Culinary staples of the Roaring Fork Valley debut new locations.
The Crepe Shack in Aspen
THE CREPE SHACK ASPEN
Get your French fare fix this summer at The Crepes Shack’s new Aspen location. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the much-adored eatery—with one location already in Snowmass—will offer over 40 crepe combinations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chef Mawa McQueen, who grew up in Paris, draws inspiration from her years there to create a menu catering to everyone’s taste buds while using highquality ingredients to craft sweet and savory crepes. The sweet crepes have batter flavor options, including Kahlua and Orange Liquor, while the savory crepes can be made with a plain organic batter or even a matcha green tea flavor. Chef Mawa created a full vegan menu for vegans with vegan batter options and even vegan cheese. And for those looking for a classic Aspen option, the Bougie Crepe is a must-try—made with Maine smoked salmon, fried egg, topped with dill cream sauce, and 30g of Petrossian Ossetra Caviar. Magnifique! 401 E. Cooper Ave., thecrepeshack.com
THE WILD FIG
At The Wild Fig, the menu and design haven’t changed since the eatery opened 20 years ago. Even at a new location next door, everything will stay the same, catering to Aspen visitors and locals who have grown to love Mediterranean cuisine. The menu features dishes from Spain, France, Italy and Greece, focusing on coastal specialties, specifically seafood. The boutique wine list is carefully curated, offering the perfect wines to pair with every dish. And the cozy Parisian brasserie feels the restaurant provides the ideal place to enjoy these pairings—the French subway walls, bistro mirrors, and signature marble bar all enhance the vibrant atmosphere. No doubt, The Wild Fig 2.0 will remain a local favorite. 305 S. Mill St., thewildfig.com, 970.925.5160
BUCK
Late this summer, BUCK—standing for Bar Under Cooper and Kitchen—is bound to be the new local watering hole. The name pays homage to an old bar that used to be at the exact location and was selected from entries in a naming contest, with the winner receiving a sizable bar tab. After opening La Raza in Carbondale this spring, the owners of Mi Chola and the Red Onion continue to band together to create places the local community can enjoy. “We’re going to make it rowdy, fun. Skiers, snowboarders, lifties, ski instructors; everyone’s welcome, everyone’s going to be able to come in and afford a drink and eat there,” says co-owner Adam Malmgren. BUCK will be stocked with various beers and spirits and will feature daily specials. It sounds like just the place to go BUCK wild. 508 Cooper Ave., Suite 001.
Photography by: PHOTO BY MCQUEEN HOSPITALITY
