What's Your Favorite Downtown Coffee Shop?

What's Your Favorite Downtown Coffee Shop? Win a $20 Gift Card!
For our next issue of the Downtown Magazine we need your help: Tell us your favorite Downtown coffee shop and we will will randomly select a winner for a $20 Downtown Boulder Gift Card.

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Downtown Boulder's Jill's, Q's & Trattoria on Pearl part of Denver Restaurant Week

Denver Restaurant Week 2009 has been extended through March 6. Don't let the name fool you! Three of Downtown Boulder's excellent dining establishments are participating in the event. A multi-course dinner for two is set at the mile high price of $52.80 ($26.40 for one). Check out these delicious menu options from Jill's, Q's Restaurant and Trattoria on Pearl.

Recipes from Downtown Boulder Chefs

Yesterday, the Camera kicked off a new column called, Value Meal. Five local chefs (three hailing from Downtown Boulder) were given a $15 budget to create a meal for four people with all of their raw ingredients coming from a single supermarket and common pantry items (e.g. flour, olive oil and basic spices).

Sven Hedenas of 14th Street Grill (1400 Pearl St.) made Braised Pork Shoulder with Creamy Grits, Cabbage and Onion and Lemon Herb Salad. James Van Dyk, co-owner-chef of Happy Noodle House (835 Walnut St.) made Curried Chicken Legs with Udon Noodles. Erik Skokan, owner-chef of the Black Cat (1964 13th St.) made Caramelized Onion Tart; Slow-Cooked Pork Roast with Creamy Polenta, Braised Chard and Parsley Sauce; and Lemon Pot de Creme. Get their recipes now!

Read Downtown Magazine's feature on 14th Street Grill (including a special receipt for seared scallops & French tomato vinaigrette).

Read Downtown Magazine's feature on Black Cat (featuring Skokan's receipt for pecan crusted rockfish with grilled sweet potatoes, cranberries & garlic jus).

Get Happy, Get Noodles!

Happy Noodle House, Downtown's newest restaurant is now open at 835 Walnut Street! From the minds of serial restaurateur Big Red F and Dave Query (proprietors of such Downtown favorites as West End Tavern, Jax Fish House and Centro Latin American Kitchen), the Happy Noodle House offers wholesome, authentic, traditional and affordable Asian inspired noodle bowls as well as a variety of starter and vegetable sides from Executive Chef / Partner James Van Dyk. With Mixologist/Owner James Lee handcrafting classic cocktails, this new establishment offers a slew of entrees, homemade pickles and Asian fare to Downtown patrons nightly starting at 4 p.m.; weekends from 3-6 p.m. and a Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. -3 p.m.

Happy Noodle House will be offering Happy To- Go starting on March 1.

Click here to learn more!

Happy Sesquicentennial Boulder!

Ses-qui-cen-ten-ni-al | sěs'kwĭ-sěn-těn'ē-əl - Say that one five times fast or watch a funny video on YouTube of others trying to get it right just once! The definition: A 150th anniversary or celebration...

This past Tuesday, hundreds of "long-timers" (aka people who have lived in boulder for 50+ years) came together for a celebration in their honor at the historic Hotel Boulderado (celebrating its own 100th anniversary this year) as part of Boulder's sesquicentennial year-long festivities.

Long-timers reminisced about Boulder's landscape and businesses in the early 50s and prior, as well as recalled happy memories of years gone by. The reception is just one of many events happening this year to celebrate Boulder's 150th anniversary. Earlier on Tuesday, crowds gathered in front of the Boulder County Courthouse for a community bell ringing. Boulder residents were invited to ring individual bells 150 times to celebrate the founding of the city.

Throughout the remainder of 2009, several lectures and other events celebrating our sesquicentennial will take place at various locations throughout the city. Banners commemorating the historic event will remain up along the Pearl Street Mall throughout the year. For more information about Boulder's sesquicentennial, visit: Boulder150.com.

Downtown Boulder's Top Chef: Hosea Rosenberg

It's down to five on Top Chef New York (Wednesdays, 8 p.m. on Bravo), Hosea Rosenberg, of Downtown Boudler's Jax Fish House, is the only "American male" left standing in this ferocious competition. He has made it through 10 plus weeks and beat competitors from all over the United States. Rosenberg stands poised to make to the final four. Perhaps his toughest competitors are the European contingent of Fabio, the comedic Italian, and Stephan, the self assured Fin. But Rosenberg has the confidence of having cooked for the best palates in the West...right here in Downtown Boulder (as well as being the seven-time, undefeated champion of the Flatiron Chef Competition)! Take the time to watch and cheer on Rosenberg as he makes his run to be America's Top Chef and visit Jax this Saturday for their special Valentine's Day $75 prix fixe dinner, $25 optional wine pairing. For reservations call 303.444.1811 or online. For menu details, click here.

