Best Places for Thanksgiving and Holiday Meals in Boulder

The Boulder/Denver area is a great place to be most times of the year. In the summer the temperature is in the 70's and 80's, the sky is blue all day and then soft clouds roll in by the evening. In December it's cold and snowy, but then it's Christmastime, and it's supposed to be. They experience all seasons in Boulder and Denver. It is always picturesque. This time of year, the fall, Thanksgiving time, it is right beginning to get cold and snowy. In fact, they just experienced the first big snowfall of the year. Today it is in the 50's and overcast, snow mostly gone from the big storm. Being as picturesque as it is, people are drawn from all over the world and country to live there. And because so many people, who appreciate some of the finer things in life, live there, there are many fine establishments, including restaurants, places to have great meals, places with exquisite views of the mountains, a creek, deer, and so on, places set in hills and valleys or by parks. Some of them offer regional food, big game, elk and buffalo, while others, by those that saw the beauty and moved in, offer food from their own region, east, west, south, overseas, wherever, all over, all kinds of different places. So, while the air is crisp and the ground, possibly snowy, cold and earthy, where should you spend your Thanksgiving holiday? If you're looking for a restaurant, a place to eat out, there are many, and here are a few suggestions.

1. Boulder Cork (American). Boulder Cork, one of the city's most renowned dining experiences (since 1969), will be serving a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings for $23. They will also be serving ham, prime rib, salmon, butternut squash ravioli and roasted duck mole enchilada's. The price range is $18 to $28. A children's menu is also available. They are located at 3520 30th Street Boulder, CO 80302. Reservations can and should be made at (303) 443-9505. It doesn't get much more Boulder than this!

2. L'Atelier in Boulder (French). L'Atelier, owned and operated by Radek Cerny, is one example of Boulder's power of attraction. Cerny was born in Prague (Czech Republic), lived in Nashville, Tennessee and Vail, and finally settled in Boulder, where he opened up his restaurant, inspired by the kitchens of Roger Verge and Paul Bocuse in France. Boulder has been known to do that, to draw in people, to inspire great things, and this is one them. For Thanksgiving Day, L'Atelier will be open from 12 p.m. to 8pm and will offer a choice of traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings or their fabulous house menu, which includes a wide variety of fine food. For more information or reservations, contact them at 303.442.7233. They are located at 1739 Pearl Street in Boulder (80302), on the Pearl Street Mall, the outdoor plaza underneath the Rocky Mountains.

3. Copperdale Inn (German). Copperdale Inn offers some of the most spectacular views of any restaurant in the entire country. Sitting at the edge of Coal Creek Canyon, the dining room hangs over the edge of the often snow-covered mountainside. Inside, however, is warm and quaint, with a fireplace and lots of wood. The place is old, and so are most of the servers, who treat you as family, welcomed guests. The food is German, but while it might not be the most traditional places to go for Thanksgiving, it is one of the most unique and memorable, and the food is very good. Take a chance; but you might have to use your snow chains or tires! They are located at 32138 Hwy 72. Golden, CO 80403, and can be reached for reservations at 303-642-3180.

4. Also great: The Greenbriar Inn (American). The Greenbriar Inn outside has been a landmark of Boulder County for 35 years. The restaurant was originally built in 1873, and the now-renovated site sits on 20 acres of Colorado countryside. For Thanksgiving, they will be serving a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings for $24.00 for adults and $12.00 for children. Seconds are available (upon request)! A festive selection from their regular dinner menu will be available as well. They will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and reservations are required. They are located at 8735 North Foothills Highway, just below the Rockies, in Boulder (80302) and can be reached at (303) 440-7979 or (800) 253-1474.