2015 World Championships: Put a Fork In It

A Local’s Guide to Dining in the Vail Valley

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles guiding visitors through off-the-hill activities and events at the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, Colo.

Beaver Creek

The Beav’ is home to some of the finest dining, well, anywhere. But it can also suck you into places with good real estate and not a lot of attention to detail. Take a look through this simple guide for a fulfilling meal at every stop.

Photo: Mintz

Splendido

One of the top dining experiences in the Vail Valley, Splendido in the Chateau Beaver Creek has an elegant menu in unrivaled surroundings. The restaurant promises “a rustic American culinary experience.” A culinary experience, sure. Rustic, we don’t think so. It doesn’t get much more opulent and sophisticated than this. The ever-changing menu this winter includes roasted New Zealand elk tenderloin ($42) and wood-oven roasted Maine lobster ($56). Too spendy? Grab a seat in the piano bar and enjoy a beer and one of the best burgers in town ($17).

Pro: Exquisite dining environment, superb preparation and creativity

Con: Cha-ching!

Price: $$$$

Website: www.splendidobeavercreek.com

Phone: (970) 845-8808

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle Inn Restaurant

A Beaver Creek mainstay, the restaurant that bears the same name as the World Championship downhill trail is a can’t-miss for authentic Colorado fare and one of the best housemade margaritas in town. The Golden Eagle is a relaxed fine dining mountain bistro with a menu guided by the seasons, highlighting local organic produce and antibiotic-free meats, naturally prepared for the modern palate. Its unique menu includes Rocky Mountain elk meatloaf with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, haricots vert and chipotle-apricot sauce.

Pro: Great food, quality drinks, easy location

Con: You might get stuck sitting next to the Ski Racing staff

Price: $$$

Website: www.thegoldeneagleinn.com

Phone: 970-949-1940

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Hooked

Who says you can’t get fresh seafood in Colorado? Hooked is a blend of travels far and wide, mostly Asian, which inform highly creative preparations. One thing’s for sure, if you want to try something new, you’ll find it at Hooked.

Pro: Insanely fresh fish at 8,200 vertical feet

Con: The seriously inventive menu might as well be in Japanese. Ask for help.

Price: $$$

Website: www.hookedbc.com

Phone: 970-949-4321

Location: Google Maps

Photo credit: Vail Resorts/Beano’s

Beano’s Cabin

The ultimate visitor experience: a snowcat ride and first-class meal all in one. Amazing cuisine, well-chosen wines and unique transportation to the restaurant have made Beano’s Cabin a favorite family destination for a generation. In the winter, the only way to access the on-mountain cabin is by a 20-minute open-air sleigh ride. This season’s menu includes a duo of Colorado lamb and roasted carrot dumplings. Adults can enjoy a five-course dinner for $119 per person, and discounts are available for children 11 and under. (Prices don’t include alcoholic beverages, taxes or gratuity).

Pro: Good food, fun experience, especially for kids

Con: Fixed menu pricing, so loosen your belt and open your wallet

Price: $$$$

Website: www.beanoscabinbeavercreek.com/beanos

Phone: 970-754-3463

Photo: Mintz

Metropolitan

Can’t find a seat at the Coyote Café or Dusty Boot? The Metro offers a mellower après experience and modern menu — good for lunch, a snack after skiing or dinner. The tapas menu is sophisticated with eclectic offerings, including charcuterie, Asian dishes, tacos and flatbreads. The high-end espresso bar is Beaver Creek’s best grab-and-go cup of coffee — it’s a nice alternative to Starbucks. Meanwhile, their team of wine experts has more 70 years of experience, bringing illustrious tales of wine tasting from around the world. Happy hour is from 3 to 5 p.m. with great deals on food and drinks.

