Traveling on business can be limiting as your schedule is packed with events, especially when the conference is held in the hotel you’re staying in.  I always try my best to eat at a local restaurant, talk to locals (even if it means the hotel staff), and see some of the city.  Here are my highlights of my short but lovely trip.

Where I ate:  I kept on hearing about Boulder as a foodie town and was not disappointed.  I was able to have a few meals outside the hotel and it left me hungry for more. Not only was the food great, but the service was superb. My Dining Traveler Highlights:

Where I stayed:  I stayed at the Millennium Harvest House Boulder.  The hotel has a very cozy mountain feel with its dark colors and wooden accents. Some of the areas are outdated such as the lobby, breakfast room, and bar but the hotel is currently undergoing a series of renovations to improve these areas.  My room was in the north tower, which had the most gorgeous view of the Rockies. Every morning, I made it a point to wake up early and take in the view for a few minutes. The location was walking distance to shopping and restaurants and a short drive to Pearl Street. Interestingly enough, the hotel has Salsa night on Saturdays and it’s free for guests ($6 for visitors).  I had fun dancing Salsa on my final night at the conference.  A highlight of my stay was the service, from the conference staff to the front desk searching for a car ice scraper for us, everybody went above and beyond.

Modmarket:  Walking distance from the Millennium Harvest House Boulder, it’s a great spot for breakfast and coffee.  I had whole grain Belgian waffles topped with a delicious apple pear compote.  The compote was not too sweet, which paired perfectly with the maple syrup.  I was having breakfast alone and checking my emails when the manager showed up at my table with a bowl of fresh fruit. The friendliness at Modmarket during my first breakfast in Boulder set my trip to a great start. I was thrilled to see that there was also a Modmarket at the Denver Airport.  I would love to have one in DC!

Pizzeria Locale:  My colleague and I sat at the chef’s table facing the cooks making pizza by hand and delicately entering it in the wood oven.  Lunch was simple:  amatriciana pizza with an extra topping of anchovies. There’s something about the saltines of the anchovies I can’t resist.  It also paired very well with the spiciness of the pizza.  I talked my colleague into sharing a saltimbocca con nutella: a soft dough warmed and filled with the glorious hazelnut spread. I spotted one of the cooks having a coffee so I could not help but to order one as well to go with my dessert.  I can’t resist a well made cappuccino.

Although I did not have much time to discover Boulder (and a snowstorm did not help my sightseeing aspirations either) I was convinced that this is a place that I need to return to.  I must say I was taken with the energy of Colorado: the crisp air, the warm people, and the majestic backdrop of the mountains.  Grateful that I get to return in the spring to this gorgeous state. Have you been to Boulder on Business?