Italian Food in Boulder
I like to comment on service and often do in this blog. I try to keep a balance of positive and negative as it's too easy just to rail on bad and forget the positive.
Since returning to Colorado in 1995 (or so), we frequented Laudisio. When I say frequented I mean whenever we could afford it we would go. As the years went by, Lura and I went more and more. About 4 years ago we stopped going. -- Mostly because it was in north Boulder, and frankly it just got crazy expensive. But, the food was always awesome.
In recent years we started going to Carelli's. For the last 4 or 5 years we have gone their probably 6 times a year and had a several company functions there. About a year ago, I have to say, it actually got better. They invested in the place adding the crepe bar (which I never eat), and changing up the presentation of some of the dishes.
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Last week, Lura, Marlo and I decided to try Laudiso in its new digs over at 29th street. I'm not a hard-core Boulder person and I think the new 29th location is just fine. In fact it's way better then the mess that had been sitting there in that location for a decade.
We walked in and I check it out. It was pretty nice and I really liked the vibe of the place. Great view of the flatirons off in the South west. First problem: it was something like 60 degrees in there!. Now, I run HOT, so usually that's ok. Not this time -- too cold. No problem we sit outside. Ahh, relaxed.. Ordered a Gray Goose Martini. Ummm, they are "out" of gray goose.. ohhhhhhh-kay. Who is ever out of GG. Whatever, Kettle One. I get the mushroom pasta something. Lura gets the pizza something with no cheese, Marlo gets the something….something.
Pete Estler gets seated next to us. He doesn't recognize me, that's ok I barely know him, and it was 100 years ago in the early days of Raindance…
Crème Brulee, was good – Marlo loved it. Waiter forgot the desert Lura and I were sharing entirely. That's ok, starting Lijit added 7lbs to me already, probably a good thing.
Bottom line, Shocked at how mediocre Laudisio was. On the plus side it didn't seem as expensive as it was, but the food was totally forgettable. Carelli's by contrast has gotten better every year we have gone there. I always see the owner EVERY TIME I go, and he is kicking someone's ass about something. He puts money back into the restaurant regularly and I always have a great time. Carelli's has no view, but the environment is great, the people are awesome, and the food is REALLY GOOD.
Click the logo above and give Carelli's a try..
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