The Stained Glass Of The Boulderado Lobby Ceiling Never Grows Old! Photo Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

A Thanksgiving Temptation at the Hotel Boulderado

Why the allure is real: The nitty gritty of the buffet!

• The Thanksgiving buffet runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Hotel Boulderado. The menu is VERY promising!

• Pricing: adult tickets are $85 (children 5-12 at $40, under 5 free) plus tax & service. 

• Location: 2115 13th St., Boulder CO 80302. Hotel Boulderado

• The setting is beautiful: the so-called “historic mezzanine” dining under the hotel’s stained-glass ceiling, giving a sense of grandeur and comfort. 

• Menu promise: a mix of Thanksgiving classics and alternatives, giving your household the freedom to pick and choose (and maybe experiment). 

• No picking the main course with a single option. The menu includes a carving station with turkey, ham, AND roast beef. 

The extra layer: ghost story garnish

The Hotel Boulderado is known not just for its splendid architecture and dining, but also for its general vibes, charm, history and level of care from the staff. This is a hotel where Ernest Hemingway’s son used to hang out in the Corner Bar off the lobby. This is the site of the former Steak Porch and its famous lunch club. We used to have 2 and 3 hour lunches when there was not enough business in my baby law practice to keep me busy drafting pleadings. I did find time for the multi-course lunches though! This was before cell phones as I recall it. We’d come back after a feast and check our answering machines. Although cell phones did allow me to practice law while on the ski slopes of our amazing state. Great then and still great! The magic valley endures the changes and continues to improve. 

Pros & considerations

Pros for going out this year:

• No stove-marathon, no dish pileup.

• A festive atmosphere, you’re in historic downtown Boulder rather than your same four walls.

• You and your household get an outing, a change of scene, maybe even conversation with other diners—all without the “host” stress.

• The buffet setup allows for variety: you can keep some Thanksgiving tradition (turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce) but also explore alternatives if you wish.

Considerations:

• Cost: $85 per adult is a premium over cooking at home. But that cost brings service, setting, and no cleanup. $40 ages 5-12.

• Ambience: buffets can be busy, lively, maybe less intimate than home. If your household prefers a very quiet, cozy feel, that’s something to weigh.

• Reservation required: holiday buffets fill quickly. You’ll want to lock in your spot.

• If you love the tradition of preparation—meal planning, cooking together, the aromas of home—going out omits that. Consider how much you value those rituals this year.

My take: would I go?

If I were in your shoes, I’d lean toward yes this year. Here’s why: The idea is tempting. I’m open to the experience of going out this year. The setting is unique, historic—an upgrade from the usual at-home routine. And since our household is small, the buffet doesn’t feel like a missed  event, but more manageable and perhaps even special. I wonder how they deal with leftovers. A Thanksgiving meal that does not include leftovers is huge missed opportunity for sandwiches and the rest over the next week. Debi also loves the cooking of the meal, even if it is turkey only. She makes homemade pumpkin pie. She doesn’t like pumpkin pie but she does love the way it makes the house smell. It is a choice between great options for me. I win either way. The Boulderado option is absolutely a serious contender. 
I’d suggest you:

• Book now (to avoid disappointment).

• Maybe arrive early for prime seating (first seating).

• Plan for your own traditions too: you could still bring your favorite home side or dessert to complement the buffet (if allowed) or plan a small post-buffet tradition at home (hot cocoa, board game, something low key).

• Factor in transportation, parking, whether you might want to wander Pearl Street after (the hotel is right downtown). Wine is also to be considered. 

• Accept the slight premium cost as the “experience fee” this year: you’re paying for ease + setting + novelty.

• SUGGESTION to the Boulderado!!! Why not run the buffet through Friday and the weekend? That way I could have my turkey and eat it too. 

Final “Lensworth” snapshot

I can picture myself at the Hotel Boulderado’s mezzanine light-filled dining room, turkey plate in hand, smashed potatoes and cranberry sauce and that gloriously warm dinner roll. Soft murmur of other diners, the glow of historic fixtures, maybe a glance toward the gravy boat with it’s fill of limitless gravy which we don’t have to make, and a meal fit for a King and Queen which we did not have to create at home.  Then the quiet contentment of skipping the cleanup. Afterwards, a short stroll downtown, maybe a pause for coffee or dessert in the lobby under the stained glass. A Thanksgiving refreshed.

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com