By Jen Murphy
Images by Trevor Triano
Element 47
Celebrate the day with an elevated evening at The Little Nell’s signature restaurant, Element 47. Executive Chef Keith Theodore reimagines classic comfort dishes, like lobster bisque, with decadent touches such as a uni salpiçon (below). Wine Director Chris Dunaway’s pairing: 2003 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé. “This is one of the most seriously delicious rosés on the planet and extremely versatile,” he says.
Ajax Tavern
Set at the base of Aspen Mountain, the patio of Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell is one of the buzziest spots of summer. The cult Wagyu double cheeseburger topped with Ajax dub sauce (caramelized onion aioli), a pile of hand-cut truffle fries, and a refreshing Aperol spritz is the essential order.
Bosq
Barclay Dodge’s hyper-seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine has earned a Michelin-star. His signature caviar and heirloom tomatoes dish, topped with brown butter, koji, lemon, and marigold, is an homage to summer. Cocktails at Bosq are crafted with the same reverence for ingredients: Dodge pairs this dish with the floral, slightly umami Deep Roots, a blend of toasted sunflower seed–infused vodka, konbu vermouth, lacto-fermented celeriac water, and chili-cauliflower-mushroom vinegar garnished with a few drops of peppery tulsi oil.
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Clark’s brings a taste of the New England coast to the Rocky Mountains. “The Pink Peppercorn Paloma is one of those drinks that just works with seafood,” says Ryan Arnold, regional director of MML Hospitality. “The lime and grapefruit cut through the briny bite of oysters, while the Aleppo salt echoes that natural salinity.”
Mt. Rubirosa
New York Italian hot spot Rubirosa opened an Aspen outpost last fall steps from the Silver Queen gondola in the Residences at The Little Nell. The dining room channels the chicness of Cortina while the heated outdoor piazza has the casual vibes of Bolzano. On the menu: frito misto, tuna crudo, and the signature Tie Dye Pizza swirled with pesto. The pairing: spritz-inspired cocktails like the Hummingbird, a mix of strawberry puree, vodka, lemon juice, and rose water topped with soda water.
Wayan
Exotic cocktails complement the flavorful French Indonesian fare of acclaimed chefs Cedric and Ochi Vongerichten. A perpetual crowd-pleaser is the Pandan Moon, a combination of bourbon, pandan foam, pomegranate, amaretto, and lemon, with a tangy mango salad and satays of Colorado lamb and chicken.
Petit Trois
This new French bistro from star chef Ludo Lefebvre has become an instant hit thanks to its menu of satisfying bistro fare like heirloom beets with crème fraîche, and creative cocktails, such as the Fleur du Mal spritz, a mix of vodka, Vermouth de Chambéry, elderflower, and grapefruit.
