Thupka

Sherpa’s Adventurers Restaurant – Boulder

Let us sum up what you need to know about Boulder’s Sherpa’s Adventurers restaurant:  the food is delicious, the service is friendly, and if you go before cold weather sets in you can sit outside on their lovely patio to enjoy both the food and service.  The menu includes items traditionally found in Indian restaurants – tikka masalas, aloo gobi, vindaloo – but you really must not miss the Tibetan specialties.  Especially recommended is the thupka.  This steaming, hearty bowl of noodles, rich broth, veggies, comes with your choice of meat.  Be brave, order the yak.  The meat is sweet, tender, and mild and goes perfectly with the thick chewy noodles.  Also recommended:  the Sherpa Stew.  A highly seasoned, flavorful dish of broth, dumplings, vegetables, and choice of meat (again, go for yak) will prepare you for your next mountain climbing adventure.

Beef with Tomatoes

Chez Thuy – Boulder

Vietnamese cuisine has Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, and French influences and that means that there are more flavors to love.  Chez Thuy is the best Vietnamese spot in Boulder County – indeed, it’s beloved in Boulder County thanks to a wonderful menu and, of course, owner Thuy Le herself, a fascinating women who can quickly size you up and offer dish recommendations.  Some favorite entrees are beef with tomatoes.  This dish is deceptively simple and so delicious it sometimes shows up in dreams.  In addition, the curry stew is hearty with large wedges of potato, yam, carrot, and meat or tofu in a thick coconut curry.

Warm & Spicy Chocolate Cake

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse – Boulder

They might be known for tea—it is in their name—but equally important is what you eat with the tea, and that’s where the Dushanbe Teahouse shines. Enter this dessert plate; with a modest chocolate cake turret and side of avocado ice cream (you read that right), the only tough part of the visit is deciding which of the many teas to pair it with. The cake is more airy than most, resembling its molten lava cousin and making it that much harder to slow down on the devouring. Though the chocolate flavor is solid, there is a subtle buzz of cinnamon and other spices (cardamom, perhaps?) that runs throughout. The spice is reinforced by a layer of chile caramel sauce upon which the cake and ice cream sit. And while vanilla ice cream normally suffices for most chocolate cakes, this isn’t most cakes. Instead, the avocado is rich, creamy and most importantly, cool, as it balances the bit of heat from the cake. Whatever guacamole flavor you might be wary of, don’t be; it’s much closer to a green tea taste with the way it refreshes the whole mouth.

Chef’s Choice Biryani

Flavor of India – Longmont

Rice may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Indian food, but when the rice is the flavorful basmati strain and it is woven with meat and spices into the collection of elaborate dishes known as biryanis, created during the Mogul Raj, it is not just a staple but an experience. Flavor of India in Longmont offers biryanis in several varieties – chicken, pork, lamb and shrimp. We recommend you combine them all in the guise of the Chef’s Choice Biriyani.

Goong Ob Woon Sen

Busaba Thai – Louisville

While the classic dishes like pad thai look nice enough, on a big plate garnished with shredded carrot and beet, we couldn’t resist something a little off of the beaten path. The menu describes the dish as “steamed bean thread noodles with shrimp, bacon, garlic, ginger and cilantro, in special soy blend,” and that’s exactly what you get. Its served in a bowl, so it’s fairly light, and the noodles are glassy and perfectly sticky. Large, fresh shrimp and slices of salty bacon are complimented by a whole garlic clove and a sliver of ginger. It looks and tastes a little like home-cooking, and that’s because the proprietors are a family from Thailand, using mom’s old recipes. Brilliant.

Aunt Tai’s Curry Chicken

Spice China -Louisville

The first thing you’ll notice here (besides the floor to ceiling murals depicting Chinese village life) is the enormous book that is their menu, including an impressive Shanghai section. Let us save you the trouble; order Aunt Tai’s Curry Chicken. Whoever Aunt Tai is, we love her for this warm dish that flirts with having a stew-like consistency, yet leaves you wanting more, even on a 90 degree day. The not-too-sweet coconut curry sauce binds everything together and sticks to soft chicken, chopped carrots, bell peppers and onions. It’s a dish that satisfies a hankering for sweet and sour, but isn’t the ordinary sesame chicken in a white carton that you might expect to find along the Front Range. (You can still get a white carton to-go if you really want, though.)

Shoyu Ramen

Sushi Tora – Boulder

Sushi may be the most iconic of Japanese menu offerings and it is the item from which Sushi Tora draws its name, but sushi is far from the whole of the cuisine, and while Sushi Tora’s sushi is remarkable, we are recommending a different Japanese dish. You will have to show up on Saturday or Sunday between 11:30 to 2:00 to get it but Sushi Tora’s ramen is worth the effort. The dish is a soup of chinese style noodles in a lighter shoyu broth, with bamboo shoots, green onions, fish cakes, soft boiled eggs, and roasted pork, and it’s delicious.

Dosa

Tiffins India Cafe – Boulder

What’s in a name?  Tiffin is an Indian English word meaning a small meal, often referring to lunch or the box that contains the lunch.  In this case the name is somewhat misleading – these meals aren’t small, the portions are large and filling.  Start with samosa chat.  Two richly seasoned samosas come smothered with chick peas in a slightly sweet, spicy sauce with crunchy noodles sprinkled on top.  One bite gets you flaky pastry, tender potato, mealy chick pea, sweet cinnamon, tangy cilantro, and spicy red chili.  Follow this with a dosa.  Imagine a thin, crispy, buttery crepe made of rice and lentil flour wrapped around a spicy potato filling.  Now imagine it is a foot long and four inches across.  This impressive dish comes with chutneys for dipping and a side of sambar.  Finish off your meal with cardamom-laced, cream-rich carrot halva.  You will feel, for a moment, like you have traveled far from home.

Ma Ma’s Chicken Soup Noodle

Zoe Ma Ma – Boulder

Zoe Ma Ma serves food like Mom makes – if Mom is from China.  Luckily for all of us, even those without a Chinese mother, that food is simple, filling, healthily made, inexpensive, and available in downtown Boulder.  It being Mom-style food, you really must try the Ma Ma’s Chicken Soup Noodle.  You will get a bowl filled with chicken broth, shredded all-natural chicken, vegetables, and rice noodles and you will feel like, for that moment anyway, everything is right with the world.  Also notable is the Sunday/Monday/Tuesday special – Sichuan Braised Beef Noodle.  It just sounds good, and the taste follows through.  It’s a dish rarely found on American Chinese menus and alone is worth the visit.  It’s a saucy, soupy, brothy, spicy, dish loaded with thick noodles and chunks of tender meat.  When you are offered cilantro and scallions to finish the dishes, by all means say yes.

The post Top 25 Ethnic Dishes We Love: Asia appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Photo by Gray Box Studios

This year, we’re giving our Best of the West winners the red carpet treatment: The readers have spoken, the critics have made their picks and several local celebrities have added their two cents.

The envelope please…

Overall Restaurant

Colterra : East County

This Niwot hideaway was Chef Bradford Heap’s first shining star, and it continues to be a gem of East County dining with seasonal dishes inspired by the cuisines of southern France and northern Italy.

The Mediterranean : Boulder

The Med (officially, The Mediterranean) does a little bit of a lot of things with great aplomb. The menu combines Italian, Spanish, French and Greek cuisine in an array of tapas, salads, seafood, paella, grilled meats, pizzas and house-made baked goods and desserts. No wonder it’s a perennial favorite.

Contemporary American

Terroir : East County

As its name might suggest, Terroir takes seasonality and locale very seriously. Its menu draws inspiration from the Colorado land and landscape, offering modern American cuisine doused with the flavors of the Mediterranean.

Salt : Boulder

It was a bold move to take over the venerable Tom’s Tavern space, but with Salt’s farm-to-table menu and innovative cocktail program, it’s living up to the reputation long established at its historic locale.

Cheap Eats

Martino’s Pizzeria : East County

Since it opened, Martino’s has quickly become a YS staff lunch favorite, with tasty traditional thin-crust pies, unusual flavors and a gluten-free option that everyone from sales to graphics can enjoy—whether we’re normally gluten-free or not.

Snarf’s Sub Shop : Boulder

Whether you’re hankering for a classic Italian, a cheese and mushroom or a prime rib and provolone, you can’t beat Snarf’s for a tasty, toasty sandwich every time, served up in a colorful sub shop, quick as you please. And with six locations, you’re never far from satisfying a craving.

Bakery

Indulge Bakery : East County

In the foodie faith, heaven is often described as a pastry shop, with gleaming glass cases brimming with gourmet treats as beautiful to behold as they are delicious to taste. Should you find yourself in need of a soul-stirring baked good, worship at the altar of Indulge and try a taste of heaven.

