ASPEN PRESENTS ELEVATED EPICUREAN EXPERIENCES

Hot Eats, Cool Treats and a Buzzing Nightlife All Found in Aspen

ASPEN, Colo. (Spring/Summer 2013) - If the number of restaurants in Aspen is an indicator of appetite, people are hungry! With more eateries than in recent years - well over 100 - old favorites mesh with fresh menus and new talent to provide enough culinary options to please any palate. And if that doesn't whet the taste buds, any of the city's lounges, bars, specialty wine shops and clubs most certainly will.

What's Cooking? Here's what's new in the Aspen dining scene:

• NEW! The White House Tavern is set to open in May by the Hillstone Restaurant Group in the historic 1883 house on the corner of Aspen's famed Restaurant Row. The restaurant offers premium sandwiches, distinctive wines, beers and cocktails.  (302 E. Hopkins Ave.)
• NEW! The Square Grouper will open in early May. The new restaurant serves up southern comfort food with Cajun, Creole and Caribbean influences for lunch, dinner and a limited menu during late-night hours. The Square Grouper earned early local recognition as they were crowned the winners of the 2013 winter Soupsköl competition for their jackalope gumbo. (304 E. Hopkins Ave.)
• NEW! Upper Crust, a favorite Roaring Fork Valley baker, is expanding to Aspen, at North Mill Station adjacent to Clark's Market. The restaurant offers bagels, breakfast and lunch. (300 Puppy Smith St.)
• NEW! The Little Soup Shop opened in late December, closed for the off-season and will reopen their doors to the public in May on the corner of Mill Street and Hyman Avenue. The daily chalkboard menu includes homemade soups and sandwiches prepared with all organic ingredients. (400 E. Hyman Ave.)
• NEW! Spring Café is set to open this summer in the new Spring Building. The restaurant will have all-day continuous service with vegetarian breakfast items, a juice bar, smoothies and more. (119 S. Spring St.)

Go Euro: From Italian to French Bistro, International Cuisine Meets the Rockies

• L'Hostaria brings authentic Italian fare and ambience to the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It offers an extensive list of light appetizers, Carpaccios, homemade pastas and sumptuous main dishes. (620 East Hyman Ave., http://www.hostaria.com/)
• Brexi Brasserie, which opened February 2009 in the Dancing Bear Aspen, serves French-bistro cuisine in a stylish, cosmopolitan setting. Locals and visitors say "oui" to favorite dishes like local beef tartare with harissa aioli and quail egg and braised short ribs "pot au feu" with root vegetables. (620 East Hyman Ave., http://www.brexiaspen.com/)
• Jour de Fête is a French deli offering both healthy snacks and warm comfort foods for breakfast and lunch. (710 East Durant Ave.; 970.925.5055)
• Cache Cache confidently blends Aspen style with classic French country fare. Owned by longtime Aspenites Jodi Larner and Chef Chris Lanter, Cache Cache's dining room is typically populated by Aspen's chic locals and jet-setting visitors, but the divine cuisine is unpretentious, modern and deeply satisfying. (205 South Mill St., http://www.cachecache.com/)

Locavore Love

• Montagna, an elegant restaurant in the opulent Little Nell hotel, is under the masterful direction of Executive Chef Robert McCormick, who has impressive culinary credentials including five years under Chef Daniel Boulud. The restaurant has received the Forbes Four-Star Award for its European-influenced cuisine but fiercely highlights local Colorado ingredients from vegetables to meats. Its libations are also lauded: The 20,000-bottle wine cellar has consistently earned Montagna the Wine Spectator Grand Award. (675 E. Durant Ave., bit.ly/montagna)
• Pyramid Bistro, located in Explore Booksellers, leads Aspen's "nutritarian" movement with its nutrient-rich menu, presenting dishes to fit vegetarian, vegan, macrobiotic, raw-food and gluten-free diets - even the wines are bio-dynamic, organic and sustainably produced! Owner Martin Oswald led Aspen's adoption of Meatless Mondays, making it the first city to join the national campaign in June. (221 E. Main St., http://www.pyramidbistro.com/)
• BB's Kitchen, fairly new to Aspen's dining scene, serves up honest, simple "American classic fare" with ingredients sourced locally and made in-house. Chef Katie Lorenzen-Smith ups the comfort quotient by curing meats, baking breads and pickling pickles in her kitchen. (525 E. Cooper Ave., http://www.bbskitchen.com/)

