My husband and I had just arrived in Boulder after a long trip from IL to buy a second home. I had to eat at Dolan's because Dolan is my maiden name. We were promptly seated in the intimate, casually elegant dining room -- dimly lit, quiet music, nice artwork, very romantic. The wine list was good, all California wines, but that's where chef Mike Dolan hails from. The menu was fabulous...fresh fish, red meats, duck, inventive salads and a great selection of appetizers. We had PERFECT calamarie for starters, one of the best salads I've ever had, delicious creamy clam chowder with perfectly cooked potatoes and big chunks of sweet tender clams. I had scallops that were perfectly seared outside and tender and moist inside, and my husband had lamb that was outstanding. What luck! Unfortunately, the restaurant's investor was dining there with his wife and another couple, and they were loud, rude, and obnoxious beyond description. They kvetched about insuring their $20 million beachfront property somewhere, their two Bentley's that were on the showroom floor because the dealer hadn't sold the old one so they couldn't afford the downpayment on the new one, how ""disgusting"" it was that one of the wives was carrying a 7 year old purse from Neiman's, ""collateralizing"" this to pay for that, and on and on and on. They sent almost everything back to the kitchen and treated the darling, young waitress we shared like something you'd scrape off your shoe. And then they complained about how doctors are ""raping the poor."" Everyone in the restaurant took notice and we moved to the opposite side of the dining room. Call ahead to insure this guy won't be dining there, and you'll have a lovely, lovely dinner. Mike Dolan takes great care of every detail, but unfortunately he has to open his doors to such a creep.
Pros: wonderful food and good wine, good value, intimate and romantic
Cons: obnixious investor ruined our experience
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