Q's - Boulder

There are various ways to enjoy a meal here: you can choose three plates for $35, order directly from the menu, or opt for the chef's choice dinner (I can't recall the price of that). The cost per person is definitely under $100—more like around $30 per person. It's refreshing to see that long-standing restaurants in Boulder continue to excel and keep pace with the newer venues in town. I feel like these established spots are often overlooked by reviewers and guests alike. I highly recommend that everyone revisit Q's to experience just how great it still is.

We arrived promptly for our New Year’s Eve reservation, believing that being on time was essential, especially on one of the busiest nights of the year. Unfortunately, the restaurant seemed less concerned with punctuality, as they were “finishing up a meeting” upon our arrival. We were asked to wait outside, and it was unclear why we could not be seated immediately. After five minutes past our reservation time, we cautiously walked back in, feeling like we were intruding on their business. Isn’t it the customers who are central to their operation? The hostess greeted us coldly, seemingly unaware of our frustration with their unprofessionalism. After being offered a "complimentary" glass of champagne—part of the $65 per person meal—we sat for 25 minutes essentially ignored. Eventually, a different waitress appeared to take our order, and her manner was shockingly rude for a fine dining venue. Although the manager became attentive once we expressed our concerns, the hiccups negatively impacted the overall evening. On a positive note, the food was exceptional. The grilled asparagus with balsamic reduction, gorgonzola, pancetta, and morels was both delicious and innovative, as were many of the other dishes we sampled. The flourless chocolate cake was, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever had. While I can recommend the restaurant based on the food, I suggest that you don’t go to Q's if you expect the level of service you might find at other fine dining establishments.