Tee & Cakes : Boulder

We recently discovered Tee & Cakes also sells really excellent Novo coffee, making that daily cupcake run just that much more legitimate. It’s a lot more socially acceptable to say you’re going to grab a cup of coffee than going to grab a cupcake…and maybe a whoopie pie…and some cookies…

Bagel

Big Daddy Bagels : East County

You may or may not be aware Big Daddy Bagels not only sells, well, really fine bagels, but they also toast them and put all sorts of fabulous things in the middle of them, creating bagel sandwiches that are some of the finest in the land. And their chocolate chip cookies aren’t half bad, either.

Moe’s Broadway Bagel : Boulder

Moe’s bagels are legit on two fronts: New York-style bagels served up in an atmosphere that couldn’t be anywhere but Boulder. Swoop in for a fix that’s Big Apple and People’s Republic all at once.

BBQ

KT’s Real Good BBQ : EC and B

With nearly 20 years and four locations under their belt, Kirk and Tricia Jamison (the eponymous KT) know a bit about barbecue. Their smoky trail took them from Seattle to Memphis to Boulder with a passion for great barbecue leading the way.

Breakfast & Brunch

The Huckleberry : East County

Sitting in pride of place on a prominent corner in Louisville, stepping into Huckleberry feels a bit like stepping back in time for the kind of country breakfast you thought went the way of phone booth. It really doesn’t matter what you order. As the kids say, “it’s all good.”

Lucile’s Creole Cafe : Boulder

Biscuits, gravy, red beans and grits. Need we say more? OK, then how about chicory coffee and beignets. Yeah. Thought so.

Breakfast Burrito

Santiago’s : EC and B

On the Santiago’s website, there is a little ticker showing customer-submitted answers to the phrase, “You know you’re addicted to Santiago’s when…” Someone apparently submitted “…the burritos work faster than Viagra.” We don’t know about that, but now we’ll know a happy customer when we see one.

Burger

SmashBurger : East County

It’s all about the crispy bits. Smash that meat against the griddle and the edges get deliciously crispy and carbonized while the middle stays moist and juicy. Add to that the fact that you can get it built any way you like with a side of fried potato goodness and this becomes the fast-food burger joint that puts all the others
to shame.

Larkburger : Boulder

Oh, trendy hamburger paradise. Why must you be in Boulder while we languish 20 or 30 minutes away in East County? Please bring your black Angus burgers, your truffle fries and your real ice cream milk shakes out our way. We’ll love you better. Promise.

Chinese

Spice China : East County

You wouldn’t think a restaurant with a 20-page menu would need to add anything, but when Spice China added a sushi bar last year, it only made it better. Bring your reading glasses and dig in; everything’s good, Chinese, Japanese and beyond.

China Gourmet : Boulder

Don’t be shy; step up to the counter and order the best Chinese food in Boulder. Sure, the atmosphere may leave a little to be desired, but the food more than makes up for it. Lunch specials here are a great deal.

Coffee shop

Brewing Market Coffee : EC and B

Start with a great bean and you get a good brew. Add baristas who are never too busy to add a heart or leaf pattern to your latte and who never blink when you order something weird like decaf. Top with the genius of burritos heated on a panini press, and it’s pretty clear why Brewing Market leads the coffee chains around here.

Restaurant for a date

Magnolia : East County

Steak and sushi are sexy, but you can order anything off the menu at Magnolia and feel the romantic vibes. Allow us to recommend the blue crab macaroni and cheese, mon petit chou. A swank dining room and patio won’t hurt your cause either.

Frasca Food and Wine : Boulder

If your date knows anything about food or the restaurant scene in Colorado, just mentioning you’ve booked a table for two at Frasca will set her heart aflutter. Forgot the reservation? If the fates are with you, there might be room for two at the salumi table. Tell her you requested it specially. We won’t say anything.

Dessert

Indulge Bakery : East County

There’s a reason this place is called Indulge. It’s because you’re already thinking about dessert at 9 am on a Thursday. It’s because you plan ahead to swing by and pick up a “little something” for that special dinner at home. It’s because you’d rather go here than order off of a dessert menu anywhere else.

Tee & Cakes : Boulder

Cupcakes are the perfect dessert: they’re decadent without being overwhelming (no great wall of cake here); they’re individually sized so you don’t have to share; and they come in as many flavors as there are moods. Who cares what’s on the dessert list? Let’s just have cupcakes.

For Families

Zamparelli’s Italian Bistro : East County

Unlike most “family-friendly” pizza places, there are no scary animatronic creatures at Zamparelli’s. You will not be forced to listen to the ruckus of screaming children playing noisy midway games. Instead, you and the kids will experience real food from a real menu in a real restaurant. And bonus: They can make you a martini.

Turley’s : Boulder

Please don’t take this the wrong way Turley’s, but to us, you’re like an upscale Denny’s, made for families hungry for real food instead of corporate dreck. You’re the sort of place where parents can feel good about feeding their kids, and kids feel really good about the food on their plates. It’s a compliment; trust us.

Green Chile

Santiago’s : East County

Santiago’s now ships its chile all over the state and beyond. If that’s not a vote of confidence, we don’t know what is.

Efrain’s II : Boulder

The chile at Efrain’s reminds us of John Mellencamp crooning that it “hurts so good.” No greasy gravy here; just straight up authentic heat. Come on, baby. Make it hurt so good.

Indian

Taj Mahal : East County

Hiding in a nondescript strip mall is a jewel of India. Ornately decorated with food as exotic and rich as the décor. The lunch buffet is a steal, and the take away a great way to bring India home.

Bombay Bistro : Boulder

Fresh ingredients from local farms mix with modern and traditional Indian flavors in this hip, hot spot. Try the boneless beef short ribs for a taste of everything Indian cuisine can be. A new cocktail menu rounds out the experience with fresh flavors to compliment your meal.

Italian

Zamparelli’s Italian Bistro : East County

Zamparelli’s is so much more than pizza. Their risotto balls are transcendent. Their pastas hit the mark every time. Their salads go beyond just lettuce. If you can manage not to order one of their fantastic pizzas, you’ll realize they have fantastic everything else as well.

Laudisio : Boulder

Laudisio was farm-to-table before it was cool. For 20 years they’ve served up the very best in local products with a true Italian flare. Their wood-fired pizzas (and mobile oven) were ahead of the trend. In fact, Laudisio seems to be ahead of the curve in pretty much every department.

Mexican

Efrain’s : EC and B

Personally, I could eat the chile verde bowl (with a side of guacamole) at least once a week. It’s my favorite. But the mondongo bowl also has a crave-worthy allure, as does the mystique of the Efrain’s burrito. No matter what, you get something delicious, something that will soon become your favorite.

Patio

Martini’s Bistro : East County

Martini’s is always a nice spot for dinner or lunch. But come spring, the beautiful Victorian with charm unto itself opens its lovely patio for diners. It’s like a normal restaurant patio but with all the perks of a hip lounge—cozy chairs, fireplaces, perfect lighting, excellent people watching and cocktails, of course.

The Mediterranean : Boulder

The Med’s patio is coveted. If it’s not raining or snowing or doing one of Colorado’s odd climatic freakshows, you want a spot on the patio. You want it because, maybe, just maybe, the slight breeze, sunshine and fresh air will make you feel as though you are sitting seaside on the coast of Spain, eating mussels and paella.

Lunch

Sun Rose Cafe : East County

There’s no want for deliciousness at Sun Rose—it’s all yummy. But there is a special you get from a cup of homemade soup (it changes daily) and a smoked turkey and bacon panini with slices of avocado, sweet basil vinaigrette, sun dried tomatoes and Dijon mayo. It exemplifies the Longmont eatery’s balance between hearty, familiar flavors and homemade inventiveness.

The Mediterranean : Boulder

Power lunches are for getting work done (or at least looking like you’re getting work done). But ya’ll gotta eat too. The Med has long been a destination for East County and Boulder power-lunchers and casual-lunchers alike, serving up all sorts of amazing tapas and entrees. Kind of makes being productive a lot more appetizing.

Salad

Zamparelli’s : East County

There are salads and then there are Zamp’s salads. Never overwrought or overcrowded, these are light and scrumptious. The Caesar is a tangy spin on a classic (with buttery croutons), the arugula salad is doused in Parmigiano-Reggiano with a tangy balsamic, and the pear and gorgonzola has tremendous balance with fruit and cheese, walnuts and greens. It’s a whole new world of salads.

