A First Date Breakfast in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is known nationally for its progressive “open space” policy: its commitment to preserving vast miles of mountain & foothill land in a mostly natural, unsullied state. The result is hundreds of square miles of parks, with wonderful trails throughout. Less known are Boulder’s smaller parks, tucked here and there within the city limits. One of the most charming of these smaller parks is Lover’s Hill Park, located at the end of Mesa Street, off of 20th Street just a half-mile or so north of Pearl Street. From here one enjoys a breathtaking view, to the southwest, of both Bear Peak and the Flatirons. Sunsets are particularly inspiring âÂ?¦

Before heading to the park, stop in at the independently-owned Boulder Bookstore (http://www.boulderbookstore.com), and procure a copy (if you don’t already have one) of Rabindranath Tagore’s “The Lover Of God.” The poems in this small collection resonate with themes of love and longing, by portraying the (human and divine) relationship between Lord Krishna, the gopi Rhada, and Rhada’s confidante Bhanu. The language is (as one would expect, from a Nobel laureate) sublime: filled with nuance and playfulness. If this collection doesn’t catch your fancy, pick up instead Pablo Neruda’s “One Hundred Love Sonnets,” songs of love and devotion (organized around the different times of a day) to his beloved Matilde. The language of this collection has been described, by one reviewer, as “sensual as a tropical night swirling in honeysuckle and jazz âÂ?¦”

Travel to Lover’s Hill Park now, with your chosen collection of poems. Snuggle up together on the semi-circular bench, and read to each other in the presence of mountains dressed in the colors of a sunset âÂ?¦

For breakfast the next morning, consider Lucile’s Creole Restaurant (http://www.luciles.com), voted “Best Place For Breakfast” on numerous occasions by Boulder’s residents. Lucile’s is located in a small Victorian house on the east side of 14th Street, between Spruce & Pine Streets. To enter Lucile’s is to enter New Orleans: intermingled with tantalizing scents and stylish art-work is the wafting of zydeco, jazz or Cajun music. There’s indoor as well as porch seating (when the weather is nice, the porch is quite excellent). With your coffee/tea and juice, consider starting with either an order of beignets (homemade New Orleans style donuts), or with a homemade buttermilk biscuit. The latter are the largest biscuits you’ve ever seen, and are served with a variety of homemade jams: strawberry-rhubarb is especially delicious. The main menu offers everything from French toast to (vegetarian or standard) Eggs Benedict, as well as a handful of dishes which feature fish or seafood. Eggs Sardou, for instance, is a heavenly combination of creamed spinach, gulf shrimp, poached eggs and hollandaise, served with grits or potatoes and a buttermilk biscuit. Trust me: you can hike all day (and well into the night) on a breakfast like this! Alternatively, order one entrÃ?©e for the two of you âÂ?¦ and bon apetit!