We were gone for six days and the time spent was a jumble of hiking, delicious restaurants, breweries, and popular Colorado landmarks, like the Garden of the Gods.
View from our hike through Garden of the Gods
On our last full day in Colorado, Boyfriend and I ventured off sans sister and brother-in-law to visit Boulder, specifically the Pearl Street Mall. Multiple people had recommended this spot to me, due to its many restaurants, shopping gems, and street performers. As we meandered through the outdoor mall, our eyes were met with fire jugglers, unicyclists, and African drummers. We enjoyed our day of dropping money into the hats of the most impressive performers and partaking in some of the best people-watching that I've experienced in ages. Boulder is a definite must see when visiting Colorado.
During his trip to Colorado last summer, Boyfriend had visited Boulder and had what he described as the best burger that he had ever eaten. He was determined to reacquaint himself with the meaty god of yesteryear and we walked around Pearl Street until he found his Burger Mecca, the Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery.
Mountain Sun offers a variety of common American food with creative flair, while being managed with a full team-initiative. Employees of the Mountain Sun are not defined by titles. The person serving you also buses tables, pours drinks, cleans, and cooks. The restaurant operates on this system and even tips are split and divided among all employees.
The team-based approach seems to have created not only a cool and relaxed atmosphere for dining, but also an exceedingly friendly staff. From the moment that we walked into the restaurant, Boyfriend and I were greeted with smiles and friendly words. The restaurant decor is funky with brightly colored statues hanging from the ceiling, while eliciting a relaxed vibe to match our experience in Boulder thus far.
We had a brief wait for a table, but not to fear, for we were quickly ushered to the back of the restaurant in front of the bar. We were given a draft list and the server behind the bar poured us free sample after free sample of Mountain Sun's own brews while we waited. Serve me free beer to take away the pain of waiting 15 minutes for a table? Oh, Mountain Sun, you know how to win my heart (while defeating my liver).
We sampled a variety of summer ales, but both Boyfriend and I opted for a pint of Mountain Sun's raspberry brew. It was crisp, fruity, refreshing, and incredibly smooth. I wish that it was a beer that I could find locally at a distributor.
It did not take Boyfriend more than a minute after opening his menu to slam it closed on the table and say "I know what I'm getting." The burger from last summer that been haunting his taste buds was once again about to be at his mercy. Boyfriend's beloved Date Night Burger is a 1/3 lb. patty served with hickory smoked bacon, roasted poblano peppers, goat cheese, and date purée. He also ordered fries rather than chips.
His burger was just as Boyfriend had remembered. The blend of seemingly abrasive flavors blended together harmoniously to create a sense of burger bliss in Boyfriend. I didn't sample his Date Night Burger, but the look on Boyfriend's face said enough.
I ordered the Basil Bleu Burger, a delicious medium-cooked patty smothered in a dressing made of basil and bleu cheese, garnished with a basil leaf. The dressing had a pesto-quality, but the tang of the bleu cheese really stood out.
I devoured my burger and most of my fries, which I used to scrape up any of the basil-bleu cheese dressing that may have dripped onto the paper beneath the burger. It was the kind of meal that requires no conversation because you're too busy chewing and savoring.
The fries were freshly cut and appropriately salted. Mountain Sun's menu proclaims that any imperfect fries will be taken away and replaced, but I couldn't even pretend to have a complaint about any part of my meal.
After our bellies could fit no more, Boyfriend and I paid our bill and ventured back into Pearl Street for more performers... And when we had a tiny space in our stomachs, we filled it quickly with ice cream.
We are home now and reacquainted with our furry family, but memories of the trip are still fresh. We experienced some amazing views, hip locales, and delicious food, but I can easily say that my Basil Bleu Cheeseburger from the Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery was my favorite meal.
I look forward to a return trip to Denver next year, but not for the sights, not for the legal marijuana, and not for the high altitudes. I look forward to the Mountain Sun Pub and waiting for a table at the bar with some free samples.
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