This experience nearly broke our family. My husband who spent many years in food service was so cranky from the service, or lack there of, it took my daughter and me several hours afterwards to calm him down. I consider myself a fair reviewer, and will do my best to provide constructive criticism in hopes the management will take some steps to educate their staff. My husband, daughter and I spent the night at the Boulderado on the evening of 4/23. In the morning -4/24 -while they finished packing I went down to the restaurant first to get a table as we only had about 50 minutes to go back to our room to get our belongings and check out. The restaurant was not very busy, and I thought to myself, "Great!" The hostess picked up 3 menus, then paused, sighed, and said she wanted to give the server a bit more time to catch up, and she asked me to sit on a bench, though there were multiple open tables where I would have gladly waited. My husband and daughter joined me shortly thereafter and the hostess finally seated us, saying there was only one server working. She handed us 2 breakfast menus when there were clearly 3 of us, and my husband had to get up and go to the host stand to get another one. Our server came by after some time and took our order. Oddly, we saw a different server with another table so she was not the only server working after all. She brought my husby's coffee, but no spoon. Well, at least there was a knife because several servers passed our table without even a glance. He was never asked if he wanted a refill, even when he asked for a spoon and his cup was nearly empty. She didn't even give him enough time to ask for more. The kicker was the manager, pony tail guy- standing outside the restaurant in front of the coffee bar with our server and two other young ladies, laughing it up while we were sitting there completely surrounded by no coffee. Not one person asked if they could bring us anything else throughout the entirety of our meal. We literally had to wave them down for the spoon, then nothing. Time was running out so I sent my grumpy husband and frustrated daughter back to the room to get our luggage and said I'd wait for the server to pay. I sat there another 5 minutes holding my credit card up, and even caught the eye of pony tail guy across the bar, but eventually had to just go to the bartender to ask for the bill. I likely could have just walked out without paying and no one would have even noticed! I will say the food was fine. Hubby had the Denver omelette, which he said was flavorful, and our daughter and I each had the Avocado toast which was very nice. Loved the seedy bread. However, the service-or lack thereof- left a bad taste in our mouths. We love the Boulderado and will be back, but unless there is some training of their young waitstaff we aren't likely to return to Spruce. Overall, the restaurant staff seemed completely disinterested in the customers and couldn't be bothered to even offer a friendly smile. For a hotel like the Boulderado with the reputation of a historic gem, we expect much more from their restaurant. We have dined there previously, most recently last year when we had a lovely server, a much more mature and professional lady who was lively and joked with us. It was a very busy morning and she made sure we felt taken care of even when things took longer. We left with a smile on our faces. A few final words of wisdom- 1) even if things are busy, stop by a new table to offer a pleasant word and let customers know someone will be with them shortly, even if it's not your table 2) when you bring coffee be sure you provide a spoon, and at least one check in about a refill 3) stop by to ask if your customers need anything else, and get them their check in a timely manner 4) if you are a manager, don't stand around gabbing with your staff in plain sight of your customers, while said customers are being ignored, and 5) a smile goes a long way. The only smile we got was from the bartender who at one point seemed to be the only person running the show. read more

Took my wife here on a date February 13th. As a former food service employee, I totally understand how busy valentine's weekend gets. Immediately we could tell the server had too many tables and it took around 10 minutes to just be greeted. Our server was kind and very apologetic. We ordered our drinks and they were very good. And the appetizer was delicious. Our dinners took 30 plus minutes to come out and my scallop dish was room temp to cold and my wife's tri tip looked like it blue rare when she asked for medium rare. We sent hers back and it took another 20 ish minutes to get the medium rare steak. We ordered the pumpkin bread pudding which came out cold with gloopy gritty caramel sauce. My espresso was ice cold and seemed like it sat on the counter for several minutes. I would love to be able to recommend spruce farm and fish, but with all the errors on my first ever visit, I don't think I can can. read more

Loved this place! The hotel and ambiance are old Colorado cool. The service was excellent although a little slow due to Spruce being absolutely packed on Christmas day. The food was excellent. Flank steak perfectly done and handsomely plated (not sure I've ever used that phrase, but it works here) and the Boulder Scramble was great. There are a ton of great places in Boulder, and this should be high on anyone's list. read more

We come to Boulder 2-3 times a year and always make at least one stop here. It's become a must-visit for us. The drinks are consistently great, and the bison steaks are amazing. The salmon shiitake risotto? Yes please. The roasted beet and chèvre salad? Also yes. The cocktails are some of the best in Boulder -- balanced, creative, and always delicious. Prices are very reasonable for the quality you get. I've heard their breakfast is excellent too, though I haven't tried it yet. And the location is perfect: inside the historic Boulderado Hotel and walking distance to Pearl Street Mall. If you're in Boulder and want a reliably delicious meal with great drinks, this is the spot. read more