Mad Greens : Boulder

It happens all the time. You have 30 minutes for lunch, and your choices are a handful of fast food or fast casual eateries. But all you want is a spinach salad with grilled portobello, blue cheese, artichoke hearts, almonds and maybe shallot tarragon vinaigrette. McDonald’s definitely isn’t gonna do it. But Mad Greens really does do it your way.

Sandwich

Martino’s Pizzeria : East County

When you want your sandwich to be a little more like pizza—melted mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce and Italian sausage—you would be remiss to overlook the Italian grinder at Martino’s. It’s overflowing, rich and gratifying, this sandwich leaves you stuffed.

Snarf’s Sub Shop : Boulder

If you can stand its loud music and a little wait for the food: Snarf’s kitchen crew and amazing food make it totally worthwhile. These famous sandwiches are served on hot, fresh bread, and each ingredient is sure to have you’re taste buds tingling through to the very last bite.

Seafood

Tortuga’s : East County

Tortuga’s is consistently referred to as the “hidden gem” of Longmont. Set in a pretty little historic home, they serve up amazing Caribbean- and Southern-inspired fare with flavors that you can’t find anywhere else in the area. If you know what’s good for you, discover this gem.

Jax Fish House : Boulder

Jax garnered national fame when its chef Hosea Rosenberg won Top Chef a few years back. But way before Rosenberg wowed Bravo obsessees, Jax was making locals drool over stellar seafood. Jax consistently does inspired plates of beautiful fish and shellfish, paying homage to the natural flavors of the ocean and rivers while showing their innovative muscles.

Pizza

Martino’s Pizzeria : East County

In this day and age, it’s tough to find a place where all people with all dietary restrictions can gather and enjoy a meal together. But Martino’s has gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options. It’s always a crowd pleaser—no matter how picky your crowd is. Martino’s unites us all!

Abo’s : Boulder

Abo’s serves up a straight-forward pizza that pleases both college students and wayward office workers searching for mid-day sustenance, especially when that’s a big, thin-crust slice of pepperoni pizza. Whether you’re on a country road in Erie or in the heart of Boulder, Abo’s has a slice waiting for you.

Steakhouse

Magnolia : East County

Magnolia is the James Franco of restaurants (it’s good at a lot of things). But steak? Their steaks are swagger and savoir fair, like their grilled Angus sirloin with roasted garlic demi, which is served with buttermilk onion rings. Delicious and sexy…like the time James Franco guest stared on General Hospital.

The Boulder Chophouse : Boulder

The Boulder Chophouse brings a bit of upscale romance to the traditional steakhouse concept. There are no peanuts on the floor, but there is meat—crazy good slabs of perfectly grilled, well-seasoned steak.

Sushi

Sushi Mara (Magnolia) : East County

Lafayette’s Magnolia has different personalities: At one moment it’s a steakhouse, the next you’re being served a beautiful salad and leg of lamb. Then you’re getting an annihilator roll and two orders of unagi. And that’s a good thing, because we know that no matter our mood, we’re covered.

Sushi Zanmai : Boulder

You leave Sushi Zanmai with a smile on your face. It’s the sake. Then, of course, you’ve just had more raw fish than a binging shark, and you stayed late to catch surprisingly tolerable karaoke. Just try not to smile.

Thai

Thai Kitchen : East County

Thai Kitchen is legit. Which is our way of saying the Longmont restaurant may be the easiest way to connect with Thai culture while staying in town. The dishes—like the larb, pad prig and Thai curries—are traditional, full of exotic flavors, spices and heat.

Chy Thai Cuisine : Boulder

I judge Thai food restaurants by their tom kha soup. It’s not as ubiquitous as pad thai or curries, and when you take a sip of a truly delicious tom kha, you know you’ve found something special. Chy Thai’s is spicy but sweet, filled with meaty mushrooms and a subtle perfume of lemongrass. From there, keep eating.

Vegetarian

Flavor of India Inc. : East County

This happens every year: Flavor of India, by no means a “vegetarian restaurant,” is voted best vegetarian restaurant. But we feel for the non-meat eaters, and we’re happy they’ve found solace in their veggie samosas, aloo gobi and sag paneer.

Leaf : Boulder

We have a couple of vegetarians on staff, and they are a vocal, passionate few (they’ve even muscled the meat-eaters into Meatless Mondays). Boulder’s Leaf is a celebration of them: a restaurant that honors the vegetarian, preparing truly delicious food sans animal.

Bar

Waterloo : East County

Waterloo is the little black dress of bars. Seriously, hear me out: it’s classic yet trendy, it’s sexy and cool, and your mom would totally approve. With exposed brick, local beers on tap and a band usually playing your song, no matter your mood, it’s just the right fit.

The Bitter Bar/Happy : Boulder

The Bitter Bar is an adventure. It can be a pick-your-own-adventure. Or you can stow away on one of their mixologist’s expeditions. Order off of the menu (the Aviation is a dream or try the Green Tea Pimm’s) or simply tell the bad-ass staff what you like. Either way, prepare for a journey.

Dive Bar

Dillinger’s Food & Spirits : East County

Discover your inner delinquent at this bar with wide-set bar stools and pool tables to break away from the usual crowd. Stop by to get real bar grub with a nice bottled beer.

The Dark Horse : Boulder

Make your way into the belly of the beast with this untamed bar. Much like its name signifies, you’ll dive into a darkened, tight-quartered tavern and relish the flea market décor galore. With food like peanut-butter cheeseburgers and flowing beer on tap, I challenge you to giddy up.

Pub/Tavern

Waterloo : East County

Pub must-haves: beer and food. Waterloo doesn’t just have food. It has a list of burgers (the potato burger will seduce you), barbecue and some killer jalapeno poppers that go perfectly with a glass of local beer. Done and done.

Conor O’Neill’s : Boulder

I have a confession: I’m a former Conor O’Neill’s regular. The reason for the “former” has less to do with Conor O’Neill’s and more to do with me no longer being a barfly (that happens when you age). But as I think about having a boxty and a pint of Strongbow, there are still temptations.

Brewery

Oskar Blues : East County

If breweries were periods of ancient civilization, Oskar Blues would be the Roman Empire. It seems, these days, the funky Lyons brewpub has exploded with multiple locations—a restaurant and a tasting room—and a true national brand. We’re just the beneficiaries of their reign.

Boulder Beer Company : Boulder

The creations of Boulder Beer are crowd pleasers: drinkable but inventive, bold and flavorful. It’s no wonder our readers drink Boulder Beer’s beers by…well…the pint.

Happy Hour

Magnolia : East County

Happy hour is supposed to be happy, so when you finally get there, all you want are friends, a discounted cocktail and snacks. Magnolia has two of those—with a menu of bites and bits, including tempura avocado, in the casual cocktail lounge or the patio. Just bring friends.

The Mediterranean : Boulder

The best thing about The Med’s happy hour is the selection. They don’t just hand you a tiny list of happy hour restrictions. There are mussels, hummus and tapas to share or to hoard. And fear not, they serve up quality, not just quantity.

Margaritas

Efrain’s II : East County

The Efrain’s margarita comes in a jar—an unintimidating glass of golden liquid. It’s a bit sweet with flecks of salt and a soft hint of tequila shining through. It’s a summer day in one sip.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant : Boulder

The Rio marg is the stuff of legends. It’s toppled grown men and crushed many a 21-year-old. Slightly sweet and full of tang, these are not the type of cocktails served in fishbowls or downed by the gallon. There’s a limit of three, but trust us—three Rio margs could be your downfall.

Wine List

Zucca Italian Ristorante : East County

We love wine lists that have range. Zucca, Louisville’s new Italian stallion, has a well-curated list that spans Italy’s best wine regions. Have a little glass of Piedmont or a glass of Tuscany. That’s the kind of range we can drink in.

Frasca Food and Wine : Boulder

James Beard knows his stuff, and when he talks, we listen. The James Beard Foundation has repeatedly honored Bobby Stuckey, the co-owner of Frasca and master sommelier, for his mad skills as the wine director at Boulder’s Friulian gem. Their wine list has breadth and depth, it’s world-class but locally inspired.

Visit Gray Box Studios.

The post Best of the West: Readers’ Choice Food & Drink appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Many of our favorite dishes this year found their grandeur in the essence of simplicity, taking advantage of astonishingly good seasonal ingredients. Others found fun in fusion, playing with flavors as much as preconceptions and coming out on top. Some were reimagined classic dishes, while others introduced us to entirely new taste sensations. But one thing is for certain: if 2010 was a great year for food, we can’t wait to taste what 2011 will bring.

