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Aspen has long been on the map as the place to see and be seen, but its hidden jewels lie not only in the natural beauty of its Rocky Mountain setting, but also in some of the people who quietly go about their way making Aspen a place to come again and again. Among these people are the chefs and restaurateurs who have managed to pack more great restaurants into this tiny town than Disneyland has tourists. The annual June Aspen Food & Wine Classic sponsored by Food & Wine Magazine helps this effort by drawing hundreds of people from all over the world who are interested in tasting rare wines, learning about the newest food trends, and seeing the experts in both food and wine strut their stuff. But it's the local food that has elevated Aspen above the rest of the Colorado resort towns to a destination for people who love food. Whether you trek up to a beautifully-situated restaurant high in the mountains or choose to remain a "townie," you'll find astounding food being cooked by the people who make Aspen their home. This abundance of talent makes it difficult to decide where to dine, but that's part of the fun.

Particularly special is Aspen in the summertime, when many restaurants trot out the heat lamps and set the outdoor tables for an evening under the stars. The fusion of mountain fresh air and freshly-cooked food is positively intoxicating. The annual Aspen Music Festival adds a musical note to the air, since musicians can often be heard practicing their classical pieces on benches in the middle of town. One note of caution: eating does not come cheap in this star-studded town. Expect New York prices -- and then some -- at the nicer restaurants, and plan on spending more than you think you should just about everywhere else. The pay-off, however, is worth it.

Prices:
(All are based on dinner and dessert for two, not including wine)
over $75.00
between $50.00 and $75.00
between $25.00 and $50.00
up to $25.00

Ajax Tavern
685 E. Durant Ave. Aspen 970-920-9333
Full bar
Major credit cards accepted

This "Real Restaurant" restaurant, (Bix, Picco, Tra Vigne, Betelnut all in Northern California) has the best seat in town, just under the main gondola that carries skiers up the mountain in the winter and sightseers to the top in the summer. The outdoor deck is the perfect place to enjoy one of the creative lunchtime salads or, if it's a little cool, some great soup. At night, the restaurant heats up and serves up mostly Cal-Italian fare. However, the Ajax won't be the Ajax much longer. The tres-hip hotel next door, The Little Nell, will be converting the restaurant to condos and putting in a restaurant of their own come 2007.

Blue Maize
308 S. Hunter St. Aspen 970-925-6698
Major Credit Cards accepted
Full bar
to

Aspen may be a small town, but that hasn't kept Southwestern food outside the city limits. The Blue Maize is one of at least five restaurants in and around Aspen that offers an ode to south-of-the-border cuisine. In this case, the food is slightly upscale, with entrees like barbecued anchiote salmon with wilted arugula and fire-roasted tomatores, or chili-rubbed ribeye steak and sweet potato fries. For appetizers, the lamb empanadas with a mint mojo or the octopus salad with mixed greens and smoked tomato vinaigrette might be some of the more daring food to sample. Or, if you're leaning toward the conventional side, try the "New World Fajitas." Of course, "conventional" goes out the window when you order the buffalo, chorizo, and chicken fajita, however. The staff favorite dessert, the Adobe Brownie, is worth trying if it's possible that you still have room left for dessert.

Boogie's Diner
Corner of Cooper and Hunter Aspen 970-925-6610
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
to

Owned by one of Aspen's favorite local citizens, Leonard "Boogie" Weinglass, Boogie's Diner is a magnet for families, young people, and grown-ups alike. Maybe it's the huge (enough for two) milk shakes that feature Ben and Jerry's ice cream, or maybe it's because they offer heart-healthy food alongside the more decadent offerings, but this diner is hugely popular at all times of the day. If classic, hearty food is what you're after, then go for the patty melt. If you're not in that type of mood, then try the "Leave it to Caesar" salad or a good old-fashioned turkey sandwich. This wouldn't be a diner if they didn't offer meat loaf or macaroni and cheese or a hot open-faced turkey sandwich, and so these share the menu, too. The size of the desserts make it a dessert-only destination for many people as well: the brownie delight or the jumbo banana split are just two of the sweet reasons to come here.

