel. If you are into part with that will be a perfect fit for your home.

Modern, retro, bizarre and just plain old gorgeous quality snowboarding, your kids love camping, and your significant furnishings abound at this shop, where the staff enjoys guid- other is all about running, you can still do all your adventure ing your hunt as much as you enjoy finding the unexpected. shopping here at REI. Outdoor enthusiasts know their stuff and they choose to go here for year-round outdoor fun.

Outdoor Gear REI (RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT INC.) Independent Business UMBA IMPORTS 1789 28th St., 303-583-9970 2043 Broadway St., 303-442-2059 Second Place: Neptune Mountaineering / Second Place: Green Ride Colorado Shuttle Boulder Army Store (tie) Third Place: McGuckin Hardware Fourth Place: Jax Mercantile Fourth Place: Alfalfa’s Market Fifth Place: Patagonia Fifth Place: Second Kitchen Food Co-op / Cured (tie) his year’s winner is pretty much a toy store for adults. In e have to say it; this is one of our favorite categories Colorado, we love our outdoor sports and our readers because we, as well as our readers, understand that it love going to REI to get their gear. If you can think of an outdoor sport they don’t have equipment for, it might not be is local, independently owned businesses that give our coma real sport. Your entire family can get outfitted here from munities their character and charm. Umba is awesome. The

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106 April 24, 2014

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ROBB’S BOULDER MUSIC

2691 30th St., 303-443-8448 Second Place: H.B. Woodsongs Music Company Third Place: The Drum Shop Boulder Fourth Place: Wildwood Guitars Fifth Place: Boulder Piano Gallery

M

usicians in Boulder County know where to find quality instruments at reasonable prices. At Robb’s Boulder Music they pride themselves on being experts in the music field. With their experienced staff, you won’t have to search all around the store to get some assistance. Not just an instrument store, they provide repairs, equipment rentals and lessons. Rent an amp here if you and your band members are having a jam session. If you are interested in learning how to play an instrument, such as the guitar, you can receive lessons from one of the specialized instructors. If you have busted guitar strings, they can sell you new ones.

One of their associates will be there to help with any of your musical needs.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

THANK YOU BOULDER! VOTED 2014 BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE

Thanks For Your Votes Best Independent Business A Boulder Boutique specializing in:

• yoga / dance wear • fair trade / sustainable companies • organic / natural fabrics • organic ear guages & jewelry • gypsy / bohemian / burning man

$5 OFF

any $35 purchase, or more.

Serving Boulder for 33 years!

3183 Walnut St. Boulder • 303.442.2703 www.childishthingsconsign.com

Valid thru 10/31/14

Locally Owned & Operated Supporting Over 80 Independent Artisans

2043 Broadway @ Pearl St 303-442-2059

FREE

Bring in this ad and take FEATHER HAIR

10% OFF

any purchase!

EXTENSION

With Purchase ncludes ($20 Value) * iweave

T hank you Boulder for voting us...

BEST SHOE STORE!

2775 Pearl St. Boulder • 303.RUN.WALK (303.786.9255) • www.BoulderRunningCompany.com Monday - Friday 10am - 7pm • Saturday 10am - 6pm • Sunday 10am - 5pm

THE BEST OF BOULDER 2014 WINNER: USED AUTO DEALER

BLUE SPRUCE AUTO SALES QUALITY VEHICLES FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT

3200 28th Street Boulder, Colorado 80301

p. 303.938.0580 w. www.bluespruceauto.com e. bart@bluespruceauto.com

THE BEST OF BOULDER 2014 RUNNER UP: AUTO SERVICE/REPAIR

SUPER-RUPAIR THE NATIONS LARGEST INDEPENDENT SUBARU REPAIR FACILITY

1309 Yarmouth Ave. Boulder, Colorado 80304

p. 303.442.6508 w. www.superrupair.com e. superrupair@superrupair.com

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 107

Grocery Store

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

2905 Pearl St., 303-545-6611 2584 Baseline Road, 303-499-7636 Second Place: King Soopers Third Place: Lucky’s Market Fourth Place: Sprouts Farmers Market Fifth Place: Trader Joe’s

