By Tyra Sutak
Years ago, it was a grocery store. In 2009, it was the Asian restaurant, Bimbamboo. In 2011, it was the home of the Pinyon, and the best fried chicken in Boulder. By 2012, H Burger Co. had moved in. The digs at 1710 Pearl Street have been a revolving door of culinary dreams, cuisines, and menus, but the current tenants are hoping to put an end to years of restaurant turnover at this East End address by giving the people of Boulder what they want: healthy, organic, full-flavored menu items at a reasonable price.
As their one-year anniversary approaches, the folks behind Zeal – Food For Enthusiasts, don’t show any signs of slowing down. Serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week, this Paleo-friendly establishment offers everything fromin-house cold-pressed juices, to build-your-own bowls filled with protein, veggies, and Asian-inspired flavors ($10-$18). Other Zeal offerings include healthy grab-and-go meals, house-made kombucha, and “retox/detox” cocktails. And the cocktails aren’t the lackluster cocktails you would expect to sip on at your typical health-conscious restaurant. You want tequila? You got it. Add in freshly-squeezed juices and other fresh produce, and it’s almost like you didn’t splurge on a margarita at all.
“We are a casual dining, high-energy establishment, serving up world flavors and modern-American dishes,”said Zeal founder and “chief enthusiast”, Wayde Jester. With the help of executive chef, Leslie White, Jester is making good on his promise to serve guests “clean-eating”food with no compromises. It doesn’t matter if you’re a vegetarian, gluten-free, attempting the Caveman diet this week, avoiding sugar, cleansing, or if your stomach and liver resemble a highly-functioning garbage disposal—Zeal caters to people from all digestive walks of life.
In addition to turning one, Zeal also has several big projects on the horizon. Pay a visit to the eatery in the next month and expect to find new, fall-themed dishes on the menu—highlighting seasonal ingredients like eggplant, mushrooms, cauliflower and carrots—all sourced from local Colorado farms.
On November 11th, the folks at Zeal are hosting a 4-course Conscious Cleanse dinner featuring cleanse-friendly dishes. Tickets are $39 per person and reservations can be made by e-mailing RSVP@zealfood.com or calling Zeal at 720-708-6309. This event encourages conscious diners to indulge in all the right ways.
And perhaps the best sign that Zeal will continue to succeed at 1710 Pearl Street for more years to come, is their plan for expansion. In 2015, Zeal expects to open another set of doors in Denver to cater to a whole new city of enthusiasts. Because eating locally-sourced, well-prepared, thoughtful food, isn’t a fad. It’s a trend that’s here to stay.