Pizzeria Basta :: Boulder

Mizuna Pizza

We’re not sure why it’s called the mizuna pizza when it doesn’t actually have mizuna on it—but it’s so good, we don’t really care. Prosciutto and house-made smoked mozzarella are topped with fresh grape tomatoes and arugula (rather than mizuna). The result is a crash course in why the Italians are so awesome when it comes to food. Pizzeria Basta, 3601 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder —LB

Bombay Bistro :: Boulder

Shrimp Korma

The chef at Bombay Bistro is not afraid of new things, of creating his own signature dishes, which, from what we’ve tried, are all pretty fantastic. But give him a classic dish, like a korma curry, and the glory truly shines. We like the rich, mild curry sauce enhanced with coconut milk and flakes of shaved coconut with shrimp, but pick your flavor; you’re sure to be impressed no matter what. Bombay Bistro, 1214 Walnut St., Boulder —LB

Arugula :: Boulder

Gorgonzola Mushrooms

The locally grown mushrooms are wild-looking and rustic, slightly firm and the good kind of chewy. They mingle with a creamy, robust Gorgonzola sauce and fresh herbs. It’s such a simple plate of food, such easy flavors to fall in love with, but it’s also a great example of what Arugula does: balanced, simple elegance. Arugula Bar e Ristorante, 2785 Iris Ave., Boulder —AC

Martino’s :: Lafayette

Yee-Ro Pizza

We hadn’t seen this one before: a pizza crust topped with a ranch sauce, strips of flavorful gyro meat, lettuce, tomatoes and a little cheese. But one bite and we were hooked. It’s pretty much de-rigueur for our office now whenever we order pizza at Martino’s, and we never seem to tire of its flavors. Martino’s, 1389 Forest Park Circle, Lafayette —LB

Aji :: Boulder

Poblano Empanadas

I’m always on the search for the perfect chile relleno, and here, this is no mean feat. Begone with your eggroll-wrapper heresies! It’s batter-dipped or nothing—or so I thought. Then I tried the poblano empanadas at Aji, oozing with cheese, sporting a nice heat and wrapped in a flaky pastry crust. Not even attempting to be a relleno, it managed to rank right up there with the best I’ve found in this state. Aji, 1601 Pearl St., Boulder —LB

Zamparelli’s :: Lafayette

Corn & Green Chile Risotto Balls

Zamp’s risotto balls are tasty any day—fried to crispy perfection with cheesy goodness inside. But when the corn was sweet and fresh and green chiles were roasting in their parking lot, they decided to combine them. Just slightly spicy, slightly sweet, with all the golden crunch and salty cheese we’d come to expect. Makes us wish it could be summer all year long. Zamparelli’s, 2770 Arapahoe Rd., Lafayette —LB

Salt :: Boulder

Cocktails

A cocktail isn’t exactly a dish. But with the recent focus on mixology, beverage artists have elevated the cocktail to a culinary art. Take Salt’s new Cocktail Elements Menu, where you mix and match spirits and syrups to make your own masterpiece. (Never fear: mixologists ensure that something delicious will emerge.) The options always change, but we’ve loved the lavender martini and the blood orange and rosemary tequila sour. Flavors good enough to eat. Salt, 1047 Pearl St., Boulder —LB

Spruce Confections :: Boulder

Blueberry Cream Cheese-Filled Scone

A scone filled with ever-so-slightly sweet cream cheese and blueberries is just perfect, no matter how you reach the end result. Their scarcity makes these little gems even more precious: They aren’t available every day, and because the cheese will spoil, any not sold by noon are (blasphemy!!) thrown away. My advice? Get there around 11:55 and see if they’ll cut you a deal if you buy anything that’s left. But that might be taking a risk. On second thought, better get there as soon as they open, just to be sure. Spruce Confections, 767 Pearl St., #B, Boulder; 4684 Broadway St., Boulder —LB

Empire :: Louisville

Strawberry Shortcake

I heard a food journalist quip recently that if she had to eat at one more “New American” restaurant serving comfort food she would spit. While I certainly understand the sentiment, when it’s done well, there’s perhaps nothing better. Enter Empire’s strawberry shortcake, sampled there early in the summer of 2010. What could be more divine than a perfectly light and fluffy biscuit, with just the right amount of sweet, topped by gorgeously un-tampered-with strawberries and a dollop of mile-high chantilly cream? A reminder that when it comes to comfort food, Empire does the trend justice. Empire, 816 Main St., Louisville —LB

Magnolia :: Lafayette

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil Sorbet

As unusual as it sounds, you’re intrigued. Imagine the most perfect, saucer-sized slices of local heirloom tomatoes in rich shades of red, yellow, orange and purple arranged on a plate, almost like a work of art. Drizzled in fine olive oil and just the right dash of vinegar, sprinkled with salt and pepper and then left to their own devices to play with the scoop of—yes—basil sorbet slowly melting into a pool on the same plate. Don’t you just love it when dreams come true? Magnolia, 1831 Forest Park Circle, Lafayette —LB

The Pinyon :: Boulder

Fried Half Chicken

For years folks have asked me “Where can I find great fried chicken?” I’ve always had to sigh and send them to Denver. Now, I direct their taste buds to The Pinyon and chef Theo Adley’s profound version. He takes top quality birds, gives them a garlic-chile rub, a buttermilk soak, a dusting of potato flour and then into a frying pan with three types of fat and a stint in the oven. Nirvana is that thin crispy crust barely clinging to the super-juicy thigh meat sided with cornmeal griddle cakes and molasses-tinged syrup. Now, if someone could just open a real doughnut shop in Boulder. The Pinyon, 1710 Pearl St., Boulder —JL

Spice China :: Louisville

Caribbean Dream Roll

Our publisher never does anything half way, so when she decided to take us out for sushi recently, we weren’t surprised by the order of a dozen oysters, bowls of miso soup, another appetizer and all six sushi rolls off their new chef’s choice sushi menu—we were just surprised that the three of us managed to put it all away. The piece de la resistance was the Caribbean Dream Roll, starting with crab rolled in rice and topped with shrimp, arugula, caviar and a brown butter tamarind sauce that I might have licked right off the plate if I hadn’t been dining with my boss. Traditional? Maybe not. Tasty? A thousand times yes. Spice China, 269 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville —LB

Efrain’s :: Lafayette

Chili Verde

For many, Efrain’s chili verde is a longtime favorite. Call me late on the uptake: I just discovered it this year. And I will never be the same. There’s nothing like it. So spicy and flavorful and brothy, it’s different from the other green chilies you find smothering burritos on plates all over Colorado. Order Efrain’s chili verde bowl and be prepared for the heat: you may sweat, your eyes may water, but finding a new old treasure is totally worth the pain. Efrain’s, 451 S. Pratt Pkwy., ?Longmont, 720.494.0777; 1630 63rd St., #10,? Boulder, 303.440.4045; 101 East Cleveland St., Lafayette —AC

Cheeky Monk :: Westminster

Cheese Croquettes

Cheese may or may not be the key to a happy life, but it is the foundation of a great meal. The cheese croquettes at Cheeky Monk are silver-dollar-sized medallions of smoked Gouda, fontina and swiss—crispy on the outside and melty-gooey deliciousness on the inside. Each creamy bite is spiked with a sweet berry balsamic reduction. It’s rich and salty just the way cheese—the kind that inspires happiness—should be. Cheeky Monk, 14694 Orchard Pkwy., #700, Westminster —AC

Arabesque :: Boulder

Baklava

I missed Arabesque the first two times I drove by, but finding it was worth the search. The tiny café serves up Middle Eastern food with deftness and flair. Their chicken shawarma is to die for, the tabouli salad the first I haven’t found overpowered with parsley. But the gems that haunt my dreams are the pieces of fresh, homemade baklava. Tissue paper-thin layers of pastry wrapped around rich nuts and spices and dripping in golden honey. Arabesque, 1634 Walnut St., #101, Boulder —LB

Happy :: Boulder

Griddled Pork Bun

On a small table covered with appetizers, menus, cocktails and silverware, Happy’s griddled pork bun becomes my one and only focus: A spongy, sweet bun cuddled around a tuft of juicy shredded pork served with a tangy, spicy green sriracha sauce. In fact, the noise of the busy dining room dims, and nothing else matters. Happy, 835 Walnut St., Boulder —AC

Flavor of India :: Longmont

Lamb Chops

Flavor of India’s lamb chops know how to make an entrance: a sizzling platter of these luscious morsels floats to the table, leaving a wake of mouth-watering smell in the air. Marinated in ginger, garlic and yogurt, the lamb is served simply, with a bed of sweet onions caramelizing on the skillet. Each little chop is juicy and vibrant, brimming with savory succulence. Flavor of India, 516 Main Street, Longmont —AC

