Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Peru, and continues to incorporate South American influences into his cuisine. Star dishes
include black cod with miso and scallops with jalapeño salsa. Reservations are required.
Kelly Liken
MODERN AMERICAN
$$$
( 970-479-0175;
www.kellyliken.com
;
12 Vail Rd, Suite 100; 3-course menu $74; 6-10pm)
Celebrity
chef Kelly Liken shows off her culinary skills in the lower lobby of the Vail Gateway
building. Cooking with seasonal and mostly local ingredients, she creates exquisite dishes
such as potato-crusted trout filet, pan-roasted duck served with quinoa pilaf and pickled
blackberries, and starters such as elk carpaccio and braised pork cheeks with jalapeño-cit-
rus marmalade.
The only option here is the three-course tasting menu; dessert is extra. Reserve.
Sweet Basil
MODERN AMERICAN
$$$
(
970-476-0125;
www.sweetbasil-vail.com
;
193 Gore Creek Dr; lunch $15-24, dinner $29-45;
11:30am-2:30pm
& 6pm-late)
In business since 1977, Sweet Basil remains one of Vail's top restaurants.
The menu changes seasonally, but the eclectic American fare, which usually includes fa-
vorites such as Colorado lamb and seared Rocky Mountain trout, is consistently innovat-
ive and excellent. The ambience is also fantastic. Reserve.
Osaki's
JAPANESE
$$$
( 970-476-0977;
www.osakivail.com
; 100 E Meadow Dr; sushi 6/10 pieces $28/55, rolls $5.50-32; 5:30pm-late
Tue-Sun)
A star disciple of both his grandfather and Nobu Matsuhisa (yes,
that
Matsuhisa),
Osaki worked in the Aspen restaurant before opening up this hole-in-the-wall temple,
which was long Vail's go-to sushi spot. It retains its intimate (some say crowded) interior,
and the sushi is definitely excellent, but there's no doubt the master's high-profile emer-
gence - practically next door - has raised the stakes. Reserve.
Mountain Standard
( 970-476-0123;
https://mtnstandard.com
; 193 Gore Creek Dr; lunch $15-22, dinner $26-39; )
A casual
spin-off of Sweet Basil (which is located out front), Mountain Standard has a lovely river-
side setting that spills out onto the patio in warmer weather. The open kitchen focuses on
MODERN AMERICAN
$$$