T

here are few things more important to Boulder County residents than what we eat. If you live here, you know this is no exaggeration. We want to know what is in our beet salad, who made it, who grew the beets and what their political affiliation is before we let it pass our lips. So it should come as no surprise that Whole Foods Market decided to build its largest store in the Rocky Mountain region right on Boulder’s famed Pearl Street or that the company realized that its popularity would support a second store out south on Baseline. Later this year, a new Whole Foods Market will be opening as a part of Longmont’s new Twin Peaks Mall renovation. Our readers are truly fortunate to have so many great places to get healthy organic foods and Whole Foods is their favorite this year.

Jewelry Store

HURDLE’S JEWELRY

1402 Pearl St., 303-443-1084 Second Place: Walters & Hogsett Fine Jewelers Third Place: Todd Reed Fourth Place: Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery Fifth Place: Angie Star Jewelry / Cronin Jewelers (tie)

K

eith Hurdle has been in the jewelry business a long time, but he’s the newcomer to this family tradition. Keith started working full-time at Hurdle’s Jewelry in 1978, but the jewelry store itself has been located somewhere on Boulder’s famed Pearl Street since 1947 and was actually started by his grandfather, Chester Hurdle. No wonder they won. If your family had been making custom jewelry for 57 years you’d be great at it, too. Congrats, Hurdle’s, hope you folks have a grandchild with an eye for detail in the wings. We’d love to see you here in another 50 years.

Use of a Polo Shirt

REP. JARED POLIS

C

hallenging stereotypes and perplexing fashionistas across the country, Congressman Jared Polis, of Boulder, drew the ire of men’s fashion magazine GQ in February for pairing a gray bowtie with a purple polo.

The rules of Congress require legislators to wear ties, a tricky necessity for the low-key rep who told The Denver Post, “Back home in Colorado, I always wear a polo or turtleneck. It’s not our custom to wear ties.”

After the unforgivable fashion faux pas, the quintessential men’s fashion magazine called the outfit the “worse Congressional style ever.” GQ writer Dennis Tang took to Twitter and offered to make over the congressman’s wardrobe. Polis kindly accepted the help and let us be the first to say, “Thank God.” Honestly, who could forgive Polis for this? He’s made Boulder the laughing stock of the nation’s fashionable.

We’re just glad to see focus placed on the issues that really matter.

Moving Boulder

for over

MOVING & STORAGE

Boulder Valley Transfer has your expert team ready to serve you. You can count on our years of experience to help you every step of the way.

• Local/Long Distance/Overseas • Residential/Corporate • Storage & Crating

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S AT I S FA C T I O N G U A R A N T E E D 108 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

DENVER MATTRESS W

IN

Is Honored To Be Voted...

NE R‘ 1 4

Best of Boulder

THE BEST MATTRESS STORE IN BOULDER!

Denver Mattress and the stores at Furniture Row strive to give their customers a unique shopping experience. Each store has a Highly Trained Staff of Specialists, a Great Selection of the Latest Styles of Quality Merchandise, a 200% Guaranteed Lowest Price Pledge and Extended No Interest Financing Options, which all adds up to give you the Value you deserve. We may have over 330 stores in 31 different states, but we’re most proud of this one--right here in Boulder.

Your Factory Direct Mattress Retailer

1945 28th Street (28th & Walnut) 303.413.1314 DenverMattress.com

Susan France

Shoe Store

BOULDER RUNNING COMPANY 2775 Pearl St., 303-786-9255 Second Place: Pedestrian Shops Third Place: Two Sole Sisters Fourth Place: Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. Fifth Place: Shoe Fly

I

t’s all in the name at Boulder Running Company. If you need something to help you run better and longer, our readers suggest you go here. If you want to run faster, we suggest you jog through neighborhoods with pit bulls on the loose. Kidding aside, Boulder Running Company has the best selection of shoes around and their staff can help you find just the right shoes for your feet and your level of expertise.

