Sunflower Organic Dining

05/11/2008 Posted by warrentheape

I've lived in Berkeley California for the last seven years and have been spoiled by the excellent California Cuisine that abounds there. Sunflower Organic Dining had an exciting looking menu and strong reviews but was a big disappointment. We ordered the Scallop Blosum, the Beet Carpaccio, the Buffalo Sirloin Steak and the Rosemary Apple Tart. The dining area was so loud ordering was difficult. We waited way too long before we were served any food and also between some of the courses. We were served the wrong appetizer (the the server kindly credited the dessert for us for the mix-up). The Salad and Steak were excellent, as were the Rosemary Olive Oil with Yam Butter and hot rolls. The Scallop was way too salty, the mashed potatoes and herb sauce with the steak weren't very good. The dessert was inedible - rubbery and flavorless - probably the worst dessert I've ever had. Not a dining experience worth $80+.

Pros: Some interesting and tasty dishes

Cons: Loud and some pretty bad food

04/17/2008 Posted by brianhower

I bring my out of town friends here when one or more are vegans, but all are not. The menu has always pleased everyone so far. Happy hour prices on their specialties are worth checking out.

12/03/2007 Posted by foodiedenver

First off, both my wife and I are "foodies" and have made a point of trying virtually every restaurant of note in the Denver/Boulder area. We have been to Sunflower several times in the past couple of months and have enjoyed it every time. Most recently we took my parents, who could be considered less adventurous eaters, and we all truly enjoyed our dishes (so much so that we all agreed that we would hold our next family get-together there). The dishes we have tried include the buffalo ribeye (delightfully tender and juicy), the crispy skinned duck breast (truly amazing) and, my favorite, the Kutobuta pork chop (the best chop I have ever had). I must say we have not tried the vegan entrees, but I have no doubt they are prepared with the same attention to detail. The wait staff was attentive and engaged, without a hint of the stuffiness you may find in other fine dining restaurants. The wine pairings suggested were excellent and complimented the meal perfectly. Finally. the desserts were excellent (my favorite was the apple crisp, really tasty) made better by a nice variety of dessert wines (including a delicious Sauternes). We truly enjoy eating at Sunflower and recommend it for your next great dining adventure!

Pros: Great food, service and atmosphere

11/21/2007 Posted by colo2640

I always have a hard time finding a place to go to eat in Boulder with a friend of mine that lives there and might be the pickiest eater I know. She is vegan and I am not, but we both try to eat organic as much as possible and the Sunflower has become our favorite place to meet for dinner. I have been to the Sunflower under both the old and new ownership and I have really enjoyed the new menu and what seems to me to be a friendlier more inviting atmosphere. I absolutely love the mussels, the buffalo sirloin and the coconut kaffir marinated bass. My very picky vegan friend usually has the bamboo steamer and loves it and she also eats brunch at the Sunflower on a regular basis because it's the only place she can get wheat-free, gluten-free vegan pancakes that according to her taste amazing. I've also been to the Sunflower with large parties for celebrations. Everytime I go the service is very professional, friendly and efficient and the food is always delicious. Plus, it is actually possible to enjoy a great meal without spending much money, since some of the appetizers are meals in themselves, including the artesian cheese plate and the breads and spreads. By far the best restaurant in Boulder and maybe all of Colorado!

Pros: Great food, great service

Cons: Absolutely none

11/19/2007 Posted by bouldernative

We recently ate Sunday brunch at Sunflower and really enjoyed it.....so much so that I've now gone back several times with clients for business lunches. (most recently tried the Ahi Tuna melt with side salad - amazing bread, very tasty, and the portion was just right - not too small, not too large) ...still need to try some of the new dinner entres (the waiter mentioned there's new ownership and the whole menu has been reworked, so we're eager to dig deeper). We live in the neighborhood, so we've tried Sunflower off and on over the years, but previously we were not that thrilled. (We encountered 2 dinners in a row that were ...well.....bland, so we avoided the place - didn't bring friends / family there - until now) Seems like the place has a new and better angle, but still keeping true to the organic theme. Their bar is also something I hadn't paid much attention to. Really a cozy, sophisticated spot to unwind. Looking forward to some nightcaps there (and no drive home!).