Not Grandma-Style American Cookin'

• Piñons offers upscale fine dining with gorgeous views of Aspen Mountain, a delectable alpine menu and an award-winning wine list. (105 S. Mill St., http://www.pinons.net/)
• The Caribou Club. This private club serves up Aspen's best to Aspen's elite. Dining at the Club is legendary and available only to members or those sponsored by members. Weekly memberships are available for $500 per couple. (411 E. Hopkins Ave., http://www.caribouclub.com/)
• Willow Creek Bistro. Nestled at the base of Aspen Highlands, this sophisticated restaurant features fine continental, American fare with beautiful patio dining. (75 Prospector Rd., http://www.willowcreekbistro.com/)
• Pine Creek Cookhouse. Located 12 miles outside Aspen at the base of the Elk Mountain Range, the Cookhouse provides a gourmet dining experience in an authentic mountain atmosphere, complete with log cabin and wilderness surroundings. It is best known for creatively prepared, naturally raised game specialties. (11399 Castle Creek Rd., http://www.pinecreekcookhouse.com/)
• Jimmy's American Restaurant & Bar. With a sophisticated, "everybody knows your name" atmosphere and a traditional yet upscale American surf-and-turf menu, Jimmy's is a consistent crowd pleaser. The restaurant also features more than 70 varieties of tequila and mezcal and a lively bar scene. (205 S. Mill St., http://www.jimmysaspen.com/)
• Elevation. Modern and chic, this restaurant serves innovative, new-American cuisine. Try the wasabi Caesar Salad, Caramelized Black Cod or the Wagyu New York Strip. (304 E. Hopkins Ave., http://www.elevationaspen.com/)
• Woody Creek Tavern. Frequented by the late Hunter S. Thompson and a lively local crew, this home-cooked hideaway in Woody Creek serves up steaks, burgers, Mexican food, and mixes a mean margarita.(2858 Woody Creek Rd., http://www.woodycreektavern.com/)

From the Sea

• Matsuhisa serves up mouthwatering sushi and Japanese dishes with fine wines and an extensive sake list. A member of the Nobu restaurant family, this establishment is always in demand. (303 E. Main St., http://www.matsuhisaaspen.com/)
• Pacifica Seafood & Raw Bar. Craving fresh fish? Sample from a variety of hot and cold plates at this popular seafood spot while sipping one of their juicy mango mojitos. (307 S. Mill St., http://www.pacificaaspen.com/)
• Kenichi. A place to see and be seen, this popular sushi den is constantly abuzz. Talented chefs bring global tastes to the extensive sushi menu. (533 E. Hopkins Ave., http://www.kenichiaspen.com/)

On the Go: For Those Looking to Save Money and Time

• Johnny McGuire's. This beloved Aspen deli has become a Colorado phenomenon, with monster sandwiches perfect for a picnic or a hike. (730 E. Cooper Ave., http://www.johnnymcguires.com/)
• New York Pizza. Big thin-crust slices start at $3, so this Big Apple-style pizzeria is hard to beat for the budget-conscious, and it is open until 2 a.m. to satisfy the late-night crowd. (409 E. Hyman St., 970.920.3088)
• Boogie's Diner. A favorite for the kid in all of us, this 1950s-style diner offers some of the best sandwiches and milkshakes in town. (534 E. Cooper Ave., 970.925.6610)
• Hickory House. Unbeatable hearty breakfasts and famous baby back ribs put this local barbeque joint on Oprah's infamous list of her favorite things. (730 W. Main St, http://www.hickoryhouseribs.com/)
• Big Wrap. There is always a hungry crowd at this wrap and smoothie shop. Homemade vegan soups and fresh tacos add to the diverse wrap menu and daily specials. (520 E. Durant Ave., 970.925.4977)
• INK! Coffee will impress even Starbucks fanatics. This locally owned, gourmet coffee bar also offers bagels and spreads, pastries, and Panini's. (520 E. Durant Ave., http://www.inkcoffee.com/)

After Dark. When the sun goes down, Aspen's social scene heats up. Whether you're looking for intimate live music, a quiet cocktail or exuberant crowds, Aspen's bars, watering holes and concert venues quench every craving.

