UPDATE, Winter 2024- 2025

EARLY WINTER 2024-25 CULINARY EVENTS:

AT HOTEL JEROME:
DEC 12-14 (only): Hotel Jerome hosts Michelin star ‘KOLI’ as well as ‘COMETA’ from Monterey.
DEC 19-21 (only): ‘FAUNA’ takes over at the Jerome w/farm to table Baja modern cuisine.
JAN 8-11 (only): 3 -star Michelin chef Norbet Neiderkofler returns after success this past summer.

AT LITTLE NELL (Chefs and Somms dinner series)
DEC 15-30 (only) : for Truffle lovers: white truffle journey w/ flavors of Alba, Piedmont Italy at Element 47.
JAN 11 (only) : Australian wine dinner w Master Somm Micheal Hill Smith at Ajax Tavern
JAN 16-18 (only) : 1-star Michelin chef with flavors of south Tyrol for alpine Mediterranean cuisine.

AT ANGELOS RESTAURANT: DEC 19, 2024 (only) at Angelo’s : 105 S.Mill St.  Two Michelin star chefs from Italy are flying in for a collaboration dinner w/ a few dishes including their dessert that will debut for the first time. velma@aspen-hg.com for reservation

(NEW!) WAYAN ASPEN: 614 E.Cooper: in the former Local Coffee space. Le Creperie’s Raphael Derly joined forces with chef Cédric Vongerichten to bring the Wayan concept from NYC to Aspen. Indonesian cuisine with a modern French flair. Wayan’s bar will offer innovative cocktails highlighting ingredients inspired by the region.

(NEW) AOSTA : in the former Almresi space across from Monarch Steak House on Durant St. Alpine Italian cuisine by Samantha and Craig Cordts-Pearce, the beloved local proprietors of Wild Fig, Monarch, Steakhouse 316, CP Burger, Wood Creek Tavern and soon to be opened (hopefully!) The Red Onion.

(NEW!) HASALON at W-Aspen. Open Dec 13, 2024: Opens daily with APRES SKI onward and offers 2 different dinner experiences: Before 8 option and After 8pm w/ dancing and exceptional cuisine. The famous New York hot spot with dancing opens at the W-Aspen lobby level. WIth Mediterranean flavors inspired by Israel, France and Japan.

(NEW!) HILDAGO SPEAKEASY: in the downstairs bar space at the W-Aspen.

(NEW!) ORIGIN: As I’ve reported on before The Gant’s new dining experience in collaboration with The Farmer & Chef showcases western Colorado's regenerative agriculture with fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches.

(NEW) ZIGZAG: As previously reported this highly anticipated modern French-American bistro, is set to open in Winter 2024, taking over the iconic Mezzaluna space at 624 E Cooper Street. The brainchild of co-owner and operator Romain Pavee, ZigZag Aspen blends nearly two decades of luxury hospitality experience, cultivated across France, New York, and Las Vegas, with the local expertise and passion of long-time Aspen residents Scott and Carly Weber. The restaurant will feature the only traditional wood-burning oven left in Aspen, making it a culinary destination for lunch, brunch, après-ski, dinner, and beyond. 

NEW!) THE ALPIN ROOM SNOWMASS: The former Gwyn’s High Alpine Restaurant at the top of the Alpine Springs lift on Snowmass, under the stewardship of new chef Emily Oyer. The menu is predominantly Alsatian, with a nod to French, Swiss and Austrian fare.

(COMING SOON!) YUKI ASPEN: opening is delayed. Located above the BELLY UP in the old ‘Victoria’ space, and below the soon-to-open AM7 private club, YUKI is another concept by Nobu Matsuhisa but featuring global cuisine, and not just sushi.

(MOVED) The Whole Empanada pops up in Aspen for the winter on Hyman Ave. pedestrian mall.

(COMING SOON!) St Ambroeus the long-awaited opening is finally happening (when?) in the former Main Street Bakery location, in addition to their current spot at 520 E Hyman Ave.

