Aside from the 4 major ski areas surrounding Aspen vacation rentals, there are around 200 restaurants and dining venues in this part of Colorado. Despite its image of being a small ski town, Aspen offers world-class fine dining; its restaurants are comparable to those of its counterparts in the big cities of the United States and Europe. After spending a day in the outdoors, you can visit and sample the cuisine of several fine dining venues near your own Aspen vacation homel.
Matsuhisa: Aspen, Colorado
Matsuhisa specializes in gourmet Japanese seafood and is famous for their fresh sushi dish. The restaurant is founded by the same person who established the equally famous Nobu restaurant in New York and other parts of the world. Menu items include lobster cevice with limestone lettuce, Chilean sea bass in black bean sauce, white bass with truffle kobe steak, yellowtail jalapeno sashimi or broiled black cod with miso.
Many people also appreciate the restaurant's crew who are very knowledgeable with the dishes they serve; they also appreciate the short wait time despite the huge numbers of diners. Matsuhisa's wine list is also considered impressive by dining enthusiasts. Reservations a month before your desired dining date is required.
Cache Cache: Aspen, Colorado
Since 1987, Cache Cache has been leading the pack of fine dining restaurants in Aspen. The restaurant's philosophy emphasizes providing the best table service, wine service and quality food. They specialize in French cuisine, particularly on the flavors of Provence and the French countryside. With the authentic French dishes served, there are rumors that diners leave the restaurant asking for directions to the Louvre Museum. The sirloin steak with gourmet mashed potatoes is the restaurant's all-time bestseller.
A secret circulating among the locals is to always dine at the Cache Cache's bar to enjoy lower prices of items on the menu than those equal items served at a full table. Reservations are required and almost all restaurants in Aspen have the same policy.
Caribou Club: Aspen, Colorado
If you're into dining with the elite and the stars, you can head to Caribou Club, a pricey but worth-it restaurant that offers private dining. The restaurant spoils their guests by paying attention to the smallest details.
Caribou cuisine serves modern American dishes; whiskey-glazed beef fillet, roasted lamb with fresh herbs, Bangkok relleno and the best caviar with smoked fish. Dessert delights include the crème-fraiche-a-Provence, lemon sorbet and the paonia peach cobbler glazed with chocolate syrup.
Montagna: Aspen, Colorado
Montana is the in-house restaurant of the 5-star Little Nell Hotel that specializes in American Alpine cuisine. The restaurant has been awarded by the Wine Spectator magazine as one of the top-notch fine dining venues in Colorado. Private party rooms are available upon request. You can choose to dine by the patio and overlook the courtyard or dine privately at the bistro bar.
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