5 Desserts We Crave
Satisfy your sweet tooth with some of Aspen's best desserts.
February 13, 2012
End your day with the sweetest indulgences from our favorite restaurants around Aspen. Below, our top dessert picks:
1. Campo di Fiori's tiramisu is so authentic, you'll feel like you are in Italy. Layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone and coco powder, this is the perfect way to cap off your evening. 205 S Mill Street, 970-920-7717
2. Jimmy's outrageously chocolaty Volcano Cake is a one of a kind dessert, with a gooey molten center and a hot fudge sauce topping. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy it. 205 S Mill Street, 970-925-6020
3. Indulge your craving for the perfect cheesecake with Il Mulino New York's Torta di Formaggio di Casa. Homemade Italian style cheesecake topped with freshly whipped cream and fresh berries, this dessert will satisfy any sweet tooth. 501 E. Dean Street, 970-205-1000
4. Cozy up next to the fireplace at the St. Regis and order the Campfire Smores, a twist on the timeless favorite treat. Homemade marshmallows (which you roast to perfection yourself), graham crackers and molten ganache leave you feeling satisfied. 315 E. Dean Street, 970-920-3300
5. Elevation's Dutch apple crumble is better than your grandmother's recipe. Sliced apples lightly sweetened with a hint of cinnamon nestled in delicious crumble. 304 E. Hopkins Avenue, 970-544-5166
Hannah Teter Turns 25
On the heels of the Winter X Games, the snowboarder celebrated with friends at the SKY Hotel.
January 30, 2012
On Friday, January 25, snowboard star Hannah Teter celebrated another phenomenal Winter X Games performance (snatching bronze in Snowboard SuperPipe) and her 25th birthday at Aspen’s 39 Degrees at the SKY Hotel. Billed as Hannah Teter’s PerfectaParty and presented by Clearasil, the VIP event drew athletes and influencers, including Kelly Clark, Ellery Hollingsworth, Greg Bretz and James Burton. Guests sipped specialty birthday-themed cocktails and were treated to a performance by Flosstradamus. The party benefited Teter’s charitable initiatives with Children International, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping feed impoverished children across the globe.
39 Degrees Lounge Mixes Skinny Cocktails
Two new cocktails take the guilt out the phrase “I’ll have another.”
January 20, 2012
The Skinny Dip cocktail at 39 Degrees Lounge
The Sky Hotel’s 39 Degrees Lounge is shaking up some new low calorie cocktails that are easy on the taste buds and the waistline. On the low-cal cocktail trend, general manager Denis Cote remarks, “Trend or not, guests like to have a healthier option. There are many ways to look after yourself and if we can accommodate this need, even on a small scale, we’re happy to do so.” Here, the lounge shares the recipes for two of its most popular light cocktails.
Skinny Dip
SERVES ONE
1 ounce Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo
1 ounce coconut water
3 ounces light cranberry juice
Club soda
Add all ingredients except club soda into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with soda and garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wedge.
Joie de Veev
SERVES ONE
1 1/2 ounces Veev Açaí Spirit
1/2 ounce blood orange juice
1 ounce coconut water
1 ounce pomegranate juice
2 ounces pineapple juice
Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a halved orange wheel.
Cashmere Love: Loro Piana
Don't miss Loro Piana's winter sale.
January 19, 2012
As the temperatures drop, heat things up with the hottest trends from Loro Piana’s winter collection—on sale beginning Friday, January 20. Piana’s timeless and sophisticated pieces are a must for any Aspen closet. These are a few of our favorites. 316 S. Galena St., 970-544-0502
New Restaurant: Creperie du Village
A new crepe eatery offers delicious dishes and plenty of charm.