Cache Cache
205 S. Mill Street Aspen 970-925-3835
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar Dinner only

Cache Cache has more cache than just about any restaurant in Aspen. That means it’s a tough, though not impossible, reservation to get. What’s the draw? Food that is straightforward and flavorful, even if slightly pricey. Bistro dishes like Rotisserie Chicken with pommes frites and the Marseille Seafood Stew don’t ever leave the menu, nor do they leave your memory once you’ve tasted them. Other items like Colorado Rack of Lamb, Butter Lettuce Salad, and Black Mussels are equally satisfying, while specials like Sea Scallops with Poached Egg, Black Truffles and a Truffle Butter Sauce will wow anyone. One of the best deals around is the bar at Cache Cache where some of the same menu items can be found for a song. A seat, however, is much tougher to come by.

Campo de Fiori
205 S. Mill St. 970-920-7717
Major credit cards accepted
Full Bar
to

A livlier place would be hard to find, and with good food to match, Campo De Fiori is a real find. Most of the tables are outside and so tightly fit together that you inevitably get to know your dining neighbors. It's all part of the festive ambience of this very Italian restaurant. Salads feature ingredients like arugula, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese. Pastas and risotto highlight the best components of Italian cooking including wild mushrooms, calamari and truffle oil (not together, of course). Entrees might feature balsamic roasted chicken or traditional veal, but no matter what, you're going to get good, basic Italian fare with a memorable flair from the very harried waitstaff. Attitude abounds but it's all in good humor. Evidently it works because reservations are a definite must.

Cantina
Corner of Mill and Main St. ASpen
970-925-3663
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar

It isn't hard to guess what type of food the Cantina offers. What makes this Mexican restaurant a little different, though, is that it's a local institution, having been owned by the same person for more than two decades. The fare is pretty standard with some Rocky Mountain specialties thrown in: wild game fajitas and the pork loin with a smoked jalapeno sauce are among these. Otherwise, mole chicken, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, burritos, guacamole, salads, and quesadillas round out the menu. Wash all of this down with a margarita, which some say is the best in town.

The Crystal Palace
300 E. Hyman St. Aspen 970-925-1455
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar

This Aspen institution has been feting and feeding audiences for years in an historic brick building in downtown Aspen. The entertainment is Broadway musical-meets-politics, or musical satire,where the servers double as entertainers, and the fare is not exactly contemporary, but it still packs 'em in nightly. Among the culinary offerings are escargot bourguignonne, onion soup gratinee, mushroom caps stuffed with crabmeat, prime rib au jus, roast rack of lamb, and with a nod to the East, shrimp hoisin. The entire evening costs $49.50, though appetizers and dessert are extra.

D-19
307 S. Mill Street Aspen
970-925-6019

This is a new restaurant from the former chef at the Ajax Tavern, Dena Marino. It's owned by the same folks that own The Wild Fig. Dena's specialty is homey Italian fare. Think osso buco and rabbit stew.

Explore Booksellers and Bistro
211 E. Main St. Aspen 970-925-5338
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar service

One of the best book stores anywhere in the country, Explore also offers almost as varied a food selection as it does books. The small tables are congregated mostly in one space upstairs, but other tables are placed here and there in various nooks and crannies throughout the book-packed place. The all-vegetarian menu features some meat-like dishes, like portabello steak -- portabello mushrooms seared with red wine demi-glace -- and "veal" Parmesan -- seitan (wheat gluten) breaded with spicy crumbs and sauteed. But Explore also offers soups, salads, and wonderful homemade desserts. Don't come here in a hurry since it's a great place for a midday break or a late-night snack where you can spend hours combining two of life's most wonderful pleasures: reading and eating.

Genre Bistro
316 E. Hopkins Aspen
970-925-1260

This is an Aspen hot spot, in no small part due to owners Craig Hart and Vince Lahey. These guys are young, energetic, and friendly and because of that, know just what the hipsters want. Each of them has extensive restaurant experience so they also know what people want to eat. The menu features local and seasonal fare, including pork chops, fish, pasta, and salads. The crowded bar is just as much of a draw because of the creative cocktails as well as the 100-bottle wine list, which is heavy on South African selections owing to Hart's South African roots.

Gusto
415 East Main Street Aspen
970-925-8222


This lively Italian eatery is owned by the same people who own Campo de Fiori. Like Campo, as the locals call it, the food is eclectic Amer-Italian, and includes pastas, pizzas, and riffs on traditional dishes like veal milanese. The food is less of a draw than the scene, but both are entertaining and fun. Just know that your hearing may never be the same after a night here.

