Q's in the Hotel Boulderado closes, making way for Spruce

The Hotel Boulderado opened on New Year's Day, 1909. Since then, restaurants have operated almost continuously in the hotel, including Q's, which set up shop there nearly twenty years ago. But yesterday Q's closed its doors, and a new concept called Spruce will soon take its place, with an expected...

By Mark Antonation

July 7, 2014

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The Hotel Boulderado opened on New Year's Day, 1909. Since then, restaurants have operated almost continuously in the hotel, including Q's, which set up shop there nearly twenty years ago. But yesterday Q's closed its doors, and a new concept called Spruce will soon take its place, with an expected opening day of Tuesday, August 6.

For now, the kitchen will continue food service under the moniker Q's (named for original chef-owner and current Big Red F head Dave Query), offering limited breakfast, lunch and dinner menus to guests on the mezzanine level of the hotel. The Corner Bar and the Boulderado's new speakeasy, License No. 1, will also stay open through the renovations.

Executive Chef Shawn Murrell, who has been running the show at Q's for the past three years, will continue at the helm of Spruce, starting with designing its new menu. Spruce, named for the street over which the Boulderado presides, will include a large oyster bar, a daily menu featuring fresh-catch seafood and an emphasis on vegetables. The beverage list will continue to focus on wine, along with craft beers and cocktails featuring local distillers.

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Mark Antonation is the former Westword Food & Drink Editor. In 2018, he was named Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association; he's now with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

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