What a phenomenal visit! My mom and I split the Boulder Scramble (a delicious combo of quinoa, goat cheese, pesto, scrambled eggs, and tomato), while my dad had the steak frites with truffle fries (so good!). Both dishes were bursting with flavor. Service was attentive, friendly, and kind! The restaurant is in a hotel's lobby, very festive and aesthetic for the holidays. I can't wait to come back! read more

This is such a cool historic hotel and restaurant. The food was fantastic. They also do a great job accommodating gluten free needs and any substitutions. I will eagerly look forward to dining here again as the prices were very reasonable and the service was excellent. read more

Spruce Farm & Fish - BRIE & CHERRY CHICKEN SALAD - New American Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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Our server was so attentive, giving excellent advice. My husband had the lamb special and it was fantastic. I had Trout with asparagus and rice pilaf. It was delicious We both had designer cocktails, which were tasty. We ordered dessert to go. Chocolate torte. A huge slice, which is absolutely divine. The atmosphere is calming with music on low. (we hate loud restaurants.) a great selection of jazz and old favorites. This restaurant is set in the historic Boulderado Hotel, which is utterly gorgeous read more

Second time coming here. This is a MUST during the Holidays season as it is inside Hotel Boulderado and they have an Irish Spruce tree in the lobby and it is completely decorated for Christmas. Recommend making reservations because they are always busy OR you can sit at the bar OR just order coffee at the coffee window. We had Brunch menu- Corned beef hash (made in-house), Breakfast Burrito, OJ, cinnamon latte with oat milk and lavender latte with oat milk Great staff and fast service. Parking is challenging but you can valet if you can't find street parking. read more

Spruce Farm & Fish - New American Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Excellent food. Fresh and delicious. Servicr was also great. Very cool atmosphere. Great for nice conversations. read more

This used to be our favorite place to eat in Boulder until they changed their menu a few months ago. We tried it once and it tasted awful. We decided to give it one more try today. The food came out like it was pre made and it tasted cold. Our waiter did not check and ask us how we were doing once or refill our beverages. The service and food has is not the same anymore sad to see a Boulder staple go to waste. read more

This restaurant is located in a historic hotel with a lot of history. We arrived on a Sunday night with reservations and seated immediately. Our server came promptly and asked for our drink orders. After delivering our drinks, I ordered the small Caesar salad and the mushroom and shallot linguine. The lettuce on the Caesar salad had browned edges and wasn't very appetizing. The pasta, on the other hand was cooked perfectly and had a great flavor. I read more

Service was fine, Greta atmosphere, food ok, took awhile for breakfast to be served. For three people it was $100 but I asked for a little more syrup because they don't give you enough (in a little ketchup dish ) for three pancakes. They charged me $3 for extra syrup. Really? Only when bill came did I realize... and they also add a 3 % surcharge which I'm ok with but nickel and diming me on syrup. No thanks. Not going back! read more

Spruce Farm & Fish - Enjoy this syrup it's $2.95 additional. - New American Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

oh boy. Staff-- very kind and helpful. Food well--not too good. Steak sandwich tough. Trout dry and overcooked AND expensive. I will cut them slack. It was winter break and they were understaffed. It took 1.25 hours to get our food. A bit disappointming. Great atmosphere though read more

Had an insane meal here. Canned cream corn with capers (why?), unseasoned scallops, and pork bellies with sugar. There were also croutons soaked in a lemon caper sauce. NOTHING about this dish made any sense. It was laughably horrific. read more

This is a great location for a large party. Service was outstanding. Food was good and a very good broad menu selection We will be back read more

I had the meatloaf and mashed potatoes that had spent way too much time under the heat lamp - so long that it left an unappealingly dull sheen to the entire dish and the mashed potatoes, which may have been "whipped" (their description, not mine) at some point this evening, were reduced to a coagulated mass reminiscent of school cafeteria meals of days gone by. The meatloaf was overly salty and the reddish gloop spooned on top was horribly sweet. What a mess. They should either leave this off the menu or make it edible. I'll offer my grandma's recipe if they want it. I was with a large group, and I wasn't paying for it so when my appetite quickly disappeared, I couldn't be bothered sending it back. The waiter was very good and attentive though not so aware that the warmed-over plate of mediocrity he delivered didn't represent the restaurant's best efforts. Spruce used to be a reliable restaurant here in Boulder but I think they're seriously slipping. read more

Located in the picturesque downtown of Boulder. The menu had tons of choices for all taste buds. We had the fish and chips which was tasty. The wait staff were friendly and in-depth understanding of the menu. The overall cost for the dinner was very reasonable. read more