New Business

TRADER JOE’S

1906 28th St., 303-443-0160 Second Place: The Second Kitchen Food Co-op Third Place: Willow Fourth Place: Green Ride Fifth Place: Cedar & Hyde Mercantile

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f all the new businesses around, our readers like this store the most. Boulderites flocked to the opening of Trader Joe’s earlier this year. This chain has been around since the 1950s and, after becoming successfully established, got tired of charging consumers too much for non-local foods. They began manufacturing their own brands, which became synonymous with the natural foods movement. By offering highquality, healthy goods, Trader Joe’s is setting itself up to live a long, happy life here in Boulder County.

Boulder Running Company employee Greg Weich

Enjoy Boulder’s Top Rated Museum According to Trip Advisor.

Check out our excellent ratings!

FREE ADMISSION & PARKING Directions: Diagonal Highway #119 to 63rd Street, south to Longbow Drive and west to Leanin’ Tree. 6055 Longbow Drive, Boulder, CO M-F 8 to 5, Sat.-Sun. 10-5.

303-530-1442, ext. 5

Stroll our art galleries and outdoor sculpture garden and see why the Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art is the top rated museum in Boulder on Trip Advisor.

250 paintings, 150 bronze sculptures Outdoor sculpture garden Free admission Combine with a tour of nearby Celestial Seasonings Visit www.LeaninTreeMuseum.com

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Fun photo op s for all age s!

Unique Gift Shop!

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Reader Comment Ski/Snowboard Shop

BOULDER SKI DEALS

2525 Arapahoe Road, 303-938-8799 Second Place: Christy Sports Third Place: REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) Fourth Place: Crystal Ski Shop Fifth Place: Neptune Mountaineering / Larry’s Bootfitting (tie)

being pestered by that blinking light on your dash telling you to check your tires.Take your ride to Discount Tire where they’ll check your pressure for free. The staff will get you the best possible deal. Tires aren’t all that sexy, but if they were, Discount Tire would be pretty hot.

Is there a “Worst of Boulder” list?

Y

ou live in Boulder County for a reason … or two ... maybe even three. But one of those reasons is bound to have something to do with skiing. If that’s the case, then Boulder Ski Deals is the only name you need to know. Our readers chose this winter sports shop for the gear and also because it’s a great place to pick up some discounted lift tickets. And if you find yourself on a mountain getting passed by a class full of 6-year-old snowplowers, BSD can also do you a service by tuning up those slo-mo planks of yours.

Stereo/Electronics

BEST BUY

1740 30th St., 303-938-2889 210 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont, 303-4855939 Second Place: ListenUp Third Place: Apple Store Fourth Place: Car Toys Fifth Place: Crescendo Fine Audio

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his store is nothing short of an electronic-lover’s paradise. You can purchase a new cell phone and all the accessories to make it your own, stock up on the latest new releases or buy that laptop you’ve been eying.

Like it loud? There’s a great stereo section just waiting for you to close the soundproof door and crank it up. But if it’s peace and quiet you crave, you can buy that too in the form of noise canceling headphones. Bottom line, it’s hard to walk out of a Best Buy without some new gadget in your hands that will make you the envy of all the other electronically addicted among us.

Tire Shop

DISCOUNT TIRE

Thank you for all the local support and positive feedback!

In celebration of being ranked 3rd in Boulder County as a mattresses retailer we would like to offer you a 20% DISCOUNT off your ENTIRE purchase when you mention this Boulder Weekly promotion!

We have a wide variety of products in addition to mattresses ranging from bed frames, to futons and sofas, and many custom furniture options!

Come in today to see for yourself!

3215 28th St., Boulder, 303-440-6811 740 Highway 287 North, Lafayette, 303-2485680 379 S. Hover St., Longmont, 303-774-9869 Second Place: Barnsley Tire Co. Third Place: Big O Tires Fourth Place: Green Garage Tire Source Fifth Place: Louisville Tire & Auto Care

1 purchase per customer

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hat can we say about Discount Tire? They keep winning because they are awesome. From quick turnaround of ordered parts to super-speedy tire fixes, our readers tell us they are the best. So stop

15% OFF

in the month of August

2125 Pearl St. Boulder • 303.938.9800 • www.boulderfurnitureandmattress.com

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

Hours: Monday - Friday 10AM to 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM & Sunday 11AM to 5PM

April 24, 2014 111

THANK YOU CLIENTS!