For Music Lovers

• In winter 2011/2012, Jazz Aspen Snowmass and The Little Nell teamed up to present JAS Café Downstairs @ The Nell an intimate venue to see top jazz acts every other weekend in the summer and winter. Ajax Tavern and Montagna offer special pre-show, three-course menus, and The Little Nell Bar Menu is served at the show! (675 E. Durant Ave., bit.ly/jasatnell)
• Belly Up Aspen rocks year-round with an eclectic mix of top headliners ranging from Mos Def to ZZ Top and everything in between. Its flawless sound system and intimate setting (accommodating only 450 guests) makes every show one to remember. (450 S. Galena St., http://www.bellyupaspen.com/)
• Wheeler Opera House, an historic gem in downtown Aspen, features a diverse summer calendar with film screenings, operas, comedy acts and jamming rock bands. (320 E. Hyman Ave., http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com/)
• Open-Air Performances. During the summer, Aspen is home to 750 music students participating in the Aspen Music Festival and School. Stroll through town and catch an impromptu performance as the music students practice their compositions. Wander over to the open-air Benedict Music Tent and take in an evening orchestra performance from the lawn.)

Be Scene

• 39 Degrees at The Sky Hotel, home to an infamous outdoor pool scene currently being remodeled, serves up chic cocktails like the Botox Martini and other creative concoctions. (709 E. Durant Ave., http://www.theskyhotel.com/)
• Eric's Bar, which spills into Aspen Billiards, The Cigar Bar and Su Casa, is the epicenter of Aspen's see-and-be-seen commotion. From the hip dance floor to the hazy smokers' haven, each quadrant offers a different vibe. (315 E. Hyman Ave., http://www.sucasaaspen.com/)
• Zocalito Latin Bistro serves up famous raspberry mojitos, the perfect "happy hour" thirst quencher after an action-packed summer day. (420 E. Hyman Ave., http://www.zocalito.com/)

For Whatever Ales You

• Aspen Brewing Company's new location on Restaurant Row makes it an easy choice for cold beer on a hot afternoon. Owned and operated by young Aspen locals, Aspen Brewing Company offers their selection of unique, locally brewed beers best enjoyed while drinking in the view of Aspen Mountain from the tasting room patio. (304 E. Hopkins Ave., http://www.aspenbrewingcompany.com/)
• Zane's Tavern, tucked in a cozy corner of downtown Aspen, offers beers, cocktails, and an approachable bar atmosphere with the TVs all tuned to sports. (308 S. Hunter St., http://www.zanestavern.com/)
• J-Bar in the historic Hotel Jerome has been an Aspen watering hole since 1889 and has kept its saloon ambiance through the times. Today, Aspen locals and visitors alike belly up for a draft or bottle and sophisticated bar fare, and the house is packed during sports events and happy hour. (330 E. Main St., http://www.hoteljerome.com/)

Groove Time

• At Escobar, PBR tall boys meet pomegranate martinis sipped alongside an amalgamation of electronic, swing and lounge music. Founded by a group of seven young Aspen entrepreneurs, Escobar launched onto the local nightclub scene in 2011 and remains a late-night favorite for locals and visitors. (426 E. Hyman Ave., http://www.escobaraspen.com/)
• The Regal Watering Hole, boasting a sophisticated face-lift and new ownership, sizzles with a sultry atmosphere, delicious cocktails and a hopping dance floor. (220 S. Galena St., http://www.regalaspen.com/)
• Syzygy, a French fusion restaurant, slips into a techno dance party after 11 p.m. with a live DJ and champagne bottle service. (308 E. Hopkins Ave., http://www.syzygyrestaurant.com/)

For media information and images, visit www.aspenchamber.org/media and contact Promo Communications at 970.925.8480 or

Maureen Poschman • [email protected]

Sarah-Jane Johnson • [email protected]

Melissa Wisenbake • [email protected]

For visitor information, visit http://www.aspenchamber.org, or call 1.888.290.1324 or 970.925.1940.

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