Pro: Swanky, comfortable environment with sophisticated menu

Con: A long day on the hill + a couple drinks = not so easy to get up off the sofas

Price: $$

Website: www.themetbc.com

Phone: 970-748-3123

Location: Google Maps

Grouse Mountain Grill

One of the finest restaurants in the Vail Valley comes with an added perk: Tony G on the keys every Wednesday through Sunday. Not only does it serve up one of the best, most elegant meals in town, the GMG also hosts the always-entertaining longtime local jazz pianist. This season’s menu includes bacon-wrapped loin of rabbit with rabbit sausage and sweet potato tortellini, apples, chanterelle and rabbit jus. Or try the pretzel-crusted pork chop with roasted brussels sprouts, crispy polenta and sweet orange mustard sauce.

Pro: Beautiful environment, jazzy tunes, amazing food

Con: May need to consult your accountant before making a reservation

Price: $$$$

Website: www.grousemountaingrill.com

Phone: 970-949-0600

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Mirabelle

Tucked away on the left side of Beaver Creek’s main entrance is Val d’Isere-quality French dining in the heart of the Rockies. Mirabelle is a longtime staple of the Vail Valley and one of its most reputable establishments. Legend has it that Mirabelle stands on the site of the first home in Beaver Creek, the log residence of George Townsend, who settled there in 1881.

Pro: Perhaps the most meticulous preparation in the Vail Valley

Con: Prices are big, portions are French

Price: $$$$

Website: www.mirabelle1.com

Phone: 970-949-7728

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

The Dusty Boot

The Dusty Boot is one of Beaver Creek’s spots to grab a relatively cheap bite to eat. Think burgers, fish tacos and the like — at near-normal prices. The Boot is home to a local-favorite Happy Hour special: seven bucks for select eats and a beer or glass of wine. Six bucks for a PBR and a shot of rubbing alcohol. Get there early and be seated at the bar from 3 to 7 p.m. to get the deal.

Pro: Easy location and agreeable food in Beaver Creek Village

Con: Lively bar scene meets easy meal for the whole family on vacation

Price: $

Website: www.dustybootbeavercreek.com

Phone: 970-748-1146

Location: Google Maps

Avon

Looking for near-Beaver Creek convenience without the Beaver Creek prices? Avon is going to be your best bet.

Photo: Vin 48

Vin 48

Found inside the architecturally bizarre but widely appreciated “Boat Building,” the restaurant and wine bar at Vin 48 is one of Avon’s top dining experiences in a hip, casual setting. Among the local favorites are the veal meatballs with creamy polenta, parmesan, eggplant and tomato ragu ($19).

Pro: Cool environment, modern dining at down-to-earth pricing

Con: Coming from Beaver Creek will require a short drive or bus ride

Price: $$$

Website: www.vin48.com

Phone: 970-748-WINE

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Ticino

Ticino

What Ticino may lack in style, it makes up for in coziness and comfort food. Think the best, most authentic, home-style Italian cuisine in the High Country. Pizza, homemade pasta, gnocchi, lasagna, osso buco — everything on the menu is a winner. Create your own pasta dish (hint: gnocchi and Italian sausage with creamy pesto). The food comes out piping hot, in big portions with reasonable prices. Last we checked, there wasn’t a single entree more than $27. The restaurant is small, so make reservations during the busy World Championship week.

Pro: You’ll want to eat everything on the menu

Con: You’ll want to eat everything on the menu

Price: $$

Website: www.ticinorestaurantavon.com

Phone: 970-748-6792

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Ristorante Ti Amo

Chicken with strawberries? Guys, if this dish sounds a little too girly for you, encourage your better half to order it and then pull the mid-meal switcheroo. Ti Amo is another fine Italian restaurant in an unexpected place: an old strip mall in Eagle Vail. It’s a great, off-the-beaten-path location, right between Beaver Creek and Vail with a quaint, romantic atmosphere. (Ti Amo is also a Valentine’s Day favorite.) Several veal dishes and the homemade gnocchi in Gorgonzola cream are also local picks. But honestly, it’s tough to go wrong at Ti Amo. Oh, and save room for a cannoli.

