1. Turley’s in Boulder. I had the Thai Tofu and Vegetables entree. It was absolutely delish. Their menu is so extensive and everything sounds so good. Our service was very friendly and quick and the atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. I definitely want to go back.

Stars: 4  

Price: $$

2. Boulder Cafe in Boulder. I had the Goat Cheese Salad with spinach, pine nuts, purple onions, tomatoes, and balsamic vinaigrette. The best part about it was the goat cheese on homemade flatbread. SO amazingly delicious! I have been craving that salad again ever since we went there. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxing. Our service was okay–not very good but not bad either. Travis had a big burger and french fries. I know, polar opposites. Both dinners were good though.

Update: I went back on July 8th and had the salad again. This time, they put the goat cheese in crumbles on the salad and gave me a big hunk of plain-Jane French bread. Not exciting at all! And our waitress was crabby. It just went down a star.

Stars: 3

Price: $$

3. Beau Jo’s Pizza in Idaho Springs. Great atmosphere, okay service. The last time we were there, our waiter was also the bartender. So he took our order and pretty much never came back. Our friend Mark had to take our glasses and go up to ask for refills. But the pizza is delicious–we’ve had both their 3 lb Mountain Pie and a healthier thin crust pizza. Both were excellent. We also had their nachos. Also great. The food makes the wait worth it.

Stars: 3

Price: $$

4. Tahona Tequila Bistro in Boulder. Great margaritas, great food. We sat outside at a tiny little table and even though we were splitting an entree, they didn’t give us any extra plates. The waiter was really nice and attentive though and gave a last call for happy hour.

Stars: 4

Price: $

4. Mediterranean Restaurant (aka The Med) in Boulder. Great atmosphere, good waitstaff. A little pricey. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table but got a drink at the bar so it went quickly. We shared an appetizer, entree, and dessert. We enjoyed it and would definitely go back.

Stars: 4

Price: $$

5. Pasta Jay’s in Boulder. Good atmosphere, good food. Waitstaff was friendly and the wait for a table wasn’t that long. Would definitely go back.

Stars: 4

Price: $

5. Snarf’s Sub Shop in Boulder. Good sandwiches, definitely has a college atmosphere. I would compare this restaurant to Erbert’s and Gerbert’s Subs. I heart Erb’s and Gerb’s.

Stars: 4

Price: $

6. La Piazza in Arvada. Atmosphere feels somewhere in between nice sit-down restaurant and sports bar due to all the lit-up beer signs they had hanging up near the bar. Waitstaff was friendly. Food was delicious.

Stars: 3

Price: $$

7. Vincenza’s Italian Ristorante in Wheat Ridge. Nice atmosphere but the booth we sat in sunk down so far (broken springs?), I could barely reach the table. The meal I had was pretty good (very rich wine sauce) but Travis got the spaghetti and I definitely didn’t like their sauce (tasted somewhat like a vodka tomato sauce).

Stars: 2

Price: $$

8. Edgewater Inn in Edgewater. Very laidback atmosphere. A great place to come during the warm months and drink a few cold beers (or a few cold glasses of wine) and chill with your friends. Pizza is delicious and there is a great variety of toppings to choose from. Service was decent.

Stars: 4

Price: $$