Weekend Escape with John Atencio

John Atencio’s newest location on Pearl West marked his much anticipated return to Boulder. His newest ‘gallery’ store was designed specifically with Boulderites in mind. In a career spanning four decades, John Atencio, a Colorado Native, is known for his artistry, authenticity and contemporary design aesthetic. Each piece within his collection is hand-sketched, personally inspired, and carefully crafted to realize his unique vision. Each design has its own compelling story. John has supported charities throughout his career and continues to support the Boulder community. He enjoys hosting a variety of fund-raising and community events at the store.

I love to head from Denver to Boulder for the weekend. I typically arrive late afternoon, park on Pearl Street, and stop into my newest John Atencio Pearl West Boutique. I then head out to enjoy some of my favorite evening spots in downtown Boulder.

The St Julien is great - I often stop in and enjoy one of their hand-crafted signature cocktails. From there, dinner might be  at the newest Bartaco or I might take a short stroll to one of my two favorite restaurants - Oak at fourteenth or The Kitchen Upstairs for more elegant dining. I have favorite dishes at each.

After a stay at the St Julien, I am up early – and ready to spend some serious time on Pearl Street. I love the early morning air and the vibe on the Pearl Street Mall. My first stop inevitably is the Peppercorn (It is a culinary delight- and I consider myself a chef). Breakfast is always the Pork Green Chile Eggs Benedict at Centro. 

I then move down Pearl to check out what’s new at the Smith Klein Gallery. Afternoon lunch might be at West End Tavern for a great burger. From there, I’ll stop back at the Boutique before returning to Denver – leaving the beauty of the Flatirons behind.