Halonah Paiss

COUNTY 2014

CLAW and TALON TATTOO 1695 Folsom St. Boulder, CO 720-379-6577 www.clawandtalontattoo.com

HONDA SUBARU TOYOTA h i g h

t o u c h

a u t o

s e r v i c e

Welcoming Brownlow Townsend

Celebrating Our

30th Year!

Christina’s Luxuries staff (from left) Ann, Barbra and Kathy

Lingerie

CHRISTINA’S LUXURIES

2425 Canyon Blvd., Ste. 100, 303-443-2421 Second Place: Victoria’s Secret Third Place: Fascinations

S

ometimes a women needs to feel sexy, but sometimes she just needs to lay around in sweatpants. Christina’s Luxuries understands that. That’s why they sell everything from bras and panties to loungewear. If your man found you too irresistible and the pregnancy test read “positive,” they even carry maternity clothing.You can also find that swimsuit that perfectly accentuates your best assets while you’re there. Christina’s knows that the modern woman plays many roles, so they offer quality clothing for women of all ages, whether they’re in the office, at the park with the kids or on a romantic date.

Pet Store

P.C.’S PANTRY FOR DOGS AND CATS

Painting by LauraMarshall.com

THANK YOU!!!

B e s t of o f Boulder B o u l d e r 2014 2012 Best f o l s o m & s p r u c e • 3 0 3 . 4 4 9 . 6 6 3 2 • w w w. h o s h i m o t o r s . n e t 112 April 24, 2014

2828 30th St., 303-245-9909 Second Place: PetSmart Third Place: Humane Society of Boulder Valley Fourth Place: Whole Pets Fifth Place: Only Natural Pet Store

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rom pooches to kitties, we love our pets.

That’s why P.C.’s Pantry for Dogs and Cats is stocked with everything you

need for your miniature companion. Pick up food, treats, toys and for the lucky few, rockin’ clothes. Has your pet been extra lovable lately? Reward them with a fresh-baked treat. If your dog is about to celebrate a birthday and you want to throw a bash, P.C.’s even makes special Barkday Cakes. Whether your cat or dog needs basic supplies or a good spoiling, you can find everything here.

Real Estate Group

RE/MAX OF BOULDER, INC.

2425 Canyon Blvd., Suite 110, 303-4497000 Second Place: Wright Kingdom Real Estate Third Place: 8z Real Estate Fourth Place: Colorado Landmark Realtors / Pedal to Properties (tie)

T

here is nothing more challenging than finding the perfect home. It can be maddening trying to find the right number of bedrooms near a good school — all while wondering if any of your soon-to-be neighbors were recently featured on America’s Most Wanted. Thankfully, there are realtors who actually enjoy figuring out that sort of stuff for you. At Re/Max of Boulder their priority is finding you your dream home. Their kind and knowledgeable agents know the local market and will make sure you don’t overpay or wind up buying a money pit. Our readers say they trust them, so you can too.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

THANK YOU AGAIN

for voting us

Boulder County’s

#1 Tattoo Studio!

Susan France

Hazel’s Beverage World employee Jennifer DeQuiroz

Liquor Store

HAZEL’S BEVERAGE WORLD 1955 28th St., 303-447-1955 Second Place: Liquor Mart Third Place: Superior Liquor Fourth Place: North Boulder Liquor Fifth Place: Boulder Wine and Spirits

W

hether you had a rough day at work or just want to relax with some friends, Hazel’s Beverage World offers Boulder’s largest selection of wine, spirits and beer. Create your own six-pack of local, national or international beers, or peruse their enormous selection of wines from across the globe. If you decide you need a cigar to go with that wine, they have that too — in a climate-controlled humidor. Don’t feel overwhelmed by Hazel’s seemingly endless options: One of the friendly and knowledgable staff are happy to offer suggestions, or simply show you around the place. Hazel’s is locally owned and managed, so when you make a purchase, your dollars stay in Boulder. Hazel’s may be on the same planet as other liquor stores, but they really are a different world.

