ZG Grill Not Just For Locals

November 23rd, 2006 at 06:01am Post Staff 43

ASPEN HIGHLANDS, COLORADO (Post Time News)--Does the "Z" in ZG stand for Zubrod?

That's a reasonable question considering former Ritz-Carlton Aspen Highlands chef Matt Zubrod, a James Beard nominee, has now planted the flag in his third location around town, at ZG Grill in Aspen Highlands. Zubrod, to be featured on "Iron Chef" on the Food Network in winter 2007, opened DishAspen in Downtown Aspen with Mitchell Sher and Crust Restaurant, a Highlands pizza place with Graham Frandson.

Frandson is also the owner of ZG Grill, where Zubrod's joint will replace Iguana's Bar & Grill, the Mexican place famous for Highlands apres-ski. ZG Grill puts Zubrod a short huck from his former outpost at the Ritz Highlands, at the base of the Aspen Highlands ski area owned by Aspen Skiing Company. Executive chef Kurt Boucher will be the hands-on power behind the grill. Boucher most recently was executive chef at the prestigious Pine Creek Cookhouse. Lior Lilah, late of Conundrum Catering and The Wild Fig, will be the house manager.

ZG is, of course, the old-time Aspen license plate designation and a sure signal to locals and tourists alike that the real thing is at hand, or so Zubrod and Frandson hope. ZG Grill opens December 9, 2006, the same day Highlands opens for skiing and snowboarding.

Despite his hoity-toity foodie provenance, Zubrod has famously championed comfort food, and that emphasis is present and accounted for with ZG Grill's dedication to “the perfect burger and the perfect après ski."

“ZG Grill will appeal to everyone," Zubrod says, "offering the best in ‘comfort food’ along with a befitting array of après ski fare."

The menu includes artisan soups, salads, wings, and burgers; and homemade veggie  burgers. As per Iguana's, there will also be a dollop of entertainment, including a piano play, in the mix. A private, reservation-only dining room with a more enhanced service will be available.

Entry Filed under: Food, Restaurants, Pitkin County, Post Time News, Aspen, Fractional Post