The Hotel Jerome
330 E. Main St. Aspen 925-920-1000
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
Dinner only
Century Room:
The Library:
The J-Bar:
Jacob's Corner: /

A visit to the Hotel Jerome not only gives the visitor a taste of Aspen history, it also offers a taste of some of the best food in town. The most formal restaurant is The Century Room which combines the best of old and new, with a refined Victorian setting and a contemporary menu. Among the dinner offerings are the horseradish crusted native rack of lamb with white bean cassoulet and lamb jus, sterling salmon with chive-whipped mashed potatoes and braised spinach with a roasted poblano sauce, and diver scallops with white truffle gnocchi and artichokes. But if a formal dinner is not on the agenda, you can still enjoy the historic setting by visiting The Library at the Hotel Jerome, which serves light fare from 11a.m. until 2:00 a.m. (Late-night eating is almost non-existent in Aspen, so this is a good alternative). Or, if you're thirsty, The Jerome Bar, or J-Bar as it's known locally, is a great place to imbibe in a drink and in the past. The J-Bar has been servicing Aspenites from the same place for over 100 years. Finally, go to Jacob's Corner for breakfast or lunch, take a seat outdoors, weather permitting, and enjoy eggs benedict or a cereal-toast combination of "grilled cornflake French toast." For lunch, the Asian shrimp salad with julienne vegetables, crisp wontons, and sesame-red ginger dressing, or a barbecue chicken salad might be the way to go.

Jimmy's
205 S. Mill St. Aspen 970-925-6020
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
to

If you feel like saddling up to some down-home (albeit not cheap) steak and potatoes, plan to make a stop at Jimmy's. The cowboy theme begins in the long bar where any number of tequilas can be found. The main dining area is basic steak restaurant decor -- lots of wood and white tablecloths. The food here extends beyond steaks, however. Main courses include Rocky Mountain trout, crab cakes, beef short ribs, rotisserie chicken, baby back ribs, and several vegetarian selections. Burgers, including an ahi tuna burger and meatloaf, are offered, while salads and several soups round out the menu. The cookie jar (for the table) makes for a fun ending to an already-filling meal, but unfortunately, they're not quite as good as Grandma's.

Jour de Fete
710 E. Durant Ave. Aspen
970-925-5055

This casual, mostly take-out establishment is located a stone's throw from the gondola on Aspen Mountain, which makes it a perfect place to head for lunch on a ski day. The sandwiches and side salads also make perfect picnic fare the rest of the year. This is Jour de Fete's second incarnation -- the owner went off to pursue other interests the first time around -- and now that it is back it's even better. They bake their own bread and pastries, while serving up French classics like quiche and croissants as well as American-style salads.

Kenichi
533 E. Hopkins St. Aspen 970-920-2212
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
to

"Creating Edible Art" is Kenichi's slogan, and a quick glance at the food as it emerges from the kitchen and sushi bar pretty much confirms this. Prices are rather creative here as well (read: high), but the festive atmosphere, diversity and quality of food, and the local color makes it well worth it. It's unusual to see a Caucasian-staffed sushi bar, but somehow these guys know how to put together a good plate of raw fish, even if they haven't been imbued with the deep traditions of the sushi-san. Hot entrees range from excellent crab cakes which are encased in a nest of wonton strips, to bamboo-steamed sea kelp, Japanese cabbage, vegetables, and seafood, to the more common teriyaki. But most people come for the sushi and sake, a combination that leads to a a screeching decibel level but a heck of a good time as well.

La Comida
308 E. Hopkins Ave., Aspen 970-925-9714
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar

One of the long-standing restaurants in town, this unassuming Mexican eatery offers good food in a cozy house-like setting. In addition to the margaritas, the fare is fairly standard including chicken enchiladas, soft tacos, green chile, guacamole and side orders of beans. Salad offerings include seafood (shrimp and crabmeat) and grilled chicken. Its casual setting is often the draw for not-so-casual people who are looking to let down their hair for an evening and have a good time. Of course, the locals like it, too, which says a lot about its universal appeal.

L'Hostaria
620 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen 970-925-9022
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
to

Speak Italian here and most of the staff will speak back in their native country's tongue. Owned and run by three Italian transplants, L'Hostaria is one of the newer restaurants on the Aspen scene and a popular one as well. Al fresco dining in the small patio makes for an intimate evening, but the food is the thing here. The classic vitello tonnato -- thinly sliced veal with tuna sauce and capers -- is an authentic representation, while the primi of ravioli di zucca, parmigiano e noci -- pumpkin ravioli, walnuts, and parmesan -- is a winner. All pasta at L'Hostaria is made daily in-house. The extensive menu also includes black truffle-flavored boneless quail with braised cabbage and tomatoes, veal Milanese with arugula and cherry tomatoes. A vegetarian entree includes Roman-style artichokes, eggplant and tomato pie, and other grilled vegetables. The classic tiramisu is offered under dolci, but there are also some interesting twists on classics like semifreddo which, here, is made of wild cherries and cassis, or the panna cotta which is served with a spiced red wine poached pear.

