Review of Little Annie’s
by Emery
Stepping into the quaint world of Little Annie’s was like walking aboard an ancient sailing ship. Old wooden panels lined the wall, which led into a dark bar enclosed in a stained glass hallway. Various men and women huzzah’d towards the television, as their favorite baseball team racked up another home run. It was even complete with a maritime Barrel O’ Popcorn.
We were met by a lively young woman who led us out of the Galleon into the main dining room. With various golf memorabilia, horse tack and mining tools lining the walls and ceiling, we felt as if we had entered a long-time Aspen local’s living room. We sat down at a wooden table covered in a classic, red plaid table cloth. Our kind hostess handed us some menus and took our drink order. The atmosphere was quite different from the high-end Aspen vibe, it felt homey, familiar and relaxing, the sort of place locals gather for a beer, and an-hoc business meeting or a family feast. The menu was quite diverse, from home cooked Chili, to fillets of Salmon. I was in the eating mood so I chose the Chicken Fried Steak with fresh made mashed potatoes and the Vegetable du Jour for $22.95. My father went for seasonal cup of Gazpacho for $4.95, and a Reuben for $10.95. I admired the décor once more. The wagon-wheel chandeliers with mining lanterns, the framed golf tournament flags from all over the world, something about the place just made you feel at home.
The food arrived promptly with a smile from the waitress. The description of the Chicken Fried Steak on the menu ended with the parting words, “Serious Comfort Food”. So it was. I generally stay away from high calorie food like this, however, every once and a while you just need some comfort. It was quite tasty. A nice crispy start, with a meaty, filling finish, I enjoyed the dish, and it was just large enough to not overpower, nor leave me too hungry. The mashed potatoes were fantastic, fresh and mashed in the kitchen, with homemade gravy. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Vegetable du Jour. They were good vegetables, fresh tasting, however it just interfered with the “manly meatiness” I was experiencing throughout the dish. My father’s chilled Gazpacho was also fresh and tasty, perfect for a light, healthy meal on a hot summer’s day. I didn’t get the chance to try the Reuben, but my father seemed to enjoy it.
I really enjoyed my experience at Little Annie’s. The atmosphere deserves a definitive 5/5. It felt like an incredibly comfortable hangout at a friend’s house, with no cheesiness, and fit like an old pair of worn jeans. A good place to socialize with friends and just noisy enough to be inviting. Food was a little pricy compared to similar food elsewhere, but for the most part everything was quite reasonable, 4/5 on the pricing. The service was fast, friendly, and fun. The hostesses and waitresses had a great sense of humor, and it was enjoyable to be there. It seems to me that Little Annie’s does not focus on cuisine per se, but enjoyable, filling meals while providing a really comfortable atmosphere and sense of what “Aspen Local” is all about. Of course, I haven’t had time to try EVERYTHING on the menu, so perhaps there is some 5 Star food we didn’t try. 4/5 on the food. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Little Annie’s, and I hope to bring some buddies there to enjoy the Barrel O’ Popcorn, and have a great time.
Emery M.
June 2012
Emery enjoys food and music. Good thing they go well together, is it not? They both are associated with creating memories, experience, and emotion. He also enjoys playing the Alto Sax, Ukulele, Electric Bass, Drums, and dabbles in the Guitar from time to time. He loves creating new experiences, and enjoys learning new things.