Pro: Chicken with strawberries may be the best thing you’ve ever eaten

Con: There just isn’t a macho way to order it

Price: $$$

Website: www.tiamovail.com

Phone: 970-845-8153

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Avon Bakery and Deli

The best deli in the Vail Valley lies just outside the Beaver Creek gates. A breakfast burrito in the a.m. and a meatball sub in the p.m. — for 15 years the deli has provided the necessary nourishment for skiers on both sides of a powder day. But the deli also caters to Vail’s most elite VIPs. Last year, the Ski Racing staff ran into none other than Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods grabbing a bite. And did we mention the bread is all homemade and organic? Yep, it’s healthy, too.

Pro: The Italian sub can go toe to toe with the best of the East Coast

Con: The line sometimes stretches out the door — calling ahead is a good idea if you’re in a rush

Price: $

Website: www.avonbakeryanddeli.com

Phone: 970-949-3354

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Fiesta Jalisco

It’s Colorado. So a little Mexican food is probably in order. Locals and vacationers alike continue to struggle with the loss of late, great Chilly Willy’s of Minturn. In its absence, the valley has yet to see the emergence of a new, dominant Mexican restaurant. Everyone has an opinion. Some favor Fiesta’s in Edwards or Agave in Avon. But if you’ve got a simple hankering for fajitas, Ski Racing’s pick is Fiesta Jalisco in Avon’s Chapel Square. The food is fresh. The chips and salsa are homemade and bottomless. And the margs go down fast, as they should.

Pro: Mexican food you can bank on, close to Beaver Creek

Con: Often a quiet, sleepy scene

Price: $

Website: www.fiestajalisco.net

Phone: 970-845-8088

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Pazzo’s Pizzeria

For as long as this pizza fan can remember, Pazzo’s has been getting it done in the Vail Valley. The pies are prepared fresh and are served mouth-burningly hot with a hippie vibe, Grateful Dead tributes and craft brews that add to the Colorado flavor. The chicken parm is a strong choice, but first-timers should simply stick to the large pie of their choosing. The salads aren’t bad either.

Pro: Cool local vibe, best pizza in town

Con: That third (or fourth) slice will probably stare you down

Price: $

Website: www.pazzospizza.com

Phone: 970-949-9900

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Columbine Bakery

Columbine Café and Bakery

Long housed in a tiny strip mall across from the City Market this authentic Swiss café and bakery brings a taste of Europe to Avon. Homemade pastries, sandwiches and soups are all prepared with European quality and simplicity. It’s one of the best values in town for breakfast, lunch or snacks for the slopes.

Pro: The closest you’ll get to Europe during the 2015 World Championships

Con: Closed on Sundays

Price: $

Website: www.columbinecafe.com

Phone: 970 949-1400

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Maya

Maya

Located within the impressive Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, this ain’t no little Mexican cantina. Chef Richard Sandoval blends the earthy flavors of his native Mexico with worldly ingredients and creative cooking techniques to create the modern Mexican Cuisine at Maya.

Pro: Sleek and spacious environment with a unique cuisine

Con: Extensive tequila bar and hot tubs on site can be a hazardous combination

Price: $$$

Website: www.richardsandoval.com/mayabc

Phone: 970-790-5500

Location: Google Maps

Edwards

Just a short five-minute drive down Highway 6, Edwards is home to some of the best restaurants in the valley. It will likely be the most overlooked community by visitors of the 2015 World Championships. That’s because the town isn’t central to anything — and that’s how locals like it.

Photo: Mintz

Juniper

Juniper is another one of those restaurants where everything on the menu is enticing, such as the filet mignon with sautéed gnocchi, shiitake mushrooms, creamed Swiss chard and roasted marrow bone. But if you can’t make up your mind, it’s simple. Go with the house specialty: veal scaloppini prepared with angel hair, caprese, asparagus, lemon beurre fondue and veal reduction. It’s one of the best dishes in town.