January 19, 2012
Foodies and Francophiles rejoice: The Creperie du Village c’est tres bien! Aspen’s newest restaurant transports you straight to Paris, or perhaps Chamonix. Owners Raphael Derly and Karin Schwendtner designed and decorated the space, which is quintessentially quaint yet chic. Derly personally greets his customers—whether locals or tourists, young or old—with a welcoming, “Make yourself at home.” The menu consists of both savory and sweet crepes inspired by the cuisine of the European Alps. Favorites include the Magic Mushroom, La Bistro and the aptly named French Connection. Sweet options kick off with a variety of Nutella crepes (a delicious après snack). Other sweet staff favorites include the Crepe Suzette and the Very Berry. “The coolest thing about this place is that it’s run by amazing locals who built it from the ground up,” says a staff member. “They didn’t have an enormous bankroll, just hard work and blood, sweat and tears.” “The beauty of it is that we really care,” adds Derly. “I’m not here to take your money. I’m here to be happy.” 400 E. Hopkins Ave., 970-925-1566
photograph by chris dodds
New Shop: Haute Hoodie
Haute Hippie and Gorsuch bring Haute Hoodie to town.
January 18, 2012
Love Story poncho ($395)
New York-based Haute Hippie has partnered with Colorado retail powerhouse Gorsuch to bring the uber-cool and decidedly casual Haute Hoodie to town. Gorsuch Aspen’s 500-square-foot Little Nell boutique—the outfitter’s second Aspen outpost located in the prestigious Little Nell hotel at the base of Ajax Mountain—features the new men’s and women’s Haute Hoodie collections. You will also find a rare collection of pieces from the chic Haute Hippie line.
Predominantly knits and crafted for layering (key during Aspen’s winter chill), Haute Hoodie is a dressed-down spin-off of Haute Hippie, and marks the brand’s first venture into menswear. Co-creative directors Trish Wescoat Pound and Jesse Cole have created specialty pieces specifically designed for the Aspen store. Inspired by their travels, the new line is a cozy match for Gorsuch, which captures Colorado’s elevated lifestyle and has been influencing the style of Aspenites for more than 45 years. Our wish list includes this of-the-moment Love Story poncho ($395). In Aspen, wear it from the office to cocktails—a sophisticated yet comfy look that will keep you warm along the way.
John Oates Searches for Colorado’s Best Songwriter
The Wheeler Opera House and the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival comb the Rockies for Colorado’s Best Songwriter 2012.
January 17, 2012
John Oates
Famed pop star, songwriter and Aspen Peak contributor John Oates is on the hunt for the best songwriter in the state. Partnering with the City of Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House, Oates, who launched the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival, has helped create the 7908 Colorado Talent Search—a combing of Colorado for those that can best write and belt the blues, rock, folk and more.
Six cities will participate in the talent search and pick a finalist, who will then visit Aspen for the first three days of the third annual 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival (March 21–25). All six finalists will perform in town and be reviewed by a secret panel of judges, who will then crown Colorado’s Best Songwriter 2012. The talented winner will be invited to the final two days of the festival and will perform on the famed Wheeler Opera House stage for the opening of the festival’s final night. Additionally, all finalists will receive full festival passes and access to post-show parties. Downloads of all the finalist’s tunes will be available on the festival site, a coveted platform for aspiring stars, while the lucky winner will have an additional two songs posted to the site. “An opportunity of a lifetime,” says Wheeler Opera House executive director Gram Slaton in a prepared statement. Let the hunt begin. The search kicked off January 10, and the following Colorado towns and venues will participate next:
Aspen: January 17 (8 PM)
The Red Onion, 420 E. Cooper St.; redonionaspen.com/
Winter Park: January 24 (8 PM)
Randi's Grill and Pub, 78521 U.S. 40; liquidcommon.com/1262
Boulder: January 25 (8 PM)
Shine, 2027 13th St.; shineboulder.com/bar
Weekend Winter Wonderland: Wintersköl
Celebrate the season at Wintersköl Weekend.
