And in Boulder too.

DH and I are frequent visitors to Estes. We particularly like the Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (http://www.rockinnestes.com/) because the food is great and there's live music on weekends. There are also two good Italian places: Dunraven Inn (http://www.dunraveninn.com/) and Sweet Basilico (http://www.sweetbasilico.com/)

A perennial favorite in Boulder for casual dining is The Med (http://www.themedboulder.com/) Tons of other economic options, but that's where we always end up!

A couple of places the we like in Boulder are
Radda Trattoria http://www.raddatrattoria.com/ location is in a strip mall but the food is spectacular for the price--

And the Dushanbe Tea House http://www.boulderteahouse.com/
interesting menu, wonderful teas, beautiful setting and building--a gift from Boulder's sister city in Tajikistan

In Vail, Blu's is our favorite casual and not too expensive choice. http://www.blusrestaurant.com/ Though when I'm willing to spend more, still love Sweet Basil for lunch http://www.sweetbasil-vail.com/.

Thank you so much for all the great suggestions. Now, if I could only fit in trying them all!

Not to steal the thread, but we are doing a CU tour on Saturday. Any suggestions for a good lunch spot by campus for me & the boys? Easy to find please.

Hello all. We did end up trying the Rock Inn Mountain Tavern in Estes Park. It was great. Amazing bacon-wrapped figs and trout. They had a live jazz band, and it really was a great evening. thanks for the suggestion! Never made it to Boulder.

I would have one meal in the Stanley(if you've never been). I like their trout hash for breakfast.

I noticed, just today, yahoo had an Italian restaurant in Boulder listed as one of the Top Ten Italian places in the US.