Café Aion :: Boulder

Harissa Chicken Wings

Recently, after sampling the ridiculously delicious harissa chicken wings at Café Aion, I had the opportunity to chat with the chef about how they are made. It’s not an easy process: the wings are marinated, braised and broiled before they ever reach a plate. And the rich spiciness of North African harissa chili sauce gives them a flavor you won’t find anywhere near Buffalo. Café Aion, 1235 Pennsylvania Ave., #A, Boulder —LB

Spice China :: Louisville

Wood Roasted Vegetables

I love the idea of The Kitchen’s community hour, with specials on a nice regiment of small plates and beverages, and one of the standouts for me are the wood-roasted vegetables. Served in a little earthenware bowl, these colorful veggies ran the gamut, including sweet carrots, parsnips, and onions in a heavenly spiced sauce. The perfect dish to warm up with friends on a blustery afternoon. The Kitchen, 1039 Pearl St., Boulder —LB

Lucky Pie :: Louisville

Salumi & Cheese Oven Sandwich

I lucked into the best sandwich of my year. I had planned on tasting pizza at Lucky Pie but I got sidetracked by a salumi sandwich that sounded good and tasted even better. They take a warm bun made from pizza dough baked in a wood-fired oven and layer it with thin slices of quality salumi: coppa, pepperoni and salami with provolone. Elevating the whole is a tart, garlic-y relish of chiles and olives. Warmed in the oven, these tastes meld into a mouthful of comfort and joy sided by creamy white polenta lightly smoked from a stint in the wood-burning oven. Lucky Pie, 637 Front St., Louisville —JL

Sushi Tora :: Boulder

Tempura Green Chile Sushi Roll

At its worst, fusion cuisine is nothing but a science experiment gone awry with unrelated ingredients battling with one another. When it works, fusion fare can be a revelation. That’s definitely the case with Sushi Tora’s craveable Southwest-meets-Far East chile relleno in a sushi roll. The seaweed and rice are centered with a roasted peeled Anaheim green chile filled with cream cheese that’s tempura battered and lightly fried. Add a dab of wasabi and a little soy sauce and you’ve got yourself a party on your palate. It may not be authentic but it’s a flavor marriage you’ll love. Sushi Tora, 2014 10th St., Boulder —JL

Chez Thuy :: Boulder

Vit Quay Don

As in interpersonal relations, first impressions often decide if we to fall in love with a dish. With this amazing (and pretty) duck dish, one bite is an explosion of impressions from the crispy-crunchy skin and rich flesh to the crunch of brightly hued vegetables and the garlic, wine and herb nuances in the sauce. By the second and third bites I was totally enamored. I’m starting to think that this may be one of those rare culinary long-term relationships. Chez Thuy, 2655 28th St., Boulder —JL

Streat Chefs :: Various Locations

Grilled Cheese with Pork Belly & Apple Jam

There’s something about a grilled cheese sandwich that can transcend its minimalist ingredients. Combine just the right sharp cheddar with thick-cut white bread lavishly spread with butter and you’ve got a dish even the snobbiest foodie couldn’t turn up his or her nose at. Add a slab of crispy, salty pork belly and a smear of sweet-tart apple jam and suddenly you’ve elevated the grilled cheese sandwich to high art. Serve it in a paper tray out of a sleek Airstream trailer and—well, you don’t have to take our word for it. Streat Chefs, various locations, streatchefs.com —LB

Sugarbeet :: Longmont

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie

I’m not a dessert person. But when I splurge and order something sweet, I expect greatness. Nothing too fancy or over-done. It’s about flavor. So, during a recent dinner at Sugarbeet, a large slice of house-made chocolate peanut-butter ice cream pie arrived at our table, and with one bite, I was a dessert person. The flavors—salty, smooth peanut butter, awe-inspiring chocolate—and the velvety texture were beautiful, reminding me of childhood. Reminding me why dessert matters. Sugarbeet, 101 Pratt St., Longmont —AC

The post Dishes We Love appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Best For When You Want The Best
Frasca, Boulder
Here, dinner is a symphony that at times feels light and airy and then hits you like a wave of heart-pounding percussion. Frasca’s ever-changing menu includes plates of perfectly sliced prosciutto, the famed Frico Caldo, ethereal soups, white bowls of delicate pastas and impeccably prepared Colorado produce and protein. It’s music to our ears.

Best 3rd-Date Restaurant
Sugarbeet, Longmont
The third date is special; it means there’s potential. And it means it’s time for Sugarbeet, Longmont’s warmest, most intimate eatery. It will impress, romance and seduce your date better than you ever can. Order the duck confit or the braised short rib, and you will surely make it to date No. 4.

Best Overhaul of an Icon
Salt, Boulder
There is a lot to say about Bradford Heap’s new Boulder creation. But the best compliment we can give is that with Salt, Heap has done justice to the location, the former spot of Tom’s Tavern. Chic, contemporary and flavorful, Salt has filled the void in a serious way. With focused yet playful dishes like the rosemary rotisserie chicken with sage butter squash and oyster mushroom bread pudding, Heap has begun a new era for the building.

Best cool, casual oasis in Longmont
Tortuga’s, Longmont
Sitting on the patio of Tortuga’s on a spring or summer or fall afternoon is like hanging out in your own backyard. Except here, there is magic in the air and a kitchen that serves up amazing Caribbean-inspired fare: Mahi mahi with sauces like jerk or mojo, jambalaya, craw-fish étoufée and much more.

Best Restaurant For After Work Drinks & Chow
Empire, Louisville
When you step in this downtown mainstay after a long week, order a happy hour cocktail—cucumber gin and tonic or Empire Lemonade—and dive into a round of mozzarella toast and deviled eggs. There is no doubt that Empire is the relaxed but modish stop for post-work imbibing, dishing and dining.

Best Boulder-style Bistro
The Kitchen, Boulder
The Kitchen is a near perfect representation of the Boulder culinary scene. It has a refined but casual bistro style; a focus on local produce; and balanced, well flavored dishes. And they do it with an adept simplicity, unpretentious sophistication, the feel of family dining, the seductiveness of a low-lit space and a perfectly poached egg, which make it the king of bistros.

Best Place To Catch A Game, Any Game, & Have A Beer
Pumphouse, Longmont
At Pumphouse and the Red Zone, you sit shoulder to shoulder with professionals, families, double dates and entire softball teams all looking for a break from the real world…and for the score of the game.

Best Concept Restaurant
Mod Market, Boulder
Mod Market is the future. And the future tastes great. With a clean, über modern interior and a wholesome, changing menu of classics (salads, flatbread pizzas and soup), Mod Market has introduced Boulder to a different way of dining: affordable, fast and soooo cool.

Best Tikka Masala
Flavor of India, Longmont
OK, OK. You get it. We like Flavor of India’s tikka masala. We probably brag more about this dish than we do about our own children. What can we say? We’re mesmerized. The tikka masala at this establishment is rich, creamy, intricate and truly divine. We will keep bragging. We don’t care what you say.

Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Cheese Importers, Longmont
First, we start in the giant chilled cheese room, eyeing the miraculous tiers of fromage. Then we peruse the market for pasta and chocolate, and then we gleefully walk to the counter and order something warm and gooey: any one of the buttery, creamy grilled cheese sandwiches.

Best Place To Fall In Love With A New Cocktail
Bitter Bar, Boulder
I gush over the Bitter Bar as if it were my own cocktail-making offspring. The drinks here are layered and complex, never too sweet, as aromatic as they are romantic. Try the Kiss the Sky, the Happy Pair or the Crazy 88 and vow to never drink a Seven and Seven again.

Best American-Asian Amalgam
Happy, Boulder
The national noodle craze has been embodied locally by Big Red F’s newest venture: Happy, aka Happy Noodle House. It’s a fitting name, because as you dig into chewy pork buns with sriracha mayo, savory pillows of gyoza, and the giant melting pot that is the hot and happy soup, you will know true happiness.

Best Use of Meat
The Rib House, Longmont & Boulder
After its expansion into Boulder and being named some of the West’s best barbecue, The Rib House is no longer just the little barbecue joint bringing smoke and swagger to Prospect. But just because our baby is growing up, it doesn’t mean its goods are any less spectacular. Take your pick: ribs, spicy smoked sausage, smoked ham and more.

Best Sushi Bar Experience
Sushi Zanmai, Boulder
Sushi Zanmai is a one-of-a-kind experience: a prime gathering place that’s part Japanese fiesta, complete with the best karaoke in town and part relaxed sushi mecca that lures an eclectic crowd of locals. When the sushi craving calls, Zanmai answers. Don’t forget the Z#9 roll, our favorite.

