By Juliet Levin By Juliet Levin | July 8, 2022 | Food & Drink Food & Drink
These are the hardest reservations to make in Aspen.
Betula
Indulge in gourmet goodness for dinner, grab a light bite for lunch or revive yourself with a refreshing cocktail — just don’t forget to reserve your spot, first! Betula’s relaxed ambience exudes the Victorian-style and contemporary twist of Aspen’s town. Featuring both outdoor and indoor dining areas, a bar-lounge and a new rooftop patio with exclusive views of Ajax Mountain, this restaurant offers the ultimate cozy-chic and tasty experience. Created by Paris native and highly acclaimed Chef Laurent Cantineaux, Betula’s French Pan-American cuisine consists of authentically-inspired, gourmet menu items. Savor the striped bass ceviche or suckling pig pork confit, and finish off with the black forest chocolate tart. Cleanse your palate with one of Betula’s signature cocktails — the french coupe with botanist gin and bubbles will leave you and your taste buds feeling fabulously full. 525 E. Cooper Ave. #201, 970.922.8103
Matsuhisa Aspen
Once upon a time in 1998 downtown Aspen, the first Matsuhisa location was born. Continuing the delectable essence of Chef Matsuhisa Nobu’s original Beverly Hills restaurant, Matsuhisa Aspen resides inside an old Main Street, 120-year-old Victorian house. The two-story restaurant offers an array of new-style Japanese cuisine and cocktails, along with an exclusive, exquisite and off-the-charts experience. Book your table downstairs to enjoy dinner in the main dining room or grab a cocktail at the walnut bar and indulge in the grand sushi bar spread. For a casual setting with an intimate sushi bar, Matsuhisa Upstairs offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Inspired by his classical training in Tokyo and worldly experience, Chef Nobu’s signature dishes such as yellowtail sashimi and black cod miso keep many customers coming back. From the superb sushi and specialty tempura, to the supreme tasting menu available upon request, Matsuhisa Aspen is in high demand. Reserve your table and luxuriate in the restaurant’s culinary perfection and divine ambience. 303 E Main St, 970.544.6628
Steakhouse No. 316
This premium, Colorado-based steakhouse offers the finest filets, mouthwatering small plates, like jumbo lump crab cake, and cocktails… many cocktails. Order wine by the glass alongside a Prime Kobe, or pair a New York Strip with a lager or stout. Tailor the steakhouse bar to your taste and order a classic or custom cocktail — or choose from a menu of house-curated concoctions and Aspen Old Fashioneds. 316 E. Hopkins Ave., 970.920.1893
Casa Tua
Casa Tua—where Northern Italy meets the Rocky Mountains and luxury living finds classic comfort. With both indoor and outdoor patios, an upstairs terrace and bar, and magnificent views of Ajax Mountain, this rustic restaurant offers an exquisite dining experience. Order the delectable lobster linguine or Mediterranean Branzino or ditch old-school Italy for a wagyu burger and tuna tartare. Casa Tua’s mouthwatering menu, dreamy decor and elegant ambience creates the perfect atmosphere for a memorable meal or chic celebration. 403 S. Galena St., 970.920.7277
Bad Harriet
Reserve your spot at Hotel Jerome’s swanky iconic-to-Aspen speakeasy, Bad Harriet. This beloved bar offers a sense of timeless elegance with its electrifying aura and flavorful creations. Featuring an a-la-carte menu complete with signature cocktails and “The Soiree”, a multi-course cocktail collection, Bad Harriet has set the bar high for Aspen’s drink scene. Named after the wife of Hotel Jerome’s developer and proprietor, each cocktail is carefully crafted in celebration of women throughout history. Order a Khalo for a refreshing and fruity Mezcal moment or try the D Lady, a gin-based concoction inspired by Lady Diana and made with elderflower, lemon, egg white, and English Breakfast. 330 E. Main St., 970. 429. 7665
Caribou Club
Infamous for its world-class dining, prestigious service and top-shelf wine and spirits selection, Aspen’s iconic Caribou Club ensures an unforgettable night — if you are a member or guest, that is. Access to the exclusive Club ensures a delectable dining experience complete with various rooms to relish in, cocktails to sip on, and a DJ to kick off the dance floor. Whether you’re in for an elegant evening and sipping on a glass of red or ready to hit the nightclub with a flute of bubbly in hand, Caribou Club is the place to celebrate all of life’s luxuries. 411 E. Hopkins Ave., 970.925.2929
Photography by: By Mohsin Ali/Unsplash