Mattress Store

DENVER MATTRESS CO.

1945 28th St., 303-413-1314 Second Place: Verlo Mattress Factory Third Place: Boulder Furniture & Mattress Fourth Place: Mattress King Fifth Place: Mattress Firm

Bolder Ink

303.444.7380 • 2735 Iris Ave. Celebrating 19 Years

!

114 April 24, 2014

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emember when you were a kid and your parents repeatedly told you not to jump on the bed? Well, that wasn’t just about your safety — your parents just didn’t want to go through the long process of finding a new mattress. Since then it has gotten even more complicated with all the memory foam options available. Luckily, Denver Mattress Co. has a team of experts dedicated to helping you find the best mattress for your sleeping habits and budget. You can try out any number of mattresses until you find the “one.” Go ahead, jump on in and make a day of it.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Specializing in

Susan France

FAIR TRADE

Furnishings, Accessories, Jewelry & Toys

THANK YOU BOULDER for choosing us!

1625 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 303.440.7744 www.ourmomentum.com

Fascinations Store Manager Amanda Graham

Adult Merchandise

WINNER! BEST

FASCINATIONS

2560 28th St., 303-442-7309 Second Place: Jamaica Junction

BATH & BODY CARE RETAILER 2014

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he best part about Fascinations becoming a perennial winner in this category is that some lucky BW staffer gets to do some pretty delightful research — at the store, online and later at home if they’re lucky. The bottom line is these folks got it all when it comes to gadgets, books and products guaranteed to take your sex life to a new level.

From lubricants and toys to bondage and fetish products, it’s a one-stop shop for sex paraphernalia. And our readers say it’s the best one around. So the next time you’re in the mood for a romantic candlelight encounter or a rousing round of “electro sex,” you know where to start.

Video/DVD Rental

THE VIDEO STATION

5290 Arapahoe Ave., 303-440-4448 Second Place: Fascinations

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an’t find that super-indie film online or anywhere else? At The Video Station you can find over 50,000 titles for rent. Even with the rising popularity of streaming and downloadable movies, there is something comforting about still being able to browse at a video store. Whether you are in the mood for raucous comedy, terrifying horror, a timeless classic or a thought-provoking documentary, their knowledgeable staff is there to help you choose the perfect movie. Also check out the staff picks — you might find something unexpectedly awesome, or even discover your new favorite film. Our voters love The Video Station and we think you will too.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! NORTH BOULDER 2700 BROADWAY ST. 303.442.0589

DOWNTOWN BOULDER 1647 PEARL ST. 303.442.5164 DELIVERY AVAILABLE*

TABLE MESA 645 S. BROADWAY ST. 303.867.3400

* See store for details.

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

April 24, 2014 115

Susan France

Smoker Friendly employee Tylor Kelley

Optical Store

ASPEN EYEWEAR

2525 Arapahoe Ave., 303-447-0210 Second Place: Envision Third Place: Boulder Vision Center Fourth Place: College Optical Fifth Place: Wink Optical

LIKE US ON

I

t’s not usually the best news when you are told you need to correct your eyesight. At Aspen Eyewear, however, they make the process of choosing your new look much easier. You can get your examination from a certified optometrist, be fitted for your new glasses and go about your day, all while looking great. They also perform quality repairs if you happen to break your glasses. Good to know if your clumsiness is epic. The selection of frames is vast, which is great news if you have one of those faces that is more difficult to find good fitting glasses for. Aspen will have your perfect pair and they won’t mind if it takes you two hours to try on their entire stock.

