Winner

Boulder Theater
www.bouldertheater.com
2032 14th St., Boulder
303.786.7030

Boulder Theater

Boulder Theater is a landmark – it opened in 1906 and has showcased everything from opera productions and silent movies to blues legends and indie trailblazers. The building has been renovated several times to fit the needs of its audiences over the years, the most recent changes having to do with sound quality and expanding the theater’s capabilities as a multi-use facility. What hasn’t changed is the venue’s overarching appeal, with its hand-painted murals and fresco ceilings. And diversity of talent is still the name of the game. In October, Boulder Theater will play host to national recording artists Aimee Mann and Dinosaur, Jr., local favorite DeVotchka, the highly anticipated Dancing with Boulder Stars event, Teton Gravity Research’s latest ski and snowboard film, and many other can’t-miss shows.

Runner Up

Nissi’s
www.nissis.com
2675 North Park Drive, Lafayette
303.666.2757

Winner

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre
www.theatreinboulder.com
5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
303.449.6000

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre has been wowing us with live, Broadway-quality performances paired with fine dining since 1977. “It’s a complete evening of entertainment,” explains artistic director Michael J. Duran. “Our audience gets a good meal and fantastic theater, and they get to meet the stars of the show.” These stars shine brightly; members of the company have performed on stages nationwide. Some have been with Boulder’s Dinner Theatre for 20 years, and some are new to the group. Some have Academy Award nominations and some are just getting their feet wet in the industry. But veterans and fresh talent alike pour their hearts into every performance. Come see for yourself; the theater is putting on a regional premier of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – a hilarious musical comedy with audience participation – now through November 7.

Runner Up

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
www.coloradoshakes.org
University of Colorado, Boulder
(Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre and University Theatre)
303.492.0554

Winner

Cheesecake Factory
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
1401 Pearl St., Boulder
303.546.0222

Cheesecake Factory

Evelyn Overton was a lot of things – a wonderful wife and mother, an active member of her community, an organizer and a doer – but she is best known for her contribution to the advancement of dessert. She created the recipe around which The Cheesecake Factory was built, the cheesecake to end all cheesecakes. In the late 1940s, Evelyn’s cheesecakes were so popular with friends, her husband Oscar’s business associates and local bake sales that she and Oscar opened a small bakery. Through persistence and hard work, the Overton family’s business grew from one singularly lip-smacking recipe at one small Detroit location to today’s Cheesecake Factory, with 50 different desserts at each of its 150 locations nationwide. If you’re not in the mood for cheesecake, try one of the decadent chocolate cakes or ice cream sundaes. But with a name like The Cheesecake Factory, it’s hard not to be in the mood. There are more than 30 legendary cheesecakes from which to choose, including lemon raspberry cream, white chocolate caramel macadamia nut, tiramisu, Key lime and, of course, the original. Thanks Evelyn.

Runner Up

The Kitchen
www.thekitchencafe.com
1039 Pearl St., Boulder
303.544.5973

Winner

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Spirits
www.redrobin.com
2580 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
303.442.0320
2331 Clover Basin Drive, Longmont
720.652.9229


“We are proud to offer our guests a fun dining experience in a kid- and family-friendly atmosphere where kids, and adults, can be kids,” says Red Robin president Eric Houseman. Adult patrons love the gourmet burgers, bottomless steak fries, salads, desserts and unique drinks almost as much as they love being able to relax because their kids are happily occupied. Balloons, activity pages, crayons and the genial mascot “Red” go a long way toward making eating out with little ones an enjoyable endeavor. The menu seals the deal – mac and cheese, chicken fingers, cheeseburgers, corn dogs, pizza, all the favorites of the under-12 set, plus plenty of healthy side item choices. Red Robin does more than serve the kids in its restaurants, though. It serves children across the nation through its U-ACT Program, a character-building initiative designed for middle and junior high students, as well as through its continued support of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Special Olympics.

Runner Up

Noodles & Co.
www.noodles.com
2850 Baseline Road, Boulder, 303.247.9978
2770 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.444.5533
1245 Alpine, Boulder, 303.440.4340
1100 W. Dillon Road, Louisville, 303.665.6226
1087 S. Hover St., Longmont, 303.776.5664

Winner

Boulder Creek Festival
www.bceproductions.com
Along Boulder Creek, Boulder
303.449.3137


The Boulder Creek Festival had another wildly successful and fun-filled run over Memorial Day weekend this year. Thousands flocked to the downtown section of Boulder Creek (from 9th Street to 14th Street, between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue) to enjoy performances, activities, food and entertainment. For 23 years, the festival has been the unofficial kickoff to summer in Boulder. There’s something for everyone among the 10 different event areas and 500 vendors in attendance, from holistic health to hip hop dance, bluegrass music to brew appreciation, children’s play to fine art. And let’s not forget the Great Duck Race, which provides endless excitement for participants, a visual feast as 5,000 rubber ducks go barreling down the creek, and money for the city of Boulder Parks & Recreation department’s EXPAND program. Next year promises to be another community celebration to remember. Mark your calendar now for Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31, 2010.

