Posted below dated 2010/11.
It’s always fun to see the new Aspen restaurants that open each new season. This coming winter of 2010/11 will bring some completely new entities while familiar ones will move into the heart of downtown Aspen.
The Aspen Brewery Company is expanding their production out to the AABC while also bringing a tap room into the heart of town. The new Aspen Brewery Tap Room will occupy the upstairs space of the former Social restaurant and should be set and pouring by Thanksgiving. The Tap Room on Hopkins Avenue, will not only make it easier to pick up a growler of locally brewed beer but also make a great new hang out space. Without a kitchen the brewery welcomes you to BYOL (Bring your own lunch) from any of the great restaurants in Aspen. Serving the freshest, best priced, locally brewed pints in town it’s always happy hour at the brewery.
Oy Vey Cafe, a New York style breakfast and lunch deli will be opening at 6:30am and serving throughout the day. Located right below the Tap Room at street level it makes the 1st option for BYOL. This new Aspen deli maybe what Aspenites have been waiting. They will specialize in Jewish deli items serving custom prepared roast beef, turkey, and more. Oy Vey Cafe will open December 1, 2010
Franck Thirion French Pastry & Cafe which has garnered plenty of loyal customers out at the AABC, will bring a second location into the heart of town which also will be on Hopkins Ave. right across from the Tap Room. They will offer fine French pastries, croissants, cakes, and specialty coffees making another great coffee house in Aspen. The new Thirion Cafe will open in early December 2010.
Casa Tua, the popular Miami establishment aims to create the feel of a chalet in the Italian Alps. Opening in the former Ruth Chris’s space the downstairs restaurant will offer fine Italian fare with French and Swiss influences, while the upstairs club will offer an Italian oasis for members only.
BB’s Kitchen will offer moderately priced American bistro comfort food. Located on Cooper Ave. across from Bad Billy’s they will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The space on the top floor is currently in the heart of the renovations, but it’s still easy to picture what it will become. Most impressive is the large patio with Aspen Mountain views that will seat 50. The lounge, off the front of the dining room, will be a cozy apres ski spot with fire place and great window views toward Red Mountain.
Nutrition, Randy Placeres’s gourmet salad eatery may be moving from the AABC into the Aspen Club & Spa.
The Palace will open in the former home of the Crystal Palace Dinner Theater. A sister restaurant to the Mustang, the Palace restaurant will tune in to live music and the apres ski scene.
The Pyramid Bistro is opening in the Explore Booksellers upstairs. The iconic bistro has went through a few changes lately and we are excited to see what Martin Oswald, former Chef of Syzygy & Ute City will bring to the table in the form of Vegetarian & Organic offerings.
The Honey Bee Juice Bar has set up shop in the Ute City Bank building where the Dark Horse Alley coffee cart was.
Ink! Coffee is now serving sandwiches.
Aspen Highlands
Out of Bounds is the name of the new restaurant and bar at the base of Aspen Highlands Ski Area. Although it is found nearly in bounds next to the Exhibition lift we think the name may speak of the new mentality in pushing this prime location into the restaurant and bar it should be. We applaud the decision to open up the space by cutting the bar, literally in half, good feng shui goes along way. Adding to the smooth flow of operations, food service will quicken with orders taken at the counter and then delivered to tables.
Snowmass
Venga Venga Cantina & Tequila Bar by Richard Sandoval, who launched a revolution in America by reinterpreting Mexican cuisine in a contemporary, yet authentic way, will open in this Modern Mexican restaurant in the former Cirque Cafe space at the end of the Snowmass Mall.
Garnish & Chef Clark Church will be moving from the Aspen Club to the former home of Butch’s Lobster Bar
Recently Opened!
Aspen
New restaurants this fall are already working out the kinks for the oncoming season.
Junk, after it’s share of controversy and shuffling, has settled on the corner of Hyman Avenue and Mill Street, in the old D19 space across from the Wheeler Opera House. They’ve integrated the popcorn wagon corner into the restaurant proper by opening up the side of the building, making the popcorn wagons fire pit just steps away from the bar. With a steady stream of music pumping out of the whimsically themed restaurant it is easy to see that this will be as much of a party spot as it is an eatery.
Cp Burger has brought life to the Silver Leaf Ice Skating Rink in front of the Hyatt. They offer a range of burgers on their menu as well as hot dogs, green chili, and spiked milkshakes. Counter service makes for faster service and the outdoor seating along the ice rink will make for a chill spot on a sunny day. As a sister restaurant to Brexi, Lulu Wilson, & Wild Fig look for some familiar borrowed culinary inspirations.
The Pitkin County Steak House and Tavern serves dry aged steaks & seafood, complimented with a salad bar in the larger dining room. This full menu is also available on the tavern side which serves as a comfortable pub serving over 10 draft beers, sports television, and the good ole shuffleboard. Also located on Hopkins the tavern is found below Rustique in the former home of the Double Dog/Steak Pit.
The Silver Queen restaurant is serving modern American cuisine by Jamie Flatt former chef of Willow Creek at the Ritz at Highlands. Found upstairs on Hyman Avenue in the former Syzygy space. The name and the decor is meant to tap into the nostalgia of this mining camp in the Victorian age.
Basalt
Fat Belly Burgers of Carbondale has opened a sister restaurant in Basalt, Fat Belly Eats offers a full menu, full bar, and plenty of beers to chose from. Find them in the former home of Bistro Basalt.
Glenwood Springs
Roaring Fork Bakery offers fresh bread, goodies, and killer soups across from Quizno’s.
The Double Dog Pub reopened this December in Glenwood Springs.
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