Little Annie's Eating House
517 E. Hyman Ave. Aspen 970-925-1098
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar

A strictly local place (which doesn't mean visitors can't come), Little Annie's has probably been in Aspen as long as the silver mines. Or so it seems. Choose between barbecued spare ribs, Annie's spaghetti, or prime rib, and you're choosing one of the house specialties. For lighter fare, several salads fill out the menu, while sandwiches ranging from Reuben's to burgers round things out. A very casual place with casual food, Little Annie's has staying power. It's a great place for families but it's also a place where locals gather for an afternoon beer, some Mexican-style pizza, and a generally good time.

Main Street Bakery
201 E. Main St. Aspen 970-925-6446
Major credit cards accepted
Beer and wine only
to

Filled to overflowing most mornings, the Main Street Bakery is one of the most enjoyable dining experiences to be had in Aspen. Casual is the word here where plastic chairs adorn the large outdoor patio and tables crowded together inside is just part of the fun. While baked goods are certainly a big part of the Main Street operation, so too is other great breakfast fare like pancakes, oatmeal, fruit, and wonderful cafe lattes. For lunch, several salads, hot and cold sandwiches, and soups and stews are offered, while dinner choices include pastas, meats, vegetarian, dishes, and seafood. Best bets for dessert are the homemade pies, tarts, and cakes. For many people, both locals and tourists, the Main Street Bakery is a daily ritual, especially when the weather is nice. But because of this, be ready to wait for a table at peak hours. You'll no doubt be glad you did.

Matsuhisa
303 E. Main St. Aspen 970-544-6628
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar Dinner only
to

The latest in Nobu Matsuhisa's ever-growing restaurant empire, Matsuhisa's is the hot spot of Aspen. Less than a year old, the upstairs-downstairs restaurant serves up refined Japanese food with a distinctive Western touch. Yellowtail jalapeno is a very California version of a favorite type of tuna, while white bass with truffle is more likely to be found in Trentino than Tokyo. Kobe steak is strictly Japanese as is the tuna tempura roll with yuzu miso sauce, while limestone lettuce with rock shrimp and scallops could be appropriately served in just about any corner of the world. Almost no one, save for the pickiest eater, would be without choices here, and it's that diversity that makes people wish they'd scheduled more than just one visit to this special place.

Mezzaluna
624 E. Cooper Ave. Aspen 970-925-5882
No reservations
Credit cards accepted
Full bar

The abundant outdoor seating serves as a welcome mat for anyone interested in enjoying the fresh mountain air. Cool, hip, and casual, Mezzaluna offers fine, although not necessarily memorable, food. Still, it's a popular place since it offers several salads and pizzas, along with sandwiches and most of all an attractive, festive atmosphere. Later in the evening, it's pretty well dominated by the younger Aspen set.

Montagna
675 E. Durant Ave. Aspen 970-920-4600
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar

The thought of hotel dining rooms usually conjures up images of formality and a certain staid, wooden experience. Not so at the Little Nell. Here, the diner is provided with a perfect balance of relaxed dining and professional flair. It's a balance that is pervasive throughout the Little Nell, and touches the visitor, whether as a guest of the hotel or of the dining room. Part of the reason is that the staff is well-trained, and they know how to make a guest feel special. Another reason is the outdoor patio that sits adjacent to the hotel pool. Often swimmers are still poolside when evening diners begin their meal, creating a sort of casual bridge between recreation and fine dining. But the lovely ambience is not the only reason that dining here is such a special experience. Plain and simple, it's the food produced by chef Ryan Hardy. Although "The Nell," as locals call it, has undergone a couple of chef changes since last summer, it remains a top-notch dining experience. That experience can be enjoyed all day, starting with a lovely breakfast of lemon souffle pancakes -- the best you'll find -- or various twists on traditional egg dishes, such as eggs benedict served with shaved Canadian bacon on a toasted English scone (rather than a muffin). The work crowd and special lunch parties comprise much of the lunchtime clientele, as do diners who'd like to experience The Little Nell but would rather not fork over the high dinnertime prices. But dinner is perhaps the most special, if for no other reason than the Nell's award-winning wine list orchestrated by sommelier Richard Betts..

