To summarize my Boulder dining experience at Arugula Bar e Ristorante – AMAZING.  Chef/Proprietor Alec Schuler brings Northern Italian dining to Denver metro and adds a twist of tangy, leafy, yummy goodness; a welcome addition to the culinary options in Boulder.

SEARED SEA SCALLOPS & ROMESCO at Arugula's in Boulder, Colorado

Open since 2009, Arugula Bar e Ristorante is a hidden strip mall gem. Whether you’re enjoying their frequent wine dinners, happy hours, or a night out on the town, Chef/Proprietor Alec Schuler will make your experience, well, an unforgettable experience in a zen-Boulder, but not-intimidating kind of way.

The staff doesn’t condescend when visiting your table. No, they step to the table ready to make your Arugula experience the very best.

Don’t know much about wines? No problem – the staff will offer to pair your wines with your dinner, and they even are conscious of your budget.  Guests can certainly enjoy their dining experience and be conscious of their budget.  (Thank you Denver Restaurant Week!) Read More »

Boulder’s Mateo Restaurant is inspiring and simple, an upscale dining experience, a French blend of Laissez-Faire (let it be) and haut de gamme (high end). Opened in 2001, Mateo Restaurant is nestled on the quiet east end of Pearl Street, inspired perhaps by its location, where their regulars appreciate the outdoor Colorado lifestyle and an exceptional Boulder dining experience.

Hors d'oeuvres as it should be at Mateo Restaurant in Boulder

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Not into Boulder’s touristy Pearl Street scene? Detour to a quiet Rocky Mountain foothills neighborhood alongside Boulder Creek in Central park to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse for great food, great tea and great fun.

Entrance to Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

I’m already a fan of Denver afternoon teas, so an opportunity to enjoy yet another of the Denver tea rooms is a bonus on any given day.  What I didn’t know is that Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is a museum-quality building. Completely built by hand (no power tools), the Teahouse was an unused gift to the the city of Boulder from its sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikstan , totally constructed, then disassembled, crated and then sent to Boulder.

Until you actually step into the building, you won’t get it.  Beautiful decorative ceilings with intricate patterns, oil paintings, copper sculptures of women – the building is simply decadently beautiful.

Unfortunately, Boulder had no idea what to do with this Persian-style, museum-quality building. That was, until Lenny and Sara Martinelli, longtime residents of Boulder and owners of other multiple other Boulder restaurants, proposed the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Read More »