Best Anytime & Everytime Restaurant
Zamparelli’s, Lafayette
Every week or so, someone in the office asks the same stupid question: “Where should we eat?” No matter the time of day or day of year, the answer is most likely Zamparelli’s, the Italian stallion of 95th and Arapahoe. Whether it’s thin-crust pizzas to feed an army or a cup of garlic soup and fried risotto balls for one, Zamps is always our go-to spot for…everything.

Best Ceviche Outside of Mexico
La Botana, Thornton
La Botana’s ceviche is an uncomplicated bowl of pure Mexican sunshine. The flavors are lively, fresh, toothsome and addictive: the seafood bathing in the juices of lemon, tomato, onion and cilantro.

Quintessential Boulder Experience
Boulder Farmer’s Market
There is no better place—no brighter, more vivid, more beautiful place—to be a Boulderite. Crowds flock to the Boulder Farmer’s Market for local fruits and veggies, breads and pastas, kombucha, tamales and dumplings. The goods are always tasty, the vibe is boisterous, the people-watching is prime.

Best Burger, Fries & Shake
Larkburger, Boulder
The burgers here are big, juicy, packed with fixings and full of beefy flavor. The fries are thin-cut and dancing with grated Parmesan, Italian parsley and truffle oil. Add a strawberry shake, and you’ll see what the classic diner looks like in the 21st century.

Best Reason to Go To Prospect
Two Dog Diner, Longmont
It doesn’t matter whether Prospect is miles from where you live or right down the street: Two Dog makes it worth the drive. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, their classic diner fare with a twist is the perfect reason to visit Prospect.

Best Locally Owned East County Coffee Shop
Cannonmine, Lafayette
Cozy, eclectic and cool, Cannonmine has a warmth that starts with the super friendly staff and radiates a local’s feel throughout the café. Plus, the drinks are always tasty.

Best place to soak in Boulder
Trident, Boulder
The Trident is the type of place where writers and thinkers sip Americanos on the sidewalk. Inside, college students literally rub shoulders with tattoo-covered couples and the NPR crowd. While the espresso is stellar, we go to get lost in the earthy, academic Boulder culture.

Best locally owned coffee empire
Brewing Market, everywhere
Brewing Market is the working man’s café. It’s fast, easy and unpretentious. There’s WiFi (though, it’s a two-hour limit) and sustenance in the form of snacks and all the espresso and coffee you could ever want. And lucky for us, we can find one almost anywhere we go in the North Metro area.

Best Liberal Haven in Longmont
Café Luna, Longmont
Someone recently told us that “cleanliness is next to Godliness and Longmont is next to Hygiene.” True, Longmont is a conservative bastion in Boulder County’s progressive tsunami, but there are a few spots to bump into like-minded liberals. Café Luna, followed closely by Java Stop, has more donkeys than a Grand Canyon tourist trap.

Best Baguettes
Breadworks, Boulder
If “artisan” means doing the basics well, then Breadworks is the Rembrandt of bakeries. And their consistent quality is no where more evident than in the baguettes they produce. Crisp, perfectly browned crust; light, but not chewy, interior; and a classic flavor reminiscent of the best boulangeries Paris has to offer.

Best Cajun Breakfast
Lucile’s, Longmont & Boulder
Lucile’s is best in the mid-morning, when it’s packed and bustling. True, the wait sucks, but the fast pace and delayed satisfaction make this traditionally untraditional Cajun meal even more enviable. Sample the thick, flavorful Carlin County?or the pain perdu. Or follow our lead and order the special.

Best Place to Enjoy Sunday Brunch at the Foot of the Flatirons
Chautauqua Dining hall, Boulder
Nobody can match the views; but the food is pretty great, too. A long buffet bar filled to the brim with terrific breakfast standards and special tidbits like smoked salmon and tasty desserts tempt vacationers, locals and hikers fueling up for the day.

Best Boulder-esque Country Breakfast
Huckleberry, Louisville
In this purple-painted historic storefront on Main Street, the eggs benedict, crepes and potato latkes are served up with a healthy dose of country and a little bit of Boulder-flavored rock and roll. Go country with the classic Country Breakfast, or spice it up with a crab cake benedict.

Best Place to Enjoy a Meal with Your Local Live Music
Waterloo, Louisville
Let’s set aside for a moment the legendary potato burgers and killer happy hour drinks and focus on the stage at the back of Waterloo where the best local acts set up nearly nightly. The owners wanted to replicate the feel of their famous Austin record store with a restaurant and venue, and it seems they brought the music scene with them.

Best (and Biggest) Chinese Menu
Spice China, Louisville
The menu at Spice China can be a little daunting; clocking in at around 20 pages, you can spend a good cocktail hour perusing your options. You can’t go wrong with the classic favorites up front, or be a little more adventurous and order something from the more authentic Shanghai menu at back. It’s truly not your typical Chinese eatery.

Best Place to Enjoy a Slice of Heaven
Indulge Bakery, Lafayette
It honestly does not matter what you order at Indulge: It will be fantastic. Nibble a cookie or a tartlet for a treat, nosh on a stuffed croissant or scone for breakfast, or order a full cake for a special occasion—
like Tuesday.

Best Use of Local Produce
Terroir, Longmont
Because their menu is so focused on using local, seasonal produce, what you can and should order here varies from week to week—if not day to day. Go with your gut or ask your server’s advice; either way, it’s delicious.

Best Taste of the Southwest
Richard’s On Third, Longmont
There’s a quirkiness to New Mexico that is perfectly captured by this hidden gem: in the atmosphere, the attitude and the food. Go for the green chile; stay for the giant and delicious margaritas.

Best High-End Restaurant to Enjoy Family, Friends and Food
Colterra, Niwot
Colterra is that certain type of high-end restaurant that doesn’t flaunt itself. The food is impeccable, the wine world-class and the atmosphere comfortable enough for a family dinner or a fête with friends. Sit back and let Colterra take care of you.

Best Locally Owned Grocery
Niwot Market, niwot
Certainly one of the perks of living in Niwot it the Niwot Market. Besides the fact that is saves residents a trip into the city for staples, it’s also home to a great deli, a sushi bar, a fantastic bakery and even a florist, not to mention featuring locally grown produce. It’s enough to make those of us who don’t live in Niwot a little bit jealous.

Best Place to Grab a Steak and a Beer
Colorado Coal Company, Erie
We had to give a shout out to our favorite neighbor—because, in a town that continues to struggle to keep its eateries, CCC is still serving up great Texas-style steak and potatoes. It’s worth the trip, even if you’re not right next door.

Best Lunch To Go
Hanna’s, Lafayette
Plenty of places claim to be gourmet-to-go; Hanna’s actually is. House-roasted beef and turkey for the sandwiches, homemade salads, fantastic lasagna and chicken cutlets all bring a little taste of New York’s gourmet lunch counters to Lafayette.

Best New York Fare with a New York Attitude
Brooklyn Deli, Longmont
There just aren’t many places in Colorado where you can order an egg cream, a knish and a pastrami on rye without the kid behind the counter giving you a blank stare. Belly up to the counter at Brooklyn Deli and don’t expect to get your hand held; instead, inspect an authentic New York deli experience with food to match.

Best High-End Surf and Turf
Magnolia restaurant & sushi bar, lafayette
We’re not talking about a boring traditional steak and lobster tail here, we’re talking about a peppered NY steak in a red wine reduction or a grilled angus sirloin with buttermilk onion rings alongside a classic spicy tuna roll—or even a Surf and Turf roll, with shrimp tempura and Wagyu beef. Kick your surf and turf up a notch.

Best Chain that Doesn’t Feel Like a Chain
Bloom, Broomfield
If you didn’t know, you’d never guess: Bloom is part of a chain. But let’s be honest, this isn’t cookie-cutter dining. When you manage to catch lightning in a bottle and replicate a fine dining experience, we say more power to you.

Best Lunch Spot to See and Be Seen
14th Street Bar and Grill, Boulder
OK, so it might have a little something to do with the wall of windows lining the corner at 14th and Pearl streets, offering prime people watching, but the hip atmosphere (and killer food and drink) make this the sort of place to hang out and wait for the cool crowd to come to you.

Best Place to Feed Your Inner POLE
Cracovia, Westminster
There’s something homey about Polish food, even if you’ve never had it at home. And let’s face it, any cuisine that espouses dumplings filled with cheese and fried crepes is fine with us. Never had Polish food? Fix that. Immediately. Head to Cracovia.

Critics’ Choice: Drink

Best use of Local Honey
Redstone Meadery, Boulder
With the exception of special varieties that come from Arizona, Redstone Meadery gets 75 percent of the honey it uses to make its delicious wines from Madhava Honey in Lyons. Stop by for a tour and give the 2005 Black Raspberry Reserve a try or, if you prefer something dry, the Pinot Pyment.

