Review of Jour de Fete Deli in Aspen (June 2012)
by William
You can spot Jour de Fete’s blackboard sign from the chaotic City Market parking lot. Inside, it’s a little oasis of home cooking, a gem of a restaurant that’s much beloved by the local population.
With its distinctly dressed down interior, complete with oilcloth table coverings and DIY table bussing, Jour de Fete resembles a cheerfully cluttered home kitchen. Everything on the menu is relentlessly homemade, from the French inspired entrees to the desserts. Don’t be turned off by the simple presentation–the food is great.
Open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner, Jour de Fete fills a much-needed niche in the Aspen restaurant scene, It’s a place to sit down for a quick, casual meal, but it’s also a high quality take out joint, especially in the evening hours. Their excellent lasagne or roast chicken with side dishes makes for an easy dinner on a busy night.
As lunch options go, Jour de Fete is a more sophisticated option than Johnny’s, yet it is far less precious than Peaches. If you are a first timer at Jour de Fete, dig in and order a trio of salads from the glass cases. The lentil salad is superb, a medley of lentils, chopped carrot and scallions in a light vinaigrette. The curry chicken salad is also a winner; it has just the right amount of sweetness and spice. A stand alone salad is the chicken Caesar, which is topped with a generous amount of roast chicken, a flurry of parmesan, and lots of buttery croutons.
The sandwich menu is appealing. The Gianni, my personal favorite, is their version of the classic Italian sub. The Gianni is light, but filling, with a fabulous Italian dressing that compliments the salami, ham and provolone. The second runner up is the J.R., a simple prosciutto sandwich on a baguette, served with tomato, cornichons and a drizzle of olive oil. The Galen was a pleasant surprise in the sandwich department. It’s an oddly delicious combination of turkey, avocado, mozzarella, tomato and spinach on a baguette, finished off with a light vinaigrette.
Jour de Fete is also a bakery, offering an extensive array of handmade breads, croissants, and pastries. They might just offer the best chocolate éclair in Aspen, not overly large, with just the right ratio of cream to pastry.
There’s ample outdoor seating on the patio outside the restaurant, plus a few tables indoors. It’s one of the few places in Aspen that’s never overly jammed, even in the high season.
– William K.
William K.
William, a self -trained epicure and sophomore at Aspen High School, has been an Aspen resident for five years. A native New Yorker, William honed his young taste buds in fine eating establishments throughout lower Manhattan. When not eating (or writing about eating), William can be found playing his guitar or throwing a mean fastball. Writing for eatAspen is the perfect intersection of his favorite interests—good food and the written word.
View all eatAspen eater reviews