Pro: Superb fine dining that rivals the best of Vail and Beaver Creek

Con: A little out of the way if you’re staying up-valley

Price: $$$$

Website: www.juniperrestaurant.com

Phone: 970-926-7001

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Gas House

Gas House

Stepping into the Gas House is like stepping back into the Wild West. Originally built as a Conoco filling station in the 1940s, the building was one of the original structures in Edwards. After the filling station closed in the late ‘60s, the building sat empty until 1982, when the owners had the creative vision to turn it into a log cabin diner. Since expanded and refined, the menu includes authentic Western fare, such as the buffalo carpaccio: Colorado buffalo loin lightly smoked on the outside and sliced paper thin, served with arugula and crostinis with a drizzle of virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but the Gas House is also one of the best seafood joints in town, offering one-pound king crab legs and the like. Or do it the cowboy way and just order a steak.

Pro: Quality Western fare and old-time atmosphere

Con: Your dinner will likely be staring at you while you dine

Price: $$$

Website: www.gashouse-restaurant.com

Phone: 970-926-3613

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Zino Ristorante

One of the most impressive restaurant spaces in the Vail Valley, Zino is a lively Italian establishment from the creator of Vail’s legendary Sweet Basil. Situated along the Eagle River, the restaurant is known for house-made pastas, wood oven pizzas and delicious contemporary Italian cuisine. Is it the best Italian food in the valley? Probably not, but if you’re looking for a bustling, sophisticated scene in a beautiful, modern setting, Zino is the ticket.

Pro: Excellent food in a lively, modern space

Con: The real estate informs the pricing

Price: $$$

Website: www.zinoristorante.com

Phone: 970-926-0777

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Main Street

Main St. Grill

In 2000, the local owners opened the Grill with the love of New Orleans cuisine, music and ambiance in mind. They’ve since expanded to offer a more eclectic menu, with everything from bar food and burgers to chicken fried steak and ahi tuna, all while retaining some of that Cajun flare.

Pro: Great local vibe, solid food at a good price every time

Con: The warm New Orleans theme makes it seem even colder outside in winter

Price: $$

Website: www.mainstgrill.org

Phone: 970-926-2729

Location: Google Maps

Vail

Vail is the social and culinary capital of the High Country. A bargain you’re not likely to find, but fun times and exquisite eats are hard to miss.

Photo: Mintz

Sweet Basil

Sweet Basil opened in June 1977 as a 47-seat restaurant in a location that was considered “off the beaten track,” since it was not located on Vail’s main drag, Bridge Street. Now considered the heart of the Vail Village, Sweet Basil has seen 10 remodels and expansions, has undergone hundreds of menu changes and has become known as an iconic restaurant in the valley. On the opposite side of the building, also try Sweet Basil’s slightly more casual spinoff, Mountain Standard. The majority the restaurant’s menu is prepared over an open fire.

Pro: A 38-year track record of creativity and exceptional preparation

Con: Exceptionally high prices

Price: $$$$

Website: www.sweetbasilvail.com

Phone: 970-476-0125

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Terra Bistro

Terra Bistro

Among the best restaurants in Vail and a favorite of the fitness-conscious community for 20 years, Terra Bistro serves dishes featuring free-range meat and poultry and, whenever possible, vegetables from local markets. Chefs diligently research the origins, treatment, cultivation and harvest methods of everything they purchase.

Pro: 90 percent organic ingredients with a modern flare

Con: Food like this doesn’t come cheap

Price: $$$$

Website: www.terrabistrovail.com

Phone: 970-476-6836

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Osaki

Osaki is the best little sushi restaurant in the Vail Valley. In 1948, Takshi Osaki’s grandfather began his training as a sushi chef and soon opened a restaurant in Osaka, Japan. Takeshi continued the family tradition, and after many years of training as a master chef, he was invited to work as a sushi chef at Nobu Matsuhisa. Osaki is tiny — make reservations well in advance.

Pro: Quaint environment, best sushi in town

Con: Tables can be tough to come by when busy

Price: $$$

Website: www.osakivail.com

Phone: 970-476-0977

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

La Bottega

La Bottega has an intimate wine bar and inviting dining room with oven-warmed, spice-scented aromas and fresh tastes of fine Northern Italian cuisine. Whether you have planned a high-energy après, a romantic dinner for two or a lively family gathering, La Bottega truly is a celebration for the senses.

