Latelier

L'Atelier was a great experience. Fantastic service - much better than the usual case in Colorado. The food was excellent. I had the ribeye, she had the bouillabaise, and we shared the escargot to start. All were wonderful, not heavy, deliciously flavored and satisfying. Another reviewer called the decor ""old traditional style"". I call the atmosphere ""respect for the patrons"". My father has run a French restaurant for 30 years and so I have particular ideas about how I expect to be treated in a fine restaurant. L'Atelier met them all. more

I ordered a Caesar salad with the Lobster Ravioli. Amazing dish and the staff was very knowledgeable about pairing the food with wine. The dining decor is sort of an old traditional style. Still felt like I should have been 70 years old to be there. Definitely go there if you want a culinary experience like no other. Pros: Menu, Bang for Buck, and Wait Staff Cons: Dining Room Decor more

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! more

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. more

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 more

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. Pros: Atmosphere, Service, ""Starters"" Cons: Value, Entrees more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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 more

despite a reservation. Hostess/server staff taxed to point of no return. Waited 10 minutes at an empty hostess station and then the hostess could not bear a simple greeting or smile, only a brash and stressed out ""RESERVATION?"" then not another word. Our waiter did not arrive for another 25 minutes. We did watched a couple seated 15 minutes after us place their order 10 minutes before us. When the waiter arrived he did not apologize for the wait. The food, for the most part, was wonderful. I highly recommend the lobster bisque soup, salads, and the italian meat appetizer. Do not try the lobster ravioli, the filling was terrible. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the curried chops. I won't subject myself to that again. It could have been great with a courteous and attentive staff and a better main dish. Caters to the over 50 croud. Decor felt elderly. Cons: Congested space more

I just ate at L'Atelier for my third time in 4 months. It is absolutely exquisite. Unaware of a Colorado state law that restaurants cannot open bottles of wine brought by customers, we brought a bottle of wine with us. The owner came to speak with us and after his sincere apologies, bought us a bottle of wine. The menu no longer had my favorite appetizer, lobster wontons. However, the waiter went back into the kitchen and the chef made them for us. I have been to other ""top rated"" restaurants and L'Atelier's service, atmosphere (cozy yet vibrant) and food blow them out of the water. We each had an appetizer, entree (filet and sweetbreads) and dessert for around $90 (a similar meal at the Flagstaff cost us $180). I believe that L'Atelier is the best restaurant in Boulder and everyone we send there enthusiastically agrees. Pros: Food, Service, Portion Size Cons: , No Bar more

Maybe Paris it's not, but good French, especially for Colorado. Pate was ok, but the chicken breast in red wine sauce called ""le coq au beujolais"" was excellent. Delicious mashed potatoes under the chicken. Presentation of the plate (literally an oil ""painting"") was very pleasant. Some cool desserts (chocolate ""window"") but was too full to try it. Lunch (1) totaled about $33. This guy (chef/owner) ran Euro cafes and Al Fresco in Denver for years, and he still has it. I'm glad I found it and I will go back again. I also liked the 17th & Pearl street location and noticed they have a couple of tables outside in front for good weather. Pros: Good food and sauces, Good service, ambience/presentation more