Boulder County Gold » Boulder County Gold – BEST LATE NIGHT RESTAURANT: Cosmo’s Pizza

BEST LATE NIGHT RESTAURANT: Cosmo’s Pizza

Boulder County Gold — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:22:20 +0000

Winner

Cosmo’s Pizza
659 30th St., Boulder, 303.447.3278;
1325 Broadway, Boulder, 303.447.1133;
www.cosmospizza.com

Cosmo’s Pizza’s celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. In this decade it has become an essential resource for Boulderites and legions of college students. “You get great service, a high-quality and consistent product, and you get it on time,” says owner Ryan Shorter. “We’re always striving to make it a great experience. Customers can be sure the pizza is the same as it was five years ago; it hasn’t changed since I started.” He credits Cosmo’s success to hard work, too, and attention to detail; he visits the two Boulder shops and the Denver shop every day. General Manager Kevin Behnke cites “great food, atmosphere and reasonable prices. Our pizza slices are huge; we make 24-inch pizzas. We grate our own cheese, make our own sauce and cut all the vegetables in the shop. We make our dough every day; it’s the best in town for taste and consistency, all hand-tossed.” Business is brisk at Cosmo’s every night of the week until closing at 2:30 a.m. After the bars shut down at 1:30 a.m., “People go home and get hungry and call us, almost exclusively for pizza slices,” says Behnke. And to make the deal even sweeter, delivery is free every day.

Runner Up

The Corner Bar
2115 13TH St. (In The Hotel Boulderado), Boulder, 303.442.4560
www.boulderado.com/thecornerbar.html

Runner Up

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

BEST Late-Night Restaurant: The Kitchen

Boulder County Gold — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:41:38 +0000

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

BEST Place for a Romantic Dinner: Flagstaff House Restaurant

Boulder County Gold — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:33:06 +0000

Winner

Flagstaff House Restaurant www.flagstaffhouse.com 1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder 303.442.4640

Flagstaff House Restaurant

The stars twinkling over the foothills, the breathtaking views of Boulder, the slightly thinner air – the Flagstaff House’s mountainside location is cause enough to get weak in the knees. Add that special someone as well as exquisite food, drinks and service to the mix and forget about it; you’re Cupid fodder. Romance is part of the package at the Flagstaff House. “A lot of proposals happen here,” says general manager Scott Monette, who recommends popping the question during the first course instead of waiting until dessert. “We find people enjoy the experience much more that way,” he adds with a knowing smile. Truly, it would be a shame to spend a night at this premier dining establishment distracted by nerves when you could be looking deep into your loved one’s eyes, drinking in the ambiance and a delectable Cabernet Sauvignon, savoring a stolen kiss and butter poached Maine lobster. The Flagstaff House’s seasoned staff goes out of its way to make every night remarkable for its customers, whether the moment calls for crystal glasses or party hats. “We’re a family-run operation and have been around for 37 years,” says Monette. “It’s great to be a part of Boulder and part of the environment for so many people’s special occasions.”

Runner Up

Carelli’s of Boulder Ristorante Italiano www.carellis.com 645 30th St., Boulder 303.938.9300

BEST Brunch: Lucile’s Creole Cafe

Boulder County Gold — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:15:01 +0000

Winner

Lucile’s Creole Cafe www.luciles.com 2124 14th St., Boulder, 303.442.4743 518 Kimbark St., Longmont, 303.774.9814

BEST Breakfast: Lucile’s Creole Cafe

Ask Rose Fuller which menu item is the customer favorite, and she answers without hesitation: Eggs New Orleans (fried eggplant slices with creole sauce, poached eggs and hollandaise). “Though our eggs Benedict will give any other eggs Benedict in town a run for their money,” the Boulder Lucile’s principal host adds with a laugh, and then pauses for a moment. “You know, there are lots of great dishes, but people come to us for our biscuits and jam, our beignets and coffee.” The truth of the matter is you can’t go wrong. If any of you reading this haven’t yet experienced Lucile’s, there’s nothing left to say. You simply must go to understand the distinctively decadent, immediately addictive creole cuisine. For the rest of us who regularly go out of our way for the chicory coffee, Eggs Sardou and the best grits this side of the Mississippi, here’s something else to love about Lucile’s: The restaurant started a farm in Niwot to grow its own food. “Our daily and weekend specials have been fresh from the farm,” enthuses Fuller. “We’re on our way to being more organic and self-sustainable.” And I’m on my way to Lucile’s. See you there.

