By Juliet Levin By Juliet Levin | December 12, 2023 | 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
Catch Steak
A lighter, brighter and fresher take on a classic steakhouse, Catch Steak Aspen maintains the DNA of other Catch Steaks, which originated in New York City’s Meatpacking District, but chefs build specials around local produce. Mainstays include a selection of American and Japanese wagyu beef, including A5 Kobe beef cooked tableside. The tuna tartare plays on beef tartare, but is done with premium cuts of hand-diced, line-caught, wild bluefin tuna with Calabrian chile and a ponzu-cured hen egg nestled on top. Light-as-air carta de musica chips (named for their sheet music-thin crispness) accompany the dish. Birnbaum hopes Catch Steak Aspen becomes not only a destination restaurant but a true locals’ gathering spot. “We’re excited to be providing the best food, service and vibe Aspen locals have ever had,” he says. 515 E. Hopkins Ave., catchhg.co
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
