The following is a message from the friendly folks at the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, one of the Boulder Burgundy Festival’s partners in the 2015 event.

Enjoy Boulder as a Wine and Food Expert Would

If you’re considering coming to the Boulder Burgundy Wine Festival, you might be wondering how the heck you’ll spend your free time in Boulder? Funnily enough, this little town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains is actually a top foodie destination. Bon Appetit called Boulder “America’s Foodiest Town” and Food & Wine magazine named Pearl Street one of the top 10 streets for foodies in the U.S.

We have more than a few ideas for you: Stroll the Boulder Farmers’ Market — the No. 1 farmers’ market in the entire country, according to USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice. Sip a variety of 100-plus teas at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, a dazzling building handcrafted in Tajikistan. Or take a break from wine and sample some suds around town at 20 original craft breweries (you can even bike right to them).

We could go on and on (check out Boulder’s must-see checklist), but we thought we’d let Boulder’s wine and culinary experts tell you their favorite things to do. Here, two of our top chefs, whose restaurants you’ll enjoy as part of the Boulder Burgundy Wine Festival, share their perfect days in Boulder.

Mark Monette, Flagstaff House Restaurant

Executive chef and partner Mark Monette was only 10 when his dad, Don Monette, founded the Flagstaff House Restaurant in Boulder. By age 14, Mark was bussing tables at the restaurant.

Mark’s love of cooking and passion for fine cuisine took him to several four-star restaurants in New York City and to various Michelin three-star restaurants in France and the Orient, where he worked with master chefs Bernard Hermman and Thomas Keller.

Mark returned home in 1985 to become executive chef of the Flagstaff House and has been responsible for the restaurant’s culinary delights ever since.

Mark’s Perfect Day In Boulder:
– Run (or hike) the Mesa Trail. The trail goes through the forest along the base of the Flatirons from Chautauqua to Eldorado Springs. It is 6.5 miles long each way and is hilly.
– Before your run or hike, visit Boulder Breadworks and pick up goodies. Eat your food on the trail or back at Chautauqua Park for a picnic.
– Get a massage at Boulder Center for Sports Medicine.
– Have cocktails on the Flagstaff House terrace followed by our Chef’s Tasting Dinner paired with wine.

Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, Frasca Food and Wine

James Beard Foundation Award winner Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson is the chef and co-owner of Frasca Food and Wine and Pizzeria Locale.

In 2005, he was awarded Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef.

At Frasca, he applies his culinary talents to create innovative yet traditional dishes true to the indelible spirit of Friuli, Italy.

Frasca has developed a reputation as one of the best dining experiences in the country.

Lachlan’s Perfect Day in Boulder: 

– Start the day by enjoying coffee at Logan’s Espresso Café.
– Drive to Hall Ranch, near Lyons, for a mountain bike ride. There are two great rides — the one for beginner and intermediate riders starts from the Antelope Trailhead off Apple Valley Road. For a more challenging start to the ride, and my favorite, start from the Bitterbrush Trailhead, 1.5 miles southwest of Lyons on Hwy. 7.
– Grab a beer on the way home at Oskar Blues. I like Mama’s Little Yella Pils best.
– Head to the Yoga Pod for a late-afternoon yoga class.
– Have dinner at my restaurant, Frasca Food & Wine.

Still looking for more ideas? You may want to check out these additional resources on our website:

Boulder’s Foodie Checklist
7 Ways to Sip and Savor Boulder
A Fall Foliage and Food Tour of Boulder

The Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau works to bring visitors and groups to Boulder by promoting our town’s natural environment, arts, culture and history. Let us know if we can help answer any questions before or during your stay. You can contact us at 303-442-2911 or visitor@bouldercvb.com.