By Emily Retherford
Rocky Mountains
Boulder, home to the University of Colorado, is nestled in the Boulder Valley, where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Visitors to the area can bask in the shadows of the towering mountains, spend the day visiting the picturesque Eldorado Canyon or walk the trails that lead to Boulder Falls to watch the rapids plunge over 70 feet into the center of Boulder Creek. Not only are there plenty of activities to keep guests busy throughout the day, but there are a wide array of restaurants throughout the city as well and those looking for a hearty Italian meal won't have to look far.
Carelli's of Boulder
Voted the most romantic Restaurant from 2003 to 2008 by the Colorado Daily, Carelli's of Boulder started out as an Italian sub shop and after three expansions it now offers authentic Italian cuisine. Highlighting the dining room is a vast 360-degree fireplace that stands out beautifully among the light wood accents and natural-colored tile floor. Patrons will find a wide variety of dishes on the menu, including both contemporary and traditional dishes that originated from Northern and Southern Italy.
Carelli's of Boulder
645 30th St.
Boulder, CO 80303
(303) 938-9300
carellis.com
Trattoria on Pearl
The Trattoria on Pearl offers a menu filled with modern Italian cuisine. Guests can dine on asparagus smothered in a tomato cream sauce and vodka, calamari ala siciliana or penne ala vodka which features wild Pacific salmon. With a professionally trained chef on-site and an intimate dining room, Trattoria on Pearl is an excellent choice for a romantic dinner. It also has a lunch menu available and an extensive wine list. For guests who prefer to dine in the privacy of their hotel room or home, the restaurant also will deliver.
Trattoria on Pearl
1430 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 544-0008
trattoriaonpearl.com
Bacaro Venetian Taverna
Named after taverns in Venice, Bacaro Venetian Tavern is a place where patrons can indulge in a glass of wine with their friends while dining on Venetian Italian cuisine. The restaurant boasts a rooftop patio that overlooks downtown Boulder. The rooftop area is enclosed with glass allowing for it to remain open during the winter months. Guests can expect to find numerous pasts and seafood dishes on the menu including sea bass, risotto and tortellini. In addition to the regular dinner menu the restaurant offers a "small plate" menu. This menu features smaller and cheaper portions and includes dishes like thin linguine, thin spaghetti and pizza. A kid's menu also is available to help ensure the needs of even the youngest patrons are met.
Bacaro Venetian Taverna
921 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302
(330) 444-4888
bacaro.com
About the Author:
Emily Retherford has been a full-time freelance writer since 2009. She specializes in travel, parenting, fashion and beauty with work appearing on various online publications.
Photo Credits:
rocky mountain national park,rocky mountains,mount image by Earl Robbins from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
