L'ATELIER - Boulder

02/05/09

Great food for the price

by misskimberly at Citysearch

The interior could use a little updating, but that is my only complaint. The food at this restaurant is great, as is the service. I really did enjoy this restaurant, and found it to be relaxed and unpretentious. I will definitely be visiting this restaurant again!

09/25/07

Why dine here when Frasca is across the street?

by kerseygirl at Citysearch

I never feel compelled to write a negative review but I was devastated over our experience. First of all the menu is overwhelming - too many sheets of paper poorly organized. We choose the fois gras appetizer from the evening's specials - the best dish of the night. I've had much better fois gras elsewhere but the puff pastry had great texture and the accompanying sauce would later rank as the best of the meal. However the tomato confit was an embarrassment and we were shocked that it even graced the plate - looked like chopped tomatoes from Qdoba Grill. We ordered the Yellow Tomato Watercress Ceviche only we believe we were brought the wrong salad. There weren't any yellow tomatoes on the plate and the watercress tasted more like argula. If the menu item changed, why not give us a heads up? Next came the dreadful Duck Confit Cassolet, which arrived lukewarm at best. Cassolets should be hot hot hot, especially on a blustery rainy night in Boulder. It only preceded to cool down to the point where we couldn't finish it. Not to mention the duck was undetectable and the entire dish was underseasoned - worst dish of the night. The Filet Au Poivre arrived and it was the fattiest cut I've seen served. It was ordered Med Rare and half of it was cooked all the way through, the other half a warm medium. My boyfriend didn't have the heart to return it especially since we were never checked on. My Wild Halibut entree was at first passable, but the fish was overcooked (tasted/looked more like bass) and the ratatouille was masked by the intense smokiness of the bacon. The accompanying gnocchi romano was the best of the dish, but you had to eat them right away before they became too dense. The entire restaurant cleared out by 9pm and we didn't want to try our hands at dessert on a night where the servers were blowing out the candles on the nearby tables, even though it was my boyfriend's birthday. Perhaps this restaurant is past its prime and we certainly won't be back.

07/12/07

Desert was decadent

by harmonybythesea at Citysearch

Stopped in for desert after dinner in Boulder. The staff was very attentive. We had the chocolate bag with fruit and creme anglaise and it was an absolute taste sensation. We are heading back for dinner!

• Pros: Very attentive service

03/09/07

Very disappointed

by rareair at Citysearch

I never usually take the time to write a bad review, but this is a rare exception. I do it because I wish someone had told me this. I had heard nothing but wonderful things about L'Atelier, and it received great reviews from every critic that I trust. So I made a reservation for a special evening for my girlfriend and I on a Saturday night. The restaurant felt busy and noisy and vibrant, which reminded me of my favorite dining experiences in NYC. Our hostess was gracious, our table was perfect and actually quiet, and our waiter was attentive and excellent. The entire menu sounded delicious, so we settled on the menu degustation.

The lobster with potato foam was delicious, a perfect blend of flavors and served artfully. We were excited for the rest of the menu. The tuna sashimi was decent, and the smoked salmon with horseradish foam was inventive and tasty. Moules were delicious. Then came the shrimp and grits, which was a nightmare. The textures didn't go together well (with the fried onion), and it tasted like a pile of salt. It just all went downhill from there. The only taste from the tournedos was the char from the grill, and the rest of the plate tasted like a microwave dinner (NO exaggeration). The dessert was, once again, served artfully, but it seemed to be dabs of brownie mix and then some vanilla ice cream/pastry things that were really not good. The "fromage degustation"? One type of cheese (goat's milk?) in two slices. Nice variety.

