Jen & Marian’s Insider Recs to Aspen

With stunning views and gorgeous mountains, it is no wonder Aspen is a favorite travel destination and topic of conversation among so many. This charming town has much to offer, from its plethora of exciting recreational activities to the various architectural styles. While Aspen is renowned for its highly acclaimed skiing scene and luxurious resorts, it is also beloved for its world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Summertime is one of the sought-after seasons. There is an old saying here, “I came for winter but stayed for the summer!”

The small town that has big-city offerings, gold medal fishing in our many rivers, hiking and biking trails, the Aspen Music Festival, The Aspen Institute, Theater Aspen, Jazz Aspen/Snowmass, and the Art Museum are just a few of the many cultural events for all ages. Aspen is the perfect place for anyone searching for beautiful Aspen properties, whether they are in town or on top of the mountain. Surrounded by the vast beauty of four mountains, this is the ideal spot for summer and winter sports, nature-loving adventurers, art collectors, and people seeking the best of small-town, easy living with big-city offerings. Without further ado, here is a glimpse into some of our favorite Aspen gems!

With over 80 restaurants in downtown Aspen, sampling all the cuisines here will take you on a trip around the world. As if that didn’t make it enough of a foodie’s paradise, this world-renowned ski and summer destination is also home to the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen — a three-day, industry-innovating culinary event featuring world-class chefs and wine experts. With so many outstanding options, choosing a restaurant may seem daunting. Luckily, we’ve selected a handful of eateries that consistently top the “Best Restaurants in Aspen” lists of locals and food critics.

Aspen is home to one of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s finest dining experiences — Matsuhisa Aspen. With his signature blend of Japanese cuisine and Peruvian ingredients, Matsuhisa will provide an intimate and upscale dining respite after a long day of enjoying the mountains in summer or looking at Snowmass condos for sale. There are menu items here that you won’t find anywhere else, such as scallops with Peruvian ricotta chili paste, cilantro, yuzo, and soy salt, or tempura rock shrimp with butter ponzu sauce, as well as lamb chops with wasabi pepper sauce. Reservations are strongly recommended.

See why many locals consider White House Tavern the home of Aspen’s best burger – the “Honor Burger,” made with fresh ground chuck, white cheddar, tomato, and spicy slaw. This cozy, refurbished miner’s cottage was originally built in 1883, making it one of the oldest structures in Aspen. The American-style menu has other classic fares, including French dip au jus on a house-made toasted French roll, delicious chicken sandwich, and their macho salad, made with rotisserie chicken, mixed greens, avocado, dates, goat cheese, toasted almonds, and freshly shucked corn. Guests have the option of outdoor seating – blankets and heaters provided during the winter – and indoor seating at the cozy bar or in booths.

Cache Cache is a longtime favorite of both Aspen locals and visitors. The restaurant opened in the late 1980s and is now a mainstay of Aspen’s fine-dining scene. Cache Cache’s charming patio is the perfect spot to unwind with a glass of wine from the restaurant’s expansive wine list, which features more than 6,000 bottles and runs over 100 pages. The wine selection has received awards from Wine Spectator and the World of Fine Wine. The modern American restaurant is rooted in classical French cuisine, and entrees include Colorado rack of lamb and filet mignon. The dessert menu’s lures range from warm chocolate cake to assorted artisanal cheeses.

With its energetic vibe and welcoming service, Campo de Fiori will make it to the top of your dining favorites. Campo’s fresh, authentic Italian cuisine has drawn the attention of prestigious publications, including Food & Wine and The New York Times. Discover mouth-watering fares such as the melanzane parmigiana (baked eggplant layered with tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil pesto finish) and girasoli caprino (homemade pasta filled with whipped goat cheese, fresh tomato basil sauce, plus a dollop of basil pesto). Look over their 14-page wine and cocktail menu to create a new pairing you’ll never forget. Campo is the perfect place to celebrate any special event with its private dining area, large outdoor patio, and delicious Italian food. Stop by to celebrate the purchase of your dream Aspen luxury real estate and begin an exciting night out on the town!

 

 

For big, live entertainment in a small space, stop by Belly Up. With live music concerts and other performances, Belly Up has over 300 shows a year and was on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of “Best Clubs in America.” It’s a great local spot to gather with your friends and have a night out that you won’t soon forget!

