Aspen, CO

As I just posted in the now-revived thread on Jackson Hole, Aspen is also on our radar for sometime this fall. We may yet end up elsewhere, but among the factors that will be considered, in any event, is food. (Gee, there's a surprise, huh?) I did my search and was absolutely astonished to see very little (as in virtually nothing, and certainly nothing recent) on Aspen. And no dedicated thread. So I thought I'd see what kind of experiences and recommendations we might turn up. For what it's worth, we expect to spend at least several of our days wherever we end up out in the mountains doing some serious hiking. Methinks that will translate into serious appetites for at least one of us.

Thanks.

I've done a week in Snowmass Village, the next town over, for a number of years. We don't live it up too extravagantly and in High Country, Lord knows one could. I've only been there around the first of the year during peak skiing season so that may influence service, turnover, availability, etc.

I've gone time and again to Pacifica Raw Bar and been impressed with their oysters and other fresh seafood. I can't stay away from the tasty Foie gras & scallop entree, either. The Crisp (fried) Rock Shrimp & Calamari would be a great app shared 4 ways but the generous portion is a bit greasy and heavy for one person. The Lobster bisque is garnished with some sturgeon caviar, very nice. There's some sort of happy hour deal but I've never been due to immediate-afterski-exhaustion. Maybe half price oysters or appetizers? Either one would be a great deal as Pacifica already has Aspen-attractive prices.

Pacifica Seafood & Raw Bar
http://www.pacificaaspen.com/

307 South Mill Street
Aspen, CO 81611

PH: 970.920.9775
FX: 970.920.9773
info@pacificaaspen.com


We have been happy with sushi at Kenichi.

http://www.kenichiaspen.com/
533 E Hopkins Ave
Aspen, CO
970/920-2212

In Snowmass, two should share one entree at Mountain Dragon Chinese Restaurant. Well executed american-chinese favorites with fresh, simple ingredients. This is more of a family oriented place and quite affordable. It's been there for at least 10 years and has been remarkably reliable.

Mountain Dragon Chinese Restaurant
67 Elbert Lane
Snowmass Village, CO 81615
(970) 923-3576

All I can suggest about Aspen is to drive there from the airport farthest away as is feasible. I flew in to Denver, drove to Aspen, and then spent most of my time there lying on the room of my spinning hotel room enduring an altitude-sickness-characteristic skull-splitting headache and cursing ... all sorts of things. Took basically all the fun out of the food-finding I had planned.