World-renowned chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, whose gourmet Japanese food has filled stomachs in New York, London and Los Angeles to high praise, is now working his magic in Aspen. The interior is so stark and simple that it somehow drips with style. Seating options include table, booth or sushi bar. It is not often that one can say that everything on the menu is outstanding, but this restaurant is one of the rare exceptions. Specialty dishes include mussels in a spicy garlic sauce, and Tuna Tataki. It also offers an array of sashimi options.
This Aspen mainstay, located inside the Hotel Jerome, has been pouring cold drafts since the 1890s. It is a favorite of locals who affectionately refer to it as the J-Bar. A big wooden bar with a mirrored backdrop dominates the room and exudes an old-time feel that begs one to hunker down with a beer and a newspaper. An adjoining room with a large screen TV is a prime perch for sports watching and somehow does not detract from the bar's vintage feel. The menu is classic bar food fare and features burgers, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. The bar is full service and offers a great beer selection of imports, domestics and microbrews.
What better way to end a tiring day than with some live music. And what better choice than the posh Belly Up. Don't wait anymore, get into your dance gear and head to this venue for a late night scene. Live music played by various artists, and the excellent sound and lighting system nudge you to get into the boogie mode. What's more? Two bars are available to quench your thirst. Tickets are required for entry; they can be booked online or at the door. Private events can be arranged for at this classy location. Check out the website for more information.
The dining room at Woody Creek Tavern is always packed and the walls are papered with snapshots of regular patrons, including famed gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. The menu features burgers, steaks and Mexican fare. Save room for real Key Lime pie. Expect a crowd, as this restaurant is very popular with both tourists and locals, and groups of 8 people or more are encouraged to call ahead for a table; see the website or call for more information.
The New York Post termed the highbrow Caribou Club the best private club in America. The key word here is private, because if you want to gain access, you need a current member to sponsor you. But it is a small price to pay for a few nights of high society and five-star cuisine. Chat with a renowned sommelier and sample wines from a cellar containing more than 5000 selections from around the world. Or, relax with a cigar in an overstuffed chair by the roaring fireplace in the Great Room. After dinner, things get moving on the disco dance floor.
Few, if any, Aspen restaurants can match Mezzaluna for its combination of great food and a lively bar scene. But it is this fusion that makes it so popular and prompted Gourmet Magazine to rank it as one of the top three restaurants in Aspen. The interior is Los Angeles hip: marble tables, big glass windows and tall potted plants. If you can secure a window table it is a great perch for people watching both inside and outside. If you covet booze-addled Happy Hours this is the place to go. The entrées feature an array of pasta, fish and meat dishes. There is also an audacious selection of avant-garde pizzas including one that features French onion with Swiss cheese and smoked bacon.
Even those with the most discriminating of tastes can find their libation of choice at this popular Aspen shop. It stocks over 900 wines from around the globe including a good selection of the now-popular Australian chardonnays. The beer selection, including microbrews, is so vast that it is the equivalent of an Oktoberfest starters' kit. And for you mixologist fans, there are over 250 liquor labels. If you are hosting a social event, the staff is libation-articulate and can assist you in selecting the perfect wines to match your meal. And for true party convenience it offers free delivery. Take note that due to Colorado law the shop closes on Sundays.
This Aspen mainstay, located inside the Hotel Jerome, has been pouring cold drafts since the 1890s. It is a favorite of locals who affectionately refer to it as the J-Bar. A big wooden bar with a mirrored backdrop dominates the room and exudes an old-time feel that begs one to hunker down with a beer and a newspaper. An adjoining room with a large screen TV is a prime perch for sports watching and somehow does not detract from the bar's vintage feel. The menu is classic bar food fare and features burgers, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. The bar is full service and offers a great beer selection of imports, domestics and microbrews.
World-renowned chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, whose gourmet Japanese food has filled stomachs in New York, London and Los Angeles to high praise, is now working his magic in Aspen. The interior is so stark and simple that it somehow drips with style. Seating options include table, booth or sushi bar. It is not often that one can say that everything on the menu is outstanding, but this restaurant is one of the rare exceptions. Specialty dishes include mussels in a spicy garlic sauce, and Tuna Tataki. It also offers an array of sashimi options.
What better way to end a tiring day than with some live music. And what better choice than the posh Belly Up. Don't wait anymore, get into your dance gear and head to this venue for a late night scene. Live music played by various artists, and the excellent sound and lighting system nudge you to get into the boogie mode. What's more? Two bars are available to quench your thirst. Tickets are required for entry; they can be booked online or at the door. Private events can be arranged for at this classy location. Check out the website for more information.
Situated in a picturesque location amidst the rocky mountains at an elevation of 9000 feet (2743.2 meters), the Montanya Distillers, is a great place to learn more about the art of making fine American rum as well as taste a number of fine concoctions. This distillery specializes in making handcrafted rums from scratch. Its method of using alembic copper pot stills from Portugal also ensures that each bottle is infused with the flavors that make beverages from Montanya so unique. Embark on a tour of the distillery to acquaint yourself with modern distilling equipment and processes. Then, head to the tasting room to sip Montanya Exclusiva and their award-winning Montanya Platino among other drinks. If you are in the mood for a good drink or wish to learn more about the distilling process of rum, then a visit to the Montanya Distillers will certainly delight.