Best Sake Selection
Hana Matsuri, Westminster
While enjoying the expertly prepared sushi at Hana, take your tongue on a tour of the 14 specialty sakes on the menu. The dry and feather-light Houhoushu is most amazing and the cherry-blossom scented Treasure Ship is divine.

Best local hangout 
Niwot Tavern, Niwot
Five years old and going strong, the Niwot Tavern is the best place to hang. From the friendly wait staff who remember your name and what you drink to the pub fare kicked up a couple notches by Chef David Gray, the NT is as close to your living room as you can get.

Best local distillery
303Vodka, Boulder
Translating the vodka recipe found in the steamer trunk of his grandfather who emigrated from Poland 103 years ago—and using only Colorado potatoes and Indian Peaks spring water—Steve Viezbicke has grown his garage distilling operation into one of the region’s best spirit producers.

Best brewery that doubles as a local’s hangout
Left Hand Brewery, Longmont
On any given Friday, Left Hand is packed full of locals. More than half are regulars; the other half wish they were regulars. It becomes not simply a tasting room but a neighborhood bar (except not in a neighborhood) filled with people who only need one thing: a pint pulled from a Left Hand tap.

Best locally made liqueur
Roundhouse Coretto, Boulder County
Think about the best Kailua you have had. Now, take away the overly sweet taste and syrupy feel. Add depth. And you have Roundhouse’s Corretto, a brilliant local coffee liqueur. No need to add milk or
cream (though, you can), just pour, drink and repeat.

The post Best of the West: Critics’ Choice Food and Drink appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Readers’ Choice East County & Boulder:

Overall Restaurant (E. County)
Sugarbeet, Longmont
Sugarbeet returns to the top—as readers once again embrace this culinary darling as their premier dining destination. And it’s no surprise. Sugarbeet’s contemporary American fare is approachable and oh-so good. The atmosphere is perfectly unfussy (but just fussy enough to be special).

Overall Restaurant (Boulder)
The Mediterranean
After more than a decade and a half, The Med still inspires new patrons and still lures old ones. It’s a magnetic charm—in the form of fresh, beautiful plates of wood-fired pizza, big salads and seafood-heavy pastas as well as a lively, colorful vibe—that has just not faded.

Contemporary American (E. County)
Magnolia Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Lafayette
A restaurant that offers a sushi menu alongside chicken with roasted sweet potato and orange-coriander pan sauce and smoked beef ragu is either brilliant or crazy. With exceptional execution and creative elegance, we opt for crazy brilliant.

Contemporary American (Boulder)
Salt
Drop in, if not for the organic, seasonal dishes that satisfy and beguile, than to be in awe of the history, design and strut of this new Boulder hot spot. The setting is just as interesting and thoughtful as the plates that come out of the kitchen. Don’t forget about the basement lounge.

Cheap Eats (E. County)
Sun Rose Café, Longmont
The sweeping space, which is dotted with a gallery of local art and nicely filled with a smattering of tables, does not feel cheap; neither do the flavor-focused sandwiches, the ever-changing soups or the bountiful dinner salads. But for us, this Longmont café is as affordable as it is lovely.

Cheap Eats (Boulder)
Snarf’s Sub Shop
Snarf’s is a longtime institution in Boulder County—turning simple ingredients into pure sandwich delight for the college masses and the lunch crowd. The bread is phenomenal and arguably the calling card of Snarf’s. The tuna melt is amazing, topped with hot peppers. Snarf it!

BBQ (E. County & Boulder)
The Rib House, Longmont & Boulder
Readers and critics alike love The Rib House for its amazing fall-off-the-bone ribs and pork sandwiches, the turkey, cheesy corn, fried okra and delicious, delicious sauces. The Rib House always pleases. It’s kind of like the Tom Hanks of restaurants.

Bakery (E. County)
Indulge Bakery, Lafayette
You can find chocolates, cakes and pastries at any bakery, but at Indulge, the baked goods are always fresh, decadent, beautiful and perfectly indulgent.

Bakery (Boulder)
Spruce Confections
Whether you need an espresso and a cookie or a salad and piece of pie, the adorable Spruce Confections is the sweet spot. Try the cream cheese and peaches scone, and you will be walking on sunshine.

Bagel (E. County)
Big Daddy Bagels, various locations
A Big Daddy bagel is big and pillowy, chewy, with perfect doughy meat. And while we love their cream cheese, we prefer them as is…simple, fresh and unadorned.

Bagel (Boulder)
Moe’s Broadway Bagels
This iconic bagel-paradise has been the tried and true favorite of Boulderites for decades. The funky atmosphere and the staff’s passion for bagels just make you want to join in the fun.

Breakfast (E. County)
Two Dog Diner, Longmont
Plates of fluffy omelets, fun salt and pepper shakers, families sharing pancakes and crispy bacon. It all comes together to create the friendly, cool modern diner that is Two Dog.

Breakfast (Boulder)
Original Pancake House
At Original Pancake House, having breakfast is kind of like making a really good memory. The menu is packed with tasty treasures. If you’re in the mood for craveable classics, do try out the apple pancake or the Dutch baby. You’ll never forget it!

Breakfast Burrito (E. County)
Santiago’s, various locations
Santiago’s won this category hands down. Perfect to grab and go, their breakfast burritos are not the kind that leave you unbuttoning your denim. Still, the lanky foil-wrapped packages fill you enough to leave you totally happy.

Breakfast Burrito (Boulder)
Big City Burrito
The best part of a Big City breakfast burrito? The potatoes. These babies are fried crisp and light and packed in a giant tortilla. Just add eggs, cheese, salsa de lupe and guac. You are good to go, literally.

Brunch (E. County)
The Huckleberry, Louisville
The beauty of Huckleberry starts when you walk into the funky, historical digs in downtown Louisville. Then it fully blossoms when you dig into the blueberry flapjacks, fried green tomatoes or chicken pot pie.

Brunch (Boulder)
The Greenbriar Inn
Anything you pair with champagne is OK with us…and the Greenbriar’s Sunday brunch is no exception. This buffet is bountiful—with brunch classics like prime rib, omelets, oysters and salads…and champagne.

Burger (E. County)
Waterloo, Louisville
The potato burger is the specialty of the house but the Waterloo burger is the mainstay. Both are juicy, packed with accompaniments and bursting with savory, all-American flavors. It’s a burger destination that always satisfies.

Burger (Boulder)
Larkburger
This local newbie has done nothing but attract compliments and crowds since it opened. Probably because they serve up a mean burger and fries, perfect for those “I really need a burger” moments.

Coffeehouse (E. County)
Brewing Market, various locations
Readers love Brewing Market (all of them) because, here, there is no snobbery. Entire families gather for coffee and juice. Friends meet to gossip. Students pull out laptops and get to work. Plus, if you’re in need of a bite to eat or a nibble of chocolate, they have plenty of both.

Coffeehouse (Boulder)
Vic’s
Vic’s is the local’s refuge from the corporate coffee titans. Their coffee and espresso are killer and the pastries (we love the big, fluffy muffins) are always fresh. And no matter which location, there is always that special Vic’s brand of hipness.

Restaurant for a Date (E. County)
Sugarbeet, Longmont
Sugarbeet, with a reputation that is solid as gold, has become the place to go when you want to impress. Whether your date is a foodie or just regular person with a regular palette, the food, drink and service are spot on.

Restaurant for a Date (Boulder)
The Mediterranean
Let’s face it: The Med is a sexy place. The setting is sleek and cool. The drinks are flowing. The food is always delicious, fresh and just exotic enough. The lighting seems practically made to help you get a good-night kiss. And The Mediterranean vibe is pure and sensuous. That’s how you romance.

Dessert (E. County)
Indulge Bakery, Lafayette
When an Indulge cake is pulled out during a birthday party or special event, it’s really, really hard to say no. So, if we were you, we would just say yes.

Dessert (Boulder)
Cheesecake Factory
Decadence never perfectly describes the Cheesecake Factory. It is, in fact, as gluttonous as they come, but our readers tend to think big, especially when it comes to the Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake.

For Families (E. County)
Two Dog Diner, Longmont
One need only look through the windows of Two Dog Diner to see that it’s terrific family fun. Parents and children fill the tables. The atmosphere is lighthearted, cool and playful. And their menu is a kid’s dream come true: pancakes and waffles and grilled cheese, oh my!

For Families (Boulder)
Turley’s
“Family friendly” doesn’t mean there are toys and games and a giant singing mouse. At Turley’s, it means that an entire family can gather for a delicious meal and enjoy the experience. Plus, Turley’s has a healthful bent that keeps our readers coming back—whether it’s with the kiddos or with co-workers.

