I'm sure every other Boulderite is blogging about the outcome of Top Chef, but I just had to quickly say congratulations to Hosea.

I knew there was a reason why Jax is my favorite restaurant in town. Having said that, Hosea, I know you can take your $100,000 and high-tail it to NYC, Chicago or hell, even Portland where there are better (but more competitive) culinary scenes. However, I would prefer if you kept your skills right here in Boulder, I'm going to be living here for a little while and I'd like to dine at your restaurant at least a couple of times.

There actually is a good food scene in Boulder and a good number of 'foodies' to talk about it with. I'll do a post sometime about my favorite restaurants. In the meantime, let's discuss the problem with Boulder restaurants: trendiness. Everyone needs to open up that 'fusion' or 'eclectic' restaurant. I'm curious to see what Hosea decides to do and if he stays in Boulder.

Speaking of me again, did you like my predictions from my November 26 post about Top Chef? I cheated a bit and gave a top 6, but wouldn't you know - those top 6 happened to be just that. Stefan, Fabio, Carla, Leah, Jamie and Hosea. I kick culinary ass. I knew my years in the restaurant industry would pay off.

Also - I was just about to link the term 'Boulderite', just so those who are outside of Colorado are aware of what the rest of the state thinks of us and this is what I found in the urban dictionary:

Boulderite

1. A general class of people similar to the Hippie, who live on a diet of fruits, nuts, granola and other organic foods. Often liberal in thinking and very much into outdoor activities. They can be distinguished by their economical yet functional vehicles and their equally functional attire. Name is derived from the "all natural" town of Boulder, CO.

You see that girl in the riding shorts and hiking boots with sunglasses on her head snacking on trail mix? That is one fine Boulderite.

2. One who:
1. Trains for a marathon before work.
2. Spends more than 10 hours a week in spandex.
3. Eats out at fine establishments, wearing a fleece vest and expensive outdoor shoes.
4. Carries plastic bags for picking up dog poop.
5. Drinks 2oz. of espresso for breakfast, 2 oz. wheatgrass for lunch, and 24 oz. Microbrew with dinner.
6. Drives a Subaru Outback with some clever form of an anti-Bush bumper sticker.
7. Buys groceries on a commuter bike, or cross country skis.
8. Owns a bike rack and bike that costs more than the price of their Subaru.
9. Lives within walking distance of a yoga studio.
10. Wonders how CO can still be a Red State?!

Spandex on by 6am, Cycling through Martin Acres, mildly hung- over, and completely stoned, the Boulderite rode to Whole Foods for a Powerbar and a Latte with soy.

Too funny. Okay, it's Wednesday, off to bed. However - exciting things this weekend! We are doing out tasting at Mary's Lake Lodge on Friday night (where we are having our wedding) and have heard nothing but GREAT things about the food. Will let you know!

Oh - and by the way. I'm sorry Carla. If you had more guts, didn't want to compete with love and didn't let Casey take over your dishes, you might be thinking about opening your own restaurant right now and your husband and stepson could go to every Super Bowl. Oh, snap. Yes I did. I'm such a bitch.

Tags: boulder, tv, top chef, jax fish house, hosea, top chef winner

Really? A pool of the most talented chefs on this season of Top Chef come up with the name 'Team Sexy Pans'? Horrible. What is wrong with them?

I've decided to blog about this season because;

a. I love the show

b. Two people from Boulder are on the show, which I've already mentioned before, but will do it again; Melissa and Hosea.

My post is going to be uber short because Doug is allowing me to get Sex and The City: The Movie On Demand tonight and because I'm saving all of my energy for my real ring post that will be coming shortly.

Quickly - my predictions for the top chefs that make it to the end (anyone want to bet lunch?): 

1. Stefan - because everything he makes appears to be awesome.
   
2. Fabio - he can cook and the judges really like him.
   
3. Jamie - her love of SSOUUUPPP is going to take her far.
   
4. Carla/Leah - both silent winners. Well, Carla isn't too silent, but they are showing a lot of her for a reason.
5. Hosea - I have to say him because Jax is my favorite restaurant in town.
   

After next week's episode, I may narrow it down.

On to my Boulder restaurant reviews:

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Tags: restaurants in boulder, top chef, boulder, co

Okay - it's not 'Top Chef' time until November 12 - however, this season is especially exciting.

TWO chefs from Boulder, CO made it onto the show. One, a man named Hosea, who is (would it be - was?) the executive chef at Jax Fish House. For those of you who don't know - Jax is my favorite restaurant in Boulder - my favorite meaning it's usually my birthday dinner spot. Yeah - that kind of favorite. That said, I can't wait to see what he's going to cook up on this season.

As for the second chef, I'm not as impressed. She's the sous chef at Centro, which I don't think is that great. It used to be a place called Rhumba that served really bad jerk chicken, in my opinion. However, Jax and Centro (as was Rhumba) are owned by the same company. Which reminds me, one of my other favorite restaurants in Boulder is owned by the big red f restaurant group, too - Zolo. About a year ago, they changed their fish tacos and now, the dish is not nearly as good, but still worth going for. As for the guacamole, out of this world - best guac in town.

Back to Top Chef - the other chef is Melissa. I'm basing the fact that she will be good; not on her experience at Centro, but because she's from Maryland and knows about the amazing Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs.

What I wouldn't give to have one now....

Tags: boulder restaurants, boulder restaurant reviews, top chef, reality tv, boulder

One of my favorite day hikes in Colorado is the Mitchell Lake to Blue Lake trail in Brainard Lake Recreation Area. We headed up there on Sunday to beat the heat and get into the mountains.

If you haven't yet done this hike - I highly recommend it. To get to Brainard Lake from Boulder, take Lee Hill Drive just off North Broadway (LOTS and LOTS of road bikers, so be prepared to be the pedestrian) to Old Stage Road. Old Stage will dead end - take a left onto Left Hand Canyon into Ward. Once through Ward, take a right onto Highway 72 (Peak to Peak) and then an immediate left into Brainard Lake Rec. Area. The drive from Boulder is about a 1/2 hour.

If you want to take a more scenic drive and have a little extra time, you can just follow Canyon Road into Nederland and then follow the signs to Highway 72. Go north on Highway 72 and Brainard Lake will be on your left just past Ward. Takes a little longer - about 45-50 minutes.

Now - back to those bikers. I think the road bikers in Boulder are insane. Boulder has three major roads that swerve through the Canyons into the Indian Peaks Wilderness area.

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Tags: day hikes, boulder, things to do in boulder

Today marked the third full day in the new kick-ass office space that we (the Boulder peeps of Room 214) just moved into.

Although I loved the old spot in North Boulder, the trails around the office and will miss my favorite smoothie place ever, Rush, I can't say I'm sad to leave.

Here's a pic, you can see more on my Flickr feed.

Tags: boulder, cool concepts, work