New York Pizza
upstairs, overlooking the Hyman Avenue Mall 925-920-3088
No credit cards
Beer and wine
to

Humor dominates this menu where, for example, you can order a "Sweep the Kitchen." Elsewhere it would be called "the works," since this pizza, or "specialty pie" as they call it, includes no less than eight toppings. The veggie pie features just as many ingredients, but of a vegetable nature, while the "White Garden" uses fresh garlic and basil as its base, instead of sauce, and then gets crowned with tomatoes, red onions, more basil, feta, and a choice of spinach or broccoli. Along with pizza, New York Pizza offers several salads, submarine sandwiches, and calzones. Since this hideaway is open till 2:30a.m., it's about the only place to go for late, late night fare (or early morning, as the case may be). Besides, what hits the spot better than a pizza at two in the morning, and then again at 11a.m.?

Olives Restaurant
315 E. Dean St. (The Luxury Collection, Aspen Hotel) Aspen 970-920-7315
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
Brunch served on Sunday

Formerly the Ritz Hotel, the St. Regis Hotel is host to a large lounge area where locals and visitors alike congregate in front of the roaring fire. Since the summer evenings in Aspen are cool, this is a year-round ritual. Olives Restaurant, located inside of the hotel, fits the mountain setting by offering, what else, pizzas...and more.

Pacifica Seafood Brasserie
307 E. Mill St. Aspen 970-920-9775
Major credit cards
Full bar

When Pacifica opened in Spring of 1997, it was a huge hit. The mostly-seafood menu that leaned toward casual but creative was a departure from other Aspen restaurants. The combination of outdoor seating and great-looking food hasn't hurt business, but it's not all aesthetic. The cornmeal-chile-spiced fried calamari is one of the best of its genre, as is the Pacifica seafood cocktail which features rock shrimp, calamari, oysters, or crab, or a combination of any of these, served in a very spicy smoked chile hot sauce and garnished with avocado, cilantro, and fresh lime. It's a palate cleanser and pleaser at the same time. Steamed baby clams are voluminous and tasty, while the crispy parmesan croutons that adorn the lemony Caesar salad are addictive. Several types of fresh fish are offered each night and can be grilled in a lime chile butter, pan fried with a chardonnay shallot butter, or steamed with lemon and herbs. Specialties include spicy catfish, paella, chicken adobo, and peppered sirloin steak. The large counter and service till midnight makes Pacifica a great place for a glass of wine and light, late fare, though it can get pretty crowded with locals toward the midnight hour.

Paradise Bakery and Ice Cream
320 S. Galena Aspen 970-925-7585
Cash or check only

Okay, this is not a restaurant. In fact, there's no place inside even to sit down, but a trip to Aspen inevitably leads to a trip to Paradise, in more ways than one. As for this piece of paradise, one whiff of the aroma of sweets baking in the oven as you walk by is enough to make you lose track of where you were heading. Forget about it and stop here for the espresso chip or dense chocolate ice cream, or both. All ice cream comes with a still-hot mini chocolate chip cookie or chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. Or if you're not interested in ice cream, there's frozen yogurt, or you can try one of several homemade saucer-sized cookies or dense, fudgey brownies. You can enjoy any of these treats on one of the several benches just outside of the bakery. Many people choose to start their day at Paradise since the huge muffins have been baking all night and are fresh for morning consumption. The low-fat muffins are so good that their low-fat label is downright questionable. (They say they make them with margarine, but that alone, is not low-fat, so their formula remains a secret). Whatever the case, the low-fat orange-poppyseed muffin is fantastic, as is the full-fat banana nut muffin, overflowing with life-sized walnuts. Since Paradise is open until midnight, it's often the last stop for night crawlers before heading home. Even the chilly nights can't mute the appetite for good ice cream, or, if worse comes to worst, for a hot, fudgey brownie.

