I just got back from skiing at Beaver Creek CO with Shafergirl. The skiing was wonderful and we also ate at 4 excellent restaurants.
The first night we ate at Splendido in Beaver Creek. This is the third year in a row that we've eaten here and it has been great everytime. For an appetizer we shared Sea Scallops with Porcini. The entrees were Elk Loin with Osso Buco and Colorado Rack of Lamb. Each was delicious but the portions were alittle small. The service was very good. We drank a 1996 Leoville Barton Claret. It was rich, elegant, full-bodied and had a good long finish. A 92.
The next night was at The Grouse Mountain Grill in our hotel, the Pines Lodge at Beaver Creek. Our appetizers were Lobster, Spinich and Mascarpone Flatbread and Seafood Bisque. The entrees we ate were Roast Duck and Veal Porterhouse Steak. Here we found the food to be excellent and the service was very good. Our main wine was a 1997 Dalla Valle-Napa Cab. It was a tremendous wine-full of black cherry and currant. Absolutely delicious and will get better. A 94.
Night #3 we were joined by relatives from Denver. We ate at TraMonti in Beaver Creek. Our appetizers were Fried Calamari and Minestrone Soup. The entrees were Lobster Ravioli and Grilled Beef Tenderloin. The food was good but not up to the previous 2 nights. The service was very good. Their Italian wines were grossly marked up so we had a 1999 Simi Cab for our entree wine. It was good and we gave it an 88.
The last night (again with our Denver relatives) we ate at Larkspur in Vail. There we shared an appetizer called Shellfish sampler-a crab, shrimp and octopus salad. Our entrees were Tuna and Veal Scallopini. The food was absolutely divine and the service was again very good. We had a 1997 Chateau Montelena-Calistoga Cuvee Cab with the entrees. It isn't as big as their Estate Cab, but it was surprisingly good. An 89+.
Overall I would rate the restaurants in the order of Larkspur, Splendido, Grouse Mountain and TraMonti.
I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that I gained 4 pounds on this trip despite 4 days of hard skiing.

Sounds like a great time! Agree with you on Splendido, though it has been about three years since I was last there. Have not been to the others, though they are on the list for "some day."

If you get a chance, next time you are in Vail, try the Left Bank, Wildflower and Sweet Basil's. There are some other great ones there too, but those are the ones that come to mind.

And if you ever get out this way again, send me a PM and maybe we can join you! Especially if you come outside of ski season, when prices and seating choices are not as hideous.

Mike

I've been to Sweet Basil's and it is great. I tried to get in Left Bank last year but it was booked at the times we wanted. I'm sure will be back next year so I'll give you a hollar.

Sounds good, I look forward to it!

Mike