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LoLa, Jax Boulder, Jax Denver, The West End Tavern, Zolo, Centro … and now Dave Query opens Happy Noodle House.
Dave Query is one of downtown Boulder’s Independent Business Community Icons—along with, say, Mike Smith of the Trident, Doug Emerson of University Bikes, Richard Foy of Comm Arts, Mark Van Grack of Hapa Sushi, David Bolduc of the Boulder Bookstore, Mark Menagh of the Farmer’s Market, Sylvia Tawse of FIG…Mr. Query is one of those omnipresent figures who rules Boulder (and parts of Denver, too) with a grin, a wink and a nod. He, along with the others above, knows everyone (a little) and everyone knows him (a little)—he’s one of those folks who ties communities together in the old-fashioned, non-virtual, pre-Facebook manner.
His batting average in opening successful, hip, niche-filling, big league and ever-greener restaurants is close to MVP status—so the opening of his latest, Noodle House (“Happy, Happy, Soy, Soy” appears to be its motto) represents something to look forward to for yours truly, and any other Boulder citizens bored of our 10 or 20 favorite going-out options.
When Happy Noodle House opens its doors in early February it will be a unique restaurant whose inspiration is unmistakably Asian. Executive Chef / Partner James Van Dyk will be creating wholesome, innovative and delicious Asian inspired noodle dishes based on authenticity.
In the Bitter Bar mixologist and bar manager James Lee will be handcrafting ‘classic old school’ cocktails infused with fresh Asian ingredients. Each cocktail has been formulated with the goal of finding the perfect balance between your first sip to your last bite.
Fresh, unique and affordable cuisine paired with attentive and friendly service and unforgettable cocktails create the Happy experience.
Excerpt, from a little paper called the Rocky Mountain News (click here for full story):
When I got Query on the phone last week, he was more wound up than a dog with two tails. “This whole thing is so killer. I can’t even tell you how excited I am about it,” he enthused. “It’s going to be a completely authentic, traditional and super affordable Asian-inspired noodle house with all noodles, all the time – udon, soba, ramen, hot and cold – and you want to know what else?” he asked, the words tumbling out of his mouth far faster than I could scribble.
“James Van Dyk, who cooked at Cliff Young’s and ran the Gateway Cafe in Lyons for 11 years is going to be the executive chef. This is a guy that got the first working visa as an American chef in Japan. He’s an all-star,” Query said.
The noodle house, which Query says will also feature “the most creative and crazy cocktail list you’ve every seen,” is scheduled to open in six to eight weeks for dinner nightly and take-out and delivery only during lunch. “We’re hiring bar chefs,” quipped Query, adding that he’s “putting as much emphasis on the integrity of cocktail ingredients as ingredients on the menu.”
Erin Eugenia Conway at 10:51am January 15
Happy Noodle sounds great and Dave is such a great guy. Thanks for this post and the news!
I got a band name for Dave Query (if he ever decides to go country)> “Westend Happyjax & The Centrolola Cowboyz”
Big Red F lost a lot of respect in my book by killing Rhumba, but Happy should be an interesting addition to the group.
In or list of local restaurant titans, let’s not forget Pete Turner of Illegal Pete’s fame.
And let’s also not forget Boulder’s favorite noodle house: Fat Cat on the Hill.
[...] go out, whatever it is that normal people do instead). Who declared me crazy? Why, the utterly sane Dave Query, of course—whose new restaurant, Happy Noodle House, I checked out tonight at the soft opening [...]
I, too, was so looking forward to this addition to the Boulder dining scene, having developed a love for asian food hanging out in Hawaii. I have been talking it up based on the other Big Red F restaurants and the website….alas, it was all too good to be true. I was uber disappointed with the veggie selections, the noodles were woefully overcooked (both the udon & the ramen), they put mushrooms in an entree even though we alerted them of an allergy, the other entree we ordered had significant ingredient substitutions we weren’t notified of, and to top it all off, we were overcharged (should have been $25, they charged $45!) Last but not least, when I tried to call, the number listed on the menu isn’t connected! Finally got ahold of them (at a different nukmber) and the most the manager would offer was to refund my card the difference between 25 and 45, would not even refund the tip! Sadly, I was hoping for more in terms of food, service, and attention to detail. Hopefully these are all just growing pains, but it will be hard for me to go back.
[...] (who I didn’t know about), Chipotle, Silk Soy, Itoen, Bohemian Foundation, Dave Query’s Big Red F restaurants and [...]
[...] the tableside of their chosen chef. The evening includes a cocktail reception with The Happy Noodle House, live entertainment, and silent and live auctions, anchored by an unforgettable, irreplaceable [...]
[...] Lunchtime? I recommend The Kitchen Cafe, a block from St. Julien, or Happy Noodle House, half a block away, or Chipotle if in a rush (healthy, cheap, ecoish), or sitting outside at Hapa [...]
[...] a benefit for a fallen friend and colleague, and then a party hosted by LOHAS / elephant / Gaiam at Happy Noodle House. Now, as the Spring rains fade into Colorado’s dry summer, there won’t be any tall [...]
[...] the third rule at The Bitter Bar’s Happy Noodle is, don’t take flash photos (an homage to speakeasies of yore, James Lee, Dr. [...]
[...] I’m veggie, I stopped by good ol’ Jax Fish House (home of Top Chef Hosea, David Query—and most importantly, Kaitlyn) in Boulder, Colorado last week for a drink with my buddy Ryan Van [...]