Pine Creek Cookhouse
Ashcroft 970-925-7939
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
to

Cross-country skis or a sleigh ride are required modes of transportation during the winter to get to this charming lodge, located about twenty minutes outside of Aspen. In the summer, intrepid bicyclists and not-so-intrepid drivers frequent this long-time mountain lodge destination. Reservations are a must, or you'll drive or bike the fifteen windy miles for nothing. At lunch, there are two seatings, at noon and at 1:30. The menu features a large salad bar, several hearty sandwiches (try the "cookhouse decker," which has smoked turkey, bacon-mayonnaise, Jarlsberg cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and sprouts on six-grain bread), composed salads, including a grilled portobello mushroom on a bed of spinach and arugula with shaved asiago, white Italian beans, roasted pine nuts and a warm raspberry vinaigrette, and a few hot entrees. Dinner offers a mixture of mountain and sea level food, from the oven-roasted Colorado rack of lamb with a Dijon herb crust to oven-roasted turbot with a roasted sesame cucumber sweet pepper salad and an Oriental black bean vinaigrette. Starters are elaborate, like the grilled quail and venison sausage with a lingonberry-blueberry sage reduction or the oven-roasted Dungeness crab cakes served with a Creole remoulade. Save room for desserts like "Krisi's brownies," drenched in chocolate sauce or one of the dessert specials. For a real Rocky Mountain experience, the Pine Creek is the place to go. At night, it is cozy, and during the day, the views of the nearby mountain peaks are breathtaking. In the winter, they offer cross-country ski and sleigh packages, which naturally culminate in a meal.

Pinons
105 S. Mill St. Aspen 970-920-2021
Major credit cards
Full bar
Dinner only

Although Pinons isn't new, it remains the hardest reservation to get in Aspen. No reservation, no chance during winter or summer. The serious Colorado-Western theme and the extensive wine list are just two of the draws, but ultimately the creative kitchen keeps people coming back. For example, the pheasant quesadilla with herbed goat cheese and peperonata is a casual but Colorado-based starter, while the baked Prince Edward Island mussels in puff pastry smack of a more European tradition. The entrees return to Colorado in the form of elk tenderloin, Colorado striped bass, grilled rack of lamb, and sauteed pheasant breast, but other entrees include a grilled New York steak, blackened pork tenderloin, and the ubiquitous ahi tuna. Sometimes Pinons slides under the weight of its popularity, occasionally seating parties fifteen-to-thirty minutes after their reservation, or by handing out a small dose of attitude, but it's usually worth turning the other cheek and remembering that the hardest reservation in town is hard to get for a reason.

Plato's Restaurant
845 Meadows Road Aspen
1-800-452-4240


This newly-designed restaurant at Aspen Meadows, a hotel and home of the Aspen Institute, offers sweeping views of the mountains and western valleys. The decor is contemporary, right down to the cutlery and odd-shaped colored glass plates. The artistry extends to what's on the plate too, with huge salads (billed as starters) and simple but tasty New American main courses. As one of the world's preeminent think tanks, the Aspen Institute attracts everyone from Bill Clinton to Queen Noor. Eavesdrop on a some of the scintillating conversations going on nearby, and by the time you leave, you won't just have satisfied your stomach, you might also have sated your mind as well. 

Poppycock's
609 E. Cooper St. Aspen 970-925-1245
Visa and Mastercard for purchases over $20.00
Breakfast and lunch only

There's a reason that Poppycock's sells its pancake mix: to provide Poppycock pancake addicts with their fix at home, wherever home may be. One bite and you're hooked, simple as that. The pancakes here are the perfect balance between dense and light, decadent and guiltless. But other breakfast and lunch items are equally satisfying. The thick, steaming oatmeal is one of these items, as are the fresh fruit and eggs. The constant whir of the blender speaks to the popularity of the fruit smoothies, while the salads, though not entirely contemporary, hit the spot with their clean, fresh ingredients. Prepare to wait for a table here, but just bring a newspaper and enjoy the brief wait. They move folks through very quickly.

Range
304 E. Hopkins Ave. Aspen 970-925-2402
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
Dinner only
to

This was once the formal and much-loved restaurant, Renaissance until Renaissance owner and chef Charles Dale converted it to the more casual Range. Although Dale has since sold most of his interest, one still feels perfectly at home at Range. The food is delicious, offering the quintessential Colorado cuisine. Elk, trout, and steak make up the rustic fare, but for those less game, dishes like scallops and halibut are offered as well. The Blue Sky salad, featuring blue cheese (of course), beets, and bacon on bibb lettuce is a great way to start as is The Three Ceviches, which lends itself to sharing. Desserts have always been a highlight here, and with a name like Chocolate Lava Cake, what’s not to love?

