Anne Burrows, a professional real estate broker with Frias Properties, creates a Valley Dining Guide every year for her clients, customers and friends. Her 2016 Dining Guide lists what she believes are the best restaurants in the Roaring Fork Valley. This year, there are a few new restaurants in Aspen that are getting a lot of attention - a wide spectrum of culinary delights ranging from prime Japanese beef to Italian specialties. This week, our blog team sits down with Anne to get her take on the newest Aspen restaurantsHere are Anne's top new restaurants for 2016:
Aspen Kitchen New this year, Aspen Kitchen is located on the top floor of the recently-constructed building at the corner of Hopkins and Galena. The Aspen Kitchen offers an inspired menu for foodie types looking for interesting soups, salads, mains and sides.
Maru A Japanese restaurant in the former Takah Sushi space, features sushi and sashimi items but also offers non-fish entrees such as duck, Waygu sirloin and Kobe beef.
The Monarch, a steakhouse in the Dancing Bear space once occupied by Brexi. Along with luscious steaks and a selection of sauces, The Monarch provides fish and chicken options as well as an exceptional Caesar salad, prepared table side.
Nello Alpine, an offshoot of Nello New York, is another newcomer. Nello Alpine, serving Italian specialties, is located in the space previously occupied by Zeno in the Residences at Little Nell next to the Gondola.
Little Annie's, a longtime local's favorite for casual dining was closed for a few months but, thankfully, is open again and serving lunch, dinner and one of Aspen's very best burgers.
El Rincon (formerly the Cantina) has closed, too, but Mi Chola is scheduled to open in the same location during the winter of 2016.
Gone from Aspen's dining scene are Boogie's Diner and Finbarr's. By the way, many of Aspen's best restaurants offer a bar menu which is a great way to save a little money and still enjoy the restaurant's food and ambiance. Go early to snag a seat at the bar or at a bar table. Aspen's restaurants and real estate rival the best anywhere and meet the expectations of its residents and visitors who travel the world and are accustomed to interesting and innovative cuisine, homes and hotels. Be sure to check out the down valley towns of Basalt and Carbondale, where you will find additional interesting restaurants and real estate opportunities that may be more affordable.