Quick Dining Guide To Aspen, Basalt, And Cabondale

December 20th, 2007 at 10:24pm Michael Conniff 2

Dear Sewards:

You know that note I was going to leave behind for your in our kitchen? The one that explains all the place to go to eat in the valley? Well here goes--for all the world to see.

Let's do breakfast first. In Aspen there's the Poppycock's and Zele's, but don't forget the home-made donuts at The Little Nell--it doesn't get any sweeter than that. One of the best vegetarian restaurants you'll ever find is upstairs at Explore Booksellers on Main Street in Aspen: I recommend it for lunch, and there's a preat coffee bar named Parallel 15 on the first floor.

And make sure you make it to Little Annie's for stick-to-your-ribs food, where local are required to go once a month. If you get stuck, there's New York Pizza with man-sized slices, and if you really get stuck, there are three choices right Main Street next to each other: Cantina (Mexican), Asie (Asian), and Gusto (Italian). Down the block is the famous J-Bar with gourment Hotel Jerome food. For hanging and drinking and some good eating, Jimmy's is the default choice for Aspen locals. If you want to go fancy, downstairs there's Camp di Fiori and Cache-Cache. Social, a new place where Range used to be, opened to strong reviews. And there's nothing like Dish Aspen for comfort food like lobster mac and cheese and great dishes large and small.

You can do well downvalley as well. Think about Cafe Bernard on Midland Avenue downtown for a real French Country breakfast. Go further up the road to Breakfast In America, the classic greasy-spoon without the grease. In Carbondale, there's the incomparable Village Smith, but don't be surprised if you have to wait for your grub.

Speaking about Main Strett Carbondale, you already know about White House Pizza, because you went there about three times on your last visit. (You should also try Redstone Pizza in Basalt just off Highway 82 by the Diamond Shamrock gas station.) We are huge fans of Russets for any occasion, with a preference for the salads and the pulled pork sandwich with gorgonzola. Just up the street is Mark Firscher's Phat Thai, where the cool people go, not to mention his six89 further down the block, which juist might be the best restaurant in the whole valley.

In Basalt you've got lots of choices but don't leave for home without good cheap Mexican food found at El Tap on Two Rivers Road and El Horizonte on Midland Avenue. Lots of refried beans for the buck.

All of this is making me hungry. The bottom line: there's lot of places where you can't go wrong. If you need help, you know where to find me.

Entry Filed under: Food, Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, El Jebel, Travel, Pitkin County, Garfield County, The West