Depending on the time of year, these weather-appropriate pairings will have you wanting said season to last a bit longer.
Bonito ceviche from Betula.
Skiing and whitewater rafting live on opposite ends of the calendar, and Aspen restaurant menus have drastic seasonal changes as well. With constantly updated ingredients to ensure fresh and delicious meals, catch these menu items before the seasons change—again.
The newly renovated Mr. Grey (305. S. Mill St., 970.925.1797, mrgreyaspen.com) offers a light summer meal: grilled fish tacos. Served on a wooden platter and accompanied by a crunchy slaw and three different sauces—green chile salsa, spicy roasted tomato salsa and crema—this dish will leave your taste buds refreshed and your stomach satisfied. Pair it with Mr. Grey’s frosè, which comes with a striped (paper!) straw and edible flowers.
Once you find yourself reaching for a sweater come sundown and the trees are aglow with autumn colors, head to Piñons (105 S. Mill St., 970.920.2021, pinons.net) for its signature elk dish. This hearty, protein-dense meal pairs with a glass or two of the malbec. The flavors of this dry red wine intermingle with the complexity of the elk meat, enough to make any carnivorous eater come back for more. This classic combination is tasty enough to give veganism a break.
When the chill has finally returned to the Aspen air with subzero temperatures and multiple feet of snow, rehab your lost calories from a long day of skiing with a meal at Monarch (411 S. Monarch St., 970.925.2838, monarchaspen.com). Try the prime filet accompanied by the eponymous Monarch Negroni. And $2 dollars from each sale contributes to Aspen Mountain Rescue, so, come 5 o’clock, you can literally save lives with another round.
As days get longer toward the end of March, head to Betula (525 E. Cooper Ave., Ste. 201, 970.429.8683, betulaaspen.com). With stunning patio views and attentive staff, this hip restaurant matches ambiance with appetite. The pairing of a tuna ceviche and yellow paloma hits the sunny spot. The savory seafood flavors mixed with the sweet and tangy taste of tequila and yellow bell pepper juice create enough zing to awaken anyone from winter hibernation.
Photography by: Photo by Romeo Balancourt/Courtesy of Betula