Wind down after a day of looking at Aspen properties by visiting the exclusive Caribou Club and enjoying the finer things in life. This iconic members-only club boasts top-notch dining and drinks and a nightclub that opens nightly at 6:30 p.m. Caribou Club also hosts upscale events and offers luxury catering for throwing those special events that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

 

Are you ready to laugh and be entertained? Come to Theatre Aspen, Aspen’s live theater mecca. Providing world-class theater and arts programming, Theatre Aspen has produced award-winning shows and has one of the most scenic outdoor theaters in America. Upcoming productions include Gypsy: A Musical Fable, the musical production Jersey Boys, and Solo Flights, Theatre Aspen’s one-person show festival. You can also enjoy dinner and a show through Theatre Aspen’s Summer Cabaret Series.

The Aspen Art Museum (AAM) opened the doors to its new facility in 2014. This structure is itself a work of art, as it was designed by Shigeru Ban, who won the 2014 Pritzker Prize for Architecture. AAM houses contemporary drawings, paintings, sculptures, electronic media, and multimedia installations. Offering creative workshops, public programs, and free admission, you’ll find yourself visiting this innovative collection again and again. You can also dine and look at Aspen properties and breathtaking views from AAM’s charming rooftop cafe deck.

 

The Aspen Filmfest is an independent film lover’s dream. It is dedicated to championing the finest in indie filmmaking worldwide. This non-competitive festival showcases a stunning array of documentaries and critically acclaimed, independently produced films. There are also special events and presentations, as well as family films. Whether you are a movie buff or want to soak up the sights and sounds after a day of looking at houses in Aspen, there are plenty of reasons to attend this innovative festival.

Red Brick Center for the Arts brings Aspen’s creatives, educators, organizations, and entrepreneurs together under one roof to foster artistic community and collaboration. With various exhibits and inspiring events, there is always something new happening here. Are you looking for a way to make special memories with your children and help them connect to the art world? You can sign them up for one of the many excellent art studio classes specifically designed for kids.

Your Aspen luxury real estate with majestic mountain views might provide the inspiration you need to write that book you’ve always wanted to write. It’s a good thing that Aspen Summer Words happens every summer. This six-day writer’s conference is run by Aspen Words — one of the nation’s leading nonprofit literary organizations. Storytellers seeking to hone their craft won’t want to miss out on this fantastic event, featuring inspiring speakers and numerous workshops in fiction, memoir, poetry, and more.

Welcome to Paradise Bakery, where your dreams come true! This Aspen institution is famous for its made-from-scratch cookies and muffins, freshly squeezed lemonade, and homemade gelato. Other menu offerings include hot apple cider, buttery croissant sandwiches, gluten-free quiche, and decadent chocolate fudge brownies.

“Roasted at 8,000 feet, it’s magic in a cup.” Need we say more about Aspen’s Local Coffee House? Yes, because Local has won “Best Coffee Shop” every year since it opened and has its own Head Chef and in-house coffee roaster. Aside from offering libations such as kombucha and the “Tombmaker” (a turmeric latte with a shot of Maker’s Mark — good morning!), there’s also an eatery attached to this local favorite for those mornings you just don’t feel like cooking breakfast in your Aspen luxury condo. You can enjoy delicious breakfast dishes with your coffee drink of choice, including their truffle potato skillet, paninis, and breakfast bagel sandwiches.

Are you looking for additional information about luxurious Aspen properties or ready to start viewing high-end Snowmass condos for sale? Contact the Engel Lansburgh Team today, your local Aspen luxury real estate agents.

Jennifer Engel is a founding broker associate of The Engel Lansburgh Team, with 20+ years of experience in luxury real estate and a deep love of the mountain lifestyle in Aspen & the Roaring Fork Valley. The other half of The Engel Lansburgh Team, Marian Lansburgh, is a natural when it comes to business and people, which has helped her become one of the most trusted broker associates in the Roaring Fork Valley during her 30 years as a real estate professional.

Our expert team would love to help you sell or find your ideal Aspen property and successfully navigate every aspect of Roaring Fork Valley’s ultra-competitive, exclusive market. Please feel free to call either Jen or Marian to discuss all the possibilities.