The R Bar
304 E. Hopkins Ave. Aspen 970-925-2402
Major credit cards
Full bar
to

Just upstairs from Range is The R Bar, a casual alternative to the dining below. The kitchen at the R Bar serves up quite decent, though less fancy, fare. A quesadilla filled with lamb, black beans, and fontina cheese might begin the meal, and it may be followed by a salmon burger on a brioche bun with tarragon tartar sauce or the grilled double thick pork chop with spinach and onions. A set menu is also offered here and includes a soup or salad, an entree, and a dessert. Since this is a small space with a large bar, the big draw here is often "liquid food," but it's also a place where both locals and tourists gather to enjoy good food and drink in a more casual though sometimes loud, atmosphere. The R Bar also serves as an alternative to Range wanna-be patrons who didn't make their reservations in time.

Restaurant Barclay
430 E. Hyman Avenue Aspen 970-429-1072
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
to

Descend the steps into this restaurant and enter a world unlike any other in Aspen. Known for its new American cuisine with a Mediterranean slant.

Rustique
216 S. Monarch St. Aspen 970-920-2555
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar

Aspen meets Provence at this popular bistro, despite (because of?) the category of so called “Weird Dishes” on the menu (think Calf’s Liver or Braised Veal Cheeks) as well as more conventional bistro food like braised short ribs with horseradish. The cheese course is always a delight, and although decidedly American, the pecan pie is worth the extra calories.

Rusty's Hickory House
730 W. Main St. Aspen 970-544-6559
Major credit cards
Full bar
to

Breakfast or ribs, take your pick at this Aspen mainstay. If ribs aren't your thing, then BBQ chicken or Louisiana catfish might fit the bill. Traditional breakfasts, though, are the main reason to come to this Main Street location -- they're famous and filling, perfect for a pre-hike repast.

Specialty Foods of Aspen/The Cheese Shop
601 East Hopkins
970-544-6656

People who live in cities far larger than one whose population is under 6,000 would be hard-pressed to find such a great cheese selection. But Michele Kiley, known locally as Kiley, is a cheese expert and it shows. Her business partner, Marco, fires up some of the best panini available anywhere this side of the Atlantic, and he tosses a mean salad too. It's a lunch-only place, but locals know to come here and stock up on provisions for apres-ski in the winter and post-14,000-foot hike in the summer.

Syzygy
520 E. Hyman Ave. Aspen 970-925-3700
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
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It's too involved to explain what Syzygy, the word, means, but all that really matters is remembering the name at all. A great chef and a great sommelier together have created two winning menus, one for food and the other for wine. Some of the highlights include seared Hudson Valley foie gras with caramelized apples, spiced walnuts and brioche, a posole with lamb meatballs, poblano chile, and avocado, and a salad of artichokes, roasted peppers, Ni�oise olives, limestone lettuce, parmesan, and a balsamic vinaigrette. Main courses are inventive and span the ethnic globe, including the Asian-accented "chicken two ways," a grilled breast and an oven-roasted leg in a crispy egg roll with stir-fried vegetables and red curry sauce, or the French-inspired pan-seared Chilean sea bass, baby carrots, asparagus, morel mushrooms, potato batons, foie gras with a Muscat sauce. Mostly American is the horseradish salmon roulade with gold Yukon potatoes, crispy bacon, spinach, parsley creme fraiche and pine nuts. Save room for equally creative desserts.

Takah Sushi
320 S. Mill Street Aspen
970-925-8588
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
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It's a wonder that in a town the size of Aspen that no less than three sushi bars thrive. But in some ways, Takah Sushi has the most authentic feeling of the three. Downstairs, below street level, this Japanese restaurant is a little more sedate and serious, although there's no lack of fun as well as creativity, since many locals choose this as their authentic Japanese dining experience. A large sushi menu is offered, including the basics as well as a nightly chalkboard of specials. Prices are surprisingly decent for sushi and for Aspen, but of course, that could change depending on market conditions. For those who prefer their food cooked, the appetizers range from gyoza (a Japanese version of a pot sticker) to miso soup, while some entrees go beyond the borders of Japan in the form of pad thai and vegetarian pad thai. Of course, teriyaki and tempura are also offered. A fun, if not decadent, dessert is the tempura fried ice cream with a choice of chocolate sauce or a fruit sauce.

The Steak Pit
305 East Hopkins
970-925-3459

Now that the Chart House is gone, The Steak Pit, self-billed as "an Aspen tradition since 1960," is the last remaining steak house in town. Fortunately, the steaks as well as prime rib are worth the journey to the underground eatery, which happens to be a perfect place to indulge in the salad bar with abandon. This nod to a bygone era may seem passe, but try and find a diner who isn't smiling while piling their plate.