Tobacco Shop

SMOKER FRIENDLY

Lingerie, Swimwear & Apparel

1620 30th St., Boulder, 303-449-7089 179 W. South Boulder Road., Lafayette, 303-665-7870 301 Martin St., Longmont, 303-772-2323 22 Highway 72, Nederland, 303-258-9240 Second Place: Mile High Pipe & Tobacco / Johnnys Cigar Bar (tie) Third Place: The Fitter Fourth Place: University Hill Market & Deli

S 2425 Canyon • 303-443-2421 Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5 • www.christinasluxuries.com 116 April 24, 2014

ince 1989, Smoker Friendly has been a premier provider for all your tobacco needs.

They are well supplied on fine cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes. This company is so expert in the field, they have manufactured their own SF brand of tobacco products. Who better to make smokes than someone who has been selling them for 25 years? Our readers are impressed by the quality and enjoy the convenience of the many locations in Boulder County and beyond.

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Coming Summer 2014 • Now Leasing Sit Back and Enjoy the View

Set to open Summer 2014. Located just 9 minutes from downtown Boulder in the thriving Gunbarrel area, this community has plenty to do, with open space trails, bike paths and spectacular views. Boulder View offers 68 brand-new apartments with high-end finishes, a comfortable feel and breathtaking views. Each unit features an adaptable storage system for bikes and outdoor equipment. Just off the Lobo Trail and bus line, we are easily accessed from anywhere in Boulder County. The community amenity deck includes a hot tub and swim spa, 2 firepits and an outdoor kitchen. Just like the state we live in, Boulder View is a place that is chic and modern but provides the fun, relaxed lifestyle that Coloradans thrive in. With stunning views and contemporary design elements, this community is thoughtfully planned, comfortable and waiting to welcome you home. Boulder View provides high-quality amenities as well as a sense of community and interaction. We want the place you live in to enhance your aspiring lifestyle.

Features + Amenities

Studio, One and Two Bedroom Floor Plans Modern Kitchens with Full Overlay Cabinets and Self Closing Drawers Quartz Counter Tops and Stainless Appliances Wood Flooring Spa Style Bathrooms with Soaker Tubs Private Decks and Patios Full-Size Stacked Washer and Dryer in Every Home Private Tuck-Under Garages Designer Fixtures and Hardware Throughout Built to Condo Specifications Pet Friendly Fenced Dog Park Boulder View Apartments Smoke-Free Property

6655 Lookout Rd Boulder, Colorado 80301 (303) 444-4477 www.boulderviewapartments.com

blog.boulderviewapartments.com

facebook.com/boulderviewapartments

twitter.com/boulderviewapts

Six Persimmons

Boulder’s Best Massage, Facials & Skincare!

Susan France

 Massage: Deep-tissue, Swedish, Lymphatic  Facials: Anti-Aging Sanitas, Organic Dr.

Hauschka, Astara Blue Flame, Gentleman’s  Skin & Hair Care: Phyto, Sanitas, Astara, Dr. Hauschka & John Masters  Premium organic & wild-crafted essential oils  Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy

$10 off a Massage or Facial with ad!

840 Pearl St. Boulder - 303 583-0179 - sixpersimmons.com Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine: 303 413-9596

Mile High Pipe & Tobacco employee Nick Panico

Pipe Shop

MILE HIGH PIPE & TOBACCO

D. n i m here D? a t i V ade our m w’s y or Ho UV ess. l

1144 Pearl St., 303-443-7473 Second Place: The Fitter Third Place: Freaky’s Gift Shop & Tattoo Fourth Place: Buddha’s & Goudha’s Fifth Place: High on the Hill

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ow that weed is legal, we don’t have to pretend like that bong you’re buying is for tobacco. Mile High Pipe & Tobacco has everything you need to get your smoke on, Colorado-style. Mostly known for their huge selection of glasswear, they also offer vaporizers and hookahs to accommodate all your smoking needs. If you are into tobacco, they offer a wide selection of regular and flavored, cigars and pipes. They are conveniently located in downtown Boulder near the Pearl Street Mall. While you are there, stock up on incense and other cool accessories.

sun our Y ce! i cho

Natural Foods Store

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

2905 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-545-6611 2584 Baseline Road, Boulder, 303-499-7636 303 Marshall Road, Superior, 720-274-1415 Second Place: Vitamin Cottage Third Place: Alfalfa’s Market Fourth Place: Sprouts Farmers Market Fifth Place: Lucky’s Market