Runner Up

Bolder Boulder
www.bolderboulder.com
5500 Central Ave., Suite 110, Boulder
303.444.RACE

Winner

The Kitchen
www.thekitchencafe.com
1039 Pearl St., Boulder
303.544.5973


Just what exactly is American cuisine, and what’s cooking in our melting pot these days? “Our focus is on locally produced, seasonal ingredients, prepared simply so that the expression of the food comes through,” explains Kate Kaufman, manager at community bistro The Kitchen. “Our produce and our meat come from local farmers and ranchers, who are our friends as well.” Chefs Hugo Matheson and Kimbal Musk have created a menu that skillfully moves from starter plates of Poached Salmon Salad or Pork Terrine to enticing entrees like Roasted Pork Loin or Pan Seared Lamb Sirloin. Weekend brunch (you can even order a Full English Breakfast!) is served until 2 p.m. – the perfect way to slow-start your day. Not a morning person? If the nighttime is the right time for your socializing, join friends for dinner under the chandeliers in the dining room. Or cozy up to the counter with a special friend and share a couple of yummy desserts and a tawny port. The vibe is tastefully mellow, a happy mashup of visual palette and “flavor” palate that makes The Kitchen your choice for Best American and Best Late-Night Restaurant.

Runner Up

The Attic Bar & Bistro
949 Walnut St., Boulder
303.415.1300

Winner

The Kitchen
www.thekitchencafe.com
1039 Pearl St., Boulder
303.544.5973


Just what exactly is American cuisine, and what’s cooking in our melting pot these days? “Our focus is on locally produced, seasonal ingredients, prepared simply so that the expression of the food comes through,” explains Kate Kaufman, manager at community bistro The Kitchen. “Our produce and our meat come from local farmers and ranchers, who are our friends as well.” Chefs Hugo Matheson and Kimbal Musk have created a menu that skillfully moves from starter plates of Poached Salmon Salad or Pork Terrine to enticing entrees like Roasted Pork Loin or Pan Seared Lamb Sirloin. Weekend brunch (you can even order a Full English Breakfast!) is served until 2 p.m. – the perfect way to slow-start your day. Not a morning person? If the nighttime is the right time for your socializing, join friends for dinner under the chandeliers in the dining room. Or cozy up to the counter with a special friend and share a couple of yummy desserts and a tawny port. The vibe is tastefully mellow, a happy mashup of visual palette and “flavor” palate that makes The Kitchen your choice for Best American and Best Late-Night Restaurant.

Runner Up

Boulder ChopHouse & Tavern
www.chophouse.com
921 Walnut St., Boulder
303.443.1188

Winner

Happy Noodle House
www.happynoodlehouse.com
835 Walnut St., Boulder
303.442.3050

Happy Noodle House

Despite these tough economic times, this new restaurant, which opened Feb. 13, is thriving. “It’s the right concept at the right time,” says general manager John-Mark Larter. “It’s also the right price point. You can come in for dinner, tax, tip and beer for $16.” Expect fresh, unique and affordable Asian-inspired cuisine paired with attentive and friendly service and classic, “old-school” handcrafted cocktails. The signature dish is a big bowl of ramen noodles, with the chef’s own chicken broth, and chicken or pork and veggies. And there are lots of other wholesome and creative dishes to try. Larter encourages families to come and feel right at home at Happy Noodle: “The food comes quickly, in less than 10 minutes, and with the openness of the space and community seating, it’s a rambunctious restaurant on some nights – filled with families, serious diners, and cocktail drinkers.” Once the kitchen closes for the day, the bar takes center stage and the place is transformed into a kind of Prohibition-era speakeasy. Conveniently, Happy Noodle offers take-out, too.

Runner Up

Arugula Bar e Ristorante
www.arugularistorante.com
2785 Iris Ave., Boulder
303.443.5100

Winner

Efrain’s Mexican
www.efrainsrestaurant.com
101 E. Cleveland St., Lafayette, 303.666.7544
Efrain’s II: 1630 N. 63rd St., Boulder, 303.440.4045
Efrain’s III: 451 S. Pratt Pkwy., Longmont,720.494.0777


For authentic Mexican food, speed past the fast-food chains and head over to Efrain’s, a 20-year institution in Lafayette. This is the mother ship for three restaurants serving home-cooked favorites from the Gomez family’s trove of traditional recipes. “Mom was the cook and still comes in to help,” says George Gomez, one of the 10 Gomez siblings who run the Lafayette eatery as well as the Boulder and Longmont branches. “She’s almost 80 and looks about 55.” Chicken chimichanga is the most popular dish, with chicken fajitas, chile verde and rellenos not far behind. “I have the best customers in the world,” Gomez says, “and my brother is the best cook. We are very busy, even on Mondays. I tell the customers I’m so lucky; they say, ‘You do everything right.’ My prices here in Lafayette are the best prices anywhere. We have good prices, good food, and good tequila.” He explains that the tab is higher in the Boulder and Longmont branches because “we pay rent. In Lafayette, it’s my building.”

Runner Up

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
www.riograndemexican.com
1101 Walnut St., Boulder
303.444.3690

Winner

Hapa Sushi
www.hapasushi.com
1117 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.473.4730;
1220 Pennsylvania Ave., Boulder, 303.447.9883

Hapa Sushi

Sushi reigns. And the favorite spot to savor this delicacy is Hapa Sushi. “We owe our awards to our loyal customers, who have come to Hapa since we opened 10 years ago,” says owner Mark Van Grack. “We believe we have the freshest sushi in town – most of the tuna is flown in from Hawaii. Hapa is the Hawaiian slang word for blended culture, and we have some Hapas among our sushi chefs.” Besides the sushi, diners enjoy the whole experience at Hapa Sushi – excellent service, very customer-focused. Hapa has one of the best Happy Hours in town – Monday through Saturday, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. to midnight – with great prices on sushi, hand-crafted nigiri, Hapa beer, sake cocktails and more.

Runner Up

Sushi Zanmai
www.sushizanmai.com
1221 Spruce St., Boulder
303.440.0733