Perhaps this was just an off night for the kitchen, which is possible, but on this night, I was embarrassed for making the reservation. Worth it for the wine list, the staff, and the dining experience, but for this price, there are much, much better options. Do not believe the hype. After the many wonderful meals my girlfriend has arranged for me around the country, this was to be mine, to show off Boulder. Thanks.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Service, "Starters"
• Cons: Value, Entrees

11/20/06

Romantic Getaway

by reniour at Citysearch

I took my girlfriend here for a Birthday dinner. All I knew of this resturant was it was good French resturant with a excellent Wine List. I wish I could comment on their selection of wine, but I let her choose the drink. What I can tell you is that the food and service was excellent. I had even called ahead to inform them of the occation and they accomodated my requests. No there was no Happy Birthday singing, but there was desert with candles on it, and a quiet corner to talk. For a romantic getaway, I highly recommend this place.

• Pros: Excellent Food, good location
• Cons: Pricey

04/28/06

Just fantastic, simply the best of the best

by oryoki at Citysearch

The setting was elegant, with art work and beautiful flowers everywhere.

The artistic touch did not end there but continued with the food.

Older professional staff guided us through the menu with a Pink Hamachi Sashimi which made me forget sushi house. I had to have the sweetbreads which were crispy and flavored with sweet soy which made them almost like candy. My whole lobster out of the shell was the most succelent I've ever had. I finished with griottes, cherries marinated in brandy and served with warm squishy chocolate foam.

The wine list was over 400 items but the waiter was very helpful in finding the exact bottle that fit my budget and pleased my mouth.

• Pros: priced well, innovative food, attentive service
• Cons: tables close

12/02/05

Best meal I've had in Boulder

by greatfuldane at Citysearch

Wow - I really thought you couldn't have a meal like this in Boulder. Was I wrong. Spectacular service from professional waitstaff, unlike the marking-time-until-I-graduate staff you usually find. Imaginative, beautifully presented food made from only the best ingredients. My father, who lives in New York City and loves great food, said the mussels were better than the ones he gets at his favorite NYC restaurant. If you want a calm, quiet meal, go on Sunday night and ask for a booth. Our toddler was welcomed with open arms - quite unusual for an upscale restaurant.

• Pros: Spectacular food, Expert service, Lovely ambiance
• Cons: Expensive, Can be very busy

11/11/05

This loud, bold and cutting-edge Boulder restaurant introduces modern atmosphere to French cuisine.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
The brightly lit dining room of this Chef Radek Cerny creation suggests he has abandoned the pomp of fine dining for a ribald good time. By 7pm, the house is full of laughing, talking diners and clanking silver. Servers cut the noise with expert opinions on the evening's best dishes, including a handful of nightly specials.

The Food
Start with a gigantic bowl of fresh mussels in the broth of the evening (you'll mop up every drop with fresh-baked bread). Entrees arrive like a work of art--platters of food surrounded with dabs of colorful truffle oils, blotches of balsamic reduction and swirls of herb sauces. Indulge in crisp Thai shrimp dressed with coconut rice, soft sweetbreads with mushroom ragout, or tender filet infused with Spanish liqueur. Finish with decadent piles of whipped cream and strawberries on almond cookies or molten chocolate cake.

05/23/05

Radek-le Presentation!

by harddriv at Citysearch

Our table wasn't ready at our reserved time, so Chef Radek Cerney offered us some complimentary wine to make the 15-minute wait more pleasant. The dining room is small and bustling, but you won't feel cramped. They were out of a half-dozen menu items and the wine we ordered, but we found suitable substitutes. We began with the escargot and the fois gras mousse, both were very good. For our entrees we tried the beef tournedos and the veal (both tasty). All menu items are presented very artistically, on interesting dinnerware. Certainly a feast for the eyes. For dessert we tried the chocolate bag with fruit and creme anglaise, and a chocolate-grandmarnier fondue (great for chocoholics). The wine list has something for everyone. Service was prompt and apologetic. Menu prices seemed reasonable given the quality of entrees.

• Pros: Artistic Dishes, Value
• Cons: Parking, Can Be Loud

05/05/05

one of the best

by nikkalooo at Citysearch

I compare all restaraunts I go to, to here. For the flavor and price. I love the lobster ravioli, ciopino, steak and bernaise...They also offer wonderful tasting menus. Presentation is beautiful. Simple but elegant atmosphere..

• Pros: food, price, wine selection
• Cons: small waiting area