It is the end of the line for ZG Grill at Aspen Highlands. One of three restaurants that where given life by Matt Zubrod, a chef that had a long history with the Ritz. When he left the Ritz he spread his wings, perhaps streched a little two far in this case. With various business partners he was instrumental in the creation of ZG Grill, Crust Pizza at Highlands, and Dish Aspen. As head chef at Dish he was able to draw from his loyal following he had gathered while at the Willow Creek Bistro. He came up with a creative menu and was serving some great food. Crust offered some eventive pizza’s. ZG Grill perhaps the best located eatery on the whole mountain, smack at the base of the exhibition lift complete with a great deck. ZG debuted as a burger bar and served the purpose well enough. Although his involvement with Crust and ZG grill lessened as time went on he remiand head chef at Dish until last spring and the eatery was sold this fall, it will become the new restaurant Ellina by Chef Dena Marino formerly of D19. Crust transferred to Highlands Pizza Company that has been hosting music and pouring Aspen Brewing Company Beer. ZG grill was the last of the 3 to close and the space is in now in the shuffle before the ski season.
We’ve never been truly happy with any of the establishments that have occupied the potentially best Apres Ski space in the World. The Commonwealth pub didn’t offer beer/drink specials on St. Paddy’s day for paddy’s sake. Iguana’s, which, well, was another bland mexican restaurant. And the other incarnations it may have been have faded from memory which tells the full story.
The Closing Day party will be a blast no matter who runs the place at the base. It’s the spirit of the mountain at work not any establishment and that is representative of the party vibe that flows across the slopes and spills beyond the deck. Yes the establishment can make it better. For starters don’t throw a psudeo closing day party when it’s truly not closing day. Like this past season when the Aspen Ski Company graciously extended the season for weekends only everything should have been extended, closing day included until it was in fact closing day. The new owners of the restaurant at the base of Aspen Highlands are looking for ideas of a new name, thats great and perhaps we can help, but also look for ideas in what would make that place great and exist for more than two years. Deals for SkiCo employess! Deals for season pass holders! Beer Specials on St. Paddy’s Day! Beer Bong Tourneys weekly. Apres Ski live music, at the very least Friday & Saturday. Cater to the locals and the visitors will follow the vibe. The new restaurant will be joining some other new eateries that have spring up at Highlands Base including PoP and Cloud 9 Brownie Cafe.
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