I 1710 29th St #2012 Boulder (720)565-ATAN

1352 College Ave Boulder (303)440-1326

n Boulder County, we love our healthy foods. We also love words like paraben-free and gluten-free. At Whole Foods Market they don’t like junk food and they won’t stand for it. In fact, they have strict guidelines on what foods are worthy enough to make it onto their shelves. Just because an item is free of harmful chemicals, it still might not meet the criteria to become a Whole Foods brand. They also sell fantastic, freshly made foods. At the Pearl Street location, there is basically a street full of restaurants inside.You can get everything from lunch staples of sandwiches and salads to tacos. That location has the best salad bar ever... seriously. We defy you to find something missing from this thing. It’s amazing.

.com 118 April 24, 2014

Best of Boulder County ’14 Boulder Weekly

Kitchen Supplies PEPPERCORN 1235 Pearl St., 303-449-5847 Second Place: McGuckin Hardware Third Place: Savory Spice Shop Fourth Place: Bed Bath & Beyond Fifth Place: Penzeys Spices

Halonah Paiss

N

o matter what your kitchen looks like, it could be improved with a trip to Peppercorn. This does not mean you have to have an extra thousand bucks lying around. It’s all a matter of perspective. If you live in a dump with twice the roommates allowed by the city of Boulder — that would be six unrelated persons — then just adding a cool bottle of hot sauce from Peppercorn’s extensive selection would spruce the place up nicely. And if you already have a great kitchen, Peppercorn can make it even better. This store literally has any and every thing your kitchen could ever need. If you don’t understand why our readers love this place, you’ve never been there.

Tattoo/Piercing Parlor

BOLDER INK

2735 Iris Ave., 303-444-7380 Second Place: Rising Tide Tattoo Third Place: Tribal Rites & Piercing Fourth Place: Claw and Talon Tattoo Fifth Place: K & K Piercing & Jewelry

A

hh, tattooing. How could it ever have been so taboo? One thing that hasn’t changed:You want to make darn sure that the artist putting on that tat knows what the heck they’re doing. There’s nothing more embarrassing than trying to explain that “no, I don’t have a pig-eagle wearing a beanie on my right calf.” The moral of the story is that when it comes to body art, quality matters.

And our readers tell us that Bolder Ink does them right every time. And don’t forget to get something you’ll still enjoy in 20 years.

You might want to resist that sweet “cray” tattoo.

Hardware

MCGUCKIN HARDWARE

2525 Arapahoe Ave., Unit D1, 303-4431822 Second Place: The Home Depot Third Place: Jax Ranch & Home Fourth Place: Ace Hardware Fifth Place: Table Mesa Hardware

S

o it’s Saturday morning and you wake up and remember that you need to buy a few things for the ol’ homestead. You draw up your list: Yard gnome, humidifier, battery for the car, a new CD player, set of dishes, easel and oil paints, dog food, 1,200 feet of 1-inch steel pipe, snowshoes, a hula hoop, air conditioner, a copy of the house key and flowers for your significant other. At this point you can either panic at the thought of spending the next 48 hours driving all over creation to fulfill your shopping needs or you can drop by McGuckin Hardware and get everything on your list. And that, my friends, is why our readers have chosen this “everything store” as their favorite hardware destination.

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder County ’14

Peppercorn employees Anne Lynch (left) and Janice Manville

We carry the best brands and latest styles of beach and casual footwear.

Boulder

1110 Pearl Street 303-997-7051

Denver

Park Meadows Mall 303-662-8637

*Restrictions apply.

Limit one discount per customer.

April 24, 2014 119

Boulder 6395 W. Gunpark dr 303.473.4769 denver 301 east 57th Ave 303.296.7900 Fort Collins 3201 e. Mulberry st 970.484.4769 lAkeWood 11989 W. Colfax Ave 303.546.3600

GroW With the Best waytogrow.net

Best Prices Best Service

Colorado’s Premier Source for Organic & Hydroponic Gardening