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7 tips to put the cherry on top of First Bite

A plate set with delicious food

First Bite: Boulder County Restaurant kicks off one week from today! Mark your calendar for 9  delicious days from Friday, Nov. 8 – Saturday, Nov. 16. With nearly 50 menus, and a variety of experiences available in restaurants all across Boulder County, we thought we’d put together a few tips to help you make the most out of your First Bite. 

1. Take Advantage of the Dual Price Points

This year’s dual-price menus – $29 or $49 per person for a three course (or more!) menu – means you can treat yourself to dinner out multiple times during the nine days, with date nights at a high-end restaurant you’ve been eyeing; the special First Bite menu at your neighborhood favorite; “girls night outs” somewhere with great cocktails; celebrations somewhere brand new; or all of the above. 

  • Insider Tip: book a ressie for the Monday and/or Tuesday to beat the crowds!

2. Celebrate your something special somewhere new

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or your BFF just nailed that promotion at work, try a never-before-featured restaurant and celebrate the occasion somewhere you’ve never been.  This year’s rookie class includes Acreage Ciderhouse & Eatery, Arcana, Oak at Fourteenth, Osaka’s Restaurant, Pepper the Noshery, Steakhouse No. 316 and Teocalli Cocina

  • Perfect Party: Bin 46 in Longmont is throwing a heck of a party with unlimited tastes of more than 22 specialty items. Guests are greeted with passed apps and complimentary bubbles or beer, and offered a signature cocktail or wine selection with dinner. 

3. Get out of a rut

Sometimes you need an excuse to venture out of your backyard and explore a little.  Go visit one of the many excellent restaurants in Gunbarrel, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont and Lyons that are also participating! The handy dandy First Bite “Restaurant List,” here includes the city for each restaurant.

  • View of the Flatirons: Lafayette’s Acreage Ciderhouse & Eatery is offering an interactive dining experience that begins with a welcome cider and cellar tour, followed by an intimate farm-to-table dinner in the barrel room, and ends with fireside desserts around a bonfire in the cider garden. Ressies max out at 30 each night, so book this one NOW!
  • A Touch of Luxury:  Louisville’s Via Toscana is offering a divine four-course Italian feast with options like Wild Boar Ragu, Brown Butter Gnocchi and Venetian Mousse.

 4. Share the love

This year, First Bite is introducing a new program, “Two on Tuesday”, to bring the community together. Tuesday, Nov. 12, diners are encouraged to donate $2 – or more – to their restaurant’s selected nonprofit while dining out that evening. Every First Bite restaurant will feature their pick of these nonprofits: Boulder County Farmers Market, Conscious Alliance, Growing Gardens, Resource Central and Sister Carmen. Five local small business will match funds raised and double the impact of the evening. 

5. Kick back at Mom’s Night Out

First Bite is hosting seven “Mom’s Night Out” events on Monday, Nov. 11. Reservations at 7 p.m. will be set up at select First Bite restaurants across Boulder County specifically for groups of moms to meet and mingle over a dang good meal. Browse participating restaurants and sign up here

 6. Try something new at your neighborhood favorite

Hey – nearly 50 menus can be overwhelming, and your favorites are beloved for a reason!  Many restaurants will be serving never-before-featured meals, so this can be a great way to try something new at the place “where everybody knows your name.” 

  • Get the exclusive: First Bite newcomer Osaka’s in Boulder will be offering a special menu only available during First Bite, including three small Japanese plates designed as a first course, Octopus Salad, and a special fusion dessert, Matcha Tiramisu. 

 7. Final tip

Make your reservations (directly through the restaurants,) and do it now before they book up! 

 Extra Credit: Check out First Bite Owner Jessica Benjamin and Acreage Executive Chef Eric Lee on the podcast Chef or Death discussing the history of restaurant weeks, why we need First Bite more than ever, this year’s changes and additions, and a whole lot more.

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