The December Restaurant Roundup captures the highs and lows of Boulder's eating scene this vacation season. Eight native favorites have closed their doorways, marking the top of an period for some beloved institutions. However there's additionally excellent news: Three new areas have opened, providing new choices for diners. Plus, we share vacation eating suggestions, native market dates, and a highlight on North Boulder's vibrant restaurant scene.
Do you’ve information about your favourite restaurant or upcoming occasions? Ship your suggestions and gastronomic information to meals@boulderreportinglab.org.
closing time
South Boulder Speakeasy: Subsequent to the Tandoori Grill at 619 S. Broadway is a spot with an unmarked door and darkish home windows referred to as South Boulder Speakeasy, affectionately nicknamed “Tandoori Subsequent-Doori.” The house has operated as a seasonal bar three nights per week with open mic nights, karaoke and reside music, and can shut Dec. 28 after 13 years.
The speakeasy is run by Gurjeet Gill Dhanoa, who additionally owned Tandoori Grill together with her husband for 24 years earlier than promoting the restaurant to Binod Gurung in August 2023. Gill Dhanoa stayed on to run the bar, however Gurung defined the challenges. : “The bar “The aspect is seasonal, in summer season there will not be sufficient prospects and, since it’s only open three nights per week, it doesn’t make financial sense.”
Gurung plans to proceed nightlife actions, corresponding to providing reside music, on the most important restaurant. Most individuals order takeout, he defined, and there’s loads of house within the restaurant that may replenish. After the speakeasy closes, Gurung stated he heard a tiki bar could open within the house.
Thrive: The vegan and uncooked meals group was hit arduous when Thrive introduced its closure in November. This busy and sought-after espresso store, open for practically a decade, was compelled to maneuver as a result of the house owners will demolish house for growth at 1509 Arapahoe Ave., a chief location throughout from Boulder Excessive. Thrive's house included a patio, outside seating and on-site parking.
Corey Jacobs, who based the uncooked, vegan, all-organic, plant-based restaurant, shared the information with a mixture of gratitude and hope: “We’ve got been lucky to serve our group with the best high quality natural choices for nearly a decade since our little spaceship situated in downtown Boulder.”
Thrive held a last celebration on Nov. 11, combining a farewell celebration with a fundraiser to assist assist a potential new location. Jacobs added: “With a common change within the financial system, it appeared unattainable to seek out an inexpensive place to proceed our humble mission. “We’ve got not too long ago discovered an area that may fairly work to proceed a Thrive location in Boulder.” You may be taught extra about their plans and contribute to the brand new location on Thrive's GoFundMe web page.
Purpose Burger: The vegan fast-casual chain that was as soon as named “the perfect vegan burger on the earth” closed its Boulder location on 29th Road on November 29. Though the restaurant's web site doesn’t explicitly point out the closure, its on-line menu lists all objects as “out of inventory.” On Instagram, the ultimate submit is a couple of customer-led fundraiser to assist the founders make transition and pay their money owed. In line with a Westword article, the founders of Meta Burger are compelled to declare chapter and promote their properties because of the enterprise disaster. The Denver-based chain was launched in 2018.
Maine Hut: The favored lobster roll vacation spot completely closed its Boulder location on Nov. three, after only one yr, and closed its Denver operations for the winter season on Nov. 10. The house owners of Maine Shack posted a discover and their plans on Fb: “This was not a straightforward resolution to make, however with the rising value of labor and items, together with the present financial challenges going through small companies, Closing Boulder was greatest for the well being of our firm.” They’re on the lookout for a brand new location in Denver and plan to develop to Naples, Florida.
reel: Including to the native seafood retailers, Reelfish in Lafayette closed Nov. 16. Coeliac and gluten-free diners have famous how a lot they may miss the celiac-friendly fish and chips.
The rusty melon: The restaurant's Gunbarrel location closed its doorways in October after its lease was not renewed, in line with an indication posted on its door. The situation obtained off to an unlucky begin, signing a lease in December 2019 and opening in early 2020, which coincided with the preliminary pandemic and its affect on the restaurant trade. The Erie location of The Rusty Melon, which describes itself as a “trendy Colorado restaurant” and has been open since 2018, stays open.
surprise press: The cold-pressed juice and wellness cafe closed its Longmont location in November. It had simply opened in November 2023 on Francis Road within the former Ziggy's location, with the objective of increasing past its first Boulder retailer on Pearl Road. That Marvel Press location stays open.
BOCO Cider: Boulder's solely cidery, situated in North Boulder, closed Nov. 24 after 5 years in enterprise. The proprietor is hopeful of reopening sooner or later, he advised Boulder Reporting Lab.
Now open!
Over Thanksgiving weekend, you’ll have seen the lights come again on and an open signal reappear at 2770 Pearl Road, the previous location of Black Pepper Pho. No, he has not returned; the house now belongs to Thuy Steward and his new restaurant, lotus moonVietnamese Vegan Delicacies.