Pro: A local’s favorite: fun environment and meticulous Italian preparation

Con: Deciding between brick oven pizza and homemade pasta can be strenuous

Price: $$$

Website: www.labottegavail.com

Phone: 970-476-0280

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Montauk

Montauk Seafood Grill

Try the house specialty: Hawaiian ahi, seared rare with white gulf shrimp and fresh vegetable stir-fry, sushi rice cake and soy-ginger vinaigrette. Montauk might not have invented it, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better version of this classic dish. Steaks are great, too.

Pro: Tastes like the beach

Con: It’s expensive to bring the beach to Vail

Price: $$$$

Website: www.montaukseafoodgrill.com

Phone: 970-476-2601

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Moe’s Original Bar B Que

Moe’s Original Bar B Que was founded by three Alabama boys. After meeting in Tuscaloosa, they instantly became friends and had a mutual interest in all things Southern: BBQ, blues, college football and whiskey. Loving the mountains, too, the guys eventually all landed in Vail and refined their cooking skills, using fruitwood to smoke the meats and hitting it with two sauces.

Pro: Alabama-style Q with Rocky Mountain roots

Con: Not a low-calorie endeavor

Website: www.moesoriginalbbq.com

Phone: 970-479-7888

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Westside Café

Westside Café

With the world’s best breakfast burrito, the Westside Café is a good stop on the way to Beaver Creek, with grab-and-go or sit-down dishes. Dinner is often overlooked, but shouldn’t be. Bison meatloaf and Grandma’s chicken pot pie are local favorites.

Pro: Some of the best home cooking in convenient location

Con: Weekend warriors tend to take over on Saturdays and Sundays

Price: $$

Website: www.westsidecafe.net

Phone: 970-476-7890

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Ludwig’s, Swiss Chalet and Bully Ranch

Vail’s most beautiful trifecta of restaurants — Ludwig’s, Swiss Chalet and Bully Ranch — are centrally located in the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail Village. With a casual, western-style atmosphere and Southwestern and American menu, the Bully Ranch is a great place to round up friends for lunch or dinner. Featuring traditional European cuisine, the Swiss Chalet offers staples such as käse spätzle (homemade Swiss dumplings topped with cheese and crispy onions) and delicious fondues. On the high end, Ludwig’s presents European cuisine, featuring an extensive menu of gluten-free dishes artfully crafted by executive chef Florian Schwarz.

Pro: Beautiful setting, decadent European cuisine

Con: Stiff crowd

Price: $$$$

Website: www.sonnenalp.com/dining

Phone: 970-476-5656

Location: Google Maps

Photo: Mintz

Matsuhisa

From acclaimed Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Vail’s biggest and most happening sushi joint overlooks the Championships Plaza (a.k.a. Solaris), which hosts many World Championships events, including Opening Ceremonies. The rolls are excellent, but feel confident in straying from the sushi menu as the fish entrees are masterful.

Pro: Front row seat to World Championship Ceremonies

Con: Sure to be a packed house every night

Price: $$$$

Website: www.matsuhisavail.com

Phone: 970-476-6628

Location: Google Maps

Minturn

Take a step back into the funky Wild West town of Minturn. Located between Vail and Beaver Creek, Minturn is a must-see for a taste of Colorado’s mining and railroad heritage, revitalized in recent years with an influx of artists and merchants.

Photo: Trip Advisor

Minturn Saloon

A generational favorite, the Minturn Saloon is the valley’s most historic restaurant. Located in the heart of the old railroad and mining town of Minturn, the Saloon’s building dates back to 1901. During the last 100 years it has been, at one time or another, home to various taverns, restaurants and even back-room gambling for railroaders. The Saloon is also the unofficial end of the Minturn Mile, a backcountry ski route from the top of Vail Mountain. Free chips and salsa for anyone who steps foot in the bar has made the Saloon a longtime favorite.

Pro: Party like it’s 1901

Con: Floors can be slick when rocking ski boots or (cowboy boots)

Price: $$

Website: www.minturnsaloon.com

Phone: 970-827-5954

Location: Google Maps