Patio (E. County)
Martini’s Bistro, Longmont
Martini’s patio is kind of like a living room in the beautiful Colorado sun. Enjoy a martini and one of their killer appetizers lounging around the outdoor fire pit on a patio sofa.

Patio (Boulder)
The Mediterranean
The Med’s patio doesn’t have a view of rocky peaks or busy streets. It’s pure sunshine and flower pots and a true focus on the intimate setting and amazing food.

Green Chili (E. County & Boulder)
Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant, various locations
Efrain’s green chili is not like traditional Colorado chili. It’s thinner, like a spicy broth with big chunks of pork and a pertness. The flavor is up front and forward, just like it should be.

Lunch (E. County)
Sun Rose Café, Longmont
A cup of homemade soup. A fresco panini. An ice-cold glass of lavender lemonade. So simply scrumptious, Sun Rose’s lunches are the kind of meals that surprise you with flavor and satisfaction and leave you ready to tackle the rest of your day.

Lunch (Boulder)
Laudisio Italian Restaurant
Laudisio reminds us that lunch does not need to be austere. It reminds us that we can enjoy a bibb lettuce salad along with the ridiculously good rucola pizza. And maybe dessert.

Chinese (E. County)
Spice China, Louisville
Spice China is legendary and it could win simply on the breadth and depth of its menu, but we suspect they actually won because the food that results is truly stellar.

Chinese (Boulder)
China Gourmet
Whether you order spicy beef tendon when you’re at a Chinese restaurant or you’re more of a sweet-and-sour pork sort of person, here there’s something that will surely please everyone. Order at the counter and act like a regular.

Italian (E. County)
Zamparelli’s Italian Bistro, Lafayette
Zamparelli’s is a local’s favorite. How could you go wrong with brick-oven pizzas, lovely salads and soups and mouth-watering sandwiches? No, seriously, that’s not rhetorical. How can you go wrong?

Italian (Boulder)
Laudisio Italian Restaurant
Laudisio has one of those menus that’s endlessly enticing but verging on frustrating. So much so that it’s painful to pick between chicken saltimbocca and spaghettini puttanesca. But eventually we do pick one, and we are so happy we did.

Salad (E. County)
Zamparelli’s Italian Bistro, Lafayette
A salad for every day. Sometimes we go for the arugula salad with prosciutto. Other times it’s the Caesar with tasty croutons. Pear and gorgonzola salad is best on a summer day, when the flavors match our mood.

Salad (Boulder)
Mad Greens
Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? A fast, fun salad stop that offers more dressings, toppings and types of greens than you can shake a breadstick at.

Mexican
Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant, various locations
If you like it hot, you’ll love Efrain’s. Known for its funky vibe, Efrain’s serves up honest Mexican food. Cool your palate with a super strong margarita.

Mexican (Boulder)
The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
The quintessential margarita spot needs a solid menu of craveable treats. At Rio, everyone has their favorites—whether it’s the soup and quesadilla on the lunch menu (even when it’s not lunch) or a steak burrito, smothered. Grab a seat on the roof and catch a slice of Boulder nightlife with a side order of Mexican-American fare.

Pizza (E. County & Boulder)
Proto’s Pizza, various locations
The Neapolitan-style thin crust at Proto’s brings people together. Especially, on Friday nights, when Proto’s serves up its specialty: the mighty tasty
clam pizza.

Seafood (E. County)
Tortuga’s, Longmont
If you haven’t been to Tortuga’s in a while, it’s time to revisit this Longmont gem. Amazing fish in a landlocked state isn’t hard to come by here.

Seafood (Boulder)
Jax Fish House
How often do you get a chance to dine with a Top Chef? And beyond the celebrity factor, the food is delish. Start with oysters, order with abandon, and don’t forget to save room for dessert.

Steak house (E. County)
Colorado Coal Company, Erie
One of the best reasons to drive to Erie. Get a table or belly up to the bar with the locals and enjoy a great steak at a reasonable price—from top sirloin and flat iron to rib eye, New York strip and prime rib.

Steak house (Boulder)
Boulder Chop House
Contemporary steak house feel with local and organic ingredients inspiring the menu. Timeless taste meets cutting-edge cuisine trends in a cool, super comfortable and intimate setting. This is how Boulder does steak house.

Sushi/Japanese (E. County)
Sakura Japanese Cuisine, Longmont
This Japanese gem looks innocuous from the outside, but inside, feels totally authentic. Order a bento box to try lots of things or just get your favorite sashimi.

Sushi/Japanese (Boulder)
Sushi Zanmai
Step through the doors and be treated to a hearty welcome from the sushi bar. It’s just a sign of things to come. This place is legendary for good reason. Order one of their house specialty rolls.

Thai (E. County)
Thai Kitchen, Longmont
Our publisher’s sister lives in Thailand, so when she tells us that a Thai place is authentic, we tend to believe her. Order the pork larb and order it spicy.
It’s addictive.

Thai (Boulder)
Elephant Hut
Excellent food, a sleek, modern and impeccably beautiful atmosphere and art painted by elephants. Yes, elephants.

Sandwich (E. County)
Snarf’s Sub Shop, Longmont & Westminster
Quality ingredients and classic preparations make this a beloved favorite. Hip-hip hurray for the new store in Westminster!

Sandwich (Boulder)
Salvaggio’s Italian Deli
Smack dab in the middle of Pearl Street isn’t where you might expect to find a traditional Italian deli, but one bite of the sandwiches here will make you a believer.

Indian (E. County)
Taj Mahal III, Louisville
The atmosphere is warm, the staff is friendly and our readers obviously dig their tasty, traditional Indian fare. Try a little of everything at the lunch buffet.

Indian (Boulder)
Tandoori Grill
Authentic Indian dishes with a modern twist, this restaurant is consistently listed among the best Indian establishments in Colorado.

Vegetarian (E. County)
Flavor of India, Longmont
Saag paneer, vegetable samosas, aloo gobi—for any vegetarians looking to spice up their lives, you really can’t do much better than Flavor of India.

Vegetarian (Boulder)
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant
Sick of salads? The entire menu at Leaf is vegetarian, offering tons of gourmet and eco-friendly options for herbivores and their omnivore friends.

Overall Bar (E. County)
Pumphouse Brewery, Longmont
Pumphouse is where Longmont goes to relax. Beers with the boys. Ladies’ night on the patio. Friends, teammates or co-workers enjoying a break from work and locally brewed beer.

Overall Bar (Boulder)
West End Tavern
The mixologists (that’s right, no bartenders here) at West End have skills coming out of their shot glasses. Sage Swink leads the team of cocktail craftspeople, serving up drinks in the cozy downstairs bar or on the rooftop patio.

Pub/Tavern (E. County)
Mike O’Shay’s Restaurant & Ale, Longmont
Longmont’s downtown Irish haven is one of the most reliable finds in the area. It’s a neighborhood bar and restaurant serving up consistently tasty
food to a friendly crowd.

Pub/Tavern (Boulder)
Walnut Brewery
You can simply judge Walnut Brewery by the crowds that fill it—and do expect a wait if you show up on a weekend evening. With a Buff Gold in your hand, you’ll know it’s worth it.

Brewery (E. County)
Left Hand Brewery, Longmont
You can’t deny Left Hand Brewery’s reign: Sawtooth Ale, Milk Stout, Jackman’s Pale Ale and the seasonal Oktoberfest. With beers like these, Left Hand has truly become our own king of beers. And we are loyal and trusting minions.

Brewery (Boulder)
Walnut Brewery
The beers that Walnut Brewery create are flagship local drinks. Buffalo Gold is iconic, citrusy and gold like sunshine. The St. James Irish Red Ale has a staunch cult following. The Indian Peaks Pale Ale has a lovely, crisp flavor that makes it so amazing on a spring day.

Local Beer (E. County & Boulder)
Left Hand Brewery’s Sawtooth, Longmont
Coloradans are beer snobs and for a good reason. Our palettes are refined from all that consumption. So, when readers select Sawtooth as their favorite, it means something. The amber ale is drinkable yet complex with nutty and herbal flavors.

Happy Hour (E. County)
Oskar Blues, Longmont
After work, folks—from the suited up to the dressed down—hear the siren song of happy hour of Oskar Blues Liquid & Solids: $2 pints. Is it calling your name?

Happy Hour (Boulder)
The Mediterranean
At The Med, happy hour is a true art, with plate after plate of mussels, steamed octopus and all kinds of hummus. They practically invented tapas; well, at least they brought them to Boulder.

The post Best of the West: Reader’s Choice Food appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.