The restaurant continues to be constructing its on-line presence, however diners can go to in particular person or order takeout by way of Clover. Lotus Moon is open each day from 11am to 9pm and could have a grand opening on Saturday, December 7. The skin indicators could take some time to replace because of the metropolis's allowing course of, however Steward and her staff are patiently answering questions from everybody who stops by and hopes to woo them with their plant-based recipes perfected over years on the restaurant enterprise.
Fir Espresso opened its fourth location in September, this one at 600 S. Airport Rd. in Longmont, serving contemporary pastries, quiche, sandwiches, salads and a number of drinks.
Coming quickly
Relish/Pickleball Meals Corridor has introduced a schedule for its upcoming opening in Louisville. A former Sam's Membership is being reworked to create a mixed restaurant and pickleball vacation spot at 550 McCaslin. The house could have eight meals stalls together with arepas, pizza, sandwiches, soups, a bar and a restaurant, along with 20 indoor and two outside pickleball courts. A gap date has not been set.
Deal with North Boulder
wapoa standard Mexican restaurant, reopened Oct. 26 in North Boulder after a kitchen hearth destroyed the constructing two years in the past. The small and easy nation home with a lined patio is situated on the entrance of the “Emerald Metropolis”, a cluster of inexperienced arts and warehouse buildings. Wapos is a good spot for fish tacos and refreshing margaritas, particularly on the NoBo Artwork District's First Friday artwork stroll nights. Meals vans crammed the void whereas Wapos was closed. Now they're again with each day double comfortable hours Tuesday by way of Sunday, 2-6pm and Eight-9pm, plus an all-day comfortable hour on Mondays.
A few blocks south is Acorn at 4580 N. Broadway, a part of the restaurant group that features Corrida and Oak. This spot focuses on regional Mexican delicacies with seasonal specialties and top-notch agave cocktails. Common supervisor Lauren Pleasure joined the restaurant in April, bringing in depth expertise that features working at her household's restaurant (The Pantry in Inexperienced Mountain Falls, Colorado) and stints as a cook dinner, pastry chef and sous chef at The Med on Walnut earlier than . closed throughout Covid.
Pleasure and her staff at Bellota have created a welcoming environment that encourages diners to strive distinctive creations, such because the New Pumpkin Salad with pumpkin, pomegranate, pickled serrano and sesame seeds. Earlier than new dishes seem on the menu, the workers works collectively to make solutions and provides tasting notes for approval by culinary director Jordan Wallace. A hidden gem is Caramel Tortillas (made in Lawrence, Kansas), whose wealthy grilled taste comes from cooked pork and duck fats. Solely the crust and shrimp tacos are made with these distinctive flour tortillas, which seem on the specials listing each Monday, 4 for $20.
The subsequent cease on the North Boulder expertise is Holysituated within the Excellent Market purchasing middle. Chef Hosea Rosenberg (of Blackbelly) highlights northern New Mexico delicacies at this restaurant, which earned a 2023 Michelin Information advice. Santo celebrated seven years in Boulder on November 18.
An insider's tip for this place: Strive the chilly desserts with heat flavors: biscochito, cinnamon, Mexican scorching chocolate and plenty of others, together with six vegan flavors. A standard biscochito cookie is made with anise, orange zest, and cinnamon, and the ice cream model captures heat Christmas flavors with a little bit crunch. Canela, a Mexican cinnamon, is milder and sweeter than Ceylon. Do-it-yourself, small-batch ice cream is cheaper than a visit to Taos and simply as scrumptious.
Suggestions and issues for the vacations
Timing is all the pieces when planning a vacation meal and ordering from bakeries and specialty shops. Most locations advocate ordering by the second week of December to keep away from lacking out in your favorites. Test with firms straight for particular affords and order occasions.
- Boulder County Winter Farmers Market: December 7 and eight, 9 am to three pm each day on the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The occasion options “150 native farmers, ranchers, meals producers and artisans to create a uniquely native vacation purchasing expertise that champions small companies.”
- Waves of Grain Agricultural Cooperative: Indoor Winter Market each Saturday at The Stand (Riverside), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The pasta maker: The family-owned and operated Italian restaurant at 30th and Arapahoe is providing vacation “pasta bundles,” together with two contemporary pastas, sauces and sides for take-and-bake meals. Founder Giuseppe Oreamuno's household recipes are made each day. Il Pastaio will quickly have fun 25 years of exercise. Name or go to us for extra particulars; The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m.
- Discounted Eating in Downtown Boulder: Dine at any of the Downtown District's greater than 100 eating places, then convey your receipt inside 48 hours to a taking part retailer for as much as 20% off or different particular affords. There are at the moment ten shops on the listing, with updates all through the month.
- “Pancake It Ahead” by Snooze: By way of December 31, ship a good friend a coupon for a free aspect of pancakes. Vouchers should be redeemed inside 30 days. Alternatively, indulge of their holiday-themed “Nana's Sizzling Cocoa Pancake,” topped with toasted marshmallows and crushed sweet canes, and served with spiced scorching chocolate.