Pros: New menu, organic, healthy

Cons: Previous menu had some bland fare, but those days are gone

11/18/2007 Posted by afanton

I’ve been eating at Sunflower on and off since it first opened. I always liked it quite a bit, and was somewhat skeptical when I heard that the restaurant changed hands recently. I’ve now enjoyed 4 amazing dinners and a lunch with the new owner, and I must say that my skepticism about the change has been transformed into refreshed enthusiasm for what is now, without a doubt, my favorite restaurant in Boulder. It’s true: the old menu has been replaced with a new one, but not without maintaining the spirit and theme of the original. The new menu has broadened the selection, increased the range of flavors, and added some new flair and personality to previously mediocre dishes. The menu presents a thoughtfully broad range of organic, vegetarian and vegan dishes, but isn't limited to vegetables and tofu, like other places in town. They also have a great new wine selection and some incredible new deserts. I have to hand it to the new owner for doing a great job of taking this restaurant to the next level. The service and ambiance remain fantastic. The wait staff knows the menu well, is attentive but not overbearing, and happy to accommodate special requests. The decor is pleasant and comfortable, without feeling like you're in some decorator's tribute to post-modern art-deco. In my opinion, Sunflower represents the perfect combination of new, healthy (and wonderfully tasty) dishes, impeccable service, great ambiance, and an overall amazing dining experience. I highly recommend it !

Pros: Amazing food, great variety, great new menu

Cons: Not the cheapest place in town, but you get what you pay for!

11/17/2007 Posted by aviatrix113

Great menu- a lot to choose from, and very healthy and amazing. Delicious wine, friendly and fast service, and a very comfortable atmosphere!

11/16/2007 Posted by the5thelement

First time I've tried an "organic" restaurant and what a great surprise to find truly tasteful, filling food. (I expected something minimalist and chincy)...but not the case! Plenty of flavors and servings for both of us. We ordered a bottle of red wine blend of shiraz/cab sauv/merlot (Villiera). Then we started with appetizers - a wonderful Vegan Sweet Potato Spread with Warm Rolls, then Seafood Ceviche that was out of this world, then a yummy Grilled Elk w/Carmelized Onions and a sweet sauce on the side ( i think it was grape?) nevertheless, very tender and served over a crostini I think it's called ; Amber had the Pepper Seared Ahi Tuna Salad and loved it; I had the Sweet Pea Risotto w/Jumbo Shrimp added, the shrimp was cooked perfectly (which is a pet peeve of mine) I loved the mixing of the sweet pea with asparagus and red peppers-altogether a great new dish to add to my list of favorites! ...As if we weren't stuffed enough we treated ourselves to a trio of Creme Brulee (Chocolate,Baileys and Vanilla) with a dessert wine that was heavenly. Altogether a great new experience for me and I look forward to trying all the new menu items soon!

Pros: The eclectic food choices, atmosphere and wine selection

Cons: None!

11/16/2007 Posted by boulderfoody

WOW! We just had a fabulous dinner at Sunflower. We were lucky enough to dine at the Sunflower at the introduction of their new fall menu. You need to get yourself into Sunflower to try this devine menu! We especially loved the Indian-spiced Mussles (best mussles I have EVER had!). The main course was delicious as well, I loved the rissotto... creamy and perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is upscale and we were treated to exceptional service. The price was quite reasonable... and we highly recommend this restaurant to all of our friends and family. Truly, a phenomenal dining experience. Can't wait to return to sample the rest of the menu. Well done, Sunflower!

Pros: Food, service, ambiance, new menu

Cons: NOTHING!!

10/27/2007 Posted by cono13

My wife and I decided to change it up last night and try a restaurant where we hadn't previously dined. We chose the Sunflower because of its reputation for high quality organic produce and meat.... Our greeting and service was fine, even friendly, but that only goes so far. I was immediately concerned when I saw the menu- It was large and didn't seem to have any coesion, ethnically or conceptually. There was mussels with "Indian" spice, duck confit, pasta dujour, Kafir lime and coconut milk bass.... a little of everthing! But this raised a red flag to me, because it was hard to imagine every dish given its proper care with such a variety of techniques being used. But I held out hope, until I inexplicabely ordered the pasta dujour which the server told me came with local vegetables, and my wife, being the stone-cold massochist that she is, ordered the "truffled vegetable gratinee with "VEGAN CREAM." At this point I felt that my choice was safe, but when my pasta was brought to the table I was insulted. Starting on one side of the plate and scattered straight across to the other edge was a line of parsley. Ok. Then, at a 90 degree angle, extending all the way across the plate was a line of cheese, making an X. What were they thinking? That I just wanted cheese on one little portion of my pasta and the RIM of my plate? and doesn't parsley have a purpose too, or is it there just to look like green dirt? And I hadn't even tasted my pasta yet, which they overcooked till the point that it became one big ball of glutonous mush, and the sauce had berries in it or something which, with the lack or seasoning, put the dish in a purgatory somewhere between sweet and savory. And all the while I tried to avoid the look on my wife's face as she ate her "vegan c um" with the enthusiasm of a prisoner picking at grade X squirrel sausage. Yeah, it wasn't that good.

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