Topper's
300 Puppy Smith Street, Suite 211A
970-920-0069
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Greg Topper is a local celeb of sorts. He made his name as the chef at the Ajax Tavern, and now he has near cult-like devotion at his equal parts eat-in/take-out restaurant and cafe. His free-range rotisserie chicken is now the local standard. A to-go Caesar salad hits the spot on a summer day, and the homemade soups and so called "bowls," anything from fish, shrimp, and vegetable curry to fennel spiced pork, helps ease the goose bumps during blizzards. Located in a mini-mall that houses Clark's Market, Ace Hardware, and Bagel Bites, among the establishments, Topper recently added tables inside and out to create a place that people will want to come and stay instead of just grabbing and going.

Ute City Bar and Grill
Inside the Ute City Building, corner of Galena & Hyman Ave. Aspen 970-920-4699
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar

The heavily-trafficked corner on which the Ute City Bar and Grill sits has made it into a watering hole for locals, but also a place to go for almost any type of food mood. Often in the afternoon, you'll see people side-by-side at the bar enjoying an after-work libation, or you'll see lunchtime shoppers taking a break for a salad Nicoise, a warm spinach and salmon salad, or a "San Francisco" crab melt, which comes with a curry aioli and fresh mozzarella. Dinner becomes a little more fancy with starters like a woodland mushroom risotto served alongside a duck confit with black mission figs and espresso duck jus, a seared ahi tempura roll, or a salad simply called "The Ute," that's anything but simple with its arugula and organic greens, warm herbed chevre, pistachio baklava with apples, grilled shiitake mushrooms and sun-dried vinaigrette. Entrees travel from Mediterranean bouillabaisse to a mixed grill of red deer, ostrich, and duck breast served with rhubarb onion compote, apricot fritter, and a mint basil pinot noir sauce. (Gotta give it to 'em for most creative!). Desserts are homemade and good.

Weinerstube Restaurant
633 E. Hyman Aspen
970-925-3357
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This down-home German-style restaurant is a welcome spot in a town where everything is glitz and glitter. Order anything from sauerbraten and bratwurst to scrambled eggs, and find total satisfaction in every bite. The wrap-around porch is a great place to enjoy breakfast or lunch while watching the  bicyclists buzz by or reading the Sunday Times on a summer day.

Wild Fig
315 E. Hyman Aspen
970-925-5160

The noise inside this small popular eatery may be deafening, but some of the food can silence even the most raucous groups. The food is Mediterranean, including everything from their riff on the traditional fatoush salad comprised of chopped greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and torn pita chips to duck confit and sea bass en papillote. Save room for the chocolate desserts and have fun with the creative wine list.

The Wine Spot
415 Dean Street Aspen
970-920-9463

Located in downtown Aspen in the new Hyatt Grand Aspen, this long-needed and much welcome wine bar features 35 wines by the glass from all over the world. Cheese, caviar, salads, and desserts make up the accompanying fare.

Woody Creek Tavern
Along Woody Creek, about 5 miles south of Aspen
970-925-4585
Major credit cards accepted
Full bar
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This place is as rustic as it sounds, and as a result, attracts mountain people and mountain bikers alike. It's a stop along Woody Creek and also along the Rio Grande bike trail that begins in the middle of Aspen, and many tourists meander along the partially-paved trail just until they reach the Woody Creek Tavern. That's where the buck (and bike) stops and the fun begins. Offering BBQ and Southwest-style food (read: Mexican), The Woody Creek Tavern is a must for anyone interested in some seriously local flavor and some surprisingly decent food. A bonus is the David Florio art gallery next door, which is equally rustic but showcases some of America's best and most well-known contemporary artists. Back at the Tavern, the bar (or tavern, as the case may be) is another big attraction, and since the bus stops right in front, it's okay for those who've enjoyed themselves a little too much to hop on board. Buses are equipped with bike racks. For those who'd rather skip the bike trip in, the bus is a good alternative in both directions. Some of the seating is outdoors for those who'd rather be enjoying the sunshine (or stars) than the slightly more raucous indoor ambience. Either way, the Woody Creek Tavern is a fun, only-in-Aspen experience that's definitely worth doing.

Laura Werlin is a San Francisco-based award-winning cookbook author and freelance food writer whose work has been published in Saveur, Self & San Francisco magazine.