Runner Up

Greenbriar Inn www.greenbriarinn.com 8735 N. Foothills Hwy., Boulder 303.440.7979

BEST Breakfast: Lucile’s Creole Cafe

Boulder County Gold — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:11:37 +0000

Winner

Lucile’s Creole Cafe www.luciles.com 2124 14th St., Boulder, 303.442.4743 518 Kimbark St., Longmont, 303.774.9814

BEST Breakfast: Lucile’s Creole Cafe

Runner Up

Walnut Cafe www.walnutcafe.com 3073 Walnut St., Boulder, 303.447.2315 673 S. Broadway, Boulder, 720.304.8118

BEST Pizza: Abo’s

Boulder County Gold — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:42:52 +0000

Winner

Abo’s www.abospizza.com 2761 Iris Ave., Boulder, 303.443.1921 1110 13th St., Boulder, 303.443.3199 637 S. Broadway St., Boulder, 303.494.1274 720 Austin Ave., Erie, 303.828.9777 1834 Main St., Longmont, 303.678.0111 1355 South Boulder Road, Louisville, 303.604.9896 7960 Niwot Road, Niwot, 303.652.0830 502 Center Drive, Superior, 720.304.6000
With all the pizza places around, what makes Abo’s stand out? “Quality ingredients – special dough and special sauce made daily just for Abo’s,” according to manager Ben Bishop. “Also, our professional pie makers, professional because of the quality they assure and the pride they take in their work.” It’s true, the dough is made fresh daily and hand tossed according to Neopolitan New York tradition, and, oh, that genuine Neopolitan crust – benissimo! It is classically thin with a bumpy texture, bubbly, pliable but firm to fold over. Abo’s Pizza still adheres to the original quality ingredients of its first pie, which hit Boulder in 1977. The sauce is a proprietary blend fashioned after the legendary Rocky Graziano family sauce recipe. Founder Steve Abo was trained in New York pizza restaurants owned by the once-famous boxer. Abo’s continues to use high quality tomatoes from the same supplier year after year. The freshest vegetables are delivered and chopped daily. They use mozzarella cheese that won’t slide off the crust. A slice of Abo’s pizza is only $3, and the restaurant offers lunch specials. Bishop says, “Thanks to all our fans,” and notes, “We have quite a few regulars who come in three to five days a week. We know them by their names and their slices!”

Runner Up

Proto’s Pizza www.protospizza.com 4670 Broadway St., Boulder, 720.565.1050 489 Highway 287, Lafayette, 303.661.3030 600 Airport Road, Longmont, 303.485.5000

BEST Coffeehouse: Vic’s

Boulder County Gold — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:06:48 +0000

Winner

Vic’s 2680 Broadway, Boulder, 303.440.8209 3305 30th St., Boulder, 303.440.2918 801 Main St., Louisville, 303.666.1402 700 Tenacity, Suite 101, Prospect New Town Longmont, 303.485.6791
At Vic’s, first and foremost it’s about the coffee. Good coffee, dark roasted and served pretty much anyway you want it. The baristas are friendly in a non-corporate way and keep things moving. Locally baked scones, pastries and muffins go great with your cuppa Joe. Did we mention there’s free Wi-Fi? Every great coffeehouse has its scene, and Vic’s version is hustle, bustle and laid-back cool, all at once. The tables out front are popular for meeting friends or taking a caffeine break while you’re out walking your canine friends. Inside, great American novels and business plans are being written on a medley of laptops, two chic ladies are catching up on neighborhood news, and one young man in a fedora is scrutinizing the local artwork on the walls. Owner Mike Hilliker says that Vic’s success is all about “good product, good service, good customers and a good staff.” Good enough to be the best.

Runner Up

Laughing Goat Coffeehouse www.thelaughinggoat.com 1709 Pearl St., Boulder 303.440.4628