QUICK UPDATE, Halloween 2024

(NEW!) TACO PINA: located near the post office at Clarks market… with Happy Hour all day on Wednesdays.

MEZZALUNA is gone… now “ZIGZAG” with December opening. I met the new GM, Paula, who tells me they are will also offer happy hour specials. New owners are Romain Pavee and locals Scott/Carly Weber.

BELLY UP Expansion: Private club AM7 and Yuki Restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa will open soon above Belly Up, one of Rolling Stone Magazine's “BEST CLUBS IN AMERICA." 

WILD FIG v.2: Owners Sam, Craig Cordts-Pearce lost their lease last year, but reopened in a new space at 305 S.Mill St.

QUICK UPDATE, Early Fall 2024:

MEZZALUNA: this storied eatery on Cooper Ave sold to new owners last month after 36 years. Even Kato Kaelin was connected here. It is currently slated to open December 2024 with new concept.

Elina: I just love this place. The short ribs are OUTSTANDING. This is the same space which once housed “Carnivale” (who remembers?) where i worked in the 1990’s as a waiter … which did not make my parents happy when i quit my job at IBM after earning a BS in Computer Science. Fast forward, all’s well that ends well.

Bosq Aspen
Aspen’s only Michelin Star restaurant, chef-owner Barclay Dodge’s eatery on the Mill Street Mall is a high point. My daugher ‘staged’ there last summer : YES CHEF!

Swedish Hill Cafe
I LOVE: the fabulous iced green tea, the turkey sandwich , and the breakfast sandwiches. Run dont walk to this place: at the rooftop of the Aspen Art Museum on Hyman Ave. The owners also own Louis Swiss Pastry and offer fabulous breakfast and lunch items. THE VIEW is impossible to beat. This is a must … from MML Hospitality.

…similarly, another must is ….

St Ambroeus Cafe: for breakfast and lunch only: their pastries are BEAUTY and PERFECTION. open on the 500 block of Hyman Ave . Their new location is opening spring 2025 at the old MainSt Bakery space on Main Steet and Aspen Ave.

ELEMENT 47
The five-star, Five Diamond Little Nell Hotel’s exquisite restaurant is a must-do on any Aspen itinerary.

PARC ASPEN
This popular hot spot mixes a modern French farmhouse feel with an edgy vibe. Check out the bar menu.

CASA D’ANGELO
As a concept, Tutto su gli ingredientes (translation: “It’s all about the ingredients”) plays favorably with palates at this Tuscan-inspired eatery.

LAS MONTAÑAS
A colorful Mexican vibe and decor has put this high-profile restaurant by MML Hospitality on Aspen’s go-to dining list. great HAPPY HOUR!

BELLY UP 
Expansion opening soon: private club AM7 and Yuki restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa. Rated one of Rolling Stone Magazine's “BEST CLUBS IN AMERICA". 

WILD FIG “v.2”
Owners Sam & Craig Cordts-Pearce reopened in a new space at 305 S.Mill St, next to the (summertime) dancing fountains.

MOLLIE Aspen Restaurant & Bar
in the new hotel, MOLLIE, on Main at Garmisch. Must see. Love their burger!

Sway Thai
My daughter who just spent time in Thailand says its the real deal. I’ve reported on Sway in my former AspenINTEL newsletters, including summer2023, here.

Stranahan’s Colorado ….LOVE THE VIBE HERE: old-timey Aspen plus great food…
Whisky based cocktails, tasting room & restaurant. Located in the former Aspen Pie Shop overlooking Wagner Field.

Buck
Now open in the space under the former Cooper Street Pier location. ***This is a local skiers bar with affordable food offerings.

Jimoto Raman:
(mostly) a take-out noodle shop across from the Aspen Art Museum. Open from Noon- 8pm only.

ORIGIN
the “FARMER n CHEF” owners have opened for breakfast and Lunch at The Gant, and once weekly on Wed, they stay open with “Wine Down Wed” from 4:30-7:30 on the roof.