We were in Boulder in late afternoon after hiking in Chautauqua park and came here because we were also interested in checking out the Boulderado Hotel. The restaurant is on a street corner with a couple of window tables. The dining room is not big with a bar on one side and a staircase leading to the lobby of the hotel (where the bathrooms are). We were right on time for happy hour so tried a few items on the HH menu. Food is pretty good, for HH dishes relatively large portions that'd be enough for a light dinner. A conveniently located restaurant to come to when visiting Pearl Street. read more

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Max our server was perfect. 11/10. Food was superb. Can't wait to come back!! The ambiance was so gentle and welcoming. read more

Spruce Farm & Fish - AVOCADO TOAST* - New American Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Great food, drinks, ambience, and service. Prices aren't cheap, but reasonable for this location. I stayed at The Hotel Boulderado, which this restaurant is inside of, and Spruce Farm & Fish was always crowded during the week. From what I understand, this place is well regarded and I agree. The portion sizes were perfect for me, but I don't eat a lot, so if you have a huge appetite, you'll be spending more. I had the Trout Salad, which was fantastic. Parking at the hotel is valet only, but there are metered parking all around. read more

Sometimes a restaurant just has a bad day and I think we hit theirs. My daughter, her husband and children and I went to toast the successful completion of a few move-in projects on the recommendation of a friend. It should have been great - nice atmosphere in an historic hotel, welcoming to the kids. But.. they were out of several first choices, despite an early arrival. One was an appetizer, so we ordered an alternative that never arrived. Neither did my soup, which was also a plan B choice. It finally came just in time to request delivery in a to-go cup. Our meals did arrive on a timely basis, but my grandson's cheeseburger had no cheese, and the response was to bring a slice of cheese on a plate to place on an already cold patty. Really? My daughter's scallops were tasty but barely lukewarm, at proper temp they'd have been great. I has a salmon salad that was also tasty, albeit with an also too cool piece of salmon. But I'll allow that possibly it was intended that way. We expected much better, and were sadly disappointed. read more

Off the beaten path from the busy Pearl Street shopping mall, this restaurant is part of this beautiful old-fashioned hotel. It was day after Christmas so the restaurant appeared to be a bit under staffed but since we were there before the so-called dinner rush, we were able to seat and enjoy a decent service due to our bubbly waiter, Jeremy. He was busting his bottom between the tables and the kitchen. He reminded me of younger Bill Pullman (!!); his personable attention to one of my daughter's tattoos (the trees unique to Joshua Tree National Park) surprised us as he was relating his experience living in that area before he moved to Boulder, CO. I was impressed with his ability to observe things!! This place should be known for its great happy hour menu! Boulder can be considered a very expensive city for restaurants and shoppings and yet if you don't want to spend $$$ for a dinner at a somewhat high end place then this place is worth a try. Not only the reasonable prices but the quality of the food is up there as well. Once you're done with your meal, make sure to check out the hotel lobby that's connected to it. All the antiques you see throughout the whole lobby will entertain you; you can snap great photos having that as a background. read more

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This has become a regular for us. Housed in the historic Hotel Boulderado the ambience is always warm, charming and inviting. The menu changes seasonally and the kitchen stays open until 10. Great for an after event meal. You can order from small plates for something lighter or get entrees like the steak and frites or fish and chips like we had last night. Fish was hand battered with large fresh fillets! So good. The staff is helpful, attentive and knowledgeable. We usually sit at the bar as a preference because of its design and layout. Consistently happy with our experience here! read more

Breakfast far worse than ihop. Service slow. Understaffed, wait staff scrambling . And tables near windows very cold.

Loved this place!! We were looking for a good steakhouse. I love the history and vibe of this place. Situated in Hotel Boulderado, which is 114 years old, the ambiance is great! We arrived right as they opened. Our waiter was very professional. "Pardon my reach." The place feels high class but we went in wearing shorts and jeans, so you don't have to "dress up". The eclectic gourmet options are different from your typical run of the mill restaurant, obviously curated by a chef. Food wise, my only feedback was a bit more salt was needed. But I've found that's the case with most of the places we've tried here in Colorado. Also, my 17 year old steak connoisseur was not a fan of the sauce on the steak. The trout, scallop, and chicken were all very good. We had the meatballs for an appetizer and enjoyed those thoroughly. My children both had mocktails, and I think the blackberry smash was the winner of the two that they tried. My mother enjoyed the lemon drop martini and the lady Ruby was great if you're a gin lover. read more

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They took my reservation over the phone, when i called back to confirm they said they did not see it. The manager said sorry. The only thing they could offer was over 2 hours outside of the reservation i was supposed to have which doesn't work. Thanks for f'ing it up and not standing behind what was supposed to be. I will likely not be back. read more

Wife and I were staying at the hotel and decided to go there. Service was great food and drinks were good but nothing outstanding. We enjoyed our meal for sure. read more