Valentine's Day 101 from Downtown Boulder

I always know when my husband waits until the last minute to buy me a card for a special occasion. I can only imagine the fear that sets in when he rushes into a store in the eleventh hour only to find a small selection of picked over cards for "someone special" or "anyone."

With just over a week until the most romantic holiday of the year, here are some thoughts and suggestions of not only gift ideas but things to see and do. Honey, if you are reading this, take notes!

Thanks to Bacaro, couples can enjoy a special a special Valentine's Day menu starting February 12 - February 15. For $40 per person, you have several delicious dishes to choose from starting with an Antipasti selection, main course selection and dessert for two (chocolate-dipped strawberries).

Valentine's weekend in Downtown Boulder is definitely the pace to be. There is a lot of exciting things happening (and Downtown city parking garages are free that Saturday, Sunday and Monday - Feb. 14, 15 & 16).

On Valentine's Day from 6 to 8 p.m., Color Me Mine is inviting couples to come paint their hearts out. Couples can paint while enjoying refreshments (before dinner), soft music & pottery. The staff will take good care of you and clean up after you! The $40 cost includes pottery for each person (choose between selected items), hors d'oeuvres & refreshments. Bring your own bottle of wine and they will help you serve it. Reservations a must - call for details: 303-443-3469.

Grab some skates and go for a spin around the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza. The rink closes on February 16. The rink recently made the list of TripAdvisor's Top 10 Bargain Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks. Located just a few blocks south of the Pearl Street Mall, the rink is surrounded by shops and cafes, as well as Sensorielle - a luxurious wellbeing spa focused in the complete care and nourishment of the "being" with an array of specialized treatments.

After skating, spend some time supporting the locals and saving some 'Presidents' as you shop the annual Mid Winter Sidewalk Sales. Fantastic deals are waiting both on and off the Bricks! Following a few hours of shopping, catch a flick at the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF). In fact, plan to stay around and enjoy their Valentine's Day Gala where comedic legend Chevy Chase will be honored. The evening starts at the Boulder Theater with a reception, food from the Cheesecake Factory and live music by the Hazel Miller Jazz Trio. Chase will be honored with a film retrospective of his work, followed by a Q&A session on stage with Ron Bostwick, BIFF executive producer.

In terms of actual gifts, the possibilities are endless in Downtown Boulder. We put together a gift guide to highlight just a sampling of what's out there. Feeling overwhelmed with the options? A Downtown Boulder gift card fits perfectly into that special card that you are going to go out and purchase sooner rather than later. Happy Valentine's Day from Downtown Boulder!

Sensorielle Spa services now "pay-what-you-can"

I have a great idea for President Obama's economic stimulus plan... spa packages! Every individual who files taxes should receive a gift certificate for a full day of pampering. Now more than ever, we are all stressed out and worried about finances. There is nothing like a day at the spa to rejuvenate your body & soul and, if even for a few short hours, melt away the stresses of the outside world. I'll post my suggestion on President Obama's Facebook page. In the meantime...

Starting February 1, Downtown Boulder's own Sensorielle Holistic Spa and Wellness Center put into effect a new business model where clients will pay-what-they-can for various spa treatments. Jewl Petteway, owner & spa director said, "We believe that in these uncertain economic times, people need stress relief and holistic care more than ever, and are less likely to spend money on their wellness. I'm confident that our new structure will bring us loyalty and support with our community and clientele. Our staff is very excited about this direction. We want our healing sanctuary to be open to all."

The spa's price list will remain as suggested pricing for all services. Clients will pay what they can, no questions asked. The requirement is a fair monetary exchange. The spa plans to maintain its high level of integrity and quality with professional therapists and estheticians, as well as natural and organic products.

Sensorielle will hold a grand re-opening open house on March 19 to launch their new program, as well as celebrate their fourth anniversary. Sensorielle has been in business since 2005, offering body and skin treatments that promote harmony with nature and holistic wellbeing. Sensorielle offers massage, facials, detoxifying treatments, Ayurvedic treatments, prenatal and postpartum care, Thai Massage, Couple's Massage Training, Reiki, Reflexology, Crystology, hand & foot treatments, Acutonics, and soon to offer Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine with a focus in Obstetrics and facial rejuvenation.

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