January 11, 2012
The 61st annual Wintersköl Weekend (January 12–15)—Aspen’s annual ”toast to winter”—is back and better than ever. Notable highlights from the weekend include Wintersculpt, a snow sculpture contest held on the walking malls around town (Cooper Avenue, Hyman Avenue and Mill Street) presented by Anderson Ranch, and Soupskol, an alfresco evening soup cook-off featuring free soups created by local restaurants including 39 Degrees, Sabra’s Deli, the Red Onion and Viceroy. The festivities continue with Winterfest events all day Saturday on Cooper Avenue Mall, as well as a canine fashion show showcasing Aspen’s best-dressed pups. Cap off Saturday night with a fabulous display of fireworks.
photograph by daniel bayer
Magnific Aspen Ranch Estates
Our top picks in Aspen's real estate market.
January 03, 2012
1. Aspen Valley Ranch (Woody Creek): A gorgeous property with serious bragging rights, this ranch is elegantly rustic. Listed for $59 million by Joshua Slaslove and Tommy Latousek of Joshua & Co.
2. Meanwhile Ranch (Snowmass): A luxurious working ranch nestled against the dramatic red rock of Snowmass Canyon, with an auto showroom to boot. Listed for $19.95 million by Gary Feldman of Joshua & Co.
3. Red Rock Ranch (Basalt): The ultimate mid-valley retreat, with charming downtown Basalt just minutes away. Listed for $2.8 million by Karen Toth of Chaffin & Light Real Estate
4. Mclain Flats Ranch (Aspen): This 10-acre property is a dream for horse lovers, with direct access to hiking and fishing. Listed for $5.85 million by Carol Dopkin Real Estate
5. Craig Homestead Ranch (Woody Creek): Originally homesteaded in the late 1800s and purchased by the Craig family in 1964, this is Colorado living at its peak and one of the oldest ranches in the Valley. Listed for $38 million by Bob Starodoj and Edmund Foran of Coldwell Banker Mason Morse
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JOSHUACO.COM (ASPEN VALLEY RANCH); ASPEN/GLENWOOD MLS (MEANWHILE RANCH, RED ROCK RANCH, MCLAIN FLATS RANCH, CRAIG HOMESTEAD RANCH)
Annie Plays at Wheeler Opera House
Theatre Aspen presents a charming production of a classic.
December 19, 2011
David Hess and Julia Foran in Annie
It is opening night of Annie presented by Theatre Aspen at the Wheeler Opera House. Despite the depression-era setting with its political undertone, the show is filled with holiday charm and spirit. The cast and crew, who mounted the show this summer in Aspen, are ready to go. The Roaring Fork Valley theatre community is much like a family, and its gift is the talent they bring to the stage through Theatre Aspen and Aspen Community Theatre (ACT). Annie was initially directed and choreographed by Marjorie Mae Treger, who is from San Diego and has more than 70 shows under her belt. Paige Price, Theatre Aspen artistic director, restaged the production when it was slated for the Wheeler. Musical director David Dryer tells me the cast is “ready!”
Julia Foran, who returns to play Annie, expressed her admiration for the work done with Treger. She was exposed to guided meditation, character charts and trust exercises. (Her nomination for Best Young Actress is testament to her dedication and love for the role.) Foran first saw the film Annie when she was six years old and watched it repeatedly for years. When she heard that Aileen Quinn, who played the title role in the film, would be performing the role of Lily she was star struck and thrilled. Some of her favorite moments in the show are the dance routines and working with the dog, Zoot, who plays Sandy and keeps her on her toes.
Franz Alderfer, who plays Drake, has performed on Broadway and recently worked with Foran in ACT’s production of Evita. He loves the enthusiasm the children bring to the show, and he has enjoyed working with Foran, whose father worked with him in The Music Man in 1975. “She looks at me with the same expression he did—like, who is this maniac coming at on stage!” he says. (Through December 23) Wheeler Opera House, 320 E. Hyman Ave., 970-920-5770; click here for tickets
Aspen Peak and Bing Snow Polo Party Aspen Peak and Bing hosted the Snow Polo Holiday Party at the St. Regis Resort Aspen.