I love a cozy brunch spot and this definitely is that! The service was very friendly and the food was yummy, and not crazy expensive for a hotel restaurant. The latte I got was also delicious! read more

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Nice restaurant with good food. We managed to get a reservation for 4 at the last minute. Sablefish is a MUST!! Try it and thank me later. Everything else we ordered was good! Service here (as with many Boulder restaurants) is very efficient and friendly. read more

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Enjoyed! Called for reservation and the were full so reserved a spot on the bar. When we got there they asked as if we wanted to eat in the restaurant, we said yes and glad we did. Good drinks and wonderful food! What else can I say. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in Colorado, but last experience was corny. I ordered the mushroom omelet. I saw on the menu there's an additional add on of $3 for green chili for their Denver omelet. Well, mush omelet is my favorite, so wanted to eat that again. I asked for green chili and the chef decided to charge an additional dollar ($4) as penalty for customization. It's not about the extra dollar, it's about the intent behind it: greedy, petty, controlling, and tone deaf. For what, bro? The kitchen clearly has green chili, you're not doing anything extra, so why the punishment buck? For a 2oz saucer full? Really? Felt like a "F U", ruined my morning and ate my meal with a knot in my stomach. I drove all the way from Denver on my singular monthly day off for this. Anyway, I'll be back when s/he isn't on duty, God willing. read more

Great service, food and ambience last night. Fresh produce with our salads, and the Salmon and Steak Frittes were fantastic also. We'll be back! read more

We had high expectations for this place, but my clam chowder was just ok, maybe it was because it was kind of cold. We also got the Bolognese, which was a bit cold. The other dishes we ordered were salmon which was steaming hot, flavor was ok. It was underwhelming. Service was great. read more

I ate two meals here while staying at the Boulderado, and in general I'd say both were good. Pictured is the quinoa bowl with poached eggs, which after a few days of really crappy eating (a lot of fried foods and red meat), this was a nice change of pace. I'd say it could've used a bit more seasoning and some salt but overall I enjoyed it. For dinner one night, I had the salmon risotto. It was super garlicky which was not a problem as I am a big garlic fan. The salmon was cooked perfectly with a crispy skin that can be hard to achieve, for the home chef at least. It was a tad oily but the flavors were spot on. Overall I enjoyed both of my meals here. read more

Spruce Farm & Fish - Quinoa breakfast bowl with poached eggs - New American Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Favorite restaurant in boulder! Everything was perfect. This restaurant is part of the Hotel Boulderado Kid friendly with big portions. Service was immaculate,all the staff so friendly. Ambiance was really cozy. They host Christmas events in their Hotel lobby Like classic jazz that can be heard around the restaurant. Ordered : Lavender mimosa 10/10 Grilled Caribbean shrimp 10/10 Mustard crusted salmon salad 10/10 read more

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Don't go if you're lactose intolerant. Not only is the chef butter-crazy when 65% of Americans are lactose free, he was unwilling to make accommodations. The asparagus was tough and undercooked and the trout was unseasoned. Worst dining experience in Boulder. Boring beer and wine-by-glass choices. read more

Excellent service and food! It is my favorite place! My husband and I had our first date here in 1987. read more

So... here's the thing. I judge breakfast spots by their huevos rancheros. Not completely, mind you, but it's the dish by which I make a baseline comparison. The portion here is not very big, but the green chili that is a component of that dish is the best I've ever had. It's the best by a lot. The rest of the dish is pretty damn stellar, too. You may actually want to order two plates if you are really hungry because one is on the small side. The service (thank you, Brandon!) and environment are also excellent (note: this place is part of the Hotel Boulderado) and they make a mean Irish Coffee. Eat here. read more

Spruce Farm & Fish - Irish Coffee - New American Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Unfortunately did not have the best experience with the food. First we had the crispy brussel sprouts and cauliflower which were very tasty but there was literally one cauliflower in it. The I had the Rocky Mountain trout which was not seasoned with even salt. It was just a piece of fish cooked in butter. I asked for some sort of sauce or seasoning to make it better, and the waitress asked me what kind of seasoning. So she brought be garlic powder and said sorry. That was it. $27 is hefty in my opinion for fish and butter. The grilled seasonal vegetables were three pieces of asparagus. read more

We popped into the Boulderado for a drink and a quick snack after exploring downtown Boulder. It's in a very convenient spot if you're in the area doing some shopping. Just about everything we got was great. The clam chowder is a must-have. I'm not sure if I've ever had chowder with bacon before but now I'll want it there everytime. If you're here for brunch and looking for a drink, try the Bloody Mary. We all loved it. The Brussels sprouts have a great balsamic glaze and they're crunchy without being over cooked. Calamari was tasty too. The only think we didn't really like was the deviled eggs. The olives were a bit overpowering and gave the dish a flavor a bit off from what I'd normally expect. read more

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